Lewis "lacks savvy to his game"

With the mock drafts rolling in rapidly now that the football season is officially over, many sites have the San Diego Chargers selecting a pass-rusher in the first or second round. One name that caught my attention this week is Ronnell Lewis, a defensive end/outside linebacker prospect from the University of Oklahoma.

It’s tough for me to understand why Lewis is projected to be picked in the second round. At 6-2, 244 pounds, he didn’t exactly produce much for the Sooners during his three seasons in Norman, as he finished his college career with 10 sacks and 20.5 tackles for losses. His best season was last fall, when he recorded 5.5 sacks and 13 tackles in the backfield. Those numbers pale in comparison to the stats compiled by the top pass-rushers in this draft class.

Still, according to National Football Post’s Wes Bunting, Lewis is a second-round talent capable of producing an impact on special teams and collecting six-to-eight sacks per season in the NFL.

“Overall, his game reminds me some of former 2010 second round pick Sergio Kindle and former 2011 third round pick Justin Houston,” Bunting writes in a scouting report on Lewis. “He’s an explosive kid with a ‘plus’ first step, generates a lot of natural explosion into contact and is a powerful striker. He’s got the ability to threaten the edge, fend off blocks through contact and shoot gaps well inside.

“However, I don’t see a ton of savvy to his game as a pass rusher yet. Lewis isn’t a real sudden kid when trying to slip blocks and counter off his speed rush and does look a bit tight when trying to work his way around the edge.”

Given Lewis’s lack of production, and considering the agathokakological scouting report written by Bunting, I believe the Chargers should focus on getting one of the other top pass-rushers in the first two rounds. Perhaps Lewis would be a nice pick in the fourth round; anytime earlier than that appears to be a reach.

Ronnell Lewis highlights

Chargers likely to let Jackson go

After dancing around the reality that an ultimate decision eventually had to be made on Vincent Jackson’s future with the San Diego Chargers the last two offseasons, it appears the 6-5, 230-pound wide receiver could very well be on his way to another team once free agency begins in March. According to U-T San Diego's Kevin Acee, “the Chargers will almost certainly allow Jackson to hit the free agent market next month, and there is expected to be a line of teams ready to deal with him.”

In the article Acee mentions Chargers general manager A.J. Smith probably won’t be willing to make Jackson one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL, since there will be plenty of other pass-catchers available to grab in free agency this offseason. The list of receivers scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next month includes New England’s Wes Welker, Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe, Indianapolis’s Reggie Wayne, and New Orleans’ Marques Colston and Robert Meachem.

Excerpt from the article:

The Chargers moving on from Jackson has nothing to do with them not thinking he is an elite receiver and everything to do with them believing the extensive market will allow them to replenish with a less-expensive option (or options).

Acee states Bowe, Colston, and Welker will most likely be retained by their current teams with either long-term contracts or by being hit with franchise tags, but Meachem and Wayne will probably be available.

If this is the case, and Jackson is allowed to sign with another team, I can’t fault A.J. Smith’s logic. As good as Jackson has been since the 2007 season, he just turned 29 years old, so it’s a little late in the game for him to receive a long-term contract. On the other hand, it would be nice to see the Chargers franchise Jackson and trade him away to another team for draft picks. But perhaps letting Jackson hit the market will allow A.J. Smith to spend more money on a free agent pass-rusher such as Detroit’s Cliff Avril or, dare I say, Houston’s Mario Williams?

Either way, it seems as though it’s time to thank Jackson for his services, let him go, and move on.

Acee: Castillo and McNeill could be sent packing

According to The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee, the San Diego Chargers are “likely to clear the books of $10 million by waiving left tackle Marcus McNeill,” and could save another $4.975 million by releasing defensive end Luis Castillo.

McNeill has to be cleared by a team doctor by the third day of the new league year, which begins March 13, or his 2012 salary is not guaranteed. McNeill is not expected to get a clean bill of health from the Chargers.

The team is also expected to release or seek to renegotiate the contract of defensive end Luis Castillo, who is due $4.975 million in 2012. Releasing Castillo, who played just 3½ quarters last season before suffering a fractured leg, would clear all but $1.025 million of Castillo’s $6 million cap number.

This is big news for Chargers fans, especially in the case of McNeill, whom some were hoping would shift over to start at right tackle in 2012. And this makes signing Jared Gaither, who started at left tackle for San Diego over the final five games of last season, imperative. Moreover, with current starting right tackle Jeromey Clary perhaps the worst player at his position in the NFL, the hope is Chargers general manager A.J. Smith will select an offensive tackle early in this April’s draft.

As for Castillo’s departure, it’s likely his spot will be filled with Vaughn Martin, who was picked in the fourth round of the 2009 draft. After Castillo suffered a season-ending injury during the first game of last year, Martin stepped in and recorded 47 tackles and a sack. One has to think the defensive end position will also be targeted in the draft to add depth to the roster.

Acee also mentions the Chargers will save some cash if they decide to let go of left guard Kris Dielman, who was considering retirement after suffering a scary concussion during a loss to the New York Jets on October 23, 2011. But Acee believes Dielman will return to the team if that’s what he desires.

…Dielman’s possible departure would free up another $5.5 million. That’s money the Chargers will happily pay to keep Dielman.

Inside linebacker Takeo Spikes’ contract is also pointed out in the article, which states $23 million could be sliced from the Chargers’ payroll in the coming months, and the team could have between $10 million and $33 million to spend in free agency, depending on which players get sent packing.

Although Acee’s article shows there are a lot of holes that will need to be filled this offseason, I must say it’s exciting to see changes look as though they will finally be made. As most Chargers fans know, this roster, the trenches in particular, is in desperate need of a revamping.  

Free agent updates

About a week-and-a-half ago I listed six soon-to-be unrestricted free agents I believe San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith should be targeting this offseason. Below are some updates on where four of those players stand.

1.      New Orleans Saints offensive guard Carl Nicks

Although he’s mentioned he’d like to stay in New Orleans, he knows there’s a good chance that won’t happen, since the Saints have to take care of other players about to become unrestricted free agents, most notably quarterback Drew Brees.

Excerpts from an article in the Times-Picayune:

New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks said he would love to stay in New Orleans next season, but he remains unsure whether the team will be able to re-sign him along with fellow free agents Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Tracy Porter and others. Nicks said it's “disheartening” that the Saints haven't made a strong push to re-sign him yet.

"They never talked to me at all about it really (last season), which I thought was kind of weird. But I talked to (General Manager Mickey Loomis) the last day before exit meetings, and he said they were going to do their best to try to keep me. So that's the gist of contract talks," said Nicks, who is expected to command a salary of more than $8 million per year as one of the NFL's marquee free agents.

"I would love to stay, but it's also a good feeling to be wanted. So hopefully a lot of teams want me, but I would love to stay," said Nicks.

When asked whether he believes the Saints will make a strong push to keep him, Nicks was hesitant.

"I hope so," he said. "Do I sincerely believe it? Uh ... they've still got to do Drew Brees' deal. And I think Marques is up and Tracy is up. I just don't see it, man, so I don't know. I would love to stay, but who knows."

The Saints could use their franchise tag on Nicks, especially if they are able to work out a deal with Brees before the franchise-tag deadline in early March. The franchise value for offensive linemen this season is expected to be set around $9.4 million for a one-year deal.

But Nicks said he would rather work out a long-term deal.

"I mean, if you're going to franchise me, you might as well give me a contract," Nicks said. "I figure if you're going to pay me that for one year, you might as well give me a five- or six-year deal that's probably not far from what I want."

My take: I think this a good sign for those of us who would like the Chargers to add Nicks this offseason, as it doesn’t appear he’ll be back with the Saints next year. I think A.J. Smith should do everything he can to bring Nicks to San Diego.

2.      Ben Grubbs

Grubbs, the second-best offensive lineman set to become a free agent, is in a similar situation to what Nicks is faced with. The Ravens would like to retain him, but they have other free agents to take care of, most notably quarterback Joe Flacco and stud running back Ray Rice.

            Excerpts from an article posted on the Baltimore Ravens official Web site:

Grubbs is set to become an unrestricted free agent this March. The Pro Bowler is expected to draw much interest, and possibly a large payday.

The Ravens are interested in bringing him back. But at what price?

“He understands and his agent understands the business, but I think we’re at a good spot with Ben,” Newsome said. “But, who will Ben keep us from getting and who will we have to let go in order to keep Ben? That’s going to be the balance.”

“Ben has two major factors that we like: He’s a really good player and he’s young,” Newsome said. “So, as we start to put together the 53-man squad, going into 2012, we will factor those things in.”

The Ravens are also preparing to give two other young stars, quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice, new contracts. That affects whether they will have enough salary cap room for Grubbs.

Newsome was asked how realistic it is that he could lock up all three of them.

“I think to answer that, I would have to say then, ‘Who would we let go to keep those three guys?’” Newsome said. “Because if we decide to let four or five players go, waive them, terminate them, then we could keep those three very easily. But, the key is balancing – keeping the good players that we’ve got and trying to re-sign those guys.”

Another option would be to restructure a lot of contracts to make room for all three players, but “then we’ll end up paying for it three years from now,” Owner Steve Bisciotti said. The consistency-minded Ravens don’t like mortgaging the future.

In considering replacing Grubbs with an option already on the roster, 2011 third-round pick Jah Reid’s name was raised. Reid, who was drafted as a tackle, was active for all 16 games and played some guard.

“We’ve had Jah now for a year, and now we’ve got him for a full offseason and OTAs and stuff like that, so John and I are not afraid,” Newsome said. “(Head coach) John (Harbaugh), at the end of the day, is the guy that has to make that decision, and he is not afraid to play young guys when other guys walk out the door.”

My take: It looks as though Grubbs will most likely be playing somewhere else next season. Hopefully, if A.J. Smith can’t get Nicks, Grubbs will join the Chargers and play left guard for many years to come.

3.      Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch

There’s nothing new regarding where Branch stands with the Raiders, but this post in the AFC West blog on ESPN’s Web site says the strong safety played 99.13 percent of Oakland’s defensive snaps in 2011.

My take: After reading this, can Branch be any more appealing as a possible addition to the Chargers’ secondary? Can A.J. Smith please take this guy from Oakland the minute free agency begins?

4.      Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril

Avril has let it be known he doesn’t want to be slapped with the franchise tag. He wants to stay in Detroit but desires a long-term deal from general manager Martin Mayhew. Yet, with superstar wide receiver Calvin Johnson about to enter the last year of his contract, the Lions would be wise to offer him an extension, which could make Avril’s situation quite tricky.

Excerpts from an article in the Detroit Free Press:

“I definitely don’t want to be franchised,” Avril said today, during a visit to the Super Bowl. “I mean, I’ve been in Detroit for four years, and I wouldn’t mind being there for another couple more years or whatnot. The franchise tag kind of makes it a yearly thing, and you want security. You want to know you’re going to be there for a couple years so your family can get comfortable.”

Mayhew said last month he doesn’t have any plans to use the tag but added, “You never know what might happen.”

“They quote-unquote don’t want to use it anyway, so we’ll see,” Avril said.

As for where talks stand on a new deal, Avril said things are “still in the air.” The 25-year-old is coming off a breakout season when he led the Lions with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles and didn't miss a game for the first time in his career.

“Kind of getting positive vibes as far as for me being there again next year,” Avril said. “Hopefully, we can meet in the middle and make it happen, because I’d definitely love to be there.”

Columnist Chris McCosky of The Detroit News believes Avril is irreplaceable at this point in his career.

Avril, given the importance of pass rushing defensive linemen in the Lions' scheme, cannot be replaced. Willie Young and Lawrence Jackson are certainly capable defensive ends, but Avril is on the brink of stardom.

My take: I wholeheartedly agree with McCosky. I hope the Lions see it differently, however, and A.J. Smith steals Avril from Detroit.

Meanwhile, there has been nothing new reported on Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell. The Cardinals are expected to re-sign or slap the franchise tag on Campbell before the free agent period begins—and, frankly, they would be dumb to let him test the market.

Sackmaster Curry could be appealing to Chargers

The NFL Scouting Combine is about two weeks away, and with the Super Bowl now in the rearview mirror (thank goodness for that), every pro football fan’s focus is on April’s draft. As mentioned in my most recent article for this blog, the San Diego Chargers are in desperate need of a pass-rusher to complement veteran outside linebacker Shaun Phillips. One of the prospects who could carry out that role is Marshall defensive end Vinny Curry.

At 6-4, 263 pounds Curry posted 11 sacks and 22 tackles for losses in 2011. That served as a nice follow-up to his 2010 season, in which he recorded 12 sacks and 18 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. During Senior Bowl week last month, Sports Illustrated draft analyst Tony Pauline described Curry as “impossible to stop at times” and that scouts left “highly impressed with his athleticism, quickness and general feel as a pass-rusher.”

Curry was a redshirt senior last year, and he’ll be 24 in June, so he’s one of the older prospects in this draft. Some experts believe he needs to improve his overall technique when defending against the run, but there’s no denying he possesses some serious talent as a pass-rusher, as he’s shown the versatility to outmuscle, outsmart, and outwork opposing offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback. And, most importantly, it is believed he can make a smooth transition from a 4-3 defensive end in college to a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. As of right now he’s projected to be picked in the second round. The Chargers currently own the 49^th overall selection in that round.

Curry’s best effort was perhaps against West Virginia back in September 2010. It was a game in which he collected two sacks, two forced fumbles, and seven tackles—three of them occurring in the Mountaineers’ backfield. Hopefully he’s one of the prospects Chargers general manager A.J. Smith will study more over the next two months.

Vinny Curry highlights


Classic Videos

For this edition of the blog I’d like to take you back to the 1963 AFL Championship game, which the Chargers captured by trampling the Boston Patriots, 51-10.

With 329 rushing and receiving yards and two touchdowns, running back Keith Lincoln was a madman in leading San Diego to the triumph. On the ground he accumulated 206 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries; through the air he caught seven passes for 123 yards and another score. He was the game’s MVP.

Quarterback Tobin Rote started the game for the Chargers and didn’t disappoint. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score. Backup John Hadl also saw some action, completing seven of 11 passes for 132 yards and a score. Hadl also rushed for another touchdown.

As embarrassing as the final tally was for Boston, the Patriots were also outgained in total yardage by a humiliating margin of 610-261. The only championship in Chargers history, this dominant victory by San Diego was traumatizing to the Patriots' players who had the misfortune of suffering through the brutalization on that sunny day in California.

“I’ve tried to blank that out from my memory, put it under a heavy-duty blanket and not be reminded of it,” said Larry Eisenhauer, a defensive end on that 1963 Patriots team. “Those are some painful memories, to be sure.”

1963 AFL Championship

Will Branch be targeted by Chargers?

The San Diego Chargers have a number of positions in need of considerable upgrades this offseason. Perhaps the biggest improvement required is at the outside linebacker spot opposite Shaun Phillips.


In a previous piece for this blog, I mentioned Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw, South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram, USC’s Nick Perry, Illinois’ Whitney Mercilus, and Troy’s Jonathan Massaquoi as potential pass-rushing prospects the Chargers could target in the upcoming draft this April. In the next couple months I’ll be writing about some others, starting with Clemson defensive end Andre Branch today.


Branch made first-team All-ACC in 2011 after leading the league with 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for losses. At 6-5, 260 pounds many believe he has the athleticism to transition from a 4-3 defensive end in college to a 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebacker in the pros. He possesses some effective pass-rushing skills and the ability to drop into coverage. Most mock drafts have him going in the second round. The Chargers own the 49^th overall pick in that round.


Perhaps Branch’s best performance was in the Tigers’ convincing 23-3 win over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg last October. During that game Branch terrorized the Hokies’ offense, as he finished with three sacks and 11 tackles, five of which were made in the backfield.


On that night Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney described Branch as “a man on a mission. He was just winning the matchups, it was that simple. He was relentless…”


That type of dominant effort is certainly craved in San Diego.


Classic Videos


For this edition of the blog I’d like to take you back to the Chargers’ 1992 Wild Card playoff victory over the division rival Kansas City Chiefs. San Diego dominated the Chiefs by a 17-0 score that day, as Chargers running back Marion Butts ran for 119 yards and a score, while the defense sacked Kansas City quarterback Dave Krieg seven times and intercepted him twice.


Ironically, the Chiefs’ head coach during that embarrassing loss was Marty Schottenheimer, who later went on to coach the Chargers from 2002 through 2006. Schottenheimer holds an impressive regular-season winning percentage, but that never translated to postseason success, as he posted a 5-13 record in the playoffs. Lightning Bolts fans know all about that; he lost both of his postseason games as Chargers head coach to inferior teams.


1992 Playoff Win

Prelude to a championship?

As San Diego Chargers fans head into Super Bowl XLVI with about as much interest in the game as they would have for a sweater knitting contest, I can’t help but recognize how strikingly similar the Lightning Bolts’ 2011 disaster of a season is to the non-playoff year the New York Giants endured in 2010.

Since I dislike Eli Manning as much as any other loyal Chargers fan does, I hate to admit I can’t think of any good reason why the New England Patriots should triumph this coming Sunday. The Giants have everything going for them in this game, as they possess all the momentum in the world and match up better with the Patriots than any other team does in the NFL. And while Tom Brady is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, he hasn’t exactly come up big in postseason action since winning his last Super Bowl in February 2005. Moreover, the Giants’ pass rush has given Brady fits in his last two meetings with New York—the most recent being a regular-season defeat to the G-Men last November 6, in which Brady threw two interceptions.

But while the Giants are virtually a lock in my eyes to capture their fourth Super Bowl title, I also don’t view them as anything more than a pretty good team that has been insanely lucky over the last month. (How can a team beaten by Rex Grossman TWICE in ONE YEAR be considered great?) Then again, perhaps the incredible luck they’ve received this season is in response to the ridiculous misfortune they went through in 2010. With that in mind, I’d like to point out the remarkable parallels between the 2010 New York Giants and the 2011 San Diego Chargers—in hopes it will lead to Norv Turner’s squad reaching and winning next year’s Super Bowl.

1.   2010 New York Giants: Eli Manning leads all quarterbacks in turnovers.

2011 San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers turns the ball over incessantly.

2.   2010 New York Giants: Eli Manning fumbles the ball in ludicrous fashion late in the fourth quarter during a key division battle versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia goes on to win.

2011 San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers fumbles a snap late in the fourth quarter during a key division battle versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City goes on to win.

3.   2010 New York Giants: In a must-win, Week 16 matchup with the Green Bay Packers, the G-Men get blown out, 45-17.

2011 San Diego Chargers: In a must-win, Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions, the Lightning Bolts get blown out, 45-10.

4.   2010 New York Giants: In the final game of the regular season, the G-Men beat a division rival, the Washington Redskins, to finish their disappointing season on a high note.

2011 San Diego Chargers: In their final game of the regular season, the Lightning Bolts beat a division rival, the Oakland Raiders, to finish their regular season on a high note.

5.   2010 New York Giants: Would have won their division and earned a playoff spot if they had collected just one more victory.

2011 San Diego Chargers: Would have won their division and earned a playoff spot if they had collected just one more victory. 

6.   2010 New York Giants: Head coach Tom Coughlin is fortunate to retain his job after his team fails to make the playoffs for the second straight season.

2011 San Diego Chargers: Head coach Norv Turner is fortunate to retain his job after his team fails to make the playoffs for the second straight season.

Does this mean San Diego will win its first Super Bowl title in February 2013? Probably not, but it can’t hurt to dream.

Classic Videos


For this edition of the blog I’d like to take you back to perhaps the greatest win in San Diego Chargers history—the 1994 AFC Championship. On the road, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, barely anyone outside of San Diego gave the Chargers a shot to win the right to play in Super Bowl XXIX, but the Lightning Bolts proved the doubters wrong in this rough-and-rugged victory.


The following video contains the deciding series of the game—56 seconds-worth of action former Chargers linebacker Dennis Gibson will likely never forget for the rest of his life.


1994 AFC Championship