Fantasy Football Notes: San Diego Chargers

Although the San Diego Chargers only went 8-8 during the regular season, they once again made the playoffs, largely due to their 5-1 domination of their weak division rivals. Things weren’t easy though as the team had to deal with injuries to defensive leader, Shawn Merriman, who missed 15 games on the year, and stud running back, LaDainian Tomlinson, who wasn’t his dominant self (though it is worth noting that even in a down year, LT notched 1,536 total yards and 12 TDs.) Still, the team rallied together with solid contributions on both sides of the ball as they scored 92 more points than they gave up.

The big story, though, in San Diego in 2008 was quarterback, Philip Rivers. The young arm took a huge step towards becoming one of the better quarterbacks in the league as he threw for over 4,000 yards for the first time in his career, passed for 34 touchdowns and threw just 11 interceptions. 2008 also marked his 3rd year in a row that he was able to start in all 16 games. If Rivers continues to grow and Tomlinson and Merriman come back healthy, this team could dominate in 2009, clinching a playoff berth well before the last week of the season like they did in 2008.

KEY ADDITION

The Chargers did not gain any key players during the off season, though former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett enters the mix in the middle. He isn’t guaranteed a starting job right out of the gate and is likely to start the season as a backup. 

KEY DEPARTURE

Igor Olshansky (DE) – There is only so much money to go around, and with the resigning of LaDainian Tomlinson and the eventual money the team will need to spend on Philip Rivers, the Chargers had to make some tough decisions this off-season. One was not fighting hard to keep Igor Olshansky, a solid defensive lineman for the Chargers ever since he was drafted out of Oregon in 2004. With the loss of Olshansky, it will become even more important for Merriman to rebound from his injury and rehab quickly as their linebackers should be seeing more action this year than in years past.

BRUNO BOYS SPOTLIGHT

LaDainian Tomlinson (RB) – Even though Tomlinson has been riddled with injuries the past two years, he did not miss a regular season game in either 2007 or 2008. In fact, even though he was drafted in 2001 and plays a very physical position, LT has started all but one game for the Chargers in that time span. The back will look to bounce back in 2009, and he’s on the right track as reports state he looks and feels as healthy as he has in a few years. Still contributing solidly on offense despite the down year last season, it will be great for football and fantasy football fans to see LT return to an elite level in 2009.

Vincent Jackson (WR) – In 2008, Jackson made significant strides in becoming the deep threat that the Chargers had envisioned when they drafted him. He accumulated 1,098 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on the season, but you need to keep an eye on him prior to your 2009 fantasy football drafts. Jackson plead not-guilty to two drinking and driving violations, but despite the pleas, he could possibly be suspended to start the 2009 season as the commissioner’s office continues their effort to cut down the off-the-field incidents that have given the NFL a black eye the past handful of years. However, if on the field, look for Jackson to once again produce at a high level.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Larry English (DE) – Hoping to take a little of the sting out of the loss of Olshansky, the Chargers drafted defensive end Larry English out of Northern Illinois with the 16th overall pick of the 2009 draft. English brings some great pass rush skills and a rugged attitude and demeanor to an already solid Chargers defense. He will be a very exciting player to watch as he develops in years to come and will be able to contribute right away in 2009.

*THIS ARTICLE WRITTEN BY BRUNO BOY CHRIS ZIZA. FOR MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL INSIGHT AND ADVICE, CLICK THE LINK BELOW...*

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