The Chargers were having some fun with it, but they think the Wildcat might become a serious part of their game plan.
The laughs were flowing Friday, when quarterback Philip Rivers ran a post route which nose tackle Antonio Garay described as “Forrest Gump-ish.”
The Chargers mixed it up in practice Friday by putting Ronnie Brown under center and splitting Rivers wide.
“It’s a way to, [against] a team that doesn’t handle it well, get some runs,” coach Norv Turner told Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. “I can envision us running it if it matches up with the other team. [Brown] is very good at it. We have other players that handle it real well.
“There are some people who think it takes away from the quarterback, but if it’s three to four plays a game, there’s some good to be gained from it. Philip’s going to get his shots.”
But as much as a playbook wrinkle, it serves as a way to lighten up camp, as players a week in start to lose focus.
“Anytime you can have fun, enjoy it and still get your work done, that’s a positive at this point in camp,” Rivers said. “We have great focus, and we’ll continue having it to keep improving.”
Give him credit for going along with it, but Rivers is also smart enough to know his offense’s best chance is with him throwing the passes rather than catching them.