Chargers finally past post-season failures?
It’s amazing that the Chargers have reached the post-season five of the last six years and have won the AFC West four straight times. They even found a way to win it when they finished 8-8 two years ago!
What is probably even more amazing is that the team seems to constantly come up short when it matters most, in the play-offs. They and the Cowboys have been labelled the chokers of the NFL. They have so much talent, but seem to under-perform when their best should be seen.
The Chargers, despite the constant post-season failures, have not hit the reset button, although they have made some significant changes. Gone is the franchise’s all-time leading rusher Ladanian Tomlinson, who the Chargers released following Tomlinson failing to rush for 1000 yards last season and whose production has steadily decreased. The Chargers also traded away cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Both players are now members of the same team that spoiled the Chargers latest Super Bowl bid, the New York Jets.
It’s safe to say that this year is Super Bowl or bust for the Bolts. With the talent they have, anything short of a trip to Arlington, Texas at the end of the year is a failure of a season.
The leader of this football team is Phillip Rivers without question. He has gained the franchise player status that Tomlinson had before him and his aerial attack on defences is what will fuel the Bolts this season. Rivers is one of the best in the game and has unbelievable chemistry with his receivers.
That receiving corps includes Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, Buster Davis and Legodu Naanee. You can’t forget tight end Antonio Gates either, who’s basically another receiver with the strength of a tight end. Jackson is a deep threat while Floyd shows great promise as well. All these receivers are tall and talented. They’re a nightmare for any secondary.
The only problem is Jackson appears to be holding out, due to his refusal to sign a restricted free agent tender with the team. The Chargers likely won’t see him back until the eleventh game of the season, meaning other players will have to step up.
Gates is still San Diego’s most versatile weapon. Few linebackers or safeties can cover him. He’s simply a monster and perhaps the best tight end in the game.
The Chargers running game has to improve this year, so that the offence isn’t one-dimensional as they were exposed to being in last year’s play-offs. The Chargers drafted Ryan Mathews in order to replace Tomlinson. Ironically, Tomlinson is Mathews’ idol and Mathews reminds many of the old Tomlinson with his burst of speed and power. Darren Sproles will also share some carries with Matthews and will be the feature third-down back. Sproles is explosive and is also a threat in the passing game.
The offensive line may suffer a big loss, if left tackle Marcus McNeill holds out a la Jackson and sits out the first 10 games. Guards Kris Dielman and Louis Vasquez will be featured more with the speedier backfield and will show some flair. Centre Nick Hardwick is amazing when he’s healthy while right tackle Jeromey Clary suits his role well.
The defence has been the let-down of the team in recent years. Injuries have played a part in that as linebacker Shawne Merriman was a once promising young player, but knee problems have hurt his value. Defensive end Luis Castillo has suffered a similar fate, but with ankle problems.
On the defensive line, Castillo is joined by nose tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo and Jacques Cesiare on the other end. The departed nose tackle Jamal Williams leaves a huge hole in the front line, and this may be a big weakness for the Bolts this season.
The line backing corps will probably be led by Larry English who will likely step in for Merriman. If not for the uncapped year, Merriman would have likely left as an unrestricted free agent. English still must prove he can indeed fill that role. Shaun Phillips provides some stability on the outside, as he can pass-rush and stop the run. On the inside, Stephen Cooper is aggressive and instinctive while Brandon Siler continues to emerge as a premier run-stopper.
Rookie Darrell Stuckey will likely start at strong safety due to his ability to stop the run. At free safety, the team will turn to Eric Weddle who is a versatile player in space.
The team will not miss Antonio Cromartie much at cornerback because of his poor effort the last couple of seasons. Cromartie’s now vacant spot is wide open for former first-round draft pick Antoine Cason to take. Quentin Jammer provides stability on the other end, playing up to his name by jamming receivers constantly.
San Diego’s kicking game seems to constantly contribute in the regular season and doom them in the post-season. Many will quickly forget Nate Kaeding’s unbelievable season last year when looking at his 0-3 disaster in last year’s play-off game. He missed all three attempts, two of which should have been guaranteed with a kicker of this calibre. Punter Mike Scifres has a great leg and is constantly able to pin opponents deep in their territory.
In the return game, Darren Sproles truly is a lightning bug and can break a big play at any given time. One big loss will be Kassim Osgood who is a gunner in special-teams coverage. Osgood left for the Jaguars.
The Chargers are still undisputed favourites to take the weak AFC West division. Their offence may be the league’s best this season. The key to them winning in the play-offs will be for the team to stay healthy and for the offence to remain lethal in January. They will need their offence in full throttle to make up for their mediocre defence. The offence is so potent though that they just might do that.
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