Inside track

[Red Zone]

Casey Pearce

Posted Aug 6, 2009


Kevin Burnett and Tim Dobbins have both gotten off to strong starts in training camp as they begin their battle for a starting job at inside linebacker.

Linebacker Kevin Burnett is in the middle of a battle during training camp, but the way he sees it, he’s simply pushing himself.

“Everybody wants to make this a competition between me and Tim Dobbins, and to me that’s not the case,” Burnett said. “I’m in a competition with myself to be the best football player that I can be. If it’s as a starter, that’s what it is.”

Burnett joined the Chargers as a free agent this offseason after four years in Dallas. He and the incumbent Dobbins have both shined early in camp and appear poised to present a tough decision for their coaches.

“Both of them are having an outstanding camp,” Turner said. “I think it plays out like any other position. We’re going to go through the preseason and we’re going to pick a starter.”

Dobbins came up with an interception during team drills Tuesday, and Burnett broke up a pair of passes in Wednesday morning’s practice. Dobbins, who enters his fourth season in San Diego, has shown improvement each season with the club.

Turner likes the way Burnett has adjusted to a new environment. Particularly over the past few days, Burnett has stood out in practice, which Turner says is a product of the Tennessee grad taking advantage of his opportunities to make plays.

“He’s come in and learned what we’ve asked him to,” Turner said. “He’s very instinctive. He’s got an outstanding burst. What’s happened for him is the plays that we’ve been running and the scheme is designed for that ‘backer to make a bunch of plays and he’s been in a position to make them.”

Double trouble?

Turner is regularly asked about the possibility of finding ways to get LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles on the field at the same time. It’s something Turner and his staff have explored, but it begs a concern.

“We look at it a lot,” Turner said. “The more playmakers you can get on the field the better off you are. The problem with it is one of them has to block, and one has to block some pretty physical people. We’re not going to feature LT to block, and that’s not what Darren does. There are times we can have them both on the field together and there are times when that probably wouldn’t be the best for us.”

Last season, Sproles and Tomlinson did not share the field at any point.

English rests

Linebacker Larry English sat out both of Wednesday practices with a sore hamstring, although Turner doesn’t see his situation as a serious one.

Defensive tackle Jamal Williams and linebacker Shawne Merriman rested Wednesday morning but were back on the field for the night practice. Wide receiver Buster Davis (quad) missed the morning but returned for the night.

Saying thanks

A group of approximately 30 “Wounded Warriors” visited Chargers Park Wednesday morning and took in practice. As players made their way off the field, nearly every one of them stopped and told the servicemen and women, all of whom were injured while serving overseas, how much the Chargers appreciate what they do.

When the Chargers host the Seahawks in their preseason opener next week, they’ll celebrate the team’s 21st Annual Salute to the Military.

FanFest Saturday

Fanfest 2009, sponsored by Bud Light, will take place at Qualcomm Stadium on Saturday beginning with the autograph session at 10:15 and practice immediately after from 11-1 p.m. Parking and admission are free. The parking lot will open at 8 a.m. and stadium gates at 9:30 a.m.

FanFest will feature the debut performance of the 2009 Charger Girls, followed by an opportunity for autographs. Free interactive games will be located on the plaza concourse and concession stands will be selling hot dogs for $1.00 each.

Chargers.com