Bolts From The Blue - All Posts

San Diego Chargers Daily Links: May 24, 2013

2013-05-24T21:17:16Z

EX-BRONCO ADMITS TRYING TO HURT EX-CHARGER OLSHANSKY IN ’06 - UTSanDiego.com (paywall)
While meeting with the media to talk about his election into the Broncos’ Ring of Fame, former Denver center Tom Nalen acknowledged trying to injure Chargers defensive lineman Igor Olshansky in a game in Denver in 2006.

Chargers' Max Starks looks to compete - Michael Gehlken (paywall)
A 10th-year veteran who signed a one-year deal this week, Starks is projected to be the Chargers' starter come the Sept. 9 season opener against the Texans. Nothing is predetermined to Starks, he said recently, as he braces for a competition.

Eight in the Box: RB status check - Matt Williamson
Ryan Mathews is right there with McFadden as the most maddening and untrustworthy running backs in the NFL. But once again, it looks like Mathews will be getting an opportunity to be San Diego’s foundation back. And there is no questioning his ability, which ranks among the best in the league.

Meet the 2013 Charger Girls - Chargers.com
Check out action shots of this year's Charger Girls squad from their audition. - Photos by Mike Nowak

New Tackles, New Guards, New Backs.. Zone Blocking? - Peter Thompson
When we hired Joe D’Alessandris away from the Buffalo Bills, most people were predicting that The San Diego Chargers would be moving to a "zone blocking scheme". As we all know, this scheme focuses on having a smaller, more athletic offensive line. With the first pick of the draft, Tom Telesco drafted "Mount Fluker" to hold down the right side of the line.

Digital Dolt, Issue #...er, 6?

2013-05-24T21:08:21Z

The Digital Dolt, as always, is stupid. And Bananarama had the best name of any band, ever. I don't care what you say , SPiN, the fact that you have L7 and Tony! Toni! Toné! on this list proves you are a bunch of howlie kooks. Although I give you some credit for the position of Motörhead and inclusion of Bathtub Shitter. Someone over there is cool and taking the paycheck. The rest of you are douche-nozzles.

I once sang karaoke in Lincoln, Nebraska backed by a band called "ShitHook". That was a great band name.

Where were we?

CGOTW: Stunning.

I couldn't figure out who she is, so let's call her "Stunning." The Charger Girls are in the process of updating their website with the new squad and it has put a serious damper on my cheerleader internet stalking behavior. Stunning is a Charger girl, I hope she made the squad this year, because she is Stunning.

BTW, has anyone ever visited the Charger Girls Facebook page? Some of the things that people are willing to publicly say in the comments are troubling. I already feel skeevy trying to find out about these girls and then posting it. The Facebook commentariat only makes me feel more dirty.

You know what else makes me feel dirty, the fact that I know about this, and enjoy it enough to know about it's chubby prudish little sister.

Where were we?

The Keenan Allen.

Ndamakong Suh got to ride on a Zamboni.

A little baseball with Manny being Manny...so Manny.

Don't go down there, or you'll get knocked the fuck out.

Buyer Beware: When you need refreshment at the game, get your lazy ass up and go to the refreshment stand.

Chuck Norris supports Tim Tebow to Jacksonville. This is like that Miller Lite ad campaign where you are hanging out with your crew, but what if one of your crew was just you and Tim Tebow and Chuck Norris?

Maître D': Sorry, we don't have any tables and you don't have reservations.

Chuck Norris delivers a sweet roundhouse kick to his nads. Tebow Tebows.

Will the San Diego Chargers offense improve in 2013?

2013-05-23T21:39:47Z

Offseason workouts have started, and we are finally getting our first glimpse of what the 2013 Chargers will look like. The major question is if they look like an improvement over the 2012 Chargers team. We all know Tom Telesco and Mike McCoy are playing the long game, and are not necessarily looking to win it all in the 2013 season.

With the Dwight Freeney and Max Starks signings, Tom Telesco has largely used up the last of the cap space available to attain impact players. That gives us the freedom to take a look at the roster, and see if it the Chargers have improved.

To do this, let's look at the roster position by position, comparing to last year's team. We will list all players who were signed by the Chargers last year, and include the number of games played. For this year's team, rookies will be noted, and what round they were drafted in, or if they were undrafted.

First we'll look at the offense, and address the defense in another post.

Quarterback

2012

Philip Rivers (16)
Charlie Whitehurst (0)

2013

Mike Hermann (R - U)
Philip Rivers
Brad Sorensen (R - 7)
Charlie Whitehurst

Analysis: Philip Rivers was the only quarterback to see the field for the Chargers last season, and he was pretty bad. As poor as his showing was, however, I still believe that he was better than Charlie Whitehurst would have been. Rivers will be the starter again, of course. It is possible that the Chargers could keep three quarterbacks on the roster this season. That coupled with Rivers likely improving on last year's showing implies that the Chargers should see improved QB play over last season.

Verdict: Better than last year

Running Back

2012

2013

Edwin Baker
Ronnie Brown
Michael Hill (R - U)
Ryan Matthews
Foswhitt Whittaker (R - U)
Danny Woodhead

Analysis: Two words on this- DANNY. WOODHEAD.

There is a slim chance that one of Baker/Hill/Whittaker makes the final 53, but I doubt it. Fozzy Whittaker is a totally awesome name, though. Points for that.

Verdict: WAY BETTER

Fullback

2012

Le'Ron McClain (16)

2013

Chris Gronkowski
Le'Ron McClain

Analysis: McClain was pretty meh last season, and Gronkowski is on his fourth team in four years.

Verdict: No improvement, but not worse either

Wide Receivers

2012

2013

Danario Alexander
Keenan Allen (R - 3)
Vincent Brown
Deon Butler
Dan DePalma (R - U)
Malcom Floyd
Richard Goodman
Robert Meachem
Eddie Royal
Luke Tasker (R - U)
Mike Willie

Analysis: A healthy Vincent Brown, plus the addition of Keenan Allen can only mean good things for this group. The top 5 looks something like Alexander/Allen/Brown/Floyd/Meachem to my eye. If the Chargers do retain a 6^th WR, it will likely be Royal.

Verdict: Improved

Tight Ends

2012

2013

Ben Cotton (R - U)
Antonio Gates
Ladarius Green
Kyle Nelson
John Phillips
David Rolf (R - U)
Dallas Walker (R - U)

Analysis: Gates isn't getting any younger, and with his injury history, I have trouble believing he will go for 15-16 games again. Going from Randy McMichael to John Phillips is a pretty poor tradeoff, at least in terms of on-field production. Both tight ends are fine blockers, but with McMichael, defenses would have to at least respect his ability to run routes and catch the ball. So far in his career, Phillips has not proven to be much of a receiving threat. If Gates were to be injured, Green would have to step up as the pass-catching tight end. Is he ready? We really don't know.

Verdict: Worse than last year, unless Ladarius Green proves me wrong

Center

2012

2013

Colin Baxter
Nick Hardwick
David Molk

Analysis: We can pretty safely say we'll probably get about the same level of play at Center as we did last year.

Verdict: Push

Guard

2012

2013

*Jeromey Clary
Rich Ohrnberger
Chad Rinehart
Stephen Schilling
Johnnie Troutman

Analysis: Clary is listed as a Tackle, of course, but we are listed him under Guard here, as this is currently where it appears he'll be playing this season, barring injury. The loss of Vasquez is huge, and there is a lot of turnover at this position. It is difficult to say how the starting positions will turn out for the offensive line, but at least for the start of the season, this looks like a downgrade.

Verdict: Worse than last year, but there is potential to be better by the end of the season.

Tackle

2012

Michael Harris (15)
Jeromey Clary (14)
Kevin Haslam (5)
Jared Gaither (4)
Brandyn Dombrowski (0)

2013

Nick Becton (R - U)
Jeromey Clary
Brandyn Dombrowski
King Dunlap
D.J. Fluker (R - 1)
Mike Harris
Randy Richards (R - U)
Max Starks

Analysis: Michael Harris to Max Starks? Jeromey Clary to D.J. Fluker? Yes please. Suddenly the Chargers have some options here. Granted, they are merely adequate options, but it is better than what was on the field last season. Considering we couldn't have been much worse at LT last season, and the team still has Clary to fall back on if Fluker doesn't work out. That leaves only one choice for the decision here.

Verdict: UPGRADE COMPLETE.

Final Verdict

Of the eight units that we looked at here, I think 4 will improve, 2 will regress, and 2 will remain about the same. Also, the improved units are coming in at key positions such as quarterback, running back, and offensive tackle. That, combined with better coaching, suggests that the Chargers offense next season will be better than that of the season before.

How would you grade Tom Telesco?

2013-05-23T19:30:12Z

A lot has changed in the two weeks since we last voted on Tom Telesco's approval rating from the fans. Here's a quick rundown.

Oh, and Kevin Haslam and some long-snapper were released to make room on the roster as well. Haslam was quickly signed by the New England Patriots, who signed Tyronne Green a few weeks ago.

Does adding Freeney and Starks greatly improve your opinion of Tom Telesco's first offseason as the General Manager of the San Diego Chargers? Should he have already had a backup plan in case Ingram, his one and only pass-rusher, got injured the way that he did?

Do you like the fact that Tom has pushed the Chargers to the limit of the salary cap in an attempt to compete in 2013? Or should he be focusing his efforts on 2014? Vote below.

Poll

What grade would you give Tom Telesco this offseason?

San Diego Chargers Daily Links: May 23, 2013

2013-05-23T12:00:05Z

Bolts Get Boost with Return of Vincent Brown - Ricky Henne
"It’s a blessing just to be running around again," he said. "I feel like a 10-year old kid running around, just happy to be out there. It’s been fun and I’m working to get back to where I was before. It’s been a tough battle trying to get it strong. I’d have a bunch of steps forward, then some back. But the point where it is now, I’m able to cut on it and run full speed. "

Roots of coaching trees run deep - Greg Garber
Long before it was the fashion, Sid Gillman loved the long ball. His San Diego Chargers offense featured all kinds of dizzying, deceptive motion, multiple wide receivers and a versatile tight end.

Dwight Freeney deal creates more questions than answers for Chargers - Chris Burke
But here’s the rub: Not only do the Chargers have to show they can adjust their defense to get Freeney in his preferred 4-3 set, they also still have numerous holes elsewhere on the roster.

A Tebow and Te'o view from Denver - Tom Krasovic (paywall)
Klis writes that his big point is this one: "If Te’o doesn’t talk, then the media doing a story on Te’o has little choice but to ask his teammates and coaches about Te’o. That ain’t good. That causes some resentment among players. Te’o needs love; not resentment."

No doubting that Thomas is a key to the Chargers' defense - Jay Paris (paywall)
Thomas enters his fourth year but first as a starter. With Aubrayo Franklin and Antonio Garay spit out the Chargers Park revolving door, the defense's key position falls to Thomas. Having Freeney is fabulous. Te'o could be terrific. But in a 3-4, if your nose tackle stinks, so does the unit.

Gennaro-ly Speaking: Dwight Freeney, Melvin Ingram, Manti Te'o, Max Starks!

2013-05-23T01:30:05Z

We have so much to discuss tonight! I'm excited to be back on the air and discussing real, actual changes to the San Diego Chargers in the middle of the offseason.

Tom Telesco, aka Tom Terrific, has finally started signing big-name free agents. He's signing the possibly-over-the-hill guys that were, at one point, among the best at their position to short-term contracts in a low-risk, high-reward situation. Is that enough hyphens to get you excited?

I know you've seen my face a whole bunch the last few days, but you'll have to see it at least twice more as I lead into my final appearance on "The Sports Page with Acee and Annie" tonight on UT-TV.

Press play on the video below whenever you get here. If it's before 7pm, that's when you'll start getting video. If it's after 8pm, you should be able to watch the entire (recorded) show.

As always, your questions and comments below will drive the show. Get them in early to make sure I have time to talk about whatever it is you're interested in.

BFTB accidentally ruins "The Sports Page with Acee and Annie"

2013-05-22T21:00:10Z

I don't know why I'm posting this. I guess I'm a masochist.

Anyway, here are some more videos of me on UT-TV's "The Sports Page with Acee and Annie".

Bloggers Debate Rd 2 - Watch @utkevinacee @annieheilbrunn @lobshots @rjsfro@bftb_chargers talk #Chargers vs #Padres bcove.me/g5foqscl
— Andrew Burer (@andrewburer) May 22, 2013

Click on the link above if you wish. There's more debate about Chargers vs. Padres and I'm wearing a Raiders hat. Yeah...you heard that right. At one point I get excited at the notion of baseball players fighting with bats, but then it's quickly blamed on the Raiders hat....just like I planned it.

How about Rd 2.5? Had to get@bftb_chargers, @rjsfro, @lobshots talking Te'o with @utkevinacee & @annieheilbrunn bcove.me/3xryhucd
— Andrew Burer (@andrewburer) May 22, 2013

Here's where I get in a lot of trouble. Just....watch. You'll know the part that I'm worried about.

Just another reminder that you get a full hour of me tonight on Gennaro-ly Speaking before my third consecutive night on "The Sports Page", which I will never again be invited to appear on.

TONIGHT: Gennaro-ly Speaking about Dwight Freeney, Max Starks and more

2013-05-22T19:00:07Z

Gennaro-ly Speaking returns from its one-week hiatus with cheer and good tidings! I'll be flipping on my webcam at 7pm tonight and talking for about an hour before my third-and-final appearance on "The Sports Page with Acee and Annie" begins at 8pm.

As always, the conversation will be led by your comments during the broadcast, but if you decide to be quiet I still have plenty to talk about. Here are just some of the things that have happened since I was last live-streaming my way into your computer screens:

Melvin Ingram tore his ACL, is probably out for the season
Dwight Freeney was signed to replace Ingram
Max Starks was signed, possibly to replace King Dunlap
San Diego's sports media got angry that the Chargers won't let them speak with Manti Te'o
Jeromey Clary, starting Guard!
Keenan Allen wore a Raiders hat
I appeared on UT-TV with Kevin Acee, Annie Heilbrunn, Brady from LobShots and Rick from RJ's Fro
Jerome schooled us on the "Stack formation" and how it could be used by the Chargers in 2013

Put it in your calendar and make sure you have a tasty beverage around. I'll see you at 7pm (Pacific).