U-T file photo Fullback Andrew Pinnock (above, in 2007 against San Francisco) is not about to relinquish his job. The club's starting fullback showed that in practice Tuesday, doing more than he had all camp and doing it with authority.

There has been a lot of talk about Chargers rookie fullback Mike Tolbert. And it has been deserved. The kid can block and catch and appears to be catching on.

But Andrew Pinnock is not about to relinquish his job. The club's starting fullback showed that in practice yesterday, doing more than he had all camp and doing it with authority. Pinnock blocked aggressively, moved well and generally looked like a veteran.

"I started to feel my swagger was back," Pinnock said. "I am able to get in a zone where the knee doesn't matter."

Pinnock had microfracture surgery on his left knee in February and began training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He returned to practice last week. His goal had been to play in the third exhibition, but he said yesterday he might play Saturday at St. Louis.

Busting out

Buster Davis is running and catching as well as he has as a Charger. Over a bout of lingering tendinitis, Davis "has really come on" in the words of coach Norv Turner.

Not only does Davis look good, he is having an easier time seeing. Davis is wearing a tinted eye shield on his facemask, à la LaDainian Tomlinson, during practices and hopes to do so during the season.

"I have astigmatism in both eyes," Davis said. "(The shield) helps a lot with the glare."

Davis, who plans to have laser surgery next offseason, must get an eye doctor's recommendation and have the league's OK to wear the visor come September.

Nuts 'n' Bolts

Former Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal signed with Baltimore. He is expected to see a lot of playing time in the offense run by former Chargers coordinator Cam Cameron. "He can still play," Pinnock said. "He's in an offense he's familiar with."

The Chargers worked their third team against their first team and had other mix-and-match sets during one team period yesterday. The jumble was to give both sides a different look than they've seen every day in camp. Also, it was probably good for the young players to get some work against the starters in that the Chargers plan to play their backups and rookies longer at St. Louis.

Both of today's workouts are closed. The final open practice of camp is at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

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