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Melvin Gordon and Sean Lissemore Are Bolts’ Super Bowl Keys

By Erik Lambert

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Aug 5, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs to the next drill during minicamp at Chargers Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Philip Rivers is who he is by this point.  He’s a Pro Bowl quarterback with a wealth of experience at what it takes to win in the playoffs.  The problem is he hasn’t been able to go the distance with the San Diego Chargers.  Part of the reason for that rests with the San Diego Chargers.  Steadily over time they’ve gotten away from what made them a contender 8-10 years ago.

That is running the ball and stopping the run.

It may not have a place in this mythical idea of the NFL being a passing league, but the fact is the best teams that win championships need to be able to do both of those in the playoffs.  If fans are looking for a reason why the Chargers didn’t make it there, seek out their30 ranked rushing attack or their 26th ranked run defense.  Teams knew they could run on them, and also knew the Bolts couldn’t run on them.  The worst thing to be in pro football is one-dimensional.

That is why the key to a San Diego Super Bowl push ultimately rests on the shoulders of two key players.

Melvin Gordon was the Chargers’ 1st round pick in this past draft.  He was a Heisman finalist at Wisconsin and exhibits the skill set expect of a classic feature back:  strong, tough, great vision and acceleration to burst through holes.  If he stays healthy and the offensive line isn’t a train wreck, then this kid should be able to balance the offense like others couldn’t before him.

Sean Lissemore meanwhile looks like the favorite to become the starting nose tackle on defense.  A former 7th round pick by Dallas, he signed on in San Diego in 2013 and worked his way up the depth chart.  Last season showed intriguing promise for the 27-year old including back-to-back solid games to end last season.  Pro Football Focus gave up a +2.8 run defense rating along with three stops for a loss.

The Chargers already know they can throw the ball and stop other teams through the air.  So if these two unheralded names step up in 2015, this franchise may be able to secure that long-elusive Lombardi trophy before whispers of a move out of town become reality.

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