Free Agency starts NOW

by MacDeezul on Jan 7, 2012 1:36 PM PST

You know I really must say it has been very enjoyable discussing Charger Nation with all of you these last 5 or so months. We have cheered together, we have cried together, we have b'ched, moaned, and complained together. But the season is over now and it is our duty as fans and arm-chair GMs to begin the process of restoring our team to its once feared status in the league (when was that again?). So I invite all of you to participate and who knows maybe ol' AJ will stop through and consider some of our opinions.........

Not likely! LOL. However I would like to start discussing Free agents

and what we could do to make our team better. We, as a collective, have been discussing a lot here lately about draft picks and priorities. However Free Agency moves - the right ones - can provide us a little more flexibility in the draft. Here are some position-based free-agents that we can begin to set our sights on.

RB: Ray Rice, Matt Forte, Ryan Grant, Peyton Hillis, Mike Tolbert, Benjarvus Green-Ellis, LaDanian Tomlinson, Cedric Benson, Marshawn Lynch, Arian Foster (restricted)

- My thoughts: Would be interested in Peyton Hillis but he is the same back as Mike Tolbert I think and does no good to have two starting RBs.... but then again there is no reason to think that R Matthews wont get hurt. LT for sentimental reasons and resign Tolbert to play FB.

WR: Reggie Wayne, Wes Welker, Vincent Jackson, DeSean Jackson, Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston, Steve Johnson, Brandon Lloyd, Robert Meachem, Mario Manningham, Mike Wallace

- My thoughts: Wow there are some names here on this list. The one that interest me the most IF we can resign V-Jack is Steve Johnson. I think he can be that #2 or Slot WR that would just put our corps of WRs over the top. I like Reggie Wayne too but I gotta think that he is gonna stay with the Colts if he can.

OL: Demetrius Bell (T), Carl Nicks (G), Ben Grubbs (G), Chris Meyers (C), Jeff Saturday (C), Nick Hardwick (C), Scott Wells (C)

- My thoughts: Man a move in this area, maybe two, could really help us out big time. Of course resigning Hardwick would be a good move but there are at least two other centers out there - granted Saturday ain't young either. But I am specifically interested in picking up the OT and a OG.

DL: Robert Mathis (DE), Antonio Garay (NT), Calais Campbell (DE), Jason Jones (DT), John Abraham (DE), Cliff Avril (DE), Aubrayo Franklin (NT), Sione Pouha (NT), Paul Soliai (NT)

- My thoughts: most of the defensive linemen are 4-3 ends. I have no reason to think that we are going to transition to the 4-3 scheme. So the only ones of interest here are at the NT position. I would really like to bring back Garay however any of the other three listed would be just as competent, if not more so, in my book.

LB: Mario Williams, Curtis Lofton, Anthony Spencer, Stephen Tulloch, Dan Conner, London Fletcher, EJ Henderson, DQwell Jackson, Manny Lawson

-My thoughts: Mario Williams. Then I would also be very interested in bringing in DQwell Jackson as an ILB. All he does is tackle in Cleveland - what I don't know is if that is because he is the only play-maker the browns have in their front seven.

DB: Brent Grimes, Carlos Rogers, Courtland Finnegan, Brandon Carr, Tracy Porter, Marcus Trufant, Terrell Thomas, Rhonde Barber, Tim Jennings, Jarret Bush

-My thoughts: It has been well published - my disappointment and lack of love for the Chargers DB situation. It has also been reasonably explained to me that Rookie draft picks in the early round still require a year or so in the league to really fall into their own and help out their team - unless you just get lucky. All that being said there are some interesting names on the list. Brent Grimes could be a good pickup but he is small. Same with Courtland Finnegan. Carlos Rogers has worse hands than Q-Jam. I did like Brandon Carr's performance last year and I think Tim Jennings plays good ball too. Jarret Bush has shown some potential when given the opportunity in Green Bay.

So those are my thoughts. What are yours?

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

Please!

Make an attempt to sign Mario Williams. Dude would fix a lot of issues in my opinion. I think Oakland’s SS Tyvon Branch is a FA this year. He would be a good upgrade and fix other defensive problems.

by ttawdvr4 on Jan 7, 2012 4:14 PM PST reply actions

that would also really help our DBs out

seems like they have to cover WRs forever with no pass rush

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 7, 2012 4:50 PM PST up reply actions

he has a serious injury

that might get him for less money. seems highly unlikely though.

by chaplinesque on Jan 8, 2012 9:56 AM PST up reply actions

I'll be surprised if Houston can't re-sign Williams.

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by Richard Wade on Jan 8, 2012 10:52 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed!

Getting Mario Williams would be a great aquisition! The one our defense lacked all season was a pass rush. Yes, you can put some blame on the secondary but when the opposing QB has all day to through the ball someone is bound to get open. Get Williams. Bookended with Phillips would be a monster pass rush.

by boltbeliever17 on Jan 17, 2012 9:32 AM PST up reply actions

It's worth a shot

by ttawdvr4 on Jan 17, 2012 2:58 PM PST up reply actions

Nice List

I wasnt wondering which guys are restricted and werent and where u got ur info from.

Die Hard Fan

by Jbkplayer on Jan 7, 2012 4:43 PM PST reply actions

I got it from here

http://www.footballsfuture.com/freeagents.html

by MacDeezul on Jan 7, 2012 8:39 PM PST up reply actions

Lines

I think that if we can address our d-line issue before the draft it would let us focus on o-linemen with our picks. A D-Lineman that I think would be interesting if we can’t bring back Garay would be Aubrayo Franklin. He had a great year for the 49ers this year and could bring the same toughness to us. I also like Calais Campbell. He already plays in a 3-4 defense and can get pressure on the QB which will help our secondary which is having there own problems.

by samfootball21 on Jan 7, 2012 4:52 PM PST reply actions

if we don't sign garay or franklin

maybe we could draft Alameda Ta’amu for NT, only if he slips to us in the 2nd

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 7, 2012 8:48 PM PST up reply actions

I think you have to address the NT

in some form or fashion rather early in our off-season. In the 3-4 the NT position has to be solid or nothing else is going to be as effective. No strong push up the middle means that the OGs can help pick up the extra-rusher and/or help double-team the pass rushing threat. No strong presence to plug the middle on rushing attempts means the interior of your defense will consistently allow runs of 4 and 5 yards up the middle because the OG only needs to seal the NT for a split second before they release up field and peel the ILB.

So I guess I agree that if they don’t address the position in FA that we will almost have to in the draft. Which I hope isn’t the case because I think we need to use the draft to fill some other positions.

by MacDeezul on Jan 8, 2012 5:58 AM PST up reply actions

yea

i heard they are leaning towards cam thomas to start at NT next year and let garay go

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 8, 2012 7:23 PM PST up reply actions

Garay is injury prone and likely to eat up more cap room than he's worth.

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Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
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by Richard Wade on Jan 8, 2012 10:53 PM PST up reply actions

FRANKLIN ON THE NINERS?!

That was 2010, pal.

He was a Saint this year…and he sucked.

by BORTZ on Jan 9, 2012 9:22 AM PST up reply actions

Nice list

Id like Mario Williams, Hillis, , Sione Pouha, in free agency.
I’d like to retain V Jax and Tolbert.
And address issues at Dback in the early draft rounds, and move Jammer to safety .
Only problem is ( We still have A.J)
Therefore-
1. We will take NO shots in free agency
2. Not retain our own free agents
3. Draft players nobody has ever heard of.

Thats just how he rolls!!

Jeremy Beckett

by JeremyBeckett on Jan 8, 2012 7:54 AM PST reply actions

wrong

criticism of our fearless leader is deserved but comments like these are silly

by chaplinesque on Jan 8, 2012 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

hahahahahahahaha

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Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 8, 2012 10:53 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

i agree with you about AJ!

by quan p on Jan 9, 2012 11:51 AM PST up reply actions

You nailed it

AJ will do something that nobody expects, and if the past is a window to the future, his picks will be flops. Maybe then he will be out of a job next year, but that is for another thread.

I would love to see a OLB and maybe a NT in free agency then draft one of the CB’s from LSU in the first and use a second rounder on OG or C for future.

by glamisdave on Jan 16, 2012 4:46 PM PST up reply actions

RB – i feel we can let tolbert go, feel he is overrated, if rice or lynch make it to FA, go for them!!! (doubt AJ will ever pay and bring anyone in with that high of talent)

WR – need to resign VJ, but if that fails, we need a playmaker like DeSean or Wallace. Even if they sign VJ, i think it would be nice to pair him up with a speedy number 2 WR to match with his size.

TE – we need to get a solid backup, Gates’ foot problem will be worse with age.

OL – need to resigns Gaithers even McNeill does or does not return, if McNeill returns put Gaithers at RT, he is 10x better than whoever is currently there. Hardwick to return would be great, if not someone solid, same with Guard, the 2 you have listened will be too expensive for AJ’s taste, he will never go for that.

Defense i believe we should switch to 4-3, never have been a fan of 3-4 unless you got LBs like Pittsburgh or SF, which we clearly dont. I remember the reason why the chargers switched to 3-4 was the lack of talent they had at the line. Chargers need 1 or 3 pass rushers that WILL get to the QB, either scheme if Loften is available, i think the chargers should pursue heavy on him. He is young and proven he can play. Same with D Jackson.

DBs, i would like to see them get a heavy hitter at SS. If the chargers can get enough Pass Rush, we just need a solid not superb, just look at Detroit and Baltimore, their CB are not crazy good, but they generate enough pressure on the QB. With that said i think Jammer and Cason would be fine.

by quan p on Jan 9, 2012 11:50 AM PST reply actions

i also think we should switch to 4-3

it is easier to draft a 4-3 DL or LB than a 3-4

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 9, 2012 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

and run moar

by cameronm on Jan 9, 2012 1:31 PM PST up reply actions

smashmouth

A pirate I was meant to be!
"You say you're nasty pirates,
scheming, thieving, bad bushwackers?
From what I've seen I tell you
You're not pirates, you're just slackers!"

by Zach (maestro876) on Jan 9, 2012 2:13 PM PST up reply actions

yea i miss our running game with LT

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 9, 2012 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

FIRE SAPNOS

Follow @RichardWade

Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 9, 2012 3:55 PM PST up reply actions

I think keeping McNeill AND re-signing Gaithers

would be a smart decision. Use them as bookend Tackles. At very worse McNeill could be used as trade bait (hopefully for Jared Allen (: )

by ttawdvr4 on Jan 10, 2012 10:25 AM PST up reply actions

Michael Bush

I think he might be available!!!!

by quan p on Jan 11, 2012 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

4-3 scheme

i can see it Harris and Liuget at the ends, Castillo and Cam in the middle…..sign Loften as one of the starting LBs…..team doesnt look that bad anymore

by quan p on Jan 11, 2012 4:00 PM PST up reply actions

That's interesting

but neither of those players (harris, liuget) are prototype 4-3 ends and castillo is not a 4-tackle – although he could probably pull it off. When I say not prototype I am saying that in a 4-3 your primary pass rush comes from the ends and I don’t think they have the burst/speed to do that effectively from that position…. but I do admit I would be interested in seeing them try because they also have a lot more size (weight) and strength the typical 4-3 ends…. imo of course

by MacDeezul on Jan 11, 2012 5:28 PM PST up reply actions

D-Line

yeah they would have a lot of Beef upfront but lack the speed at the ends for pass rushing….Castillo i believe played DT in college. I thought Harris was a DE when he played with the bears? i might be wrong. The Line might not be quick but atleast they will have strength and can impose their will and not be pushed off the line like in recent years.

by quan p on Jan 12, 2012 2:59 PM PST up reply actions

Four defensive tackles upfront would certainly be a unique look.

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by Richard Wade on Jan 12, 2012 3:43 PM PST up reply actions

would make it a lot easier for our LBs

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 12, 2012 3:55 PM PST up reply actions

just a thought

the chargers might be way too slow if they did this, but its just a thought….clearly things arent working the way it is now, so maybe changing it up isnt a bad thing.

by quan p on Jan 13, 2012 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

4 DT's on a 4-3 line?

I guess it would help stop the run, but that looks like a line that runs in place. At least have Phillips beef up by 10 pounds and make him a DE. If they switch to a 4-3 (which I don’t see happening) Mathis would be the one to get.

by glamisdave on Jan 16, 2012 4:51 PM PST up reply actions

AJ considering signing 1 or 2 impact defensive players with experience

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 9, 2012 3:13 PM PST reply actions

Some thoughts:

Running back – Matthews is injury prone, but I did love the production we got out of him this season. I don’t see San Diego dumping Tolbert, nor A.J. picking up any one of the RB’s you mentioned. In A.J.‘s eyes, if it ain’t (totally) broke, don’t fix it.

Wide Receiver – This is tough. If we let Jackson walk, we lose an explosive weapon at Rivers’ disposal, despite the fact he’s immature and wants a Larry Fitzgerald-type contract. Same goes for DeSean and probably Santonio Holmes. Reggie Wayne would make everyone forget about VJax in a heartbeat, but I think if Peyton comes back, so will he. Dwayne Bowe or Steve Johnson would be a steal. Wallace or Wayne would be the big prize.

Linebacker: This is most important. We need an impact player on Defense, in particular, a Pass Rusher. Mario Williams would be big, but that pectoral injury worries me a bit. D’Qwell Jackson looks great as well.

"follow @radio2012, trust me, you will find his optimism, innocence, and honesty quite refreshing. as a jaded bastard, i sure do." justdave2103

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by Jonathan Holmes on Jan 10, 2012 12:40 PM PST reply actions

Free Agent running backs tend to be a pretty bad value. Tolbert might end up getting overpaid and I could see him leaving.

I suspect a lot of the names on that list won’t actually make it to free agency, so that’s something to consider.

Follow @RichardWade

Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan

by Richard Wade on Jan 10, 2012 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed.

Whoever/whatever we decide to do at RB I think next year is the make or break year for Matthews. Well maybe “make or break” is a little strong but I do think its time for him to claim that full-time every down starting rb role.

That’s not saying that we don’t need depth at the RB position though. There are few teams in the league that have 1 sole RB for the entire season. So getting a quality guy here is important and with the injuries that have been suffered not only throughout RMs career but throughout the NFL it is almost a guaranteed necessity.

I think Peyton Hillis and the Cleveland Browns are ready to part ways. I would like to see him in a Charger uniform. Don’t know when they are going to make a move with Hillis though and we might have to wait to see what they (the Browns) do in the draft. If they go Trent Richardson (solid pick) then I think Hillis is out. If they go RG3 then I’m not so sure.

by MacDeezul on Jan 10, 2012 3:58 PM PST up reply actions

Free agency starts in March.

"second base is the bizness." -jbox

Bolts from the Blue - San Diego Chargers Blog Created By The Fans, For The Fans

by Wonko on Jan 10, 2012 5:08 PM PST reply actions

Which means our Personnel People need to start working now.

by MacDeezul on Jan 11, 2012 5:47 AM PST up reply actions

RB

Our 3rd string RB Bunkley got game he got soft hands……. I dont think that we need to sign a RB just retain what we already have. The CHARGERS should run a 3 RB offense like the saints bkuz all 3 of them possess good skill sets. Matthews is fast with soft hands, Tolbert a powerhouse with shifty moves n soft hands, and Bunkley could prove to be a good change of pace RB. Bunkley showed us a lil something. We dont need to let VJ go neither that would be dumb. Outside of the OL issues we have which we may be ankle to fix by keeping Gaither n McNiel we need a larger more physical FB and a younger more athletic TE.

Lil'Terry

by Lil'Terry on Jan 12, 2012 8:21 PM PST via Android app reply actions

I hate pCrayton

That guy Patrick Crayton is a liability at PR he has no speed and he has bad instincts. He is 50% responsible of our sorry special teams performance. That is very important to improve or special teams.

Lil'Terry

by Lil'Terry on Jan 12, 2012 8:26 PM PST via Android app up reply actions

Agreed

Crayton was a filler at PR last year. I would go crazy if they drafted Clairborne from LSU this year, because not only is he a great cover corner who can really tackle, he is a great returner. We might draft tooo low to get him though.

by glamisdave on Jan 16, 2012 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

Alot of good points on this thread.

The one that stuck out to me the most is that free-agency is right around the corner. So, the front office needs to start working overtime to figure out the guys that need to go after to fill some of our gaping holes.

by boltbeliever17 on Jan 17, 2012 9:40 AM PST reply actions

Concussion

Tolbert had so many head injuries the past two years. I think a LB in the 1st rd, WR in the 2nd, and La Michael James in the 3rd if he’s there or maybe move up to get him would help the offense tremendously. PR would get an extra 6’4 WR which there’s plenty of in this draft and a shifty runner back. Hester and Tolbert can be replaced(yea I know what they’ve done offensively and on special teams, IDK how this would effect cap room for chargers, I think it would be an advantage to release them(cap wise). We saw how many RB are transitioning nicely into the nfl. Do I want Tolbert and Hester replaced? no, they have their roles on offense and special teams, but they require too much money, then I’d rather see the team go a different route.

by john1 on Jan 17, 2012 11:52 AM PST reply actions

At OLB..what about......

Robert Mathis from the Colts?

He’s an undersized 4-3 DE. He’s been considered a “speed” guy, and edge rusher with the Colts.

Could he convert to a 3-4 OLB? He’s a proven pass rushing commodity.

by J Korber on Jan 17, 2012 12:38 PM PST reply actions

Would be a good short-term fix

He is still performing at a high level and would upgrade the D but I wonder for how much longer. I wouldn’t want to overpay or commit to more than 3 years and get stuck with his salary while in decline. But if he performs and gets sacks then it will all be a mute point.

by ttawdvr4 on Jan 17, 2012 2:56 PM PST reply actions

They should....

Let Castilo go and get Calais Campbell (DE) at book end, pair up weddle with leron landry, sign VJ and Gaither, Tolbert is replaceable get a center and guard later in the rounds And trade their 18th pick to the browns to get pick 21 and an extra 2nd or 3rd pick. Then get vontez burflect round one move him to outside line backer then use the secound pick on Alameda Ta’amu.. then get lamicheal james then tight end.

by slow mo on Jan 24, 2012 10:46 PM PST reply actions