Two QBs once again for Bolts

by PadBoltPappy on Sep 5, 2011 12:30 AM PDT

With the release of Scott Tolzien, the Chargers have decided to carry two quarterbacks--just like they did for the majority of the 2010 season. For a team with championship aspirations that is also intent on having special teams depth, it is the correct move. Tolzien was very impressive in the preseason finale against the 49ers and also piqued the interest of Chargers beat writer Kevin Acee throughout training camp. However, Tolzien added little value to the team this season as a member of the active roster.

Billy Volek has been the back-up every year under Norv Turner and has proven he can win games in the regular season and even engineer a comeback in the postseason. It can happen, but it is rare for a team to lose both its starting and back-up quarterbacks to major injuries. Should that occur, chances are that team will not be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

Philip Rivers is a superstar QB in his prime and going nowhere. Volek signed a two-year deal this offseason. There really was nowhere for Tolzien to move up. It would have been nice for him to learn more from Rivers and Norv, but now he gets a chance to seriously compete for the back-up job in San Francisco with Colin Kaepernick.

In addition, Alex Smith's stranglehold over the starters job is much less pronounced than Rivers'. If Tolzien turns out to be a star, good for him, because he would not have had that opportunity with the Chargers.

The Chargers have drafted players like Vaughn Martin knowing full well he would take up a roster spot and have little chance of making a positive difference right away. Problem with a third-string, possible back-up QB is he might not ever play.

Keeping defensive players like C.J. Wallace and Andrew Gachker are not exciting at the onset, but they have a clearer path to contribute--through special teams. Stephen Cooper also possess a greater chance to make an impact than Tolzien did simply due to the fact that linebackers rotate for different packages.

Offensive lineman Colin Baxter--now with the Jets--arguably should be treated as a more worrisome loss for the Chargers due to his ability to play multiple positions. Tolzien was only going to help the Bolts on the practice field as long as Rivers is around. With the move, the Bolts front office displayed it is more interested in compiling wins rather than more projects.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

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Comments

Would have liked to keep Tolzein

Thought he was a really good UDFA pick up. A few years sitting behind Rivers I think he could have been an NFL starting QB.

I also didn’t like letting Tutu walk. Walters had better be the real deal. Thought Tutu would be the eventual WR to take over for Floyd.

by J Korber on Sep 5, 2011 12:53 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Just curious how many NFL teams starting QB

in week one this season began their career as a UDFA?

by JeromeB on Sep 5, 2011 1:07 PM PDT reply actions

Tony Homo is the only one I can think of

Winning

by Foilhat on Sep 5, 2011 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions

So maybe he is the next Tony Romo, or a starter somewhere

but the odds appear to be against it. I put the over/under on Tolzien’s career NFL passing yards at 738.

by JeromeB on Sep 5, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Tutu

I was a bit surprised as well about Tutu since I thought he would be a gunner on special teams.

by PadBoltPappy on Sep 5, 2011 2:00 PM PDT reply actions

Tutu leaving really was suprising, sad to see him go

I wanted the Chargers to keep Tolzein, if only to either become the new primary backup in a year or so (Volek I believe is a commodity that is wanted at least somewhere in the league). I think he could have had starter potential, either here if god forbid something happened to El Capitan, or somewhere else for a nice draft pick.

I also agree with J Korber that Walters better be the “real deal”.

by TheFan09 on Sep 5, 2011 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah I don't get it ........

So we kept Walters (who I did like), but doesn’t it kind of seem like Walters and Vincent Brown both fill the same role……….slot receiver type, precision route runners. Plus………Brown was hurt for the majority of camp/pre-season.

Floyd only signed a 2 year deal and is on the wrong side of 30. Crayton is only signed through this year and is out because he just had bone spurs scoped from his ankle.

I wouyld have felt a lot more comfortable with a young, big, developmental WR to eventually plug the hole Floyd will leave when he’s done in SD.

by J Korber on Sep 5, 2011 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm guessing

the thought was that Tutu was just Osgood++. Never going to be good enough to be an every week contributor. Could be a special teams contributor, but unless you’ve really got a stud there, you’re probably better off keeping those spots for your young guys who have more potential than Tutu did.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 5, 2011 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions

how dare you overlook J.T O'Sullivan!

Our 3rd QB week 1 of last year…

There were a few weeks last year we only had two, and Crompton (our 3rd QB in camp) did not make it through the cut to 53, so I can see how you might have forgotten.

Typically Norv likes to have 3 QBs. I wonder if the changing of number of active players on game day has changed his thoughts… perhaps since 46 players can be active and there is no special rule for the 3rd QB that has changed Norv’s thinking.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 5, 2011 4:30 PM PDT reply actions