Sunday, April 29, 2012

Chargers add another handful of undrafted free agents


Kyle Martens
Taking all the help they can get, the San Diego Chargers have signed seven more undrafted free agents, according to the website nepatriotsdraft.com. That means they have now brought in 21 prospects who weren't picked during this past weekend's NFL draft.

Below is a list of the latest undrafted free agents San Diego is giving a shot.

1. Oklahoma State wide receiver Hubert Anyiam: This 6-0, 202-pounder caught 83 passes for 1,052 yards and nine touchdowns during his four seasons with the Cowboys. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash and produced a 35.5-inch vertical at Oklahoma State's Pro Day in March.

2. Minnesota State offensive guard Cordell Bell: This 6-3, 321-pounder was a two-year starter at left tackle for the Mavericks. A solid blocker in the run and pass game, scouts believe he will switch to guard and become backup material at the NFL level.

3. Cal safety Sean Cathouse: At 6-2, 211 pounds he's a strong safety prospect who made 26 starts for the Bears. In 2011 he had 75 tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. He ran a 4.74 40-yard dash and 6.99 3-cone drill at the NFL Combine in February.

4. Arkansas cornerback Greg Gatson: At 5-10, 163 pounds he's quite light for the NFL level. He had 29 tackles, a tackle for loss, and one interception in 2011. At Arkansas' Pro Day in March he ran a 4.54 40-yard dash and 7.01 3-cone drill and produced a 42.5-unch vertical.

5. Tennessee longsnapper Nick Guess: This 6-2, 231-pounder was ranked the third-best longsnapper by NFLDraftScout.com. He started 25 games at longsnapper for the Vols in 2010 and 2011.

6. Rice punter Kyle Martens: Rated sixth at his position by NFLDraftScout.com, he was the Owls' punter for four years. Over that time he punted 230 times for a 43-yard average, and 70 of his attempts fell inside the 20-yard-line. He also forced 58 fair catches, and his career long was 71 yards. He earned All-America honors in 2010 after posting a 46-yard average.

7. Arizona State wide receiver Mike Willie: This 6-2, 222-pounder caught 72 passes for 872 yards and nine touchdowns during his two seasons with the Sun Devils. He ran a 4.72 40-yard dash and 7.26 3-cone drill and produced a 30.5-inch vertical at Arizona State's Pro Day in March.

If the Chargers sign any more undrafted free agents, I will be sure to post as much information on them as possible.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Undrafted free agent update




According to nepatriotsdraft.com, the San Diego Chargers have added another undrafted free agent defensive lineman, Fresno State's Logan Harrell.

A two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs, the 6-2, 278-pound Harrell had six sacks, 71 tackles, 17 tackles for losses, and three forced fumbles in 2011. His outstanding effort led to him earning first team All-WAC honors for the second straight season. In 2010 he batted down three passes and had 10.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 14 tackles for losses, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Given his size, Harrell will probably try to make it as a defensive end in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme. He's considered a high-energy player who fires off the snap with explosiveness and causes quite a disruption.

Undrafted free agents try to make it with Chargers


LSU's Jarrett Lee is the SEC's most efficient quarterback with a 157.4 rating, good for 13th nationally.
Now that the NFL draft is over, there are sites providing updates on the undrafted free agents. Although these updates are accurate most of the time, they are unofficial.

If you'd like to find out which undrafted free agents have joined the San Diego Chargers, go here.

For the rest of the league, go here.

According to boltbeat.com, the Chargers have signed the following undrafted free agents:

1. South Carolina wide receiver Jason Barnes: This 6-3, 208-pounder caught 64 passes for 778 yards and two touchdowns during his five seasons with the Gamecocks. After productive years during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons, his playing time decreased substantially in 2010 and 2011. In his final two seasons combined, he caught just 10 passes for 111 yards.

2. Montana offensive lineman Charles Burton: This 6-5, 318-pounder was a two-year starter and played guard, left tackle, and right tackle for the Grizzlies.

3. UCLA wide receiver Taylor Embree: This 6-3, 202-pounder caught 137 passes for 1,776 yards and four touchdown during his four seasons with the Bruins. He also returned 27 punts for a six-yard average.

4. Houston running back Michael Hayes: During his two years with the Cougars he rushed for 1,356 yards and 19 touchdowns and caught 74 passes for 810 yards and six scores.

5. LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee: He was a part-time starter during his four years with the Tigers and finished his career with a 56.1 completion percentage for 3,949 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. Last year was his best season, as he completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,306 yards, 14 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Still, he was benched late in the year during a disastrous performance in a key regular-season battle with SEC rival Alabama and never got his job back. At 6-2, 207 pounds a lack of arm strength and overall talent make him a longshot to stick on an NFL roster.

6. Central Florida inside linebacker Josh Linam: A two-year starter with the Knights, he had 144 tackles, 19 tackles for losses, three sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles in 2010 and 2011 combined. Scouting reports say he's limited athletically and lacks explosion in all areas.

7. UNLV wide receiver Philip Payne: This 6-3, 210-pounder caught 171 passes for 2,315 yards and 26 touchdowns during his four years with the Rebels.

8. Appalachian State cornerback DeAndre Presley: Listed at 5-10, 185 pounds, he was Appalachian State's starting quarterback over the last two seasons. He also returned punts and played cornerback and wide receiver. Most NFL talent evaluators believe cornerback is where he'll have to make it at the professional level.

According to nepatriotsdraft.com, San Diego has also signed the following undrafted free agents:

1. Texas A&M defensive tackle Eddie Brown: At 6-0, 321 pounds it's unclear where he could fit in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme. In 2011 he had 29 tackles and three sacks. He had 33 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press at Texas A&M's Pro Day in March.

2. Mississippi Valley State wide receiver Paul Cox: During his four seasons with the Delta Devils, this 6-4, 198-pounder caught 92 passes for 1,701 yards and 13 touchdowns.

3. Toledo running back Adonis Thomas: During his four years with the Rockets, he rushed for 2,630 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught 63 passes for 723 yards and three scores. As a junior in 2010 he rushed for 1,098 yards, a 6.3 average, and eight touchdowns and caught 31 passes 372 yards and two scores. As a senior last year he rushed for 1,071 yards, a 6.3 aveage, and 12 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 350 yards and a score.

4. USC defensive tackle Christian Tupou: At 6-2, 289 pounds he will probably try to make it at as a defensive end in the the Chargers' 3-4 scheme. He missed all of the 2010 season after tearing ligaments in his knee during USC's spring game. Before that he made 21 starts, in which he collected 37 tackles, seven tackles for losses, and a sack. He came back and had 16 tackles in 2011.

5. UCLA offensive guard Mike Harris: Played offensive tackle for the Bruins, for whom he started three years. He's expected to switch to guard in the NFL. At 6-5, 326 pounds he's considered a powerful run-blocker. He was suspended for the 2010 season-opener after violating team rules.

When the sites add another player to the Chargers' list, I will provide as much information as I can find. Stay tuned.

Offense all the way on Day 3


Ladarius Green
Day 3 of the NFL draft is comparable to watching a final regular-season game between teams that each possess a 5-10 record. In other words, it's boring and painful to sit through. Still, all of the picks must be made, and the San Diego Chargers have just finished up the 2012 NFL draft by selecting offensive players with their last four choices.

The Chargers came into the day with one pick each in the fourth and fifth rounds, and two selections in the seventh round.

With its fourth-round selection, the 110th overall, San Diego chose Louisiana-Lafayette tight end Ladarius Green. The 6-6, 238-pound Green is an athletic pass-catcher who hauled in 149 passes for 2,201 yards and 22 touchdowns during his four seasons with the Ragin' Cajuns. He completed his college career with a bang, catching five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown against San Diego State in the New Orleans Bowl.

With 4.53 speed in the 40-yard dash, Green will learn from one of the best tight ends of all time in Antonio Gates. Green, whom Louisiana-Lafayette recruited to play both football and basketball, possesses the power forward-type of frame that should work well with quarterback Philip Rivers, who loves to throw up jump balls.

Meanwhile, with five tight ends already on the roster before Green was selected today, one has to assume two or three will get the ax prior to the start of the regular season. Gates' primary backup over the last two seasons has been Randy McMichael, and Kory Sperry has been the third tight end during that time. The Chargers also signed veteran Dante Rosario, formerly of the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, recently to a one-year contract, and 2011 undrafted free agent Brad Taylor is the other tight end. Aside from Gates, none of the veteran tight ends should feel safe at the moment.

In the fifth round, with the 149th overall selection, the Chargers took Penn State offensive guard Johnnie Troutman. A three-year starter, the 6-4, 327-pound Troutman, along with Stephen Schilling and Brandyn Dombrowksi, should provide depth behind starters Louis Vasquez and Tyronne Green. Spending most of his time at left guard for the Nittany Lions, Troutman never gave up a sack in his 32 starts.

San Diego didn't have a pick in the sixth round, as it traded the selection to move up for LSU safety Brandon Taylor in the third round. Thanks to being awarded a compensatory selection, the Chargers had two picks in the seventh round, which they used on Michigan center David Molk (226th overall) and Michigan State running back Edwin Baker (250th overall).

The 6-1, 298-pound Molk was a four-year starter with the Wolverines. A team captain, he won the Rimington Award as the nation's top center and made first-team All-America in 2011. Although he proclaimed himself the best center in the draft a few months ago, Molk fell to the seventh round probably due to size limitations and the four injuries he suffered to his right leg while at Michigan. He wasn't able to run for scouts in predraft workouts because he recently underwent surgery after severing a tendon in his right foot during warmups for the Sugar Bowl in January. In spite of that injury, Molk started and played through that game.

At the moment San Diego has long-time starting center Nick Hardwick on the roster. An unresticted free agent at the start of this offseason, Hardwick re-upped with the Chargers on a three-year deal. Colin Baxter, a 2011 undrafted free agent, is Hardwick's backup.

After Molk was selected, ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. said the Michigan product could have a comparable career to former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, who went undrafted in 1998. Kiper believes Molk will make the team and could eventually start.

Baker, the compensatory choice, is a 5-8, 204-pound running back who came out of college a year early and recorded a time of 4.53 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. During his three years with the Spartans, he rushed for 2,293 yards and 19 touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 125 yards and a score. His best season was in 2010, when he rushed for 1,201 yards and 13 touchdowns.

With 2010 first-round pick Ryan Mathews leading the way, Baker will have to compete with veteran Curtis Brinkley for a backup role. San Diego may also add another veteran to the mix, as it's been reported that general manager A.J. Smith has shown interest in Jackie Battle, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, and three other unrestricted free agent runners. San Diego also has fullbacks Le'Ron McClain and Jacob Hester, both of whom should get carries throughout the season.

Now that the draft is over, the Chargers and the rest of the teams are targeting prospects who weren't picked during the seven rounds. I will be posting updates of undrafted free agent signings throughout the weekend.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Possibilities for Day 3


The NFL draft is very funny. Even the biggest draft geeks can be way off when putting their mock drafts together. That has never been more evident than in this draft, as there have been several prospects who have gone way higher than most thought, and others who have been selected much lower than what had been projected.

I'm as guilty as any, since I had the San Diego Chargers selecting Cincinnati running back Isaiah Pead in the fourth round, and he was taken in the second, to the St. Louis Rams. I also had San Diego taking Regina defensive lineman Akiem Hicks in sixth round, and he went in the third, to the New Orleans Saints. In other words, those of us who don't work in an NFL front office, and have no experience in player evaluations, have no idea of what we're talking about.

Nevertheless, there still seems to be a ton of talent available for the start of the fourth round, which will take place tomorrow. Thus far, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has done a nice job of adding to his defense. Let's hope he'll keep up the good work and select the right players tomorrow.

Below I have compiled a group of players San Diego should probably be interested in taking tomorrow.

Running backs

1. Miami's Lamar Miller: At one point he was projected to be picked in the first round. He rushed for 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011. He's considered one of the biggest homerun threats in this class.

2. Washington's Chris Polk: One of the most productive running backs in this draft, he finished his college career with 4,049 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. He also caught 79 passes for 683 yards and four touchdowns.

3. Utah State's Robert Turbin: A bigger back at 5-10, 222 pounds, he ran for 3,315 yards and 40 touchdowns during his college career. He also caught 67 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns.

4. Texas A&M's Cyrus Gray: He rushed for 3,298 yards and 30 touchdowns over his four years with his Aggies. He also caught 106 passes for 776 and six touchdowns.

5. Mississippi State's Vick Ballard: During his two seasons with the Bulldogs, he rushed for 2,170 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown.

6. Baylor's Terrance Ganaway: A load at 239 pounds, he rushed for 1,547 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2011. He doesn't appear to be much of a pass receiver, however, as he caught just 12 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown during his four years with the Bears.

7. North Texas's Lance Dunbar: A smaller back (5-8, 205 pounds), he rushed for 4,224 yards and 41 touchdowns during his four years at North Texas. He also caught 97 passes for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns.

Offensive tackles

1. Ole Miss's Bobby Massie: Some experts thought he was going as high as the late first round, and many believed he was one of the top three right tackles. At 6-6, 316 pounds, most experts believe he can be plugged at right tackle and start immediately. It's mind-boggling that he's lasted this long.

2. Auburn's Brandon Mosley: At 6-4, 315 pounds, he was considered by many to be a second- or third-round talent. In 2010 he transferred into Auburn from the JUCO ranks as a tight end. He's one of the tougher prospects, and most project him to be an eventual starter at right tackle.

3. Florida State's Zebrie Sanders: He was considered a second-round prospect heading into the 2011 season.  At 6-5, 308 pounds he's a better athlete than most at his position. He has experience at both tackle spots. A poor season last fall lowered his stock substantially.

4. Troy's James Brown: Most project this 6-3, 306-pound offensive lineman to play either right tackle or guard. He was a three-year starter at Troy.

5. Alabama-Birmingham's Matt McCants: One of the most under-the-radar prospects in this draft. At 6-5, 308 poiunds, he possesses the natural talent and physical attributes to become a starting left tackle.

Offensive guards

1. Wake Forest's Joe Looney: At 6-3, 309 pounds, scouts believe he has nice quickness for his position and will develop into a good run-blocker.

2. Pittsburgh's Lucas Nix: At 6-5, 317 pounds, he's considered one of the more talented interior lineman prospects. He's expected to excel as both a run- and pass-blocker.

3. Washington's Senio Kelemete: At 6-3, 307 pounds, he played left tackle for the Huskies. He's expected to switch to guard in the NFL. Scouts believe he possesses superior athleticism and fires out of his stance with nice explosion. He also has the ability to pull on trap plays.

4. Miami's Brandon Washington: The 6-4, 320-pound Hurricane has experience at both guard and tackle, but most believe he'll fit better inside at the pro level. He probably needs a year or two to develop into a starter.

5. Memphis's Ronald Leary: At 6-3, 315 pounds he made 38 starts during his four years with Memphis, 32 of them coming at left tackle. He switched to guard out of necessity last year.

Defensive tackles

1. Washington Alameda Ta'amu: This 6-2, 348-pounder has everything necessary to play nose tackle in the NFL. It's his effort that comes into question.

2. Nebraska's Jared Crick: The 6-4, 279-pound Cornhusker was considered a first-round talent prior to the 2011 season. Then he missed most of the year with a torn pectoral injury. He looks like an ideal defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. In 2009 and 2010 combined, he had 19 sacks and 32 tackles for losses--excellent production from his position.

3. Alabama's Josh Chapman: At 6-1, 316 pounds he could be another option for nose tackle. He was a key cog in the Crimson's Tide championship defense last year.

4. California's Trevor Guyton: An under-the-rader prospect, this 6-3, 285-pound plugger would be an ideal fit as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. He takes on double-teams very well.

Defensive ends

1. Troy's Jonathan Massaquoi: A very productive pass-rusher at Troy, this 6-2, 264-pound quarterback hunter had 19.5 sacks and 31 tackles for losses during his two years with the Trojans. He would be an option at outside linebacker.

2. Bethune-Cookman's Ryan Davis: He dominated his level of competition, as he had 12 sacks and 21 tackles for losses in 2011. At 6-2, 261 pounds he projects to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

3. Prairie View A&M's Adrian Hamilton: Much like Davis, Hamilton dominated his competition, as he finished 2011 with 22 sacks and 24.5 tackles for losses. At 6-2, 250 pounds, he also projects to outside linebacker in a 3-4.

Linebackers

1. Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis: He didn't have a lot of production for the Sooners, but there were many who projected him as a second-round talent over the last few months. At 6-2, 253 pounds he possesses superior athleticism and will probably be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

2. North Carolina State's Audie Cole: He has experience inside and outside as a three-year starter for the Wolfpack. He finished his college career with 276 tackles, 32 tackles for losses, 14 sacks, and one interception. At 6-4, 246 pounds he would play inside for a team that employs a 3-4 defensive scheme.

3. Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict: He was considered a top-10 prospect heading into the 2011 season. After a campaign filled with undisciplined play, and a disastrous offseason of miserable pre-draft workouts and interviews, his stock slid down more than any other prospect in this class. But if he could keep his head on straight, he could turn out to be one of the biggest steals. At 6-1, 248 pounds he would be a nice fit as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

4. Nevada's James-Michael Johnson: An ultra-productive talent who had 295 tackles, 37.5 tackles for losses, and 7.5 sacks as a four-year starter for Nevada. At 6-1, 241 pounds he played inside, outside, weak side, and strong side.

Cornerbacks

1. Nebraska's Alfonzo Dennard: He was arrested just five days before the draft for suspicion of assaulting a police officer in Lincoln, Nebraska. That's probably why he's lasted this long, as most thought of him as a first-, second-, or third-round talent before that. At 5-10, 204 pounds he's considered one of the tougher cornerbacks in this draft. And if you don't believe that, he'll probably kick your ass.

2. Coastal Carolina's Josh Norman: At 6-0, 197 pounds he's considered a big-play threat, as evidenced with his 13 interceptions and three blocked kicks during his college career. Character and maturity concerns may have lowered his stock.

3. Virginia's Chase Minnifield: He had 13 interceptions during his college career, but knee injury concerns are probably why he's still available. At 5-10, 183 pounds, he's also a bit undersized, although one can make the argument he makes up for it with his athleticism and ball skills.

4. Iowa's Shaun Prater: At 5-10, 190 pounds he was a three-year starter for the Hawkeyes and has experience playing every type of coverage. Although he wasn't an overly-productive ballhawk, one could attribute that to opposing offenses not feeling comfortable with throwing in his direction.

5. Texas A&M's Coryell Judie: Just a shade under 6-0, and weighing 194 pounds, he's an aggressive corner who loves to mix it up. He had four interceptions in 2010 but none last season. He's considered strong in zone coverage and has experience on special teams.

6. Oregon's Cliff Harris: He was considered one of the top cornerbacks and a first-round talent heading into the 2011 season. Then he was suspended for the season-opener after being cited for driving 118 mph on Interstate 5. Then he was dismissed from the team halfway through the season after being cited for driving on a suspended license, without proper insurance, and without a seatbelt. There's no denying his talent, however, as he was one of the Ducks' most dynamic players during the 2010 season, in which he had six interceptions and four punt returns for touchdowns.




Defense! Defense! Defense!


If it hadn't been clear that the San Diego Chargers were going to focus on defense during the 2012 NFL draft, it should be now. After selecting South Carolina pass-rusher Melvin Ingram in the first round last night, the Chargers have just used their second- and third-round picks on Connecticut defensive lineman Kendall Reyes and LSU safety Brandon Taylor.

The 6-4, 299-pound Reyes, the 49th overall pick, will play defensive end in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme. Most experts expected him to be picked earlier in the second round, and some even thought he would go late in the first.

Reyes was a four-year starter at UConn, and he finished his college career with 142 tackles, 32.5 tackles for losses, and 11.5 sacks. His selection, along with the one used in last year's first round on Corey Liuget, should give San Diego a bright future at the defensive end position. But for now, Reyes will probably work in a rotation that also includes Vaughn Martin and Luis Castillo.

The Chargers traded their sixth-round pick to move up from #78 to #73 in the third to select the 5-11, 209-pound Taylor. He will most likely play strong safety in San Diego's defense.

A three-year starter at LSU, Taylor finished his career with 160 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and four interceptions. As a senior captain in 2011, he recorded 71 tackles, five pass breakups, and two interceptions. He was also awarded the #18 jersey last summer, which is given to the senior who best represents the Tigers' program.

With Bob Sanders and Steven Gregory not returning in 2012, the strong safety position was arguably the biggest weakness on the Chargers' roster. Before tonight, 2010 fourth-round pick Darrell Stuckey and recent free agent acquisition Atari Bigby were the two expected to compete for the starting job at the position. Now, Taylor is added to the mix.

After giving up the sixth-round pick to move up for Taylor, the Chargers now have four picks left in the draft. They are scheduled to pick in the fourth, fifth and seventh rounds tomorrow. They have two selections in the seventh round, thanks to the compensatory pick they were awarded.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Second-round options


Derek Wolfe could be enticing in Round 2
A few "reaches" were made in the first round of the NFL draft tonight. As a result, with the 49th overall selection in the second round tomorrow night, the San Diego Chargers could very well pick a player who was expected to be taken much earlier.

The Chargers could find themselves in great position to pick a quality offensive lineman. Stanford's Jonathan Martin, Ohio State's Mike Adams, and Ole Miss's Bobby Massie are all offensive tackles who could be enticing for San Diego general manager A.J. Smith if any of them should fall to the Chargers in Round 2. The same is true for Wisconsin's Peter Konz and Georgia's Cordy Glenn, either of whom could be a replacement for the recently-retired Kris Dielman at left guard.

After taking South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram in the first round tonight, it's unlikely San Diego will pick another pass-rusher tomorrow. If they are interested, however, Clemson's Andre Branch, Alabama's Courtney Upshaw, and Marshall's Vinny Curry have all been considered first-round prospects at some point over the last few months.

There are still a bunch of defensive line prospects who could help the Chargers. If Smith is looking for a defensive end for San Diego's 3-4 scheme, Penn State's Devon Still, Cincinnati's Derek Wolfe, or Nebraska's Jared Crick would be a good fit. For nose tackle, Michigan State's Jerel Worthy and Clemson's Brandon Thompson appear to be the best big men who haven't been picked yet.

If Smith wants a cornerback, North Alabama's Janoris Jenkins, formerly a Florida Gator, could be tempting should he fall that far. There are some who believe Jenkins is actually the best cornerback in this draft, even better than LSU's Morris Claiborne, who was selected sisth overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Jenkins wasn't picked in the first round simply because of character concerns stemming from drug-related arrests and the fact that he has fathered four children with three women. He's less of a risk in the second round, though.

The one thing Smith should not do is reach for a safety in the second round. Boise State's George Iloka and LSU's Brandon Taylor are expected to be selected in Round 3. South Carolina's Antonio Allen is projected to go even later, on Day 3 of the draft.

If it were up to me, I would take Massie, Wolfe, Konz, or Glenn with the 49th overall pick. Massie could be the replacement for the inept Jeromey Clary at right tackle. As I've already mentioned, Konz or Glenn could fill the hole at left guard. Wolfe would add much needed depth and a pass-rushing element at the defensive end spot.

I also wouldn't be displeased with Jenkins in Round 2.

Ingram is the pick




In a first round filled with trades, the San Diego Chargers stayed home at the 18th overall pick and selected South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram. The pick ultimately fills the pass-rushing need the Chargers have lacked since Shawne Merriman's career fell apart a few years back.

The first round featured many surprises, the most shocking being the Seattle Seahawks picking West Virginia defensive end Bruce Irvin with the 15h overall selection. Irvin was considered a second-round pick at best by most experts, and there were some mock drafts that had him going in the fifth round.

In addition to that surprise, Iowa offensive tackle Riley Reiff and Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro were still available to the Chargers at #18. Many Chargers fans, including myself, were hoping one of the two would still be there for San Diego general manager A.J. Smith to steal. Taking Reiff would have given the Chargers a right tackle to replace the inept Jeromey Clary; DeCastro would have replaced the recently-retired Kris Dielman at left guard. Instead, Smith chose Ingram to help fortify a pass-rushing unit that's in desperate need of an impact player.

ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. and former Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden praised the selection of Ingram, with each of them stating it was an absolute steal. For Chargers fans' sakes, let's hope they're correct.

The's 6-1, 276-pound Ingram, who's expected to play outside linebacker in San Diego's 3-4 defensive scheme, is a versatile talent who took on several different roles for the Gamecocks. In 2011 he had 10 sacks and 15 tackles for losses. He also made one of the greatest plays of last season, when he scored a touchdown on a 68-yard fake punt run against the Georgia Bulldogs. As a junior in 2010 he had nine sacks and 11 tackles for losses.

As far as the second round goes, Smith will have plenty of options, but one of them will not be Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith, who was just selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 29th overall pick.



Tuesday, April 17, 2012

2012 schedule is released

Ryan Mathews - San Diego Chargers v Denver Broncos


The San Diego Chargers' 2012 schedule will start and end in appropriate fashion. They will open up the regular season with a Monday Night game on the road against the division rival Raiders, then battle the other AFC West rivals, AFC North teams and NFC South squads in-between, and finish it off with a home contest against Oakland.

San Diego is scheduled for five primetime games, including an October 7 matchup in New Orleans on Sunday Night followed by a Monday Night showdown with the Denver Broncos on October 15. It should be interesting to see how the Lightning Bolts' defense fares against Drew Brees and Peyton Manning in back-to-back weeks.

There are four early games scheduled for the Chargers. The games that will start at 10 a.m. Pacific time will be at Kansas City on September 30, at Cleveland on October 28, at Tampa Bay on November 11, and at Pittsburgh on December 9. The game against the Browns will follow San Diego's bye week on October 21. San Diego will have 10 days to prepare for the Buccaneers, as the Chargers' preceding game will be Thursday, November 1, at home against the Chiefs on the NFL Network.

San Diego will have to face division rivals in five of the first 10 games. The final six games appear as though they'll be a tough stretch, as they're against Baltimore (home), Cincinnati (home), Pittsburgh (away), Carolina (home), the New York Jets (away), and Oakland (home). All of those teams are expected to contend for playoff spots in 2012.

Here's the full 2012 schedule. All times are local.

Sept. 10 (Mon.): at Oakland Raiders, 7:15 p.m. ESPN.
Sept. 16 (Sun.): vs. Tennessee Titans, 1:15 p.m. CBS.
Sept. 23 (Sun.): vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:05 p.m. Fox.
Sept. 30 (Sun.): at Kansas City Chiefs, 10 a.m. CBS.
Oct. 7 (Sun.): at New Orleans Saints, 5:20 p.m. NBC.
Oct. 15 (Mon.): vs. Denver Broncos, 5:30 p.m. ESPN.
Oct. 21: Bye.
Oct. 28 (Sun.): at Cleveland Browns, 10 a.m. CBS.
Nov. 1 (Thurs.): vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 5:20 p.m. NFL Network.
Nov. 11 (Sun.): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10 a.m. CBS.
Nov. 18 (Sun.): at Denver Broncos, 1:15 p.m. CBS.
Nov. 25 (Sun.): vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:05 p.m. CBS.
Dec. 2 (Sun.): vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:15 p.m. CBS.
Dec. 9 (Sun.): at Pittsburgh Steelers, 10 a.m. CBS.
Dec. 16 (Sun.): vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:05 p.m. CBS.
Dec. 23 (Sun.): at New York Jets, 5:20 p.m. NBC.
Dec. 30 (Sun): vs. Oakland Raiders, 1:15 p.m. CBS.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Expect the unexpected from A.J. Smith


Given San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith's recent history, nobody should be surprised by anything he does during the NFL draft. Over the last five years Smith has made several draft experts shake their heads, particularly with his selections of wide receiver Buster Davis (2007 first round), fullback Jacob Hester (2008 third round), outside linebacker Larry English (2009 first round), and inside linebacker Jonas Mouton (2011 second round).

With his derriere currently on the hot seat, however, one has to think Smith will make safer picks in this month's draft. Yet, one can never know for sure, so it would be wise for all Chargers fans to prepare themselves for another shocker when the team's premium selections are announced.

While thinking about this the other day, the first player to pop into my mind was Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith. Rated the second-best strong safety prospect in this class, picking Harrison Smith in the first round would essentially take care of one of San Diego's biggest needs, being the team hasn't had a fierce player at the position since Rodney Harrison departed following the the 2003 season. But even though he's not worthy of a first-round selection, I've been preparing myself for Harrison Smith at pick #18 for over a month now, as there have been several published reports written about how he is the apple of A.J. Smith's eye.

Another prospect has caught my attention recently, a player many had originally projected would be chosen late in the second round. This individual can now be seen in the first round of a few mock drafts on the internet, and ESPN's Mel Kiper said the prospect is worthy of going that early.

Warning to all San Diego Chargers fans: Don't be stunned if A.J. Smith selects Boise State defensive end Shea McClellin with the 18th overall pick in Round 1.

McClellin is an intriguing talent who was fairly productive in college. He amassed 19.5 sacks over four years with the Broncos, 15.5 of which came during his junior and senior seasons. He also finished with 32 tackles for losses, 25 of which were made over his final two years at Boise State. The most common comparison made with him is Brooks Reed, a 2011 second-round pick of the Houston Texans. Much like McClellin, Reed posted good, not great, numbers during his college career at Arizona State, and his stock rose significantly during the mock draft season, with many believing he was going to sneak into the first round. He ended up getting selected 42nd overall and recorded six sacks during his rookie year.

Most Chargers fans will state they want either USC's Nick Perry or Illinois' Whitney Mercilus if A.J. Smith decides to pick a pass-rusher in the first round. Some will mention Marshall's Vinny Curry or Alabama's Courtney Upshaw. And there are still a few who actually think South Carolina's Melvin Ingram is a possibility, even though he's not going to last to the 18th overall pick. If any Chargers fan has stated he or she wants McClellin in Round 1, that individual hasn't said it loud enough.

Still, McClellin is the clean-cut, hardworking type of player A.J. Smith covets in a youngster. There's also very little chance McClellin will fail in the NFL, he appears to be an excellent fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme such as the one the Chargers employ, and he's not inadequate from an athleticism standpoint. But the key question is: Does he possess the upside that Mercilus, Perry, or the other pass-rushers are believed to have? Most don't think the Boise State product does, which is why it seems ludicrous for A.J. Smith to use San Diego's first-round pick on him. Ludicrous seems to be the norm in Chargers Land these days, however, so fans of the Lightning Bolts should expect the unexpected a week-and-a-half from now.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Hester to return


San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has just taken another step towards completing his goal of putting together a deep team filled with capable backups and versatile players. Fully aware of the importance special teams has in every game, and mindful that the club could always use a jack-of-all-trades type of player, Smith is bringing fullback Jacob Hester back on a one-year deal.

Hester, whom Smith traded up for in the third round of the 2008 NFL draft, will back up Le'Ron McClain at fullback and return to his key role on special teams, a unit he captained last season.

Thus far with the Chargers, Hester has rushed for 321 yards, a 3.4-yard average, and a touchdown. He's also caught 55 passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns. Those numbers are hardly worth the investment Smith made when trading a 2009 second-round pick and 2008 fifth-rounder to move up to select Hester in the third round of the 2008 draft. Still, Hester plays an important role on San Diego's roster, and bringing him back benefits the team.

Smith likely isn't done addressing the running back position, as he reportedly has shown interest in veteran Jackie Battle, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, and could very well draft a ballcarrier two weeks from now. At the moment 2010 first-round pick Ryan Mathews and Curtis Brinkley are the only halfbacks on the roster, although it is believed that McClain could take on a role similar to what the departed Mike Tolbert had with the Chargers in 2010 and 2011.

Chargers sign Henderson


The San Diego Chargers may not be taking an offensive tackle in the NFL draft two weeks from now. The team came to terms on a one-year deal with offensive tackle Mario Henderson, a former Oakland Raider. Henderson had flirted with joining San Diego for almost two weeks; the Chargers finally got him to sign a contract after they set a deadline for Monday, April 16.

Henderson didn't play in the NFL last season after Oakland released him for showing up to training camp out of shape. To keep himself active, Henderson played for the Colorado Ice in the Indoor Football League.

The 6-7, 300-pound offensive tackle will turn 28 this October. The Raiders selected him in the third round of the 2007 draft. During his four seasons in Oakland, he started 28 games but obviously never proved to be worth the selection the Raiders invested in him.

By joining the Chargers at this time, one could assume he will be a backup to left tackle Jared Gaither and right tackle Jeromey Clary. While most Chargers fans hope San Diego general manager A.J. Smith will select an offensive tackle early in this month's draft to replace Clary, this signing of Henderson could very well mean Smith is satisfied with what he has at right tackle and will address other positions.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Green working diligently to win spot at left guard


Since the recent retirement of All-Pro left guard Kris Dielman, many San Diego Chargers fans have been hoping his replacement will be found in this month's NFL draft. As of late, Stanford's David DeCastro has been the fan base's favorite prospect for the 18th overall pick in the first round, and Georgia's Cordy Glenn has also received a ton of love. Some are hoping for San Diego general manager A.J. Smith to select Miami of Ohio's Brandon Brooks or Iowa State's Kelechi Osemele in the second round. But, in spite of what most Chargers fans are clamoring for, the team's starting left guard is very likely on the roster already.

In today's edition of U-T San Diego, Kevin Acee, now a sports columnist, writes that 2009 fourth-round pick Tyronne Green is working his tail off to win the starting spot at left guard. Green has been training rigorously at former NFL player LeCharles Bentley's O-line Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. According to Acee, Green has made a lot of progress over the last few months.

It doesn’t take but a few seconds to see that what Green is doing here could be as significant to the Chargers offensive line as last month’s re-signing of center Nick Hardwick and left tackle Jared Gaither.

Green no longer has man, um, breasts. Strenuous workouts five or six days a week and a meal plan that has eliminated bread and ice cream and replaced lasagna and French fries with cabbage and chicken dissolved half his stomach. Where there was dough, there is now definition.

“I’m not going to lie,” Green said, smiling and beginning to primp. “I walk past the mirror, and I’m like ‘Looking good.’ ”

It’s startling. He weighs 318 pounds, seven pounds lighter than he was at season’s end and some 25 pounds lighter than when he arrived in training camp last July.

“Frankly, he was fat when he got here,” said LeCharles Bentley, the former Pro Bowl center who now runs the O-Line Academy here. “He was out of shape. He looked like crap. My emphasis was getting his body together so all his natural ability can shine.”


Norv Turner’s jaw will drop when he sees Green on April 23, the first day of organized offseason workouts at Chargers Park. Offensive line coach Hal Hunter will do a double-take for sure.

“I think it could be a little surprising when I get back,” Green said. “I talk to the coaches and it’s almost like a little skepticism. … I understand, because of what I’ve done over the past few years. I haven’t given them reason to think anything else. I’m a step way ahead of where I was last year. I can build on this up until the season. This is a great foundation.”



Green just turned 26 last Friday, and he's started 15 games over the last two years, eight of which came last season. It would be a huge plus for the Chargers if he were to become the long-term answer at left guard, as they would love to address other needs with their premium picks two weeks from now. A number of undrafted free agents, including Dielman, have excelled at the offensive guard position in the NFL, so it's not out of the question that Green, who played his college ball at Auburn, is still capable of turning into an elite blocker. It's good to see he's now dedicated to reaching his full potential.

“Had Tyronne stayed on the path he’d been on, he probably would have disappointed a lot of people,” Bentley said. “A guy like Dielman is very difficult to replace. … That’s why you have guys like Tyronne on your roster. You hope one day the light comes on and he can be a player like Dielman. Had he stayed on the path he was on, it wouldn’t happen.

“For him, to go from where he was to where he’s at … it’s going to show in his performance.”


If Smith doesn't pick an offensive guard early in this month's draft, let's hope the faith he shows in Green pays off for 2012 and beyond. 

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Opinions still being altered as NFL draft gets closer

Although it may be hard to believe, the NFL draft is 19 days away, and there's still plenty of uncertainty. The level of ambiguity most likely won't decrease before the draft begins, and there will likely be many stunning selections made during it.

Still, as fans we'll continue to gather as much information as possible so we can have a better idea of what's going to occur this April 26-28. As evidenced with a piece written by Sports Illustrated's Tony Pauline, there are still prospects raising their stocks, while others are falling down draft boards. Below, in bold, is a portion of Pauline's article that provides details on some prospects who may be of significant interest to the San Diego Chargers.

Bobby Massie, OT, Mississippi -- Massie's performance at the combine was adequate, but his pro day workout could push him into the first round. The big tackle awed onlookers in position drills, and teams now believe he's a lot more NFL-ready than originally thought.

Vinny Curry, DE-OLB, Marshall -- Curry's combine workout was disappointing and bordered on awful. To his credit, he looked like a different athlete at the Marshall pro day. His 40 time of 4.67 was a full .2 seconds better than his mark from Indianapolis and he bettered his vertical jump by 3 ½ inches. He's considered a terrific pass rusher and a good athlete. The combination could push Curry into the first round.

Tim Fugger, DE-OLB, Vanderbilt -- Fugger ranked in the top 10 in the SEC last year in sacks (8) and tackles for loss (13.5). He complimented his natural pass-rushing skills by turning in a complete pro day workout. He was fast (a 4.56 40), strong (29 reps on the bench) and explosive (34-inch vertical jump). He then looked terrific after being put through a battery of linebacker and defensive end drills. Fugger has positioned himself to be selected somewhere in the middle of the draft's final day.

Ernest Owusu, DL, California -- The 275-pound lineman had a tough time in Cal's 3-4 alignment the past two years, but showed during his pro day that he offers a huge upside when playing in the proper system. Owusu posted gaudy marks during the workout, completing 39 reps on the bench and running as fast as 4.72 in the 40. His 6-foot-4 frame offers room for growth, and teams are now considering Owusu in the final frames of the draft.

Josh Bush, DB, Wake Forest -- The versatile defensive back, who has lined up at both cornerback and safety, picked off six passes last season and totaled 59 tackles, but was not invited to any of the major postseason scouting events. Measuring a shade under 6-feet and 208 pounds, Bush posted times as fast as 4.49 in the 40. His play on the field and performance during his pro day will secure a spot for him in the draft's last day.

DJ Campbell, S, California -- Campbell took a back seat to his highly touted teammate Sean Cattouse, but outperformed the combine invitee during Cal's pro day. In terrible conditions, Campbell ran 4.5 in the 40 after positing a 38-inch vertical jump. He was not considered worthy of an invitation to mini-camp by scouts before the season began, but his pro day workout likely sealed a spot for him in the final round.

Massie is the player I've been pushing for the Chargers to select in the second round. He's the offensive tackle prospect I feel would best fit in as Jeromey Clary's replacement. Now there appears to be very little chance Massie will make it all the way down to the 49th overall pick. As long as San Diego general manager A.J. Smith doesn't offer a 2013 first-round pick, I think it would be worth it to move up to get Massie if he is still available after the 35th overall selection.

Curry, on the other hand, is a pass-rusher I believe will go late in the first round or early in the second. So, Smith could probably trade back, acquire an extra second-round pick, and still get Curry. That would be nice, as long as Stanford offensive guard David DeCastro isn't sitting there at San Diego's 18th overall selection in the first round. DeCastro appears to be the type of offensive guard who can make an immediate impact and develop into a legitimate perennial Pro Bowler. As far as I'm concerned USC defensive end Nick Perry is the best pass-rushing prospect to fit into the Chargers' 3-4 defense, but Curry is comparable to Illinois' Whitney Mercilus and Clemson's Andre Branch, both of whom have been picked by San Diego in more than a few mock drafts.

The rest of the risers Pauline listed are intriguing prospects the Chargers should consider in the late-rounds.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Breaking down A.J. Smith's picks



The 2012 NFL draft is just 20 days away, and the excitement is rampant through every fan base's city. As fans, all of us seem to think our favorite team will pick a future Hall of Famer, All-Pro, or Pro Bowler with each selection, but the reality is a good draft haul will produce three starters, and most teams are lucky to get that.

With that in mind, I was wondering how many hits and misses San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has had since taking over for the late John Butler in 2003. Below is a list of every pick Smith has made for the Chargers, minus the 2011 draft selections. In bold, for each round I will offer my analysis on how successful or not Smith has been.

First-round picks

2003: Cornerback Sammy Davis, Jr.
2004: Quarterback Eli Manning
2005: Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman
2005: Defensive end Luis Castillo
2006: Cornerback Antonio Cromartie
2007: Wide receiver Buster Davis
2008: Cornerback Antoine Cason
2009: Outside linebacker Larry English
2010: Running back Ryan Mathews

Sammy Davis was a bust, as was Buster Davis. Perhaps A.J. should stop drafting players by the last name of Davis in the first round...The self-entitled Eli Manning has won two Super Bowls, but it's obvious he wouldn't have been able to do that in San Diego--which is why he didn't want to go to the Chargers in the first place. Trading Manning for Philip Rivers was an excellent move by A.J., as Rivers is the better quarterback--and the extra draft selections were just a bonus...Shawne Merriman would have been an excellent pick if injuries--which probably stemmed from steroid use--hadn't ruined his career...Luis Castillo was a good pick, being he was selected late in the first round and turned into a reliable starter for most of his time in San Diego...Antonio Cromartie would have been an excellent pick if he didn't turn out to be a complete jackass...Antoine Cason and Larry English look like they're not going to make it to their second contracts with the Chargers...Although Ryan Mathews has been unable to stay on the field, last season he showed he's capable of being a 1,200-yard back if he could remain healthy.

Grade: C. The Davises and Larry English selections really make A.J. look bad. Nnamdi Asomugha went one pick later than Sammy Davis, and A.J. really blew it when he took English ahead of offensive tackle Michael Oher and outside linebacker Clay Matthews, Jr. Antonio Cromartie getting traded and Shawne Merriman's injuries also hurt A.J.'s grade. If Cromartie's head were straightened out, and Merriman never suffered a serious injury, this grade would likely be an A+.

Second-round picks

2003: Safety Terrance Kiel
2003: Cornerback Drayton Florence
2004: Defensive end Igor Olshansky
2005: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson
2006: Offensive tackle Marcus McNeill
2007: Safety Eric Weddle

The late Terrence Kiel started 51 games over four seasons with the Chargers. Off-the-field problems led to his release in 2007, and he died in a tragic car accident on July 4, 2008... Drayton Florence played five seasons with the Chargers. During that time he made some boneheaded plays that cost San Diego dearly, although he did amass 10 interceptions before leaving for Jacksonville in 2008...Igor Olshansky started 70 games and had 151 tackles and 11.5 sacks during his five seasons with the Chargers. He was a major disappointment during his final season with the team, 2008, leading to him not being re-signed...It can be argued Vincent Jackson has been a top-10 receiver since the beginning of the 2007 postseason. He was an absolute steal, and A.J. should have signed him to a long-term deal at least two years ago... Marcus McNeill, when healthy, was a top-10 left tackle, but a neck injury has likely cut his career short. He was also an absolute steal...The same could also be said for Eric Weddle, who emerged as an All-Pro free safety last year, after finishing the season with seven interceptions.

Grade: A. It's a damn shame A.J. traded away his 2008, 2009, and 2010 second-round picks, because he has made some excellent selections during this round.

Third-round picks

2003: Offensive tackle Courtney Van Buren
2004: Center Nick Hardwick
2004: Kicker Nate Kaeding
2006: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst
2007: Linebacker Anthony Waters
2008: Fullback Jacob Hester
2009: Offensive guard Louis Vasquez
2010: Inside linebacker Donald Butler

Courtney Van Buren started seven games at right tackle in 2003. He was off the roster after the 2004 season. Knee injuries cut his career short...Nick Hardwick has been a reliable starter at center since his rookie year. He was a steal...Nate Kaeding is the most accurate kicker in NFL history during the regular season. In the playoffs, however, he's been a total disaster, choking at the worst times...Charlie Whitehurst was a clipboard holder in San Diego for four years before he was traded to Seattle in a deal that brought back a 2011 third-round pick and allowed the Chargers to move up 20 spots in the second round of the 2010 draft. After two disappointing seasons with the Seahawks, he has returned to San Diego to be Philip Rivers' primary backup... Anthony Waters is arguably A.J.'s worst draft pick, as he was waived after his second season. He appeared in just seven games and made three tackles with the Chargers...Jacob Hester has been a good special teams player, but A.J. should have never traded a 2009 second-round pick to move up and get the fullback from LSU. It's unclear if Hester, currently an unrestricted free agent, will return for his fifth season in San Diego...Louis Vasquez has started at right guard since his rookie season. Although he hasn't been anything special, A.J. could have done a lot worse...Donald Butler was an absolute steal, as he appears to be an ascending player who could be a very good inside linebacker for quite a long time.

Grade: C+. Four of the nine picks produced starters in Hardwick, Kaeding, Vasquez, and Butler, and Whitehurst was a good investment. The Waters selection and trade-up for Hester really lower the grade.

Fourth-round picks

2003: Inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm
2004: Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips
2005: Running back Darren Sproles
2007: Tight end Scott Chandler
2009: Running back Gartrell Johnson
2009: Offensive guard Tyronne Green
2009: Defensive end Vaughn Martin
2010: Safety Darrell Stuckey

Matt Wilhelm was a good backup linebacker over six seasons with the Chargers...Shaun Phillips has been the team's top pass-rusher since Shawne Merriman flamed out in 2008...From the 2007 postseason through his final year with San Diego in 2010, Darren Sproles was one of the top receiving threats out of the backfield on screen passes...Scott Chandler had a career year in 2011--with the Buffalo Bills. He never played a regular-season down for the Chargers...Gartrell Johnson didn't make San Diego's 53-man roster for his rookie season...Tyronne Green has been a reliable backup at both guard spots and is the favorite to take over for the retired Kris Dielman...Vaughn Martin has shown a lot of progress since entering the NFL from the University of Western Ontario in Canada. He's the favorite to start at the defensive end spot opposite 2011 first-round pick Corey Liuget...Darrell Stuckey has been a very good special teams performer. He will compete for the starting strong safety spot next to free safety Eric Weddle.

Grade: A. Only two of A.J.'s fourth-round draft picks, Scott Chandler and Gartrell Johnson, never played a role for the Chargers. The rest have either started or were/are key backups.

Fifth-round picks

2003: Punter Mike Scifres
2004: Running back Michael Turner
2004: Defensive end Dave Ball
2005: Offensive tackle Wesley Britt
2006: Linebacker Tim Dobbins
2007: Wide receiver Legedu Naanee
2008: Running back Marcus Thomas
2009: Cornerback Brandon Hughes
2010: Quarterback Jonathan Crompton
2010: Nose tackle Cam Thomas

Mike Scifres has been a top-five punter over the last five years...Michael Turner was a good backup behind LaDainian Tomlinson for four seasons in San Diego. In hindsight, A.J. probably should have kept Turner and traded Tomlinson following the 2007 season...Dave Ball has been a decent pass-rusher for the Tennessee Titans the last four seasons. He did nothing during his two years with the Chargers...Wesley Britt was released on the preseason's final cut day during his rookie year...Before being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2010, Tim Dobbins was a versatile linebacker who made a few timely plays during his four years with the Chargers...Legedu Naanee was a decent #3 receiver for San Diego in 2009 and 2010. He left for the Carolina Panthers in 2011...Marcus Thomas, Brandon Hughes, and Jonathan Crompton weren't able to survive final preseason cuts during their rookie seasons...Cam Thomas appears to be ascending player and the favorite to start at nose tackle in 2012.

Grade: B-. A.J. got great value in selecting Mike Scifres, Michael Turner, Legedu Naanee, and Cam Thomas. Letting Turner get away was a huge mistake.

Sixth-round picks

2003: Defensive back Hank Milligan
2004: Tight end Ryan Krause
2005: Offensive guard Wes Sims
2006: Kicker Kurt Smith
2006: Offensive tackle Jeromey Clary
2008: Cornerback DeJuan Tribble
2009: Safety Kevin Ellison

Ryan Krause caught five passes for 81 yards in one game with the Chargers. It was the final regular-season contest of the 2004 season--a.k.a. garbage time...Wes Sims suited up one game for the Chargers in 2005...Kurt Smith was cut during his rookie preseason....Jeromey Clary has started at right tackle since the 2007 season. Why that is, I'll never know...Kevin Ellison started at strong safety during his rookie year. Due to off-the-field problems, he didn't return for a second season with the Chargers...DeJuan Tribble never played a regular-season down in the NFL.

Grade: F. Jeromey Clary has been A.J.'s best pick in the sixth round. That's just awful work. Even though it's the second-to-last round, it's tough to achieve a passing grade when your best selection turns into perhaps the worst starter at his position in the entire NFL.

Seventh-round picks

2003: Fullback Andrew Pinnock
2004: Offensive tackle Carlos Joseph
2004: Offensive tackle Shane Olivea
2004: Defensive tackle Ryon Bingham
2005: Center Scott Mruczkowski
2006: Center Jimmy Martin
2006: Defensive tackle Chase Page
2007: Insiide linebacker Brandon Siler
2008: Offensive tackle Corey Clark
2009: Wide receiver Demetrius Byrd
2010: Tight end Dedrick Epps

Andrew Pinnock lasted five years with the Chargers as a special teams player and backup to Lorenzo Neal...Carlos Joseph spent two seasons with the team...Shane Olivea started at right right tackle for two years; then his career fell apart in 2007...Ryon Bingham spent six seasons with the Chargers as a backup...Scott Mruczkowski has been a reliable backup who has made 16 starts for an injured Nick Hardwick...Jimmy Martin and Chase Page never played a regular-season game with the Chargers...Brandon Siler was a very good special teams player and situational run-stopper during his three seasons with the Chargers...Corey Clark lasted two seasons with the Chargers before retiring for unknown reasons prior to the 2010 season...Demetrius Byrd and Dedrick Epps never played a regular-season game with the Chargers.

Grade: C. Andrew Pinnock, Shane Olivea, Ryon Bingham, Scott Mruczkowski, and Brandon Siler were/are solid contributors. In this round A.J. hasn't found a long-term starter, so it's been a very average group.

Overall, I give A.J. a C+ for all of the draft picks he's made as general manager of the San Diego Chargers. His effort in the draft is probably better than half of the other general managers in the NFL. This leads me to believe he should have spent more money in free agency prior to this offseason. By relying too much on his draft picks, the misses have been magnified. Nevertheless, the last impact player he selected in the first round was Merriman. It's well overdue for A.J. to find a player who will make a real difference during his rookie season.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Chargers add one more returner


Well, it's clear the San Diego Chargers are looking to improve their return units. Tonight, the team signed Michael Spurlock, formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to a one-year deal. Following Eddie Royal and Roscoe Parrish, Spurlock is the third kick/punt return threat the Chargers have signed this offseason.

The 29-year-old Spurlock has averaged 25 yards and scored two touchdowns on 73 kickoff returns during his six-year career. He's had less success on punt returns, averaging a mediocre 8.3 yards and scoring one touchdown on 41 attempts. As a wide receiver, he's caught just 23 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns.

San Diego assistant head coach/special teams coach Rich Bisaccia coached Spurlock for three seasons in Tampa Bay. It's probably not a stretch to state the connection between the two must have been a factor in Spurlock joining the Chargers.

The 5-11, 200-pound Spurlock also had short stints in Arizona (2006) and San Francisco (2009). With Royal, Robert Meachem, Malcom Floyd, and 2011 third-round pick Vincent Brown most likely assured of being the top four receivers on San Diego's depth chart, one could venture to state Spurlock, Parrish, and Richard Goodman will compete for the final two spots during the preseason.

Castillo returns to Chargers


The San Diego Chargers may add a defensive lineman at some point during the NFL draft later this month, but there's less urgency to do so, now that defensive end Luis Castillo is coming back to the team. After getting released last month, Castillo agreed to a one-year deal with San Diego today. The contract is worth $1 million with an added $1 million incentive for playing time.

Castillo was the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 draft. He's made 79 starts in seven years, posting 211 tackles and 19.5 sacks. He missed most of last season after suffering a tibial plateau leg fracture in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.

It's unclear how Castillo will fit into the defensive end rotation, which includes 2011 first-round pick Corey Liuget, Vaughn Martin, Jacques Cesaire, and Damik Scafe. As of right now, it seems as though most believe Liuget and Martin will start. Nevertheless, bringing Castillo back doesn't hurt the Chargers at all. His experience brings stability to the position.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Chargers add another receiver/returner


It appeared the San Diego Chargers were done adding to their wide receiver depth chart after signing Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal last month, but they have now proved they weren't. The Chargers signed former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Roscoe Parrish to a one-year deal tonight.

A 2005 second-round pick, Parrish has done most of his damage on returns in the NFL. In 77 games with the Bills, he's returned three punts for touchdowns, the longest being 82 yards, and posted a 12-yard average. He also has a 23.6-yard average on kick returns.

Parrish never lived up to the hype as a receiver, as he has just 134 receptions for 1,502 yards and seven touchdowns in his seven-year career. He's missed 24 games over the last two years, thanks to ankle and wrist injuries that landed him on injured reserve. Before suffering that wrist injury in 2010, he was on his way to having his best season, catching 33 passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers are telling, since that was the first time he had played with a somewhat decent quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Prior to that point Parrish had caught passes from Kelly Holcomb, J.P. Losman, Trent Edwards, and Brian Brohm--all of whom were either career backups or total flops in the NFL. Needless to say, Parrish has never played with a quarterback as good as San Diego's Philip Rivers.

With this signing, the Chargers now have Parrish, Meachem, Royal, Malcom Floyd, 2011 third-round pick Vincent Brown, and Richard Goodman on the wide receiver depth chart. Meachem and Floyd will probably be the top two receivers, and Royal and Brown will most likely be next in line. Royal will most likely be the team's punt returner. Goodman and Parrish, meanwhile, will probably engage in a preseason battle for the right to be the team's main kick returner. The loser of that duel could very well find himself looking for a new team, as it's not out of the question that head coach Norv Turner will carry just five receivers in 2012.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Crick is appealing option for mid-round selections


Even though the San Diego Chargers selected defensive lineman Corey Liuget last year, the team still needs to add depth to the front three. As of right now there's no pressure to bring in a nose tackle, since Antonio Garay was re-signed last week and 2010 fifth-round pick Cam Thomas is ready to take on a bigger role. Defensive end, however, is a different story.

The Chargers currently have Liuget and 2009 fourth-round pick Vaughn Martin starting at the defensive end spots. Jacques Cesaire, who will be 32 in August, and Damik Scafe, a 2011 undrafted free agent, are the backups.

After entering the NFL in 2009 from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, Martin seems to be an ascending player who keeps getting better as he learns more about the game played on United States soil. It's unclear if he's ready to be the full-time starter to complement Liuget, however. Cesaire, meanwhile, is just another body, and Scafe is a total unknown.

Taking all of that into consideration, it's obvious San Diego general manager A.J. Smith needs to bring in at least one more defensive end before next season begins. There's been talk that Smith will bring back 2005 first-round pick Luis Castillo or veteran Tommie Harris, but since that hasn't happened yet, one has to wonder if that means the Chargers are looking to select a defensive end at some point in this month's NFL draft.

One prospect who should be on San Diego's radar is Nebraska defensive lineman Jared Crick.

Now considered a mid-round prospect, Crick was one of the most highly-touted defensive linemen heading into the 2011 season. He was coming off a 2010 season in which he amassed 17 tackles for losses and 9.5 sacks. The year before, playing next to Ndamukong Suh, Crick recorded 15 tackles for losses and 9.5 sacks. Understandably, Crick was viewed as a first-round talent after those two dominant campaigns. Unfortunately for him, though, his 2011 season was cut short last October after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle. At that point, he was ranked 18th overall on ESPN NFL draft guru Mel Kiper's big board. Now, Crick is rated as low as a fifth-round prospect by some mock drafts.

Crick's significant fall could come as a great benefit to the Chargers. A little over 6-4 and weighing 279 pounds, he could add a little bulk, but his highly advanced football intelligence, immense love for the game, and ability to cause problems in the opposing offense's backfield are traits that would definitely come in handy for San Diego's defense. The Chargers could definitely use a gritty, determined defensive lineman who possesses the talent to be quite a disruption. Putting Crick in tandem with Liuget is quite an appealing option.

Although Crick wasn't ready to work out at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, he impressed those in attendance for Nebraska's Pro Day. He proved the torn pectoral muscle is no longer an issue, as he pushed up 26 reps on the 225-pound bench press. He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.94 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.47 seconds, showing he possesses quick feet for his position.

After the workout, CBS Sports NFL draft expert Rob Rang wrote the following about Crick:

He has shorter arms than ideal for a true power end in a 4-3 scheme, but his lower-body power, agility and hand use make him attractive as a slanting 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end.

Given all the information provided on Crick, it's a good bet he'll be, at the very least, a very reliable defensive lineman for whichever team that chooses him. Here's hoping the Chargers will find a way to get him.