San Diego Chargers

NFL Top 10: Most Valuable San Diego Chargers

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0500

NFL T10 is on double duty, with two articles in 12 hours. This morning, we look at 10 players on the San Diego Chargers who can expect big things in 2009.

10) RB Darren Sproles
Sproles is best used in a kick returner role, which is often described as "value-added" in league circles. Truth is, it might be value limiting to an extent. Sproles was excellent in relief of LaDainian Tomlinson, and he might be at a point in his career where he can split time with Tomlinson in an effort to maximize both of their values. But if Sproles is getting more than 200 carries in a season, that's going to either keep him off kick returns or limit what he can do on them. That's essentially the small difference between Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew. Drew can carry the ball 250-270 times and remain productive on special teams, but Sproles comes with a cap on his value, which would prevent him from bubbling up higher than 10th on this list. Still, you can expect a career year from him in 2009.

9) OT Marcus McNeil
If you want to be on NFL Top 10's most valuable, being a left tackle is the easiest way to get here. McNeil was a pro bowler as a rookie in 2006, and since then, not so much. He's found a niche as a roughly average LT, who handles all the players he is supposed to, and occasionally gets beaten by the best of the best. This year in the AFC West, that will include Greg Ellis, who is really old, Robert Ayers, who is very young, and Mike Vrabel, who is very old. So, yeah, I'm thinking he's going to give up a limited amount of sacks in 09.

8) DT Jamal Williams
How long has this guy been this good? He broke out in 2000 with a 40+ tackle season; Tomlinson was still setting records at T.C.U. He was unrewarded for awhile, but by 2005, he had become a first team all-pro, and that year, he was elected to the pro bowl for the first of a three year stretch. Williams is one of the best run defenders in NFL history, but 13 career sacks even for a guy facing a double team every play is not particularly impressive, so his historical value is limited as such. Still, even at age 33 this season, he's the kind of player I want on my team. The Chargers still think they have a pro bowler.

7) LB Shaun Phillips
Phillips is somewhat of an enigma: he's generally been underrated most of his career, but I wouldn't call him an underrated player. When he's in the lineup, offenses always know where Shaun Phillips is. He's not sneaking up on anyone. But, his 5th season was his first full 16 game season in the NFL, and he's consistently producing at a 7+ sack level. The fact that the Chargers defense' overall ability to pressure the QB has been all over the map skews the fact that Phillips himself is an incredibly consistent performer. So the perception of Shaun Phillips is that his sacks come in bunches--which may be true. Here's something else that's true: he's going to get those sacks, come hell or high water.

6) CB Quentin Jammer
Once upon a time, Jammer was thought to be a bust at CB. A top five pick in 2002, he didn't develop quite as expected for his first three years in the league. Through 2006, the Chargers knew they had a quality starter, but weren't really expecting anything more than that. But over the last two seasons, Jammer has vaulted himself not only into No. 1 CB territory, but into the upper echelon of that class. Antonio Cromartie was drafted with the idea that he would be the No. 1 and Jammer the No. 2, but it's Cromartie who now needs to make adjustments to his game to stay in the starting lineup. Jammer is quite safe. Sometimes, guys simply take longer than expected to develop. The Chargers would get what they paid for.

5) WR Vincent Jackson
If you go purely by yards, then Brandon Marshall is the best receiver in the division. But looking past yards, isn't Vincent Jackson the best receiver in the AFC West? He's got more touchdowns, averages more yards per catch, catches a much higher percentage of balls thrown his way, and hasn't missed a game due to injury in his career. Jackson sure appears to be the AFC West's best receiver, and it's a title that he, Dwayne Bowe, and perhaps one day Darrius Heyward-Bey will battle it out for over the next 4-7 seasons.

4) RB LaDainian Tomlinson
Way too early to write off Tomlinson after a injury-riddled down year in 2008. But it's probably not too early to continue the pattern Norv Turner started last year and decrease his workload. Additionally, the Chargers should be more prudent about getting the ball in his hands. Most of Tomlinson's receptions come out of desperation from Philip Rivers. If the Chargers design some screens, or use Tomlinson on routes out of the backfield, he's still a dynamic weapon who can strike opponents where they least expect it. He probably shouldn't get many more than 250 carries though, at that point, the team would likely be under utilizing Darren Sproles.

3) TE Antonio Gates
Another player coming off a down year, Gates should certainly rebound in a big way. He's still a fantasy stud, although the trend away from the Tight End position in the offense figures to continue, Gates himself should be more efficient. He's not, nor will he ever be Tony Gonzalez, but Gates is a three time all pro who should be back in the 800-900 yard range next season.

2) LB Shawne Merriman
Merriman's not coming off of a down year, he's coming off of no year. Virtually. He may be coming off a major injury, but he's an elite pass rusher, 10 sacks in every season, 17 in a suspension-shortened 2006. He's also in a contract year. Hide the children.

He doesn't really get enough credit for being a complete player. Sideline to sideline, coverage, you name it he does it. He's going to be rich someday, mama.

1) QB Philip Rivers
It's time to call Phillip Rivers an elite Quarterback. He's earned it. A league high 8.4 Y/A in 2008. His TD rate increased to a league high 7.1%. And his 105.5 QB Rating led the National Football League. He didn't make the pro bowl though because he's not Brett Favre, and also because he didn't lead his team to the pla---wait, check that, he won his final four games with his back against the wall to make the playoffs.

Wait, so voting players to the pro bowl based on how many games their team has won in the middle of November is dumb?! Well, I'll be.

Once a Loser, Always a Loser: Ryan Leaf Wanted By Texas Police

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:33:22 +0000

According to great guys at The Shutdown Corner, failure quarterback Ryan Leaf is wanted by the Texas police after failing turn himself in.

MJD, the main guy who runs the blog, says he is not hiding him but he is a fan of him. I bet he is hiding him. Okay, maybe not, but you never know.

But The Shutdown Corner isn't lying, Ryan Leaf is actually wanted for his drug and burglary charges, according to this source.

Ryan Leaf also had to go to rehab for his drug addiction. But guess where he had to go? British Columbia. Let's just hope the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League aren't trying him out.

Or are they?

Nah, they got Buck Pierce. But anyways, back to Leaf.

Here is a quote you might enjoy that Shutdown Corner has found:

"At one point he said he was going to turn himself in. He hasn't turned himself in yet, and if he gets picked up he's going to be arrested," Randall County prosecutor Lacy Miller said. "If he gets picked up out of our jurisdiction, then we will extradite him or use whatever means we have to get him back. Right now he is a wanted individual."

Weird stuff, isn't it? I think so.

But hey, this kid is going to get caught. If he can throw just ten touchdowns and about 40 interceptions in his short career (like five years), he surely won't be that hard to find.

Oh Ryan Leaf, you did it again!

Ryan Leaf: Once a loser, always a loser. And that is the end of that chapter.

NFL Power Rankings: Looking at the 10 Teams with the Brightest 2009 Prospectus

Sun, 03 May 2009 17:54:38 -0500

The coming and passing of the NFL Draft allows prognosticators such as myself to lock in our predictions for the coming season. There will be no more phases of the NFL off-season that can result in wide-spread player movement. To the critics who will point out, "there's no way you can call the season in May," I say: there's no point to trying to call it in August either. I'm just beating you to the punch.

In this exercise, I'm going to pick 5 teams from each conference to fill out my top ten teams in the power rankings. Essentially, I'm not trying to pick the ten best teams in the NFL right now as much as I'm trying to pick the ten teams most likely to win the Super Bowl. By spreading out the picks evenly by conference, I maximize the chances that two of my preseason picks play in next years Super Bowl. That is the methodology being used here.

Now, I count down the ten teams in the NFL most likely to come home with the Lombardi Trophy next season.

10. San Diego Chargers

Why we like them -- Norv Turner returns the same offensive unit that was so successful last year, minus only Guard Mike Goff. QB Phillip Rivers is now in the prime of his NFL career, and he's poised to take his spot among the league's elite quarterbacks. RB Darren Sproles returns in a greater capacity than last year, and the team has a better idea of how he can be best used to complement LaDainian Tomlinson. The defense can't be less effective than it was last year, which means that the offense won't have to be as perfect. Shawne Merriman is healthy, and in a contract year.

Cause for concern -- The Chargers did not spend any sort of money this offseason whatsoever to improve themselves, instead relying on improvement from within to take them to the next level. The state of the economy struck harder for this team than most. The draft didn't net much immediate help. They got two eventual replacements in LB Larry English (Merriman) and G Louis Vasquez (Goff), but again, the Chargers need to improve from within. After leading the league in INTs in 2007, CB Antonio Cromartie is back on the high road to bustsville after a horrific 2008. The ILB situation is unsettled at best, as is the S situation, and the success of the defensive line requires continued productivity from aging NT Jamal Williams. The inconsistency from the OTs was not addressed, and it won't be long until future HOF RB Tomlinson is an offensive liability. Norv Turner is not known for overcoming adversity, despite a successful run at the end of last year.

9. Indianapolis Colts

Why we like them -- 3-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning is back under center. The Colts are bringing another dynamic runner to the offense in an attempt to revitalize the running game, Donald Brown from Connecticut. WR Anthony Gonzalez is in his third season, and it's not unlikely that he will explode onto the scene as the NFLs premier complementary receiver. The defense is as fast as it's ever been, bringing back shutdown CB Kelvin Hayden to pair with CB Marlin Jackson. Bob Sanders. Dwight Freeney. Reggie Wayne.

Cause for concern -- Peyton won't be HOF caliber forever. In addition to this, the team might be forced to rely on the run more than they have ever wanted to under Manning. There is no established fourth target after Wayne, Gonzalez, and TE Dallas Clark. Run defense continues to be a cause of concern for a team that will try to grind out the clock this year. They weren't division champs last year. You can't directly replace a Marvin Harrison in your offense, you can only hope to compensate for his loss in other ways.

8. Washington Redskins

Why we like them -- QB Jason Campbell has plenty to prove this year, potentially his final season in Washington. Campbell is the key part in a very young offensive unit that needs to produce sooner, rather than later. The defense might be the very best in the NFL. The team added rookies: CB Kevin Barnes and DE Brian Orakpo; to the defensive mix that just payed Albert Haynesworth 41 million in guarenteed money to be Albert Haynesworth. CB Carlos Rogers is in a contract year, and is looking to establish himself as the best CB in football. Same deal for LaRon Landry at safety.

Cause for concern -- RB Clinton Portis has plenty of mileage on his legs, little help from up front, and no notable help behind him on the depth chart. His contract dictates that he will once again be asked to maintain a 4.0+ YPC average over 300+ carries. The Linebackers are young and talented, but not established (save London Fletcher). But this debate starts and ends with the offensive line. It's old, not very deep at offensive tackle, broke down last year due to injury, and received no real influx of talent via either free agency or the draft. Maybe one of a few UDFAs will pan out. The receivers were a completely unproductive unit last season, and need to produce this year.

7. Green Bay Packers

Why we like them -- No QB drama surrounding Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers this year, just a well entrenched QB looking to take his team to the next level. The Packers have the best receiving corps in the NFL. The 3-4 defensive switch fits them well. Injuries ravaged the team defense last year, and a healthy unit this year will be a productive unit. Both NT B.J. Raji and LB Clay Matthews were great scheme picks for a team that needs the help immediately to strike while the NFC North is, arguably, a bit down.

Cause for concern -- Despite a sure thing passing game and a defense loaded with potential, the Packers are incredibly thin on the offensive line, after moving on from RT Marc Tauscher, and relying on LT Chad Clifton to carry the line one more year. Clifton is 33, and is in a contract year. The running game was nowhere to be found last year, and for a deep playoff run, the Packers will need to find a way to pound the rock.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Why we like them -- Because they are the World Champs. They had the NFL's best defense last year. They never failed to come up big in the fourth quarter. And in the black and blue AFC North, they were 7-0 last season, including the postseason. Defensive player of the year LB James Harrison has a new contract. LB Lawrence Timmons is a breakout candidate.

Cause for concern -- Pretty much none of those things will carry over to this year, although all will remain team strengths. QB Ben Roethlisberger is going to have to pick up the slack. He was highly inconsistent last season, only coming through when it mattered most. If not for the best defense in the NFL, the Steelers would not have been in most games they played in, making the 4th quarter irrelivant. The division is going to be stronger across the board, and repeating in it will be difficult.

5. Philadelphia Eagles

Why we like them -- The team with the NFC's best defensive unit last year returns all defensive starters except for it's oldest one: S Brian Dawkins. The unit has the potential to be even better than last year, bringing on CB Ellis Hobbs from New England, and shipping out underachiving CB Lito Sheppard. QB Donovan McNabb is looking at his best offensive group since 2004. RB Brian Westbrook will finally get help this year, in the form of the rookie from Pitt, RB LeSean McCoy. The receivers are young, and talented. The offensive line is young, and talented.

Cause for concern -- Even given all that talent, the OL remains a question mark. Will they find the right balance on the right side? Can LT Jason Peters return to his 2007 form? Where is WR Jeremy Maclin going to fit in? Who knows if the defense will seamlessly be able to replace Dawkins with no dropoff? This team is loaded with super bowl quality potential, but that's never been a beneficial quality in the past. The established talent is limited. If QB Donovan McNabb can't take the Eagles to become the offensive powerhouse they want to be with this supporting cast, he's the weak link.

4. New Orleans Saints

Why we like them -- QB Drew Brees is the preseason front runner to be MVP of the NFL. The receivers are young and talented. RB Pierre Thomas, an undrafted player two years ago, is on the verge of becoming a top ten RB in the NFL. The defense does not appear to have any gaping holes, spending considerable resources on shoring up the defensive backfield while finding young pass rushers. With no weaknesses, we'll see if the defensive totals come back to a respectable level.

Cause for concern -- The Saints have been historically unable to create turnovers when they most need it, and nothing in this years offseason plan suggests that will change. A lot of the defensive improvements provide great depth and quantity, and have moved out the older, more ineffective players, but the quality of the players is still in question. The offensive line has not been touched in a few years, and when Brees struggles, it usually has to do with the line breaking down. They drafted Malcolm Jenkins in the first round, but had traded the rest of their draft, so very little help in this draft class.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Why we like them -- Because they're just a great young team that consistently drafts well. The defense finished second in the NFL last year, and showed a knack for forcing offenses into critical mistakes. They also led the league in defensive scores last year. They will have great special teams under John Harbaugh again this year. The offensive line is the standard for both youth and talent. They can pound the rock on 65% of offensive plays, and there is nothing that can be done to stop them. Joe Flacco figures to improve in his second year.

Cause for concern -- Limited receiver depth with slow the rate at which Flacco can develop. Still a very run-reliant offensive team. It's hard to tell if defensive turnover-forcing is sustainable. If not, that's a win or two they will lose simply from not forcing as many mistakes. LB Bart Scott signed in New York with the Jets, and this team lost its defensive coordinator. How will Ray Lewis and his crew find a way to stay at the top of the league this year?

2. Arizona Cardinals

Why we like them -- Last year's number one passing game has added a rushing attack to make the offense far more versatile. RBs Beanie Wells and Jason Wright will make a much better running duo than Tim Hightower, who will handle goal line duty, and the departed Edgerrin James. Kurt Warner is resigned, and Matt Leinart gives them good depth at Quarterback. LB Cody Brown and S Rashad Johnson were great draft picks that will help to restock a young, strong defense. Ken Whisenhunt is a huge asset on your sideline. The Cardinals are almost certain to be better than last year's version that nearly won the Super Bowl.

Cause for concern -- QB Kurt Warner is 39, and the list of QBs who have been successful at that age are limited to...no one. Johnny Unitas, if you want to go back that far. Another deep playoff run might require Matt Leinart to prove himself a worthy QB. Then there's Anquan Boldin's contract situation, which is murky at best. Oh, and they happen to be the Cardinals.

1. New England Patriots

Why we like them -- QB Tom Brady returns, which I'm sure you've heard nothing about. He returns to a slighty aged version of the same offense that they scored all their points in during that 16-0 season. His return also gives credibility to a running game which has declined the last two years, and really needs a breakout season from RB Laurence Maroney or help from veteran RB Fred Taylor. The big improvements came on defense, particularly in the secondary. CBs Terrence Wheatley and Jonathon Wilhite return, and are joined by rookie CB Darius Butler, and veteran CBs Leigh Bodden, and Shawn Springs. They add Patrick Chung to an already deep class of young safeties. Randy Moss and Wes Welker will once again be key cogs on the preseason NFL favorite.

Cause for concern -- Brady's knee. It starts and ends with Brady's knee. Can the Pats re-vitalize their passing offense, and cover receivers down the field? If so, they are the team that is most likely to win the Super Bowl this year.