San Diego Chargers Training Camp: 5 Early Storylines to Watch

It has been well over a month since the San Diego Chargers held the last of their OTAs, but in just 10 days comes the start of training camp when players will strap up for full-contact practices.

It's there at Chargers Park where the coaching staff will determine the best 53 and the order of the depth chart, but it's also where the team plans to unleash some of its key storylines. Unlike previous years, the Bolts were anything but quiet in the offseason, and some of the issues facing the team in 2015 will begin to shape during the trials of camp.

Let's take a look at some of the key storylines to follow as training camp unfolds.

Melvin Gordon, Denzel Perryman Could Start for Bolts

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ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams discussed the possibility of Melvin Gordon and Denzel Perryman becoming starters as rookies, and the reasons for both are strong enough to garner support. Gordon's resume at Wisconsin was wildly impressive, and if he can bring that same fire to the Chargers backfield, he's a definite upgrade over the likes of Branden Oliver, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown.

Meanwhile, Perryman has a similar case building for him with linebackers Donald Butler and Manti Te'o so prone to injury. The Miami product also brings a physical mentality to the position that is sometimes lacking with the aforementioned starters. He's a for-sure thing to earn playing time his first year, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him overtake either of the two.

In any case, both players are supremely talented and should have no trouble pushing for starting roles.

The Chris Watt Era Officially Begins in San Diego

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For the first time in nearly a decade, the Chargers will open training camp without longtime center Nick Hardwick, as he enjoys the thrills of being newly retired. Taking his place will be second-year man Chris Watt, who was originally drafted to play guard but wound up starting five games at center due to injuries.

Watt has his work cut out for him replacing a former Pro Bowler, but he intends to do his best in replacing Hardwick, telling Ricky Henne of Chargers.com: "I know there are huge shoes to fill with the way he and Phil worked every day and worked on protections. Everyone is different, but I am going to do my best to be the best leader and player I can be."

Watt shined in some of his starts last season, but center is technically still new to him. With the benefit of a full camp to get in more reps, he should do just fine.

Chargers Prepare for Life Without Antonio Gates

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The Chargers will be without All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates for the first four games of the regular season due to the suspension he received earlier this month for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

As such, quarterback Philip Rivers won't have the luxury of throwing to his all-time favorite target in games versus Detroit, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Cleveland. Instead, he'll be forced to rely on fourth-year man Ladarius Green until the four games are up.

Green has appeared in 34 games since he was drafted 110th overall in 2012, but despite the limited playing time, he has shown considerable upside, which was on display during his sophomore season when he averaged 22.1 yards on 17 receptions.

While Gates is still eligible to participate in training camp and preseason games, Green should come away with the majority of first-team reps.

Guard or Tackle: Where Does D.J. Fluker Play Next Season?

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D.J. Fluker has spent the last two seasons at right tackle, but after enduring what he characterized as a sophomore funk in 2014, general manager Tom Telesco discussed the former first-round pick as a possible candidate to play guard. And when the Chargers signed former St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Joe Barksdale in free agency, it only further added to the speculation.

But as Fluker explained to Ricky Henne of Chargers.com, it doesn't matter where he plays, so long as it helps the team.

"Honestly, to me, it is whatever the team needs me to do," Fluker said. "To play right tackle, right guard or left tackle, it doesn’t matter to me. I’m just going to play. That is how I see it. Just be a team player. Wherever the team needs me (to) help them, that is where I’m going to play."

Lofty Expectations for Jason Verrett in Year 2

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Jason Verrett's first season with the Chargers lasted only six games due to injury, but he managed to leave quite the impression before heading to IR with a torn shoulder labrum. For starters, he didn't miss on a single tackle, according to Pro Football Focus (via Bleacher Report's Matt Miller), and of the 19 tackles he made in 2014, 18 came on solo attempts.

But the most dazzling play by far came against the hometown team he rooted for in his youth—the Oakland Raiders. The 5'9" Verrett timed his jump perfectly to get his hands on Derek Carr's intended pass for 6'3" receiver Brice Butler, thus icing the game for a 31-28 victory in Week 6.

That play alone was enough to see Verrett had potential worthy of his first-round selection, and it also factored into the grading for his spot on the B/R NFL 1000. He was the highest-ranked rookie of the bunch with a grade of 85 out of a possible 100.

Assuming he can stay healthy, there's a lot to like about Verrett, especially with Brandon Flowers on the opposite side of him.