Acee-Gehlken: First look at Chargers 53-man roster
Extra defensive lineman, surprise offensive lineman could be necessary accommodations
By Kevin Acee and Michael Gehlken | 9:42 a.m. Aug. 13, 2016
The Chargers might need to go heavy up front on both sides of the ball, at least early in the regular season.
Joey Bosa reporting late – if he reports at all – will likely necessitate a seventh defensive lineman. And the emergence of undrafted rookie center Spencer Pulley, who has outshone third-round pick Max Tuerk to date, means he has to stay on the roster, lest another team steal him.
It also appears the Chargers' fifth-round rookie linebacker is outshining their fourth-round rookie linebacker, and a veteran linebacker is on the bubble.
That and more is revealed in our first crack at a 53-man roster, in advance of the Chargers' preseason opener Saturday night in Tennessee:
Quarterback
Philip Rivers
Kellen Clemens
Zach Mettenberger: Needs more consistency. Physical skills are there.
Running back
Melvin Gordon
Danny Woodhead
Branden Oliver
Derek Watt: Forget the bloodlines. Derek making a name for himself in camp.
Wide receiver
Keenan Allen
Travis Benjamin
Tyrell Williams: Still growing, but no player on offense has improved more.
Dontrelle Inman
James Jones
Tight end
Antonio Gates
Hunter Henry
Jeff Cumberland: Can flat run. And he has ample blocking experience with how the Jets used (misused?) him.
Sean McGrath
Offensive line
King Dunlap
Orlando Franklin
Matt Slauson
D.J. Fluker
Joe Barksdale
Max Tuerk
Chris Hairston
Spencer Pulley: Had been Chargers' best rookie offensive lineman before an injury early in camp.
Kenny Wiggins
(Chris Watt, PUP, does not count against active roster.)
Defensive line
Joey Bosa
Brandon Mebane
Corey Liuget
Darius Philon: A clear upgrade over Kendall Reyes. No matter what happens with Bosa, Chargers better at LE1.
Tenny Palepoi
Damion Square
Ryan Carrethers
Outside linebacker
Melvin Ingram: Last year was his best training camp — until this year.
Kyle Emanuel:
Jerry Attaochu
Tourek Williams: Needs preseason to prove he can return to pre-injury form. Otherwise, it's Ben Gardner or a player on another club.
Inside linebacker
Manti Te'o
Denzel Perryman
Jatavis Brown: He may have been drafted after Perry, but his athleticism is second to none in this group.
Nick Dzubnar
Joshua Perry
Cornerback
Jason Verrett
Brandon Flowers
Casey Hayward: Patrick Robinson was a gem in the slot last season. Hayward is better.
Craig Mager
Steve Williams
Safety
Jahleel Addae
Dwight Lowery
Adrian Phillips
Darrell Stuckey
Long snapper
Mike Windt
Punter
Drew Kaser
Kicker
Josh Lambo
Extra defensive lineman, surprise offensive lineman could be necessary accommodations
By Kevin Acee and Michael Gehlken | 9:42 a.m. Aug. 13, 2016
The Chargers might need to go heavy up front on both sides of the ball, at least early in the regular season.
Joey Bosa reporting late – if he reports at all – will likely necessitate a seventh defensive lineman. And the emergence of undrafted rookie center Spencer Pulley, who has outshone third-round pick Max Tuerk to date, means he has to stay on the roster, lest another team steal him.
It also appears the Chargers' fifth-round rookie linebacker is outshining their fourth-round rookie linebacker, and a veteran linebacker is on the bubble.
That and more is revealed in our first crack at a 53-man roster, in advance of the Chargers' preseason opener Saturday night in Tennessee:
Quarterback
Philip Rivers
Kellen Clemens
Zach Mettenberger: Needs more consistency. Physical skills are there.
Running back
Melvin Gordon
Danny Woodhead
Branden Oliver
Derek Watt: Forget the bloodlines. Derek making a name for himself in camp.
Wide receiver
Keenan Allen
Travis Benjamin
Tyrell Williams: Still growing, but no player on offense has improved more.
Dontrelle Inman
James Jones
Tight end
Antonio Gates
Hunter Henry
Jeff Cumberland: Can flat run. And he has ample blocking experience with how the Jets used (misused?) him.
Sean McGrath
Offensive line
King Dunlap
Orlando Franklin
Matt Slauson
D.J. Fluker
Joe Barksdale
Max Tuerk
Chris Hairston
Spencer Pulley: Had been Chargers' best rookie offensive lineman before an injury early in camp.
Kenny Wiggins
(Chris Watt, PUP, does not count against active roster.)
Defensive line
Joey Bosa
Brandon Mebane
Corey Liuget
Darius Philon: A clear upgrade over Kendall Reyes. No matter what happens with Bosa, Chargers better at LE1.
Tenny Palepoi
Damion Square
Ryan Carrethers
Outside linebacker
Melvin Ingram: Last year was his best training camp — until this year.
Kyle Emanuel:
Jerry Attaochu
Tourek Williams: Needs preseason to prove he can return to pre-injury form. Otherwise, it's Ben Gardner or a player on another club.
Inside linebacker
Manti Te'o
Denzel Perryman
Jatavis Brown: He may have been drafted after Perry, but his athleticism is second to none in this group.
Nick Dzubnar
Joshua Perry
Cornerback
Jason Verrett
Brandon Flowers
Casey Hayward: Patrick Robinson was a gem in the slot last season. Hayward is better.
Craig Mager
Steve Williams
Safety
Jahleel Addae
Dwight Lowery
Adrian Phillips
Darrell Stuckey
Long snapper
Mike Windt
Punter
Drew Kaser
Kicker
Josh Lambo
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