Cason, Hester make strong debuts for Chargers

By Tom Robinson  |   Tuesday, August 12, 2008  |  Comments( 18 )

San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers’ top two draft picks didn't need long to show their stuff.

Playing in their first exhibition game as rookies, cornerback Antoine Cason and running back Jacob Hester were two of the top performers in San Diego’s 31-17 victory over Dallas last week. Cason and Hester, listed as No. 2s on the depth chart, were No. 1 on the stat sheet in two key categories. Cason, a first-round pick from Arizona, led the team in tackles. Hester, a third-rounder from LSU, topped the Chargers in rushing.

Cason, currently listed as the second right cornerback behind All-Pro Antonio Cromartie, paced the Bolts with six tackles and assisted on another; moreover, he broke up a pass during a third-and-1 situation.

Hester, the second fullback behind the injured Andrew Pinnock, carried 13 times for 49 yards and two touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 230-pounder showed the possibility that he could become a short-yardage specialist when he scored on the first try from the 1 and again from the 2.

Hester ran for 1,103 yards in 2007 at LSU, where he also established himself as a receiving threat out of the backfield.

Cason and Hester have already given the indication that they can be factors for the Chargers this season either in providing depth or in specific situations.

The first exhibition represented a chance for rookies to try to make an impression.

The team’s third draft pick, Marcus Thomas, was second on the team in rushing. Thomas, a fifth-round choice from Texas-El Paso, carried 13 times for 48 yards. Thomas and the team’s other two remaining draft picks from April are currently penciled in as No. 3s on the depth chart. Thomas is one of three running backs listed with the third unit.

DeJuan Tribble, a sixth-round selection out of Boston College, is at cornerback. Seventh-rounder Corey Clark, an ex-Texas A&M Aggie, is at offensive tackle.

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