Complete San Diego Chargers Training Camp Preview

Months of preparation have all led to this week—the start of San Diego Chargers training camp.

The doors officially open at Chargers Park on Thursday, welcoming players back to football, and in a few short weeks, we'll be talking about the start of the 2015 season. But before we get ahead of ourselves, it might be best to refresh your memory of some important things to keep an eye on in camp. It's been a long offseason, and you may have already forgotten what's gone on since the conclusion of last season.

Here's a breakdown of everything fans should know and care about during camp.

Practice Schedule Open to Public

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Below is a list of the 10 training camp practices open to the public. For more information, visit the team's website.

Date	Time
Thursday, July 30	9:20-11:15 a.m. PDT
Friday, July 31	2:50-4:45 p.m. PDT
Saturday, August 1	9:20-11:15 a.m. PDT
Sunday, August 2	2:50-4:45 p.m. PDT
Wednesday, August 5	2:50-4:45 p.m. PDT
Saturday, August 8	FanFest 2015 (10:30-12:30 p.m. PDT) at Qualcomm Stadium
Monday, August 10	2:50-4:45 p.m. PDT
Saturday, August 15	9:20-11:15 a.m. PDT
Monday, August 17	2:50-4:45 p.m. PDT
Tuesday, August 18	9:20-11:15 a.m. PDT

*All dates and times are subject to change without notice.

Chargers Park (Chargers Training Facility)

4020 Murphy Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92123

For those wondering what a visit to camp might entail, imagine being only a few feet away from some of your favorite players as they go to work on the practice field. It allows for a more intimate setting than you might encounter taking in a game at Qualcomm Stadium. But don't forget to bring the sunblock, a hat and preferably some water, because although San Diego is home to some of the best weather in the world, it can get pretty warm out there (trust me, I know).

Top Position Battles to Watch

Inside Linebacker: Donald Butler vs. Manti Te'o vs. Denzel Perryman

Bleacher Report's NFL draft lead writer Matt Miller will be keeping his eye on the Chargers position battle at inside linebacker, where second-round draft pick Denzel Perryman is threatening to split up the current starting duo of Donald Butler and Manti Te'o, both of whom can't seem to stay healthy. Te'o missed six games last season with a fractured foot, while Butler sat out the final two games with a dislocated elbow.

A big hitter with over 100 tackles in each of his last two seasons at Miami, Perryman should receive ample playing time regardless of whether he wins the job or not.

Strong Safety: Jimmy Wilson vs. Jahleel Addae vs. Darrell Stuckey

When Marcus Gilchrist departed for the New York Jets in free agency, the Chargers were left with a vacancy at strong safety, which one of three players could fill. Jimmy Wilson, the versatile defender previously with the Miami Dolphins, played multiple spots in the secondary and is coming off a career year for tackles with 58. Perhaps the most physical of the bunch is third-year man Jahleel Addae, who can get a little reckless trying to deliver the big hit, but that style of play is most appreciated when it results in a turnover for the defense. Addae had two forced fumbles last season, including one that was returned for a touchdown.

Darrell Stuckey is thought more highly of on special teams, which was the reasoning behind his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2014, but he sometimes contributes as an extra defensive back in sub-packages.

Right Guard: Johnnie Troutman vs. Joe Barksdale vs. Jeremiah Sirles

If the Chargers intend to keep D.J. Fluker at right tackle and dismiss the notion of moving him inside, then Johnnie Troutman will remain the presumed starter at right guard until someone else takes the job from him. Joe Barksdale has spent the majority of his career at tackle, but as ESPN.com's Eric D. Williams reported, the former third-round pick worked at right guard and right tackle with the second unit in offseason workouts.

Second-year man Jeremiah Sirles is also in the conversation after backing up Troutman last season.

Top Storylines

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

1. All Eyes on Melvin Gordon

The Chargers' first-round pick is bound to attract the most attention in camp not just because he was one of the most recognized faces in college football last season, but also because the expectations couldn't be higher for him to make San Diego's ground game respectable once again. The Chargers finished 30th in rushing a year ago, and running backs combined to average only 3.4 yards per carry, which was the second-lowest in 2014.

2. Antonio Gates Suspended for PEDs

All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates will miss the first four games of the 2015 season while serving a suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, meaning he won't be eligible to return until after San Diego's Week 4 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Fourth-year man Ladarius Green is expected to fill in as the temporary starter, but he may be auditioning for a full-time gig, as Gates is entering the final year of his contract at the age of 35. 

3. Are Chargers Bolting for Los Angeles After Next Season?

San Diego city officials haven't given up in the fight to keep the Chargers, but the team continues to explore other possibilities, such as the stadium proposal in Carson. This isn't news to most, but if this is the last season for the Chargers in San Diego, it could also mean the last training camp at Chargers Park. So if you haven't been able to get out there before, this may be your last chance to do so.

Players on the Bubble

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

1. Donald Brown, RB

Donald Brown was uneven last season despite getting the second-most snaps at running back for San Diego, and the emergence of Branden Oliver along with the addition of Gordon in the draft has him in a tight spot going into camp. He is most likely the fourth option behind Gordon, Oliver and Danny Woodhead at the moment, and the team added a pair of undrafted free agents in Jahwan Edwards and Dreamius Smith to compete for a spot at the back end of the roster.

2. Austin Pettis, WR

Austin Pettis, a five-year pro and former third-round pick, has the odds against him in making the active roster, as receiver is known to be a fairly deep position for the Chargers, but the 6'3" 203-pounder may be able to offer his services in the red zone. He hauled in nine touchdowns over the last three seasons with the St. Louis Rams.

3. Darius Philon, DE

Darius Philon was San Diego's final draft pick, meaning there's no guarantee he'll have a spot on the final 53, but the Arkansas product is said to have above-average pass-rushing ability, and the Chargers are desperate to get Corey Liuget some help in that regard on the defensive line.

Key Additions in Free Agency

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

1. Orlando Franklin, OL

The Chargers successfully bolstered the starting five up front with the addition of Orlando Franklin, who is projected to start at left guard. He was one of Pro Football Focus' top free-agent interior offensive linemen in 2015, receiving praise as both a run-blocker and pass protector. In four seasons with the Denver Broncos, Franklin started every game he played in.

2. Stevie Johnson, WR

In this PFF Fantasy article, Dan Schneier points out that the San Francisco 49ers didn't utilize 11 personnel packages very often, which led to Stevie Johnson seeing limited playing time in the one season he spent there, but that will almost certainly change now that he's with San Diego. The Chargers tend to line up in 11 personnel packages more often than not, and that should bode well for Johnson. Eddie Royal, the player Johnson was brought in to replace, saw 773 snaps last season, per PFF, and was a regular contributor in the passing game.

3. Jacoby Jones, KR

Seen mostly as a kick returner and not a receiver, Jacoby Jones will add some much-needed juice to the return game, but as he told Ricky Henne of Chargers.com, "A lot of the route combinations we have [open up] deep balls. That is right up my alley. I love to go deep!"

Jones was limited as a pass-catcher last season with the Baltimore Ravens, but offensive coordinator Frank Reich may opt to get creative with him on offense.

Top Breakout Candidates for 2015

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

1. Jason Verrett, CB

Although limited in his rookie season due to injury, Jason Verrett showed the makings of a shutdown corner. But with only six games under his belt and having just recovered from his second shoulder surgery in as many years, the former first-round pick still has a ways to go in order to meet expectations. For starters, he needs to play a full 16-game season, and some more plays like this wouldn't hurt either.

2. Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB

If Jeremiah Attaochu's debut against the Arizona Cardinals was any indication of how he'll fare as a pro, then the Chargers may have a good one on their hands. Last year's second-round pick showed tremendous burst off the edge getting to Carson Palmer in Week 1, and had he managed to stay healthy, we might have been able to see a little more from him over the course of last season. Still, Attaochu is looking at possibly starting next season with Dwight Freeney and Jarret Johnson no longer in the picture at outside linebacker.

3. Ladarius Green, TE

Ladarius Green is once again on the list of potential breakout candidates after not getting many opportunities last season, but with Gates being forced to sit out the first four games, Green will get more than a few looks from quarterback Philip Rivers.