San Diego Chargers by Position: Defensive Line

by John Gennaro on Aug 20, 2009 6:24 AM PDT in San Diego Chargers Training Camp/Preseason Comment 11 comments

This is one of the more interesting groups to predict because of Ryon Bingham. We'll get to him in a little bit though. First, a look back.

The Chargers started the 2008 season with 6 defensive linemen on their roster. They ended the season with 8. Does that mean they think they can start with 6 and add on later, when the injuries start to pile up, or does that mean the Chargers now realize they need to start the season with 8 defensive linemen?

I don't think the reasoning matters, because I think they're going to start with 8 defensive linemen on the roster. Each of the 3 D-line spots (2 DEs, 1 NT) needs at least 1 backup in case of injury. I don't know that the team is ready for Vaughn Martin to be starting games if an injury occurs, and according to the team they're ready to keep Bingham on the team even though he'll be injured from now until cut-downs.

Right now, there are 10 defensive linemen on the Chargers roster. They are:

Here are the "guaranteed to make it" guys:

Williams
Castillo
Cesaire
Martin

Martin may be a controversial name to have on that list, but there's not a chance in hell that he gets cut this season. He has been growing and getting better through training camp and the team is excited to see what heights he can reach. Best case scenario is that Vaughn is a starter in 2010. So we have about 4 spots left and 6 guys.

Coleman
Bingham
Scott

These are the backups according to the Chargers current depth chart. Scott is the backup NT, Bingham and Coleman are backup DEs. Bingham, who is out until "sometime in September" with a torn tricep, is the trickiest piece to this puzzle. The team wants to keep him, but he'll start off the year by taking a spot away from a healthy player. If his recovery goes slower than expected, the team could put him on the PUP list, but that would ensure that he would not be able to return until Week 7 at the earliest.

I don't think the team will change their mind and cut Bingham. He's been solid as a backup and is the backup plan in case Cesaire doesn't get healthy or doesn't play well as a starter. If Bingham had stayed healthy and Martin played incredible well through the rest of the preseason, I'd say there was a chance that Scott could get cut (with Ryon taking over as backup NT), but now I don't think so. These 7 spots would be enough if I thought the team trusted Martin to play extensively in the regular season this year, but I don't.

The fight for the 8th spot is between Jackson, Nwagbuo and Grennan. I think the next 2 preseason games will help to determine the winner of that spot. The second best among the bunch may end up on the practice squad. Now we all have a reason to watch the second half of Saturday's game.

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Practice Squad also can hide some players

Jackson, Nwagbuo, Coleman, and Grennan can all be put on the practice squad. While they can’t serve as an active backup during a game, they can be activated for the next week. Whether these guys would make it to the practice squad with all the new teams running 3-4 is a potential problem, but we do have some flexibility.

I think we only keep 6 or 7 on the 53 man. We are only going to have 5 active week to week, with Martin probably inactive until he gets it together enough. I think we keep 7 if we can’t play Bingham, but want to keep him on the 53 man.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 20, 2009 9:02 AM PDT reply actions

Coleman

I think he makes the team. He’s quietly worked his way up the depth chart with a strong training camp. I also don’t think the team will take up half of the slots on the practice squad with D-linemen. However, I’ve been wrong before.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 20, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

clarification – I didn’t mean all 4 would be on the practice squad, just that all 4 were eligible. :-)

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 20, 2009 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions

martin

I hope he develops enough to earn a starting spot before the end of the year. Or at the very least significant playing time.

by irishlad on Aug 20, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions

Nwagbuo & Martin

They both saw tons of playing time and were getting a lot of sideline coaching against Seattle. They looked good to me; I think they both make it.

"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 20, 2009 12:26 PM PDT reply actions

The Bingham situation is reminding me of Eric Parker 2 years ago

Maybe it is a minor tear, but I doubt it. A minor tear is the type of injury these guys play right through (see Ladanian Tomlinson last season).

If this is a major tear, I don’t think Bingham heals a torn triceps in 4 weeks. This could be a wavier wire trick – pull Bingham through and IR him, in order to pick up some other team’s cast off after the final round of cuts.

It seems like D Line is one of our areas where our depth is not so good. So it might make sense for AJ to go shopping.

by Trendsearcher on Aug 20, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions

i disagree

high quality plug and play DLs are closely watched. The other coaches know where they are. They will not be available. Getting a guy with talent and training him to your system, that’s who Cesaire and Bingman and Scott are. They are more valuable then anybody available on the waiver wire.

by not humble enough on Aug 20, 2009 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I have to agree here

The Chargers will be picking up someone who can be a warm body if the go waiver wire trolling. If they do IR Bingham I expect the replacement to be an in house guy they think has potential. My gut says that guy will be Nwagbuo, but remember, that’s only if they IR Bingham.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Aug 20, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh I doubt AJ'll find a starter

But a prospect better than the prospects currently in the Chargers fold? Maybe…..

Like John wrote, the first string and Martin are locks. The rest of the guys aren’t just competeing amongst themselves.

by Trendsearcher on Aug 20, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Anybody know much

about Coleman? It seems like he was on the practice squad last year, but has made the jump to second string in the depth chart. He appears to be nursing an injury too and didn’t play against Seattle. I really don’t remember him from last pre-season. If he doesn’t get on the field I’m thinking he might end up back on the PS and somebody else takes that slot.

"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 22, 2009 7:49 AM PDT reply actions

I saw a lot of him at TC

He’s got tremendous skills but is maybe a little undersized to play DE in the 3-4. More of a DT in a 4-3. Either way, I liked him a lot and I think the team does too. He’s Castillo’s backup and, with Bingham injured, I think he’s a lock to make the 53 man roster.

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

by John Gennaro on Aug 25, 2009 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions