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  • oneinchpunch
    Registered Charger Fan
    • Jun 2013
    • 9487
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    OL

    We're changing it up this time and leading with the bad news. Unfortunately for the Chargers, bad news isn't hard to come by when discussing the offensive line.


    Today, we begin addressing theSan Diego Chargers' offensive line and we do so by first focusing on the negative.

    1. Four new starters

    Now, this might sound like good news at first because last year's offensive line was incredibly awful. In that sense, it is a positive. However, continuity is at a premium along the offensive line. Returning last year's line would have been worse than turning over 80% of the starters, but that doesn't change the fact that starting five guys that have never played together is unlikely to return great results. Chargers fans can only hope that this unit sees better in-season continuity than last year's which was among the worst in football by that (and just about any other) measure.

    2. Max Starks is a very average player


    Starks is a big, strong, slow offensive tackle. All three of those adjectives deserve roughly equal weighting. For our purposes, though, we'll be focusing on slow. Starks' immobility does a lot to detract from his more positive traits. He struggles to get to the second level when blocking on running plays. His strength is in the passing game, and as a pass protector he is only average. He has shown the ability to start all 16 games, but that's more thanks to his willingness to play through nagging injuries than an ability to stay healthy. And while he'll play in all 16 games if given the chance, those nagging injuries have a tendency to make the average tackle perform well below average. Granted, below average is still better than what the Chargers had at left tackle in 2012.

    3. D.J. Fluker is playing out of position


    The only player on the Chargers' offensive line this year that could project as an All Pro is D.J. Fluker. Unfortunately, he projects as a potential All Pro at offensive guard. He won't be playing offensive guard. He'll be asked to start at right tackle as a rookie where he'll get to face Von Miller twice. Fluker's weakness is his slow feet. He struggles with speed rushers because of this weakness. He's an absolute mauler in the run game and is difficult for defenders to get around if he can get his hands on them. This is why he's potentially an All Pro talent on the inside. Fluker will likely be a passable right tackle, but he'll only be forced to play there due to the lack of another true right tackle on the roster.

    4. Louis Vasquez is gone


    The big offensive guard out of Texas Tech was by far the best offensive lineman on the Chargers last season. He was the only regular not to give up a sack. He was also a solid contributor in the running game. It's understandable that this year's team couldn't afford to spend cap space on a player like Vasquez, but that doesn't change the fact that they'll miss him on Sundays. The players that will compete for Vasquez' spot are an unproven second year player coming off an injury, a converted right tackle and a journeyman backup. You might be a fan of the potential of Johnnie Troutman, Jeromey Clary or Chad Rinehart, but they've done nothing to show you that they're capable of filling the shoes of Vasquez.

    5. Nick Hardwick is old


    The only remaining starter from last year, Center Nick Hardwick, has already started showing signs of age and he's unlikely to be any younger this season. Hardwick has been a very solid contributor for the Chargers since he was drafted in 2004. Even in 2012 with Tyronne Green lined up to his left, Hardwick wasn't the problem. However, it was still his worst full season as a professional. Time runs out on even the best players, and unless the Chargers are lucky, it appears to be running out on their long-time Center. I've been a fan of Hardwick's for years now, and it pains me to admit it, but he's visibly not the same player he once was. I'm holding out hope that he was just dinged up and forced to make up for a terrible supporting cast last year, but age 31 isn't typically a big bounceback year for guys that have to carry as much weight as an offensive lineman.

    Here's to hoping I'm wrong and we'll look at the reasons to be optimistic later.
    Last edited by oneinchpunch; 06-24-2013, 12:23 PM.
    Hashtag thepowderblues
  • Beerman
    Registered Charger Fan
    • Jun 2013
    • 9834
    • Eastlake
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    #2
    yawn

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    • blueman
      Registered Charger Fan
      • Jun 2013
      • 8902
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      #3
      no no, we have a crap oline this season, it's been decided.

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      • Mister Hoarse
        No Sir, I Dont Like It
        • Jun 2013
        • 10264
        • Section 457
        • Migrant Film Worker
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        #4
        Originally posted by oneinchpunch View Post
        http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2013...offensive-line

        Today, we begin addressing theSan Diego Chargers' offensive line and we do so by first focusing on the negative.

        1. Four new starters

        Now, this might sound like good news at first because last year's offensive line was incredibly awful. In that sense, it is a positive. However, continuity is at a premium along the offensive line. Returning last year's line would have been worse than turning over 80% of the starters, but that doesn't change the fact that starting five guys that have never played together is unlikely to return great results. Chargers fans can only hope that this unit sees better in-season continuity than last year's which was among the worst in football by that (and just about any other) measure.

        2. Max Starks is a very average player


        Starks is a big, strong, slow offensive tackle. All three of those adjectives deserve roughly equal weighting. For our purposes, though, we'll be focusing on slow. Starks' immobility does a lot to detract from his more positive traits. He struggles to get to the second level when blocking on running plays. His strength is in the passing game, and as a pass protector he is only average. He has shown the ability to start all 16 games, but that's more thanks to his willingness to play through nagging injuries than an ability to stay healthy. And while he'll play in all 16 games if given the chance, those nagging injuries have a tendency to make the average tackle perform well below average. Granted, below average is still better than what the Chargers had at left tackle in 2012.

        3. D.J. Fluker is playing out of position


        The only player on the Chargers' offensive line this year that could project as an All Pro is D.J. Fluker. Unfortunately, he projects as a potential All Pro at offensive guard. He won't be playing offensive guard. He'll be asked to start at right tackle as a rookie where he'll get to face Von Miller twice. Fluker's weakness is his slow feet. He struggles with speed rushers because of this weakness. He's an absolute mauler in the run game and is difficult for defenders to get around if he can get his hands on them. This is why he's potentially an All Pro talent on the inside. Fluker will likely be a passable right tackle, but he'll only be forced to play there due to the lack of another true right tackle on the roster.

        4. Louis Vasquez is gone


        The big offensive guard out of Texas Tech was by far the best offensive lineman on the Chargers last season. He was the only regular not to give up a sack. He was also a solid contributor in the running game. It's understandable that this year's team couldn't afford to spend cap space on a player like Vasquez, but that doesn't change the fact that they'll miss him on Sundays. The players that will compete for Vasquez' spot are an unproven second year player coming off an injury, a converted right tackle and a journeyman backup. You might be a fan of the potential of Johnnie Troutman, Jeromey Clary or Chad Rinehart, but they've done nothing to show you that they're capable of filling the shoes of Vasquez.

        5. Nick Hardwick is old


        The only remaining starter from last year, Center Nick Hardwick, has already started showing signs of age and he's unlikely to be any younger this season. Hardwick has been a very solid contributor for the Chargers since he was drafted in 2004. Even in 2012 with Tyronne Green lined up to his left, Hardwick wasn't the problem. However, it was still his worst full season as a professional. Time runs out on even the best players, and unless the Chargers are lucky, it appears to be running out on their long-time Center. I've been a fan of Hardwick's for years now, and it pains me to admit it, but he's visibly not the same player he once was. I'm holding out hope that he was just dinged up and forced to make up for a terrible supporting cast last year, but age 31 isn't typically a big bounceback year for guys that have to carry as much weight as an offensive lineman.

        Here's to hoping I'm wrong and we'll look at the reasons to be optimistic later.
        1.




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        5.
        Dean Spanos Should Get Ass Cancer Of The Ass!
        sigpic

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        • oneinchpunch
          Registered Charger Fan
          • Jun 2013
          • 9487
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          #5
          1. Harris isn't starting
          2. Green isn't starting
          3. Gaither is gone
          4. Clary isn't the Right Tackle
          5. Harris isn't starting
          Hashtag thepowderblues

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          • BoltBalls
            Always keep eye contact!
            • Jun 2013
            • 636
            • SD!
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            #6
            Is it September yet??

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            • Mister Hoarse
              No Sir, I Dont Like It
              • Jun 2013
              • 10264
              • Section 457
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              #7
              Originally posted by oneinchpunch View Post
              1. Harris isn't starting
              2. Green isn't starting
              3. Gaither is gone
              4. Clary isn't the Right Tackle
              5. Harris isn't starting
              That's a good start...
              Dean Spanos Should Get Ass Cancer Of The Ass!
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              • Charged up
                Registered Charger Fan
                • Jun 2013
                • 469
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                #8
                Originally posted by oneinchpunch View Post
                1. Harris isn't starting
                2. Green isn't starting
                3. Gaither is gone
                4. Clary isn't the Right Tackle
                5. Harris isn't starting
                Ewwwww! That name makes me shake. What a con artist. How much did he fleece the Chargers for again? He should be forced to repay 90% of his salary.

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                • Mister Hoarse
                  No Sir, I Dont Like It
                  • Jun 2013
                  • 10264
                  • Section 457
                  • Migrant Film Worker
                  • Send PM

                  #9
                  As long as he steps in front of a bus I'll be happy.
                  Dean Spanos Should Get Ass Cancer Of The Ass!
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                  • Stinky Wizzleteats+
                    Grammar Police
                    • Jun 2013
                    • 10594
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                    #10
                    New oline coach
                    New OC
                    New HC
                    New GM
                    AJ didnt draft/sign most of our oline that looks to start.
                    New scheem.
                    Go Rivers!

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                    • Mister Hoarse
                      No Sir, I Dont Like It
                      • Jun 2013
                      • 10264
                      • Section 457
                      • Migrant Film Worker
                      • Send PM

                      #11
                      Time to need more bandwidths
                      Dean Spanos Should Get Ass Cancer Of The Ass!
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                      • Heatmiser
                        HarbaughHarrisonHeatMiser
                        • Jun 2013
                        • 4725
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                        #12
                        Reasons for optimism:

                        1. With starters like these, when one of them gets hurt and cannot play, they won't be missed as much
                        2. McCoy knows the limitations he has on this unit and (says) he will adjust. That hasn't happened for a few seasons here
                        3. Clary might actually be a decent guard
                        4. Rhinehardt is a better player than Greene
                        5. Fluker might hurt Von Miller blocking on a run play before he can get burned by him on a pass rush

                        TG
                        Like, how am I a traitor? Your team are traitors.

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