First San Diego Chargers Depth Chart

by Brian (DaBolts) on Aug 10, 2009 6:33 PM PDT in San Diego Chargers News

Probably like reading goat entrails at this stage of the season, but ...

Interesting Facts-

Dobbins ahead of Burnett at ILB
Tyronne Green listed as Dielman's third string backup behind Brandyn Dombrowski
Vasquez behind Forney at guard (to be expected with Vasquez in a protective boot)
Legedu Naanee right behind VJ, Buster is the third string backup
Andre Coleman second string behind Castillo, reportedly had a good day at fanfest, he has kicked around the Bolts practice squad a few years now; seems light for this position.
Jyles Tucker second string behind S. Philips, ahead of Applewhite
Hart maintains his first starter role, Gregory next, then Ellison
Cletis Gorden wins the second string position over oft injured Brandon Hughes
Oliver backs up Weddle

WR 89 CHRIS CHAMBERS	80 Malcom Floyd	12 Gary Banks
	8 Greg Carr	13 Charly Martin
LT 73 MARCUS McNEILL	70 L.J. Shelton
LG 68 KRIS DIELMAN	62 Brandyn Dombrowski	69 Tyronne Green
C 61 NICK HARDWICK	63 Scott Mruczkowski	60 Ryan McDonald
RG 67 KYNAN FORNEY	65 Louis Vasquez	72 Ben Muth
RT 66 JEROMEY CLARY	75 Corey Clark	71 Dan Gay
TE 85 ANTONIO GATES	86 Brandon Manumaleuna	88 Kris Wilson
47 Kory Sperry 49 Charles Davis
WR 83 VINCENT JACKSON	11 Legedu Naanee	84 Buster Davis
	81 Kassim Osgood	3 Rodgeriqus Smith
QB 17 PHILIP RIVERS	7 Billy Volek	6 Charlie Whitehurst
FB 22 JACOB HESTER	35 Mike Tolbert	34 Billy Latsko
FB 86 BRANDON MANUMALEUNA
RB 21 LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON	43 Darren Sproles	29 Michael Bennett
	33 Gartrell Johnson	30 Kestahn Moore
DEFENSE
DE 74 JACQUES CESAIRE	97 Ryon Bingham	92 Vaughn Martin
	96 Keith Grennan
DT 76 JAMAL WILLIAMS	98 Ian Scott	91 Ogemdi Nwagbuo
	77 Rashaad Jackson
DE 93 LUIS CASTILLO	78 Andre Coleman
OLB 95 SHAUN PHILLIPS	94 Jyles Tucker	90 Antwan Applewhite
	48 Eric Bakhtiari	53 James Holt
ILB 54 STEPHEN COOPER	59 Brandon Siler	46 Darry Beckwith
ILB 51 TIM DOBBINS	99 Kevin Burnett	58 Anthony Felder
OLB 56 SHAWNE MERRIMAN	52 Larry English
LCB 23 QUENTIN JAMMER	24 Cletis Gordon	36 Brandon Hughes
		26 Simeon Castille
RCB 31 ANTONIO CROMARTIE	20 Antoine Cason	37 Antonio Smith
SS 42 CLINTON HART	28 Steve Gregory	25 Kevin Ellison
FS 32 ERIC WEDDLE	27 Paul Oliver	41 C.J. Spillman

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Comments

I see....

Malcom Floyd before Davis…. But who knows what this mught bring Davis… He did look pretty good last season during the Jets game… But I just hope to see him more on the field than off..

***MZ LANZ***

by ChargersWitch on Aug 10, 2009 8:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Until he can stay healthy

He’s behind Floyd.

I look for Gary Banks to make a move in pre-season.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Aug 11, 2009 12:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah...

Until he can stay healthy…. I agree on Banks to, he looks awesome @practice… He really stands out. Great hands and speed.

***MZ LANZ***

by ChargersWitch on Aug 11, 2009 5:15 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Punt Returner

Loved him returning punts. He’s very quick around the edge. I don’t know if he makes the team without Buster getting cut though.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Aug 11, 2009 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions

the WR position is pretty stacked

As much as some of these UDFA and practice squad guys look good, I’m not sure any of them make the 53 man roster without an injury or a meltdown by someone (Buster)

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 11, 2009 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions

The only ones the surprised me

-Bennett ahead of Gartrell
-Ian Scott at the backup DT
-Green (a center) and Dombrowski (a tackle) both listed at Guard

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Aug 11, 2009 2:38 AM PDT reply actions

You and Gartrell

Get a room.

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

by Wonko on Aug 11, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Kassim Osgood

too bad kassim osgood isn’t one of norv turners favorites

by BFTB_zach on Aug 11, 2009 7:04 AM PDT reply actions

is this your cut?

or did you get it from somewhere “official”

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 11, 2009 8:10 AM PDT reply actions

Somewhere "official"

It’s from the Chargers Preseason Week 1 Press Release.

Four other interesting notes:

-Jacob Hester is the backup KR
-Buster Davis is the backup PR (not Cromartie)
-Brandon Siler is the backup LS
-Wopamo Osaisai has been placed on injured reserve

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Aug 11, 2009 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Cooper sat out practice yesterday and Dobbins took reps at that spot. I’m not sure if this was just to ensure Dobbins is familiar with the position, or if Siler is not really the backup… Siler is such a special teams stud and short yardage stud, I can’t see them letting him go, but not have a “normal” position might put him in some jeopardy

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 11, 2009 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm going to make the assumption

That the LB depth chart is pretty irrelevant. They are all going to have their roles and their specific blitz plays that they will belong to. Basically you just need to know that Cooper, Merriman and Phillips with get the most snaps out there with Burnett, English and Dobbins filling in for certain packages. It’s hard to express that on a depth chart though.

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

by Wonko on Aug 11, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

True

But it’s interesting that Burnett has not done well enough to get listed at starter; there was speculation he might be ‘the guy’ next to Cooper for most downs.

"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 Aug 11, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

I wouldn’t put much stock into it though. There may be some weird thing we’re missing. Like they want to test his leadership on the field with the second team during the first preseason game. Or they are trying to push him to earn the job instead of being given it. I do get the sense that the Chargers see the potential in the guy, but they also know that he’s been a bit of an underachiever and have to develop him.

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

by Wonko on Aug 11, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Everything that I read

suggests that Burnett has been a real standout in practices.

I still think he’s going to be “the guy” next to Cooper on most plays. I still don’t think they paid him all that guaranteed money to be a 3rd down specialist. I mean, how often does AJ actually sign an honest-to-goodness unrestricted free agent?

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Aug 11, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Then maybe

Even though he’s been a real standout they are still trying to push him. I don’t see why being a standout would keep the Chargers from doing either of the things I mentioned.

I will quibble a little more and say that the amount of money they are paying Burnett is not going to be a factor in whether or not Norv starts the guy. So the argument that they paid the guy so he must start doesn’t hold a lot of water with me. A.J. may have seen a starting caliber player when he signed him, but the coaching staff gets to make the decision as to whether he is best player at his position on the roster.

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

by Wonko on Aug 11, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I just mis-read what you wrote.

When you said that “he’s been a bit of an underachiever” I thought you mean, under-achieve in TC so far this year. I was just pointing out that everything I had read indicated he was having a good camp.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Aug 11, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't get the Hester as backup KR thing

I understand wanting to keep Cromartie out of the mix due to his injury history and importance to the defense, but I would think Cletis Gordon is a better KR than Hester. Maybe it’s a sign that Cletis’ days are numbered or maybe they are concerned about his health too. I guess with the new KC and Den “spread” offenses the 4th CB will be more important than ever, but it still doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

I’d also point out that this shows that there doesn’t seem to be much depth at the return positions if Sproles were to get hurt or if he becomes a free agent and signs elsewhere next year. Seems like the team should have brought in a UDFA will some return skills (or did they). I guess we’ll find out what’s up when they do some returns during the second half of the preseason games.

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

by Wonko on Aug 11, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Tucker and Buster better start looking over their shoulder

"Coach wants to see you… Bring your play book"

Buster’s hamstring has just about hamstrung him. I’d be surprised if either guy makes it past the first cut down.

by Trendsearcher on Aug 12, 2009 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

Davis

I don’t think Buster is in as much trouble as everybody thinks. Look what he’s owed for the rest of his contract:

2009: $510,000, 2010: $675,000, 2011: $840,000

Now add in the fact that he’s only 23 years old(!). Let’s compare that to our other WRs

Jackson – 26
Naanee – 25
Floyd – 27
Chambers – 30

All of these guys didn’t really “break out” until they were 25. Chambers had a good rookie season but only started 7 games. His second year he only had 3 TDs. His best years were 25-27.

Even if Davis doesn’t show much in training camp, he’s cheap and has a ton of potential. Just think of him as a 2009 draft pick, a 3rd rounder. That’s basically what we’re paying him like (he got most of his money in his signing bonus), what we’re expecting of him and it fits his age. He’s going to be given every chance in the world to succeed.

Can you imagine if they cut him, with as cheap as he is, and he grew into his body and potential at 25? The Chargers would look ridiculous. I doubt they cut him at all, and will eat my hat if he’s part of first cuts.

Same thing with Tucker. Here’s his money: 2009: $460,000, 2010: $570,000, 2011: $1 million, 2012: $1.225 million

And he’s only 25. English, as much as the team likes him, is a question mark because he’s switching positions and coming from a small school. Also, depth is a question at OLB in the future because of Merriman’s contract situation. With as cheap as he is in 2009, I think he makes the team. His camp hasn’t been horrible, he’s just been overshadowed by Applewhite.

If Tucker gets cut, it’ll be as part of final cuts and he’ll get picked up by another team within 2 days. Guaranteed. But I don’t think he’s getting cut. What if Merriman’s knee doesn’t last past week 1? Then we have no depth at OLB at all.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Aug 12, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

good points

I think the depth issue at OLB is the main reason Tucker will stick around. We are going to run a lot of 3 OLB sets on passing downs, if you get rid of Tucker, you only have Merriman, Phillips, English, and Applewhite.

This is our year to make a run at the SB, it is ridiculous to think about cutting a proven veteran backup like Tucker and risk the season on the backs of rookies and practice squad guys.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 12, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Those "best years" you list for Chambers

were all below average performances for a WR. His best years were 2001 (by far) and 2003. The rest were all crap.

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

by Wonko on Aug 13, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

If he’s too soft for this level of competition what does the price matter?

The guy spends too much time on IR & PUP! Yes he isn’t costing much, but its not a question of Buster moving from #2 to #1 on the depth chart. Buster is sitting at home on his lazy… boy! He taking up a spot and not contributing.

These guys get paid that jack, because somehow they manage to absorb so much damage and continue performing. In some respects this is durability is one of their superior abilities. I think the stuff they endure would kill a normal person. Up until now Buster appears to be a normal person when it comes to durability. How long does the team wait on a guy before they declare him "soft"?

by Trendsearcher on Aug 13, 2009 1:22 PM PDT reply actions

Receiver? 3-4 years.

Buster has to find a way to get 30 catches and a solid YPC this year. It has to be a clear improvement from his rookie season. There’s no way he gets cut this season unless he gets in serious legal trouble, though maybe he could be cut in the offseason if he gets hurt or underperforms. Chambers and Osgood are FAs next year: at minimum half the team’s WR squad will be gone in 2 years or less.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 13, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs