LOS ANGELES_Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn didn't exactly heap praise on first-round draft pick Mike Williams after his first on-field work as a member of the team Friday morning.
According to Lynn, Williams "showed up." According to Lynn, Williams "caught a few balls." And according to Lynn, "Mike was fine."
Considering the Chargers signed Williams on Thursday to a contract worth close to $20 million, including almost $12.5 million in a signing bonus, showing up, catching a few and being fine aren't the kind of returns on investment they're seeking.
But Lynn and Williams know that impressing anyone Friday was always going to be a challenge. The first day of the team's rookie camp isn't designed for that.
Lynn sounded almost apologetic after he was asked again and again how so-and-so looked. "It's hard to tell today," he said.
No, Friday was more about putting people in the right places, getting them used to the Chargers' language and terminology and getting them comfortable in what an NFL practice looks like.
"No," second-round pick Forrest Lamp said, "the NFL isn't easy."
Players were given their playbooks Thursday. A day later, they were on the field. And, at times, there were mistakes.
"It's a lot of learning on Day 1," Lynn said. "Really, you don't see the natural abilities until Week 2. Once they understand how to get lined up, their assignments and all the adjustments we have, then you see these guys play fast and make plays."
The first day, though, gave a brief glimpse into how Lynn and the Chargers could see some of their rookies. Lamp, for instance, played right guard. Third-round pick Dan Feeney played a lot of center.
"We think (Feeney) can play center," Lynn said. "We have two guards and a center position where we're looking at different combinations. He's definitely in the mix."
Feeney, who said he played center only in practice during his time in college, didn't back down when asked about trying to play his way into the starting lineup this season.
"We want to. We're football players. We want to get out on the football field and play. That's our biggest thing," Feeney said. "But, we've got to do whatever the team needs. If they need us to get a little stronger, a little better technique and not playing every game, so be it. But you have to keep that competitive edge and you've got to want to play every time."
It's partly why Williams wanted to sign his contract.
"That was real important. I just wanted to come out here, don't miss days, just come out here and enjoy it with my teammates," Williams said. "I know a lot of people were saying maybe my agency (Creative Arts Agency) was going to hold it out or something like that, but I got a great deal. I'm happy with it. Now, it's time to play football."
