2012 NFL Season Preview: San Diego Chargers

San Diego  Chargers

Front Office

Owner: Alex Spagno

GM:     AJ Smith

D:         Firing Marty Shottenheimer was a horrible decision, so was replacing him with Norv Turner.  AJ Smith constantly fumbles the draft and if it wasn’t for all the players Shottenheimer left him with…this would be a floundering organization.  FIRE AJ SMITH!!!!!!  That would be my chant if I was a Charger fan…guy is Millen 2.0.

Coaching Staff

HC:      Norv Turner

OC:      Clarence Shelmon

DC:      Greg Manusky

D:         Norv Turner is one of the best OC in the NFL; however, Turner is a lousy HC.  He has always coached talented teams and never really challenged for a Super Bowl.  I would have had Rivera be the HC and move Turner to OC.  Shelmon is simply an assistant helping Turner run the offense.  I like Manusky but he is not nearly the DC that Rivera was.  This coaching staff is the Chargers greatest weakness.

QB:     A

Chargers have one of the best QB’s in the league: Philip Rivers.  Rivers is becoming this generation’s Dan Marino though.  Huge numbers and no Super Bowl Rings.  I like his backup Billy Volek who can carry the load for short periods of time.

RB:     B

Ryan Mathews andMikeTolbert are both power RB’s.  Mathews has solid receiving skills over Tolbert but has not been healthy.  Tolbert is a FA that should be resigned.  Third down back Darren Sproles is a FA that will be too costly to retain.  If both Mathews and Tolbert stay healthy and stop fumbling the ball the Chargers run game should be strong.

WR/TE           INC

Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are a dynamic duo.  Problem is both are FA and both want big money.  Patrick Crayton was enjoying one of his best seasons before a broken wrist.  Antonio Gates is still one of the top TE but is starting to age and has had problems staying healthy.  I like recently drafted Vincent Brown and will be a solid slot WR.  Chargers need to keep one of their two FA WR’s, preferablyJackson.

OL:                 B-

Marcus McNeill is a shade below Pro Bowl talent at LT.  He is partnered with Pro Bowl LG Kris Dielman.  Both are big and angry men.  Center Nick Hartwick is a rock when healthy.  RG Louis Vasquez is a large talented man who needs to bring more consistency to his game.  RT Jeromey Clary is average.

DL:                 B-

The duo of Antonio Garay and Cam Thomas at NT can be dominate.  Garay has pass rushing skills at NT and Cam Thomas can be the physical NT who can shut down a running game.  The Chargers just drafted Corey Liuget who will take some time adjusting to the 3-4 system.  He is a little short for a 3-4 DE.  Team is hoping his penetration skills will help him overcome this.  Luis Castillo is decent but nothing special.  Next draft should sprinkle in some more talent on this unit.

LB:                  B-

Shaun Phillips has one or two more season of 10+ sack football in him.  He needs both a partner and a replacement soon.  Larry English has not lived up to his billing.  This is his last chance to become something.  Kevin Burnett is finally showing the skill many thought he always had at ILB.  Stephen Cooper is a FA who the team will not bring back.  Recently acquired Takeo Spikes will be a bridge and mentor to young Donald Butler.  This is a unit who seems to get slightly worse every year…next season they need to reload.

DB:                 B

Eric Weddle is one of the top safeties in the league and one of the most underrated players in the NFL.  Quentin Jammer is still a top notch CB but age is catching up to him.  Antoine Cason is finally becoming a solid CB.  Behind them is Shareece Wright who should develop nicely.  SS there is a hole that the team is hoping newly acquired Bob Sanders will fill…though he has not been healthy for many years.

Last Draft

Why was Corey Liuget taken when Cameron Jordan was still on the board???  Bad decision, unfortunately it was not the Chargers last one.  Marcus Gilchrist and Jonas Mouton in the second were both huge reaches.  Vincent Brown is a solid pick but is limited by his lack of elite size or speed.  Bad drafting is AJ Smith’s forte.                  F

Offensive/Defensive Sleepers

Ryan Mathews was drafted to fill the hole left behind by Thomlinson.  Injuries and fumbling issues did not make that happen…though nearing the end of his rookie season Mathews started performing.  If he stays healthy I believe he is capable of obtaining 1200-1300 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns, and around 30-35 receptions.

Antoine Cason was a solid CB his first two season but really got it going in year three.  He is a very solid #2 CB who can come up with big plays.  I expect him to capitalize on his finish last season and obtain 4-5 interceptions.

Predictions for the Season                 10-6

This division is not the strongest, yet it is not as weak as it once was.  Chargers need to win 10 games to win it outright.  They have no excuses for as talented as the team is.  They have a top 5 quarterback for gosh sake.  Many of their own players being FA bear watching.  Its too bad AJ Smith and Norv Turner are running this team…it is the