Midseason Adjustments

by Brian (DaBolts) on Oct 31, 2008 7:32 AM PDT

Since we are on the bye, I thought it would be fun to look at who we would like to see have more time on the field. My picks are below, but add who you would like to see more of in the second half of 2008 in the comments.

Paul Oliver
Oliver was an academic dismissal that we took in the 2007 supplemental draft; which cost the Bolts a fourth round choice in the 2008 draft. Though he bombed out academically he scored well on his Wonderlic test so the problem doesn't seem to have been brains but motivation. Oliver did not see the field much in 2007, he was originally drafted with the thought that he would be a corner, but has been a little too slow for that position. After a year and a half, with Hart struggling in coverage it seems like time to see if this was a wise choice. Given he came as a corner, he ought to have better coverage skills against tight ends.

Anthony Waters
Waters was picked up in the third round as a project. He needed knee surgery, but the Chargers thought they might be getting a real bargain if he recovered and played up to the potential prior to his injury. He looked primed to go in the preseason and there was a lot of hype, but he also had some minor clean up surgery on his knee and didn't live up to expectations. He has seen the field some this year at outside linebacker, but with Wilhelm struggling as much he is it seems to me we should try getting him some more downs at the inside and see what he can do.

Legedu Naanee
Originally when drafted they thought about playing Naanee at tight end and halfback, but finally have put him at wide receiver. He had a key catch in the playoffs against the Colts and seems to have a lot of athletic talent. With VJ, Chambers and Floyd all playing well it is hard to break in, but either Chambers or VJ is likely not long for the Chargers, I think they should be getting him more time this year to prepare for the future.

Jacob Hester
We gave up a second rounder (which may end up being worth more than we thought the way this season is playing out) for this kid. Sproles has the ankle sprain, LT has the toe thing; he fumbled his second try out but shouldn't he be getting at least a few touches per game?

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I would like to see

Shawne Merriman more on the field.

Ron Rivera. Change we can believe in. YES WE CAN!

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 30, 2008 1:44 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Hester

the guy is straight out of the Mike Alstott mold. and i think the Chargers planned to use him that same way and the way we used Turner last year. he comes in when we’re winning in the 4th quarter to pound the defense and give LT a little rest. i think the only game where we could’ve seen him more on the field in the New England game.

we will see more of him if we start winning. if we don’t and Tomlinson is actually healthy, don’t plan on seeing a lot of Hester.

by John Gennaro on Oct 31, 2008 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

I, too would like to see more of Hester

No doubt, we need to estalish more of a running game (especially if we make the playoffs and have to face the formidable Titan’s D) and I would love to see LT back at 100%. But aren’t there enough carries currrently to give Hester a couple each game? I want to see what he can do…

by The Kipper on Nov 3, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions

Naanee

is a terrible route runner. i would LOVE to see him get more time on the field because he’s as big as Gates and maybe faster, but he just doesn’t get the separation that Gates, Jackson and now Floyd get. if he can hit his cuts a little quicker, he has unbelievable potential (especially at WR, where no corner can match him in size or strength) but they’re not going to start him now and severely hinder the passing game when he’s so young.

i look for him to be a very big part of our offense next year. this year i’m hoping he’s following Osgood’s lead on special teams and Gates/Jackson’s lead at playing his position.

by John Gennaro on Oct 31, 2008 12:00 PM PDT reply actions

I think he might be great too

I think they may have made a bit of a mistake by having him try to learn so many positions. They had him learning tight end, halfback and WR. He seems to have lots of skills; I just hope he puts them together as a Charger.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Chris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Oct 31, 2008 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Waters or Siler

is my pick. Wilhelm is awful.

and Hart didn’t have these problems last year. i’d give Oliver a couple plays and see how he reacts to what they throw at him, but it’s too early to simply bench Hart.

by John Gennaro on Oct 31, 2008 12:04 PM PDT reply actions