Jackson Holdout Opens Up Chargers Playbook Wider

Last year Vincent Jackson was a beast.  Jackson was the undisputed starting wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers last year. In his fifth season for the Chargers, Jackson tallied nine touchdowns and 1,167 receiving yards last year.

This year Jackson has been a burden. Jackson left the dream of what could have been last year. He has been convicted twice for driving under the influence, stemming from incidents in 2006 and 2009, pleading guilty to the most recent charge in February. Jackson also was arrested in January, hours before the Chargers’ playoff game, for knowingly driving with a suspended license.

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith issued the following statement: “Obviously we’re disappointed. Vincent made a mistake and now must deal with the consequences."

This year is beginning very different for Jackson. Jackson has been threatening to sit out through the season’s tenth game as a restricted free agent, refusing to sign his tender while seeking a contract extension this year. This year it had been reported that Jackson would miss three games without pay. This year Smith, Norv Turner and the Chargers are prepared to open the playbook without Jackson.

If it all pro tight end Antonio Gates wasn't still a prime target for quarterback Philip Rivers, the inexperience at the receiver position to the naked eye leaves most Chargers fans a little nervous. The Chargers losing the 6-5, 230 pound receiver off the starting line forces the rest of the roster to fill the void. Taking a quick look at the Charger's receiver depth chart... they have it covered.

The Chargers have already secured the services of Malcom Floyd coming into his fifth season. Floyd also stands at 6-5 but weighs in just shy of Jackson at 225 pounds. His 45 receptions for 776 yards and a touchdown show he has the potential to absorb Jackson's load at the number one spot with ease. At 6-5 Floyd will continue to tower over the mismatched undersized defensive backs.

Legedu Naanee and Josh Reed will then look to fight for the other starting receiver spot.

Legedu Naanee coming into his fouth season only had 242 yards with two touchdowns last year. What you may not know is that Naanee came from the creative open play offense of Boise State racking 1069 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. If Turner can utilize Naanee's experience as a former quarterback into the fold, defenses will have a nightmare scheming for San Diego. Naanee as a football player gives to the offense a lot more to work with than Jackson could solely as a receiver.

Veteran Josh Reed rounds off the receiving options for Rivers. Reed was acquired as a free agent from the Buffalo Bills. Last year he had 27 catches for 291 yards and one touchdown.

With Jackson not even in the picture until well into the season, Turner and Rivers have full faith in their remaining receiving corps to step up when needed. Having to cover Gates, Floyd and Reed, account for running backs Darren Sproles or Ryan Mathews and cover two potentially players who can throw the ball in Rivers and Naanee leaves one tough offensive machine to stop.

Last year, Jackson's off the field actions sealed what was probably his last year towing the receiving line for San Diego.

"It’s unfortunate, but we’ll deal with it and move on,”  Smith said in response to Jackson's off the field actions.

Smith made no attempts to go after any other receivers other than Reed.

Look to Legedu Naanee to be the sleeper receiver of the season, similar to Josh Cribbs if Turner uses him right.