Joe Alt shouldn’t feel overwhelmed when he steps onto the field at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.
The Los Angeles Chargers rookie offensive tackle admitted he needed a few minutes last week during the preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks to take in his new home field. But once the game started, Alt focused on transitioning to the professional game.
“It is exactly what I expected. When it comes down to it, we’re all competitors when you go out there, so it’s going to be full throttle the whole time,” Alt said.
Alt played 21 snaps at right tackle in the 16-3 loss to Seattle. He is expected to have a bigger role on Saturday when the Chargers play the Los Angeles Rams.
Alt, who was the fifth overall pick in the April draft, allowed an early quarterback pressure last week but then improved and became more comfortable as the game went on.
Most of his snaps were in pass protection as the Chargers didn’t get their first down until halfway through the second quarter.
When evaluating his performance during the first three weeks of training camp, Alt admitted he is very critical of himself.
“It’s always technique things. For me, I’m trying to be a perfect technician at all times,” he said. “That’s something I try to control and want to have 100% down — in my position balance, hand placement, feet, so that’s always things I am critiquing.”
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman and coach Jim Harbaugh praised Alt this week for how he has handled his first NFL training camp. Offensive coach Mike Devlin added that practicing against pass rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa has also helped Alt learn quickly.
“Everything is right on track to where you would think he would be,” Devlin said. “He’s watching extra tape and asking questions. He’s taking it all in like a sponge.
He’s usually not a repeat offender, which I like in a young guy which helps. But it is going to be a year process. Every new pass rusher and every great defense he is going to be learning stuff. But he is what we all thought he was coming out.”
