SDUT: Ingram debuts at Chargers rookie minicamp

[Robin Miller]

Ingram debuts at Chargers rookie minicamp

By Michael Gehlken

Friday, May 11, 2012

Number 54 crept toward the line of scrimmage Friday at Chargers Park,
waiting for the ball to be snapped.

Not yet.

He crept closer, waited longer, knees bent and legs slightly staggered.
Finally, the play began, and the Chargers linebacker launched out of his
stance and exploded into the backfield during an 11-on-11 practice drill.

At 6-foot-1, he's the same height as former nine-year Chargers veteran
Stephen Cooper. He looks about as stocky, too.

But it may take some getting used to, watching the new 54 move this fast.

First-round pick Melvin Ingram made his Chargers debut during the first
morning of the team's three-day rookie minicamp. Forty-two players were
present in total, including the six others who were drafted last month.

Ingram, an outside linebacker selected 18th overall, naturally took
center stage.

“We're not stressing the physical part of (the game) right now," coach
Norv Turner said. "But you see his body type and the way he operates.
He's got a good combination of great quickness, and he's going to be a
very physical player — we saw that in everything he does.

“He's got a great first step, and guys like that have a knack for
rushing the passer.”

Defensive end Kendall Reyes, the team's second-round pick, also jumped out.

He is who the Chargers hoped, "a big 300-pound guy with great change of
direction and great quickness,” Turner said.

All new players worked with their respective position coaches.

Former Penn State guard Johnnie Troutman, the team's fifth-round pick,
stayed close to offensive line coaches Hal Hunter and Mike Sullivan.

Troutman wore a sling over his right arm and, as expected, did not
participate in any drills. He's only weeks removed from pectoral
surgery, a procedure of which the Chargers were aware when selecting
him. It comes with a five-to-six month recovery timetable.

Still, he was able to get mental reps.

By the end of the morning, a second offensive lineman was unable to perform.

Former Oklahoma tackle Cory Brandon injured his left knee during the
Hunter's opening drill sequence. He is one of 17 players trying out for
a spot on the roster, but given the injury, his chances took a serious hit.

Brandon said he "got tripped up and tried to catch myself, basically,"
adding he was scheduled to visit a doctor later in the day.

"Hopefully he's alright," Turner said. "It's like what you've seen
happen in any of these basketball games the last two or three weeks.
They're taking a step, and they step on a guy's ankle, and it rolls up."

The Chargers took the field again in the afternoon. The session was
closed to media.