Chargers Draft Preview: First Round

The Chargers will have the following draft picks, assuming that we are compensated for Michael Turner with a third and Florence with a fourth or fifth.

1. Round 1 # 16
2. Round 3a
3. Round 3b
4. Round 4a
5. Round 4b
6. Round 5
7. Round 6
8. Round 7

There are a number of ways we could go in this draft and there is no real needs, but there are definitely some vast improvements that can be made in certain areas. The positions I feel that need to be addressed most are (in this order): G/T, ILB, S, DE/DT, RB.

The first player I'm going to mention is Duke Robinson of Oklahoma (6-5, 330), a very versatile player that can play tackle or guard. This pick would address the weakness on the right side of the line as well as the impending loss of Mike Goff. Jeromy Clary at RT has been a bit lackluster of late also and we will see how that situation pans out, but you can't really go wrong with a player like Robinson.

Next at ILB, two high energy players, either of them would be able to bring an instant spark on defense and develop into leaders, Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis. Maualuga at USC (6-3. 260) is a high impact player that has a way of controlling the game when he is on. I find his type of play to be a little similar to Shawne Merriman, and if Merriman is kept around they could be a fearsome duo. Laurinaitis (6-3, 240) from Ohio State has been a consistent contributor his entire career and could also upgrade us in the middle with his aggressive play, contrasting with incumbent Matt Wilhelm. A physical presence could be provided by either of these players and could help shore up our desperate defense. At this point I prefer Laurinaitis mainly because of his edge in coverage, but we will be lucky if either of them are left on the board when we pick.

The highest rated safety is William Moore of Missouri (6-1, 230). I'm not too high on Moore though, as he has been inconsistant and at times has lapses in play leading to bad reactions and mistakes. That is the last thing we need at safety and we should probably play it safe with a better coverage safety later in the draft if we go in that direction. Moore has all the physical tools but just doesn't seem to be the right fit for our team.



At DT the only real prospect that has first round potential is BJ Raji out of Boston College (6-1,323). Raji has the size, but as with with Moore I just don't see him on our team. Jamal is still playing good football which makes this less urgent, but he is getting older and a replacement must be found soon. I just don't think we should settle with Raji as Jamal's replacement with more talented players at other more needy positions.

Now I doubt that we will go runningback in the first round, but as I've said before I don't believe Sproles is the answer if we can sign him back, and LT is not going to last much longer with the Chargers. This means that we are going to be faced with a runningback situation and there are some worthy candidates this year. One player that has stuck out for me is Shonn Greene of Iowa (5-10, 230). Greene is just a huge bowlingball type player that can run people over and has deceptive game speed. Greene, a junior, exploded this year for 1850 yards and 20 touchdowns, with no games where he rushed under 100 yards. Greene can more than carry the load by himself if necesary. Greene is expected to go late first to second round so he may be considered a reach from our position. If we go for a runningback a little later, I also like Rashad Jennings, though his competition is suspect in Div.1-AA.

Charagers-Steelers Notes

Here we go again..... Another do-or-die game for the Chargers, another nail biter, and then me sitting on my couch just trying to not have a heart attack.

A few quick points on the game before the big day itself, and also a couple questions that have kept me wondering.

• How will the sloppy field affect Sproles's running?

My first thought was that with all his quick moves and cuts, the muddy surface would have him slipping and sliding all over the place, but after a longer look I've also begun to think that he will still have an advantage over defenders. If Darren gets into open space running towards a defender, a quick move be all that was needed to take out a stationary defender.

• How big of a role will Michael Bennett play?

Personally, I'm pretty excited to see Bennett have an expanded role with Sproles. I've always been a little bit of a fan of Bennett, and I think our multi-headed running game with Bennett, Sproles, and perhaps a little Hester could have a good day against the Steelers if the weather is not so bad that the passing attack is limited.

As you can see I'm quite concerned about our running game, and I believe if we can get any sort of rhythm going against the Steeler's #1 run defense then we could take this game easily. I don't think LT's injury will be too much of a factor and our commitee can more than pick up the slack. I am concerned anout Pittsburgh's offense a little, however, and with Willie Parker a lot healthier than he has been, as well as the news that Big Ben is good for the game, the much less heralded Steeler's offense could be a factor.

Nate Kaeding and Antonio Gates look as though they will suit up just fine, and maybe it's a pity that Gates doesn't get injured every week with the way he played against the Colts. Gates will certainly be important to this game and it will be vital that the ball is given to him early and often.

Another important key to this game is keeping the Steeler's ball hawking secondary at bay. Troy Polamalu is a beast, and you better bet that he will capitalize on any mistakes by Philip. We need to use the large size advantage of our receivers to their corners, especially in the redzone as we did not score any touchdowns against them earlier in the season.

Heres hoping to a great game where we don't commit turnovers, do capitalize on oppurtunities, not get screwed by refs, not kill ourselves with penalties, or be struck down by divine forces.

GO CHARGERS!!!

Post Game Notes

Chargers keep their running streak going on into the playoffs and subsequently end the Colt's nine game streak coming into the game. On offense Philip managed the game efficiently other than an unfortunate interception and the running game excelled in LT's absence with Sproles, and even Bennett getting in on some carries. Antonio Gates played well through a high ankle sprain with 8 catches for 87 yards and stayed in the whole game even though LT, who was supposedly more likely to play, left the game midway through the first half. One thought is that the Colts dismissed Antonio Gates due to his weekly status entering the game and instead decided to focus on Vincent Jackson. The Colts game planned for Vincent Jackson, who did not have a catch, which is an area for concern. Chris Chambers though, emerged from the shadow of animosity where he has been for much of the season for a 4 catch 57 yard contribution. The Chargers will have to find other receivers like Chris Chambers, such as Legedu Naanee if teams continue to double team Vincent. The defense played extraordinarily limiting the Colts to only 7 points in the sceond half and 17 overall. Each week with Ron Rivera the D seems to be getting better and made some crucial stops in this game. If the Ravens win tomorrow then the Chargers will be playing the Steelers, and the Titans if the Ravens lose.

Chargers vs Colts Updates

Michael Bennett is expected to be activated for the first time since the Chargers traded to get him mid-season. This comes in the wake of LT's groin injury and is expected to serve as insurance. It would be interesting to see him get involved though if LT isn't good to go. Antonio Gates and LT have both sat out practice this week.

Injury Update

LT says that he is feeling a little sore but expects to be playing after tweaking his groin on Sunday. Antonio Gates has a slight ankle sprain but also expects to be playing. Hopefully both can be healthy because with LT playing how he did against Denver, it really makes our offense dynamic. I don't believe the Colts have a very strong run D either so if we can get the run going with LT and Sproles then we can burn them on some play actions.

Rivers for MVP?

One thing that has been frustrating me over the past couple weeks is the fact that Philip is getting very few mentions as a candidate for MVP. Although I'm obviously a little biased, compared to many of the names put out there and the reasons for them, Philip has easily surpassed them and their achievements. Two names that seem to be popular right now are Miami's Chad Pennington and the Colt's Peyton Manning. Philip leads both of them statistically with a higher passer rating, more touchdowns, yards, and a higher average. We all know that stats aren't the sole deciding factor for MVP though, so we'll look at it from another angle also. Miami and Indianapolis both had higher ranked defenses and allowed fewer points on average, compared to the Charger's defense which was ranked in the bottom two in pass defense all season. In Pennington's case it's the fact that the Dolphins were 1-15 last year and now as a playoff team, it must be him that was responsible. The truth however is that the Dolphins were never that bad of a team, they were just the victim of turnovers and now with a game managing quarterback they have been able to eliminate that factor. There's no justice in a game managing quarterback winning MVP over a quarterback who has carried his team though. For the case of Peyton Manning, it has been inconsistency until later in the season. Then everyone likes to remember how Peyton had to overcome knee surgery, but then conveniently overlook that Philip had reconstructive knee surgery in the offseason.Now of course I'll agree that it is the end of the season where it matters, but Philip has been consistent all year and then even picked it up with the season on the line. That is what an MVP player is. In the worst year of LT's career, Philip put his team in position to win and was the lone bright star of a team that came back from a 4-8 start to make the playoffs. When Philip didn't make the Pro Bowl it was the pundits that all said it was because of wins. Now two of those "worthy" Pro Bowl quarterbacks have pulled off huge late season collapses while Philip has willed his team to a playoff spot. With any less of a quarterback the Chargers could easily be 4-12. What more must Philip do to finally be recognized?

Chargers 52 Broncos 21

What a relief!!! A fantastic display of football to send a strong message to the rest of the NFL. A historic comeback from a 4-8 start to win a playoff spot that no one was going to take from them. This is a team on a mission. A team to be feared, and the team that we knew they were. Congratulations to the players and coaching staff and good luck next week!!!

Chargers vs. Broncos Preview

This Sunday's game of the Chargers and Broncos should easily live up to it's hype and come down to a shootout. Though the Charger's defense has been showing great strides of improvement under Ron Rivera they still have been lacking in pressure on the quarterback with only 11 sacks and a 31st overall ranking. The Broncos are not much better at 27th and both teams will look to exploit each others deficencies with their top 10 ranked passing offenses. The Broncos offense however, is down to it's 8th runningback in Tatum Bell, and arent expected to have much impact on the ground. Probably one of the most important aspects for the Chargers to be watching is Brandon Marshall, who scorched them for 18 receptions in their first matchup this season, good for 2nd all time for receptions in a game. Jay Cutler, looking beyond his arrogance, has played excellent this year and will look to beat the Charger's defense by spreading the ball to his other talented receivers that include Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokely, and tight ends Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler. On the Charger's side, Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson will both try to stay on a hot streak. Philip Rivers also reconnected with Antonio Gates against the Bucs with 2 touchdowns and could be a threat over the middle, even with Champ Baily's return as Baily has always had trouble matching up with Gates anyway. Ladainian Tomlinson is now recovered from his toe injury and can run the ball well enough to keep the offense balanced, along with a little dash of Darren Sproles sprinkled in. With a playoff spot on the line, both teams will be tested and it could possibly come down to a last minute scramble. If the Chargers play as they did against the Bucs, with 21 points coming in the 4th quarter, they should be able to look forward to welcoming the Colts next weekend. The Broncos won't go down without a fight though and the most we can hope for is that the game won't come down to a ref's error again. Jamal Williams and Igor Olshansky returned to practice after missing Wednsday, but Malcolm Floyd and Brandon Siler were limited. The Broncos had all their players practice.

Chargers 41 Buccaneers 24

By Tim Williams

Both the Chargers and the Buccaneers entered Sunday's game looking for a playoff spot. The Chargers, unlike the Buc's however, did not control their own playoff destiny, and their deperation showed in their play. The Chargers came out firing, putting the Buc's on their heels going into half time with a 20-10 lead after Nate Kaedings franchise record 57 yard field goal in the dying seconds of the half. After halftime, the Buc's came back with 2 drives, including a 71 yard bomb to Antonio Bryant, going for touchdowns and took the lead for the first time in the game at 20-24. Just when the game looked like it could become a shootout, the Chargers finished with 2 unanswered touchdowns and slammed the door on the Bucs with a 59 yard interception return by rookie Antoine Cason. Game balls go to Philip Rivers who went 21/31 for 287 and four touchdowns. Rivers managed to find open targets all day and also made some impressive throws under pressure, including a beautifully placed ball while on the run, to Antonio Gates in the back of the endzone. Big games also came from Vincent Jackson who consistantly made big catches all day and ended with 7 receptions for 111 yards which puts him over 1000 yards on the season making him the first Charger wide receiver since Curtis Conway in 2001 to reach that mark. The Chargers now control their own destiny as the Broncos come to town next Sunday night with the AFC West title and a playoff spot on the line. Link to game highlight below

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80d8283c