Post by sirshockwave on Jul 23, 2013 19:02:50 GMT -5
New HC Mike McCoy and new GM Tom Telesco arrive to inherit and clean up the mess left by predecessors A.J. Smith and Norv Turner. The main task for Mike McCoy is to recharge the production of QB Philip Rivers and he is counting on his assistants, OC Ken Whisenhunt and QB coach Frank Reich, to end Rivers' excessive turnovers and get this offense back on track. The Chargers have enjoyed an offseason of highs and lows and with the season right around the corner, let's take a look at what the team has accomplished and failed to accomplish as well as the status of the offense, defense and special teams.
Key FA signings:
King Dunlap, OT
Max Starks, OT
Danny Woodhead, RB
Derek Cox, CB
Chad Rinehart, OG
Dwight Freeney, DE/OLB
Key FA losses:
Louis Vasquez, OG
Aubrayo Franklin, DT
Shaun Phillips, LB
Antwan Barnes, LB
Key Draft picks:
D.J. Fluker
Manti Te'o
Keenan Allen
Player(s) on the hotseat/facing make-or-break season: Ryan Mathews, Larry English, Jeromey Clary, Robert Meachem
Outlook on offense:
Let's get on thing out of the way: Philip Rivers does NOT have to get the Chargers into the playoffs to save his job. Offensively, this team is a mess compared to what it was a few years ago and Philip Rivers has been trying to do too much to hide the inefficiencies on offense such as lousy OL play, no running game and no #1 WR. Mike McCoy, Ken Whisenhunt and Frank Reich come in and work with Rivers to try and get the turnovers to end. The OL looks a lot better than what it was last year as new starters from left to right (except C; Nick Hardwick returns) seek to keep Rivers upright and there is significant depth behind the starters. Ryan Mathews faces a make or break season and he is joined by Danny Woodhead, who the team hopes can resurrect that Sproles-like presence to the offense. When it comes to the passing game, Rivers looks to longtime teammate Malcom Floyd, the explosive Danario Alexander, young upstarts Vincent Brown and Keenan Allen, as well as future HOF Antonio Gates.
Outlook on defense:
If there was anyone on the defensive side of the ball that absolutely needed to return to the Chargers in 2013, it was DC John Pagano. Mike McCoy held on to the first year DC, now entering his second year at DC, to continue the solid job his squad did in 2012. The Chargers have a solid front seven led by stud DEs Corey Liguet and Kendell Reyes and getting his shot as a starter at NT is Cam Thomas, who displayed flashes of big-time potential during his first few years as a rotational player for the team. The LB corp took a hit when Melvin Ingram was lost for the year due to an ACL tear, but the Chargers moved quickly to bring in someone who could hold down the fort at OLB in hybrid player Dwight Freeney, who will start opposite run-stopper Jarret Johnson. At ILB, Donald Butler starts opposite rookie Manti Te'o. The secondary is led by Eric Weddle who will see new starters at SS, Marcus Gilchrist is competing against Brandon Taylor, and CB with FA acquisition Derek Cox and emerging starter Shareece Wright.
Outlook on special teams:
Kevin Spencer as special teams coach has Nick Novak at K, Mike Scifres at P and Mike Windt at LS. As long as there are no blocked punts, we're fine.
End of season predictions: either 7-9, 8-8 or 9-7. The Chargers certainly didn't do enough in the offseason to become anything identical to a team that can win at least 10 games, but they certainly did enough to be more than a 6 win team. If a lot of things go right offensively (the Chargers can consistently run the football, Rivers stays upright and takes care of the ball) they could possibly win nine or ten games but that is a big if. This team is squarely in Philip Rivers' hands. If he does the right things and adheres to Mike McCoy's system the Chargers will be fine going into the future.
Key FA signings:
King Dunlap, OT
Max Starks, OT
Danny Woodhead, RB
Derek Cox, CB
Chad Rinehart, OG
Dwight Freeney, DE/OLB
Key FA losses:
Louis Vasquez, OG
Aubrayo Franklin, DT
Shaun Phillips, LB
Antwan Barnes, LB
Key Draft picks:
D.J. Fluker
Manti Te'o
Keenan Allen
Player(s) on the hotseat/facing make-or-break season: Ryan Mathews, Larry English, Jeromey Clary, Robert Meachem
Outlook on offense:
Let's get on thing out of the way: Philip Rivers does NOT have to get the Chargers into the playoffs to save his job. Offensively, this team is a mess compared to what it was a few years ago and Philip Rivers has been trying to do too much to hide the inefficiencies on offense such as lousy OL play, no running game and no #1 WR. Mike McCoy, Ken Whisenhunt and Frank Reich come in and work with Rivers to try and get the turnovers to end. The OL looks a lot better than what it was last year as new starters from left to right (except C; Nick Hardwick returns) seek to keep Rivers upright and there is significant depth behind the starters. Ryan Mathews faces a make or break season and he is joined by Danny Woodhead, who the team hopes can resurrect that Sproles-like presence to the offense. When it comes to the passing game, Rivers looks to longtime teammate Malcom Floyd, the explosive Danario Alexander, young upstarts Vincent Brown and Keenan Allen, as well as future HOF Antonio Gates.
Outlook on defense:
If there was anyone on the defensive side of the ball that absolutely needed to return to the Chargers in 2013, it was DC John Pagano. Mike McCoy held on to the first year DC, now entering his second year at DC, to continue the solid job his squad did in 2012. The Chargers have a solid front seven led by stud DEs Corey Liguet and Kendell Reyes and getting his shot as a starter at NT is Cam Thomas, who displayed flashes of big-time potential during his first few years as a rotational player for the team. The LB corp took a hit when Melvin Ingram was lost for the year due to an ACL tear, but the Chargers moved quickly to bring in someone who could hold down the fort at OLB in hybrid player Dwight Freeney, who will start opposite run-stopper Jarret Johnson. At ILB, Donald Butler starts opposite rookie Manti Te'o. The secondary is led by Eric Weddle who will see new starters at SS, Marcus Gilchrist is competing against Brandon Taylor, and CB with FA acquisition Derek Cox and emerging starter Shareece Wright.
Outlook on special teams:
Kevin Spencer as special teams coach has Nick Novak at K, Mike Scifres at P and Mike Windt at LS. As long as there are no blocked punts, we're fine.
End of season predictions: either 7-9, 8-8 or 9-7. The Chargers certainly didn't do enough in the offseason to become anything identical to a team that can win at least 10 games, but they certainly did enough to be more than a 6 win team. If a lot of things go right offensively (the Chargers can consistently run the football, Rivers stays upright and takes care of the ball) they could possibly win nine or ten games but that is a big if. This team is squarely in Philip Rivers' hands. If he does the right things and adheres to Mike McCoy's system the Chargers will be fine going into the future.