San Diego Chargers by Position: RB

by John Gennaro on Aug 19, 2009 8:48 AM PDT in San Diego Chargers Training Camp/Preseason

Same as I did with the WRs, I'm going to take a look a the Chargers' current crop of RBs and try to figure out who will make the team and who won't. Let's start by looking at how the team managed their crop of HBs and FBs in 2008.

Started the year with LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert.
Claimed Michael Bennett from the Tamp bay Bucaneers during Week 11

It's my opinion that the Chargers started the season a little light at RB, but I think the idea was that Hester was a jack-of-all-trades. Hester would be the third (and goal-line) HB and the backup FB. Hester made it known, through his play, that he wasn't much of a goal-line HB but made a fine FB. When Tolbert was hurt, Hester took his spot. Bennett was signed to keep everyone fresh and add another weapon, but left the team without a power RB.

I think 5 RBs will be kept this year instead of 4. Tomlinson has shown himself to be a little bit more injury-prone than in the past, Sproles risks injury by returning kicks and Hester is not an option as a starting RB should anything happen to LT.

The common perception seems to be Tolbert getting cut and Gartrell Johnson making the team. I can't argue against that. The Chargers could use Brandon Manumaleuna and Kris Wilson as backup FBs. If Hester gets hurt, they move one of those guys to the backfield and sign Kory Sperry or Charles Davis (I suspect at least one of them will be on the practice squad). That's a safer bet than moving Hester to FB last year was.

This would give the team two legitimate starting RBs (LT and Bennett), an incredible weapon in Sproles (who wouldn't be forced to run 25 times a game under any circumstance) and a powerhouse in Johnson (who can run the clock and wear down a defense, or just be a goal-line back). There's two things that AJ Smith seems to love in a roster: depth and versatility. This group of 5 RBs provides both. Here's the RBs that will make the cut:

Tomlinson
Sproles
Bennett
Johnson
Hester

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.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

That sounds about right.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Aug 19, 2009 9:08 AM PDT reply actions

I liked Bennet in the game on Saturday

It’s nice to have that vet back there who knows what to do. He made some good runs and some good blocks. Should be solid in blitz pickup if he is in the game.

Too bad for Tolbert, a good guy and a good story. Hopefully he will catch on somewhere else.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 19, 2009 9:23 AM PDT reply actions

I suspect that this will be the case

It is a bummer for Tolbert in this scenario. He’s a good player who I think was not given enough credit. Everyone said that he couldn’t black as good as LoNeal. Well, of course not. Tolbert = rookie from a tiny school. LoNeal = beast.
I sure liked him and hope that he ends up having a good career, I agree however, that it probably wont be here in SD this year

If I agreed with you, we would both be wrong

by Diesel85 on Aug 19, 2009 9:43 AM PDT reply actions