Phillip Rivers Confident in Bolts despite Potential Holdouts
The Chargers franchise quarterback (QB) Phillip Rivers appears to be unfazed by the personnel changes. He is still confident that his team can succeed even if potential holdouts Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill sit out a good part of the season.
Rivers is facing a strong possibility of missing wide receiver (WR) Jackson and left tackle (LT) McNeill, but he still feels the Chargers have enough depth to overcome the losses. He expects other players to step up and fill the big void left by the two Pro-Bowlers.
"Every game I've played, Marcus and Vincent have been out there, so certainly it would be different not to have them," Rivers said to the NFL Network. “But, we've found in past years, last year, we've had to overcome some adversity, overcome some injuries. In this case, if we were not to have those guys, we'll keep on moving."
Jackson and McNeill are restricted free agents and have not signed their tenders. They have threatened to sit out training camp in protest of the Chargers not offering them long-term deals. Both players didn’t sign their deals before the June 15th deadline, thus forfeiting close to $2.5 million in compensation for 2010 unless San Diego offers the two players long-term contracts.
Jackson was recently suspended for three games by the NFL, which makes his situation even more complicated.
"Certainly, we'd love to have Vincent -- I hope we do -- but if not, certain guys will have to step up. Legedu Naanee, Buster Davis and those guys will have to step up," said Rivers.
The Bolts are stacked on offense with players like tight end (TE) Antonio Gates and running back (RB) Darren Sproles. The team also drafted RB Ryan Mathews in the first round, who will be counted on to replace the franchise’s greatest back in their history, in Ladainian Tomlinson. The team also has Buster Davis, Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee who are all excellent compliments to the Chargers passing attack.
However, Jackson is the Chargers primary threat in the deep passing game. His presence down field forces opposing defences to drop back and opens the door for throws underneath.
Rivers will also be the undisputed leader of the team, and the franchise player, as he will no longer share the spotlight with Ladainian Tomlinson, who provided excellent leadership for the Bolts in his illustrious career. Tomlinson signed with the New York Jets following his release from the Chargers.
"A guy that's done what he's done both on and off the field, what he's meant to our franchise, not seeing him in the locker room, not seeing him in the meetings, it's been a little different for me," Rivers said.
With the potential absences of two Pro-Bowlers, Rivers will have to lead the rest of the offence and will need the help of his supporting cast. When asked about the man who would replace Tomlinson in the backfield, Rivers had nothing but praise for the Chargers’ first round draft pick.
"I think we've moved past that transition period," Rivers said. "Obviously, we drafted a running back in Ryan Mathews. He's had a good summer, looks the part -- he has a presence about him that kind of exudes something special. As we get through this training camp and head toward Week 1, hopefully we'll be clicking on all cylinders."
The Chargers offence may be a little more inexperienced this year, but will benefit from an easy schedule to start the season.
The Chargers will face the Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Seattle Seahawks in their first three weeks. The combined 2009 records of their first six opponents are 32-64, but Rivers is not taking those opponents lightly. He hopes the team can shake their habit of slow starts.
"We start off with a tough road game in the division in Kansas City. It would be nice to get off to a good start there. Hopefully we don't have that 1-3, 2-3 start like we've had in the past. We always seem to finish strong in December. It'd be nice to get off to a fast start," said Rivers.
It is the beginning of a new generation in San Diego and if Rivers is confident in the group he has, they must show it early.
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