2006 NFL Season Preview: San Diego Chargers
2004 was an incredible year in San Diego. I can speak with personal experience because I lived in San Diego during the entire 2004 season. Everyone was so excited they had climbed from the depths of the NFL’s pits and into the playoffs and a division championship. Hopes in 2005 were sky high, but only brought back to earth with an average 9-7 record and having missed the playoffs. While everyone talks about other divisions, the NFC West might have been one of the toughest last season with the 10-6 Kansas City Chiefs and those Chargers not even making the playoffs. But 2006 springs new hopeâÂ?¦ as does some other factors. The Chargers go into the new season with a new young gun underneath the center, one who has spent the last two seasons biding his time and observing. He looks ready to play. Can then ride his ability and get back to their 2004?
Offense
Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer has entrusted his offense in San Diego to Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron for the past 4 seasons. As the Chargers go into year 5 under Cameron, they have developed into one of the most potent offenses in all of the NFL. Of course, it’s easy to accomplish that when you have arguably the best running back in the NFL, the best tight end in the NFL, and a Pro-Bowl quarterback with a solid offensive line. But in 2006, Cameron will have to adjust to a new signal-caller for the Chargers. He’s not new in terms of the team, but this will be his first full year as the starter. He’ll have the supporting cast around him, but it remains to be seen how much more Cameron can do with the offense.
QB: Gone now is Drew Brees from the equation at quarterback for the Chargers, off to New Orleans after the Chargers decided not to bring him back and focus all their attention to their top pick from 2004. Philip Rivers will finally get the job as the unchallenged number one in San Diego. Rivers came into the San Diego with loads of talent but hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup because of Brees’ presence for the Chargers. With Rivers, the Chargers get someone who’s got a stronger arm but you will sacrifice a bit of experience. Rivers’ supplies the team with physical gifts in size and strength that Brees didn’t, and his youth and, maybe more importantly his contract, made it easy for the Chargers to go with him. But can Rivers take the Chargers through the season and beyond? If he can, and that’s still a bit of a question mark right now, then the Chargers could catapult a couple of teams in the AFC West and make some noise in 2006.
RB/FB: LaDainian Tomlinson. Do I really need to say anymore? Would it even matter? There wasn’t anything that this man didn’t do for the Chargers last season. Whether it was running the ball and helping the Chargers control the clock, or making the catch out of the backfield to bail Drew Brees out, or even trying to take Brees’ job as the quarterback by throwing for a touchdown or two, Tomlinson further justified the label as “best running back in the NFL.” Some might have a dispute, but when you have a runner like Tomlinson who goes through the tackles or breaking the corner, then you’ve got all you need. Tomlinson ran for 1,462 yards and caught 51 passes last season. Maybe his most important stat was his 3 touchdown passes last season. Tomlinson can do it all. Michael Turner will spell Tomlinson at times, and he’s proven more than capable. The Chargers do have one of the better blocking fullbacks in the NFL in Lorenzo Neal. Neal does his job well, and his job is opening lanes for Tomlinson and Turner while making an occasionally reception or two.
WR/TE: If I had to use only one word to describe the Chargers receiving corp., then I would use the word shallow. By shallow, I mean that they don’t have much depth past their top two receivers. Number one on the depth chart will be veteran Keenan McCardell, who came to the Chargers to give them a presence in the passing game in 2004. Last season, his first full season with San Diego, McCardell caught 70 passes and scored 9 times. He’s was really the only consistent force in 2005 at receiver for the Chargers. Eric Parker will be the second receiver. Parker is solid, but has proven to be a little injury-prone for the Chargers, a prospect that has them genuinely concerned going into 2006. Vincent Jackson, Greg Camarillo, and Kassim Osgood seem to be the best of the rest. They may not need as much production from the receiver position because they have the best tight end in the NFL. Antonio Gates plays like a receiver, and his numbers will attest to that. Gates had 89 catches and 1,101 yards last season, numbers that people would consider outstanding for a wide receiver, let alone a tight end. Gates has the size and skill, but it’s his soft hands that make him such a threat. His size allows him the luxury of being a good blocker as well. By far the best at the position.
OL: The line has become a little bit of a concern during this preseason. They have shown moments of lapses that would worry your offensive personnel. Some would maybe make a bigger deal out of it, but Philip Rivers’ ability to get rid of the ball quickly saves the line from further criticism. Nick Hardwick will be at center for the Chargers. He’s responsible for the calls at the line and has been solid since being a third-round pick in 2004. He’s a former wrestler who uses that agility to get good leverage on his opponents. To his left will be Roman Oben at tackle and Kris Dielman at guard. Oben is recovering from a foot injury which caused him to miss the last half of the 2005 season, but signs are that he’s slowly getting into game shape. Oben is an NFL veteran that provides the Chargers with experience and solid technique. Dielman won the coaches and his teammates over last season with his hard work and tenacity, and will continue to give it for the Chargers in 2006 on the line. To the right of the line is tackle Shane Olivea and guard Mike Goff. Olivea has started in each of his first two seasons, and his durability means that he only missed one start in those two seasons. He’ll have to be consistent for them because he’s very important to the line. Goff at guard means that the Chargers have a solid leader on the line to tutor the young guys. Goff is perfect for a position that requires a blend of speed, skill, agility, and strength.
Overall Grade: B+
Defense
Schottenheimer doesn’t have to worry much about the defense, at least since he brought in former Bills Head Coach Wade Phillips as the Defensive Coordinator two seasons ago. In 2004, Phillips’ first in San Diego, the Chargers were third against the run, allowing a mere 81.7 yards a game. They led the NFL in 2005 by allowing on 84.3 yards a game on the ground. They could easily have one of the best front 7’s in the NFL. Phillips’ has also installed a 3-4 scheme that seems to use the Chargers’ personnel to their full potential. 2006 will be another year for the Chargers defense to assert themselves as one of the best in the league. If they get improved play from a maligned secondary they could be dangerous once again.
DL: The anchor of this entire defense is defensive tackle Jamal Williams. Williams is an NFL veteran who gives the Chargers an intimidating force in the middle of the line that clogs the running attack and can provide a good push in the pass rush. Igor Olshansky and Luis Castillo make up the rest of the line in the 3-4. Olshansky and Castillo provide the Chargers with youth and talent on the ends. Olshansky is one of the strongest players in the NFL and his consistent play means you know exactly what you get from his side. Castillo was a bit of a gamble because of his history in college, but came into the NFL and proved almost right away that he could perform at an elite level in the NFL. Together, they provide Williams with a good support system on the line.
LB: The Chargers boast a unit that has a lot of experience, talent, and work well together. That’s something that not very many other teams can say. It starts with their two middle linebackers in the 3-4, Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey. Edwards was one of the NFL’s best playmakers over the past 11 NFL seasons. Edwards has started 121 straight games in the NFL, but that streak could be in jeopardy this season with his back injury. When he’s there in the lineup he’ll make the necessary plays. Godfrey has become an inspirational leader for the Chargers and gives them a rally cry for one last season before he retires. He thought about it following a tough 2005 personally, but decided for one more run. He’ll prove veteran presence and stability alongside Edwards. Outside is 2005 phenom Shawne Merriman and Steve Foley. Merriman was the 2005 defensive rookie of the year, started in the Pro Bowl, and was named an All-Pro, and looks to add to that strong start in his career with an even better 2006. Merriman has the nickname “Lights Out” because of a high school game where he knocked out four players before halftime as a sophomore. Believe me, he still hits that hard today. Meanwhile Foley is looking for a strong return after an abdominal injury hampered him for most of 2005. He’s a solid performer who can make the play on the run and is an average cover man in the field.
DB: Their secondary was considered the weak spot of the defense last season. They have addressed it somewhat, but two team veterans will start outside to begin the season. Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence are slated to be the starters at corner. Jammer, a former first-round pick, has become more consistent for the Chargers in the secondary over the years and maybe finally poised to lose the label of bust. With him, Florence is also making small strides in his coverage, but seems to make mistakes occasionally from time to time. This year, the Chargers selected corner Antonio Cromartie from Florida State, a young man who rarely played in college and might need some time to grow. At safety will be Terrence Kiel and Bhawoh Jue. However, Marlon McCree has been steadily impressing with his play and could take over for one or the other. Kiel at strong safety is recovering from an ankle injury and could see his time diminish even more if he’s not fully healthy. Jue was a solid contributor for the Chargers in 2005, leading the team with 3 interceptions McCree has shown leadership skills and could crack the lineup if he continues to play well.
Overall Grade: A-
Special Teams
K: Let’s address it now. Nate Kaeding was the scapegoat for many Chargers fans in 2004 for his big misses in the playoff game against the Jets. However, Kaeding came back in 2005 and further solidified the kicking job for the Chargers. He was 21 for 24 last season with field goal attempts. Still improving, but he looks to be a solid kicker for the Chargers.
P: Mike Scifres has become one of the better punters in the NFL. Maybe not in the Mitch Berger/Shane Lechler range, but definitely making his way up the NFL ranks. His value is evident in the fact that only 26 of his punts were returned last season. He gets them high and allows the defense time to run under it. Very valuable for the Chargers.
Overall Grade: B+
Coaching Staff
Marty Schottenheimer is a hard name to spell, but when it comes to NFL experience there are few that don’t know the name. He’s been a vital part to the team’s turnaround from perennial doormats to one of the NFL’s better franchises. They will look to return to the playoffs after missing them last season, but he may have to do one of his best coaching jobs because of the heavily-talented AFC. Schottenheimer isn’t alone; he’s got help as his two Coordinators are two of the best in the league. Cam Cameron is an offensive mastermind and has been named for a few vacancies over the years, and Wade Phillips is a former Head Coach who is doing an admirable job as the Defensive Coordinator.
Overall Grade: A-
Position Battles to Watch
QB: Maybe not the starting job, but the backup job seems to be up for grabs. A.J. Feeley was supposed to have a lock on the job, but rookie Charlie Whitehurst. He’s looked better during camp and in the preseason and also has more upside than Feeley. The Chargers coaches feel as though Whitehurst could improve more with more time and after learning more of the NFL. You usually want someone experienced to be the backup, but Whitehurst might be playing himself into the role.
MLB: Donnie Edwards is still the starter, but his questionable back condition combined with the inspired play of Matt Wilheim could spell trouble for the veteran. Some believed that Wilheim would already beat out Edwards eventually, but the injury could force that transition a little quicker and it could be permanent regardless of whether Edwards is able to recover.
Player to Watch
Malcom Floyd, WR: He has been a consistent force for the Chargers in camp and in the preseason. He’s playing his way into the final receiver spot on the roster. His size is his biggest asset, but he was injured most of last season and needs to prove he can be durable in order to stick with the team for more than a single season. Does provide the Chargers with a big target downfield and could become a favorite of Philip Rivers.
Bold Predictions
Record: 11-5; AFC Wildcard
Offensive MVP: LaDainian Tomlinson
Defensive MVP: Jamal Williams
