North County Times - Chargers - Chargers wideouts\0have hands, smarts
excerpt:
SAN DIEGO ---- When people dissect the abilities of wide receivers, the focus often revolves around speed, hands and strength. But Chargers receivers coach James Lofton looks much deeper than the physical attributes.
Lofton, who played 16 NFL seasons, is just as interested in a player's brain.
In two of the past three drafts, Lofton has been amazed at the intelligence level of a receiver the Chargers have selected.
In Lofton's view, rookie Craig Davis, 21, and third-year player Vincent Jackson, 24, have uncanny intelligence.
"You hate to throw tags on guys, but both those guys ---- you can look at their physical attributes, and they have great size and speed and strength," Lofton said. "On the outside, people might be surprised, but these are two of the smartest receivers in their drafts ---- Vincent when he came out his year and Craig coming out this year.
"So not only did we pick guys who have great physical skills, but we took guys who are really smart. I think that will aid Craig in getting acclimated into the NFL. He's a guy who really studies hard and takes the game seriously."
It's possible Jackson and Davis could be the starting receivers when the Chargers open the regular season on Sept. 9.
Jackson, a second-round pick in 2005, is listed atop the depth chart at one receiver spot. Davis, a first-round pick this year, is battling Malcom Floyd for the other starting spot that opened when Eric Parker was recently lost for up to 10 weeks to a toe injury.
Jackson caught 27 passes and scored six touchdowns last season. He has speed and strength to go with his 6-foot-5, 241-pound frame but also takes pride in the cerebral side of the game.
"I'm a professional thinker," Jackson said. "That's what separates college from the professional level. Everything is more conceptual, and to understand the complexities of defenses and the shifts and the adjustments you have to make on the fly, you have to be able to understand everything from a conceptual picture."
The 6-1, 202-pound Davis has impressed nearly everybody with how rapidly he is grasping the Chargers' offense. Quarterback Philip Rivers has publicly complimented Davis' intelligence several times since training camp opened.
In Davis' case, he has been working overtime to make sure he knows his responsibilities and assignments on every play.
"I like to know where I'm going to be and know what I'm doing," Davis said. "I don't want to go out there and not know what I'm doing. I want to at least have a clue of what I'm doing even if it's new to me. That's the main thing. I don't want to get out here and everybody else knows their assignment and I don't."
Chargers wideouts have hands, smarts
Chargers wideouts have hands, smarts
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