Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
After nearly bolting to Los Angeles, the Chargers are back in San Diego, at least for one more season.
The Chargers were a disappointing 4-12 last year after going 9-7 in each of head coach Mike McCoy’s first two seasons, which included a playoff appearance in 2013 where they reached the Divisional Round. Despite the terrible record, nine of the 12 losses came by eight points or less, so at least they were hanging around in games.
McCoy didn’t lose his job, but offensive coordinator Frank Reich did after San Diego finished 26th in scoring. The Chargers went out and hired Ken Whisenhunt to replace him, the former Titans coach who was canned after going 3-20 over his first 23 games.
The defense struggled to generate pressure, their 32 sacks ranked 24th, and didn’t force many turnovers, their 20 takeaways was also 24th. San Diego is hoping that No. 3 overall selection Joey Bosa can help bring some heat after he finally signed his rookie contract last week.
Grading the Roster
QBs- Philip Rivers (8.1), Kellen Clemens (7.2)
RBs- Melvin Gordon (7.3), Danny Woodhead (7.3), Branden OIiver (7.2)
WRs- Keenan Allen (7.6), Travis Benjamin (7.4), Stevie Johnson (7.3), Dontrelle Inman (7.1)
TEs- Antonio Gates (7.5), Hunter Henry (7.2)
Ts- King Dunlap (7.2), Joe Barksdale (7.4), Chris Hairston (7.2)
Gs- Orlando Franklin (7.5), D.J. Fluker (7.3), Kenny Wiggins (7.1)
Cs- Matt Slauson (7.5), Max Tuerk (7.1)
DEs- Joey Bosa (7.4), Corey Liuget (7.3), Darius Philon (7.2), Tenny Palepoi (7.1)
NTs- Brandon Mebane (7.4), Sean Lissemore (7.2)
OLBs- Melvin Ingram (8), Jeremiah Attaochu (7.8), Kyle Emmanuel (7.2), Tourek Williams (7.1)
ILBs- Manti Te’o (7.3), Denzel Perryman (7.3), Joshua Perry (7.1), Nick Dzubnar (7)
CBs- Jason Verrett (8), Brandon Flowers (7.4), Casey Hayward (7.4), Steve Williams (7.2)
Ss- Jahleel Addae (7.3), Dwight Lowery (7.3), Darrell Stuckey (7.2)
K- Josh Lambo (7.3)
P- Kasey Redfern (7.3)
KR- Javontee Herndon (7.3)
PR- Javontee Herndon (7.3)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.359 (25/32)
Offense- 7.409 (15/32)
Defense- 7.339 (26/32)
Quarterbacks- 7.65 (9/32)
Running Backs- 7.3 (24/32)
Receivers- 7.35 (24/32)
Offensive Line- 7.29 (25/32)
Defensive Line- 7.27 (14/16)
Linebackers- 7.35 (12/16)
Secondary- 7.4 (13/32)
Special Teams- 7.3
Coaches- 7.3
PREDICTION– 6-10 (4th AFC West)
QUARTERBACKS
Philip Rivers is one of the ultimate competitors in today’s game and thrives when the game is on the line. He completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 4,792 yards with 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
When he gets a clean pocket from his inconsistent offensive line, Rivers can pick you apart with the best of them. Although his unorthodox shot-put delivery hasn’t caused mechanical flaws, Rivers does tend to fade away from passes when there’s pressure in his face. This is when he makes mistakes and throws interceptions.
Kellen Clemens and undrafted rookie Mike Bercovici are behind Rivers on the depth chart.
RUNNING BACKS
Last year’s first-round pick flashed early, then struggled and lost his confidence before a knee injury ended his season. He looked lost running from shotgun, something he didn’t do at Wisconsin, and averaged just 3.5 yards per carry.
Gordon drew a lot of comparisons to Jamaal Charles, but didn’t showcase the same acceleration and quickness as Charles. His vision and jump-cutting ability that were strengths with the Badgers, didn’t translate either. We’ll see what’s in store for year two.
Danny Woodhead is a pass catching specialist that became the first running back in team history to lead to team in catches (80), receiving yards (755) and touchdowns (six). He’s the safety valve for Rivers.
RECEIVERS
Keenan Allen was on a ridiculous pace, catching 67 passes for 725 yards and four touchdowns over his first eight games before a lacerated kidney ended his season.
Allen is one of the better route runners in the league and possesses soft hands to go along with it. He doesn’t get many yards after the catch, however.
San Diego signed Travis Benjamin to a four-year contract in the hopes to not only take some pressure off Allen, but provide Rivers a vertical threat. Dontrelle Inman and Stevie Johnson are the options behind Allen and Benjamin. Malcom Floyd retired followed a solid 12-year career.
The 36-year-old Antonio Gates continues to produce. He doesn’t have the flexibility and explosiveness he used to, but still uses his basketball background to box out defenders and provide Rivers with a reliable option. San Diego lost the underrated Ladarius Green to free agency, but drafted Hunter Henry in the second round.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Injuries derailed San Diego’s offensive line that wasn’t that formidable to begin with. Left tackle King Dunlap missed six of the final eight games due to a high ankle sprain left guard Orlando Franklin’s year was cut short after 10 contests following a concussion, right guard D.J. Fluker was hobbled an ankle injury four games in and center Chris Watt played just three games.
The massive 6’9 Dunlap has a lot of range, but that length also exposes his flaws. Joe Barksdale is the starter at right tackle and signed a four-year extension in March.
Franklin made the switch from right tackle to left guard in 2014 and after excelling, he received a five-year, $36.5 million deal with the Chargers. He showcases a lot of short-area quickness and power in the running game. Fluker moved inside from right tackle to right guards and got off to a promising start prior to his injury.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
The Chargers will utilize Bosa at 3-4 defensive end, although he can also stand up and play linebacker. He wins with his hands as a pass rusher, showcasing the ability to win inside or outside. He’s a very good run blocker, using his strength and hands to get himself in a position to bring ball carriers down.
San Diego allowed 4.8 yards per carry last season, the third-worst mark in the NFL. Corey Liuget should help in that are. He played in just 11 games last year due to ankle and knee injuries to his left leg and clearly wasn’t himself when he did play. The Chargers didn’t have a true nose tackle last season and the signing of former Seattle Seahawk Brandon Mebane should provide dividends.
LINEBACKERS
Melvin Ingram broke out with 10 ½ sacks last season and 2015 was the first time that he’s been able to stay healthy, so hopefully that trend continues for him.
Ingram’s very versatile and can play a lot of different positions. As a pass rusher, he’s very quick off the ball and his strength and leverage makes it easy for him to get after the quarterback. In the running game, Ingram does a solid job holding the edge and ball carriers rarely get to the outside of him. Ingram is a bit of a liability in coverage. He played defensive end in college and is still learning how to do it.
Jeremiah Attouchu is the starter opposite of him and is overlooked. He is very disciplined and rarely makes mistakes. His pass rushing moves are still a work in progress. Kyle Emmanuel and Tourek Williams provide depth.
Denzyl Perryman was solid as a rookie being a physical, downhill thumper and plays alongside Manti Te’o, who has been disappointing.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jason Verrett is the most underrated cornerback in the game at the moment.
Just watch the feet and the quickness he has, it’s unreal. He always seems to be in great position against opposing wideouts. He’s just 5’10 and 188 pounds, but don’t let the size fool you, he is stronger than he appears. In run defense, Verrett doesn’t hesitate and can get ball carriers down to the ground despite his smaller stature.
Brandon Flowers and Casey Hayward gives San Diego a solid trio at cornerback. Hayward is one of the better slot corners in the game.
Safety Jahleel Addae is a hard hitter despite being undersized, while Dwight Lowery is the other starter.
TEAM PREVIEWS
Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs
NFL PLAYER RANKINGS