**OFFICIAL** San Diego Chargers Draft Thread (1 Viewer)

[cstu]

Great draft so far by the Chargers filling two of their biggest needs.

1st round (#19) - Cromartie is a wild card, but has elite talent and could be the shut down type CB the Chargers need.

2nd round (#50) - With Oben questionable for this season, LT was the primary focus for the Chargers. While I was disappointed they didn't take Justice at #19 or find a way to trade for him once he slipped into the 2nd, McNeill is a huge tackle and has a lot of upside. His run blocking is spectacular but needs to work on his pass blocking to become a reliable LT. Worst case scenario, assuming his back holds up, is that he'll Oben's backup at LT and get moved to RT. Either way it's a good pick for the Chargers.

3rd round (#81) - I'm irritated that the Chargers didn't take safeties Simpson or Bing, but I can see this as a good way to push Rivers. It worked with Brees. Whitehurst has prototypical size and could develop on the bench and possibility be trade material down the road.

4th round (#113) - Traded to the Rams for TE Brandon Manumaleuna

5th round (#151) - From cstu's alma mater ISU - ILB Tim Dobbins. I'm a little biased, but I love this pick. He's a very solid tackler and won't make a lot of mistakes. Not a play-maker, but he's well suited to play 3-4 ILB.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Great draft so far by the Chargers filling two of their biggest needs.

1st round (#19) - Cromartie is a wild card, but has elite talent and could be the shut down type CB the Chargers need.

2nd round (#50) - With Oben questionable for this season, LT was the primary focus for the Chargers. While I was disappointed they didn't take Justice at #19 or find a way to trade for him once he slipped into the 2nd, McNeill is a huge tackle and has a lot of upside. His run blocking is spectacular but needs to work on his pass blocking to become a reliable LT. Worst case scenario, assuming his back holds up, is that he'll Oben's backup at LT and get moved to RT. Either way it's a good pick for the Chargers.

Agreed, but I read somewhere that he didn't give up a sack in his last 41 games. Draft is A+ from this Charger fan. I wanted Cromartie, BADLY.

 

[spec1alk]

I sure hope so, they were a big dissappointment last season. I mean, who wants to be "The best team in the NFL with a losing record". Weak.

 

[Riffraff]

Whitehurst in the 3rd?

Hmmm

 

[cstu]

Whitehurst in the 3rd?

Hmmm

The thought of a QB did cross my mind but there are a lot of good players still available and I didn't think they'd do it.

 

[BoltzNBrew]

Whitehurst is a huge reach considering the players available and need. Why take a QB3 with the 3rd round pick?

 

[tommyGunZ]

I'm gonna trust AJ on this one, and hope we can develop Whitehurst into a Matt Schwaub value to be used at a later date.

But at first glance, it's certainly a head scratcher.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I sure hope so, they were a big dissappointment last season. I mean, who wants to be "The best team in the NFL with a losing record". Weak.

Ummm. no losing record last year.Did not make the playoffs.

So far I'd give the Bolts a b+, the 3rd rounder is???

Why is Jean-Gilles splipping? Or did I miss his pick

 

[cstu]

I sure hope so, they were a big dissappointment last season. I mean, who wants to be "The best team in the NFL with a losing record". Weak.

Ummm. no losing record last year.Did not make the playoffs.

So far I'd give the Bolts a b+, the 3rd rounder is???

Why is Jean-Gilles splipping? Or did I miss his pick

Remember Toniu Fonoti?

 

[cstu]

Whitehurst is a huge reach considering the players available and need. Why take a QB3 with the 3rd round pick?

Technically he might be the QB2 since it won't take much to beat out Feeley. I like his upside and he has all the tools to be an NFL QB.

 

[B Maverick]

I was expecting HAgan with the 3rd pick not a qb. Not a good pick imo. If cromartie can become as good as advertised i think they have someone to match up with Moss and JAVON WALKER (damn denver) and the rest of the tall stud WRs. Jammer can move to #3 or be rid of his weak ####.

The OT in rd 2 was a solid pick.

Dont like qb in rd 3.

 

[Capella]

Cromartie was a great pick, but Whitehurst is horrible. No idea what SD is thinking there.

 

[BoltzNBrew]

Whitehurst is a huge reach considering the players available and need.  Why take a QB3 with the 3rd round pick?

Technically he might be the QB2 since it won't take much to beat out Feeley. I like his upside and he has all the tools to be an NFL QB.

True. AJ and Marty must see something in him to draft him that high. QB depth is something we did need.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I sure hope so, they were a big dissappointment last season. I mean, who wants to be "The best team in the NFL with a losing record". Weak.

Ummm. no losing record last year.Did not make the playoffs.

So far I'd give the Bolts a b+, the 3rd rounder is???

Why is Jean-Gilles splipping? Or did I miss his pick

Remember Toniu Fonoti?

Rather large Fat Man?

 

[BoltBacker]

Great draft so far by the Chargers filling two of their biggest needs.

1st round (#19) - Cromartie is a wild card, but has elite talent and could be the shut down type CB the Chargers need.

2nd round (#50) - With Oben questionable for this season, LT was the primary focus for the Chargers. While I was disappointed they didn't take Justice at #19 or find a way to trade for him once he slipped into the 2nd, McNeill is a huge tackle and has a lot of upside. His run blocking is spectacular but needs to work on his pass blocking to become a reliable LT. Worst case scenario, assuming his back holds up, is that he'll Oben's backup at LT and get moved to RT. Either way it's a good pick for the Chargers.

Agreed, but I read somewhere that he didn't give up a sack in his last 41 games. Draft is A+ from this Charger fan. I wanted Cromartie, BADLY.

You know you've spent too much time on the FBG message boards when picks in the NFL draft make you think of a specific poster. First thing I thought of when I heard the Cromartie pick was tommygunz.I'd give SD a B+.

FIRST ROUND: Really, after Hill was selected Cromartie wasn't that much of a gamble. I might have liked Jimmy Williams there but he slipped very far so AJ probably took the right guy.

SECOND ROUND: OL seemed to fall luckily for SD. This was the best pick of the draft(thus far) for AJ. McNeal will help SD more than anyone drafted later would have.

THIRD ROUND: Seems like a reach to me(and everyone else). I honestly can't understand how they take a QB with Gerris Wilkinson still on the board. I'd have given them an A if they would have drafted Wilkinson..... would have addressed their three biggest needs with quality players but I guess I'm just a bigger fan of AJ Feely than most.

 

[RestoreTheROAR]

Heres a little something on Cromartie

Cromartie was forced to sit out the 2005 season, but his rehab work went so well that he decided to test the NFL waters despite having two years of eligibility remaining. He told the San Diego media that the biggest reason for his decision was to provide financial support for his mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year."My family was having financial problems back home," Cromartie told San Diego's official web site. "I thought the best thing to do was to come out and be the man of the house. My mom is dealing with breast cancer. I felt that the best thing for me was to come out because the medical bills were going to pile up. My grandmother had a surgery about two months ago as well. I thought it was my responsibility to take care of them."San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer told the Associated Press that he was happy with the pick."I've always said I like big, physical corners," Schottenheimer said. "There is no question that he has a lot of work to do. But he's got rare skills. It generally begins with that."

 

[Exile]

Hey Bolts fans,

Sorry to interrupt your draft talk, but I was curious if there was any word out of SD about trade interest in Donnie Edwards. He was reported to be on the trading block and I thought he might get traded on Day 1 of the draft. As a Pats fan, I'd be very interested in him going to New England.

Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[BoltBacker]

The sniping back and forth between AJ/Edwards had escelated a couple weeks ago but I haven't heard anything since then. Hopefully the one bright side of SD ignoring their need for an ILB is the fact Edwards is more likely to stay in SD as a result.

 

[cstu]

Great draft so far by the Chargers filling two of their biggest needs.

1st round (#19) - Cromartie is a wild card, but has elite talent and could be the shut down type CB the Chargers need.

2nd round (#50) - With Oben questionable for this season, LT was the primary focus for the Chargers. While I was disappointed they didn't take Justice at #19 or find a way to trade for him once he slipped into the 2nd, McNeill is a huge tackle and has a lot of upside. His run blocking is spectacular but needs to work on his pass blocking to become a reliable LT. Worst case scenario, assuming his back holds up, is that he'll Oben's backup at LT and get moved to RT. Either way it's a good pick for the Chargers.

Agreed, but I read somewhere that he didn't give up a sack in his last 41 games. Draft is A+ from this Charger fan. I wanted Cromartie, BADLY.

You know you've spent too much time on the FBG message boards when picks in the NFL draft make you think of a specific poster. First thing I thought of when I heard the Cromartie pick was tommygunz.I'd give SD a B+.

FIRST ROUND: Really, after Hill was selected Cromartie wasn't that much of a gamble. I might have liked Jimmy Williams there but he slipped very far so AJ probably took the right guy.

SECOND ROUND: OL seemed to fall luckily for SD. This was the best pick of the draft(thus far) for AJ. McNeal will help SD more than anyone drafted later would have.

THIRD ROUND: Seems like a reach to me(and everyone else). I honestly can't understand how they take a QB with Gerris Wilkinson still on the board. I'd have given them an A if they would have drafted Wilkinson..... would have addressed their three biggest needs with quality players but I guess I'm just a bigger fan of AJ Feely than most.

Picking a QB makes sense if the Chargers are concerned about Feeley being the backup. I think they drafted a QB who was a tremendous value and will push Rivers. I'm sure most of us had a different idea for the 3rd pick (I had Simpson in mind) but as far a Wilkerson it would have been a fine pick. I think Leon Williams will be a good 2nd day pick at ILB since he has a lot of potential and can learn behind two great ILB's this year. Another choice is Brandon Johnson who could develop into a good ILB.

 

[BoltBacker]

Picking a QB makes sense if the Chargers are concerned about Feeley being the backup.

Meh, Feeley looked bad on a HORRIBLE MIA team. I think plenty of other QB's would have looked just as bad on that particular MIA team.Even if you think Feeley sucks(I don't) then wouldn't a more logical decision to backup a young player like Rivers be a veteran? They have the cap space they could have signed a Brian Griese with plenty of room to spare.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I would have loved Ty Hill with the #19 pick. After he went, I was hoping for Chad Greenway. After he went, Cromartie made the most sense. He's a bit of a high-risk, high-reward type pick, but he has fantastic potential.

I think Marcus McNeill, Eric Winston, and Daryn Colledge are all just as good as Winston Justice, so I wasn't unhappy at all that the Chargers passed on Justice at #19. (In fact, I really wanted Colledge from that group. I was surprised he went before McNeill and E.Winston, but he has the most potential, IMO. Fantastic lateral quickness, and great hustle.) McNeill is a better run-blocker than any of the OTs drafted before him (Ferguson, Justice, Colledge), so Tomlinson will benefit from this pick.

I'm happy that McNeill lasted until the 50th pick.

With the third pick, I'd have liked an OG or NT, but I do think that backup QB was also a position of need for the Chargers. Having a capable backup is important, and I like the idea of always having a young QB with potential on the roster to develop. Two things I really like about Whitehurst: (a) he set a school record with 37 consecutive starts and 40 overall starts at QB; and (b) he set a school record with a 67% completion percentage in 2005. (See this article for why those two stats are important.)

Overall, I'm very happy about how things went today.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Nice Q&A with Marcus McNeill from the Chargers.com blog.

Marcus McNeillOne of the most dominating drive blockers in the game, Marcus also shows excellent pass protection skills. He put together a string of 43 consecutive games without allowing a quarterback sack, dating back to the 2002 season, despite playing the demanding left tackle position. The following is a Q&A tackle Marcus McNeill:

On being a Charger:

“I’m really excited. I have big opportunities there. Everybody is saying you (Chargers) are the best team that didn’t make the playoffs, so we’re trying to make the playoffs this year and go all the way.”

On the current situation along the Chargers’ offensive line:

“I don’t really get into it. I know you have a wonderful left tackle already, but it doesn’t make any sense for me to just sit back and not want to compete. I’m coming in to compete for a starting job. I know Roman (Oben) is a great left tackle, and he’s going to compete just as well as I am. Hopefully I’ll be able to earn a starting position.”

On expecting to go in the first-round:

“Definitely. I expected to go in the first-round.”

On why he thinks he did not get selected in the first-round:

“There were just a lot more stipulations with me. Honestly, because of the history everybody has been claiming with my back. San Diego grabbed (Antonio) Cromartie, which was a great move. I’m not bitter at all. It wasn’t about where I went. I just wanted to go somewhere. My sister is crying …my father and mother…they’re loving everything. It’s just a blessing to go, period.”

On his back:

“My back is fine. I plan on showing everybody that when I get into camp. I’ll be down there showing off my back.”

On how his back injury has limited him:

“It hasn’t limited me at all. Everybody will see that when I get down there. I’ll run with the team, workout with the team, hit with the team … all the BS and everything else is aside. You drafted me now. I’m going to show everybody what I was telling them (the Chargers) is the truth. Me and San Diego are going to make a lot of people feel real bad about not picking me up early.”

On left tackle being his position:

“Is the quarterback right-handed? Well, there it is. I’m a left tackle.”

On his knowledge of the Chargers:

“I know you have … how many Pro Bowlers…three? I was thinking about the offensive side of the ball. You have a wonderful staff, and to block for L.T. I blocked for Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown—those were great backs in college—and L.T. is one of the best backs in the league. If anything, I know L.T. is going to get all the glamour and glitz, but when they sit down and look at it and they pick their Pro Bowl teams, they’re going to say, ‘why did L.T. rush for all these yards?’ Maybe this tackle isn’t that bad … maybe we’ll take him to the Pro Bowl. I got big expectations in the league. I don’t plan on just settling. Maybe it’s good that I went in the second round because I kind of do have a chip on my shoulder. I have to prove myself again.”

On his confidence:

“I’m not arrogant at all. I’m the humblest guy you’ll ever meet in your life. I’m very confident in myself, but don’t mistake my confidence for arrogance. I’m not arrogant at all. God blessed me with a lot of talent and I plan on just using all of my ability. Not even for myself; it’s for the team. I really plan on doing big things in San Diego … team-wise.”

On learning behind Roman Oben:

“Yes, definitely. He’s already an established, seasoned left tackle in the league. Even if I don’t win a starting position, I’m going to be able to learn a lot of things. Whereas if I might have gone to some other team I would have automatically been put at the left tackle position.”

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Overrated/Underrated from SI.com

Overrated: Winston Justice, USC

The former Long Beach Poly standout has had a massive rep from the day he walked on campus, drawing comparisons to Trojan legend Anthony Munoz when he started at left tackle. But then he missed an entire season when he was suspended for pointing a plastic gun at a student. When he returned last year, he wasn't all that dominating, and in fact the dirty little secret at Heritage Hall was that Justice, easily the most hyped of USC's lineman, was actually the unit's weak link (relatively speaking). Scouts are enamored with his physical capabilities (6-6, 320 pounds) and athleticism, but in truth he's an extremely risky pick who could easily wind up a bust.

Underrated: Marcus McNeill, Auburn

It's absolutely flabbergasting that this guy is expected to slip to the second round. For one thing, he's a towering 6-7, 336 pounds. He started four consecutive years in the SEC, facing some of the most menacing pass-rushers in the country, and didn't allow a single sack the past three seasons. He was the anchor of a powerful Tigers O-line that helped produce the conference's top offense last season and a powerful running game throughout his career. Apparently there are concerns about his back (he's had chronic problems), but I'd be more concerned for the backs of the defenders he pancakes.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

From a pre-draft interview with Pat Kirwan:

Who are some of the guys the Chargers could be looking at with the 19th pick?

In my latest draft on NFL.com, I have Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie ending up in San Diego. Although he didn’t play last year because of the injury, every secondary coach that I talk to who went in there to work the kid out came away in awe of his physical ability. The Chargers have a good football team and have a chance to take maybe the best corner in the draft. There are flaws in a lot of the other guys. With Jimmy Williams, you’re not even sure if he’s a safety or a corner. I like Tye Hill, but he’s 5-9. I don’t consider Michael Huff a corner. I think Donte Whitner is really a safety also who can match up for you and do some of the cornerback things, but if you’re looking for a pure corner with the athletic ability that might be close to a Deion Sanders, I think you take a chance on that guy. Cromartie might be gone by 19, but if he’s not I would think they couldn’t resist.

 

[LHUCKS]

Overrated/Underrated from SI.com

Overrated: Winston Justice, USC

The former Long Beach Poly standout has had a massive rep from the day he walked on campus, drawing comparisons to Trojan legend Anthony Munoz when he started at left tackle. But then he missed an entire season when he was suspended for pointing a plastic gun at a student. When he returned last year, he wasn't all that dominating, and in fact the dirty little secret at Heritage Hall was that Justice, easily the most hyped of USC's lineman, was actually the unit's weak link (relatively speaking). Scouts are enamored with his physical capabilities (6-6, 320 pounds) and athleticism, but in truth he's an extremely risky pick who could easily wind up a bust.

Xso he made an assanine move as a college student...he's got Pro Bowler skills/athleticism.

 

[Harry Beanbag]

Regarding Justice, I am pleased he was passed over. The man has character issues and whether he did stupid things as a college kid still says this guy has poor judgement. No need to take a gamble on a guy that could be getting into bar fights in the Gaslamp after games, etc., etc.

I think everyone previously hit the nail on the head on the first two picks. I love them too so no need for me to rubberstamp the previous opinions.

As for Whitehurst, yes, I think another O-lineman would he been a better choice. Very much a glaring need and quality depth at that position is always at a premium for all 32 teams. And if Aj and the Chargers were dead set on taking a QB at that slot, why Whitehurst. I would think Brodie Croyle from 'Bama would have been the better choice. Seeing how he was takien right after Whitehurst seems to further cement my opinion.

As for today, if Jean-Gilles is available in the fourth at the 113 pick, I say jump on him. I doubt he will be there at that position but I would think we need more O-line help. LT needs some road graders in front of him and Rivers needs some time to throw. This need should not only be adressed by McNeill

 

[BoltzNBrew]

Chargers traded their 4th round pick to STL for TE Brandon Manumaleuna. On the surface I like the trade but that is subject to change.

 

[tommyGunZ]

With the third pick, I'd have liked an OG or NT, but I do think that backup QB was also a position of need for the Chargers. Having a capable backup is important, and I like the idea of always having a young QB with potential on the roster to develop. Two things I really like about Whitehurst: (a) he set a school record with 37 consecutive starts and 40 overall starts at QB; and (b) he set a school record with a 67% completion percentage in 2005. (See this article for why those two stats are important.)

Overall, I'm very happy about how things went today.

That article was the first thing I thought of when Whitehurst was announced. I also think that the 3rd QB spot should always be filled with a developmental guy, and Whitehurst has the size, smarts, and experience to be an outstanding #2 after Feely's deal is up in 2 years. And if Whitehurst shows himself to be a borderline starter with some great preseason games, his value could soar. See Matt Schaub.Final note: Charger fans need to stop hating on AJ Feely. He's easily one of the best backup QBs in the NFL. Not many teams have the luxury of having an experienced, productive, and winning QB at #2. Why are Feely's struggles with an awful Dolphins team more indicative of his value than his excellence with the Eagles? The Chargers are more like the Eagles than the Dolphins, so while Feely proved in Miami that he's not going to carry a bad offense, he proved in Philly that he can take over a good offense and keep it going by minimalizing mistakes. He's EXACTLY what the Chargers need in a #2 QB.

 

[cstu]

Chargers traded their 4th round pick to STL for TE Brandon Manumaleuna. On the surface I like the trade but that is subject to change.

With Bing and Simpson gone and Cleveland stealing Leon Williams right out from under us, it's an decent trade for a proven veteran TE who we needed.

 

[Bri]

Cromartie was a great pick, but Whitehurst is horrible. No idea what SD is thinking there.

McNeil's degenerative back(or neck?) condition could really throw a monkey wrench in here too. From what I've read he's a gem and that is the only reason he fell.

 

[tommyGunZ]

On left tackle being his position:

“Is the quarterback right-handed? Well, there it is. I’m a left tackle.”

This is exactly what I want to hear from McNeil. Love this comment.

 

[cstu]

Cromartie was a great pick, but Whitehurst is horrible. No idea what SD is thinking there.

McNeil's degenerative back(or neck?) condition could really throw a monkey wrench in here too. From what I've read he's a gem and that is the only reason he fell.

And with McNeill's back issue, why not draft Jonathan Scott instead of trading for a backup TE?

 

[cstu]

Dobbins will be a great fit for the Chargers.

 

[Riffraff]

QK in the 3rd

PK in the 5th

sigh

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Kurt Smith is a kickoff specialist, which is Kaeding's weak point.

 

[BoltBacker]

I would have loved Ty Hill with the #19 pick. After he went, I was hoping for Chad Greenway. After he went, Cromartie made the most sense. He's a bit of a high-risk, high-reward type pick, but he has fantastic potential.

I think Marcus McNeill, Eric Winston, and Daryn Colledge are all just as good as Winston Justice, so I wasn't unhappy at all that the Chargers passed on Justice at #19. (In fact, I really wanted Colledge from that group. I was surprised he went before McNeill and E.Winston, but he has the most potential, IMO. Fantastic lateral quickness, and great hustle.) McNeill is a better run-blocker than any of the OTs drafted before him (Ferguson, Justice, Colledge), so Tomlinson will benefit from this pick.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Completely agree on Hill. Completely disagree on Colledge.Do you think Colledge can add the weight to be an NFL OT without losing the lateral quickness that got him drafted so high? I very much like that fact that McNeil is big enough to start in the NFL from day 1, but he's also proven he can excel against a much higher caliber of competition than Colledge.

If it sounds like I'm a Colledge-hater I'm really not, it's just there are a lot more "?" surrounding that guy imo. And perhaps more importantly the "?"s surrounding him are a lot more substantive than "Well, he did point a plastic toy gun at somebody once....... you never know how many times he'll repeat that mistake from this point forward".

 

[BoltBacker]

Dobbins will be a great fit for the Chargers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agreed, I was very pleased with that pick. IMO that pick on day #2 bumps SD draft from a B+ to an A-.

 

[BoltBacker]

Cromartie was a great pick, but Whitehurst is horrible. No idea what SD is thinking there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

McNeil's degenerative back(or neck?) condition could really throw a monkey wrench in here too. From what I've read he's a gem and that is the only reason he fell.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Without the health question marks then SD would have no chance of getting either player where they did. Sure it was a gamble, but a gamble on two very talented players.

 

[BoltBacker]

He's easily one of the best backup QBs in the NFL.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd stop short of that but he's certainly no worse than the average NFL backup despite how many comments you hear to the contrary. Funny thing, when guys like Feeley and Volek play on good teams they are great backups, when they play on poor teams they are awful backups. It's a coincidence.

 

[RestoreTheROAR]

Heres a little tidbit on Cromartie i thought you guys might like

Oravetz (the Seminoles' director of sports medicine) believes Cromartie was helped by the fact that he received so much exposure as a sophomore. Though he was technically a second-teamer because he played behind senior Leroy Smith, Cromartie earned first-team All-ACC honors with six interceptions.

 

[cstu]

Heres a little tidbit on Cromartie i thought you guys might like

Oravetz (the Seminoles' director of sports medicine) believes Cromartie was helped by the fact that he received so much exposure as a sophomore. Though he was technically a second-teamer because he played behind senior Leroy Smith, Cromartie earned first-team All-ACC honors with six interceptions.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No doubt the guy is a play-maker, I can't wait to see him on the field.

 

[spec1alk]

I sure hope so, they were a big dissappointment last season. I mean, who wants to be "The best team in the NFL with a losing record". Weak.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ummm. no losing record last year.

Did not make the playoffs.

So far I'd give the Bolts a b+, the 3rd rounder is???

Why is Jean-Gilles splipping? Or did I miss his pick

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know they didnt finish with a losing record but at around week 6 the commentators were saying that line alot.