Eric D. Williams 9y

Melvin Gordon discusses information overload, sticking with No. 28

SAN DIEGO -- Melvin Gordon learned what every other veteran on the San Diego Chargers already knew on Tuesday -- Philip Rivers isn't waiting for anybody.

"He told me how it's going to be," Gordon said. "He told me it was going to be fast. But he said it's just a process, and you have to learn how to take in the information and be able to play fast."

Gordon got his first taste of what it's like to be in the huddle with Rivers and the rest of the starters at the first organized team activities practice for the Chargers on Tuesday.

Gordon said the pace during team drills was much different than what he experienced a few weeks earlier during rookie minicamp.

To help speed up the learning process, Gordon said he sits between veteran running backs Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown in the classroom, with them ready to answer any question he has on San Diego's offensive scheme.

Gordon also takes mental reps when he's not the huddle on the field, listening to the play call coming and watching how the other running backs execute the play on the field.

"He did a good job overall," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. "I think he's got a long ways to go, really learning how we're going to run the football here, protection schemes -- thinks like that. Learning the route techniques we want him to use and when he needs to help a little more [in pass protection].

"Obviously we're not in pads right now and were not fully in game speed yet, but it's not a bad start."

Rivers said Gordon's running style reminds him of another AFC West running back with dreadlocks -- Kansas City speedster Jamaal Charles.

"Some of it is maybe the hair, some of it could have been the number similarity, but Jamaal Charles is a guy that just stands out," Rivers said.

"Now, I don't know if Melvin would agree with it, but Jamaal's probably a little faster. But Melvin's bigger.

"But they do look alike, some of the cuts they make and the way they run. He's the first guy that comes to mind when you ask that."

Contrary to a previous report, Gordon said he is not switching back to his number from college, No. 25. Safety and special teams captain Darrell Stuckey currently has No. 25 for the Chargers, and Gordon will remain with the number he was assigned, No. 28.

"I tried to talk to Stuck, but I don't think he wanted to give it up," Gordon said. "So it is what it is. I just have to make something happen in 28."

So is there potential for future negotiations?

"I don't know," Gordon said. "He (Stuckey) just got a newborn son, and he said that he knows him by 25. So you've got to respect that. So No. 28 is kind of looking like the long haul for me."

Gordon said he's worn No. 25 since high school, but Stuckey has worn the same number for 11 years.

"I knew there was about a 2 percent chance I was going to get it," Gordon said. "You kind of try and offer a little bit of money, but he was like 'As a vet, I don't want to do that to you.' So, he's a good dude, but I'm still not going to give up."

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