San Diego Chargers 2009 Roster Breakdown: WRs

In 2008, San Diego Chargers wide receivers accounted for more than 2,000 yards through the air and more than 15 TDs.

Though it’s safe to say that San Diego’s offense is headlined by players like QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDanian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates, the Bolts’ receving corps is a solid group formed among others by a budding young star, an intelligent veteran and an exciting deep-ball threat specialist.

Here’s what Charger fans and opposing fans, defenses and coaches can expect from San Diego’s wide receivers this season.

San Diego Chargers 2009 Roster Breakdown: QBs

Going into 2009, the defending AFC West Champion San Diego Chargers will look to improve their 8-8 record and take the vaunted “next step” in their aspirations to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in February of next year.

If San Diego is going to get anywhere, these are the men who will be responsible for the Chargers’ eventual fate. This preview will begin with arguably the most important position on the football field at nearly all times: the quarterback.

Raider Nation Goes Into Witness Protection Program

CLASSIFIED

United States Federal Witness Protection Program
Case File: B109348/2A
CC: United States Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Prisons
Subject: Induction of subject “Oakland Raider Nation” into program.
Date: July 2, 2009

To Whom It May Concern,

This memorandum exists to acknowledge the induction of subject “Oakland Raider Nation” into the United States Federal Witness Protection Program.

The subject approached authorities last week, making the claim that “Charger Nation, Chief Nation, Bronco Nation, The Rest of the NFL Nation, New York Knick Nation, Chicago Cub Nation, and the Catholic Church are out to get me.”

Upon making claims that the reason behind the aggravation was that the Oakland Raiders would be “Super Bowl champs this year,” it was clear that the subject was disoriented and delusional due to the stress.

Subject appears to have instigated his own persecution, angering as well as baffling his enemies with statements like “Heyward-Bey will be a better receiver than Jerry Rice and Mickey Mantle. Combined,” as well as “$53 million a year for Asomugha is more than reasonable.”

A deeper look into the subject’s claims shows us a deeply disturbed individual with delusions of grandeur and a very strong nostalgia that has been classified by our psychiatrists as “living in the past.”

Reading the results of a small, standard form that is provided to all Witness Protection Program candidates in order to understand their lives and craft a new identity, many of our employees were baffled.

When asked to write a little about himself, the subject responded with “ARRRGH.” The “G” and “H” were written in blood. Under age, subject wrote: “I’m going to be around forever just like the undead corpse of Al Davis.”

Under level of education attained, subject wrote “Ten seasons under Dr. John Madden. Received PhD upon completion. ARRRGH.”

A cursory glance into the subject’s pre-existing file reveals a longstanding record with several convictions and years of prison time for a myriad of crimes, including battery, armed robbery, and assaulting someone with shoulder spikes while wearing face paint, a Class IV offense.

Subject’s obsession with wearing expensive headwear and makeup had us considering that perhaps subject would be perfect for revolutionary, experimental program where subject assumes new identity as cross-dressing individual.

Proposal was eventually shot down by superiors after extensive debate and a couple of test runs that involved having subject dress up as a woman and walk around town. Excessive “ARRGH”ing and facial hair proved to be determining factors in the program’s failure.

Moreover, should the subject fall back into his historical patterns, custody and responsibility for the subject’s safety would fall into the hands of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Finally, it was decided that subject would adopt new identity as “Green Bay Packer Nation” with determining factors such as level of annoyance and love of ridiculous headwear being very similar to subject.

Subject has been instructed to now harass Detroit Lions fans, which are much more harmless, and instigate campaign to kidnap and deport Brett Favre.

Your attention on the matter is and will be greatly appreciated, and further updates will be similarly reported.

Sincerely,

Roger Goodell,
Agent #120948 of the United States Marshals Service

Chargers GM AJ Smith “Doesn’t Like” Revamped, “Patriotized” AFC West

A near-complete domination of the AFC West, as well as a 54-26 regular season record over the past five years, hasn’t been enough for Chargers GM A.J. Smith or his team to be exactly where he would want them.

The Super Bowl.

Despite San Diego’s loaded roster that boasts future Hall of Famers (RB LaDainian Tomlinson), a franchise quarterback (Philip Rivers), a former Defensive Player of the Year (LB Shawne Merriman), and a myriad of All-Pros, their success has been limited to a few playoff wins and lording over a consistently weak division.

Until now?

Smith isn’t sure.

In fact, a cursory glance over a few of his comments regarding Kansas City and Denver’s shift in philosophy over the off-season would seem to indicate the hard-nosed Smith is, well—quivering in his boots.

“I consider it a direct threat to us, and I don’t like it,” Smith said to reporters in a story published by the Boston Globe.

A push by the Chiefs and the Broncos to be the west’s version of the dynasty-wielding New England Patriots has Smith’s complete attention.

On his friend, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli, Smith told the Globe that he believed he’d make Kansas City “a winner.”

He also referenced Denver’s head coach, Josh McDaniels, and the fact that “[McDaniels and Pioli] have something that I don’t have: a world championship.”

Smith’s background, on the other hand, is being the longtime assistant of former Bills and Chargers GM John Butler, as well as working with, and being influenced by—in his own words—Marv Levy and Bill Polian.

Not too shabby. As members of the Bills, Smith, Butler, Levy and Polian helped preside over a team that made the Super Bowl four consecutive years… and won none of them.

Now, Smith’s angst can be perceived as seeing his window of opportunity getting smaller.

Truth be told, he might not have that much to worry about—yet.

In Denver, there indeed arrived McDaniels with a whirlwind of change: one that has Kyle Orton in place of Pro Bowl QB Jay Cutler and now, one that threatens to leave the Broncos without their star wideout, Brandon Marshall.

Despite a revamp of their defense and the addition of RB Knowshon Moreno through the draft, the departure of Cutler and the possible departure of Marshall will undoubtedly result in a downgrade of Denver’s passing offense, the most productive part of their team in 2008.

Their novice coach certainly comes with an impressive resume, managing New England’s high-powered offense under Bill Bellichick in the past three years. However, the Bellichick coaching tree (Mangini, Crennel, Groh, Saban) has yet to produce any real fruits in the pros.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, are looking to completely revamp their defensive scheme and philosophy while incorporating a new starting QB, new head coach, new personnel director and shedding their most popular player of the last ten years.

Even in a league like the NFL where even the most unlikely franchises are able to resurrect themselves year in and year out, the idea of the Chiefs going from 2-14 in 2008 to legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2009 is a hard pill to swallow.

The same scenario applies for the Oakland Raiders.

Whereas the Chiefs decided to address their downward spiral by shaking up their front office and their players, there was no such idealistic shift in Oakland, where Al Davis is still master and commander of a franchise that has won just 24 games since 2003.

Though Smith refers respectfully to Davis and the Raiders in general, it is obvious that his worries about the west lie elsewhere, mainly Colorado and Missouri.

And despite Davis’ repeatedly questioned personnel decisions (by Mel Kiper and anyone outside of Raider Nation), Smith mustn’t forget that Davis was also once the architect of a storied dynasty that won three Super Bowls over the span of seven years.

Or maybe what should occupy his attention is what he can do to make the Chargers into the best team out there. Focusing on bolstering San Diego’s sagging defense via the draft was a good start, but there are still some holes on an otherwise deep roster.

His gruff demeanor and perceived itchy trigger finger when it comes to jettisoning stars in order to satisfy his power trip could also benefit from a makeover.

Losing Drew Brees and Michael Turner for minimal compensation didn’t help the Chargers at all, and the thought of LaDainian Tomlinson (for much of the off-season) or Shawne Merriman (the speculation from here on out) in other uniforms should scare Smith more than a 33 year-old novice coach and a rival GM with his work cut out for him.

Perhaps the simplest solution is also the best one for Smith and the Chargers: work. Work at being the best. They’re already awful close.

On the cusp, one might say.

The Chargers fulfilling their potential and hitting their stride?

That’s enough to keep even Bill Bellichick up at night.

San Diego Chargers’ Road Performance Will Signal Success…or Lack of It

This article also appears on NFLTouchdown.com

Aside from traditional visits to division rivals Kansas City, Denver, and Oakland, the San Diego Chargers will face off against the World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, NFC East Champs New York Giants, AFC South winners Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, and Cleveland Browns.

Last season’s combined record of San Diego’s non-divisional 2009 away opponents is 50-30.

While the Chargers also face difficult home opposition in Baltimore, Philadelphia and others, how the Chargers do away from Qualcomm Stadium will eventually dictate the overall success of their season and their opportunities for a potential playoff run.

The Chargers will get a chance to avenge two losses to the Steelers in 2008 with a Sunday Night showdown on October 4. 

After a goodbye and three consecutive division matchups, San Diego will travel to Giants Stadium to take on Eli Manning & Co. on November 8, the first game in New York since Phillip Rivers and Manning came into the league in 2004.

Adding to that, the Bolts will open the season at Oakland, exposing their 11-game win streak against the Raiders.

At Denver last season, the Chargers were involved in a shootout that resulted in, well...that game.

Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium is always a brutal stadium for opposing teams, and the Oct. 25 matchup against the Chiefs will be a good barometer for Todd Haley’s progress as KC’s coach.

In December, the Bolts will face off against the Browns, Cowboys (in their brand new stadium) and Titans on the road with only one home game in-between.

That, and the short week between the Dec. 20 showdown at home against the Cincinnati Bengals and their Christmas battle in Nashville against the Titans, will be crucial to the Chargers postseason hopes.

How important is road success for playoff bound teams? Last season’s champion, the Pittsburgh Steelers, went 6-2 on the road.

In 2007, the New York Giants won 7 games on the road in the regular season. In the playoffs, the Giants knocked off Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay—all on the road.

The 2008 Chargers, on the other hand, won three games on the road…and lost their only playoff game away from home.

Will 2009 be different?

Ted Cottrell: Former Chargers DC To Coach UFL Team

This article also appears on NFLTouchdown.com.

Last seen guiding the San Diego Chargers’ Shawne Merriman-less defense of 2008 to an atrocious start, Ted Cottrell’s next job will be head coaching a professional football team.

Cottrell will take the reins of the UFL’s (United Football League) New York franchise, which is slated to begin playing in October of this year.

The start-up league will field only four teams for its inaugural season, and has already signed three former NFL coaches for jobs in Dennis Green, Jim Haslett, and Jim Fassel.

In parts of two seasons with the Chargers, Cottrell’s defenses were polar opposites from one year to the next: In 2007, San Diego led the league in takeaways with 48, interceptions with 30, and opposing passer rating with 70. The following season, however, opposing offenses regularly torched San Diego’s pass defense and pressure play was diminished greatly with the loss of Merriman.

After being fired on Oct. 28, 2008 in favor of Ron Rivera, members of the press questioned the decision as being nothing more than a move to blame Cottrell for the Chargers’ mediocre 3-5 start.

However, under Rivera the defense stabilized and finished the season 5-3 with the new regime, in part, helping San Diego to reach their third consecutive postseason, which culminated in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round.

Cottrell becomes the UFL’s only head coach of its inaugural class with no prior head coaching experience, but has well over 20 years of experience being a defensive coordinator in the league.

How long will the gig last? If history serves as any indication regarding the NFL’s competitors, the answer could very well be not long.

However, there has been some speculation that given the NFL’s lack of a developmental league (NFL Europa folded in 2007) and the UFL’s obvious inability to attract stars given the low pay, that the latter could become a minor league of sorts for the NFL.

Games will be broadcast on the cable network Versus.

AFC West To Chargers: Proceed With Caution?

The lack of strength in the AFC West allowed the San Diego Chargers to win their third consecutive divisional crown in 2008 with just an 8-8 record.

How futile were the Broncos, Chiefs and Raiders last year? Their 15 combined wins last season were only two more than the 13-3 Tennessee Titans. However, change is in the air for the division’s clubs.

Only San Diego’s Norv Turner will repeat as coach for his team. Todd Haley, Josh McDaniels, and Tom Cable were not on the sidelines as signal callers for their teams in Week 1 of 2008.

Kansas City and Denver also attacked the free agent market ferociously, with Denver attempting to reorganize its defense—and move past the Jay Cutler fiasco—while Kansas City (through new GM Scott Pioli) tried to end their uncertainty at quarterback whilst acquiring players to ease the switch into its new defensive scheme.

Oakland got burned last season with several misguided signings (Remember DeAngelo Hall?) and stayed somewhat quiet. The signing of Jeff Garcia is the first indication out of the Al Davis camp that JaMarcus Russell might not pan out the way they thought he would.

Then came April in New York.

Kansas City came off of a strong 2008 draft with a solid one in 2009. Denver swung for the fences by getting Knowshon Moreno but did little to improve its defensive line. Oakland was ridiculed by many for reaching for several players (Kipergate was especially entertaining).

While the Chiefs and Broncos have for the most part improved their personnel, both bolstering their young squads with experienced players (Zach Thomas and Mike Vrabel in KC, Brian Dawkins in Denver), Oakland will continue to depend on how their young guys gel.

Those young guys will be shepherded by Cable, who helped the Raiders finish strong in 2008 by winning their last two games, albeit against teams who missed the playoffs. Oakland’s speed and youth will work for them, their schedule won’t.

Brutal visits to Dallas, Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh, and to the New York Giants will be daunting tests. A clear indicator of the Raiders’ chances will be after Week Three, as they will face every team in their division, with two of those games coming at home.

A realistic scenario has them improving upon their 5-11 record… to a modest 6-10 (with no wins against San Diego—again).

Kansas City, as mentioned, will rely on an interesting mixture of youth and veteran leadership to hopefully do better than the ghastly 2-14 in 2008.

Todd Haley, formerly Arizona’s offensive coordinator, will take the reins at Arrowhead Stadium.

Even with moves designed to bolster their mediocre defense, the Chiefs still look like a team who can’t pressure the quarterback (save for Tyson Jackson) enough to force turnovers.

The offense is clearly Matt Cassel’s show to run, and it will be interesting to see a continuation of sorts between Haley’s pass-first offense in Arizona and Cassel’s spread background from his days in New England.

Their strong games against the Chargers will most likely preface a season split. Again, the NFC East matchup won’t favor any AFC West team, but the Chiefs will at least get to play the Giants and the Cowboys at home.

Other games of note are the showdowns at Baltimore and Jacksonville, as well a visit from the Steelers.

The Haley/Pioli era starts off with a 6-10 or 7-9, at the most.

In Denver, the offseason drama was worthy of a daytime Emmy-winning soap opera writer. Putting the Cutler saga behind him, Josh McDaniels got to work on remaking a defense that got shelled last season.

Losing Cutler will be a blow, but Knowshon Moreno should keep defenses at bay enough to let Kyle Orton throw to his talented receivers.

Dawkins will provide veteran leadership to the club, but Denver’s defensive line is lacking, even with the addition of Robert Ayers. Beyond that, it’s a shot in the dark to say whether the mixture of new faces will come together to provide a significant difference for Denver.

The Chargers-Broncos rivalry added a new chapter with “The Mile High Robbery” last season, and the Broncos will look to avenge their brutal 52-21 thrashing in Week 17 (that was also good for knocking Denver out of the playoffs).

An important four-week stretch from Weeks 12 to 15 will make or break their season, as they take on the Giants at home, go on the road to play against the Colts and Chiefs, before wrapping up by hosting the Raiders.

A repeat of 8-8 is very plausible, with a shock win over Baltimore or Dallas nudging them to 9-7.

With these offseason shakeups, the talented yet flawed AFC West will set out to prove to the Chargers that 8-8 won’t cut it in order to earn a playoff berth.
However, by the looks of things, 9-7 could well do it.

A Super Staff? San Diego Charger Coaches Look to Bring a Championship

Sid Gillman started the franchise off with a bang.

After Gillman, Don Coryell couldn’t do it, despite the vaunted aerial attack. Bobby Ross got close, but was eventually denied. Marty Schottenheimer stayed true to his poor postseason reputation.

And now, Norv Turner has stepped in.

The San Diego Chargers trophy case remains the same. No Lombardi trophy.

This year, Turner will go into his third year as San Diego head coach, the first coach to win a playoff game for the Chargers since 1994.

Inheriting a team rich in talent, Turner’s teams have been a fixture in the postseason but have failed to fulfill the objective.

Despite rising through the ranks as a gifted, Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator in Dallas, and mounting a somewhat successful tenure as head coach in Washington, Turner himself is dragging a reputation of his own.

A lack of success in Oakland furthered the suspicion that Turner is better suited as a coordinator and not a coach. Under the light that casts doubt unto his head coaching abilities, Turner certainly has a leg to stand on if he wishes to make excuses for his time in San Diego.

In the 2007-08 season, his star running back, quarterback and All-Pro tight end suffered injuries in the playoffs. Still, the team soldiered on without them, having the misfortune of facing a 17-0 team in the conference championship.

The next year, injuries claimed his star linebacker, hampered his best cornerback and nagged the running back again, eventually knocking him out of action—once more—in the playoffs while the defense held on by its teeth.

The defense, led by coordinator Ron Rivera, stabilized after the former Bears coordinator took over for Ted Cottrell at mid-season.

An aggressive playcaller who favors attacking defenses that force mistakes, Rivera will recoup LB Shawne Merriman for the 2009 season and add Northern Illinois product LB/DE Larry English into a mix that promises to harass several quarterbacks around the league.

Linebackers coach John Pagano and defensive line coach Don Johnson (who rejoins Rivera after time in Chicago) will assist Rivera.

Versatility will be the name of the game for Rivera’s defense; despite coming to San Diego initially (as Cottrell’s inside linebacker coach) to learn about the 3-4 scheme, Rivera rose through the ranks studying under the 4-3, Tampa 2 and 46 formations in Chicago.

His success eventually helped Chicago to reach Super Bowl XLI. In his first full season as San Diego’s defensive signal caller, he will have the option to rotate players and try different formations to suit his needs, in an effort to provide a complement to the Chargers’ explosive offense.

That offense is handled by Turner, who initially installed the team’s offensive scheme in 2001 as offensive coordinator, and Clarence Shelmon, a long time running backs coach who trained San Diego’s unit among others.

Although Shelmon holds the official title, the team states that Turner himself calls the plays. Shelmon provides the balance for Turner’s explosive passing approach by consulting on running plays.

Prior to shepherding LaDainian Tomlinson, Shelmon worked in Dallas with one of LT’s idols in Emmitt Smith. His time in Seattle saw Chris Warren become a thousand yard rusher.

Former Cleveland offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will work with Antonio Gates and the tight ends, while Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner helped turn Vincent Jackson into a premier wide receiver last season.

Finally, manning the special teams is Steve Crosby. Crosby has helped mold WR Kassim Osgood into a specialist who has made the Pro Bowl. His star punter, Mike Scifres, is only overshadowed by Oakland’s Shane Lechler.

K Nate Kaeding has also made the Pro Bowl, as has LS David Binn.

A savvy coach who has also served as a linebackers coach, offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator during his career, Crosby also has Super Bowl experience, going to the big game with Miami after the 1983 season.

The invaluable championship experience that Turner, Rivera and Crosby—the team’s three coaching staff leaders—can bring to their players will no doubt factor in to the equation that could end with San Diego making the Super Bowl after the 2009 season.

This positive experience that is transmitted to the players has already affected the team, which has won despite the obstacles of luck, injury and historical opposition under these three coaches.

Sid Gillman started the franchise off with a bang. Can this year’s staff answer with a boom?

San Diego Chargers: Positional Weaknesses Going into 2009

With the kickoff to the 2009 NFL Season still more than three months away but most of the important off-season dates past us, initial assessments regarding a team’s potential performance will slowly snowball towards full-blown previews and predictions by the end of August.

In the case of the three-time defending AFC West champion San Diego Chargers, it would seem at first glance that any preview would focus on the positive aspects of this talent-loaded team.

However, some definite cracks in the facade can be seen, as evidenced by their 8-8 record last season. Staying away for the most part from the free agent market, the Chargers looked to get stronger through the draft, and thus drafted mainly out of need.

But did they cover all their needs completely? Here are the most pressing needs that San Diego will need to monitor closely in this upcoming season if they are to be successful:

 

Safety

San Diego’s underachieving safeties were part of the reason teams lit them up through the air. FS Eric Weddle’s inability to put a hand on the ball in the last play of Week One against the Panthers cost San Diego a win, for example.

SS Clinton Hart wasn’t scaring many wide receivers last season, as teams went to the middle of the field routinely against the Chargers. For next season, at least one of those two players figures to be a full-time starter next season with only one real threat to their jobs added to the team.

That threat is USC product Kevin Ellison, who was drafted in the sixth round by the team in this year’s draft.

Despite being described as a chiseled athlete who devours film and is a frequent visitor to the weight room, Ellison has struggled mightily with injuries. Surgeries for a torn ACL and knee injuries were performed on him in college, and he also fractured his left leg.

These injuries could severely limit his shelf life in the brutal NFL.

 

Defensive End

RE Igor Olshansky left the team via free agency to Dallas in the off-season. Despite a weak 2008 season, Olshansky was the only proven starter for the team in that position.

With a depth chart that includes Jacques Cesaire and Ryon Bingham, the Chargers decided to add another player to that mix, drafting Vaughn Martin with the 113th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

Martin, a physical freak who is versatile enough to play defensive end and defensive tackle, will face a steep learning curve in the league after facing off with far inferior competition at Canada’s University of Western Ontario.

He might be a year or two away from reaching his potential, but, with no established replacement signed as of yet, the job might be his to lose.

 

Defensive Tackle

Despite relying on stud NT Jamal Williams in San Diego’s 3-4 defensive scheme for years now, the three time Pro Bowler will be 33 going into this season with only the aforementioned Vaughn Martin being groomed as a potential successor.

An injury to Williams would be devastating, as the 3-4 requires a solid nose tackle in order to counter an opponent’s inside running game and allow pass rushers to use their speed to get to the quarterback.

Ron Rivera, San Diego’s defensive coordinator, used a 4-3 formation with great success at Chicago.

Should he decide to switch the Chargers’ defense over to that strategy, will have slim pickings for that second spot, having to choose between a who’s who of no names that include Rashaad Jackson, Bingham, Ian Scott, Ogemdi Nwagbuo and Martin.

 

Lesser Areas of Concern

Guard: With the dependable Mike Goff gone thanks to free agency, it’ll be up to nine-year vet Kynan Forney and two rookies, Louis Vazquez and Tyrone Green to replace him.

Inside Linebacker: Last season, a revolving door of players including Derek Smith, Matt Wilhelm and Tim Dobbins paraded next to the solid Stephen Cooper in search of locking down the other spot. Dobbins prevailed, but former Cowboy Kevin Burnett was brought in to provide more depth should he falter.

Fullback: Jacob Hester improved towards the end of the season, but will he be the dominant blocker that LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles and Gartrell Johnson needs? If he can’t, Mike Tolbert will get a crack at the job.

 

Bolt Report Card: 2009 NFL Draft

There are few people who take to the mantra of “build from the draft” like Chargers GM AJ Smith does. San Diego’s biggest signing in the off-season was coming to terms with LaDainian Tomlinson in a restructuring deal over the next three years.

Only one player from outside the organization was added via free agency, former Cowboys LB Kevin Burnett. This made the Chargers draft all the more important, as it is quite clear that the team shouldn’t be expected to make any big moves in the outside market.

With eight picks going into the draft (but only two in the first 100 overall) the onus was on AJ Smith and Co. to make a big splash.

Here’s an overview of their selections:

Round 1, Pick 16 (overall): Larry English (DE/OLB), Northern Illinois —

Brought in to form a three-pronged attack with LBs Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips, the 6’2″, 255 pounder shouldn’t be expected to play DE at the highest level unless he bulks up. 

San Diego severely lacked a prominent pass rushing attack when Shawne Merriman was out for 15 games last season. English is thus also meant to be an insurance policy should injuries attack any one of the Chargers starters at the outside linebacker position.

However, English is somewhat of a reach at 16 and comes off as a luxury, especially with San Diego’s more pressing need for an inside linebacker, a safety and offensive line help (with plenty of blue-chip prospects still available at the time of English’s selection).

Round 3, Pick 78: Louis Vazquez, (G) Texas Tech —

The Chargers went about replacing Mike Goff with Vazquez, a guy who is just as tall (6’5″) and heavier (333 lbs.) than Goff, and looks to be the front runner in the internal competition to replace him. A solid pass-blocker in college (Texas Tech ran a spread offense), Vazquez is—on paper, anyway—an upgrade over Goff, who despite his solidity, was getting on in years at the age of 33.

Round 4, Pick 113: Vaughn Martin, (DE/DT) Western University —

Could very well be the steal of the draft. A guy with Martin’s versatility, first and foremost, is very important to a team like San Diego who have run a 3-4 defense since the Wade Phillips days.

He will receive an extended audition to take over Igor Olshansky’s spot on the defensive line. Martin reportedly impressed various teams in a workout, but probably slipped to the 4th round due to the lower level of competition he faced in Canada.

Round 4, Pick 133:  Tyrone Green, (G/C) Auburn —

Green will be thrown into the mix to fill Goff’s spot at right guard and he provides insurance should All-Pro center Nick Hardwick become injured. Probably a backup at this point, his youth and size are his biggest assets.

He was drafted despite the team’s need for a tackle, as Jeromey Clary has been less than impressive.

Round 4, Pick 134: Gartrell Johnson, (RB) Colorado St. —

A hugely impressive prospect in high school, Johnson’s stock dropped considerably in college. He  didn’t do much to help it at the combine, as he ran a 4.81 in the 40-yard-dash, second-slowest among running backs.

This picks speaks volumes about the team, as they recognized the need for a RB, but didn’t want to pull the trigger on a deal that could’ve potentially landed them Chris Wells, Donald Brown or even LeSean McCoy. Johnson is intended to provide a bruising change-up and complement Sproles’ and Tomlinson’s speed.

Round 5, Pick 148: Brandon Hughes, (CB) Oregon St. —

Antonio Cromartie was less than stellar last season after playing with a hip injury, and 2008 first round pick Antoine Cason has yet to develop. Hughes plays into the Chargers insurance plan to help bolster a pass defense that gave up a lot of big plays in 2008.

Round 6,  Pick 189: Kevin Ellison, (S) USC —

A nice, safe pick in round 6 considering the Chargers needed a safety and Ellison was the best available player. However, with plenty of top-tier guys available as late as round 3, why did San Diego wait this long to draft a position they desperately needed?

Round 7, Pick 224: Demetrius Byrd, (WR) LSU —

Few things in life are certain, but you can usually bet on death, taxes, and AJ Smith picking a player from LSU in the draft. Despite the underwhelming performances of Buster Davis and Jacob Hester (both LSU picks) at the pro level, Smith goes to the Tiger well once more in selecting Byrd.

Conclusion:

Smith obviously disagreed with the consensus idea that San Diego needed an offensive tackle, as he passed on Michael Oher and didn’t employ any of his later picks to at least bolster the depth behind Jeromey Clary.

Jumping at the chance to draft English isn’t mind-boggling, but somewhat of a head scratcher considering the Chargers had more pressing needs. The rest of his picks range from solid to inspired, and most of the team’s sins stem from omission.

With a bevy of talented players expected to go in round one still available in round two and beyond, San Diego didn’t pull the trigger when it came to the opportunity of drafting someone like Rey Maualuga or LeSean McCoy.

The grade might seem harsh considering there have been many kind words regarding most of San Diego’s picks, but a team like this should be held to a higher standard considering the fact that they make no effort to get better through free agency.

The lack of aggressiveness shown by Chargers brass in the free agent waters should translate to heightened aggressiveness when it comes to the draft. It just didn’t show this year.

Final Grade: C

« Previous Page

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010