Slater’s second season on the Bolts also brings new coaches and teammates. Chargers offensive line coach Brendan Nugent joined the coaching staff after spending the last seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Slater, who has worked with Nugent during the team’s offseason training program, talked about the type of coach Nugent is.
“Nuge is awesome,” Slater said. “Same kind of coaching tree as [former Chargers Run Game Coordinator/OL Coach and current Dolphins Offensive Coordinator] Frank [Smith] was, so a lot of the same techniques and stuff. He’s awesome. He has a lot of jokes. He’s a funny guy, but he’s also really precise with technique. He’s really driven by technique, which I like a lot.”
Slater also welcomes in two new rookies to the offensive line room in Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer. Having just been in their shoes a season ago, Slater explained the advice he’s given the new linemen.
“Just trust themselves,” he said. “The same thing that got them here is what is going to…