*** Official 2012 San Diego Chargers **** (2 Viewers)

[cstu]

So with two pass-rushers and a defensive back, it certainly appears that this draft is all about Peyton Manning. Those positions needed to be upgraded, but not as much as the offensive line. Does AJ feel the mid-rounds are ripe with quality blockers? Does he think the guys they have are studs waiting to emerge? Or does he just not give a crap what happens with that unit? I used to be the biggest AJ disciple around, but his insistence to hang on to Norv and his failure to acknowledge the offensive line is causing me to lose faith. An injured, declining QB that you will face twice in sixteen games shouldn't get into your head this badly.

Looks like there are still two good OT's left - Massie and Sanders. I wouldn't mind if they traded the rest of their picks to get one of them.

 

[cstu]

Did Massie kill an underage male prostitute?

 

[BigSteelThrill]

I like that 4th round pick quite a bit.

Ladarius Green will offer you guys lots of potential as a future starting caliber TE.

Really like his size/speed combo, as did the Steelers, far more of a receiver then a blocker.

 

[cstu]

I like that 4th round pick quite a bit.Ladarius Green will offer you guys lots of potential as a future starting caliber TE. Really like his size/speed combo, as did the Steelers, far more of a receiver then a blocker.

I'm happy with it. He's raw but should have a couple years to learn behind Gates.

 

[BoltBacker]

I like that 4th round pick quite a bit.Ladarius Green will offer you guys lots of potential as a future starting caliber TE. Really like his size/speed combo, as did the Steelers, far more of a receiver then a blocker.

I'm happy with it. He's raw but should have a couple years to learn behind Gates.

I'm not familiar with Green at all but he sounds like a poor mans Kellen Davis(CHI) and I really wanted SD to make a run at Davis in FA. I like the pick, would have loved the pick if they had addressed some of their needs in FA/earlier rounds better.

 

[BoltBacker]

Maybe it's just me but even if I'm not 100% sold on the SD picks I have to admit they seem to be reaching less than division rivals in the draft.

DEN - Wolfe, Osweller, Hillman, Blake

KC - Stephenson

Do those guys seem to be drafted much too early to anyone else?

 

[BoltBacker]

Great, drafted their starting LG in the 5th with Troutman, now we need a starting RT in the 7th!

 

[krugoh]

What did we get for the 6th rounder we sent to Miami?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I like the Molk pick alot. Solid value in round7

 

[TS Garp]

Don't get taking Baker over Polk.

Green is an intriguing pick -- I think more teams are going to try to do what the Patriots did with Hernandez, and the Chargers obviously like the notion of him presenting matchup issues in a similar way. Not sure of the pick given their other needs and the fact that he can't block, but we'll see...

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Don't get taking Baker over Polk. Green is an intriguing pick -- I think more teams are going to try to do what the Patriots did with Hernandez, and the Chargers obviously like the notion of him presenting matchup issues in a similar way. Not sure of the pick given their other needs and the fact that he can't block, but we'll see...

Gates isnt gonna play forever.Something must be wrong with Polk.

 

[cstu]

Don't get taking Baker over Polk.

Green is an intriguing pick -- I think more teams are going to try to do what the Patriots did with Hernandez, and the Chargers obviously like the notion of him presenting matchup issues in a similar way. Not sure of the pick given their other needs and the fact that he can't block, but we'll see...

Gates isnt gonna play forever.

Something must be wrong with Polk.

Degenerative hip.

 

[Dragon1952]

Don't get taking Baker over Polk.

Green is an intriguing pick -- I think more teams are going to try to do what the Patriots did with Hernandez, and the Chargers obviously like the notion of him presenting matchup issues in a similar way. Not sure of the pick given their other needs and the fact that he can't block, but we'll see...

Yeah but we got Adonis Thomas! Would love to see him be a lead back with a name like that

 

[Xue]

Chargers got the real next Darren Sproles:

 

[Gr00vus]

Seems like a good job overall. I get people wanting more help on the OL, but the defense has been mush for a few years now, they really needed help at the positions they took. Hopefully these guys work out better than the last few batches of rookies.

 

[TS Garp]

Very solid draft. Just about everyone has real upside and a good chance of outperforming their draft position. I think they may have a home run in Taylor and Green, Molk, and Baker strike me as guys who have real potential over the long-term. Only pick that truly confused me was Troutman.

Still concerned that a lot of our offense revolves around a guy who has shown very questionable ability to stay healthy for any length of time, and he's being backed up by McClain, Brinkley, and Baker. Yikes. Still wish we would've taken a flyer on Polk.

 

[BoltBacker]

Still concerned that a lot of our offense revolves around a guy who has shown very questionable ability to stay healthy for any length of time, and he's being backed up by McClain, Brinkley, and Baker. Yikes. Still wish we would've taken a flyer on Polk.

When I started reading that paragraph I thought you were talking about Jared Gaither, who also has had health issues of his own. If he goes down SD is back to starting Dombrowski and Green on the left side of the line and season is effectively over.I don't really buy the degenerative hip explanation with regard to Polk being radioactive in the draft. What is the probability your 7th round pick just makes the roster and fills a spot for just one year? Almost every single backfield in the NFL is RBBC so it's not like he's going to get a ton of carries even if he makes the team. Lastly, RB is a position you just reload at every few years because so few of them have any longevity in the first place. I'm rooting for him to prove the league wrong. Seems to me he has the perfect opportunity to be a #2 RB and is one hit away from being a fantasy football sleeper for a few weeks.

That said, I still trust AJ when it comes to his evaluations of RB's. When it comes to his track record with safeties however my confidence is paper thin. Add to that Taylor is supposed to be a very one dimensional safety. Add to that Taylor is an LSU product and AJ traded up to get him - both of which have a dubious history in recent drafts. Let's hope Atari Bigby can stay healthy.

 

[Tau837]

Still concerned that a lot of our offense revolves around a guy who has shown very questionable ability to stay healthy for any length of time, and he's being backed up by McClain, Brinkley, and Baker. Yikes. Still wish we would've taken a flyer on Polk.

When I started reading that paragraph I thought you were talking about Jared Gaither, who also has had health issues of his own.

I thought he was talking about Gates...

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Still concerned that a lot of our offense revolves around a guy who has shown very questionable ability to stay healthy for any length of time, and he's being backed up by McClain, Brinkley, and Baker. Yikes. Still wish we would've taken a flyer on Polk.

When I started reading that paragraph I thought you were talking about Jared Gaither, who also has had health issues of his own.

I thought he was talking about Gates...

I thought he was talking about shawne meri.... oh wait

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Troutman underwent surgery and is out 5 months.

Plus they signed a vet:

The San Diego Chargers have agreed to a one-year contract with offensive lineman Rex Hadnot and to three-year contracts with 21 undrafted rookies.

Hadnot spent the past two seasons with Arizona, starting all 16 games at right guard last season. He's also played for Miami and Cleveland.

He's started 93 of 113 career games, including at right guard, center, left guard and tackle.

Among the rookie free agents who signed was former LSU quarterback Jarrett Lee.

@yahoosports on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook

 

[DanFouts]

RIP Jr....one of the greatest Chargers ever

I also hate that CNN/media keep showing him in that Pats uniform....would be like showing Montana in a Chiefs jersey in his memory montage after he goes...

Also...what is up with the '94 team.....

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Travis LaBoy released Mon May 7, 06:05 PM

The San Diego Chargers have released LB Travis LaBoy.

Our view: LaBoy is nothing more than a situational pass rusher at this point in his career. He'll be able to find work as veteran depth on a team looking for pass rush help.

 

[Faust]

Can Ryan Mathews be Chargers' workhorse back?

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League editor

Around the League will examine one key figure under pressure on each team heading into the 2012 season. Next up: The San Diego Chargers.

Under Pressure: Ryan Mathews

Turner told San Diego media that Mathews is going to get "everything he can handle" this year. Those words aren't as telling as the Chargers' actions this offseason.

Norv Turner's seat is so hot that he can't feel it any more. If Turner could survive last season and keep his job, he should coach this season like he has nothing to lose. Turner's primary running back, however, is still trying to prove himself.

The Chargers let valuable backup Mike Tolbert walk away. They didn't replace him. New fullback Le'Ron McClain and seventh-round draft pick Edwin Baker are weak backups. Turner is ready to give the ball all day to Mathews. As my friend, Evan Silva, points out, Turner has a long history of coaching workhorse backs. His primary backs have averaged 282 carries and 43 catches per season over the last 21 years.

The trend in the NFL is to break backfields into committees, but Turner is looking for a committee of one.

Can he deliver?

Mathews already is a better runner than people realize entering his third NFL season. He more than passes the eye test and proved last season that he can be productive. (He finished seventh in yards from scrimmage in just 14 games.) Few running backs combine his short-area quickness and burst. He can handle passing downs. Mathews can be a frustrating player to watch because he's inconsistent, but he has the total package to be a top-five back starting now.

The Chargers' offense runs through Philip Rivers, but Mathews will decide whether this offense is good or great.

 

[Faust]

Quentin Jammer dogged by personal issues in 2011

As San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer battled through his worst season last year, he was suffering through personal tumult off the field, the U-T San Diego reported Saturday.

"I was going through a divorce," the 11-year veteran and father of three said. "It's hard playing football when so much is on your mind."

Jammer, 32, allowed six touchdowns in 2011, two more than his season average over the past five seasons. Quarterbacks picked on Jammer to the tune of 10.5 yards per attempts his way last season; he had averaged 7.2 yards per completion from 2006 to 2010, according to the newspaper.

"Last year, let's just put it out there, was not my best year," said Jammer.

"I would try to shake myself out of it, get the cobwebs out and just think," he added. "But there were so many things to deal with, so much was going through my head. I couldn't focus."

Jammer said he remembered a play last November against the Chicago Bears when he fell didn't see his man take off down field, blowing by him.

"I was on the other hash," he said. "For what reason, I don't know. That's when I was like, 'This is bad. I'm mentally shot.'"

Jammer vowed he will be back to his old, pass-deflecting self this season. His teammates and coach Norv Turner deserve it, he said.

"This was the toughest thing I ever had to deal with," Jammer said. "Am I still affected by it? Yes. But will it affect my season this year? No. This will probably be my best year. I owe it to the team. I owe it to Norv, who was one of my biggest supporters. He was there, he stood by me, just knowing what I was going through. I owe him and my teammates a great year."

 

[Faust]

Excerpt from Peter King's MMQB:

Emmitt II?

History lesson with Norv Turner: He likes his backs to run a lot, and he doesn't care if the rest of the league is going to this consistent two-back business. When the Chargers let Mike Tolbert go to Carolina in free agency and didn't replace him with a prominent back as complement to third-year man Ryan Mathews, that sent the message about Mathews' role to the team loud and clear. "At that moment, I knew I'd be the guy,'' Mathews said.

Look at Turner's track record. When he took over as Jimmy Johnson's offensive coordinator in 1991, Emmitt Smith's carries rose from 241 in 1990 to 365 in Turner's first year. In 2002 in Miami, the Dolphins had just acquired Ricky Williams and had just signed Turner as coordinator. Williams had his two biggest seasons for carries (383, 392) with Turner in Miami. And Frank Gore hit his career rushing high for attempts (312 carries) in Turner's only 49er season. Last week, Turner said in San Diego he was getting Mathews ready "for everything he can handle.'' Sounds very much like Mathews, if he stays upright, will get his 300 carries, and then some.

"Coach Turner's coached a lot of great backs,'' Mathews told me the other day. "He's told me I remind him of Ricky Williams, which is the kind of back I would like to be. In college [Fresno State] I was a workhorse back. I believe I can do that here. My training has really improved, and I've set high standards for myself. I shouldn't come off the field at all this year.''

That would mean Mathews, who has had 72 catches combined in his first two years, could have that many this season alone. If he plays on most third downs, particularly with Philip Rivers needing to throw hot because he could be under duress early if the new-look line struggles, Mathews could approach 400 touches. He'll have to be better with ball security after fumbling 10 times in the last two years. "I've been working a lot on that,'' he said. He'd better be.

"I really think this year's my time,'' Mathews said. "I see myself as one of the top backs in the league. Now I've got to go out and do it.''

Fantasy owners nationwide will put their seasons on the line with Mathews. I'd suggest watching reports out of San Diego in August, to make sure he doesn't get the kind of nagging injuries he's had in his first two years, and to make sure the Chargers are handling Mathews the way Turner expects to. The Chargers intend to feed Mathews as much as any back in the league. It'll be up to him to handle it.

 

[Faust]

Cam Thomas primed for bigger San Diego Chargers role

By Brian McIntyre

Around the League writer

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. Up next: the San Diego Chargers.

Cam Thomas is the future starting nose tackle in San Diego, and the future could start now.

There are so many known commodities on the Chargers, it was difficult to find a suitable candidate for a "breakout" player. Running back Ryan Mathews is under the gun to become a workhorse back, but he ran for 1,000 yards last season, caught 50 balls out of the backfield and ranked in the top 10 in Football Outsiders' DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) and DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average).

Malcom Floyd? He's 30 and led the NFL in yards per reception in 2011. Linebacker Donald Butler? He was second behind Takeo Spikes in tackles last season. 2011 first-round pick Corey Liuget? Yeah, but picking a 2011 first-rounder seems too obvious.

That brings us back to Thomas.

A 2010 fifth-round pick out of North Carolina, the 6-foot-4, 335-pound Thomas played sparingly as a rookie (dressed for just six games) before starting two of 16 games last season.

In less than 40 percent of the team's snaps last season, Thomas had 20 tackles, including six for a loss, and a career-high four sacks. Thomas' sack total ranked second on the Chargers behind Antwan Barnes, another part-time player who made efficient use of his playing time.

Speaking of maximizing time on the field, Thomas has logged fewer than 500 snaps in his career, yet he has six sacks. Over the same time span, Chargers starting nose tackle Antonio Garay has eight sacks in nearly 1,000 snaps.

Thomas is expected to open training camp behind Garay, who was re-signed to a two-year, $6.6 million contract March 30, but it's clear that the team has liked the progress the prototypical nose tackle has shown. That the team was willing to play hardball with Garay, who turns 33 in November, is evidence of the confidence they have in Thomas.

Furthermore, the structure of Garay's contract leaves it open for Thomas to earn the starting job, before or during this season. Of Garay's $6.6 million contract, just the $750,000 signing bonus is guaranteed, and $5 million of the deal comes in 2013. Don't be surprised if Thomas is starting long before then.

 

[msommer]

Any word on Jonas Mouton from mini camp and OTAs?

 

[Faust]

Mathews should be a catch for Chargers

By Bill Williamson | ESPN.com

In our AFC West chat Thursday, we talked about the importance of San Diego running back Ryan Mathews catching about 50 passes out of the backfield this season.

It prompted me to do some quick research and the results show that San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers usually hits his running back in that range. In fact, Mathews caught exactly 50 passes last season. So, I’d think he could get in the 60-catch range this season as the Chargers plan to expand his workload.

Mike Tolbert, now with Carolina, had 54 catches last season out of the backfield. In 2010, Darren Sproles, who went to New Orleans last season, had 59 catches.

Rivers, who took over as the starter in San Diego in 2006, hit LaDainian Tomlinson 56 times out of the backfield in 2006, 60 times in 2007 and 52 times in 2008.

I don’t expect this trend to end now that Mathews will be the primary pass-catcher out of the backfield. His fine performance catching the ball last year clearly gave Rivers and the San Diego coaching staff confidence he can succeed in the role.

 

[Faust]

Luis Castillo reportedly cut by San Diego Chargers

By Dan Hanzus

Writer

It turns out Luis Castillo won't be back with the San Diego Chargers after all.

Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego reported Thursday the team has released Castillo, a defensive tackle who was the Chargers' first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

The move is curious, considering the Chargers re-signed Castillo on April 3.

Castillo broke his leg in Week 1 last September and missed the remainder of the season. He visited the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots as a free agent before signing a one-year, $1 million deal to return to the San Diego Chargers. It will be interesting to see if those teams now sniff around Castillo.

"Luis is, he was really having an outstanding camp last year and got hurt in the opening game, and he's, I think he's healthy," Turner said in April. "Last time I talked to him, he thought he was making great strides and great rehabilitation. I see him as a good football player."

Something obviously changed between then and now.

 

[Raider Nation]

Peter King ‏@SI_PeterKing

SD No. 2 QB Whitehurst limps off field; got knee slightly caved in. Chargers have only 3 QBs in camp (LSU FA Jarrett Lee). Start looking,AJ.

 

[Silver & Black]

Chargers | Jared Gaither carted off field

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:54:51 -0700

San Diego Chargers OT Jared Gaither (back) was carted off the field during practice Thursday, July 26, and had ice on his lower back.

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Michael Gehlken

Charger homers, please keep us advised...

 

[DanFouts]

Sounds like Gaither was back today...says it was just cramps...

More concerning...they just signed Boller as QB. "Jesus" Whitehurst must be hurt bad....(not that it really matters...if Rivers goes down, their season is functionally over anyhow).

 

[Faust]

Report: Kyle Boller retires one day after signing with Chargers

By Josh Katzowitz | NFL Blogger

With Chargers backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst out for the next few weeks with a knee injury, the team signed journeyman quarterback Kyle Boller to a one-year deal Friday to replace him.

As I wrote, “Boller, [is] 31 years old and probably needs to show some semblance of competence to stay in the league.”

Sounds like Boller has decided he's finished all on his own.

Marty Caswell

@MartyCaswell

Well that was quickest Chargers stint ever- Kyle Boller has apparently quit the team & retired.

It's surprising, because Boller, you know, signed his deal exactly, um, one day ago (!!!). Boller also tried out for the Ravens and the Titans in the offseason after the Raiders didn't re-sign him, so we wouldn't hold it against you if you thought that Boller still wanted to play.Apparently, that's not the case anymore, and that means the Chargers only have two healthy quarterbacks on their roster (Rivers and undrafted free agent Jarrett Lee).

In retiring, Boller leaves behind a career that has to be considered disappointing. He was a first-round pick of the Ravens in 2003, but he never turned into the kind of signal-caller former coach Brian Billick expected.

He only completed 60 percent of his passes in two of his eight seasons in the league, and he finished with 48 touchdowns and 54 interceptions. So, he was fairly mediocre as a starter in Baltimore, and since leaving that team after the 2007 season, he bounced between the Rams (and started four games in 2009) and the Raiders, where he was strictly a backup.

The exception to that came last season in Oakland when he started one game in between the Jason Campbell and Carson Palmer eras. Not surprisingly, an unimpressive Boller was quickly replaced by Palmer. I guess that's the last we'll see of him.

 

[DanFouts]

No Gaither tonight...ugh.

Maybe Rivers should just do a few handoffs to Matthews and call it a night.

I am excited to see Ingram tonight though!

 

[Gr00vus]

Where did McNeil end up?

 

[BoltBacker]

Where did McNeil end up?

"Free-agent OT Marcus McNeill (Chargers) will announce his retirement from professional football. His agent said a neck injury prevents him from playing again."It's a bit sad. I remember there were health issues(back/neck?) when he was drafted. They got a couple of good years out of the pick but it had been obvious to me for a few years now that he simply wasn't the same player for whatever reason. A lot of non-Charger fans seem to think he would be sorely missed during his holdout/injuries but I still say his play was being propped up by the fact his backups were simply terrible.Unfortunately, we may be in for more of the same this year if Gaither can't stay healthy. It certainly would be nice to have a veteran like Clary on the bench if they would have upgraded the starting RT spot and created some semblance of depth on the OL. The thought of STARTING Henderson/Green on the left side of the line is depressing. I hope they plan on leaving a TE/RB in to block a great deal this season. At least having all those slot receivers and a healthier Gates should allow Rivers to get rid of the ball quickly.

 

[BoltBacker]

No Gaither tonight...ugh.Maybe Rivers should just do a few handoffs to Matthews and call it a night.

I think they are going to have to figure out a way of protecting Rivers with more than just the OL this season so they may as well start figuring out how to do that sooner than later.

 

[Gr00vus]

We taking this season off now that Glassews is out again? Nice job with the depth A.J.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

We taking this season off now that Glassews is out again? Nice job with the depth A.J.

Could be an ugly season in the back field for sure. I wonder if 21 wants to come out of retirement?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

We taking this season off now that Glassews is out again? Nice job with the depth A.J.

THe team took the last 2 seasons off. why not 1 more to get rid of Norv.On the bright side, Melvin looked really really good. but its pre-season

 

[Gr00vus]

We taking this season off now that Glassews is out again? Nice job with the depth A.J.

Could be an ugly season in the back field for sure. I wonder if 21 wants to come out of retirement?

I think I'd actually like to see that. Be awesome if they had a miracle season and won it all with LaDanian.

 

[BoltBacker]

We taking this season off now that Glassews is out again? Nice job with the depth A.J.

I think Brown/McLain can work in the short term. It certainly would be nice if Mathews makes it back for game #3 vs Atlanta. I dunno who Cason is going to try and cover but SD is going to need to score a lot of points in that one.You make a strong point on the lack of RB depth. I never saw Mathews as a guy capable of carrying the entire load simply because Tolbert left. It certainly would be nice if AJ had used that Eddie Royal $ to sign a guy like Peyton Hillis. Hillis only got a 1yr/$3mil contract and that's a pittance compared to what Royal got to be the #4 WR(everything I've read says Brown is building on the flashes he showed last season). Mathews/Hillis with McLain blocking for both would have been one of the most formidable backfields in the NFL.

 

[Beerguzzler]

We taking this season off now that Glassews is out again? Nice job with the depth A.J.

I think Brown/McLain can work in the short term. It certainly would be nice if Mathews makes it back for game #3 vs Atlanta. I dunno who Cason is going to try and cover but SD is going to need to score a lot of points in that one.You make a strong point on the lack of RB depth. I never saw Mathews as a guy capable of carrying the entire load simply because Tolbert left. It certainly would be nice if AJ had used that Eddie Royal $ to sign a guy like Peyton Hillis. Hillis only got a 1yr/$3mil contract and that's a pittance compared to what Royal got to be the #4 WR(everything I've read says Brown is building on the flashes he showed last season). Mathews/Hillis with McLain blocking for both would have been one of the most formidable backfields in the NFL.

Royal is the slot WR and in no danger of losing that role. Brown plays outside.

 

[BoltBacker]

Royal is the slot WR and in no danger of losing that role. Brown plays outside.

If you could trade Royal for Hillis straight up today, would you?

 

[BoltBacker]

I hope AJ takes a long look at Tarvaris Jackson when he eventually gets released by SEA to save a few $. He really just got caught up in a bad situation - what is the chance he stays on the roster even if he does play slightly better than the high draft pick or the expensive free agent? He was definitely NOT the reason SEA was sub .500 last season. He had a very solid year when you consider his best receiver was an undrafted guy from Stanford. He's actually be solid his entire career and I think he might be one of the best backups in the league. Having Whitehurst on the roster and familiar with the offense allows you to bring Jackson along slowly until he's ready to take over as the #2 on Sundays. With the state of the SD OL it would be nice to have a guy that can move around if something happens to Rivers.

 

[BoltBacker]

It's already been a brutal August with both Mathews and now Brown going down for the start of the season.

Does anyone think they may bring back a blast from the past and add Jabar Gaffney if NE releases him? He's supposed to be in a three way battle with Branch/Stallworth for one roster spot. Gaffney very quietly had the most productive season of his career last year (68/947/5).

Also, I can't help but think there must be somebody on the waiver wire at RB before the season starts that would be better than Brinkley/Battle/Hayes/Baker. I like Brown/McClain in limited roles but if either of those guys go down before Mathews comes back SD is just a mess in the backfield. Any RB's on the roster bubble around the league? Dixon(SF), Tanner(DAL), Parmale(JAX), Ivory(NO), Brown(NYG) maybe?

 

[Gr00vus]

I think the offense could have some problems early on, if not for the entire season. Rivers is already throwing picks in preseason, the line is patchwork, and now starting skill position guys are out. I could see the 1st 2 games being relatively low scoring affairs if the defense can hold up their end of the deal.

 

[BoltBacker]

I think the offense could have some problems early on, if not for the entire season. Rivers is already throwing picks in preseason, the line is patchwork, and now starting skill position guys are out. I could see the 1st 2 games being relatively low scoring affairs if the defense can hold up their end of the deal.

I wouldn't read too much into the Rivers INT's just yet. One INT was a tipped ball - not much you can do about that. The other INT on a pass intended for Meach isn't that surprising when you consider they haven't had much time to build timing/chemistry. If anything I thought it was a positive sign that Meach was out in front of the pass as his health has become very important and he must be running well. I'm very confident that Rivers has the arm to get the ball deep once they develop a rapport. Of course the OL needs to protect Rivers long enough to throw the deep ball and that's where the whole plan goes south. I hope Turner has spent the last few months devising some creative maximum protect packages that are better than having McMichael in the backfield blocking.AJ really won't have anyone to blame but himself at the end of this season. In the past the OL was the one glaring weakness on the team and depth was so paper thin that the first injury turned the unit into one of the worst in the league. This year it started out as one of the worst in the league even before the injuries started. Couple that with going all in on Mathews as a 350+ touches back by having almost no depth in the backfield and the hand writing is on the wall for the season and AJ's career as GM. It's a shame that the last few seasons of Rivers in his prime have been wasted.

 

[Tau837]

I think the offense could have some problems early on, if not for the entire season. Rivers is already throwing picks in preseason, the line is patchwork, and now starting skill position guys are out. I could see the 1st 2 games being relatively low scoring affairs if the defense can hold up their end of the deal.

I wouldn't read too much into the Rivers INT's just yet. One INT was a tipped ball - not much you can do about that. The other INT on a pass intended for Meach isn't that surprising when you consider they haven't had much time to build timing/chemistry. If anything I thought it was a positive sign that Meach was out in front of the pass as his health has become very important and he must be running well. I'm very confident that Rivers has the arm to get the ball deep once they develop a rapport. Of course the OL needs to protect Rivers long enough to throw the deep ball and that's where the whole plan goes south. I hope Turner has spent the last few months devising some creative maximum protect packages that are better than having McMichael in the backfield blocking.AJ really won't have anyone to blame but himself at the end of this season. In the past the OL was the one glaring weakness on the team and depth was so paper thin that the first injury turned the unit into one of the worst in the league. This year it started out as one of the worst in the league even before the injuries started. Couple that with going all in on Mathews as a 350+ touches back by having almost no depth in the backfield and the hand writing is on the wall for the season and AJ's career as GM. It's a shame that the last few seasons of Rivers in his prime have been wasted.

 

[omally]

I think the offense could have some problems early on, if not for the entire season. Rivers is already throwing picks in preseason, the line is patchwork, and now starting skill position guys are out. I could see the 1st 2 games being relatively low scoring affairs if the defense can hold up their end of the deal.

I wouldn't read too much into the Rivers INT's just yet. One INT was a tipped ball - not much you can do about that. The other INT on a pass intended for Meach isn't that surprising when you consider they haven't had much time to build timing/chemistry. If anything I thought it was a positive sign that Meach was out in front of the pass as his health has become very important and he must be running well. I'm very confident that Rivers has the arm to get the ball deep once they develop a rapport. Of course the OL needs to protect Rivers long enough to throw the deep ball and that's where the whole plan goes south. I hope Turner has spent the last few months devising some creative maximum protect packages that are better than having McMichael in the backfield blocking.AJ really won't have anyone to blame but himself at the end of this season. In the past the OL was the one glaring weakness on the team and depth was so paper thin that the first injury turned the unit into one of the worst in the league. This year it started out as one of the worst in the league even before the injuries started. Couple that with going all in on Mathews as a 350+ touches back by having almost no depth in the backfield and the hand writing is on the wall for the season and AJ's career as GM. It's a shame that the last few seasons of Rivers in his prime have been wasted.