San Diego Chargers by Position: WR

by John Gennaro on Aug 17, 2009 8:21 AM PDT in San Diego Chargers Training Camp/Preseason

As we get closer to "cut time", I'm going to take a closer look at the position groups. I know we've tried predicting the entire 53 man roster, but maybe it would be a little easier if we went this way.

In 2008, the Chargers kept 6 wide receivers on their roster. Some teams might keep seven, but as more of the teams around the league acquire pass-catching TEs that can play in the slot the standard is becoming 6. The Chargers, playing in a system that rarely calls for more than 2 WRs on the field, didn't even bother to sign a WR after Buster Davis was put on IR in 2008. They played the majority of the season, including the playoffs, with only 5 WR.

Here's a look at the WRs on the Chargers roster right now:

Whew. Almost twice as many players than will actually make the roster. This is pretty normal, actually. Teams will bring in guys to take work/hits away from their star receivers and KR/PR guys. This is why Wes Welker and Greg Camarillo came through the Chargers and were cut. They never really had a chance to make the team, just like a lot of guys on this roster.

After the jump, we're going to start cutting guys until we get down to a reasonable number. See who makes the cut.

Demetrius Byrd. Not exactly cut. He'll be on the IR or the PUP list this year and won't take up a roster spot. With a lot of our receivers potentially leaving via free agency after this season, Byrd has a good chance to make the 2010 team. Not bad for a 7th round pick.

Greg Carr. I don't remember seeing him ever. Not against the Seahawks, not in practice, nowhere. This is a guy that I really liked at Florida State too. You can't win a spot if they don't know your name.

Rodgeriqus Smith. Same deal as Carr. I saw Smith a bit in practice, but there wasn't anything especially impressive about him. He's a camp body.

Now we're down to 8. Gary Banks and Charly Martin are the obvious choices, but they're both making names for themselves. They may be difficult to sign to the practice squad because somebody else might grab them. Either way, those are the easiest guys to lose and the least-polished of the 8. So they're the final 2 cuts to get down to 6. Funny enough, it's the exact same 6 guys that started the 2008 season.

Here's your WR group:

Jackson
Chambers
Floyd
Davis
Naanee
Osgood

Do you have any thoughts about Bolts From The Blue? Any tips you want to send our way? Whenever you have something to say, don't hesitate to e-mail me directly.

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Comments

You are exactly right.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Aug 17, 2009 8:37 AM PDT reply actions

Fingers crossed...

that Martin or Banks stays on the practice squad all year. Martin would be a good replacement for Chambers next year…

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 17, 2009 8:43 AM PDT reply actions

Woa woa woa

I hope you mean replacing Chambers roster spot and not as a starting WR.

The strange thing is, I think Martin has less of a chance to make it to the Chargers practice squad because he’ll get picked up by someone who runs a wide-open scheme like the Patriots (Chiefs? Broncos?). I also doubt that the Chargers would take up 2 of the practice squad spots (I believe they only have 8) with WRs when our offense never calls for more than 3 at a time.

If I had to bet, I’d say Banks and Sperry wind up as the 2 “receivers” on the practice squad. Banks brings KR/PR skills, in case Sproles and Buster get hurt, and Sperry can play TE.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 17, 2009 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions

If Chambers goes

I see Floyd as the #2 WR and Naanee as the the #3. Whoever is left can be the #4, but I’d give Martin the edge there assuming he’s not playing for someone else in 2010.

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

by Wonko on Aug 17, 2009 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

No Buster? :-)

If Buster’s gone, I honestly think Byrd would have the inside-track at #4. Assuming he gets back to 100%. He has a better chance of eventually moving up to be a #2 receiver than Martin does.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 17, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess it depends on Kassim

If they don’t have him anymore, that opens up a roster spot that I could see Byrd filling in as a #5 WR. I just think he’ll be too rusty to trust as the #4, which “requires” a certain amount of playing time (Naanee is the current #4 and he definitely gets some catches). I would agree that Byrd has more potential to be a starting WR than Martin. At this point you have to be close to delusional to think a UDFA has #1 or #2 WR potential (not that they don’t, but man are you swimming against the tide on that one). At least with Byrd, it was less than a year ago he was seen as a potential 1st round pick.

So I guess I’m agreeing with you, while also not agreeing with you.

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

by Wonko on Aug 17, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions

You guys are assuming that Jackson will be here after this season

Next years WR corps could be veryy differnt from what we see this season.

by Grey Suit on Aug 17, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think I made this point in another post

With the money that #1 receivers make these days, I think he’s the FA most at-risk to not be with the team in 2010. That’s why I asked Acee if he thought he’d be back.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 17, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions

What about if the team looks at from a cost perspective?

Chambers costs more than the rest of the group combined. Yes I know he ‘s good, but if the team is looking at cost control, do they cut Chamber’s and keep a Banks, or perferably Martin?

We did pretty well without Chambers for a good part of last year, and it isn’t like we are running a significant part of the offence though Chris (ala TO or Randy Moss). On a production basis, he not delivering the same value as the younger players. Does Chambers get cut over his cost?

by Trendsearcher on Aug 17, 2009 10:14 AM PDT reply actions

No

At this point in the season, even if Chris is cut his number still counts against the cap and he’s still owed the majority of his salary. If he’s going to count against the cap and cost a great deal of money anyways, you might as well try to get value out of him.

Chambers will play out the season and will leave via free agency in the offseason….or sign for a significantly lower number.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 17, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions

I was wondering about Chambers as well. And I came to the same conclusion. Not only from a value standpoint, but I think AJ tends to hang on to vets as a bit of a security blanket. If we get a few injuries at WR it will be great to have a guy like Chambers around as opposed to an untested rookie, especially if we are planning on a SB run this year.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 17, 2009 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions

105.3 Rock charger station

malcolm floyd is a worthy starter

by BFTB_zach on Aug 17, 2009 4:05 PM PDT reply actions

call me crazy

But i think Kassim has a good shot at getting the axe after training camp.

A.J. admitted he was trade bait and kassim was critical of the coaching staff. i think they could go youth.

and on an unrelated topic, i think i figured out who the Prima Dona is.

you dont have to admit it, but i think im right this time.
Its Charlie Whitehurst, i have heard he is totally full of himself. and i he is the only person i could really imagine.

by cameronm on Aug 17, 2009 7:33 PM PDT reply actions

First, whether everyone here likes him or not, Kassim is a two-time pro bowler. They’ll let him go in the offseason, but they’ll keep him around this year. Guys like him are needed for big plays in the playoffs.

Second, it’s not Chuck. I stated when I was there that Charlie was friends with everybody, down to the cooks and security guards.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 18, 2009 6:23 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I doubt Kassim is a Charger this time next year

Whether the Turk passes him by next month our not, Kassim is pulling in excess of a million bucks a year(possibly more if things go his way next year with free agency). I can see AJ paying that money for a Long Snapper, but not for a Gunner, even the best Gunner in the league. With the rule change (no more than 2 side by side) things just got easier and harder for guys like Osgood. Easier for them to get down field and make a play. Harder – because now the contact will not be straight ahead wedge busting. Now the blocks are going to come at angles. I think there are going to more injuries to the coverage teams, and Gunners like Kassim will be getting their cleats knocked off. Not saying he will, but his chances for getting injured have gone up. Teams have always treated the special teams cover guys as "almost disposable."

It doesn’t make a lot of sense to do a big contract for a one-dimensional guy, that has a high chance of not surviving the season. Heck they wouldn’t even spring for a DURABLE one-dimensional guy – Lo Neil. I don’t think Kassim is a Charger this time next year. So you have to wonder…would AJ decide to give up that spot to keep the rights to one of the younger WRs?

by Trendsearcher on Aug 18, 2009 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

"Gunner"

usually refers to a position on punt coverage. I was not aware that the wedge is employed on punt coverage plays. I was also not aware that player like Osgood would be concerned with wedge busting. Usually guys like Siler, Polk, and Pinnock have been wedge busters for the Chargers. It seems silly to use the guy that you want to make the tackle or play on the ball as a wedge buster.

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

by Wonko on Aug 18, 2009 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Right the Gunners are the first guys down the feild on kicks

He’s supposed to be the first man down field on either punts or kick-off. The Gunner’s main job is to provide outside containment and force the return back into traffic in the center of the field; secondarily trying to make the play on the Returner.

The guys in the wedge sometimes go up the middle; or sometimes they focus to one side defeating that outside containment. This would give the returner a chance to get to the edge.

Being that first guy down the field puts Kassim right at the point of the spear.

by Trendsearcher on Aug 18, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Two different arguments

You’re making two different arguments.

1) Will Kassim get cut this year? NO (so I disagree with you)
2) WIll Kassim be with the team next year? NO (and I agree with you)

If you look at the interview I did with Osgood, he even said to me (and I’m paraphrasing) that next year he was going to go someplace where he could play WR and get some catches.

So this is KO’s last year with the Chargers, most likely, but that’s no reason to cut the guy.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 19, 2009 7:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed its KO's status is no reason to cut him now

But by giving Osgood a spot this season, the team looses the chance to hang on to a younger player with upside. If one of these guys outside the bubble shows consistency and performs well over the next 2 weeks, does KO get cut?

by Trendsearcher on Aug 19, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions

No

I know you’re looking towards the future, but you can’t ignore the present. You don’t cut a two-time pro bowler because an undrafted free agent looks good against 3rd string defenses. The UDFA’s that look good in the preseason are a dime a dozen, which is why there are 2 or 3 of them in San Diego every season.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 19, 2009 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I was rewatching the Sat game last night

And Kassim is always in the right position on punt coverage. I know it sounds like of lame, but punting and punt coverage won the Colts playoff game for us last year. I don’t think there is anyway Kassim is leaving this year, his ST skills are too valuable.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 19, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Osgoos gets cut next season

I’m thinking D. Boyd will take his place on the roster.

by SJO on Aug 19, 2009 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

D. Byrd

The thing that scares me about Byrd is that supposedly his injuries are not physical, but mental. There’s not a lot you can do to rehab a mental injury.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 19, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions