2010 San Diego Chargers WRs: Who? What? Why?

by John Gennaro on Nov 19, 2010 9:59 AM PST in Who Powered Through

Let me start by griping for a second. The term "starter" in the NFL is a silly one. You know how you earn a start in the NFL? You are on the first offensive or defensive play for your team in the game. Seriously, that's all it takes, which is why (if you look at the Chargers team stats) it appears as though the team's offense is run using 2 TEs (17 starts in 9 games) as well as 1 WR (14 starts in 9 games) in most games.

If we're trusting the Chargers stats, and we're not but we just need a starting point (no pun intended), here are how many starts the Chargers WRs have this season:

Malcom Floyd - 6
Legedu Naanee - 5
Patrick Crayton - 1 (See? Meaningless stat.)
Buster Davis - No idea, not listed anymore.
Gary Banks - 2
Seyi Ajirotutu - 0

Let's start over. Let's start with the assumption that there are two WR started for the Chargers in each game, right? Let'a also assume, at lease to this point, that any game Naanee and Floyd played in they were starters. Then we'll dig through the stats, see who was getting the most balls thrown their way, and go from there. It's time to rebuild this list more accurately...

Floyd - 6
Naanee - 5
Crayton - 4
Ajirotutu - 2
Davis - 1

So there you have it, my unofficial-and-probably-wrong list of Chargers WRs by the number of starts this season. Raise your hand if you thought that Seyi Ajirotutu would finish the season with more starts at WR than Buster Davis.

The point of this list is to show you just how amazing Philip Rivers has been (in case you needed that pointed out to you). His top 2 receivers have been gone for a month, and he hasn't missed a beat. This is Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez both being gone for a month. Randy Moss and Wes Welker disappearing on Tom Brady for 3-4 games. Ben Roethlisberger giving it a go without Mike Wallace or Hines Ward. Any other QB on any other team that is able to put up historic numbers while missing his top 2 receivers for 1/3 of those games would be getting more attention and certainly more fawning over, not that Rivers is complaining.

So, for this week's "Who Powered Through?", it could be Rivers (playing at an elite level with guys that were essentially thought of as scrubs before the season) or it could be the WRs (Crayton and Ajirotutu, who have played like they belonged or Floyd and Naanee, who are fighting through injury to get back on the team).

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Comments

Let's hope there is also a Where?

on Monday night.

And the answer is..

in the end zone holding the football.

'Special' Teams means those guys ride in a big orange bus, right?
It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Nov 19, 2010 10:56 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

yes

I’ll take that.

The sports team from my geographical area is superior to the sports team from your geographical area and will emerge victorious due to its very superiority.

by Superduperboltman on Nov 19, 2010 11:17 AM PST up reply actions

Gary Banks

had a catch. A being singular. One. Uno. don’t think he’s cut out to be an NFL receiver. Yet

The sports team from my geographical area is superior to the sports team from your geographical area and will emerge victorious due to its very superiority.

by Superduperboltman on Nov 19, 2010 11:18 AM PST reply actions

Yet?

The guy is almost 30. At least he can tell his kid he played in the league

IMO

by Foilhat on Nov 19, 2010 9:02 PM PST up reply actions

How do you see Tutu being used now that Floyd's back?

I suppose they start Floyd and limit his play by subbing in Tutu throughout the game. Once VJ returns, I’m not sure how he fits in. Naanee and Crayton will be the slot receivers.

by RiversMVP on Nov 19, 2010 11:53 AM PST reply actions

I think Tutu goes back to being Special Teams guy who will get his shot next year.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Nov 19, 2010 12:02 PM PST up reply actions

But isn't it nice to know

he’s there, ready and able, if someone’s hammy goes all ouchy? He’s good enough to, er, play on any other team, and with the Chargers, he’s on ST. Nice.

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Nov 19, 2010 12:24 PM PST up reply actions

Um..

He’s good enough to, er, play on any other team, and with the Chargers, he’s on ST.

Playing on Chargers Special Teams IS like playing for another team – the opponents.

'Special' Teams means those guys ride in a big orange bus, right?
It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Nov 19, 2010 12:30 PM PST up reply actions

You forgot

Norv promised no more blocked punts.

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Nov 19, 2010 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

That's right.

Schifres will just kindly hand them the ball on 4th down.

6/10/2010 - Tra Thomas signs with the Chargers
8/21/2010 - Tra Thomas retires.

That was fast.

by SD FTW on Nov 19, 2010 1:39 PM PST up reply actions

You know... they've had one LS for what, a month now?

I, for one, believe Norv. I think our ST will go from hideous to mediocre, all at once.

Knock on wood.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Nov 19, 2010 8:33 PM PST up reply actions

Thank you

Amii Stewart.

I think they will make a big play for us. Just to lull us into some sense that they have turned the corner.

Interestingly, Cosby and Turner combined = Corner. Or Tursby. Yep, I think they will navigate the Tursby.

Ok, maybe I need to lie down now.

'Special' Teams means those guys ride in a big orange bus, right?
It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Nov 20, 2010 2:33 AM PST up reply actions

Crrrrrrrrr

osby,

'Special' Teams means those guys ride in a big orange bus, right?
It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Nov 20, 2010 2:58 AM PST up reply actions

We may do better with

Bill Cosby and his colorful sweaters

6/10/2010 - Tra Thomas signs with the Chargers
8/21/2010 - Tra Thomas retires.

That was fast.

by SD FTW on Nov 20, 2010 9:22 PM PST up reply actions

John is there anyway VJax gets a contract offer for next year?

Or with the emergence of Tutu, Crayton it just doesn’t make economic sense, my take is Floyd gets well paid, but doesn’t break the bank and comes back.

Floyd & Crayton start, and on third downs Crayton moves inside to the slot and then Tutu takes and outside spot. This situation will apply not only for the Denver game, it hopefully applies for next year as well.

by TJBOLT on Nov 19, 2010 10:59 PM PST up reply actions

I do not think there is any possibility VJax will sign with SD

Too much bad history and too much promise with current receivers

6/10/2010 - Tra Thomas signs with the Chargers
8/21/2010 - Tra Thomas retires.

That was fast.

by SD FTW on Nov 20, 2010 9:24 PM PST up reply actions

I think they should sign Floyd

Fortunately for the chargers, and not for Floyd his injury probably cost him a lot of money, the chargers need an experienced deep threat, and he was a great year.

by TJBOLT on Nov 21, 2010 7:58 PM PST up reply actions

Malcom Floyd started out just like Tutu

So Tutu might end up in the same situation 2 years from now. I sure hope so.

The sports team from my geographical area is superior to the sports team from your geographical area and will emerge victorious due to its very superiority.

by Superduperboltman on Nov 19, 2010 12:35 PM PST up reply actions