Chargers by the (Jersey) Numbers: #42

by Andy (allfield) on Nov 23, 2009 10:51 PM PST in San Diego Chargers By The (Jersey) Numbers Comment 3 comments

Until a few weeks ago, 42 was shaping up to be an interesting battle between a couple of longtime veterans. I guess it’s a good thing it took me a while to get to it so one them would implode.

Honorable Mention

Clinton_hart_medium (Happier times)

Clinton Hart, S

I’m not honestly sure how much of a shot Hart had at the Golden Jersey. I suppose if he put in a credible or decent 2009 (or first half of it), he may have had a shot. But because he hit a wall or went over a cliff, however you want to put it, he’s barely an honorable mention blip. But because there were some good times, some key interceptions, and a longevity that allowed Hart to cash a few post-season paychecks, he makes it this far.

The Winner
Mike_fuller_medium (Always chill-laxin')

Mike Fuller, S

Fuller wasn’t what you’d call a "great player." His numbers as a Defensive Back were certainly nothing to shout about. He never had more than 5 interceptions in a season. He was just… one of those kinds of players. Not the biggest, not the fastest, certainly not flashy, but very steady and consistent. Since the Charger defense as a whole back then was lacking in the flash department, Fuller fit in perfectly. And he also fit in as the team’s punt returner. A "catch-it-and-run-straight-ahead" kind of guy, he averaged over 11 yards a punt return, and is actually 15^th on the NFL’s all-time list for Punt Return Yardage.

Fuller was part of that classic ’75 draft, and is the second member of that class (so far) to be awarded the Golden Jersey.

The Rest

Curtis Adams, RB

Rogers Beckett, FS

Ricky Bell, RB

Lane Fenner, WR

Greg Jackson, DB

Pete Johnson, FB

Leonard Russell, RB

Dave Smith, RB

Jessie Taylor, RB

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Good

call…I guess. Don’t recall him but then again I wasn’t born when he was drafted. Good write up.

by GABOLT on Nov 23, 2009 11:48 PM PST reply actions

Sadly I am old enough

Mike was a Gil Bryd type of guy; just consistently good….his punt returns weren’t highlight reel like Billy “White Shoes” Johnson; but in terms of team advantage. Very few fumbles, never was going to lose yards just constantly putting the team in a better spot

So he gets a lot of credit for team advantage over showtime

Pete Johnson was a really nice fullback, but was here briefly…did all his work for Bengals

by bo_shilo on Nov 24, 2009 12:22 PM PST reply actions

Among a pretty weak group of #42's ...

Fuller’s definitely the guy.

He was actually pretty mediocre in the secondary coverage-wise, but could catch when interception opportunities came his way — as evidenced by his being a punt-returner…. Rarely made a mistake as a punt-returner. Very interesting that he’s that high on the all-time punt-return list (for average); I never would have thought that! Maybe helped by being in the same division with Ray Guy, who probably out-kicked his coverage more than most…. But I’ve no stats to back that up….

As is still the case today of course, a safety looks better when the defense is getting pressure on the QB. The Chargers in the second half of the 70’s/first couple years of the 80’s were sometimes really good at that, with Fred Dean, Leroy Jones, and Gary Johnson especially. Louie Kelcher was on that defensive front, too, but he was the least effective pass rusher of the front 4, which isn’t surprising given that he was one of the DTs. Johnson was one of the best pass-rushing DTs ever…. When those guys were on, Fuller really could be the beneficiary; when they weren’t, the Chargers secondary got torched.

by jctess on Nov 25, 2009 3:14 AM PST reply actions