The first workout in pads during training camp usually belongs to the defense
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Pouncey traded blows with Chargers defensive linemen Brandon Mebane and Corey Liuget on Monday, showing a ferocity he rediscovered because of how his time in Miami ended after seven seasons.
"It just lit that fire again in me," Pouncey said. "I never thought I would play with anybody but the Dolphins, but once they released me, it made me want to be an even better football player. It made me want to prove everybody wrong, and I'm excited to be here. I can't wait to help this run game out, help this football team do something special."
Pouncey signed a two-year contract with the Chargers in March, inspired by the chance to play with one of the game's top quarterbacks in Philip Rivers.
His time in Miami saw Pouncey working with a host of journeymen before helping first-round draft pick Ryan Tannehill transition to the NFL. Rivers is at the other end of the spectrum in terms of talent, experience and understanding of the game. It didn't take long for Pouncey to recognize Rivers' comprehensive mastery of the position.
"I just like that he knows everything that is going on each and every play. When we go up, he's the guy that points out the Mike (linebacker). He knows when blitzes are coming, so he puts us in the right protections and he gets us in and out of plays. When a bad look is there and we don't want to run that play
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"To be able to play with him, I don't take it for granted. I feel like it's something that I lucked up into, and I'm going to take full advantage of it."
The chance to play on a team with viable Super Bowl aspirations was just as important for Pouncey, who reached the playoffs once during his time with the Dolphins, as the Chargers are the only team in the AFC West that returns its head coach, both coordinators and starting quarterback. The professionalism displayed by his new teammates during their brief time together has convinced Pouncey the Chargers can deliver on their growing expectations.
"Every year in the league I've always wanted to win," Pouncey said. "That's the goal every year you go into training camp is to try and win something, win the Super Bowl. For me right now, at the point in my career, I'm excited to be on a football team that has a chance. They finished top of the league in offense last year
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Pouncey wants to make his presence felt in the run game, where the Chargers tied for 25th after averaging 3.8 yards per carry last season. He looked up to the part in practice, creating holes for Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. But Pouncey also felt the familiar push back from the likes of Mebane and Liuget on the interior.
Chargers defenders had been looking forward to the chance to hit again, and coach Anthony Lynn said their energy was evident.
"That's kind of why you had to hold them back a little bit. You don't want the excitement to go too far," Lynn said.
The back and forth during the morning session was fine by Pouncey.
"First days of pads is always the funnest day," Pouncey said. "I feel we had a really good day as a football team on both sides of the football, and we can only get better from here."
In line for his first win in more than two months, Zack Wheeler had to watch as the New York Mets bullpen turned a five-run lead into a two-run deficit.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the struggling Mets 8-6 on Tuesday night.
”Wheeler threw a gem,” said Mets reliever Anthony Swarzak, who allowed three runs. ”We should have won this game.”
Yangervis Solarte hit a game-tying three-run home run off Robert Gsellman in the seventh before Gurriel Jr. went deep off Tim Peterson (1-1) in the eighth as the Blue Jays won for the 11th time in 14 home games.
”A couple of pitches that we didn’t quite execute
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The Mets have lost 11 of 13.
John Axford (2-1) pitched 1 2/3 innings to earn the win. Tyler Clippard got the final out for his sixth save in 10 opportunities, stranding runners at first and second.
Wheeler allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings but was denied his first victory since April 29 at San Diego.
”He did great job tonight,” Callaway said. ”Obviously deserved a better fate than he got.”
Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings against Pittsburgh in his previous start but the Mets lost 5-3.
”This is a good little stretch right now and hopefully I can keep it going,” Wheeler said.
Asdrubal Cabrera and Devin Mesoraco each hit two-run home runs for the Mets. Wilmer Flores added a solo shot.
Cabrera connected against Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada in the first and Mesoraco homered off Jake Petricka in the second.
Estrada was removed after 12 pitches because of a sore left hip. He faced three batters and got one out. Estrada allowed two runs and one hit.
”His left hip has been bothering him a little bit,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. ”It was bothering him in his last start but it was worse tonight.”
X-rays were negative. Estrada was undergoing an MRI following the game.
Petricka replaced Estrada and pitched 2 2/3 innings.
Mets outfielder Jose Bautista went 1 for 2 with a single and three walks in his first game in Toronto since leaving the Blue Jays at the end of last season, ending a 10-year run north of the border.
The crowd of 24,010 gave Bautista a standing ovation before his first at bat. The two-time home run champion took off his batting helmet and acknowledged both the fans and the Blue Jays dugout before drawing a five-pitch walk and scoring on Cabrera’s 15th homer.
”Great to be recognized, great to acknowledge the fans and great to know they feel good I’m back and wanted to recognize me,” Bautista said.
Bautista made a diving catch to retire Russell Martin for the final out of the second but was charged with a two-base error in the seventh when Randal Grichuk’s single skipped past him and rolled to the wall.
”I was actually going to try to make a play at first,” Bautista said. ”It was a good one to make an attempt
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Kevin Plawecki replaced Mesoraco at catcher in the seventh. Mesoraco was struck on the helmet by the carom when Travis was hit by a pitch in the fifth. Mesoraco was hit again by a swing in the sixth.
Callaway said Mesoraco passed concussion tests but would be monitored overnight.
TUNED IN
The Blue Jays played Bautista’s old walk-up music, Usher’s ”OMG,” before his first at bat. ”That caught me by surprise,” Bautista said.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: OF Yoenis Cespedes (right hip) felt fine after running a series of sprints Monday, manager Mickey Callaway said. It was the first time Cespedes had run since leaving a minor league rehab game June 9. … RHP Noah Syndergaard (right index finger) and LHP Jason Vargas (right calf) faced each other in a simulated game at the Mets’ spring training facility in Florida Tuesday. Syndergaard threw 50 pitches and Vargas threw 65.
Blue Jays: RHP Seunghawn Oh (flu-like symptoms) was not available. … Minor league 3B prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (left knee) has resumed batting practice and is expected to participate in infield drills this weekend. Guerrero Jr. is working out at Toronto’s spring training facility in Florida.
UP NEXT
Mets RHP Corey Oswalt (0-1, 9.82) faces Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman (1-5, 6.02) in Wednesday’s series finale. Oswalt made his major league debut against Miami on June 29, allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Stroman won for the first time this season in his previous outing, pitching seven innings against Detroit.
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