Chargers by the (Jersey) Numbers: #27

Number 27 finds the Chargers still trying to find that elusive fix in the defensive backfield – with only an occasional spark.  But it’s an old-school Wide Receiver who takes the prize.  Jump it to find out!

Some of the names below spelled "hope" and "promise," but for the most part, their names read "flop" and "bust."

 

·                    Jeff Allen, CB

·                    Tay Cody, CB

·                    Tony Darden, DB

·                    Charles Dimry  , CB

·                    Victor Floyd, RB

·                    Donald Frank, CB

·                    Daniel Hunter, CB

·                    Bhawoh Jue, SS

·                    Charlie McNeil, CB

·                    Ron O'Bard, CB

·                    Michael Swift, DB

·                    John Turner, DB

 

The Runner-Up

 (Dig that hair style)

Glen Edwards, S

The bulk of Edwards’ success came as a Pittsburgh Steeler where, as a member of the Steel Curtain defense (more of a support flange, I suppose), he helped the team win 2 Super Bowls and appeared in 2 Pro Bowls.  By the time he came to the Chargers, his best days were behind him -- as seems to be the case for many veteran DBs the Chargers bring in off the bus.  But still, Edwards was a part of the Coryell Chargers, and he had a few good moments with the team, including 2 interceptions in the playoff game against Buffalo in ’80 (the second of which helped secure the victory) as well as an interception in the playoff game against Miami in ’82 (yes, THAT game).  While a few of the above #27s may have played with the team longer, none had a better ability to step up when it counted most.

The Winner

Gary Garrison, WR

By contrast to Edwards is a man whose closest trip to the Super Bowl was when he got lost on his way to the L.A. Zoo and ended up at the Coliseum.  But for sheer longevity – and for all that he sacrificed for a lot of lousy teams – the #27 Golden Jersey goes to Gary Garrison. 

 

Garrison played 11 seasons for the Bolts, and some of them were good, not only for him but for the team.  His emergence in 1970 as a Pro Bowl caliber wide-out made Lance Alworth expendable.  Despite two quality seasons after that – and two more Pro Bowl appearances – for Garrison, the team wasn’t very good.  And by the time Garrison’s tenure as a Charger was over, the team had hit the nadir of the league.

 

Garrison was faced with the unenviable task of following in the footsteps of a Charger legend.  He did it by amassing over 7500 yards for the Chargers, and scored 58 touchdowns.  Not bad for a "Ghost."