San Diego Chargers select Vaughn Martin, DT, Western Ontario

by John Gennaro on Apr 26, 2009 11:25 AM PDT in NFL Draft

The San Diego Chargers selected Defensive Tackle Vaughn Martin from Western Ontario (Canada) with the 113th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. He will most likely be utilized as a replacement for Igor Olshansky in the upcoming season.

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I like this pick a lot

I think he will work himself into the rotation this year and be our eventual Jamal replacement, when the big fella hangs them up.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 26, 2009 1:03 PM PDT reply actions

Might be too early to crown him Igor's replacement

Transitioning from Canadian rules college football to the NFL could take some time

"I bleed powder blue." - Antonio Gates

by matthewverygood on Apr 26, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions

agreed

I think there is a chance he can work into the rotation by mid season or so.

Which brings up a problem, we still have a depth problem on the DL, especially at the start of the season. For backups, we’ve got whoever doesn’t start between Ceasar and Bingham, Ian Scott (behind Jamal, who didn’t get a lot of time last year), and Keith Grennan (who I don’t remember ever seeing play so he makes me nervous). I’m a little worried here and I don’t think we can count on finding anyone in the draft at this point who can help us…

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 26, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Typically

We haven’t had to go more than 5 or 6 deep at DL during the season. I don’t think anyone got much playing time beyond Castillo, Igor, Williams, Cesaire, and Bingham last year. My understanding is that the team sees Bingham getting the starting nod (I would have thought Cesaire, but I think they want him as the backup for both spots or something) and then I assume this guy moves into the Bingham role. Anything after that is just there for injuries and may not make the final roster.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Apr 26, 2009 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions

that is my point

if we have 5 players for the 3 spots and one of them is Martin, then we have a depth problem if Martin isn’t ready to go week 1. If we go 6 players and Martin (the 6th) is inactive until he is ready, then we’ve got a question as to how good the the 5th guy (Scott or Grennan) is.

It all depends on how quickly Martin comes along. I don’t watch a lot of CFL, but I read the DL lines up 1 yard off the ball,so there may be a significant learning curve.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Apr 27, 2009 5:37 AM PDT up reply actions

If memory serves me correctly

These new guys couldn’t get their name called any less than Igor who must have had 6 games without a stat or a mention. I always wondered why superhuman strength wasn’t groomed for NT since holding his position seemed all he was good at.

At least Al Davis isn't running my team's drafts.

by bringbackbuddytrees on Apr 26, 2009 5:41 PM PDT reply actions

I may be biased because I cover the game up here, but I think more NFL clubs should look to kids in Canada to fill roles like this. CIS football’s getting better all the time, especially in Quebec, and there’s a lot of raw talent there.

I bet Martin could surprise. He’s a big, strong guy.

by James Mirtle on Apr 26, 2009 10:45 PM PDT reply actions