Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, DE
Randy Kirk, LB
Robert Pollard, DE
Maa Tanuvasa, DL
Shannon Taylor, LB
Jyles Tucker, LB

From 1989 to 1993, the Chargers spent their 1st round draft picks on defense.  And it was a fairly decent run.  All five became starters and solid contributors to the AFC Championship team of 1994 – including the #94 winner.

The Winner

Chris Mims, DE

Mims was not spectacular, but was part of a stellar foursome that set the table for a Hall of Fame linebacker.  In seven seasons with the Bolts, he amassed 38 sacks with a high of 11 in the Super Bowl season.  Mims will forever be remembered in Charger lore for his wave and stomp (not to mention where he had it stashed) of the Terrible Towel in Pittsburgh after the Chargers dispatched of the Steelers in the AFC Championship game.  It would be great to see another Charger D-lineman carry that torch.  I nominate Antonio Garay to stomp a Cheesehead hat at the end of next year’s Super Bowl.

Mims also reminds me of the amount of tragedy the Charger family has suffered through in recent years.  Not only the 6 players from the Super Bowl team (Mims, David Griggs, Rodney Culver, Doug Miller, Curtis Whitley and Shawn Lee), but I would also include Terrence Kiel, Gary Johnson and even John Butler among those who suffered tragic untimely deaths.