Predicting San Diego Chargers' Starting Lineup After the 1st Wave of Free Agency
In the aftermath of what turned out to be one of the wildest couple of days in the history of free agency, the starting lineup of the San Diego Chargers underwent some changes.
With so many of his own players set to become free agents, general manager Tom Telesco faced a near-impossible task of keeping everyone. The difficult decision to let a handful of starters walk may end up coming back to hurt San Diego, but looking back on it, Telesco took care of the top priorities in house. What fans may complain about most, however, is the hesitant spending of the Chargers with regard to the free-agent market.
Telesco's mentor, former Bills, Panthers and Colts GM Bill Polian, reflected on his own personal experience with free agency, according to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com:
"I took some heat for not spending big in free agency on other people’s players, but too often I believed I wouldn’t get a good return on the financial investment. So, despite the criticism, I took a very conservative approach to free agency, abiding by a list of dos and don’ts that helped my teams maintain a high level of success in both the short and long term.
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The roster will continue to shape itself leading up to the 2015 season, but here's a glance at its current state.
Quarterback
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Starter: Philip Rivers
The heart and soul of the Chargers returns for his 12th season under center. The window of opportunity is closing on the career of Philip Rivers, who is now 33 years old, following an injury-riddled campaign that nearly ended with back surgery. His streak of 144 consecutive starts in the regular season remains intact despite the punishment he took behind one of the worst offensive lines in football a year ago.
Running Back
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Starter: Danny Woodhead
Perhaps the most noticeable change to the starting lineup is at running back, where the Chargers elected to close the book on the Ryan Mathews era. The former first-round pick of the Bolts in 2010 signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. It goes without saying San Diego will probably explore the draft for a long-term replacement, but until then the job belongs to eight-year veteran Danny Woodhead, who was sorely missed last season.
The do-it-all back was lost for the year after breaking his fibula in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills but is thankfully on his way to recovery. In fact, he's ahead of schedule, according to Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune:
"Chargers missed CB Jason Verrett (shoulder), RB Danny Woodhead (leg) last season. Both ahead of schedule. Making full recovery.
— Michael Gehlken (@UTgehlken) March 7, 2015"
Wide Receiver
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Starters: Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd, Stevie Johnson (slot)
The X and Z receivers remain the same from a year ago with the only change coming in the slot. Former Bills and 49ers receiver Stevie Johnson made the difficult decision to turn down the reigning Super Bowl champs for a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Chargers. He replaces Eddie Royal, who recently departed for Chicago on a three-year deal of his own.
To say that Keenan Allen fell victim to a sophomore slump last season isn't entirely accurate. His touchdowns were cut in half compared to the eight he scored as a rookie in 2013, but he dominated the opposition on occasion (see Weeks 4, 12 and 13). Allen's future is still bright moving forward.
Malcom Floyd thoroughly impressed in 2014, coming off a neck injury that nearly ended his career the year before. Set to turn 34 in September, Floyd is playing out the final year of his contract, possibly his last as a Charger.
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Tight End
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Starter: Antonio Gates
A 34-year-old Antonio Gates turned back the clock with a riveting performance in 2014 that stood out among his much younger peers. He caught 12 touchdown passes, tying Rob Gronkowski and Julius Thomas for the most by a tight end last season. The future Hall of Famer enters his 13th season with the Chargers and the last on his current deal.
Fourth-year stud Ladarius Green is biding his time until Gates decides to hang it up.
Offensive Line
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Starters: King Dunlap (LT), Orlando Franklin (LG), Chris Watt (C), Johnnie Troutman (RG), D.J. Fluker (RT)
The Chargers looked to a division rival for help in the trenches, signing former Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin to a five-year, $35.5 million contract while also retaining the services of King Dunlap on a four-year, $28 million deal. That's money well spent in protecting the health of Philip Rivers.
If only the same could be said for the right side of the O-line, which experienced no change at all. Telesco announced during a recent press conference that Johnnie Troutman is the starter at right guard, ending rumors that D.J. Fluker might move there instead. And of the five different centers who started in 2014, third-round draft choice Chris Watt has been handpicked to fill the shoes of retired 11-year pro Nick Hardwick.
Defensive Line
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Starters: Corey Liuget (DE), Sean Lissemore (DT), Kendall Reyes (DE)
The Chargers reportedly made a strong push for ex-Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport (h/t NFL.com), but he couldn't resist the temptation of becoming the league's highest-paid defensive player with the Miami Dolphins, who forked over $60 million in guaranteed money.
Instead, San Diego's D-line could end up looking just as it did in 2014, with Corey Liuget as the only legitimate threat to opposing defenses. Help could be coming his way, though, if the Bolts go after a defensive lineman in the first round of the draft.
Linebacker
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Starters: Melvin Ingram (OLB), Donald Butler (ILB), Manti Te'o (ILB), Tourek Williams (OLB)
With the number of veteran pass-rushers available on the free-agent market, it came as a bit of surprise Telesco made no attempt to secure one despite the fact that Jarret Johnson and Dwight Freeney are no longer on the team.
2012 first-rounder Melvin Ingram has teased Charger fans with the possibility of becoming an elite pass-rusher, but injuries have come in the way of his success. That also applies to second-year pro Manti Te'o, who can't seem to avoid foot injuries.
Donald Butler received a fat contract in March 2014 and played well below his dollar value last season. The team desperately needs a comeback year from him in 2015.
Cornerback
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Starters: Brandon Flowers, Jason Verrett, Jimmy Wilson (nickel)
Re-signing Brandon Flowers was one of those offseason priorities that just had to get done, and the Chargers followed through with a four-year, $36 million deal. His presence is going to do wonders for the career of first-round selection Jason Verrett, who had his moments before shutting it down a torn labrum.
The Bolts added former Dolphins defensive back Jimmy Wilson to the group on a two-year deal in response to losing Shareece Wright to the 49ers. Wilson played slot corner and some safety for the Fins last season, which should bode well for his playing time with the Chargers in 2015.
Safety
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Starters: Eric Weddle (FS), Jahleel Addae (SS)
Eric Weddle was invited to his third Pro Bowl in the last four years, further building his case as the NFL's best safety in the game today. The bearded one was recognized for his outstanding play on the 2014 Pro Football Focus All-Pro team.
Standing next to Weddle in the defensive backfield will likely be heat-seeking missile Jahleel Addae, who does more damage to himself than to others sometimes. Addae's promotion to a starting role comes after the New York Jets agreed to a contract with former starter Marcus Gilchrist. Jimmy Wilson and Darrell Stuckey could also be in line to fill the position if Addae isn't ready to take over.
Special Teams
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Kicker: Nick Novak
Punter: Mike Scifres
Kick returner: Jacoby Jones
Until now, the Chargers haven't possessed a threat in the return game. Jacoby Jones immediately changes that, having scored five special teams touchdowns in the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He'll provide the offense with better field position, shortening the field for Philip Rivers and Co. next season.
Mike Scifres proved to be an invaluable weapon on special teams last season. In a Week 11 matchup against the Oakland Raiders, he pinned the opposition inside their own 20-yard line a total of five times, making it difficult for the silver and black to do much of anything offensively.
Nick Novak missed four field goals in 2014 but continues to excel in high-pressure situations like he did in overtime against San Francisco.
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