The San Diego Chargers are beginning work in preparation for the upcoming 2013 season. After a string of disappointing seasons, head coach Mike McCoy recognizes the urgency to get the team back to being playoff contenders. The Chargers were once a team that kept players like Peyton Manning up at night, but recently they have hit some rough spots. As Chargers got a look at their newly acquired rookies, McCoy is excited for the future.
Philip Rivers could be on his last leg in San Diego. It is rumored that if Rivers fails to be a top quarterback this year, the team will move in a different direction for 2014. Despite reaching 31, McCoy believes Rivers still has what it takes to be a top athlete in the NFL.
In an interview with SI.com, McCoy said he thinks Rivers can complete at least 70 percent of his passes next season. He believes the quarterback is capable of becoming more accurate and has been impressed with his willingness to learn. The new offensive system being set in place will have Rivers throwing shorter, more conservative balls instead of deep balls that have led to 35 interceptions in the past two seasons.
As McCoy gets excited for the offense, the recent minicamp has him expressing equal praise for the defense. The Charges got their first look at Manti Te'o over the weekend and believe he could be the star linebackers he was once projected to be.
"Our plan is for him to play three downs, and when we scouted him, we believed that's what he'd be. But he'll have to earn that, obviously. We're going to play the best guys, and if he's the best guy on all three downs, he'll be in there," McCoy said.
Te'o's NFL abilities have been highly put into question after the one-time Heisman Trophy candidate got embarrassed during the National Championship game against Alabama. The Chargers hope to get Heisman Te'o and not championship game Te'o.
McCoy knows Te'o will receive some teasing for his fake girlfriend drama. The head coach said that "players will be players" and the veterans will have their fun with him, but that the linebacker will fit in really well.
