Chargers coach Anthony Lynn is feeding off team’s off-season approach to 2018

When Anthony Lynn sat down at the annual coaches’ breakfast during the NFL meetings a year ago in Phoenix, his plate was completely full — and it stayed that way.

Answering questions about being a first-time head coach, about moving a team from San Diego to Los Angeles, about the upcoming year ... Lynn didn’t have time to touch the food sitting right in front of him.

A year later in Orlando, though, Lynn’s plate emptied much quicker.

With attention in the room focused on Jon Gruden returning to coach the Raiders, the Rams all-in talent haul, the Browns’ spot at the top of the draft and the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, the Chargers head coach got to eat his breakfast in peace, his team quietly improving without much attention.

“Flashy don’t win games,” Lynn said.

The Chargers’ big moves in free agency — a new reserve tight end, a kicker and a center — haven’t rocked the football world like the Rams’ acquisitions, but Lynn said he thought needs were addressed.

“I like the guys we brought in. I like the makeup of the guys we’ve brought in,” he said. “Virgil Green, that was an outstanding signing. He’s a really good blocker in pass protection and run blocker. Caleb Sturgis, when he’s healthy, is one of the top kickers in the game. And Mike Pouncey at center, he’s had some health issues, but he played all 16 games last year and he played at a high level.

“I think the guys we signed are the ones we needed to sign.”

The Chargers’ offseason isn’t over — far from it — but there’s a “football-only” vibe that’s permeated the organization.

“It was a few things that came off the plate. That’s something we don’t have to worry about. That’s kind of my theme this year,” Lynn said. “I want to go into this year just like we finished last year. I don’t want to change training camp sites. I don’t want to have to look for houses or unpack boxes. I want it to be a normal year for us.”

The coaching staff is nearly identical, with all three coordinators returning. The roster hasn’t undergone a massive overhaul, and Lynn hopes the Chargers will be able to recapture the vibe that led to a 9-3 finish to last season, which made them one of the hottest teams in football.

Changes, though, will be coming.

The team needs to improve its run defense, and that was a priority before starting defensive tackle Corey Liuget was suspended four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

Even with Liuget on the field, the Chargers were targeting reinforcements up front.

“We have needs that we feel like we’re going after anyways, regardless of that,” Lynn said. “I don’t think it changes much at all.”

Former Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea would provide a boost if the Chargers were able to select him with the No. 17 pick in the first round of next month’s NFL Draft.

The team also needs help at linebacker, where depth and production forced the Chargers to play with as many as six defensive backs at one time, even in running situations.

“I’d like to see the front seven get better for us against the run,” Lynn said. “And for us to have a great defense, that’s going to have to improve.”

There are concerns on offense as well, where Lynn wants to try to maximize Melvin Gordon’s play.

Over the final five games of the season, Gordon’s production peaked as he rushed for 407 yards and caught 20 passes for 203 more.

“When he’s well, he’s hell,” Lynn said of his running back. “I think some of it was coming off that knee surgery. Sometimes people have to learn how to play with something because it’s never going to be the same. Melvin figured it out. It seemed like he wasn’t comfortable at times early; he was up and down. But when you look at that last quarter of the season, I don’t know if there’s a better back in this football league.”

The Chargers also need to have a succession plan for quarterback Philip Rivers, both in the short and long term.

Lynn said Cardale Jones, whom the team traded for last season during training camp, will get a chance to compete to be Rivers’ backup. Twelve-year veteran Kellen Clemens was the No. 2 last season.

“We’re going to find out. He’s going to get an opportunity.,” Lynn said of Jones. “…That’s an intriguing guy.”

Lynn was at ease talking about his team and the game he loves, a welcome retreat from the questions he had to answer last season.

After an hour or so, Lynn stood up, an empty plate in front of him.

“We’ve got to go back to work,” he said.

dan.woike@latimes.com

Twitter: @DanWoikeSports