John Phillips displays toughness in Chargers return
The knee he tore at the end of 2013 is back to full strength.
So Chargers tight end John Phillips is back doing what he does best -- moving big guys out of the way.
"Obviously you get your strength back with time,” the blocking tight end told the team's official website. “When you come off of a major injury, you try to get back to where you were. I wouldn’t say having more time has been a huge jump, but this offseason has been better."
Phillips didn't have a choice entering last year's offseason program. He had to rehabilitate a dual ACL/MCL tear he suffered in December 2013.
Not to be deterred, the tough Virginia product pieced together a 16-game 2014 season. Now, he's hitting the weights and the practice field with his teammates like that career-threatening injury never happened.
"I’ve been able to work on my legs," Phillips said. "I’ve able to lift heavy, so it helps you improve. I couldn’t do that last year. So at the beginning of the season, I should be stronger at the point of attack and my feet should be quicker. That’s the goal.”
San Diego missed a full-strength Phillips, particularly in the run game. His return should let Mike McCoy return to his 2013-14 play-calling form; the head coach intermixed Phillips, Antonio Gates, and Ladarius Green all season to keep defenses off kilter.