Gregory steals the show

The first padded practice of training camp was a physical one that started with a bang, but safety Steve Gregory shined the brightest Sunday afternoon. He broke up a pair of passes and picked off another. The fourth-year pro worked with the second team in base and the first team in nickel. He’s a great guy who you can’t help but be happy for.

Norv doesn’t do a full Oklahoma drill like his predecessor but he will throw it in there every once in a while. Ogemdi “Oggie” Nwagbuo beat Tyronne Green three times and then Louis Vasquez won a battle with Vaughn Martin. Fun stuff.

Eric Weddle talked about the secondary’s goal of eliminating big plays, and they did again Sunday. Quentin Jammer knocked away a pair of deep balls, one on a deep flag pattern where Weddle was closing over the top.

Lots of players look different when they put on the pads, but no one more than Jacob Hester. He’s put on about 10 pounds this offseason and he had a nice practice. There was a lot of inside run work and Hester could repeatedly be heard popping the pads.

When they wear the pads they do my favorite drill: one-on-one pass rush. Martin looked really good in that period, and you can really see English’s quickness off the ball when he’s isolated.

Two a days tomorrow so check back for plenty more.

Chargers reach agreements with four draft picks

The Chargers have agreed to terms on four-year contracts with third-round pick Louis Vasquez and fourth round picks Vaughn Martin, Tyronne Green and Gartrell Johnson.

Fifth-round selection Brandon Hughes signed his rookie contract in June.

This leaves the Chargers with just three unsigned picks: first-rounder Larry English; sixth-rounder Kevin Ellison, and seventh-rounder Demetrius Byrd.

Rookies and select veterans will be on the field Monday morning for the first training camp practice.  The entire squad will be on the field together for the first time on Friday, July 31.

Linebacker Anthony Felder has also agreed to terms on a contract and will re-join the team on Monday. An undrafted free agent from Cal-Berkeley, Felder spent the spring with the Chargers but was released in June.