Bolts’ RB question: Veteran or rookie? - Kevin Acee
The Chargers are, for the first time since the start of the past decade, in the market for a running back.
Sproles a fit for Eagles? (ESPN Insider)
Sproles had a -14.3% DVOA last year on 93 carries, which was even worse than LaDainian Tomlinson's -10.1% figure. He was second in receiving DVOA amongst backs, though, and that's where his role is in an offense (LT was last.)
Scouts' Eye: Taylor-made for Chargers - Matt Williamson (ESPN Insider)
Anthony Dixon and especially Toby Gerhart would be very attractive, but even more so would be veteran free agent Chester Taylor. Taylor is extremely skilled in the passing game, should adapt very quickly to this high-powered offense and despite his age (he is 30 years old) has very little wear and tear on his proverbial tires. Taylor is a great fit.
Options available for 3-4 defenses - Steve Muench (ESPN Insider)
Arizona State's Dexter Davis, TCU's Jerry Hughes, Michigan's Brandon Graham and Utah's Koa Misi all played defensive end in college but are expected to move to 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. Base 3-4 teams looking for help at outside linebacker were interested to see how they ran in the 40-yard dash, and none of them disappointed.
A piece of the puzzle - Jen Rojas
Chargers executives, coaches, scouts and medical staff have been in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, which Director of College Scouting John Spanos calls "a piece of the puzzle" as the team prepares for April’s draft.
2010 speed scores: Rise of Ben Tate - ESPN Insider
On the other hand, Tate has a mid-round grade on him. Comparing him to backs taken between the third and fifth rounds and with similar speed scores yields a very interesting crop of players: Jamaal Charles (108.7), Kevan Barlow (108.7), Onterrio Smith (109.2), Antonio Pittman (110.5), Chris Brown (111.2), Jerious Norwood (112.1), Michael Turner (116.6), and Musa Smith (118.3). Turner, taken in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, had the closest figure to Tate; all of the players listed had pro careers, although Pittman was a bust and the talented Smith flunked his way out of the league with drug test failures.