San Diego Chargers Stock Watch

The 2013 San Diego Chargers have had two weeks of official practices and while it is still very early and almost impossible to predict anything yet, some players are having a better fortnight than others.

The crystal ball into the future is still too cloudy, but the dust should start to settle once the preseason games begin and coaches can evaluate players against NFL competition in a game setting.

Until those games start, however, the only evaluation is practice.

With that in mind, here are five players who have performed well or have positive momentum through two weeks (Stock Up) and five players with negative momentum (Stock Down).

Stock Up: King Dunlap, LT

Left tackle King Dunlap started 19 games for Philadelphia over four years, but when he was added to the Chargers’ roster in the offseason it was thought he would be a viable backup. Dunlap can play four of the five offensive line positions.

Dunlap has taken control of the left tackle position, however, and has been getting the majority of the playing time with the first-string line protecting quarterback Philip Rivers’ blind side.

His versatility has been a bonus as he switched over to right tackle for a few snaps while rookie D.J. Fluker got a breather.

By all accounts, Dunlap is doing well at practices and is the best tackle on the roster at pass protection.

When the Chargers released their depth chart, Dunlap was listed as the starting left tackle. It is up to the former Auburn player to keep that starting spot, though, because other players are gunning for that position.

Stock Down: Max Starks, LT

So many things fell into place when San Diego acquired Max Starks, it was foolish to think he would be anything but the starting left tackle.

First, Starks was a better left tackle for the Steelers than Dunlap was for the Eagles.

Second, Starks started for three Super Bowl teams.

Third, Starks and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt worked together in Pittsburgh.

It looked like the Chargers had found a veteran left tackle to handle the duty of protecting QB Philip Rivers for at least one year.

But Dunlap has played well enough to be the starter…at least during practices.

Starks told U-T San Diego’s Michael Gehlken he believes Dunlap will have to earn the starting spot not by practicing well, but by playing well in preseason games.

“I think (games are) the true barometer for where you’re at and how the competition is going to go,” Starks said.

Starks is absolutely correct: performing well in the game is what counts.

However, it is hard to get in the game if you do not practice well.

It is still early, and the coaches have vowed for an open competition at left tackle, so the preseason games are especially important for Starks.

Stock Up: Kwame Geathers, DT

When Antonio Garay and Aubrayo Franklin were allowed to leave town, San Diego suddenly became very inexperienced in the middle of the defensive line. The Chargers did not add any defensive linemen in the draft (Tourek Williams was a defensive end at Florida International, but is an OLB in the NFL), so fourth-year nose tackle Cam Thomas assumed the starting spot unchallenged.

Thomas has played well in practice, was listed as the first-string defensive tackle and should remain the starter for the foreseeable future, but undrafted free-agent rookie Kwame Geathers has secured himself a roster spot and should figure to be used in high rotation along the line.

Geathers has had a solid training camp. He grabbed U-T San Diego’s Tom Krasovic’s attention when Geathers bull-rushed starting left guard Chad Rinehart and touched Philip Rivers for a sack.

If he can make those types of plays in preseason games, the former Georgia Tech player will see plenty of action during the regular season.

Stock Down: D.J. Fluker, RT

When San Diego selected D.J. Fluker with the 11th pick of the NFL draft, many analysts predicted Fluker would be a better fit at guard than tackle. The thought was the former Alabama star could not deal with speed pass-rushers in the NFL.

It seems those concerns regarding Fluker’s footwork and speed are accurate.

Many reporters are saying Fluker is progressing and working hard, but those same reporters are also detailing how defenders are able to get past the right tackle (like here, here or here).

It may be unfair to put a rookie in the “Stock Down” category when he gets beat by future Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney, but outside linebacker Melvin Ingram beat Fluker on the play that injured his knee for the season (or at least for the foreseeable future).

Just because his stock is down does not mean the Chargers should think he will be a bust, but Fluker needs to improve his pass protection if San Diego’s offense plans on succeeding.

Stock Up: Shareece Wright, CB

When reading Tom Krasovic’s daily training camp recaps, one name continually pops up as someone who impressed and made plays at practice: Shareece Wright.

The cornerback is coming off a season lost due to an ankle injury, but he has played well so far in the offseason.

With only Eric Weddle as the returning secondary starter, Wright shining in training camp relieves some worries fans may have had when Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer were not brought back to the team.

Stock Down: Vincent Brown, WR

Vincent Brown cannot seem to get a break.

Considering his sophomore season was curtailed by a broken ankle, maybe it should instead be said Brown is unlucky with injuries.

The former San Diego State star wide receiver missed seven straight practices with a hamstring injury. Brown did not have a full offseason to connect with Philip Rivers during the receiver’s rookie year and then he got injured last preseason, so this training camp was supposed to be the time the two flourished.

Brown is back to practicing, but Tom Krasovic says he will probably sit out the first preseason game Thursday against Seattle.

Brown should be able to bounce back from this mini speed bump, but anyone who misses half of training camp with an injury definitely is in the “Stock Down” category.

Stock Up: Donald Butler, ILB

Michael Gehlken says the Chargers and inside linebacker Donald Butler are talking about a contract extension, so that is a good sign for both San Diego’s defense in the future and Butler’s bank account, which means he is in the “Stock Up” category.

Also, rookie linebacker Manti Te’o called Butler a “big brother.” So that's nice.

Stock Down: Danario Alexander, WR

Fans were up questioning the San Diego front office when receiver Danario Alexander was offered a low restricted free-agent contract. It was a risk because if another team matched or bettered the contract, San Diego would not have been compensated highly.

The Chargers knew of Alexander’s injury history. Other teams knew too, considering none matched the deal.

Plagued with bum knees while at Missouri, Alexander had two injury-shortened years in St. Louis before getting plucked off the street by the Chargers last year.

Alexander was spectacular in only 10 games, hauling in 37 passes for 658 yards and seven touchdowns. But most importantly Alexander was healthy.

He was having a good training camp, too, able to defeat press coverage and also able to run past defenders.

Then Tuesday happened.

Alexander tore his right anterior cruciate ligament, ending his 2013 season before it started.

The San Diego offense was counting on Alexander to be a No. 1 receiver and Alexander was counting on a big year to prove the doubters his knees were fine.

The Chargers will have to find a way to recover in the passing game.

It is unclear how Alexander’s career can recover from this setback.

Stock Up: Eddie Royal, WR

Eddie Royal did not have a good 2012.

He suffered through minor injuries that slowed him for most of the season and his mother was sick.

Mike McCoy is his new head and also happened to be the offensive coordinator when Royal had his second-best year as a professional (59 receptions, 627 yards, 3 TD in 2010—he had 91/980/5 in his rookie year in Rick Dennison’s offense).

Healthy and able to focus on football, Royal has had a great training camp.

Even before Alexander went down with a knee injury, Royal figured to be an important part of the offense. Royal is listed as the backup to Alexander on the depth chart, but it is unlikely he will slide into the starting role. He is the starting punt returner and the second-team kickoff returner, however.

Stock Down: Philip Rivers, QB

Philip Rivers is actually having a decent training camp, as Tom Krasovic points out.

So why is he on the “Stock Down” slide?

The offense around him is not doing him any favors.

First, it looks like the offensive line is better than last year’s unit, but San Diego’s defense has been getting the better of the offense during practices, particularly in the pass rush.

Then, the receivers are dropping balls.

Rivers can return to his 4,000-yards passing form if given just a little bit of time and if receivers can hold onto the ball more often than not.

Luckily this is just training camp. Hopefully these mistakes and issues get fixed during preseason games and before the regular season starts.

If the issues are not resolved, the entire team—not just Rivers—will be in the “Stock Down” category.