Mikhael Ricks, WR

Patrick Batteaux, WR

Jesse Bendross, WR

Ron Billingsley, DT

Marlin Briscoe, WR-QB

John Floyd, WR

Dondre Gilliam, WR

Wes Grant, DE

Jamie Holland, WR

Grant Mattos, WR

Keenan McCardell, WR (for half a season)

James Thaxton, TE

86 features a good battle between Tight Ends who were solid contributors to championship-caliber teams.  But their battle is for Runner Up!

Runners-Up

Alfred Pupunu, TE-HB

Brandon Manumaleuna, TE

Neither Pupunu nor Manu were much in the way of receivers, so their statistics were limited.  But they were terrific blocking tight ends who were great check-down receivers.  And occasionally, when plays were actually designed for them, it served as a shocking change of pace that resulted in huge plays.  In fact, Pupunu’s touchdown in the AFC Championship Game gives him the edge as Runner Up.  But Manu’s name is more fun (barely). 

The Winner

Earl Faison, DE

Like many of the greats from the early days of the Chargers, Faison was probably a bit before most of our times.  But like a lot of those players, their greatness seems to transcend the need to see them play.  For one thing, there was the greatness of the teams.  Faison played from ’61 to ’66, a time when the team won a total of 51 games while losing 28.  He went to four consecutive AFL All-Star games from 1961 to 1964.  He was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1986, and he’s a member of the 50 Greatest Chargers.  Here’s to a true legend!  (So I’m told.)