Chargers Enthusiastic About Upcoming Week's Joint Practice

Ahead of their preseason matchup against the Saints, New Orleans and the Bolts are meeting for joint practices to prepare for their clash this weekend.

Many on both teams are excited about the venture, including Chargers guard Zion Johnson who spoke on an experience like no other in the NFL season.

“Joint practices, I feel like, are a good opportunity to get that real-game scenario. Preseason is good, but you’re not really going against the ones (the starters). Joints, you get to go against the best players on the team. It’s good to really see where you stack up."

via Elliot Teaford, OC Register

Johnson played in the Chargers' win against the Rams to kick off preseason, but the opportunity to play among those at the top of the depth chart might be even more valuable.

It's well known that starters usually don't get more than a few reps in the ramp-up to the regular season due to fear of injury and other players hoping to make an NFL roster needing more time to show coaches and GMs if they're worth sticking around.

Joint practices bridge this gap and allow starters to get the necessary work before the year begins without increasing concern for injury at game speed.

Though the Chargers, like the rest of the league, needed to see what they had in Derius Davis among many other players, the solidified starting lineup always could use the work before the real games begin.

The Saints also appreciate such work, and with many questions for their new quarterback Derek Carr from Vegas, real-time plays against a starting defense will benefit New Orleans goals.

Though the two teams will meet for an official game at the halfway point of their respective preseasons, the team's real goals might just start with joint practices like these.