COSTA MESA – Charger quarterback Philip Rivers faces his first test of the 2019 regular season against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park.
There is a lot of familiarity between the two franchises, however on the most notable are the relationship between Rivers and Colts head coach Frank Reich.
“His mental preparation for the game and his love for the game is second to none,” Reich said. “I just know, the three years I was there, I learned so much from him. I learned X’s and O’s stuff from him. I learned a lot.”
Rivers will see his first game action on Sunday is confident that he has had enough reps between the scrimmages with the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints to be ready for the Colts. Of course timing can be an issue but this team mixed with youth and veterans. It will take little time to figure things out on the field under head coach Anthony Lynn.
This game has a special meaning for Rivers that goes beyond wins and losses, especially spending time with Reich for many years when he was on the coaching staff of the Chargers.
“Frank as a football coach was awesome to be around,” Rivers said. “Frank as a man was even better. I enjoyed the time spent in the meeting room. The first year here, with Whiz was my first year in a new offense in my whole career. We had so much fun and there were so many discussions on what we were going to call this and what we were going to call that and name this… it was awesome football stuff and life stories. It was a good couple years. We’ve kept in touch over the last couple years. It was awesome to see him do what he did in Philly and I was super fired up for him to get this opportunity in Indy.”
Without his trust TE Antonio Gates and RB Melvin Gordon still holding out due to a contract dispute, the Bolts will be a slightly different team heading into week one of the season. Like any great player Rivers is definitely up for the challenge and as he stated he’s excited for the season.
Rivers and the Chargers host the Colts on Sunday at 1:05PM at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA.
