So do the Chargers go into rebuild mode?

by pharoah on Jan 20, 2010 3:52 PM PST Comment 17 comments

Not quite sure who the free agents are. I know that Merriman is one but I have to do more research obviously. But say Merriman, Phillips and Jamal Williams are not here next year. Also throw in LT's age/money situation and whether or not Sproles stays, do the chargers have to start from scratch.

I know drafting a great player like LT happens every once in a while, but AJ's gonna have to spend money. I wanna know what everyone thinks. Should the Chargers go into rebuild mode with hopeful draft gems?

It was hard seeing the raiders win the division in the early 2000s, but if that has to happen again, so be it.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

0 recs | Comment 17 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

After the Pitt game I might've agreed with you

but at this point in time I think you’re crazy for even posing such a question. Phillips will be here next year barring a trade. Williams missed this year and they still went 13-3. LT isn’t even an average RB anymore. This is a roster that needs to a few changes here and there not a complete overhaul. I’d be happy next year with the same players the Chargers currently have at ILB, OLB, OL, WR, TE, FB, CB, S, K, P, LS, and QB. That isn’t to say I wouldn’t mind some depth added or an upgrade at any of those positions but for me DL and RB are where the glaring needs are. Add some talent to those two positions and It makes the whole team instantly better. A Talented DL makes the whole D better and a talented running back makes the O better and keeps the D off the field. This is all assuming no new CBA of course.

by Natrone Bomb on Jan 20, 2010 4:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

No

No, they should not.

by aesimpleton on Jan 20, 2010 4:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

"AJ's gonna have to spend money"

You’re going to have to give me a better reason for that. Do the Patriots, Steelers and Colts spend a lot of money on free agents? Aren’t these the teams we’re chasing?

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

by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2010 5:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Do the Colts even have any former FAs

that they didn’t pick up off the scrap heap?

I'm the first person to admit that I'm wrong about a lot of things, but I'm going to be the last person to admit I'm wrong about what we're currently talking about.

by Wonko on Jan 20, 2010 6:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i'm with norv

this is a team that’s going up, not down, so i disagree with your final sentiment. i’m also in agreement with the AFC blog at ESPN. it’s about tweaks this off-season, and keeping the guys who are going into free agency (or restricted free agency, or whatever it will be). no massive overhaul needed.

by The Train on Jan 20, 2010 5:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

no rebulid

trust me mhr ap and sbp might not like this but the div is yours for a years to come

okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule reseident broncos fan for ap lol denver will rise again

by j-man on Jan 20, 2010 7:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It amazes me...

that you REALLY and I mean REALLY jock the Chargers…the division seems like it’s ours,but to hear it from a dude who claims to be a “bronco fan”,is awesome…you rock j-man tha Charger lover..I mean ~~bronco lover~~…lol

by Gorditoe1 on Jan 23, 2010 12:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If by "rebuild" you mean "have a quiet offseason and a nice draft" I'm with you.

But 13-3 suggests some existing assets, no?

Dire needs: nose tackle (ouch), running back.
Competition/upgrades: cornerback, right tackle, strong safety, return specialist.
Looking ahead: wide receiver, inside linebacker, maybe tight end.

“Rebuilding” wouldn’t change the fact that quality NTs can only be had through the draft and are never reliable picks. Nothing else is so important/scarce that it merits even the faintest whiff of desperation. Get a new halfback. If you can’t find a good rookie, sign a bunch of castoffs and pick through them in training camp like the Broncos did last year (ok, they did both). No other major priorities: an RT would be nice, I guess, but that’s one 2nd-3rd round draft pick.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 20, 2010 10:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with this assessment

I agree with this assessment, Neo has the order I would look at…

Lack of power on the line is what killed us
Tackles: nose or offense, need a young Jamal or Runyan
DE: one that can stand his ground or get after QB

RB: I like Sproles, but not for what he wants, LT is serviceable..his contract just needs to reflect it…need a power/speed guy someone who can get off tackle or make up for the tackle

Corner: I wasn’t a Deon fan..always more of Ronnie Lott or Woodson, tackling is a big part of game…but I wouldn’t say corners was our problem this year

Mostly Chargers don’t need a rebuild, but their mental composition needs to get there

by bo_shilo on Jan 22, 2010 2:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I mostly agree with this.

I actually think we’re set-and-then-some at DE… but it will never be apparent until we have a bona fide 3-4 NT. Ian Scott is a better-than-nothing substitute, but he’s too small (humongous though he is). If Mr. J.W. has a year left, that’s great, but DLs generally take a year to season, so now would still be the time. Both backup TEs are UFAs: I’m guessing that they think Manumaleuna is on his way downhill, and they’ll see if they can grab a rook before figuring out what to do with Wilson.

Otherwise, I’m totally with you.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 22, 2010 3:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

RFAs, offense
Marcus McNeill
Vincent Jackson
Malcom Floyd
Darren Sproles
Jeromey Clary
Eric Ghiaciuc
Charlie Whitehurst

UFAs, offense
Brandon Manumaleuna
Kassim Osgood
Kris Wilson
Dennis Norman

RFAs, defense
Shawne Merriman
Travis Johnson
Tim Dobbins
Antonio Garay
Marques Harris

UFAs, defense
Alphonso Boone
Ian Scott

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 21, 2010 7:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Non-tendered: Ghiaciuc, Harris, Garay
Allowed to walk: Osgood, Norman, Scott

We’ll see about the rest.

Banned from Arrowhead Pride... and Music City Miracles certainly don't like me very much, either.

"Ah act the way ah feel." --Elvis Presley

by StrangeBroP25 on Jan 22, 2010 7:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you sure they'd allow Ian Scott to walk?

I’d consider him over Ryon Bingham if we can’t find a NT in the draft (or even if we can; we need to carry an extra DL if we’re relying on Mr. JW).

Manumaleuna might be another casualty: he isn’t what he used to be, and the team has two fullbacks and two TEs without him.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 23, 2010 8:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If caught between a rock and a hard place

I think the Chargers would draft a cheaper, stopgap NT rather than pay veteran cash for a stopgap NT. Right now, a decent backup-caliber fat boy to look for in the late rounds of the draft is Jonas Murrell of FIU. I’m sure there are others.

Banned from Arrowhead Pride... and Music City Miracles certainly don't like me very much, either.

"Ah act the way ah feel." --Elvis Presley

by StrangeBroP25 on Jan 23, 2010 10:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And I would be right. There are projects and prospects in the late rounds and/or projected to go UDFA:

• Linval Joseph of East Carolina
• Cam Thomas of North Carolina
• Vince Oghobaase of Duke
• Kade Weston of Georgia
• Travis Ivey of Maryland
• Tommie Duhart of Valdosta State
• Kellen Heard of Memphis
• Roger Morris of Tennessee State
• Darryl Jackson of Keane
• Martin Teveasu of UNLV
• Jeff Stehle of Wisconsin…

The list goes on and on. You could probably take any one of these guys, put them through training camp, and they would be at least as good as Scott.

Banned from Arrowhead Pride... and Music City Miracles certainly don't like me very much, either.

"Ah act the way ah feel." --Elvis Presley

by StrangeBroP25 on Jan 23, 2010 10:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

not quite rebuild

I think i retune is in need but not a total rebuild. We obviously need a running game, but if we hold onto V J, osgood, dobbins and ian scott. And maybe trade or draft a stud running back we should be all right. remember this is a pass happy team built around Rivers.

by big staxx on Jan 22, 2010 2:47 PM PST reply actions 0 recs