Forget about the last preseason game...none of the starters (on offense or defense) played a snap and it was basically an audition for guys like WR Robert Meachem, RT Max Starks, and RB Fozzy Whitaker to make the team.
After signing a big contract in free agency to come to San Diego from New Orleans, Robert Meachem didn't meet expectations. He played in 15 games and recorded 14 catches. He didn't do much this preseason and his night ended against the 49ers with a concussion. The Chargers released him in the final cut. Meachem is still on the books (costing the Chargers anywhere from 6-10 million, depending on who you ask) so he cuts into the payroll, but releasing him means the Chargers can fill the slot with a need.
Tackle Max Starks was specifically brought in from Pittsburgh to be the starting Left Tackle and protect Phillip Rivers' blind side. Starks played LT for the Steelers since 2004 and started all 16 games last season. He got beat consistently in the preseason and in the last game against the 49ers gave up all three of the sacks against Charlie Whitehurst. Ex-Eagle tackle King Dunlap clearly outplayed him, but Starks played himself not only out of a starting job, but off the team.
Fozzy Whittaker came over from Arizona with Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. Although Whittaker didn't play a down for the Cardinals last year, Whisenhunt must have known something. Whittaker was a productive back all preseason playing mostly with the 2nd unit...and the backup offensive lineman aren't very good. Considering the past history of Ryan Mathews, Fozzy was a good pickup and will likely see action this year filling in for Mathews.
I really like backup TE Ladarius Green. He looks like a young Antonio Gates. He led the Chargers in receiving in the preseason and just like Gates, a LB can't cover him. He's still raw, so Gates is still the starter, but Gates hasn't been able to stay healthy lately. If this kid has to step in for Gates there won't be much of a drop off.
So what do I think about the Chargers as a whole? They play a relatively easy schedule facing 8 teams under .500 and only 7 games against teams that made the playoffs last season, none of which played in the conference finals. If they can beat all the under .500 teams they at least finish 8-8...which would be realistic this season all things considered. The three make-or-break games are the 2 contests against the Chiefs and when they host the Giants. Those two teams are in the same boat as the Chargers, trying to regain what they had in the past and come back from disappointing seasons. The Chiefs where picked by some to win the division last season, but finished just 2-14. Giants went 9-7 and missed the Playoffs after winning it all the year before. The Chargers swept the Chiefs last season, but the Chiefs are supposed to be much improved with Andy Reid now the head coach and the belief that the talent that was supposed to vault the Chiefs into contention last season will be better utilized this year.
Chargers open the season with the last game of the week, Monday night hosting the Texans. Tough opening game. Would have liked to see them have an easier opponent to get the new staff and players some time to develop a rhythm and familiarity. The new offensive line showed some promise in the run blocking department and they'll need to establish a running game to keep that Houston defense from teeing off on Rivers. That line still doesn't look very good from a pass blocking outlook. Danny Woodhead, who didn't play much this preseason, is going to come in handy in this game. I have a feeling that Mike McCoy and Whisenhunt have plans for Woodhead, but didn't want to show their hand in the preseason. Still, I don't give the Chargers much of a chance of winning the opener.
The other playoff teams they face from last season are; the Cowboys, Colts, Redskins, Bengals, and of course the Broncos twice. They face the Cowboys in week 4 and the Colts in week 6. Win or lose, those will be early indicators of the Chargers chances this season. There's really no way to tell right now if the Chargers have any shot at upsetting those teams. They get the Redskins in week 8 right after the week 7 bye. Coaches get two weeks to prepare for a team that should have beaten the Seahawks in the playoffs if RG3 was healthy.
They don't face the Broncos until the 2nd half of the season, so that
should give them plenty of time to develop an identity with the new
staff/players. Are they going to be the team that plays up to the division favorite? Broncos swept the Chargers last year. I would love to
see the Chargers get a split this season and make the Dec 12th game in
San Diego a statement game for next year.
Last year the worse record to get into the playoffs in the AFC was 10-6. Not seeing the Chargers getting that record this year, so the playoffs are too high a goal to set...still you have to keep some hope. The only way I can see the Chargers getting into the playoffs is if the Ravens fall hard after losing the players they did and the league is ready for the Colts and they don't find ways to adapt to that. Then possibly a 9-7 record can get in and the Chargers could be in the thick of that if they play better than expectations.
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