Going through the 70s, and all the non-descript, non-statistic-driven OLineman, gives me a chance to expound on personal opinions as it relates to Chargers history.  And 73 allows me to bring up this little personal nugget: GOOD GOD, DID I HATE ME SOME BOBBY BEATHARD!!! 

Okay, let me clarify.  By the time his reign as Charger GM was over, I felt a strong dislike for Bobby Beathard.  And to further clarify, my disdain for the man was based solely on his failings as a GM, not on any shortcomings as a person (after all, I didn’t really know the man).

In all, Beathard oversaw 11 Charger drafts.  Without getting into the minutiae of each pick, I would say that 6 of the drafts were decent and 5 were below average to putrid.  The funny thing is that the 6 that were decent were the first six.  From there, it was downhill – earmarked by some absolutely certifiable moves. 

So what does all this have to do with #73?  Because even in my fog of hatred, I have to admit, there were some picks that were pretty good, and the 73 winner was one of them.

Bon Boatwright, DT

Darrick Brilz, G

Charles DeJurnett, DT

Keith Guthrie, NT

Larry Little, G

Larry Martin, DT

Mark May, C-T

Marcus McNeill, T

Mike Mooney, T

Aaron Taylor, G

Lee Thomas, DE

The Winner

Isaac Davis, G

No, this isn’t intended to be some kind of slap in the face to McNeill (he would certainly edge out DeJurnett for Runner-Up).  The fact is Isaac Davis was a BEAST.  It’s unfortunate that injuries limited him to less than 4 seasons with the team.  But his presence in the middle of the line was felt all the way to the Super Bowl.  Now, perhaps if McNeill covets the Golden Jersey as much as he’s been quoted as saying he does, he’ll sign on the dotted line and convince the committee to change their mind.