Should the San Diego Chargers Re-sign Drayton Florence

by Brian (DaBolts) on Feb 28, 2009 1:57 PM PST

With the typical Chargers low drama free agency period, the one story on the horizon is Drayton Florence's wish to come back to San Diego. Apparently he had worked hard at trying to get an extension here before going off to the big payday with the Jaguars. His time with the Jaguars was not a happy one where he failed to get a starting corner position and became an extremely well payed nickle back. That created some tension within the Jaguar locker room and he was cut loose after the seasons end.

Florence via i1.chargers.com

When Drayton Florence left San Diego he also left a mixed legacy. He could make big time hits, but also seemed prone to hot headed mistakes. The most conspicuous was his headbutt that was one small piece in the 2006 playoff loss to the New England Patriots. He also laid a headbutt on Houston Texans quarterback that knocked him out of the game; he was later fined for it. Here was a huge hit against a Lions receiver:

Florence was a capable corner for us and he didn't say a word when he was demoted from corner to nickel. It has to be the hope that Cromartie will return to form; and if he doesn't there is Cason behind them, but Florence would provide an extremely deep secondary. We could also consider using Florence at safety in spots, he certainly can lay a hit on, though he is somewhat light for that role. I wasn't particularly sorry to see him go, but the fact that he worked to stay with the Chargers and wants to come back is a good sign to me. Also he has had is big payday, so the word is that he might be willing to sign a very team-friendly contract.

Poll

Should the Chargers pick up Drayton Florence?

Absolutely!

50 votes

Yes, but only if we can get a bargain.

129 votes

Probably not, but it's not a big deal either way.

25 votes

No, this is a mistake.

24 votes

228 votes | Poll has closed

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Brady Hoke, Al Borges, and Rocky Long. Aztec football is back!

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Feb 28, 2009 2:14 PM PST reply actions

Aren't they considering this because Cason could be moved to Safety?

Cause if Cason could take over that position we’d be set, really.

"If I wasn't Bob Dylan, I'd probably think that Bob Dylan has a lot of answers myself." - Bob Dylan

by JollyWaffle on Feb 28, 2009 4:38 PM PST reply actions

Yeah, Acee said that

in one of his articles or mailbags

by matthewverygood on Feb 28, 2009 5:31 PM PST up reply actions

This makes me think...

that the Oliver pick was a mistake. I believe he equated to a 2nd round pick, but after several years he’s not good enough to be our 3rd corner or one of our starting safeties. I think his maximum potential now is as a backup safety, which definitely is not what you want out of a 2nd round pick.

Here’s the only way I sign Florence….if we’ve met with Cason (or whoever we’re considering moving) and he seems interested/happy with the idea of becoming our FS. Then we make sure Weddle is cool with moving to SS. Then we get Florence for cheap. Like “you’ll never be more than a nickel corner for us” cheap.

I remember him infuriating me. He had plenty of skills but took too many chances. He also liked to play the ball instead of the player but didn’t have very good hands. I can handle him as a nickel corner for cheap though.

by John Gennaro on Mar 1, 2009 5:55 AM PST reply actions

I think Oliver was drafted in teh 4th round of the supplimental draft in 07.

so the pick only cost the chargers their 4th round pick in last years draft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_NFL_Draft#Fourth_round

by Grey Suit on Mar 2, 2009 7:58 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks

That definitely makes it better. I thought he was taken in the 2nd round of the supplemental draft.

by John Gennaro on Mar 2, 2009 11:56 AM PST up reply actions

Coming from a Jags fan living in San Diego

Hey everyone,
I’m a big Jags fan but I live in San Diego now and I’ve definitely become more and more a fan of the Chargers as my 2nd team. Florence was nothing but a disappointment playing fin Jacksonville last year. I had wondered why we signed him for that kind of money in the first place judging by how Charger fans viewed him. Then again we had such an idiot running our front office in Shack Harris, it really shouldn’t have been a surprise.

Sure the guy can lay down a big hit every now and then (he laid down a beautiful one on Dallas Clark last year), but he just gets toasted too often. If you can get him for cheap and make him the 4th CB on the roster, that’d be good depth. I feel like he’d have a hard time accepting that role but he shouldn’t considering his play over the past couple years.

Cromartie should be way better as long as his hip injury heals over the offseason. Him, Jammer, and Cason is pretty great as long as the front 7 can create some type of pass rush.

by jimbrophoto on Mar 2, 2009 3:37 PM PST reply actions

Good Feedback

I wondered about the huge contract when he left too; but he had been reasonably good as a starter. It was too bad he didn’t play better there; but I think you’re right he would be good depth.

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

by Brian (DaBolts) on Mar 2, 2009 7:07 PM PST up reply actions