San Diego Chargers Twitter Mailbag: Valentine's Day Edition

@BFTB_Chargers Ya Twitter Mailbags are awesome! Question #1. If VJax leaves will Vincent Brown be the starter or look to FAs?

— Rob O'Shea (@RobRB23) February 14, 2012

I think Brown is the replacement for Malcom Floyd in a year or two, but definitely not a replacement for Vincent Jackson now. For as good as his moves and hands are, Brown doesn't have Jackson's size or speed and wouldn't do much against #1 CBs around the league. Not to mention, there's not much depth after brown in the San Diego Chargers WR group. They'd need to bring in a FA or a high draft pick to replace Jackson.

@BFTB_Chargers if we dont retain tolbert: make mathews featured, or pick up a new platoon back? Brinkley, draftee, or free agent?

— chris osgood (@orz_bftb) February 14, 2012

The Chargers saw what happened to LaDainian Tomlinson when he was forced to carry the ball 300+ times per season. They'd rather keep Ryan Mathews as fresh and healthy as possible every week and for as long as they can, so they'll either be bringing back Mike Tolbert or replacing him with someone else that can touch the ball 10-15 times per game. I don't think they're ready to trust Curtis Brinkley with that role yet.

@BFTB_Chargers do you think that the Kaplan firing has really been the reason for chargers brass going on 1090 now or just getting msg out?

— Mike Jocher (@mjocher77) February 14, 2012

There is no doubt that guys like A.J. Smith are doing 1090's morning show now because Scott Kaplan is off the air.

@BFTB_Chargers:AJ would never do it but I like the idea of replacing VJ with Wayne & Meachem OR Manningham.If VJ has to go.

— Ryan Rau (@Ryan_Rau) February 14, 2012

I love when people say that they know what A.J. Smith would or wouldn't do. I think there's a good chance that they try and replace VJ with Reggie Wayne or Robert Meachem. I don't think there's any way the Giants let their Super Bowl hero Mario Manningham walk away.

@BFTB_Chargers Not a question, but if they let VJ walk, they should go hard after J. Finley. He's basically a WR anyway. Thoughts?

— Ryan Brown (@ryanbrown77) February 14, 2012

Being "basically a WR" does not make you a WR. Jermichael Finley is an okay TE with buttery hands that looks better because he's always the fourth read on the play. He could never ever ever replace Vincent Jackson in the San Diego Chargers offense. He couldn't even replace Randy McMichael in this offense. Awful idea. Just terrible.

@BFTB_Chargers What are your thoughts on whether or not the #Chargers will hang on to Steve Gregory?

— Teri Petersen (@tedipe1) February 14, 2012

Somebody (the Jets would be my best guess) is going to offer Gregory a chance to be a starting Safety, and it's not going to be the Chargers. He won't be back.

Yeah, uh, who cuts your hair? RT @BFTB_Chargers Looking for 3-4 more Chargers questions before making a full post. #TwitterMailbag

— Richard Wade (@RichardWade) February 14, 2012

I do. I pluck out eat hair on my head individually every 2-3 months using tweezers.

@BFTB_Chargers Ok, a real question. Who's lying? Cromartie or Shaun Phillips? Signed, the flying PB champagne bottle.

— LobShots Sports (@LobShots) February 14, 2012

Antonio Cromartie is lying, but don't ask me how I know this.

@BFTB_Chargers what will happen with FB pos? Tolbert? Hester? Will either be a Bolt next season?

— Alejandro Mercado (@Pale_Mercado) February 14, 2012

One of them has to be back. They can't go into 2012 with no FB or starting over at FB. My guess is Jacob Hester will stay in San Diego, because he'll be a bit cheaper and was the Special Teams Captain last year. I think the Chargers will give Tolbert a fair offer, but he'll take a contract with more money from somewhere else (Seahawks, if I'm guessing).

@BFTB_Chargers What is the KEY difference that has to be made on the DEF. side of the ball to get us back into SB contention? #SBorBust

— BJ (@661ChargerMAN) February 14, 2012

A.J. Smith needs to find a way to put a dominating pass-rusher on the field opposite Shaun Phillips on 1st and 2nd down. Antwan Barnes apparently cannot be that guy. Mario Williams might be.

@BFTB_Chargers what is vaughn martin's role next year. do they cut castillo and let garay walk away in free agency?

— Matt Baxter (@MBax8) February 14, 2012

There is talk of restructuring Luis Castillo's deal. I could see good reason for both parties to do that. I don't think Antonio Garay comes back unless nobody else wants him as a starter. Cam Thomas looks ready to take his place. Vaughn Martin filled in well for Castillo, but he was not Luis Castillo. He could go back to being the first DE off the bench, which isn't a bad role to have, in 2012.