San Diego Chargers: NFL Off-Season Two-A-Days

This idea idea originated from ESPN's Mike & Mike. Here is my off-season preview for the San Diego Chargers:

5. Where does Philip Rivers rank among NFL QBs these days?

He's up there. Rivers' stats were incredible in 2010 and have been the past couple of years.

He'd be behind Brady and Manning, but I could make the case for him being at number three. Of course, you could also put Brees and Rodgers above him, since they have rings. He is in the 3-5 range.

4. Why do the Chargers stumble out of the gate every season?

While I will expand in the next question, I have to say bad coaching.

Well-coached teams start the season out strong. Just look at the Patriots, Steelers, Colts and others.

3. Who is the bigger question mark in San Diego: Norv Turner or AJ Smith?

Say what you want about him, but AJ Smith is a great talent evaluator. Just look at the Chargers' roster—he has them loaded with talent.

On the flip side, look at Norv Turner. He has all the talent in the world, yet he can't even make the playoffs. He can't motivate a team; that's why the Chargers come out flat so often.

In the past eleven years, Turner's offense has ranked in the top ten once:

2000: 24th
2001: 11th
2002: 15th
2003: 24th
2004: 17th
2005: 21st
2006: 26th
2007: 20th
2008: 11th
2009:10th                                                                                                                                2010: 1st

Granted, the one top 10 finish was this past season, when he finished first.

Sadly, they still missed the playoffs.

 2. What is the Chargers' number one priority in the NFL Draft and/or free agency?

At most positions, the Chargers are stacked.

A right tackle might be the pick, considering Jeremy Clary's underwhelming season in 2010. Another defensive end is also needed, however.

1. Stock: Rising or Falling?

This team has underachieved so much and I believe it's because of Norv Turner.

I'm going to take a similar route that I did with the Raiders and Al Davis: The stock is rising, but the Chargers are only getting so far under Norv Turner.