Guessing the San Diego Chargers 53-Man Roster
by John Gennaro on Aug 15, 2011 2:00 PM PDT
in San Diego Chargers Training Camp/Preseason
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With everyone else throwing out there guesses for the San Diego Chargers' 53-man roster, I figure it's about time I throw my two cents out there to be ridiculed when I'm inevitably wrong.
Quarterbacks (3)
Philip Rivers
Billy Volek
Scott Tolzien
Whether or not I agree with it, the team seems really high on Tolzien. They will need to fill Volek's shoes eventually, after all.
Running Backs (3)
Ryan Mathews
Mike Tolbert
Jordan Todman
Todman has done nothing to kill the team's love towards him after they chose him in the draft.
Fullbacks (1)
Jacob Hester
Although Tolbert can be a backup here, 4 RBs across the two positions seems awfully.....thin. Let's hope this group stays healthy.
Wide Receivers (6)
Vincent Jackson
Malcom Floyd
Patrick Crayton
Seyi Ajirotutu
Kelley Washington
Vincent Brown
Vincent Brown has barely seen the field at all during preseason, but he has a few things going for him. First, he's a local kid out of SDSU and the team likes having those types of stories around. Second, and more importantly, Brown has worked with Philip Rivers before and since being selected by the Chargers in the draft. Third, teams do not cut third-round picks before they even get a chance to sniff the regular season unless something is really wrong.
I think Washington sticks because he's great at Special Teams, which is a focus this year. Ajirotutu sticks because he's getting really good at Special Teams, and because Jackson and Crayton are unsigned for 2012.
Tight Ends (3)
Antonio Gates
Randy McMichael
Kory Sperry
Sperry didn't need to do a lot to win the third TE job this year, but he's had a fantastic camp and could actually be viewed as a legitimate option to move up to 2nd on the depth chart in 2012.
Offensive Line (8)
Marcus McNeill
Kris Dielman
Nick Hardwick
Louis Vasquez
Jeromey Clary
Tyronne Green
Scott Mruczkowski
Brandyn Dombrowski
Fingers crossed that Mooch is healthy when the season starts, and also that Steve Schilling can slip through waivers and land on the Chargers practice squad.
Offense Total: 24 players
Defensive Line (7)
Luis Castillo
Antonio Garay
Corey Liuget
Jacques Cesaire
Cam Thomas
Ogemdi Nwagbuo
Vaughn Martin
At first, I was thinking the team would carry 8 D-linemen. Then I realized there probably aren't 8 guys good enough to make the team. Then I looked at the 7 above and thought "That is outstanding depth on the D-line".
Outside Linebackers (4)
Shaun Phillips
Travis LaBoy
Antwan Barnes
Larry English
They usually like more than 4. 5 is probably more fitting. Let me finish the rest of the team and see if there's room for everyone's favorite pass-rushing dynamo (Darryl Gamble).
Inside Linebackers (5)
Takeo Spikes
Donald Butler
Stephen Cooper
Jonas Mouton
Andrew Gachkar
Love this group. A mix of veteran leadership, young talent and special teams prowess. The position I was most worried about feels like a real strength after one game and the addition of Coop.
Cornerbacks (5)
Quentin Jammer
Antoine Cason
Marcus Gilchrist
Dante Hughes
Shareece Wright
I have two reasons why they'll keep 5, when they usually start the season with just 3 or 4. The most important reason being that Gilchrist and Cason are being asked to be a part of the return game, and therefore have a bigger chance of getting injured. The second is that Shareece Wright might not slip through waivers, and the team needs to keep around a crop of young CBs around with Jammer playing his last seasons at CB before moving to Safety.
Safeties (4)
Eric Weddle
Bob Sanders
Steve Gregory
Darrell Stuckey
Three of those guys could theoretically play either FS or SS, and Gregory's ability to play Nickel CB would allow the team to go with just 4 CBs if they want.
Defense: 25 players
Specialists (3)
David Binn
Nate Kaeding
Mike Scifres
Total: 52 players for 53 spots.Well, let's see who will need to fight for that final spot...
On the bubble (guys that are not guaranteed spots):
Shareece Wright
Scott Tolzien
Andrew Gachkar
Vaughn Martin
Vincent Brown
Kelley Washington
Competing for final spot:
Bryan Walters
Darryl Gamble
James Holt
Richard Goodman
Kion Wilson
Bront Bird
Which players do you think makes the final roster? If you choose more than one player from the dark horse list, make sure you also state which player from my roster above you'd take off.
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Excellent List
I hope they can find some room for Gamble. Maybe if hes a stud on special teams he can replace Washington.
Steve Schilling
Wouldn’t he be at least listed as a dark horse?
by ashaw58 on Aug 15, 2011 2:32 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Wright is not getting cut
Players drafted in the top half of the draft and not dumped after preseason.
Possibly Washington out for Gamble or Bront Bird.
This could very well happen
Winning
McMichael
I like the guy but honestly I could see us cutting him. Sperry has been looking great. Also, Washington is gone as well.
This is definitely a 2 TE offense
We must have three capable guys on the roster.
McMichael is the #2 for the foreseeable future.
by Alex Bourque on Aug 15, 2011 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions
luv me some Cooper
but I don’t have his name in ink on the final 53…
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 15, 2011 2:38 PM PDT reply actions
now that I think about it
if the stories are correct that Vaughn Martin and Cam are coming into their own, I could see Cesaire and OG not making the roster, especially if there was some decent young DL we can populate the PS with for some emergency backup.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 15, 2011 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions
you're probably right
Even in the the heyday of Jamal, Castillo, and Olshansky with Cesaire and Bingham in the rotation, we always had one additional scrub on the inactive list.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 16, 2011 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
in the division we play in
we are liable to give up 500 yards on the ground without the ability to rotate plenty of fresh bodies on the DL. and if you really think about this can be crytonite to a team based on the big pass play.
Winning
then again
we typically only have 5 DL active on game day. Even against the Raiders and Chiefs the second time around, we only had 5 active (although we did have 6 against the Texans).
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 16, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, 'cause that worked so well against the Raiders.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 16, 2011 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Cesaire OR OG? I could see one of them being a final cut. Not both.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 15, 2011 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Cesaire > OG
Cesaire will make this team for sure.
by Alex Bourque on Aug 15, 2011 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
you're probably right
But part of the reason we have carried a lot of DL in the past was because of uncertainty. For the last two years, Martin has been someone who didn’t play unless there was an emergency. Yet he wouldn’t make it through to the practice squad because of his talent. Last year Cam was the same, not really trusted. Two years ago, we had no idea how NT was going to shake out with Jamal leaving. Garay came in and saved the day there, but until mid-way through 2009 it was a big question mark.
This year, if Vaughn and Cam come along as it seems like they are, we have fewer unknowns. If the coaches want to squeeze someone onto the roster, I could see the DL getting squeezed to 5. It is very unlikely. Consider also that if Cesaire and OG were cut, they probably would not get picked up by anyone and would be available mid-season if injuries became an issue. Keep in mind that there were plenty of weeks last year where we had only 5 DL active on game day, so the number itself if workable week to week.
That being said, one or both will probably make the team, I was really making that guess when I thought John’s roster was at 54 instead of 52…
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 16, 2011 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions
FWIW, Ian Scott saved the day.
Garay was his replacement/upgrade.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 16, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
heh
and “saved the day” is probably too strong a word. The DL situation that year was train wreck due to injuries and the loss of Jamal and Olshansky. But it did become clear that we had a future playmaker in there with Garay (or so the Chargers and Acee said at the time. I didn’t really see it then, but they have been proven right)
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 16, 2011 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions
I think when push comes to shove
Tolzein is out and on the practice squad (maybe). The team may like what he brings to the table mentally, but he doesn’t have the prototypical size that is required for this offense, IMO. This isn’t an offense based on a lot of roll-outs that allow passing lanes for shorter QB’s. This is a stand-in-the-pocket and chuck the ball downfield offense, and you need a taller QB to succeed in this system, as Tolzein showed with all of the tipped balls in his first game…including at least one that hit a D-Lineman in the shoulder (yikes).
Wright will stick as he was not only a 3rd round pick (same reason Brown will stay), but also because of the depth required at CB as John mentioned.
Martin has looked great in camp, and the depth on the D-Line is currently a strength, so he stays.
Gachkar and Washingon should stay because of special teams.
As much as I like the Brontosaurus Bird, Goodman, and Holt…the Chargers depth grew immensely this offseason and I just don’t see places for them.
Gachkar and Wright
One or both could be practice squad guys I think. Everything else looks good.
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 Aug 15, 2011 2:46 PM PDT reply actions
Again as I said to Orz above
3rd round picks are not the guys teams try to pass though waivers. These guys end up on IR after some phantom injury, or make the team
Winning
Math
Am I missing something or is the count wrong up there? I am only counting a total of 52 players. 24 (as opposed to 26) on offense, 25 on D, and the 3 specialists.
That would mean no one is cut from your projections plus room for 1 dark horse.
"Fast just got Faster"
Good, I vote for gamble
"that wasn't a very good start to us getting our lives together. i didn't even go to work today."
...ya'll are brutalizing me... ronnie dobbs
i go ham
by notorioushbi on Aug 15, 2011 3:08 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
My guess is there is an injury
and two of Gamble, Walters, Shilling, Summers end up making the team depending on needs.
"Fast just got Faster"
Schilling will have to show something special to make the team
I like the depth will the 8 men listed. Schilling will have to drive one of the other guys off, I like the idea of him spending a year on the PS before joining the real squad.
by Alex Bourque on Aug 15, 2011 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't know how that happened
I counted twice to be sure, too. Oh well. Updated. Thanks for counting.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 15, 2011 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I would like to see Schilling make it
and unlike many I see no need for Gachkar to be on the final roster.
Maybe they will get lucky and eithr V. Brown or Wright will get dinged up enough to go on IR this season.
Really?
Maybe they will get lucky and eithr V. Brown or Wright will get dinged up enough to go on IR this season.
I think I see what you are trying to say here in that it will save a roster spot and won’t risk losing them to sneak them on the practice squad, but then you lose a full season of development for those players’ future, which is not something that you hope for a 3rd round draft pick.
It’s a good problem to have when you are trying to decide on how to keep your WR6 and CB5. We could be worried about our starters like some teams out there…
Yes
I think it will be really tough for Brown to see any action this season, Wright a little less so but still difficult. While I am big on the development of young players I am even bigger on winning games and trying to win Championships. I don’t think that the Chargers can “sneak” either one onto the practice squad.
I think both can be productive players down the road, Brown gets a full off season of OTAs gets familiar with the offense and hopefully has a healthy training camp next year.
Happens almost every year jk
The most recent ones I can remember are Chandler and Hughes. Neither turned out decent for the team, but the strategy is solid.
Winning
Frank Summers
for Washington and an IR lockdown on a rookie to be named later.
I think if the team IRs a guy, (like Bulter last year) they lock him down without exposing him to the wire.
Heads up who can make a bigger impact in the weakest area of the Offense right now? Washington or Summers? Hester has improved, but The Tank gives your running game a different dimension.
by Trendsearcher on Aug 15, 2011 3:16 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I would second this
Kelley Washington is old and on a one year deal. He has to be a special teams beast, not just a good to keep. So yeah I think the team dumps Washington and carries a 10th LB like Gamble/Holt or a FB like the tank
Winning
Sigh
I thought you were smarter than to fall in love with a FB that can’t do anything but be big and beat up on 3rd stringers. It’s not like he’s a rookie, and it’s not like the Steelers look at big RBs and think “Nah, we’re good.” If he was good, he’d be good.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 15, 2011 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ya got me thinking about that...
If any team could judge an RB… The Steelers would have pretty strong credibility.
I was checking their depth chart. They’ve dropped Moore to #3, and moved up Issac Redman, so it looks like they are gonna have 3 HBs. That David Johnson looks like the big FB (similar to Summers) and he’s on his third year and crossing over from TE to FB. Not sure their second FB is gonna make it. So appears to be doing the same 3 HB to 1 FB that you’re suggesting for the Chargers.
On the other hand I might see why the Steelers cut Summers loose. On Paper Johnson is bigger, maybe less injury history? They are the same age. We could do worse than the Steelers hand-me-downs at RB.
by Trendsearcher on Aug 15, 2011 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
All of our RBs are versatile. Tolbert and Hester can play both HB and FB. Mathews is an every-down RB. Todman returns kicks. Brandon Sullivan is an option, in my eyes, because he can seemingly play HB and FB.
If Summers was as good as Osgood (or Tolbert) on ST, I’d agree that he had a shot. But I don’t think he is.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions
I might have to change my vote...
I like a power fullback, but the Chargers don’t use a power FB.
I went over to BTSC to get the history on The Tank. Part of what they had to say gave assurance that injuries may not be a factor with this guy – that is good.
The rest of what they wrote gives me pause. The Steelers were asking him to do basically the same things The Chargers ask of their FBs and he came up wanting. They weren’t primarily using him as a lead blocker. They wanted the pass protection and I guess he wiffed more than they wanted. They wanted him to catch the screens and they weren’t with his routes and hands either. They didn’t like his speed.
The one apology seems to be that he was shifting from HB to FB. Hester had similar problems switching to FB. One more season into the change… Maybe Summers can be a better "Steeler/Charger-type" FB than he used to be?
I still like the guy, but I like power FBs. Maybe my vote changes to either Hester or Summers, but not both. Hard for the Tank to take down Hester.
by Trendsearcher on Aug 16, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Exactly my thoughts
If him and Hester were both coming in with no real history, that’s one thing, but the team loves Hester.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
And really with Summers going against pre-season scrubs...
… There is a talent differential that he just doesn’t have the opportunity to face. Hester has the in-season reps. Even if The Tank blows up the entire camp (kinda reads like he is doing that) and plays really, really well in all the preseason games (he’s already missed one).
At final cut down, the Turk has to put more weight on actual past game history than camp/preseason. Unless Hester has a Billy Volek-esc complete meltdown…. The Tank can only loose the spot (can’t win it by his performance alone) AND his survival depends upon Hester loosing the spot as well.
by Trendsearcher on Aug 16, 2011 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I dunno
we plucked Garay off the PS, it was interesting to me they signed Summers all the way back in February, they must have seen something. That said, I didn’t see him really pancake anyone, it would be nice to see him play against the first stringers and see if he makes an impact, same for Gamble.
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Aug 15, 2011 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Garay
Was signed because of injuries, and was a guy with talented who was often injured. I don’t think Summer is in the same boat.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Available because of injuries.
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 Aug 16, 2011 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know, man.
“That safety never could pick off a pass. But now that his arm’s got that cast on, he hits like a sonofabitch.”
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 16, 2011 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Firstly
Frank played tailback in college, and played both HB and FB with the Steelers. And he never “beat up on 3rd stringers”, in fact he actually started as a rookie. So yeah, sigh thats garbage. No he’s not a rookie but so what no one cares if a FB is 23 or 25. The guy was a starter and was then injured, and ended up on the PS the following year because the Steelers drafted Dwyer. Nothing in this story means the guy doesnt stand a shot at the roster
Winning
Frank played tailback in college, and played both HB and FB with the Steelers. And he never "beat up on 3rd stringers", in fact he actually started as a rookie.
Where did you get any of that? Summers career stats read like this: In 2009 he appeared in two games. One of those games he was listed as the “starter”, which essentially means he was in on the first offensive play. A real starter would have a carry or a catch or any sort of stat at all besides “games played/started”
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Jon he played FB
Not every team actually uses their FBs for anything more than blocking. Some of these guys are lucky to have one carry per year. I still dont see what you point is. The guy is a scrub, so what. There will be a half dozen scrubs on the team this year just like every other
Winning
Sigh part 2
If he was good, he’d be good? For someone that I hear applaud guys like Garay and back up Weddles development into a future pro bowler this sounds like you just dislike popular ideas that are not your own. I say the readers are right and he can play but with Tolbert there is just not a spot on the roster for what talents he can provide.
"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women." -The Barbarian
by traceSD on Aug 15, 2011 8:20 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Weddle and Garay have stats to back up the arguments
Summers has no stats at all. He had two mildly-successful seasons at UNLV, which doesn’t face the toughest competition in the NCAA.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions
John the guy is a fullback
Of course he doesnt have stats. haha And nobody cares that he played for UNLV, just like no one cares Tolbert played for Coastal Carolina
Winning
Fullback stats... how would you do that?
If you could find an aggregate set of stats that realistically indicated the relationship between any given FB or TE and the team’s chance of winning, that could be worth millions, either to FO or to some GM.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 16, 2011 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess who could just measure the guys neck
That should separate the lead blockers from the real fullbacks
Winning
I'm with you in thinking Washington doesn't make it.
I think his spot will come down to a contest between Walters and Goodman, or to Gamble ’cause you can never have enough linebackers.
No more running backs, please. You want four guys, and after that RBs off the street are plug-and-play.
Schilling only makes the team if there’s an injury. Bird, Wilson, whoever… not so likely.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 15, 2011 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions
walters and gamble
Liked what I saw in the first p.s. game. Need to see more to be a lock. Tolzein? wasn’t impressed with what I saw. As someone else mentioned, passes hittling pass rushers in the shoulder? Too many passes got batted down. Practice squad, maybe. But, someone would probably steal him off the squad.
Yeah I agree
As of today, this club cannot carry a horrible 3rd QB instead of carrying an extra developmental OL or versatile cheap LB
Winning
I must be wrong...
But I thought the rosters were expanded to 55 in the new CBA.
Someone correct me please.
I know you can have 46 active players now
And they got rid of the 3rd QB rules. But, not sure about 55.
"Beating the Red Sox feels SO GOOD.! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!" -jbox
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
they expanded it from 52 to 53
for the third QB
the weren’t counted on the roster because they rarely saw playing time. The had some funky rule were you could have them on the bench as an “emergency back-up” and you could not sub your starter back in once that player was used.
BOOM!
Thanks for clearing that up guys
It was really bothering me and I couldn’t find any info.
Go teamwork!
by Alex Bourque on Aug 16, 2011 6:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I would prefer Steve Schilling instead of Tolzien
Schilling can play OG and RT which pretty much sounds perfect for a backup OLineman, and I wasn’t very much impressed with Tolzien.
Not seeing kickoffs from Kaeding left me nervous, I want to be sure he can kick touchbacks, because I doubt the chargers will carry Ricky Schimdt for kickoff exclusively.
I feel like we have the proper backups at OL on the roster already
I agree with previous comments. Unless there are some injuries, Schilling will have a tough time cracking the 53 man roster.
by Alex Bourque on Aug 15, 2011 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Scifers would be the guy to kick it out the back anyway
if they were to do that, they aren’t going to have three kickers
"I promise you, we’re going to build a dictating, dominating, attacking defense. I’ve said it a million times. It’s not a slight on our offense, but we’re not going to win any world championship until we have that." - A.J. Smith
He's not mentioned at all here
But, I think Quinton Teal is probably in the mix, even if he is on the bubble. There was talk that he was supposed to be one of the mainstays on special teams.
And if Mooch is a doubt to start the season, then doesn’t Colin Baxter move into the “competing for a spot” category?
"Beating the Red Sox feels SO GOOD.! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!" -jbox
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Teal
was good last year, it seemed like he did make an impact on ST. I wonder if Green isn’t on the bubble. He was supposed to push Vasquez and it didn’t seem to happen.
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Aug 15, 2011 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Green is going to start
Vasquez got owned when he was in. Green isnt even close to the bubble, the guy can play anywhere on the line
Winning
I don't think so
And Green struggled when he got to start last year. He’s versatile, I’m not convinced he’s that good.
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Aug 15, 2011 8:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Versatile will keep you on a NFL roster even if you arent that good
All that aside it doesnt take away from the fact that Vasquez was owned on thursday. The team is already thinking about giving Green the start next week as a result Plus Green wasnt bad last year considering he played some OT in camp.
Winning
His first two series back. Don't read much into it.
Vasquez is a mauler.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 15, 2011 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
In his one series
where Rivers completed all passes but one? I maybe need to rewatch that series…
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree.
I watched that drive again. Vasquez was terrible for the first few plays. But he gave Rivers a huge escape route for that bomb, and he obviously had his feet on that Mathews run up the gut.
First play of the preseason really, really sucked. Yawn.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 16, 2011 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah its one play
we should see a ton more of the first unit in dallas perhaps even a full half. the depth chart should clear up a bit. not that it needs clearing especially offensively, everything is pretty much sorted besides right guard and perhaps the way back end of the WR position
Winning
Vasquez has his RG spot locked.
Green will be a back up
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 Aug 16, 2011 7:18 AM PDT up reply actions
I would not bet on this
Green is already getting first team reps. Clubs hardly rotate OGs so this must mean something
Winning
Backups routinely get first team reps
for many reasons. Turner says so himself that it’s to promote continuing progress from the veterans and starters. In this case, it’s not due to Vasquez’s job being in jeopardy.
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 Aug 16, 2011 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Backup OL
Usually do not get 1st team reps unless the guy ahead of them is a old vet and or injured. It makes more sense to argue that he’s being considered for the starting RG job, especially since similar reports have been made this season
Winning
This, with a qualifier.
1) Vasquez has a lot to prove. He seems ready to do it, but he’s still the new kid and he hasn’t shown himself to be consistent and he’s missed some games to injury.
2) Vasquez is a mauler. I said it above, and I meant it. If he pans out (not a huge if, but an if), he has the potential to be a pro-bowler or even an HOF’er (not predicting it; just saying we don’t know better yet).
3) Green lacks Vasquez’s upside as a RG and can play all 5 positions; if Vasquez can’t cut it, Green can unseat him, but he’s definitely got an uphill fight.
4) In the preseason and in camp, you want that 6th lineman getting action. You want him ready, and if you want him competing with your new guy you gotta put him there in practice sometimes.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 16, 2011 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, there's a competition.
I just think Vasquez starts with a natural leg up, and I don’t think the first play of the preseason is very informative.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 16, 2011 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh
And, John, I think the reason you had that number 8 in mind for the DL was because during the offseason there was still thinking that the Chargers would retain Travis Johnson.
"Beating the Red Sox feels SO GOOD.! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!" -jbox
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
Yeah I automatically counted him in too when I was looking at the list
"Crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women." -The Barbarian
by traceSD on Aug 15, 2011 6:23 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
True
They’ve also carried 8 DL for the last few seasons.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Wow
Struggling to find a real weak link in that roster. We are stacked.
I don't think Andrew Gachkar makes this team. Gamble instead.
I could see Tolzein being cut or waived (ideally to the practice squad, but unlikely), and Walters/Schilling/Frank Da Tank or any combination thereof being retained somehow. Washington will stick around unless he gets hurt.
I also think it’s a bit more feasible that Shareece Wright gets the axe than most around here, it seems. Remember Gartrell Johnson?
The Padres are good, but make no mistake: we've gotta beef up the linwup.
"I'm so psyched, I'm gonna smoke a doobie and poop on my hot dog." --Dex
The Tolbert Report
I think Tolbert’s ability to play FB and act as the 2nd RB, especially with Todman playing well in a depth spot, makes it easy to iamgine the Chargers keep just 4 backs on the active roster. I don’t think that leaves them thin. But I’m a TOlbert fan, too, so maybe I’m biased :D
This guy thinks the Chargers looked pretty strong vs. Seattle
But it was in ilmited reps against a Seahawks team trying to figure out offense/defense and who’s who. Not sure if I’m ready to crown them champs yet, but I think the Bolts veteran leadership does offer them stability a lot of teams don’t have because of the lack of prep time this season.
Gamble has to be a ST stud
in order to make the cut.
John, you continue to doubt Vaughn Martin. The kid has had an incredible learning curve to work through. By all accounts he’s one hell of an athlete for a man of his size. Wanna cut someone from the DL? Cut that slug Cam Thomas. He wasn’t all that at UNC & he’s showing similar form here. The guy just doesn’t have much desire or work ethic.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
Actually, I’ve always loved Vaughn potential. I hope he lives up to it. However, he needs to continue to take steps forward in his development.
Cam is probably the best option at backup NT. I’m not disagreeing with anything else you’ve stated, but the other DL on this team (besides Garay) are better suited for 3-4 DE than 3-4 NT. I think his job is safe.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
by John Gennaro on Aug 16, 2011 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Thomas' job being safe
is far from an endorsement. I watched him plenty at UNC. He was a fat-assed slacker there & I have little reason to believe that will change.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Aug 16, 2011 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll keep a close eye on him
during my game reviews
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 Aug 17, 2011 5:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Guess you can cross Holt off the list
That cut could be seen as one small positive for Gamble.
"Fast just got Faster"
Cam Thomas
every time he was double teamed…idk what else you guys want him to do? I hope Gamble makes it the guy has a motor running, I just don’t get what all the hype is about for Walter. I would be excited to see shareece Wright or Gilchrist attempt some kick returns.
Battle for last two roster spots
My roster is almost identical to Genarro’s. I think the last two roster spots TODAY (that is my game one caveat) would include Gamble and Walters but cut Washington. Gamble provides some backup for the OLB four man rotation of starters, and we need a backup for English until he proves he can stay healthy. If Gamble shows he can tackle and block on ST, he is in. I don’t see Washington beating Seyi as a receiver so that means it is a head-to-head comp for special teams time, and he does not provide the return ability of Walters. I saw Walters in on some tackles with the return team, and Seyi’s growth in ST and focus on improving his tackling shows the coaches that he can grow into a ST stud. Plus, I don’t see Washington getting picked up by another team so he would likely remain available for injury backup. Same with Teal.
My guess at Practice Squad would be two running backs (Brinkley and McNeal), one FB (Tank?), Schilling plus another lineman and a couple of DB/Safety types.
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