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was the problem… I didn't have my priorities straight." Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien helped him straighten out those priorities. While O'Brien has routinely praised Belton's work ethic and success this season, their feeling of mutual respect was formed during a series of sit-downs in the Lasch Building through the fall, spring and summer. In those meetings, they managed to find common ground and deal with some of the biggest obstacles to his success, including Belton's self-described stubbornness. "When I started struggling and having those injuries and going from playing to not playing at all, I think that's where the relationship took a turn for the better," Troutman was a Chargers' fifthround pick in 2012 but missed his entire rookie season with a pectoral injury. However, he's now fully healed and contributing in year two as San Diego's backup left guard, an opportunity he's thankful to have. "It feels good to be healthy," Troutman said. "It was a rough setback, hurting myself and not being able to go out there and show whoever drafted me what I could do. I had to Belton said. "I got to know him a lot more, and he got to know me a lot more. "I'm not someone who opens up easily to people. I kind of let my guard down, started taking coaching and started listening to him more. That was what took our relationship to another level. " Yet, to be eligible to play this fall, Belton's grades needed to rise, as well. Aware that he needed to earn a degree, he spent the summer focusing exclusively on academics. At team functions, Belton was nowhere to be found. He was too busy hitting the books in a concentrated effort to get his academic house in order. It was going to be close; he knew that from the start. But he also knew something else. Said Belton, "I knew that if I didn't play this year, I was going to hear it from my parents, I was going to hear it from everybody. I needed to get this done, and that's how I went about it. " Just a week from the start of preseason camp in August, O'Brien was still uncertain of Belton's status when asked about it by reporters in Chicago at Big Ten Media Days. Although he joined the team and started practicing at the start of camp – with the blessing of Penn State's academic advisors – it was only after his grades were finalized on Aug. 10 that Belton was assured he would be eligible to play this fall. His hard work in the classroom had paid off. "I think last year straightened me out, honestly. I needed to get my head on straight. If I didn't have last year, there's working out and doing stuff before we have meetings. Those are the kinds of things you need to do to be a great pro and stay in the NFL for a long time, he " JOHNNIE ON THE said. SPOT After missing Another commonality behis rookie season with tween these talented offensive linemen is that they both a torn pectoral musplayed for offensive line cle, Troutman, left, coach Dick Anderson during has been helping the their days in Happy Valley. Both agree that the lessons Chargers as their they learned under the forbackup left guard. mer Penn State assistant will Ohrnberger, far left, is continue to serve them well in the NFL. in his fifth NFL sea"He was a very technically son, and is the team's driven coach. I think in the backup center. Photos courtesy of the San Diego Chargers offensive line coaching position you have to be. It's a very wait a year. I'm technique-driven field, and happy the Charghe hit home on important things, " ers took a chance on me when a lot of Ohrnberger said. teams didn't. I think they're happy Troutman concurs. "He had a big I'm playing well for them now. " impact. He's a real strict coach. Spending all of 2012 on the sideWanted the best out of me, nothing lines had a silver lining for Troutcould ever be perfect, he said. "He " man, who viewed the whole situareally worked on the little things, tion as a great learning experience. which is real important. As an offen"You learn how to be a better pro. sive lineman, you need to have good You see how the older guys are here technique. " at 5 or 6 o'clock in the morning

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