Keeping a Watchful Eye on the Rookies - Updated

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 21, 2009 7:00 AM PDT Comment 18 comments

Charly Martin - half Wes Walker, half Devin Hester, half Steve Smith Credit: Mike Nowak/San Diego Chargers via www.chargers.com

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So we've got another two weeks of camp and one preseason game under our belt. A lot of guys who we hadn't heard anything about about are now mini-celebrities here on BFTB (I'm looking at you Charly Martin). So, let's take another look at the rooks and see how they are doing and what their chances are.

see here for the initial installment.

I've included names, positions, and number, so when you're watching this Saturday, you can see how they're doing...

Name	#	Round	Notes
Larry English - OLB	52	1	Has been injured for two weeks. Didn't play in last week's game and probably won't play against the Cardinals. I still think he can contribute week 1 if he can get a preseason game or two under his belt. I think his responsibilities are going to be limited when he is in the game, especially early this year, so it won't take him a lot to figure things out.
Louis Vasquez - G	65	3	Still the future at RG for the Chargers. Just started practicing again early this week after missing a week and a half or so. From what I saw of the Seahawk game, Kynan Forney did not ink his name onto the #1 spot on the depth chart. If Forney had been more convincing, I would not have any hope of Vasquez starting week 1, but I think he left the door cracked. If Forney still looks rusty this week and Vasquez looks good, I could see Vasquez get a start in a preseason game to see how he reacts to being in there with the #1s.
Vaughn Martin- DT	92	4	Still has a lot to learn. I love that he is getting lots of time in practice and the games. With Ryon Bingham out until the regular season (at least) and Jacques Cesaire a little nicked up, Martin should continue to get lots of time. The more time he gets, the more likely he is to make some serious contributions this year.
Tyronne Green - G/C	69	4	He lives! And he played with the #2s in the Seahawks game. Looked pretty good as well. I still think he might be on the bubble due to numbers more than anything.
Gartrell Johnson - RB	33	5	We were all hopefull Gartrell would be our short yardage back. He didn't have a great game against the Seahawks, so we may have been a bit premature. Let's see how he does against the Cardinals. Barring a complete meltdown, he still makes the team, but might be inactive week to week.
Brandon Hughes - CB	36	5	Brandon played a lot against the Seahawks in the second half and struggled. He was injured on and off during camp so we'll chalk it up to that and see how he does against the Cardinals. He is still on the bubble and probably needs to beat out Cletis Gordon to make the team.
Kevin Ellison - SS	25	6	Had a decent game against the 'hawks and had a big hit, which is what we expected from him. Looks like SS is going to be manned by the Hart-Gregory committee which might actually make it easier for Ellison to make an impact. He is physically suited to take over the run down SS from Hart. Whether he does or not is still a question. I do believe he is still on the bubble and is a little hard to see him making the team unless we keep 5 safeties.
Demetrius Byrd- WR	82	7	Will not be reporting to camp. Is still recovering from his pre-draft car accident.
Darry Beckwith - ILB	46	UDFA	I'm still optimistic about Darry. He missed the first preseason game, but has been practicing this week. He should get some good time in the Cardinals game and we can get a better feel for him. If he can't make an impact during some preseason game, he will probably be headed for the practice squad, unless we keep 5 ILBs which might happen.
Kory Sperry - TE	47	UDFA	Sperry is competing with Kris Wilson for the 3rd and final TE spot. Kris Wilson looked real solid in the Seahawks game so I think Kory is destined for the practice squad.
Dan Gay - OT	71	UDFA	Another UDFA I was hopeful for when the Chargers signed him. Haven't heard a lot about him either way
C.J. Spillman - FS	30	UDFA	Didn't stand out in the Seahawks game. At this point he is a practice squad candidate, no way he makes the 53 man with Hart, Weddle, Ellison, Gregory, and Oliver in front of him.
James Chandler - TE	45	UDFA
Greg Carr- WR	8	UDFA	not hearing alot about him... he did get leveled by Kevin Burnett during practice on KO coverage last week.
Charly Martin- WR	13	UDFA	Hello Mr. Martin... I think we can all agree that Charly is the second coming of Wes Walker.. Or maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves. Charly turned some heads and increased his chances of making the practice squad. Since the Chargers will probably hemorrhage WRs after this season, the practice squad is not a bad place to be for a WR.
James Holt- OLB	53	UDFA
Truman Spencer - P	4	UDFA	had some decent punts, he may find work elsewhere
Rodgeriqus Smith - WR	3	UDFA	I've seen Smith catch a few balls from our main man Chuck Whitehurst in some practice video.
Rashaad Jackson- DT	77	UDFA
Ryan McDonald - C	60	UDFA	Who is this guy? He was running with the #2s at guard during the Seahawk game, and seemed to hold his own. May be a practice squad candidate.
Wopamo Osaisai - CB	38	UDFA	I thought I had read that Osaisai was put on IR... but I can't find it anywhere. Either way, he won't make the team.
Ben Muth - G	72	UDFA
Anthony Felder - OLB	58	UDFA	Originally signed as a UDFA and then released in June. Resigned after Wilhelm was released.
Kestahn Moore - RB	30	UDFA	Signed after Curtis Brinkley was shot. No way he makes this team.

Things are starting to get a little clearer and we are starting to get a feel for some of these guys further down the chart. The guys who don't make the 53 man roster may be added to the practice squad if no other team picks them up, there are 8 players on the practice squad. I think a max of 2 of the UDFAs will make the 53 man roster, more preseason games will flesh this out further.

There are two cutdown dates set by the NFL, Sept 1 - 75 players and Sept 5 - 53 players. Cuts may start before those dates, but I haven't heard of any yet.

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Comments

A max of two which two?

Of the UDFAs it looks like Beckwith is the only guy with a serious shot. And they would have to keep 5 at ILB.

Charley Martin had a good game. And you’re right that it is way too soon to to crown him a the new utility receiver. But if he can produce as well as last week over the next three games, he might have a chance at the final squad.

Are those the two you were considering?

by Trendsearcher on Aug 21, 2009 8:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Beckwith and Martin are both practice squad guys.

And then we’d have to be lucky for some other team not to snatch them. There are plenty of bad teams who need WRs and LBs who’d probably be willing to give them a shot on their 53-man.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by maestro876 on Aug 21, 2009 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Vasquez

starting the game tomorrow.

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

by John (obviousman) on Aug 21, 2009 9:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Osaisai and Muth

I’m pretty sure both guys were put on IR, but maybe I misread. I can find a report that says Osaisai was waived/injured (whatever that means), but nothing on Muth.

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

by John (obviousman) on Aug 21, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My faith in Gartrell

is merited and I don’t think he’ll be inactive at all in 2009. In fact, I think Bennett would be inactive before him.

Why? Because I believe AJ Smith sees Gartrell as the RB of the future for the Chargers. Think about how close AJ came to cutting LT in the offseason, along with all of the RBs he flirted with prior to the draft. I think Smith is worried that after this season LT may be a problem, either from a physical or financial standpoint. He’s not one to sit around and wait for that to happen before finding someone who can fill the spot.

I still think Gartrell gets a good amount of work in 2009 and becomes the Chargers starting RB by 2011. (I know, I know….here come the replies….)

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

by John (obviousman) on Aug 21, 2009 9:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They wouldn't split carries with Michael Turner or Darren Sproles.

I strongly doubt they’ll split carries with Gartrell Johnson.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by maestro876 on Aug 21, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The difference is that LT isn’t the player in 2009 that he was in 2007 or 2006. He took a paycut and it’s impossible to deny that his body is breaking down. Whereas before it was always “We don’t want to take carries away from LT”, I think the philosophy is turning into “We want to take carries away from LT so he’s healthy and fresh for the playoffs.”

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

by John (obviousman) on Aug 21, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Turner doesn't seem to think so.

Recall him saying they want to give LT 300-350 carries.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by maestro876 on Aug 21, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saying it and doing it are two completely different things. If he came out and said “We’re going to be taking some carries away from LT this year” the fans, not to mention LT, would flip out. If Gartrell gets some carries and shows himself to be effective (ala Chris Johnson in 2008), then Norv can play the “We have to get this kid more opportunities” card.

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

by John (obviousman) on Aug 21, 2009 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess that's true.

And we’ll have to see. I’d love it if Johnson would distinguish himself in the pre-season enough to get playing time.

I just think it’s way, way too premature to declare him the back of the future for the Chargers. And just looking at him and his running style, he doesn’t strike me as an every-down back sort of guy. I could be wrong, though.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by maestro876 on Aug 21, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK

Declaring him as the future Chargers back was my opinion, but I should’ve kept it to myself. However, I do think he was drafted by the team to eventually be the starter. I don’t think he was drafted to be a backup.

Although he’s shorter, Gartrell’s running style reminds me of Brandon Jacobs and/or Lendale White. Mix him with a speed guy (Sproles?) and that’s a great 1-2 punch for the future.

I agree though. I’m watching these preseason games intently, hoping that Gartrell stands out with his play.

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

by John (obviousman) on Aug 22, 2009 6:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's totally fine if you want to voice your opinion about Gartrell, that's what teh interwebs is for.

The rest of us will just argue with you about it :-)

Greg Maddux for manager.

by maestro876 on Aug 22, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i really hope

Gartrell can step up,

im watching Javon Ringer of the Titans and knowing we could have drafted him, but the chargers opted for Johnson.

Lets hope he can step it up.

by cameronm on Aug 22, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

3 starters by Week 1 2010

Vasquez, V. Martin, Ellison. The first two will be regular starters by end of year. That’s my prediction.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 21, 2009 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If Vasquez doesn't begin the year starting

he likely won’t at all except in the case of injury.

On the offensive line, familiarity and unit cohesion are valued above all else. It’s extremely difficult to supplant a starting offensive lineman in the middle of a season. In 2007, Olivea only lost his starting job in the second half of the season when it became clear he wouldn’t/couldn’t play anymore. So unless something like that happens with Forney, Vasquez won’t be starting (assuming he doesn’t win the job in camp).

Greg Maddux for manager.

by maestro876 on Aug 21, 2009 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Something is already happening to Forney

I agree with cohesiveness being valued in the OL, but I still think that Vasquez is going to unseat Forney. Depending on the neck injury, it could be sooner rather than later.

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

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Aug 22, 2009 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

charly martin

I hope, if he continues to play well, that they find room on the roster for him. I would hate to see him go to another team. But then again, whose spot would he take away? I hope vasquez does well against the cards. I read forney is having problems with his neck.

by irishlad on Aug 21, 2009 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs