Hello folks,
It's that time of the year again when the liars take center stage and we inch ever closer to the 2015 NFL draft. I'm glad it's out of New York and I hope they keep it moving around.
Anyway there's a lot to speculate on this year so lets get started:
Things the Chargers SHOULD NOT DO:
1. Trade Phil Rivers on draft day. He has one year left on his contract and is on record as saying:
"What we've established (in San Diego) with my growing family is hard to re-create. It's hard to up and re-create that. I know that moves are part of life. But that certainty is fair to say that (not being sold on moving to Los Angeles) is part of it. The good thing is I'm not under contract in a year where we'd potentially be in Los Angeles." - Philip Rivers 3/17/15."
He doesn't want to leave San Diego for LA and anyone who has had to deal with LA traffic totally understands. That said, getting trade value enough to take a stab at whatever QB falls is a really gutsy move. Gutsy and stupid, and frankly whatever team trades for Rivers if they can convince him to stay will be the real winners. The Chargers would have to be nuts to do this but they seem to really really want out of San Diego so imho this is a very real possibility. The other issue is that if Phil Rivers moves out, i think many of our other top players will too (Gates, Weddle).
2. Draft Todd Gurley at 17. I still hurt from the last time San Diego lost a second round pick to move up and draft an extremely talented RB with an injury history. Trade down and collect a second orthird rounder and selecting Gurley? That's a win, but Gurley straight up at 17 is not something I am comfortable with. At the end of the day I'm a Melvin Gordon fan anyway. It's easy to recall amazing athletes who played RB in college but just can't stay healthy. This is why I'm on the Gordon bandwagon, the Chargers need all the healthy players they can get.
Chargers needs:
OL, OLB, ILB
Chargers wants:
RB, WR, Secondary, DL
I know, I know, wants and needs? It may sound silly but I couldn't come up with a better way to describe it.
OL: The Chargers have done a massive overhaul to their OL and it is something they can nearly be proud of. There's one problem, I have no idea where any of these guys are gonna play aside from Dunlap at LT. Watt is an OG/C and Franklin & Fluker are RT/OG material. I really admire the position that this leaves the Chargers in, being given the luxury of filling in any of the open positions on your line to complete it is a big deal and if they can land a quality player it will pay off in a big way. I worry that the O-Line will be ignored for a want in the draft, as they just brought in Franklin.
OLB: Dwight Freeney is gone and has taken his fight to Bank of America, Jarret Johnson has retired. That leaves the perma-injured but talented Melvin Ingram, the MIA Jerry Attouchou (sp?) and Tourek Williams. Yeah, OLB is a big need, the sack leader last year if I'm not mistaken was Corey Liuget with 4.5. Call it a hunch, if the Chargers can find someone who give a persistent pass rush they might just also find the pulse on their playoff hopes again. I would be shocked if an OLB is not targeted in the first 3 rounds.
ILB: I don't know if Bronco fans are aware of just how often the Chargers relied on Reggie Walker, imho it was a fantastic signing for the Broncos as it helps them and hurts the Chargers badly. As we are left with Donald "Just signed big money and now I don't show up" Butler, and Manti "nearly as invisible as my girlfriend T'eo. Given neither of them are known for being healthy, you can see why Walker saw a lot of action and why losing him was a problem. I worry this area will be ignored for a want.
RB: The Chargers are in a strange place, with the OL improving they are actually in a position to support a talented RB now. I won't turn off the TV and storm out like I did when they drafted Mathews but I cannot take another oft-injured star RB. I just can't, which is why for me the pick is Gordon hands down if they trade back and collect a 2nd or 3rd rounder but either at 17 is a waste imho. I'd have no issues seeing the Chargers play with Oliver, Brown, and Woodhead. RB is a flashy position and if you are trying to generate buzz in a city you are moving to a young star RB could really help you do that.
WR: Allen, Floyd, and Johnson you could really use one more. I think one will be targeted in round 4-6 unless someone really falls.
Secondary: Yeah I'm calling out the entire secondary here, CB looks set for a change and there is a player ready to step up for the dismal performances of Marcus Gilchrist. With Jahleel Addae taking over the starting positions are filled but there is little to no depth in the secondary. Eric Weddle wants a ring and could very well leave the Chargers to play for a contender...Damn I can already see him going to the Patriots.
The DL: The most beautiful positional train-wreck on the team. Liuget can play, he could also disappear here pretty soon. Kendall Reyes, never improved after his rookie year, and NT? The Chargers have opted for a rotation of mediocrity at best. MAJOR help is needed at NT but year after year it goes to late round picks or UDFA. Reyes and Liuget need help to be effective, but they have not gotten help so they remain ineffective.
This could be a very interesting draft year for the Chargers.
It's that time of the year again when the liars take center stage and we inch ever closer to the 2015 NFL draft. I'm glad it's out of New York and I hope they keep it moving around.
Anyway there's a lot to speculate on this year so lets get started:
Things the Chargers SHOULD NOT DO:
1. Trade Phil Rivers on draft day. He has one year left on his contract and is on record as saying:
"What we've established (in San Diego) with my growing family is hard to re-create. It's hard to up and re-create that. I know that moves are part of life. But that certainty is fair to say that (not being sold on moving to Los Angeles) is part of it. The good thing is I'm not under contract in a year where we'd potentially be in Los Angeles." - Philip Rivers 3/17/15."
He doesn't want to leave San Diego for LA and anyone who has had to deal with LA traffic totally understands. That said, getting trade value enough to take a stab at whatever QB falls is a really gutsy move. Gutsy and stupid, and frankly whatever team trades for Rivers if they can convince him to stay will be the real winners. The Chargers would have to be nuts to do this but they seem to really really want out of San Diego so imho this is a very real possibility. The other issue is that if Phil Rivers moves out, i think many of our other top players will too (Gates, Weddle).
2. Draft Todd Gurley at 17. I still hurt from the last time San Diego lost a second round pick to move up and draft an extremely talented RB with an injury history. Trade down and collect a second orthird rounder and selecting Gurley? That's a win, but Gurley straight up at 17 is not something I am comfortable with. At the end of the day I'm a Melvin Gordon fan anyway. It's easy to recall amazing athletes who played RB in college but just can't stay healthy. This is why I'm on the Gordon bandwagon, the Chargers need all the healthy players they can get.
Chargers needs:
OL, OLB, ILB
Chargers wants:
RB, WR, Secondary, DL
I know, I know, wants and needs? It may sound silly but I couldn't come up with a better way to describe it.
OL: The Chargers have done a massive overhaul to their OL and it is something they can nearly be proud of. There's one problem, I have no idea where any of these guys are gonna play aside from Dunlap at LT. Watt is an OG/C and Franklin & Fluker are RT/OG material. I really admire the position that this leaves the Chargers in, being given the luxury of filling in any of the open positions on your line to complete it is a big deal and if they can land a quality player it will pay off in a big way. I worry that the O-Line will be ignored for a want in the draft, as they just brought in Franklin.
OLB: Dwight Freeney is gone and has taken his fight to Bank of America, Jarret Johnson has retired. That leaves the perma-injured but talented Melvin Ingram, the MIA Jerry Attouchou (sp?) and Tourek Williams. Yeah, OLB is a big need, the sack leader last year if I'm not mistaken was Corey Liuget with 4.5. Call it a hunch, if the Chargers can find someone who give a persistent pass rush they might just also find the pulse on their playoff hopes again. I would be shocked if an OLB is not targeted in the first 3 rounds.
ILB: I don't know if Bronco fans are aware of just how often the Chargers relied on Reggie Walker, imho it was a fantastic signing for the Broncos as it helps them and hurts the Chargers badly. As we are left with Donald "Just signed big money and now I don't show up" Butler, and Manti "nearly as invisible as my girlfriend T'eo. Given neither of them are known for being healthy, you can see why Walker saw a lot of action and why losing him was a problem. I worry this area will be ignored for a want.
RB: The Chargers are in a strange place, with the OL improving they are actually in a position to support a talented RB now. I won't turn off the TV and storm out like I did when they drafted Mathews but I cannot take another oft-injured star RB. I just can't, which is why for me the pick is Gordon hands down if they trade back and collect a 2nd or 3rd rounder but either at 17 is a waste imho. I'd have no issues seeing the Chargers play with Oliver, Brown, and Woodhead. RB is a flashy position and if you are trying to generate buzz in a city you are moving to a young star RB could really help you do that.
WR: Allen, Floyd, and Johnson you could really use one more. I think one will be targeted in round 4-6 unless someone really falls.
Secondary: Yeah I'm calling out the entire secondary here, CB looks set for a change and there is a player ready to step up for the dismal performances of Marcus Gilchrist. With Jahleel Addae taking over the starting positions are filled but there is little to no depth in the secondary. Eric Weddle wants a ring and could very well leave the Chargers to play for a contender...Damn I can already see him going to the Patriots.
The DL: The most beautiful positional train-wreck on the team. Liuget can play, he could also disappear here pretty soon. Kendall Reyes, never improved after his rookie year, and NT? The Chargers have opted for a rotation of mediocrity at best. MAJOR help is needed at NT but year after year it goes to late round picks or UDFA. Reyes and Liuget need help to be effective, but they have not gotten help so they remain ineffective.
This could be a very interesting draft year for the Chargers.
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