The 5 Biggest Takeaways from San Diego Chargers Rookie Minicamp

The San Diego Chargers held rookie minicamp over the weekend, enlisting the participation of 40 players, including the team's six draft choices. So what were the biggest takeaways from camp?

For starters, it didn't take long before Chargers Park was filled with a media buzz surrounding Manti Teo's debut. 

"Manti watch" was in full effect as No. 50 took the field for the first time on Friday:

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Extremely amused by the amount of media at #Chargers Park today to cover Manti Te'o running around in shorts. ;)

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"— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) May 10, 2013"

Even though Te'o was arguably the weekend's biggest story at camp, there was more than one takeaway.

McCoy Pleased with His Rookies, Despite Mental Lapse

Head coach Mike McCoy isn't looking to baby any of his players, especially when it comes to learning the team's system of doing things.

After Friday's practice, McCoy noted his players weren't up to speed mentally, but he was still pleased with their progress:

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They are way behind mentally in our system. They’ve only been here since last night learning the system, and we’re not going to slow down and wait for them. We’re going to go at the pace of the vets.

We’ve already done a lot in the offseason with the players that are already here, and they’ve got to do whatever they can to catch up. But they did a nice job today. The coaches have done an outstanding job with the players. (via chargers.com)

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It's completely normal for rookies to be behind on the first day, but it's good to hear that McCoy isn't hesitant to test his players mentally. 

Telesco Has His Eye on Kwame Geathers, Byron Jerideau

San Diego did not select a defensive tackle in the draft, despite Cam Thomas listed as the team's lone player on the depth chart, but the team was quick to add undrafted rookie free agents Kwame Geathers and Byron Jerideau.

Both players participated in San Diego's rookie mini camp over the weekend and were "highlighted" by GM Tom Telesco in a conference call with season ticket holders, according to chargers.com. 

Due to the lack of depth at defensive tackle and the need for girth in the middle of San Diego's defensive line, it's quite possible both players will make the 53-man roster.

While they may have went unnoticed in the draft, Geathers and Jerideau are two rookies fans should keep an eye on as well.

Keenan Allen Experiencing No Pain

A PCL tear during his 2012 season was likely the cause of Keenan Allen's drop in the draft from a potential first-rounder to the third.

The injury forced the former Cal Bear to miss the final three games of the season and hindered his ability to impress scouts at the combine and his pro day.

Day 1 of minicamp was a completely different story for Allen, who ran every drill during a morning practice on Friday and experienced "no setbacks and no pain," according to U-T San Diego's Michael Gehlken.

For fans who may have worried Allen's injury would be a problem heading into the start of the season, it seems as though his rehab is going well.

D.J. Fluker Wants to Be a Leader

With Day 1 of rookie minicamp in the books, it was pretty clear which players took it upon themselves to be leaders on the field.

D.J. Fluker was one of those players who stepped up on Friday, and Coach McCoy took notice of his first-round pick assuming that leadership role:

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When you see kids that come from Alabama, the way they’ve been coached, he really was the leader out there on offense today. It’s great to see that because we need more guys like that.

Very vocal. Very positive to everybody. (He) broke the team down at the end, and I didn’t ask him to. I wanted to see who would step up, and he stepped up without hesitation. (via chargers.com)

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Fluker addressed that role during a press conference after the first day of practice concluded:

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Being able to lead the team is one of my passions. I have to be able to earn that role on the field. That’s the main thing. Today was just trying to earn that role and give everything I have. (via chargers.com)

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What really impressed me is the fact that Fluker came into camp with such a positive attitude even though he remains the only Chargers' rookie without a contract.

Manti Te'o Draws the Spotlight

U-T San Diego's Jay Paris dubbed Friday's rookie practice "Manti Mania," as a crowd of reporters gathered to watch second-round pick Manti Te'o take the field in his debut.

From what the media reported, it seemed as if Te'o wanted to waste no time in proving himself as a football player:

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McCoy also praised Te'o as a natural leader. Te'o stood in front for stretching, went first in drills on his own accord, etc. #chargers

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"— Annie Heilbrunn (@annieheilbrunn) May 10, 2013"

The spotlight will be on Te'o for the majority of this season with everything that has happened in the past, but the important thing to take away from his effort at minicamp is that he's moved on and in the right mindset to play football.