The Evolving Opinion of Jeromey Clary

by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 11:04 AM PST

Jeromey Clary is one of those San Diego Chargers that could start a fight amongst fans if you find two guys on the opposite sides of the equation. Once the name "Michael Oher" gets screamed, you know it's heading downhill fast.

Personally, I always thought Clary was an adequate player at a position where you don't need to be much more than adequate. He is a pretty good run-blocker and showed signs of being a pretty good pass-blocker this season after returning from injury. He was good enough to hold off up-and-coming Brandyn Dombrowski, who looked like he was being groomed to take over at Right Tackle during the Chargers bye week.

Pro Football Focus is a website I like to visit from time to time. Similar to Football Outsiders, they chart every player on every play of every game during the season and use mathematical equations to figure out "ratings" for each player before ranking them. One reason to visit, and consider becoming a member, is that it's one of the few places that gives game-by-game ratings to offensive linemen around the league. Given how difficult that is, we can't assume they're 100% accurate, but considering they're on the same playing field we can assume it's close.

Here is how they rate Clary, cumulatively, for the last three seasons:

2010: -12.6, -0.78 average (51st amongst OTs). The only O-lineman on the Chargers who was worse than him was Brandyn Dombrowski, who had the worst-rated game PFF ever recorded against Seattle.

2009: 5.6, 0.56 average (26th amongst OTs). The only Chargers O-linemen that were better than him were Scott Mruczkowski and Louis Vasquez.

2008: -4.2, -0.23 average (47th amongst OTs). The worst Chargers O-lineman, by quite a bit.

So, according the PFF, Clary is one of the most consistent OL that the Chargers have. However, he's not that great. This is not news. The question now becomes, or perhaps always was, is RT a position that needs to be upgraded?

Think about it. The Chargers offense is already among the league's best, and Clary is one of the cheaper RTs in the league. He can be counted on to be consistent, usually healthy and work well with the rest of the line. He's also a bit of a leader, on a line full of them. Replacing him with someone who is better is going to require a high draft pick (meaning lots of money, and using it on offense when it's more needed on defense), and could screw with the stability of the line as a unit.

The other option is to bring him back for another year, as a Restricted Free Agent he should remain affordable, and let Tyronne Greene and brandyn Dombrowski battle it out for the job in 2012.

What do you guys think the Chargers should do at the RT spot?

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AJ would like to draft high....

But his Ego won’t let him, and will probly find a gem in UDFA.

He’ll keep Clary one more season, see if he grows into his britches and have Otterson, Dombro, et al duke it out. AJ likes internal competition, like gladiators fighting for their freedom. But in this case, it’s a million-dollar contract.

"Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow."- Zappa

by QuesaDiaz on Jan 20, 2011 11:30 AM PST reply actions

Ryan Otterson's mom

agrees with him being on that list.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

I'm okay with Clary

The only problem I have with him is his tendency to jump at the line. He seems to get flagged for that a lot.

by Cake or Death on Jan 20, 2011 11:50 AM PST reply actions

Compensation for a slow first step.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

Before PFF, I didn't like Clary.

After PFF, I did. He had a rough year, but AJ Smith should draft 2 Tackle prospects and if Clary doesn’t improve, he should walk. Other than that, I think he’s fine.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Jan 20, 2011 11:51 AM PST reply actions

2 Tackle prospects?!?

and put them where?

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 12:10 PM PST up reply actions

Next to the guards....

Duh!

by Grey Suit on Jan 20, 2011 2:36 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

one

isn’t guaranteed to make the roster or practice squad. the best of two can battle it out for a potential spot

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Jan 20, 2011 2:53 PM PST up reply actions

we have another fat draft class this year with a record number of underclassmen coming out

should be able to get some OL prospects late day 2 or day 3, perhaps even UDFA. We need to keep the pipeline stocked, but shouldn’t be shooting for starters for 2011. Clary will do and seemed to do better against speed rushers this year than last.

John, can you compare Clary’s game rating across years when playing Indy? He seemed to struggle against Mathis in years past but handled him this year. Does PFF’s rating reflect that?

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 20, 2011 12:04 PM PST reply actions

2010 vs Colts

He got a 4.9, his highest-rated game of the season. Got a 2.1 in pass blocking, and 2.4 in run blocking. Well above average.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 12:14 PM PST up reply actions

2008 vs Colts

Regular season game: 0.3. Pretty average. Actually, exactly average at pass blocking (0.0) and a little better at run blocking (0.9).

Playoff game: -1.1. Run blocking stayed the same, pass-blocking went down to -2.5.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Jan 20, 2011 12:16 PM PST up reply actions

There are some mixed messages in this post

The Chargers offense is already among the league’s best

Sure this is true. But I don’t think this means that ALL aspects of the Chargers offense are among the league’s best.

To me O-Line comes down to very few things:
Sacks allowed.
% of Rushing attempts for no gain or negative yardage.

And by that standard, the Chargers and Clary? Not very good.

You could use other rushing metrics, like points or total yards but I think those include more people than just the line.

As far as Clary goes.. I think he’s hot and cold. He did a great job against the Colts and that is not easy. It shows the type of player he can become.

by Trendsearcher on Jan 20, 2011 12:04 PM PST reply actions

I agree that Clary is hot and cold. Too inconsistent for my taste. And his penchant for false starts drives me crazy!

The Indy game was probably his best game all year, but those games seem like the exception. Also, I don’t have stats to back this up, so this could just be my anti-Clary bias, but it seemed like most of our runs for no gain or negative yardage were plays to the right side of the line.

I’m assuming Dombrowski couldn’t outperform Clary for the RT1 spot, but that seemed really odd to me considering the solid job Dombrowski was doing at LT.

by JiltedEmu on Jan 20, 2011 10:14 PM PST up reply actions

Dombrowski

was actually awful at the LT spot.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Jan 21, 2011 6:47 AM PST up reply actions

Could we upgrade?

Absolutely. As John said, Clary isn’t the best but he’s also far from the worst ROT in the league & pretty consistent. Remember pacman’s breakdowns? Always thought they were fair, detailed, & Clary scored consistently well in those.

I always scream for more beef in the draft & I will again this year. However, I also usually scream for defense & will once again remain true to that track. We have much bigger fish to fry on that side of the ball, especially if we can re-sign Clary & hang on to VJ.

I might look at OT’s with our second 3rd but not likely before. That’s how convinced I am that we need to bring in difference-makers for the D.

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

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jan 20, 2011 12:25 PM PST reply actions

Clary

Clary is a great guy, i asked him once what separated him from the rest, and he answered, “Work Ethic”, no body was going to out study him and out smart him. as a coach thats what makes a player great, his determination.

by warhawks on Jan 20, 2011 12:55 PM PST reply actions

Intangibles like this

are hard to measure & can make the difference in a guy like Clary who isn’t an overly-gifted athlete. That’s why I say yes, we COULD upgrade but I feel that we have bigger issues to address on the other side of the ball.

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

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jan 20, 2011 1:07 PM PST up reply actions

I've met Clary a couple of times in a non-sport related environment...

He is a really nice guy. Inviting to talk to, and big as f_ck.

Oh internet, what a wicked web you weave.

by Mad_Villain on Jan 20, 2011 2:16 PM PST up reply actions

Tough choice really...

Ideally, we devote the majority of the draft to defense and pick up some project OL players (unless Julio Jones falls to us, then Jesus Christ pick him), but AJ loves to hear about how he’s unearthed some diamond in the rough so I’m sure he’ll try to surprise everyone with the first two picks.

I don’t think I remember being really upset with Clary this year, and while the line could certainly use an upgrade, there are bigger holes that need filling.

Shaq as an undercover cop:
Shaq: yo man, can I score some dope?
Dealer: Motherf****r, you shaq.

by kguner on Jan 20, 2011 1:38 PM PST reply actions

Nic Richmond

They kept him around for a reason. Obviously, he hasn’t progressed enough to make the team, much less start. But hey, he’s still hanging around.

by Its Mikey!! on Jan 20, 2011 2:51 PM PST via mobile reply actions

I think they should draft a guy in the second, but maybe keep Clary as a starter this year.

Maybe not, too. Usually good rookie RTs can start right away.

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

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 20, 2011 5:29 PM PST reply actions

I think they should try to keep Clary

at a reasonable price.The Chargers can do worse than Clary, however, AJ should definitely look for potential upgrades at RT (especially in free agency or lower in the draft). If Clary gets an offer elsewhere in excess of that for an average NFL RT, I’d let him walk.

Either way, I personally think that RT should not be a high draft priority (at least in the early rounds).

by HuangDi on Jan 20, 2011 5:40 PM PST reply actions

I think it depends on what's on the board

I’d be against using a 1st on it, but the team has an extra 2nd. Usually the best OTs who don’t project to play on the left side are still available at #50, so AJ would have the pick of the lot. Also, they have four third-day picks, making this selection seem less expensive (and no, the rookie contract of a second-round pick is not a daunting issue; re-signing Clary would cost a lot more, and the money would be spent on somebody anyway).

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

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Jan 20, 2011 6:02 PM PST up reply actions

I thought he bulk of our picks were the first two days.

One first. Two second. Two third. And a sixth? I think. I’m not sure.

Where is the BFTB GM? We need a “it’s way too soon for a mock draft” mock draft.

by Its Mikey!! on Jan 21, 2011 3:18 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

That's correct

possibly a comp or 2.

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

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jan 21, 2011 3:29 AM PST up reply actions

Finally

I get something right. I hardly go check to see if I’m correct on something because 99% of my Internet usage is via my phone. And I’m just too lazy to actually go looking. I run off of my ol’ memory cap…

Which is to say… not always the best.

by Its Mikey!! on Jan 21, 2011 7:46 AM PST via mobile up reply actions