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.

English will pratice this afternoon

Larry English was upstairs signing his contract Saturday morning but will make his first training camp appearance this afternoon.

The morning practice brought a few highlights, particularly from three receivers. Malcom Floyd seems to make a highlight-reel worthy catch every practice and did so again today. He laid out horizontally snatched a Billy Volek pass about two feet off the ground.

Earlier, Philip Rivers stepped up in the pocket and threw a deep ball down the middle of the field that seemed destined for Clinton Hart’s hands. But as Hart set up to make the grab, Vincent Jackson leaped in front and made a nifty one-handed grab.

Legedu Naanee got in the act two, reaching over a defender to make a catch in the air.

Near the end of practice, Quentin Jammer jumped an out route and came away with a nifty pick that he took down the sideline. Paul Oliver nearly came up with a pick in a similar situation.

The defense spent most of the morning in base and much to Eric Weddle’s happiness, the first-team defense didn’t give up any big plays for the third time in as many practices.

The team will be back on the field at 4 this afternoon.