2011 NFL Draft: San Diego Chargers Selections
by John Gennaro on Apr 30, 2011 3:52 PM PDT
in NFL Draft
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PrintRound 1, Pick 18 (18) - Corey Liuget, DT/DE Illinois
The good news and then the bad. The good news is that Liuget fell to the Chargers. Many expected him to be picked at #14 by the St. Louis Rams, and when he wasn't the Chargers were excited to grab him. Corey is a very powerful defensive lineman and will step in as the starting DE right away. So, right away, we can at least say that A.J. Smith and the Chargers didn't "reach" on the pick.
The bad news is semantics. Many people thought Liuget would have to continue to be a 4-3 DT, because he was too short to be a 3-4 DE.....by about an inch, according to the range of acceptable 3-4 DE heights. Despite this, Liuget plays tall (knocking down a lot of passes) and seems to do a tremendous job at stopping the run. Playing next to Antonio Garay and Luis Castillo, he should be able to win many of the one-on-one matchups he'll be faced with or at least keep the Linebackers behind him clean.
Round 2, Pick 18 (50) - Marcus Gilchrist, CB/S Clemson
Scouts and fans are somewhat torn on if Gilchrist is a CB, a nickel CB or a Free Safety at this level. The San Diego Chargers seem convinced that he has the skills to be a starting CB in this league, and are already talking about grooming him as Quentin Jammer's successor when Jammer moves to Safety in a year or two.
In the meantime, Gilchrist will earn his keep by competing for the nickel CB job and also vying for the spot of Return Specialist for San Diego. This creates a bit of a logjam in the defensive secondary for San Diego, but that's not a bad problem to have. Especially because guys like Donald Strickland, Trey Simmons and Dante Hughes were never viewed as potential starters and now the Chargers might have two rookies that fit that mold.
Round 2, Pick 29 (61) - Jonas Mouton, ILB Michigan
Thank you very much, Antonio Cromartie and the New York Jets. Although many thought the Chargers had to use one of their top picks on a pass-rushing OLB this season, the greater need depth-wise was probably at Inside Linebacker. Here's what the ILB roster looks like without Mouton:
Brandon Siler (Restricted Free Agent, can by signed away for a 7th round pick)
Donald Butler (No experience, coming off major knee surgery)
A little scary, huh? All things considered, the Chargers will probably do whatever it takes to bring back Unrestricted Free Agent Kevin Burnett to fill one of the starting spots.
Mouton, who seems like a fit for no position except 3-4 ILB, will build up his chops on special teams (just like Stephen Cooper, Brandon Siler and Tim Dobbins have done before him) while providing depth. He has a ton of potential, and could slide up the depth chart quickly depending on his performance.
Round 3, Pick 18 (82) - Vincent Brown, WR San Diego State
This is equal parts a good pick for the team and a great pick for PR (public relations, but I guess it could be good for Philip Rivers too). I believe the last time the Chargers drafted a WR out of SDSU it was Kassim Osgood, but I could be wrong. Either way, Brown is not a physical specimen. He is not extraordinarily tall or strong or fast. However, he does all of the little things well (runs good routes, has good hands, makes tough catches) and apparently has a fan in Chargers Receivers Coach Charlie Joiner.
Brown will challenge Seyi Ajirotutu for the #4 WR spot in 2011 (assuming Malcom Floyd comes back) and, like the rest of the players picked in this draft not named Corey Liuget, will probably be asked to be a contributor on special teams.
Round 3, Pick 25 (89) - Shareece Wright, CB Southern California
Wright is a potential sleeper in this year's draft. He missed the 2009 season due to academic ineligibility (never a good sign) and was viewed as being immature. In 2010, he got his grades up and came back to school as a new man. He even earned the title of Captain for his team. In his press conference with the Chargers, he said that he had to shrink his group of friends and family to stay focused. Sounds like it was a wake up call.
Things were looking great for Wright in 2010 (73 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble), who I believe was a fringe first-rounder in the eyes of many scouts, before he was injured during USC's Pro Day. If he can stay healthy, and his head is screwed on straight permanently, the Chargers may have found a steal late in the 3rd round. Wright has the talent to be a starting CB in this league. Unfortunately, and similar to Gilchrist, he is not known for having good hands or bringing in many interceptions.
Round 6, Pick 18 (183) - Jordan Todman, RB Connecticut
Although he's bigger than the soon-to-be-departed Darren Sproles, this pick (which comes nearly 100 picks after the Chargers' last selection) is seen as a way to try and replace the man referred to as "Mighty Mouse". Todman is shifty and has decent speed and quickness, but needs to work on his blocking and his pass-catching skills. I think it would take a good camp and preseason for him to win the job as third-down RB right away, but he should get it eventually (that might mean 2012).
Round 6, Pick 36 (201) - Steve Schilling, OL Michigan
The Chargers are sure good at filling the backup OL spots with versatile guys. There's Scott Mruczkowski, who can play Guard or Center. There's Tyronne Green, who can play Guard or Tackle (and Center in a pinch). There's Brandyn Dombrowski, who can play Guard or Tackle. Now you can add to that list Steve Schilling, who played both RT (pre-Rich Rodriguez) and LG (with Rodriguez) at the University of Michigan.
The Chargers have said they envision him as a Tackle, which could mean he has a chance to beat out Dombrowski and eventually take over for Jeromey Clary (when Clary becomes more expensive). Clary himself was a 6th round pick, and Dombrowski was an Undrafted Free Agent, so it makes sense that the Chargers would look to line up more depth for the future of this position in later rounds.
Round 7, Pick 31 (234) - Andrew Gachkar, LB Missouri
An interesting pick in that there's not much information out there about him. Supposedly the reason he only played two seasons at Missouri is that he fought back from some life-threatening illness, inspiring his teammates and earning the team MVP award from them after coming back and leading the team in tackles. However, the one article that seems to be out there outlining what the illness was has disappeared from the face of the internet. CONSPIRACY!
Anyway, Gachkar is a bit undersized to be a pass-rushing OLB. He's known as a smart and fast player that doesn't possess the strength to fight through blocks, so my guess is that the Chargers are going to give him a shot to make an impact on special teams before deciding what his position will be going forward.
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Great write up John.
Osgood was undrafted btw.
The more i look at this draft the more i like it, the only pick i dont like is obviously the Mouton pick but im not a scout so im just going to trust they know what they are doing.
Crap
I thought he might’ve been undrafted
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
2011 Padres Record-When-I'm-There: 2-5
by John Gennaro on Apr 30, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Isn't that NFL-wide?
Craphonso Thorpe anyone?
by Cake or Death on Apr 30, 2011 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions
That link wonko posted earlier
Not sure about Todman
It just seemed he took too long to get to top speed. It’s difficult to get that kinda space.
Then again, considering where he was picked I can’t hope for elite acceleration, cut or first step; The question as always is where and how much he can improve
by Lightning Hobo on Apr 30, 2011 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDKMJUePzCk
The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CxixKrpQjM&feature=related
Take a look at this game, Mouton (#8) is way better than at the UConn game. He’s all over the field during plays. You see him playing ILB a few times too.
Short Version: Can be Cooper-like, I guess.
Can read the eyes of the QB; Know to plug holes in the DL; Can defend the inside run (though not sure about outside rushes on speedy RB, Mathews can out run him all day long probably); Can play pass coverage, which is really cool; Doesnt have the speed for Outside blitz, don’t know about inside; May not have the strength to shed blocks when blitzing in the NFL; Not sure about that “play speed” they say he has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CxixKrpQjM&feature=related
The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Well he looks athletic there
But sure can be a lazy tackler at times…I’m warming to the idea that he can help out on special teams, but a 2nd rounder? I just don’t see him jump out enough to justify that. I mean, how do you not like Martez Wilson at ILB and ST’s more than this guy?
Don't put URLs in the subject line if you want the links to work.
Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten
by Richard Wade on Apr 30, 2011 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Ban them Richard
Do it.
The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Flagrant!
Subject/URL violation, this is a league thread Smokey!
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Apr 30, 2011 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Pretty sure it's only a bannable offense if you're named Sam.
Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten
by Richard Wade on Apr 30, 2011 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions
For what it's worth
Steve Schilling was a 5 star recruit coming out of high school. That should mean he has some potential right?
Mouton must have
really shown them something during his workout is all I can think. Either that or AJ was so ticked about the STs that he was willing to burn a two to address it. I’m hanging fire on this draft, but I had really hoped two or three picks would go towards the defensive front seven.
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Apr 30, 2011 5:20 PM PDT reply actions
What scares me about that attitude
is that the supposed reason our special teams sucked last season was that we got rid of our veteran special teamers (KO, Dobbins) and instead relied on newbies. Isn’t that the exact same thing we’re doing by drafting rookies to play ST? Who is the veteran presence on ST this year?
by Cake or Death on Apr 30, 2011 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Not sure
What I remember was that they kept some talented projects that might develop into starters/backups instead of keeping guys that were specifically good at special teams they just hoped these projects would pick up STs skills. As for vets, Is Washington still on the Roster? I think they let Watkins go, but Binn should be back and that is going to help too. This new coach from Tampa has a good rep too, but I can’t say I’m not going to be worried going into the season.
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Apr 30, 2011 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Silver lining
They can’t possibly be worse than they were last year!
by Cake or Death on Apr 30, 2011 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Special teams is about effort and bullocks
You need a mixture of STs vets and young guys to make it work. Its basically a giant scrub fest, that requires a few scrub vets to lead a bunch of young scrubs. For a long time the Chargers seemed to get about the right mix, but starting around 2009 the team seemed to forget wtf was going on.
Chambers left on the roster in 2009 for about half the year, meant M80 was a backup not covering kicks. Wasting roster spots is the theme here.
Not targeting athletic youth at the TE position.
Drafting Gartrell Johnson/ Ellison, not going to tackle anyone in kick coverage
By by Dobbins and KO
Applewhite gains weight to play more at OLB cause Tucker sucks, takes out another STer
No Dobbins replacement means Siler is now playing more D and less STs
Tolbert playing more O and less STs
Old men as back DBs
What all this adds up to is old men/ non special teams player at the backend of the roster at skill positions. Bascially wasted freakin roster spots
Winning
by Foilhat on May 1, 2011 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well said
Rec
"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"
+100
It seemed to me that a huge part of the problem was that many of the starters/vets didn’t want (and neither did the coaches) to play ST fearing injury. By the time that they started slamming vets in there the damage was done and those vets hadn’t been in camp practicing ST plays. I think it is a problem to draft a bunch of rookies to carry the load on ST instead of making the entire team responsible for that phase of the game. I think there is some value in having a Kassim type player or two that specializes, it seems like they may be setting up for another ST disaster if they think these rookies are going to save their bacon.
Most ST players are young guys
Special teamers are backups, and the best backups are young. Nothing wrong with asking rookies or 2nd year guys to cover kicks if they take it seriously thats the ideal senerio. Of course a few ST vets is a good idea, especially guys like KO who earn their mail/ probowl appearances covering kicks
Winning
I like this draft
Thin defense and Pop Warner special teams were our biggest concerns, and they’ve been addressed. We have depth at D and legit special teamers with these guys. This draft gives us a chance to contend next year and into the future.
"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"
Also, the DBs and LBs
Are all tacklers, hopefully, it means a more physical D and better run defense besides only ST.
I hope we have better coverage on nickel and dime now, remember that 3rd down against the Raiders where they ran for a first down and won while we were set up in a nickel package?
by Lightning Hobo on Apr 30, 2011 7:04 PM PDT up reply actions
As for DBs, I've mostly looked at Gilchrist
Wright’s going to need work regardless so I haven’t watched much film on him. Gilchrist is a willing tackler and has decent form, but he needs to square up and really take guys on. He tends to shift to the side when tackling RBs, which will get him run over in the NFL. Fortunately he puts in the effort and isn’t afraid of contact, and Weddle is probably the best guy you could ask for as a mentor on tackling.
I think he’ll develop nicely; I didn’t see any unfixable flaws in his game and he has some very good examples to learn from in Weddle and Jammer. The biggest flaw I could find is his lack of flexibility; he tends to play catch-up due to stiff hips and overcommitment. That’s not a deal-killer and he can develop better instincts to help himself stay on top of the play. I’m excited to see what he can do.
"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"
Mentor?
I’m sure Shonn Greene and Jamal Charles would disagree.
If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, then you will be fired with enthusiasm. Vince Lombardi
Shonn Greene had Thomas Jones in 2009
And LT last year. Jamal Charles had Larry Johnson in 2008 and half of 2009 (he may not be a good character mentor, but he was a veteran RB who had some successful years, though I’m not sure if he actually mentored Charles at all) and Thomas Jones last year.
Weddle is an excellent form tackler
DBs get trucked sometimes, but that has a lot more to do with size and momentum than skill. On Green’s TD, the only thing he could have done better was go lower and hope to wrap him up. Weddle consistently leads the team in tackles and rarely misses. You know about the few times he screws up because that’s one of the only times you hear about DBs at all.
Watch him tackle somebody and observe the form, not the impact. The point is to bring a guy down, not to hit him as hard as possible. This trend of hard-hitting safeties and corners is about highlight reels, not effectiveness.
"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"
Weddle is a phenomenal tackler.
Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "Everybody underestimates the kick in the groin." - Bas Rutten
I saw that as well
Post coming tomorrow. Wrote it before I saw that list.
The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Hmmm it's 12:47
Today then! Even better.
The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Decent Draft
I was happy to see an OL finally. Maybe we can sign a pass catching TE in free agency to fill in WHEN Gates goes down for a few games this year. That way the O can still stretch the center of the field. I like the focus on D and STin this draft.
let's see who sticks.
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
Might I mention that Notre Dame DT Ian Williams went undrafted?
Big surprise there, wonder what had him drop.
He seemed pretty pissed about it too
According to his twitter account.
The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Liked the Liuget pick
thought that Todman in the 6th was good value. Not too impressed with the rest of the draft, hopefully a couple of them will help on special teams.
draft
As a very long time fan I hate to say it, but this appears to be a mediocre draft at best.
If you look at each round and see who was out there available, you have to wonder what the hell was AJ thinking. There isn’t one pick that rates an A. Look at SI.com and look at the points ratings for each player. Spending 75% of your draft on a bunch of guys who’s
only action next year will be Special Teams should spell the end of the AJ/Norv era.
What a waste of multiple draft picks!
Supposedly Gachkar ran in the 4.4's in tests for the chargers
He was drafted in particular as a special teamer, as mentioned in Norv’s sunday’s presser. Since they are not sure when and if they will be able to sign UDFA, they wanted a targeted special teamer.
If you watch John Spanos in the presser, he was expecting crap for the Mouton pick its actually quite funny.
P.S. Kassim Osgood was a UDFA in 2003, somebody mentioned on the news that the last SDSU draft pick for the chargers was 31 years ago.
Here's the conspiracy info. Dude is one rib short of a full set
Gachkar underwent Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery in April 2008. The rib on his right side was removed to alleviate a blood clot that had formed and caused his right arm to swell
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/30/2839319/bon-appetite-gachkar-becomes-a.html#ixzz1L7dJpTmR
Winning
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