McCoy’s film review is mostly positive
Mike McCoy singled out for praise two rookies Friday, after reviewing film of the Chargers’ 12-9 victory in the preseason’s final exhibition.
The coach said fifth-round draftee Ryan Carrethers, a nose tackle who started and went against Cardinals backups, was improved for the second consecutive game.
Carrethers’ playing time has risen since starter Sean Lissemore left the second exhibition at Seattle, with an ankle injury, and second-stringer Kwame Geathers was lost for the season to knee damage dealt him last Sunday versus the 49ers.
McCoy commended as well Chris Watt’s performances at center, where he started, and at both guard spots. The third-round draftee was a guard for his entire 50-game career at Notre Dame. But NFL coaches can be even more devoted to the Boy Scout motto: be prepared. And that means practices and exhibitions playing more than one position and next to various combinations of teammates.
“We’ve talked about position flexibility,” McCoy said. “You saw Chris Watt in there playing a lot at center and guard, being successful at both, running the show, making the calls for everybody, directing traffic.”
Other stuff
Film study confirmed to McCoy that Tourek Williams played well, which warranted praise for not just him but a veteran mentor. While Jarret Johnson, 32, is the starter at strong outside linebacker, the coach said Williams, a second-year player, is “following Jarret’s lead” and has made strides since moving from the weak side in April. “Jarret did an outstanding job of working with him at times,” McCoy said. Johnson is entering his 12th season. Multiple injuries cut into his output last year.
Sure, McCoy is biased, having hired and promoted Frank Reich, but McCoy said Reich’s first preseason as offensive coordinator was a hit. “The way he called it, the tempo he called it at, it was a smooth transition,” said McCoy, who was in that role with the Broncos and Panthers.
As ugly as the Kellen Clemens-to-Dontrelle Inman failed pass was Thursday – a Cardinals cornerback’s pickoff in the end zone and long return led to three points just before halftime – it was unsightly on film. Oddly enough, a nearly identical pass and route involving the same two Chargers went for a pick-6 against Seattle, only to be nullified by a dubious penalty on the defender.
Asked if both Clemens and Inman were at fault, McCoy said, “it was a bad play on the offense.”
Call it wrap
When the Chargers resume practice Monday, they’ll train all of their attention on the Cardinals.
Behind them are five-plus months of preparations to guide them: several weeks devoted mostly to strength and conditioning and classroom study; 12 spring practices in which full-contact was forbidden; and the 18 training-camp practices and four exhibitions that included both day and night games.
“It was a very productive offseason,” McCoy said.