***2015 San Diego Chargers - Offseason News, Notes, & Analysis*** (1 Viewer)

[cstu]

Look at the schedule:

DET - W

@CIN - L

@MIN - L

CLE

PIT

@GB

OAK

@BAL

CHI

Bye

KC

@JAX

DEN

@KC

MIA

@OAK

@DEN

At this point, it's hard to see them finishing at .500 or better. Maybe 7-9. That schedule after the bye week is brutal.

6-3 heading into the bye is do-able. However that oline is awful and Oakland could beat them easily, the GB game has beatdown written all over it.

Should beat Cleveland and mike vick though

They aren't beating the Packers and Ravens on the road. At best they will be 5-4 going into the bye.

 

[Bucky86]

6-3?

 

[Tau837]

Look at the schedule:

DET - W

@CIN - L

@MIN - L

CLE

PIT

@GB

OAK

@BAL

CHI

Bye

KC

@JAX

DEN

@KC

MIA

@OAK

@DEN

At this point, it's hard to see them finishing at .500 or better. Maybe 7-9. That schedule after the bye week is brutal.

6-3 heading into the bye is do-able. However that oline is awful and Oakland could beat them easily, the GB game has beatdown written all over it.

Should beat Cleveland and mike vick though

As of right now, I don't see how you can assume they will beat CLE next week. Who will be playing OL and corner?

And I certainly wouldn't assume a win over PIT, even without Roethlisberger. Vick, Bell, and Deangelo could run for 250 yards in that game.

IMO the most optimistic view is 10-6, losing only these games going forward: @GB, @BAL, @KC, @DEN. But that seems unrealistic. A more realistic view is that they lose at least 2 of these games as well: PIT, KC, DEN, @OAK. IMO they will be challenged to reach 8 wins this year.

 

[Tau837]

I agree the Chargers are talented enough to win the AFC. Two keys:

1. Will they avoid key injuries and injuries concentrated at a single position, like last year's C and RB injuries?

2. Will they get AFC Championship caliber coaching? IMO the jury is still out on how good McCoy is, particularly in game.

I'm also a bit concerned about the fact that they have 5 road games kicking off at 1 pm EST, but that shouldn't be as big a factor as the two factors above.

at the bolded. And we already have the answers to both questions: no and no.

 

[tommyGunZ]

We're doing the "over reaction Monday" thing in here as well?

 

[Tau837]

We're doing the "over reaction Monday" thing in here as well?

So you're still feeling good about the team's chances this year? How many wins are you projecting?

 

[Gr00vus]

We're doing the "over reaction Monday" thing in here as well?

That line is going to be the death of Rivers. And if he goes, the season's over. Even if he makes it through the season, the defense is pretty bad. The Chargers are lucky to have 1 win right now, thanks to the Lions abandoning the run in the 2nd half.

 

[jonessed]

We have had a crappy OL and DL for several years now. Why it's not a priority every offseason is a mystery.

 

[Tau837]

Wow, this is brutal. LG Franklin is out this week, LT Dunlap and C Watt are both doubtful, and RG Fluker is questionable. So it is likely the Chargers will be without at least 3 starting OL this week, and possibly 4.

Cleveland at home is the easiest game on the schedule and is a must win game. This OL situation is going to make it a much greater challenge than was expected.

 

[cubbie5150]

Browns haven't shown much of a pass rush so far, but w/ 4/5ths of the Chargers o-line out, Rivers is still going to be doing a lot of bobbing-and-weaving in the pocket.

 

[cstu]

Browns haven't shown much of a pass rush so far, but w/ 4/5ths of the Chargers o-line out, Rivers is still going to be doing a lot of bobbing-and-weaving in the pocket.

Chargers’ offensive line will be limited for Week 4 vs. Browns

 

[steelerfan1]

have to figure this may favor woodhead from the pass protection and short passes over gordon now, no?

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Browns haven't shown much of a pass rush so far, but w/ 4/5ths of the Chargers o-line out, Rivers is still going to be doing a lot of bobbing-and-weaving in the pocket.

The Browns have 7 sacks which places them tied for 9th best in the league.

The Chargers have 1 sack which places them last in the league.

All of Cleveland's sacks came in the second game when the Browns were facing rookie QB Marcus Mariota where the Browns DC gave the rook lots of looks that confused him which made him hold onto the ball too long. Don't see that happening with Rivers but if reports are accurate where PFT says that four Charger offensive linemen could be OUT for the game, well that obviously could impact things.

Browns run defense sucks, dead last in the league and the line is 7.5 in favor of the Bolts so obviously Vegas doesn't give the Browns much of a chance but those reports of all of those offensive linemen out makes you wonder what will happen.

 

[kOOk]

have to figure this may favor woodhead from the pass protection and short passes over gordon now, no?

I was thinking (hoping?) Stevie Johnson would be getting more looks.

Also, I am considering picking up the Chargers D for some reason. This just feels like one of those games where they deliver but it's more of a gut feeling. What say you Chargers fans?

 

[tommyGunZ]

I think the game plan this week is to run the ball, run it some more, and then run it again. I expect Gordon to get 25 carries, and the Chargers to rely on their defense to win this one. Flowers is back, and I think Verrett will play as well, so the Bolts will put 8 in the box a lot.

Chargers 24

Browns 13

 

[thehoch]

have to figure this may favor woodhead from the pass protection and short passes over gordon now, no?

I was thinking (hoping?) Stevie Johnson would be getting more looks.

Also, I am considering picking up the Chargers D for some reason. This just feels like one of those games where they deliver but it's more of a gut feeling. What say you Chargers fans?

I am a Charger fan and I too believe the team rebounds. I am pick up the Bolts defense too and starting them. I believe the Chargers will win the TOP and have a few long drives to points on the board. Melvin should have 20 plus carries for over 100 yards and at least a TD. Only concern is Chargers offensive line......who knows at this point, but against the Browns defense I am not as concerned.

 

[BoltBacker]

Flowers is back, and I think Verrett will play as well

I think Verrett will see his shadow and won't be able to practice for six more weeks.

 

[BoltBacker]

Browns haven't shown much of a pass rush so far, but w/ 4/5ths of the Chargers o-line out, Rivers is still going to be doing a lot of bobbing-and-weaving in the pocket.

I know you and I were both kind of high on Cameron Erving as a possible first round target(assuming we didn't trade up for a part time RB of course). Erving has been projected to have the ability to play LG, C, RG, RT. I also said it was completely idiotic that SD didn't make a play for Will Montgomery @$665,000. Guy can play both C and G. Actually, this is two years in a row I thought it was ridiculous not signing that guy.

I wonder if the SD offense(and Rivers in particular) would have been better off by adding those guys? I guess it's just bad luck that there were injuries to the OL.... most OL's play 80/80 games in a season, RIGHT?

Teles-GO!

 

[Raiderfan32904]

@AdamSchefter: Chargers released running back Donald Brown to make room for offensive lineman Michael Ola. SD's o-line battling injuries.

 

[Tau837]

@AdamSchefter: Chargers released running back Donald Brown to make room for offensive lineman Michael Ola. SD's o-line battling injuries.

Well, one good thing came out of the OL problems. Long overdue.

 

[Tau837]

So why on earth do you think Inman has the potential to be anything special if NFL front offices have only given him the opportunity to catch 12 passes for 158 yards in the NFL since he came out of college three years ago?

Mainly because I watched how he played to close out the season.

Week 16:

Dontrelle Inman caught 7-of-9 targets for 79 yards Week 16 against the 49ers.
Substituted in for an ineffective Seyi Ajirotutu at halftime, Inman made his presence known early and often in the second half. He seemed to get open at will against the 49ers' secondary, and showed strong hands on several contested catches across the middle including a 4th-down conversion on the game-tying drive. A former CFL star, the 25-year-old Inman is a good bet to carve out a role in 2015 in the Chargers' nondescript receiver corps. He is an excellent add in Dynasty formats. Sun, Dec 21, 2014 01:00:00 AM
Week 17:

Dontrelle Inman caught five passes for 79 yards in Week 17 against the Chiefs.
Inman was the No. 3 receiver with Keenan Allen sidelined. He had at least 70 yards over the final two games and will be a candidate for a bigger role next season. A former CFL star, Inman should return as one of San Diego's top four wideouts.Sun, Dec 28, 2014 06:16:00 PM
Rivers was quoted as saying Inman won the SF game for the Chargers.

I also know Inman had a good preseason last year and a good training camp this year.

Abbederis was drafted, I repeat WAS drafted, by the best WR evaluator in the NFL right now. He seems like a perfect slot guy for a McCoy offense to me.

Hunter was a second round draft choice. I'm not all that concerned about him "stabbing" people with his bare hands moving forward, but I'll fully admit I don't watch many Bruce Lee movies so perhaps that's a bigger risk of happening than I think it does. Hunter is a guy that can go get the ball and seems like the type of player Rivers likes to target on the outside. His cost to acquire would be almost nothing at this point.

IMO both have a better shot at eventually being a starting WR in the NFL than Inman. Inman seems like a guy that hover on an NFL roster bubble, and that's a big improvement from not making an NFL roster at all his first two years. Most consider Allen/Johnson/Floyd as the starters at WR so if just one of those guys get dinged up who should start at WR? The guy nobody in the NFL has wanted? Jones? This team has no depth at WR. NONE.

On your last point, as I already showed above, Inman is excellent depth. He already proved that by filling in and excelling last year in the exact same situation (Allen out) you are worrying about here. Did you not watch those games?

I couldn't disagree more with your take, so we can agree to disagree about it.

 

[Gr00vus]

The offensive line is horrible.

Looks like we might see Tyrell in some actual NFL game situations here.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

The offensive line is horrible.

Looks like we might see Tyrell in some actual NFL game situations here.

That is only true if you think "Desperately chuck the ball up in the air and pray your guy can catch it" is a poor NFL strategy.

 

[Tau837]

The offensive line is horrible.

Looks like we might see Tyrell in some actual NFL game situations here.

Maybe they should activate Herndon instead. He could take over punt return duties, which is important not only to try to generate some return yardage, but also to protect Allen now that 3 other WRs are hurt.

ETA: With Gates back, maybe they will consider giving Green some of the WR routes/snaps.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Look at the schedule:

DET - W

@CIN - L

@MIN - L

CLE

PIT

@GB

OAK

@BAL

CHI

Bye

KC

@JAX

DEN

@KC

MIA

@OAK

@DEN

At this point, it's hard to see them finishing at .500 or better. Maybe 7-9. That schedule after the bye week is brutal.

6-3 heading into the bye is do-able. However that oline is awful and Oakland could beat them easily, the GB game has beatdown written all over it.Should beat Cleveland and mike vick though

They aren't beating the Packers and Ravens on the road. At best they will be 5-4 going into the bye.

On our way boys!!!!! And the ravenz are awful

 

[Gr00vus]

The offensive line is horrible.

Looks like we might see Tyrell in some actual NFL game situations here.

Maybe they should activate Herndon instead. He could take over punt return duties, which is important not only to try to generate some return yardage, but also to protect Allen now that 3 other WRs are hurt.

ETA: With Gates back, maybe they will consider giving Green some of the WR routes/snaps.

Good point with Herndon. Glad Telesco signed Jacoby Jones as a FA, that's really paying off.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

ETA: With Gates back, maybe they will consider giving Green some of the WR routes/snaps.

I'm working on "I told you so!" in fourteen languages in case this happens and he looks good.

 

[Tau837]

@AdamSchefter: Chargers released running back Donald Brown to make room for offensive lineman Michael Ola. SD's o-line battling injuries.

Well, one good thing came out of the OL problems. Long overdue.

...and now the Chargers have re-signed Brown.

On the good news front, this suggests that at least one of the OL starters will return, since his spot was used for OL Ola, who has now been waived.

On the bad news front, Brown is back on the team.

 

[iamgregg]

The offensive line is horrible.

Looks like we might see Tyrell in some actual NFL game situations here.

Maybe they should activate Herndon instead. He could take over punt return duties, which is important not only to try to generate some return yardage, but also to protect Allen now that 3 other WRs are hurt.

ETA: With Gates back, maybe they will consider giving Green some of the WR routes/snaps.

To me, Green is a good fit to fill Floyd's role, should he be out with that concussion.

 

[Tau837]

Roster management and injuries make for a rough road ahead for Chargers

...

Donald Brown was finally released this last week, although it was reported that the "plan" was to try and bring him back again this week, hopefully that doesn't happen.

...

What I think needs to happen

Before any of you say it, yes, it is very easy to be a GM from my couch, but you cannot look at every game the Chargers have played this season and come to the conclusion that things are being done correctly. And rather than just complain about it, I need to have my own solution right? So here it is.

Release Jacoby Jones. He hasn't done anything, the team is still 5 games out from the bye and there are injuries everywhere. Sorry but the team just cant afford to keep holding on waiting for him to get healthy. So who takes his spot? Javontee Herndon is on the practice squad and is surely chomping at the bit to be returning kicks and punts.

Release Tourek Williams, or IR designated to return him. He still is not practicing and so far the team has been doing alright with the 4 healthy OLB's they do have. The team needs more open spots, especially with so many players injured. This leaves a spot to either bring up another WR like Tyrell Williams or maybe a CB, with Greg Ducre on the PS and there are a few free agent CB's that could be had to fill in for a week or two.

Antonio Gates is coming back this week. This makes for a somewhat tough decision. Carry 4 TE's? or flip a coin between John Phillips and David Johnson. Honestly I would drop Johnson here. Phillips has come back and played pretty damn well since being released and re-signed. He has been making tackles on special teams, made a few clutch catches. In my opinion, he has earned the right to stay. I don't see Johnson adding more value than Phillips on Sundays.

I would also think about dropping preseason hero Nick Dzubnar, who has been up and down on special teams, to bring in another OL. Both Craig Watts and Michael Huey can play multiple positions and could be good options. Although before releasing Dzubnar, if Addae can play this week, Adrian Phillips is the first to go.

I agree that Donald Brown seems like a wasted roster spot. I believe his salary was guaranteed this season, so I am assuming it cost the team nothing to bring him back. Not sure that really makes him worth of a roster spot, but I assume that is part of the rationale.

I agree on releasing Jacoby Jones. I was not a fan of his signing in the first place. I would release him and bring Herndon up, as recommended here.

I agree on Tourek Williams going to IR to free up a roster spot. I agree on keeping John Phillips with Gates back, so for the moment he can take Tourek's spot.

Additional moves should depend on the health of the OL, WRs, and secondary players. For example, is it necessary to cut David Johnson or Dzubnar or Adrian Phillips as recommended here in favor of another WR, CB, or OL?

 

[Tau837]

It's time for the Chargers to make a change at Linebacker

Per this article, Teo has 17 missed tackles in 4 games. Yet, the author concludes that Butler has actually been worse. :X

 

[Gr00vus]

It's time for the Chargers to make a change at Linebacker

Per this article, Teo has 17 missed tackles in 4 games. Yet, the author concludes that Butler has actually been worse. :X

I was thinking that during the game this week. Sure Perryman made several rookie mistakes, but he made some very nice plays as well I think it's time for him to get one of those spots. I'm thinking Teo's.

 

[kOOk]

Inman thoughts?

 

[Gr00vus]

Inman thoughts?

With Gates back, he'll be lucky to put up Malcom Floyd numbers.

 

[Riversco]

We seem to be in a good spot. 2-0 at home, 0-2 on the road. Every single home game is winnable. The road game vs the Ravens doesn't look as scary now as it might have a month ago. We've also got the Jaguars on the road.

This team isn't perfect but hell last year the Patriots were destroyed on the road vs the Dolphins and Chiefs. Win the home games, pick up a few road wins. Get to the playoffs. I think its doable because we're getting pressure on the QB.

 

[Riversco]

The schedule is pretty good and we're unbeaten at home so we've got time to get a couple key players healthy.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think they just beat a bad team. And their other win is against a bad team too. This Chargers' squad is not playoff contender material, they're too soft up front on both sides and now the injuries are mounting up. As always. Same management, same story.

 

[Tau837]

Comparison: Melvin Gordon vs. Branden Oliver

At the end of the day, the Chargers spent a king's ransom to land Melvin Gordon, when they likely could've gotten the same production for a lot cheaper somewhere else or some other way. They only needed to look at their own roster, where two undrafted free agents (Oliver and Woodhead) regular outperformed two first-round draft picks (Mathews and Brown), to realize it.

 

[Tau837]

Heard on the radio this morning that the NFL told the Browns that the offsides penalty on Lambo's missed FG was a bad call. So the game should have gone to OT. That call might have saved the Chargers season.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

The offensive line is horrible.

Looks like we might see Tyrell in some actual NFL game situations here.

Maybe they should activate Herndon instead. He could take over punt return duties, which is important not only to try to generate some return yardage, but also to protect Allen now that 3 other WRs are hurt.

ETA: With Gates back, maybe they will consider giving Green some of the WR routes/snaps.

To me, Green is a good fit to fill Floyd's role, should he be out with that concussion.

coaches don't do this, well at least the Chargers coaches wont do this

 

[Bucky86]

I think they just beat a bad team. And their other win is against a bad team too. This Chargers' squad is not playoff contender material, they're too soft up front on both sides and now the injuries are mounting up. As always. Same management, same story.

Yup. This team has yet to beat a legit playoff caliber team. Steelers aren't even a good test without Big Ben and I still wouldn't be surprised to see us lose.

 

[jonessed]

Comparison: Melvin Gordon vs. Branden Oliver

At the end of the day, the Chargers spent a king's ransom to land Melvin Gordon, when they likely could've gotten the same production for a lot cheaper somewhere else or some other way. They only needed to look at their own roster, where two undrafted free agents (Oliver and Woodhead) regular outperformed two first-round draft picks (Mathews and Brown), to realize it.

I simply do not understand why the OL and DL get so neglected. It's madness. Nothing works without good line play.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Comparison: Melvin Gordon vs. Branden Oliver

At the end of the day, the Chargers spent a king's ransom to land Melvin Gordon, when they likely could've gotten the same production for a lot cheaper somewhere else or some other way. They only needed to look at their own roster, where two undrafted free agents (Oliver and Woodhead) regular outperformed two first-round draft picks (Mathews and Brown), to realize it.

Judging Gordon based on his production after four games behind a line that has been absolutely decimated by injury is simply he author trying to prove he was right about crucifying the FO drafting a RB early.

 

[Tau837]

Comparison: Melvin Gordon vs. Branden Oliver

At the end of the day, the Chargers spent a king's ransom to land Melvin Gordon, when they likely could've gotten the same production for a lot cheaper somewhere else or some other way. They only needed to look at their own roster, where two undrafted free agents (Oliver and Woodhead) regular outperformed two first-round draft picks (Mathews and Brown), to realize it.

Judging Gordon based on his production after four games behind a line that has been absolutely decimated by injury is simply he author trying to prove he was right about crucifying the FO drafting a RB early.

The author is right. He is right even if Gordon runs for 1K yards the rest of the season. The point is to compare the opportunity cost spent to acquire Gordon vs. the advantage Gordon provides over another option.

How much advantage over replacement do you think Gordon is worth this season and beyond? And how much value would have been provided by 1st and 4th round picks used differently? IMO it is a nobrainer that Gordon was the wrong choice, and I said so at the time he was picked, as did the author.

Given that they drafted him, nothing can be done about it, so I hope the team proves me wrong, but I have seen no real evidence of that. Sure, Gordon has had some nice runs, but the run defense is horrible, which more than offsets.

 

[bfan85]

Comparison: Melvin Gordon vs. Branden Oliver

At the end of the day, the Chargers spent a king's ransom to land Melvin Gordon, when they likely could've gotten the same production for a lot cheaper somewhere else or some other way. They only needed to look at their own roster, where two undrafted free agents (Oliver and Woodhead) regular outperformed two first-round draft picks (Mathews and Brown), to realize it.

Judging Gordon based on his production after four games behind a line that has been absolutely decimated by injury is simply he author trying to prove he was right about crucifying the FO drafting a RB early.

The author is right. He is right even if Gordon runs for 1K yards the rest of the season. The point is to compare the opportunity cost spent to acquire Gordon vs. the advantage Gordon provides over another option.

How much advantage over replacement do you think Gordon is worth this season and beyond? And how much value would have been provided by 1st and 4th round picks used differently? IMO it is a nobrainer that Gordon was the wrong choice, and I said so at the time he was picked, as did the author.

Given that they drafted him, nothing can be done about it, so I hope the team proves me wrong, but I have seen no real evidence of that. Sure, Gordon has had some nice runs, but the run defense is horrible, which more than offsets.

Gordon has the potential to be an elite talent going forward. So far a beat up o-line and playing from behind have dictated his use. Saying they shouldn't have drafted one of the top running backs in the draft because Oliver filled in well last year is absurd.

Also, Gordon is currently tied for 1st in the NFL with 4 runs of 20+ yards. The other 3 are Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, and Todd Gurley. And Gordon has done it on very few carries (as has Gurley).

 

[Tau837]

Comparison: Melvin Gordon vs. Branden Oliver

At the end of the day, the Chargers spent a king's ransom to land Melvin Gordon, when they likely could've gotten the same production for a lot cheaper somewhere else or some other way. They only needed to look at their own roster, where two undrafted free agents (Oliver and Woodhead) regular outperformed two first-round draft picks (Mathews and Brown), to realize it.

Judging Gordon based on his production after four games behind a line that has been absolutely decimated by injury is simply he author trying to prove he was right about crucifying the FO drafting a RB early.

The author is right. He is right even if Gordon runs for 1K yards the rest of the season. The point is to compare the opportunity cost spent to acquire Gordon vs. the advantage Gordon provides over another option.

How much advantage over replacement do you think Gordon is worth this season and beyond? And how much value would have been provided by 1st and 4th round picks used differently? IMO it is a nobrainer that Gordon was the wrong choice, and I said so at the time he was picked, as did the author.

Given that they drafted him, nothing can be done about it, so I hope the team proves me wrong, but I have seen no real evidence of that. Sure, Gordon has had some nice runs, but the run defense is horrible, which more than offsets.

Gordon has the potential to be an elite talent going forward. So far a beat up o-line and playing from behind have dictated his use. Saying they shouldn't have drafted one of the top running backs in the draft because Oliver filled in well last year is absurd.

Also, Gordon is currently tied for 1st in the NFL with 4 runs of 20+ yards. The other 3 are Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, and Todd Gurley. And Gordon has done it on very few carries (as has Gurley).

The relative value of the RB position to other positions is low. And the value over replacement, even for a really good RB, is low. Combine those two things and the picks would have been better expended differently. Oliver wasn't the only alternative solution. They could have signed a veteran or drafted a different RB later in the draft.

 

[Gr00vus]

Comparison: Melvin Gordon vs. Branden Oliver

At the end of the day, the Chargers spent a king's ransom to land Melvin Gordon, when they likely could've gotten the same production for a lot cheaper somewhere else or some other way. They only needed to look at their own roster, where two undrafted free agents (Oliver and Woodhead) regular outperformed two first-round draft picks (Mathews and Brown), to realize it.

Judging Gordon based on his production after four games behind a line that has been absolutely decimated by injury is simply he author trying to prove he was right about crucifying the FO drafting a RB early.

The author is right. He is right even if Gordon runs for 1K yards the rest of the season. The point is to compare the opportunity cost spent to acquire Gordon vs. the advantage Gordon provides over another option.

How much advantage over replacement do you think Gordon is worth this season and beyond? And how much value would have been provided by 1st and 4th round picks used differently? IMO it is a nobrainer that Gordon was the wrong choice, and I said so at the time he was picked, as did the author.

Given that they drafted him, nothing can be done about it, so I hope the team proves me wrong, but I have seen no real evidence of that. Sure, Gordon has had some nice runs, but the run defense is horrible, which more than offsets.

Gordon has the potential to be an elite talent going forward. So far a beat up o-line and playing from behind have dictated his use. Saying they shouldn't have drafted one of the top running backs in the draft because Oliver filled in well last year is absurd.

Also, Gordon is currently tied for 1st in the NFL with 4 runs of 20+ yards. The other 3 are Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, and Todd Gurley. And Gordon has done it on very few carries (as has Gurley).

The relative value of the RB position to other positions is low. And the value over replacement, even for a really good RB, is low. Combine those two things and the picks would have been better expended differently. Oliver wasn't the only alternative solution. They could have signed a veteran or drafted a different RB later in the draft.

Also, I don't see Gordon as an elite talent - at least not from what I've seen so far with the Chargers. He could be good, maybe very good (I don't think so) but he's no Adrian Peterson in his prime - and that's what elite talent means. Gurley looked a million times better last week than Gordon has at any point this season, and I think Gurley could actually be an elite talent at RB, but not Gordon.

 

[bfan85]

While college performance definitely doesn't guarantee anything in the NFL (see: Trent Richardson), it's not as if Gordon is some longshot scrub.

In 2014, posted the second-most single-season rushing yards in FBS History with 2,587 (Barry Sanders is No. 1 with 2,628 in 1988). Won Doak Walker Award (nation's best running back) and was selected first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten. Was Heisman runner-up to Marcus Mariota. Gordon briefly held the FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska. Set school records with 12 100-yard games and six 200-yard games. Led the nation with 29 rushing touchdowns. In 2013, selected second-team All-Big Ten after leading the nation with 7.8 yards per carry. Was the only player in FBS with three runs of 70-plus yards. In 2012, rushed for 216 yards in Big Ten Championship Game against Nebraska. In 2011, played in three games before a groin injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Was first-team All-State and Offensive Player of the Year in Wisconsin after rushing for 2,009 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Gordon looks great to me. I'm very happy with that pick.

 

[Tau837]

While college performance definitely doesn't guarantee anything in the NFL (see: Trent Richardson), it's not as if Gordon is some longshot scrub.

In 2014, posted the second-most single-season rushing yards in FBS History with 2,587 (Barry Sanders is No. 1 with 2,628 in 1988). Won Doak Walker Award (nation's best running back) and was selected first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten. Was Heisman runner-up to Marcus Mariota. Gordon briefly held the FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards against Nebraska. Set school records with 12 100-yard games and six 200-yard games. Led the nation with 29 rushing touchdowns. In 2013, selected second-team All-Big Ten after leading the nation with 7.8 yards per carry. Was the only player in FBS with three runs of 70-plus yards. In 2012, rushed for 216 yards in Big Ten Championship Game against Nebraska. In 2011, played in three games before a groin injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Was first-team All-State and Offensive Player of the Year in Wisconsin after rushing for 2,009 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior.

You are posting in the Chargers thread. We are all well aware of Gordon's resume. He was a very accomplished college RB. There are many positives to his game, but there are also areas he will need to improve, notably pass blocking and receiving. Regardless of his resume, he is a part-time player. Until and unless he forces his way onto the field as a three down RB, his impact will by definition be capped.