32 Teams in 32 Days, Team #20: The San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers are without a shadow of a doubt my favorite football team. However, in the spirit of writing, I will write this as unbiased as I possibly can. The Chargers ended last year’s regular season with an 11-5 record and a trip to the playoffs. They were able to dispose of the Titans and then pulled off a major upset against the Indianapolis Colts, beating them and making it to the AFC Championship Game. The Chargers defeated Indy with both their starting quarterback Phillip Rivers and their star running back Ladainian Tomlinson on the bench. This amazing role would end in a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. The Chargers were again without Ladainian Tomlinson and also had to deal with an injured Phillip Rivers. Maybe that game would have ended differently with both of the Charger’s stars healthy. Despite that, the fact is that they lost and there is no getting around that.

The Charger’s defense is one of the best in the league. Its got stars both up front and in the back to help them shut down other teams. Shawne Merriman and Luis Castillo rush the passer as good as any other pass rusher in the league. They ram through the offensive line to get to that quarterback. But perhaps the best part of the Charger’s defense comes from their defensive backs. They get more interceptions then any other team. Antonio Cromartie emerged as a major star last year and that combined with the always outstanding play of Quentin Jammer make this team hard to pass on. The Chargers did draft two cornerbacks this year in Antoine Cason out of Arizona and DeJuan Tribble out of BC. Both of these young studs will only improve an already super impressive defense. The Charger’s are making a run for a superbowl and each year they are getting closer and closer. This defense has a lot to do with it.

The receiving group was also improved last year. The Chargers acquired Chris Chambers in a trade with the Dolphins and the more games he plays with San Diego, the better he’s going to be. Chambers is a star and having playmakers is the only way for an offense to succeed. Vincent Jackson also emerged last year as a big time playmaker. He brings a great compliment to Chambers and the other star receiver on the Charger’s staff, perhaps the #1 receiver on the team, Tight End Antonio Gates. Gates is a big, tough, athletic man who can really use his basketball background to get an advantage over his defenders. He can go up and get the ball and that is a great trait to have in a starting tight end. I also have a lot of faith in backup tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, who when called upon last year, made the plays. Anyone who can make plays when they are called on to do so, is a player worth having on any team. I’m sure there are a lot of teams that wish they could have a tight end like Manumaleuna.

For the past 7 seasons, the San Diego running game has defined this team. With star running back Ladainian Tomlinson leading the charge, this team has been able to run through defenses. In just a short time, Tomlinson has not only become one of the best plow shares in the league, but he has a case for being one of the greatest running backs of all time. He’s got 7 consecutive seasons with over 1,500 yards and that is production you cannot manufacture. He’s got all the talent in the world and its hard to argue that there is a better running back out there. There are concerns this year with the running game. One of them is no longer having Michael “The Burner” Turner as a backup. He was a strong rusher that gave Tomlinson a break to fall back on. There is also the fact that veteran Full-back Lorenzo Neal is no longer a San Diego Charger. That hurts because Tomlinson will no longer be running behind a full back that knows what he’s doing. The Chargers will attempt to use Andrew Pinnock as its full back and also their second round draft pick Jacob Hester as his backup. I think both men are talented, but lets face they are not Lorenzo Neal. It’s a challenge for the Chargers, but with a great running back like Ladainian Tomlinson, I’m sure they are up for it. The speedster Darren Sproles, will undoubtedly steal some carries from Tomlinson, not a lot, but he’ll get some touches.

Phillip Rivers impressed everyone last year during the AFC Championship game, while playing injured, he gave a spirited performance. That endeared him in the hearts of San Diego fans and he earned my respect that day too. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind coming into this year, that Rivers should be the starting quarterback. He’s a tough guy, who will only get tougher as the games go by. He’s got reliable targets to throw too, a great running back behind him, and a defense that gets him the ball back. Rivers is in a great situation in San Diego and I think he’s only gonna get better. Billy Volek played great against the Colts when coming in for the injured Rivers, and after that it was a no-brainer that the Chargers would re-sign him. He is a great backup. If Rivers gets hurt this year, I don’t think the Chargers will be in trouble.

The San Diego Chargers are a great team trying to make a run for the superbowl. There have been talks that they were a better team when they were playing Mary Ball, but I think Norv Turner has done a pretty good job. Marty never brought them to the AFC Championship, Turner did and barring a couple injuries, that game could have been very different. They will once again look to make a run. I think its going to be ok. They are a great team and their schedule is not too demanding. They get another chance to extract some revenge from the New England Patriots in Week 6 and then get to take on the Cotls in a rematch of epic proportions in Week 12. Other then that, their schedule is fairly easy. I would say a 14-2 season is not out of the question. They have a few competitive games, but other then that, its looks like they will run right through the rest of the teams. Lets see what happens, Lets go Chargers!