Day 1. 90 players. 53 man roster, 8 on the practice squad. The magic number is 61. So the competition begins.

 Every year come the end of summer, the best part of the year begins. Players come to earn their spot on the Chargers’ roster. Undrafted free agents hoping to make a name for themselves, rookies learning the ropes, veteran returners and free agents trying to get back into the swing of things and prove themselves once again.

Chargers first full squad practice yesterday was definitely aggressive. With the Chargers bringing in the most veterans in the AFC West, rookies are fighting tooth and nail for a roster spot, which is bringing out the best in everyone.

“It’s always been a competitive camp and I think the guys enjoy going against one another, but I think this will be the most competitive camp we’ve had since I’ve been here. There are a lot of good football players 1-90 and there are a lot of guys competing. That’s what will help make us the best team” said Phillip Rivers after just finishing their first walk-thru practice.

The second most important factor in training camp is staying healthy. Charlie Whitehurst (QB) had his knee cave in after contact with another player and left practice early (Chargers are looking to bring in a third QB for camp). Jared Gaither suffered what is being described “full body cramp”. Whitehurst is said to be out 2-3 week, while Gaither will be back at practice tomorrow.

With just two weeks away until their first game, everyone is feeling the same sense of urgency (tired of the saying yet? Get use to it, I’m sure Norv will make it into a slogan!) Day 1 of a long season, hopefully.

Rookies reported to their first training camp last night, checking into the hotel and getting acquainted with one another. It was like back to school for them, playbooks in hand, some studying for an entire month before putting studying to theory. Today was their first practice in what hopes to be a promising season.

For the past couple of seasons head coach Norv Turner has had the same phrase going into training camp: “We have to have a sense of urgency.” It’s a make or break year for the Chargers and it is starting off on the right foot.The rookies look promising, all of them ready to prepare for the upcoming season.

With some rookies just getting caught up to speed on the playbook,  many question if this class of rookies will be up to par. After practice Norv Turner addressed the media, “I was impressed. It is hardest for the young guys because you want to get out of here and relax your body.  When you get back it jumps on you quickly. But, I thought they handled it well today.”

These next two days of practices are for the rookie’s benefit. Most of training camp the rookies will be watching and learning from the sidelines while the veterans get the practice. “A lot of guys took a lot of reps today, it was tough. But some of these guys might not get any reps when the veterans come back. These are the days you have got to take advantage of the little things, do everything the coaches ask of you, and be accountable.” Arthur Hobbs, rookie CB.

Four veterans were present today, quarterbacks Phillip Rivers and Charlie Whitehurst were throwing around to the rookie wide receivers. Also Jonas Mouton and Larry English, both veteran linebackers who missed most of last season, were asked to come out for an extra practice before the rest of the veterans return for a full squad practice on Thursday.

Day 1 is through and the Chargers are looking to get started quickly and have their rookies be ahead of the game once the veterans return later this week for the first full practice on Thursday.