Chargers' Denzel Perryman: 'I can't wait to play the Dolphins'

Denzel Perryman is in a strange land.

After growing up in Miami and playing high school football in the city, Perryman chose to stay close to home and attend the University of Miami.

Those days are a thing of the past now after the San Diego Chargers made the linebacker a second-round pick in this year's draft. He's moved clear across the country, but has a very important date in December marked on his calendar when a certain opponent will visit San Diego.

"I can't wait to play the Dolphins," Perryman told Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego. "December 20. I've already got it circled on my schedule. It's the hometown team, and it's one of the teams that passed me up."

Perryman seemed to believe the Dolphins planned to draft him and appears upset things didn't pan out.

"They were talking to me, telling me all this good stuff," Perryman said. "We're all grown. You can tell me you're going to take me or not. Don't sugar coat with me. It is what it is. But Dec. 20, it's on and popping. Every other week, too."

With or without a chip on his shoulder, Perryman is a talented player. Still, a little extra motivation never hurts.