San Diego Chargers Pre-Camp Position Preview (Part 2 of 5)

In this series, we're looking at the San Diego Chargers' roster with an eye toward who is returning, who is gone, and whether or not the team has improved itself heading into the preseason.

In this second installment, let's focus on the offensive line.

Tackles

Returning

• Marcus McNeill, Jeromey Clary, L.J. Shelton, Corey Clark

Additions

• Brandyn Dombrowski, Dan Gay

Questions

• Is Clary ready to take a step forward and become a more consistent contributor?
• With only the veteran Shelton backing up, will the Chargers regret not taking a tackle in the draft?
• Among the new and unproven, will anyone step up to help provide depth?

Outlook

On a team with relatively few glaring weaknesses, you'd think this somewhat thin position would merit more discussion as one that should be addressed.

Perhaps the quiet excellence of McNeill makes this group seem more effective than it is, but the fact remains that Clary is likely not a long-term answer, Shelton is entering his 11th pro season, and the depth behind those three is suspect at best.

One could argue that the organization must like what it sees in Corey Clark, and so they looked elsewhere in the draft. But having made that argument last year about ILB, I won't be the one doing so in this case.  

In short, McNeill needs to be excellent, everyone needs to stay healthy, and it would be great if one of the young players stepped up big.

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Guards

Returning

• Kris Dielman. Scott Mruczkowski

Additions

• Kynan Forney, Louis Vasquez, Tyronne Green, Sam Allen, Ben Muth

Questions

• Can Forney step right in for the consistently productive Goff?
• Is Mruczkowski ready to take on a bigger role if injuries demand it?
• Is Vasquez as good as his reviews say?

Outlook

The loss of Goff stands to be a bigger deal than perhaps the casual Chargers fan is aware, which seemed to drive the high level of activity at the position in the offseason.

It seems every Chargers free-agent signing the past few years relates to a critical team-need, and that is the case with Forney, who reached the Pro Bowl in 2005 with a very effective Atlanta line, but is unlikely to match Goff's performance right away, hence the hope will be that Vasquez and Green—who is listed at center, but apparently may see time at both positions—can come along quickly.

I don't know why, but I always like it when a lineman is described as "mean" or "nasty".

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Centers

Returning

• Nick Hardwick, Scott Mruczkowski

Additions

• Tyronne Green, Ryan McDonald

Questions

• With his health restored, can Hardwick return to Pro Bowl form?
• Can Green provide actual depth should it be needed?

Outlook

Hardwick's absence at the start of last season was as significant as any the team faced during the year.  A smart signal caller for his linemates and a gutsy, skilled blocker, particularly for his size, Hardwick is a critical component in maintaining continuity along the Chargers' offensive front.

Mruczkowski is a backup center only on the depth chart, seemingly, as the team elected to sign Jeremy Newberry to cover Hardwick's absence, even though it was only for the first few games of the season.  

Having played center in the SEC, Green could provide a better backup option if pressed into service.  As with most positions for the Chargers (and the rest of the NFL, for that matter), everything is great here as long as the starter stays healthy.

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Summary

Even with the loss of Goff, the offensive line promises to be a strength for the Chargers once again. Certainly, the long-term viability of Clary at right tackle and the overall depth can be questioned, but Clary is adequate for now and no team has a line full of All-Pros waiting on the bench.  

The Chargers now feature Pro Bowlers at four of five positions, have kept many of the same players in place for 3-4 years, and have drafted promising players to help add depth.

The performance has certainly been excellent over the past few years: a touchdown record for LaDanian Tomlinson, consistent development, a 4,000-yard offensive season, a team touchdown record for an incredibly immobile quarterback, and five-straight years over 400 points—only team in the NFL to accomplish that.