Philip Rivers has been derailed by leg injuries the past two years. The Chargers are going to need every man they've got to continue their mastery of the Colts, while breaking the Patriots' mastery over them.
Today I will list 10 most-important players or groups of players. The order is not overly important, but I did list them in the order that would give me the biggest Fred Sanford-style heart attack if they did go down.
10. Matt Wilhelm and Stephen Cooper: Luckily for the Chargers, they have a couple of capable guys to back these two up. Cooper has been suspended for the first four games of the 2008 season. These two patrol the middle of the field and had a big hand in stopping those short, quick passes that killed the Chargers in early 2007. They also blitzed occasionally, causing havoc in the backfield.
9. Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie: Jammer is a very solid defender who is good at stuffing the run and is solid in pass coverage. When Drayton Florence was starting on the other side, quarterbacks avoided Quentin Jammer. Cromartie may not be as solid in coverage, but he has the ability to make plays that almost all other defensive backs shouldn’t even attempt to make, unless they want to give up a touchdown.
Quarterbacks shudder to think that Antonio Cromartie should be even better next year. Jammer has also improved every year. Uh-oh.
8. Chris Chambers/Vincent Jackson: Talking heads like Keyshawn Johnson claimed that the 2006 San Diego Chargers had a weakness at wide receiver. Ridiculous! With Keenan McCardell and Eric Parker at wide receiver—along with Antonio Gates, Lorenzo Neal, and LaDainian Tomlinson—Philip Rivers almost always had someone open. Folks, that’s five All-Pros. Gee, I wonder why the Chargers offense seemed to be unstoppable in mid-2006?
The Bolts were limited in a major way when they parted ways with McCardell, and Parker went down with a toe injury. The Chris Chambers trade solved this problem almost immediately—taking merely a few weeks.
Cam Cameron (not Marty Schottenheimer) made the foolish decision to bench McCardell in favor of Vincent Jackson around the same time Eric Parker was injured in 2006. Philip Rivers became inconsistent immediately and didn’t start playing consistently again until Vincent Jackson stepped up his play in 2007.
While Cam’s decision is going to benefit the Chargers now, it may have cost San Diego a Super Bowl in 2006. Cam was a great coordinator, but let someone else make personnel decisions.
7. Shawne Merriman: The Chargers have won all five games that Merriman has missed since he became a starter. However, the result was that San Diego became the first team in NFL history to win four games in a row while giving up 24 points or more. Twice they came back from way down to win games, including 21 and 17-point second-half deficits in consecutive weeks—also an NFL first.
Merriman brings attitude and swagger to the Chargers. Fans and writers of other teams hate him, which means the Chargers love him. Similar to Antonio Cromartie, Merriman makes big time, game-changing plays. Fans and players of other teams may detest Merriman’s “Lights Out” dance, but it fires up the whole team, along with the fans.
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Merriman’s big-time pass rush of Peyton Manning—forcing a floundering fourth quarter incompletion on fourth down—was one of the biggest plays in the 2007 NFL Playoffs for the Bolts.
6. Antonio Gates: Gates is LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, and Philip Rivers’ best friend. If Gates had been healthy, the Chargers MAY have been able to topple the Patriots, even with all the other injuries. Gates's ability to move without the football and get open using completely unconventional moves has befuddled defenses for years.
If Gates is still hobbling next season, that is a huge blow. Antonio Gates cannot be replaced. If teams have to deal with both Tomlinson and Gates in the red zone, they have a serious problem. If they don’t have to deal with either of them, the Chargers have the problem.
Gates could easily be No. 1 on this list. The combination of Tomlinson and Gates may be the most important offensive duo in the league.
5. Nick Hardwick: LT will tell you himself. Without the offensive line, the running back is going nowhere. Nick brings attitude and smarts to the Chargers' offensive line. The rushing attack suffers tremendously when he is not in there. They seemingly can’t get it done without this guy. The Chargers were very fortunate to sign center Jeremy Newberry as an insurance policy.
4. The entire defensive line: With an ailing Jamal Williams, an injured Jacques Cesaire, and Luis Castillo out due to injury, Adrian Peterson stomped for 253 yards in the second half of the Chargers’ battle against the Minnesota Vikings. About 245 of those yards came two plays after the quick and powerful Castillo went down.
When the defensive line does their job of taking up blockers, the Chargers are damn near unbeatable. When they don’t, the offense had better score, and score big, to keep up with the other team.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson: LT has tormented defenses for years now. He can do anything you need a running back to do. His absence in the AFC Championship game was felt when the Chargers went 0-4 in the red zone, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns. Tomlinson is a red-zone beast, so who knows what would have happened if he was in there.
Contrary to what Deion Sanders and Jim Brown think, Tomlinson's leadership ability is second to none. It was a hard pill for LT to swallow to have to sit out the AFC Championship game against the hated Patriots. If you don't believe Tomlinson is set to dominate next season, prepare to figure it out in a hurry.
2. Marcus McNeil: When McNeil burst onto the scene as a rookie two seasons ago, he put on a dominating performance that Charger fans hadn’t seen from the tackle position in years—Vaughn Parker and Damion SacIntosh anyone?
The most encouraging thing was to see McNeil be completely schooled against Pro-Bowlers Jared Allen and Kyle Vanden Bosch in his first games against the two, and then come back and totally annihilate them the next time he faced them, in the SAME season. This goes to show you that the two-time Pro Bowler could become one of the top tackles in the game.
I was somewhat confused when A.J. Smith passed on USC tackle Winston Justice (Philadelphia Eagles) in the first round to take Antonio Cromartie, and then "settled" on McNeil in the second round. Three Pro Bowls in a combined four seasons later, and A.J. Smith looks like a genius.
1. Philip Rivers: Regardless of the national scorn Rivers has received, he is still a tremendous leader that never loses confidence. He has been known to slam his helmet down, he’s been known to tell off an All-Pro defensive player or two, he has been known to play through pain, and he’s been known to complete passes with ease that other quarterbacks won’t even attempt.
Unfortunately, he has also been known to go on cold streaks that have frustrated fans and LaDainian Tomlinson to no end.
Rivers’s doubters forget that Rivers performed extremely well late in the season, and did extremely well in the playoffs. Anyone comparing Rivers' first-year starting to his second is missing the point. Turner switched up the system on Rivers in order to get him ready to make big-time plays in the playoffs.
While Rivers' play early in the year was certainly not on par with the previous season, his play certainly exceeded it by the time the playoffs rolled around.
Of course, replacing the supposedly hard-partying Shane "the Beastie Boy" Olivea at right tackle didn't hurt either.
The Chargers have several guys that make a huge impact on how well the entire team fares. For example, the Chargers weren’t going anywhere in the playoffs had Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers not stepped up. The Chargers lost three games because they couldn’t stop the run. Jamal Williams just so happened to be hobbling in all three of those games.
I didn’t mention kicker Nate Kaeding or punter Mike Scifres, and that was a mistake. Both of these guys are invaluable to the Chargers.
Mike Scifres is an absolute weapon. His sky-high directional punts totally neutralized Devin Hester’s punt-return ability against the Bears, while his pin-point accuracy resulted in overtime disaster for the Tennessee Titans, as they were forced to start a drive from their own one-yard line, leading to an LT touchdown in OT.
Scifres big play catapulted the Chargers into the playoffs, while nearly forcing the Titans to miss the playoffs.
Nate Kaeding has been one of the most accurate kickers in the game since he was drafted. After hitting all four of his attempts against the Patriots in the AFC Championship game, he may have shaken the stigma of being a choke artist in the playoffs.
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2 months ago
Great article! My only criticism regards your mention of Lorenzo Neal among 2006 receiving options. I love and respect Lo Neal, but he had the pass catching ability of a stone Tyrannosaurus Rex on acid; the Chargers receiving corps were adequate, but needed standouts like Chambers and (playoff-form) Jackson. I think your article reflects a Charger fan-base terrified of injury in the wake of the 2007/2008 post-season. Hopefully everyone heals up (I'm encouraged by progress reports regarding Tomlinson and Rivers), but I won't be resting easy anytime soon. I'd skip the summer just to get to September if I could.
from 2 months ago
I think that Pinnock will be a much better option for Rivers out of the backfield as will Jacob Hester. However, Neal rarely dropped a pass and usually gained a few yards (and I do mean a few) after the catch. He wasn't exactly Larry Centers or anything, but he was there when needed.
2 months ago
NORV TURNERS TEAM TO MESS UP.HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!! MARTY SCHOTTENHIMMIE!! HA HA HA
2 months ago
The 2008 season has to be the season the the Chargless Bolts win a Super Bowl. Their spotlight is fading very fast and they need to make the best of it. As much as I hate to say this, I wish them luck on doing so. If they do, the AFC West will be the only division with each team having a Super Bowl title. Oakland Raiders-3, Denver Bronchoes-2, KC Condiments-1, and San Diego Chargless Bolts-0. With the 9 or so Pro Bowl players the Super Bowl championship should have been theirs already. In order for that to occur all their 10 elements have to keep producing.
2 months ago
Luis...I realize there's not much to talk about on the Raider message boards these days, but if you do want to venture out and see what it's like to comment on a team that actually has its act together, PLEASE try to remain at least somewhat acquainted with reality. How can you POSSIBLY claim that the Chargers' "spotlight is fading very fast"? I assume you mean that our window of a high level of competitiveness is closing and that's just ridiculous.
While it can be argued, I suppose, that the current structure of the NFL is nearly "dynasty-proof" in its quest for parity, the Chargers have set themselves up to be in the upper echelon of the league for the next several years. Even a cursory review of the contract status of our most notable players will demonstrate that. At last check, I believe 25 or so players are under contract THROUGH 2009. The numbers drop off year by year, of course, but there are several key players, including LT, signed through 2011, and some even beyond that.
With the possible exception of Jamal Williams and Mike Goff, the team is not even burdened with anyone grappling with age. I'm not sweeping aside the loss that Williams will be when he retires, but that leaves another 20+ starters and key reserves that will be around quite a while.
Luis...it's the RAIDERS that sign over-priced free agents past their prime and hope for the best...the CHARGERS, at least for now under A.J. Smith, build from the ground up and lock up their key players for long periods of time....
from 2 months ago
Sean,
I can see that the passion you have for your team is the same as the passion I have for my team. It is obvious that my optimism for the success of your team was not taken likely by you. If that is the case then I take back what I said. The Chargless Bolts will probably be the #1 team in the AFC West in 2008 and the Raiders will be the only team contending with them in the division. The reality check will hit the Chrgless Bolts like a freight train if they dont accomplish to win a Super Bowl by 2011 when LT is gone. As for their window of a high level of competetiveness(LMAO) goes, its now or never.
The Charless Bolts habe been one of the top competitive teams in the league for about 5 years and still havent been able to accomplish to make it to the latter rounds in the playoffs or for that case a Super Bowl championship. They will also be competitors for the next several years and once again the Raiders will be fighting for the #1 spot in the AFC West. Give it about two more years and the KC Chiefs will be in the mix also.
The two players that the Raiders acquired in the 2007 and 2008 draft are the future of the organization(Russel & McFadden). Both players have six year contracts and are in their early 20's. Not to mention the other players on offense and deffense that are in their mid 20's also. Offense: Carter, Curry, Bush, and Miller. Deffense: Aso, Hall, Huff, and Wilson. Yeah the contriversial Walker contract is probably the only negative in the Raiders offseason moves. Other than KC, who has the young and athletic player on their team and ones that will make an impact in the games?
Sean, it is sad that it took an A.J. Smith to build the Chargless Bolts from the ground up. Where was A.J. in the late 1990's and early 2000's? We will have to wait and see what the future has in store for both of our teams. Oh, one more thing. Can you please tell me who Steve Humphries and Natron Means are?
2 months ago
Oh Luis...it's hard to know where to start here....
Let's start with this idea of how long the current group of Chargers can remain highly competitive. As you seem to acknowledge, the Chargers have just about all their key PROVEN players under contract for the next 3-4 years. The next key personnel milestones are Williams retiring (whenever that happens) and Rivers' contract renewal (it ends in 2010). That's a LOT of continuity for a team that reached the AFC Championship Game last year, especially in today's era of free agency. I will strongly agree with you on one point...if this team has not landed a Super Bowl Championship by the time LT retires, it will certainly go down as a relative failure for this group.
OK, since we seem to be on the same page (roughly speaking) on the Chargers...let's look at your Raider analysis. You seem to be making the claim that the Raiders also have a lot of key players locked up for many years. I'll grant you that the contracts for the "key" Raiders do indeed extend for a few more years, but what do we really know about these guys...and what's missing?
Russell and McFadden are great talents, but have a total of one start under their belts. I'm optimistic for their chances, but let's face it...we don't really know what they'll be quite yet.
You cite names like Carter, Curry, Bush and Miller as though we're all supposed to just KNOW that these are quality players. We're talking about two #3 receivers, a talented guy who hasn't touched the field yet, and a 2nd year TE. Again, I like Bush and Miller a lot, but we have NO IDEA who these guys are yet.
On defense, you talk of long term deals for guys in their prime: Asomugha, Hall, Huff and Wilson. Again, all talented guys and a secondary that I personally would rate as among the top five in the league. No argument there...and I would add that your LB seems to be shaping up nicely too, especially in coverage...but that brings us to what is missing.
On offense, it is glaring (but appropriate) that you make no mention of your offensive line. This has quite clearly been the weak link of the offense the past few years, and it has not been addressed in a way that should give rise to any greater hopes for this coming year.
On defense, you left out the incredible Tommy Kelly contract, in which you paid out the highest contract ever for a DT, even though that player is a DE with a bad knee. Again, I like Kelly a lot, but even if he is exactly what you think he is, you have a MAJOR problem stopping the run. And again, this was not addressed in the offseason. You had your shot at Dorsey, but the Al wanted a fifth RB instead, so again LT and others will run roughshod over your front seven while you post messages here about how awesome your secondary is (and accurately so!).
What's the common thread? Well, it is the final thing that is missing from the Raider's hopes for the playoffs: effective management. Since 2003, it has become increasingly clear that the Raider personnel braintrust is hurting rather than helping the cause...and I'm not sure if it's all Davis, or what, but it's obvious. Horrible trades (Moss for a 4th), a continuing "get rich quick" approach to free agency, a total disregard for the importance of depth and talent on the lines, and bad drafts have left this roster in sad shape. In short, the talent and depth is just not there.
All that said, I agree that the Raiders will be better this coming year. They showed some life toward the end of the season and the OL was much better, if still less than ideal. I like the addition of some of the skill players, and I've already acknowledged the talent in the secondary. But let's keep the expectations realistic....I think 8 wins would be that absolute top end of this team's capabilities, and that won't put the Raiders in a position to battle for the AFC West and certainly won't have them in the playoffs. As for the prediction that they'll be "fighting for the #1 spot in the AFC West", that is pure speculation that must be taking into account growth in guys like Russell, improvement in the lines, and solid drafts over the next couple years....and there's just no way that the Raider track record should make us believe those things will DEFINITELY happen.
You bring up a real good comparison to the Chiefs, though you seem to think they'll be a couple years behind the Raider rebuilding. Note the differences in how the two teams went about the offseason. On the heels of a couple mediocre seasons, the Chiefs make a full and public commitment to overturn the roster, eschew free agency, trade a veteran still in his prime, hoard draft picks and spend two first round picks on the OL and DL. Coming off five seasons that have produced a total of 19 wins, the Raiders hit free agency for a WR with character problems, trade a 2nd round pick for a CB, and end up with only five picks in the draft, one of which they spend on their fifth RB.
In case you haven't already guessed, I don't think the Chiefs will trail the rebuilding effort of the Raiders at all...in fact, I'm a little bummed that the Chargers play the Chiefs so late in the season this year...I think by then they'll be feeling their oats and will be a tough matchup. I just don't feel that way, rightly or wrongly, about the Raiders...
Finally, why is it "sad" that AJ Smith is the guy to rebuild the Chargers...at least we have someone to do it, so I'm happy. As for Stan (not Steve) Humphries and Natrone Means, they are retired...is that really important right now? Are you looking for a SIXTH RB? Or a veteran QB? ;-)
from about 1 month ago
Sean,
I can see that we do agree on certain things and dissagree on others. We will just have to wait and see what the 2008 seasons outcome will be for both of our teams. As for the question about the two players at the end of my coment, it is something I ask Charger fans in order to see how much of a fan they are and for your answers I have to give you some credit. Not too many so called Charger fans know who those two players are.
about 1 month ago
Luis...I didn't realize that was a quiz to check for true Charger fans! That's funny...
If I had I would have been able to tell you that Humprhies was drafted by the Skins out of Northwest Louisiana State (I think) and that Bobby Beathard engineered the trade for him to the Bolts...and that Means was an underclassman out of North Carolina that had the distinction of being one of, if not THE, youngest player in the league when he made the team that year.
Hell I even remember when Curtis Adams was our feature back and can still tell you EXACTLY where I was for that whole Charger-Dolphin game in 1982. I'm sure that is reason to question my sanity...but I guess it would qualify me as a true fan!
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