Sunday, January 29, 2012

Chargers need to spend more money in free agency this offseason

Since becoming the ultimate decision-maker on personnel moves in 2003, San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has been stubborn about spending big money on free agents during the offseason. With so many glaring weaknesses on the current roster, however, Smith would be wise to pursue at least of a few of the top names once free agency begins in March, or else he’ll most likely be forced to look for another job by this time next year.
In the past Smith was able to put an elite product on the gridiron without spending big in free agency, mainly because he had great success in the draft. But over the last five years, particularly 2007, 2008, and 2009, Smith’s drafts have been less than stellar-to-very poor, causing the Chargers’ talent level to diminish substantially as the rest of the division rivals have improved.
Smith is officially on his hottest seat right now, so this is the time to put the Chargers back in position to make a serious run at their first Super Bowl championship. He can put that into action by going after a couple of the following free agents this March:

1.      Carl Nicks

     

Nicks is the preeminent offensive lineman expected to hit the free agent market in March, and he’s actually considered one of, if not the, best guards in the NFL right now. Since Drew Brees is expected to become the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history, and the New Orleans Saints have already spent huge money on fellow guard Jahri Evans, there’s little doubt Nicks is on his way to another NFL franchise.

With Kris Dielman expected to retire, the left guard spot has opened up for Nicks to slide into for the Chargers. By signing Nicks, Smith would make a huge statement to the fan base that he’s finally taking a serious approach to making the Lightning Bolts a more formidable team in the trenches.

2.      Calais Campbell

     

In my first piece for this blog I mentioned it’s time for the Chargers to release defensive end Luis Castillo. As I was writing that I was thinking the perfect replacement would be Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell.

At 6-8, 300 pounds Campbell will be 26 by next September, and he’s an ascending player who’s a matchup nightmare for opposing offensive linemen to block—as evidenced with his eight sacks and 72 tackles in 2011. Unfortunately, it’s rumored the Cardinals will franchise him before he can reach free agency. Until then, however, I can still dream about him donning the Chargers’ uniform.

3.      Tyvon Branch

     

The strong safety position has been one of the most glaring weaknesses on the Chargers’ defense for a while now. Signing Branch would immediately turn that weakness into a strength.

Unlike San Diego’s strong safeties over the last few years, Branch can do it all, as some feel he has a similar game to Troy Polamalu. Branch is a sure tackler who also possesses the overall athleticism to excel in coverage, and he’s a monster on blitzes. He actually played cornerback during his college career at UConn, and the Oakland Raiders allowed him to return kicks last season—which is an extreme rarity for a strong safety these days.

Taking him away from Oakland would be an extra incentive, but the real enticement in adding him to the Chargers’ secondary is that he’s a young player on the rise who could be a fixture for many years to come.

4.      Ben Grubbs

     

A 2007 first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, Grubbs is the second-best offensive lineman expected to hit the free agent market this March. The Ravens are likely to spend big dough on quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice, so Grubbs appears to be the odd man out.

If Smith can’t convince Nicks to join the Chargers, Grubbs would be a nice consolation prize. He’s started on Baltimore’s offensive line for the entire five years he’s been there, and some believe he was the Ravens’ most valuable offensive lineman in 2011.

5.      LaRon Landry

     

Landry has similar skills to Branch, which is why Landry was the sixth overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. The main reason Landry isn’t ranked as high as Branch is because Landry has missed 15 games due to an Achilles ailment over the last two seasons, and there were worries that his career might be over when he was placed on injured reserve last December.

The Chargers don’t need another Bob Sanders to tease them in 2012, but if Branch stays in Oakland, and San Diego’s medical staff can determine that Landry will make a full recovery, the strong safety from LSU would be a fine addition to the Chargers’ defensive backfield.

6.      Cliff Avril
     
Anyone who follows the Lightning Bolts knows the team’s pass rush has been impotent far too often since the 2008 season, when Shawne Merriman went on injured reserve and never returned as an elite outside linebacker. The soon-to-be 26-year-old Avril is an intriguing option to help fill the void Merriman left.
In his four years with the Detroit Lions Avril has produced 30.5 sacks, 20.5 of them coming in the last two seasons. At 6-3, 260 pounds he appears to have the athleticism to make a smooth transition from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebacker. He also has shown a knack for making game-changing plays, as he forced six fumbles and scored two defensive touchdowns in 2011.
With Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, Corey Williams, and Kyle Vanden Bosch, the Lions have already invested a ton of money on their defensive line, and superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson is first in line for a contract extension with just one year left on his rookie deal, so it’s definitely realistic to believe Avril will hit free agency come March. Yet, there are rumors Detroit is willing to slap the franchise tag on the emerging pass-rushing star. If not, Smith would be wise to place a high priority on pursuing Avril.

Classic Videos
For this edition of the blog I’m posting a February 2010, post-Super Bowl XLIV report by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on former Chargers quarterback Drew Brees’s devastating injury during his final game in San Diego on December 31, 2005. With Brees breaking Dan Marino’s 27-year-old single-season passing yardage record earlier this month, many football fans have denigrated the Chargers’ decision to move along with Philip Rivers as the starting quarterback following the 2005 season.
In addition to Rivers being an outstanding quarterback in his own right, many of the people who have criticized the move have failed to acknowledge that nobody could have been sure Brees would be able to play again after sustaining the destructive injury to his throwing arm. The man who operated on the arm, Dr. James Andrews, even mentioned the odds were clearly against Brees.
“He’s probably one in a hundred that could come back from that injury,” Andrews said.
Moreover, Brees was coming off a season in which he threw for 3,576 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, equating to a passer rating of 89.2. Those are good numbers, but nothing special, and it’s not a given he’d be performing at a higher level than Rivers has in Norv Turner’s offense. In fact, the year after Brees left, Rivers posted a higher passer rating of 92.0 for the same offensive coordinator (Cam Cameron) Brees played for in San Diego.
Drew Brees

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Searching for the perfect pick intensifies

The NFL draft is about three months away, and opinions on certain prospects are going to change drastically from now until then, but that won’t discourage football fans all over the country from gathering as much information as possible.

The San Diego Chargers head into the offseason with multiple positions in need of big-time upgrades. From the day free agency begins all the way through NFL draft weekend, the Lightning Bolts would like to acquire a dominant pass-rusher, a strong safety, a few offensive linemen, and perhaps a receiver or tight end. After reading several reports from experts who attended Senior Bowl week, here are four prospects every loyal Chargers fan should keep an eye on over the next few months:
1.      OT Mike Adams Ohio State (6-7, 320)
Looks the part of an NFL left tackle. He showcases good length, moves his feet well through contact and exhibits "plus" range toward the edge for his size. He gets himself into trouble at times by "catching" defenders at the point, but he has the skill set to mature into a good starter at left tackle.

2.      DE Courtney Upshaw: Alabama (6-2, 265)
He's a physical, compact pass rusher who turns speed into power well off the edge and can overwhelm on contact. Plus, has the versatility to play in both a 3-4 and 4-3 front at the next level.

3.      OG Cordy Glenn: Georgia (6-5, 348)
Glenn had some struggles this week at OT. However, when lined-up inside at guard he was downright dominant. He showcased good natural quickness off the ball, and was able to extend his arms and control blockers with ease through contact. Looks like a first-round caliber guard prospect.

4.      DE Melvin Ingram: South Carolina (6-2, 276)
He's an impressive pass rusher who can get after the QB in a number of ways. Plus, he's versatile, as he can be effective from a number of spots and will likely get looks from both 3-4 and 4-3 teams.


Of those four my personal favorite at the moment is Adams, who I believe could step in and start immediately at right tackle. Ingram came up with a lot of big plays last season for the Gamecocks, but I’m not so sure he can make the transition to a pass-rushing outside linebacker in the Chargers’ defense. Although Upshaw has been praised as the top pass-rushing linebacker in this draft, he didn’t make enough impact plays this past season to give me enough confidence to believe he’ll be any better than Larry English. And while Glenn could probably start at left guard right away, he probably won’t be the best player on the board when the Chargers select in the first round—and it’s unlikely he’ll be around by the time San Diego picks in the second.


In addition to Upshaw, strong safety Mark Barron is another Crimson Tide defender who should intrigue Chargers fans. A four-year starter, Barron was a versatile player who lined up all over the field in head coach Nick Saban’s defense. He’s considered a hard-hitting safety who could line up in the box as an extra linebacker, but there are concerns with his lack of coverage ability, leading most experts to place him a tier below Eric Berry and Earl Thomas.


But while the Senior Bowl practices have drummed up a ton of interest in several prospects, nobody should forget about the juniors in this draft. Here are some early-entries I believe could look very nice in a Chargers uniform:


1.      Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict
     
     

After drafting Donald Butler in the third round in 2010 and Jonas Mouton in the second in 2011, some may believe general manager A.J. Smith should avoid selecting an inside linebacker 18th overall this April. But Burfict is an outstanding talent who possesses a mean streak similar to Ray Lewis’s, and that type of package is needed for the Chargers’ passive defense at present. With several personal foul penalties called on him last fall, Burfict has picked up a reputation for being a player who’s out of control. The Chargers would be a nice spot for him, however, as Takeo Spikes is an ideal mentor for a youngster in need of being tutored on how to be a professional.

This article is a must-read for those who would like to learn more about Burfict.

2.      Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff

     

Reiff started three years on the Hawkeyes’ offensive line, the last two seasons at left tackle. He’s considered a mauler in the running game and really excels at driving the opposing defensive lineman off the ball. There are concerns about his footwork in pass protection, however, and many believe his best position would be at right tackle. That would work out beautifully for the Chargers, since right tackle is one of their biggest needs. Unfortunately, most project Reiff will be a top-10 pick.


3.      Stanford offensive tackle Jonathan Martin

     
     
Martin protected Andrew Luck’s blindside at left tackle for three years. He’s considered a superior pass-blocker to Reiff, but Reiff is believed to be the better package overall, as Martin has struggled with his run-blocking and is rumored to lack aggression. Most experts think Martin’s best position will be left tackle, although he would probably start immediately at right tackle in San Diego. Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely he’ll be there when the Chargers select in the first round.
4.      Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro

     

DeCastro was another three-year starter on the Cardinal’s offensive line. He’s rated as the preeminent interior lineman in this draft and would likely start right away at left guard for the Chargers. Unlike linemate Martin, DeCastro is considered to be a nasty, gritty blocker more than willing to mix it up with anyone. Although it’s not a given, many mock drafts believe DeCastro will be available when San Diego’s on the clock in the first round.

5.      USC defensive end Nick Perry

     

Perry surprised many when he announced he wasn’t sticking around for his senior season with the Trojans, but it appears he made the right decision, as he’s projected to be picked somewhere in the mid-to-late first round. During his first season as a full-time starter in 2011, Perry recorded 9.5 sacks while showing elite pass-rushing skills against some of the top offensive tackles in the country. Despite failing to record a sack, perhaps his  finest performance was against Jonathan Martin  during a showdown Stanford barely won in overtime last October. Of the pass-rushers in this draft, many feel Perry has the most upside, and he appears to have the athleticism and overall skill-set to make a smooth transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

6.      Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower

     

Much like Burfict, Hightower could join forces with Donald Butler to create quite an intimidating tandem at inside linebacker in the Chargers’ defense for many years to come. A three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, Hightower possesses a nice blend of size, speed, and power at 6-4, 260 pounds. He has shown the ability to blitz from the outside linebacker position but spent most of his time on the inside as the leader of Nick Saban’s unit. He missed most of the 2009 season with a torn ACL, and many feel he struggles far too much when covering tight ends and running backs.

Meanwhile, in his first mock draft Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks has the Chargers selecting Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus 18th overall. Mercilus, another junior entering the draft early, would also have to make the switch to outside linebacker in San Diego’s 3-4 scheme. Banks mentions that Mercilus led the nation with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles in 2011. The main worry with Mercilus is he has been labeled a one-year wonder, since he didn’t do much before last fall.


An under-the-radar prospect who could shoot up the draft boards is Troy defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, another junior. Massaquoi is listed as 6-2, 270 pounds on Troy’s Web site, but most believe he’s much lighter than that. He’s considered a tweener whose best position in the NFL will most likely be outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He had a monster year in 2010 as a sophomore, recording 13.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for losses. His numbers weren’t as impressive in 2011, though, as he finished with just six sacks and 10.5 tackles in the backfield.


In comparison with the other pass-rushers in this draft, Massaquoi is considered to have one of the quickest first steps off the snap and has shown the ability to drop into coverage effectively. As of right now he’s projected to be picked in the second or third round, but that could change significantly if he works out well in front of scouts over the next few months.


Jonathan Massaquoi highlights


Classic Videos


For this edition of the blog, we’d like to recognize Kellen Winslow, one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Back in the fall of 2010 Winslow was ranked #67 on NFL Films’ All-Time Top 100 Greatest Players list. Joe Gibbs put it best when he said the following:


“Sometimes in football you’ll get a real gifted player, and that might cause a change in football. Kellen Winslow; he changed football.”


Kellen Winslow







Thursday, January 26, 2012

Time to trim the fat


It’s a time filled with tremendous aggravation and frustration for San Diego Chargers fans. The Lightning Bolts have missed the postseason the last two years, and team president Dean Spanos decided to retain both general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner, in spite of unremitting backlash from the fan base. To compound the issues Eli Manning, the quarterback who refused to play for San Diego after he was picked #1 overall by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL draft, is set to make his second Super Bowl appearance—one in which he will probably be victorious. 


It doesn’t seem as though matters could be any worse for Chargers fans at this moment in time. But the offseason is here, meaning hope has been restored with the belief San Diego has as good a chance as any other team to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February 2013. 

Now, more than ever, several changes must be made along the Lightning Bolts’ roster. The trenches, in particular, must be shored up, as the Chargers have been bullied by the more physical teams—the hated Oakland Raiders, most notably. It’s time for A.J. Smith to bite the bullet and spend a lot of dough in free agency—something he has neglected to do since taking over as general manager in 2003. And, just as importantly, it’s imperative that the fat be trimmed off the current roster; key veterans who haven’t earned their paychecks over the last couple seasons need to be sent packing.

There’s a lot of work to be completed before the 2012 season kicks off, and fans would like to have their confidence boosted over the next seven months. The first step to accomplishing that goal would be to let go of the players who have held this team back in recent seasons. Those fitting into that category include:

1.      Jeromey Clary


Clary isn’t an underachiever or a wash-up. To put it bluntly, he’s just not a good player and wouldn’t be starting for the majority of the other teams in the NFL. The fact he’s lasted this long as the Chargers’ starting right tackle is sickening to most of the team’s fans, as it represents the most glaring example of how poorly the front office and coaching staff have approached restocking the offensive line over the last five seasons. Clary is a swinging gate at his position, causing franchise quarterback Philip Rivers to be under constant duress whenever dropping back to pass.

With Jared Gaither proving he’s still capable of playing left tackle at an elite level, Marcus McNeill could be an option to take over for Clary. If McNeill’s career is over due to a neck injury, Smith will most likely have to find a right tackle in the draft or through free agency. Well, that’s the hope, at least. There’s just no question Clary needs to go.

2.      Luis Castillo

 



Castillo has been an above-average defensive end in the Chargers’ 3-4 scheme since he was selected at the end of the first round in the 2005 draft. The problem with him is he’s never duplicated his efforts during the 2006 season, when he recorded seven sacks and played at an elite level. Ever since that point he has been a descending player, and now he’s coming off an injury that forced him to miss 15 games in 2011.

The Chargers need more production out of Castillo’s position than they’ve been receiving from him over the last five seasons. He’s been an overpaid player, and that needs to stop. Smith would be wise to release Castillo and move on.

3.      Kris Dielman

  

After coming to San Diego as an undrafted free agent in 2003, Dielman has been a fixture at left guard for the Lightning Bolts. He’s a nasty, gritty player with a mean streak very few could match. The concussion he suffered in the Meadowlands against the New York Jets last October 23 was real scary, however, and the after-effects (there were rumors he had a seizure on the plane ride home from that game) are even more frightening. Understandably, after suffering the concussion Dielman missed the rest of the season and is considering retirement.

So, this isn’t a plea for Smith to release a player on the decline. Rather, Dielman should be encouraged to retire, since his health is obviously more important than playing a vicious and unforgiving game.

4.      Vincent Jackson



When healthy, Jackson has proven he’s capable of performing as a top-10 receiver in the NFL. Unfortunately, staying healthy hasn’t exactly been his forte recently. Jackson played all 16 games this past season, but he was a shell of himself in more than a few of them, thanks to a lingering hamstring strain holding him back.

With Malcom Floyd missing at least four games per season, and Antonio Gates hobbling around with his plantar fascia ailment, the Chargers need a #1 receiver capable of leading the unit for all of 2012 and beyond. Jackson just turned 29 on January 14, and it’s likely he doesn’t have many more seasons in which he’ll be able to compete at a high level. With that in mind, in addition to a number of teams likely showing immense interest if Jackson were to become available, the best move for Smith would be to slap the franchise tag on the wide receiver and trade him for a late first-round pick.

One team that could be an ideal trading partner is the Cleveland Browns, who possess two first-round picks, the latter being the 23rd overall. If Smith were able to acquire that selection, he could then use it on Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd or South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffery to fill the void resulting from Jackson’s departure.

5.      Quentin Jammer



Jammer has been a reliable starter in the defensive backfield for several seasons, but he was flagged for far too many heartbreaking pass interference penalties and didn’t record an interception in 2011. Additionally, he’s about to turn 33 in June, so it’s obvious his best days at cornerback are behind him.

It’s time for the Chargers to move on and hand Jammer’s starting job over to Marcus Gilchrist, Shareece Wright, or a new player acquired in free agency or the draft. With the rules favoring the passing game these days—and a 2012 schedule that includes the Atlanta Falcons (Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez), New Orleans Saints (Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham), Baltimore Ravens (Joe Flacco, Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta), Cincinnati Bengals (Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, Jerome Simpson, Jermaine Gresham), and Pittsburgh Steelers (Ben Roethlisberger, Mike Wallace, Heath Miller)—San Diego needs to get younger and more athletic at cornerback. It’s unlikely that Jammer will accept a demotion and pay cut, so it’s best for him to find another team to play for.

6.      Nate Kaeding
      
     
      
    Let’s keep this one short and sweet. Can anyone recall Kaeding making a clutch field goal in the postseason? Nuff said.

Classic Videos
For this edition of the blog I’d like to take the readers back to the last time the Chargers won a playoff game.
Hopefully it won’t be too long until the next time the Lightning Bolts experience postseason success.

Part I