2021 Official Chargers Season Discusssion

[powderblueboy]

If you go further back Jeremy Clary. There used to be Chargers fans that would PRAY for that man to break a leg on game day (either figuratively or literally). But he never ever got injured and continued to always just play and suck.

And then they moved him to guard, and when Charger fans finally changed their mind about the guy, boom! Career over.

[wu-dai clan]

Yeah I saw his face. Looked like a deer in the headlights. It’s admirable that he takes the blame for the run defense failures saying it’s a matter of technique and he’s not coaching well but now that they pulled off the Vizcaino scab it’s pretty clear that what Staley says in his press conferences is not exactly reliable. Remember he kept saying how much confidence they had in Viz right until they sliced off his head. He knows (or must know) that he doesn’t have the horse on the d line or Lb core. He should be pounding on TTs desk.

Re Viz, StaleyD said they would "monitor the situation." My take is that this is not throwing the PK under the bus until there is a replacement ready to sign.

Regarding the Front Seven, we have underachieving gusD pieces trying to play StaleyD concepts. StaleyD knows that BB, the "good offensive coach" is studying our defensive film, and is likely reminded of NYJ from a few days ago.

[Lone Bolt]

Yeah I saw his face. Looked like a deer in the headlights. It’s admirable that he takes the blame for the run defense failures saying it’s a matter of technique and he’s not coaching well but now that they pulled off the Vizcaino scab it’s pretty clear that what Staley says in his press conferences is not exactly reliable. Remember he kept saying how much confidence they had in Viz right until they sliced off his head. He knows (or must know) that he doesn’t have the horse on the d line or Lb core. He should be pounding on TTs desk.

Deer in the headlights? No...didnt see that at all. Maybe a little humility and honesty....lol, and maybe some dishonesty too...but no panic whatsoever....dont know where you get that.

[UglyTruth]

And then they moved him to guard, and when Charger fans finally changed their mind about the guy, boom! Career over.

Fans always wanted to move him to G from the start but it was never done till way later. Similarly fans wanted Quentin Jammer to be moved to SS instead of CB as he got older (and slower) and that was never done.

[Xenos]

Yeah I saw his face. Looked like a deer in the headlights. It’s admirable that he takes the blame for the run defense failures saying it’s a matter of technique and he’s not coaching well but now that they pulled off the Vizcaino scab it’s pretty clear that what Staley says in his press conferences is not exactly reliable. Remember he kept saying how much confidence they had in Viz right until they sliced off his head. He knows (or must know) that he doesn’t have the horse on the d line or Lb core. He should be pounding on TTs desk.

This is what he actually said. I think it’s actually quite reliable.

[Xenos]

Here’s the defensive player trade potentials on the Athletic.

https://theathletic.com/2912216/2021/10/26/xavien-howard-zach-cunningham-kyle-fuller-and-more-shoppers-guide-to-defensive-players-at-nfl-trade-deadline/

It’s trade deadline season in the NFL. Teams have until Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. ET to strike deals.

So our team of football writers has scoured the NFL rosters for some of the best available bargains teams might be able to load up on as the push for the playoffs gets closer.

MORE: Shoppers’ guide to offensive players at NFL trade deadline

Defensive tackles

Player: Vernon Butler, Buffalo Bills

Why he’s available: With 11 defensive linemen on the roster, the Bills have been mixing and matching their game-day active players to their opponents. However, the only player that hasn’t worked in recently is Butler, the 2016 first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers. Butler was a healthy scratch for three weeks leading up to the Bills’ bye week and is clearly at the bottom of the five players on the defensive tackle depth chart. The Bills could also save almost $2 million in cap space to roll over into 2022 by dealing Butler. Any deal for Butler probably would mean the Bills found a way to improve their roster elsewhere, because they believe they can contend for the Super Bowl this year. — Joe Buscaglia

Player: Jarran Reed, Kansas City Chiefs

Why he’s available: The lone major defensive acquisition in free agency for the Chiefs last offseason was Reed, but his production has been underwhelming. He has recorded just 12 tackles and zero sacks, which is part of the Chiefs’ pass rushing problem. Because Reed signed a one-year deal in March, he could benefit another team with a change of scenery and scheme. Reed’s expected productivity was supposed to help star defensive lineman Chris Jones play more snaps as a defensive end. But Jones will likely need to return to his natural defensive tackle position to help improve interior pressure on opposing quarterbacks. — Nate Taylor

Player: Nick Williams, Detroit Lions

Why he’s available: He’s started every game for the Lions, and the coaching staff loves him as a leader in the locker room. But he’s also a 31-year-old tackle on an expiring contract, playing for a team that’s desperate to get its young talent in the mix. Williams has just a half-sack this season (and 1.5 over two years with the Lions), but he’s carrying a very affordable contract and could provide at least some depth for a contender. — Chris Burke


Pass rushers

Player: Jaylon Ferguson, Baltimore Ravens

Why he’s availableJeff Zrebiec


Player: Charles Omenihu, Houston Texans

Why he’s available: The 2019 fifth-round pick tied J.J. Watt for the team lead in QB hits (16) last season, so he seems like exactly the sort of promising young player the Texans should hold onto. But the Texans made Omenihu a healthy scratch in Weeks 5 and 6, as the team had a surplus of serviceable defensive linemen, which was part of the reason for Whitney Mercilus’ release. Omenihu returned to action in Week 7 and led all Texans defensive linemen in snaps, but it’s still not a good sign that Omenihu was recently the odd man out. He might benefit from a fresh start, especially with a team that wants a player who can slide inside on passing downs. — Aaron Reiss


Player: Trey Flowers, Detroit Lions

Why he’s available: There is very little chance the Lions will carry Flowers on a $23.2 million cap hit next season, even if he’s one of their more well-rounded front seven options. He also barely qualifies as a “pass rusher” for this exercise — the Lions prefer him off the edge vs. the run, but he’s been more effective playing from an interior role on passing downs. A team would have to have a very specific need (and a decent amount of money under the cap) to go this route. — Chris Burke


Player: Bradlee Anae, Dallas Cowboys

Why he’s available: With DE DeMarcus Lawrence, DT Neville Gallimore and DT Trysten Hill expected to return from injured reserve in the next month or so, the Cowboys will need roster spots. It’s unlikely, but they could be willing to part with Anae if the right offer comes their way. He was a fifth-round pick in 2020, but he’s not going to play over Lawrence, Randy Gregory, Chauncey Golston, Dorance Armstrong or Tarell Basham this season. Anae is someone they’d like to have for the future, but he’s unlikely to have much impact this season. — Jon Machota


Player: L.J. Collier, Seattle Seahawks

Why he’s available: Seattle has better pass rushers than Collier, who entered the league as a “tweener” listed 6-2, 283 pounds — not quite heavy enough to play three-technique defensive tackle on early downs though not slim or athletic enough to be a full-time edge rusher. Because of this dilemma Collier, a first-round pick in 2019, has been a healthy scratch for the better part of three seasons and has only nine QB hits in three years. He’s capable of being a rotational lineman in this league — just not for the Seahawks. — Michael-Shawn Dugar


Linebackers

Player: Zach Cunningham, Houston Texans

Why he’s available: Since 2018, only three players have more total tackles than Cunningham, who is one of the NFL’s highest-paid linebackers. But under a new coaching staff, Cunningham has been reduced to playing only in the Texans’ base defense. He’s a coverage liability who comes off the field on passing downs. He also was benched one quarter in Week 2 for disciplinary reasons and missed a preseason game for an undisclosed personal reason. It seems a fresh start might be best for both parties, and the Texans’ decision to cut Whitney Mercilus showed finances won’t stop general manager Nick Caserio from moving on. — Aaron Reiss


Cornerbacks

Player: Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

Why he’s available: The Dolphins are going nowhere, and Howard, who last season became the first player in 13 years with 10 interceptions, may finally have his offseason trade request granted. He missed spring practices amid a contract dispute that ended with his deal being restructured. The biggest concern with Howard is that he’s often injured, which is not good news for a player with a massive cap hit over the next three years — though only his 2022 salary is fully guaranteed. — Zac Boyer


Player: Darius Phillips, Cincinnati Bengals

Why he’s available: He probably won’t be dealt, but you could see the Bengals listening for the right price. He’s graded well by Pro Football Focus each of the past two years with 81.6 in 2019 and 72.1 in 2020. He’s shown a knack for takeaways with five interceptions the last two seasons in a limited role. That’s just it, though, he continues to be limited by the Bengals, who find a way to play somebody else over him continuously. Now he’s on the verge of being replaced as a punt returner. If in need of cornerback help, Phillips would be a change-of-scenery candidate with high upside and motivation in a contract year. — Paul Dehner Jr.


Player: Noah Igbinoghene, Miami Dolphins

Why he’s available: The cornerback has not only been unable to get on the field, he’s often been inactive even amid turmoil in the secondary. A first-round pick in 2020, Igbinoghene made his first start of the season in the Week 6 loss to the Jaguars with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones injured. He can’t play in the slot, and although coaches have spoken frequently about his development, it’s been clear since he was drafted there’s no real plan for him. — Zac Boyer


Player: Ahkello Witherspoon, Pittsburgh Steelers

Why he’s available: The Steelers acquired Witherspoon from the Seahawks before the season started for a fifth-round pick in 2023. It hasn’t quite worked out with the emergence of James Pierre and Witherspoon’s inability to play special teams. Witherspoon has played four defensive snaps and one special team snap in the one game he was dressed as the No. 4 corner. He could provide help to a cornerback-desperate team. He has 33 starts in 4.5 years, and teams might be still enamored by a 6-foot-2, 200-pound cornerback. — Mark Kaboly


Player: Mike Hughes, Kansas City Chiefs

Why he’s available: The Chiefs acquired Hughes and a 2022 seventh-round pick from the Vikings in the offseason for a 2022 sixth-round pick. Hughes, though, has been the Chiefs’ worst cornerback and appears to be sliding down the depth chart. He has struggled in the last month while other players at his position, such as Rashad Fenton and L’Jarius Sneed, have improved. Hughes is also in the final year of his rookie contract. — Nate Taylor


Player: Kyle Fuller, Denver Broncos

Why he’s available: Just five games after signing a one-year, $9.5 million deal in free agency, Fuller has been benched by his former defensive coordinator in Chicago, Vic Fangio. There’s no clear path back to the starting lineup for Fuller barring injuries, and even then the Broncos may prefer to play Michael Ojemudia, the 2020 third-round pick who is set to make his return from injured reserve soon. Even though Fuller didn’t play well in his five starts this season, he has the kind of experience that could help a contender looking for depth at the position. — Nick Kosmider


Safeties

Player: Jaquiski Tartt, San Francisco 49ers

Why he’s available: The 49ers have an abundance of safeties and might want one of their better-looking rookies, Talanoa Hufangaout of USC, to get more action than the five snaps per game he’s been seeing thus far. The 49ers also gave away two first-round picks and a third-rounder so they could draft Trey Lancethis year. That is, they’d like to add a bit to their draft capital. Note: The 49ers value their other veteran cornerback, Jimmie Ward, more than they do Tartt. But perhaps one or the other would be available. If Ward left, Tartt could move into his free safety position. — Matt Barrows


Player: Marcus Maye, New York Jets

Why he’s available: Despite GM Joe Douglas’ public desire to extend Marcus Maye, the Jets and their 2020 team MVP were unable to agree to a long-term contract last offseason. They franchise-tagged Maye to buy more time, but there hasn’t been much gap-closing since. It seems unlikely a deal gets done, especially after news surfaced of Maye’s offseason arrest on a DUI charge, which he never reported to the team. That’s a big no-no in the NFL. Maye said recently that he prefers to stay with the Jets, but for the right price, Douglas will move him. Just one question: How much is a team willing to spend for a safety they know they will have to pay in the offseason, and will likely be suspended to start the 2022 season? — Connor Hughes


Player: Jabrill Peppers, New York Giants

Why he’s available: Peppers has become a part-time player for the Giants this season. The team is committed to safeties Logan Ryan, who signed a three-year, $30 million extension last December, and Xavier McKinney, who was a second-round pick in 2020. Peppers has been the odd man out, relegated to a nickel role that doesn’t fit his strengths as a physical run defender. Peppers’ limited skill set wouldn’t make him an easy fit into a defense on the fly, but the 2017 first-round pick has talent. He’s set to become a free agent after the season, so the Giants could be motivated to move him to recoup a draft pick. — Dan Duggan


Player: Landon Collins, Washington Football Team

Why he’s available: It’s unlikely that Collins gets dealt, but he has now been moved from his spot as starting safety down into the box after coach Ron Rivera said he sees Collins as more of a downhill linebacker. Collins said he doesn’t want to play linebacker. However, the team has a desperate need at that spot with starter Jon Bostic lost for the season, and there’s no question that Collins plays well in the role. Collins hasn’t lived up to the contract that made him the highest-paid safety when he signed in 2019, and he said he wasn’t told whether this will be a permanent assignment or just temporary based on need. Any team interested in Collins would have to absorb his contract, which all speaks to the unlikelihood of this happening. But there’s more than enough reason to move him if the right buyer came along. — Rhiannon Walker

[Xenos]

Vic Fangio a d John Elway stole a guy right in our backyard from the Rams. A guy we could use

Can Kenny Young play DT?

[Xenos]

Here’s the offensive positions that we might we interested in.

https://theathletic.com/2912080/2021/10/26/jimmy-garoppolo-marlon-mack-allen-robinson-and-more-shoppers-guide-to-offensive-players-at-nfl-trade-deadline/

Offensive tackles

Player: Andre Dillard, Philadelphia Eagles

Why he’s available: The Eagles invested in Jordan Mailata as their left tackle of the present and the future, making Dillard, the 2019 first-round pick, expendable. He still provides quality depth and has been called upon to play this season, so the Eagles won’t give him away. But for a team that’s clearly in transition, the Eagles would have a hard time saying no to valuable draft capital (a Day 2 pick, perhaps) for a player who’s a reserve. — Zach Berman


Interior offensive linemen

Player: Josh Andrews, Atlanta Falcons

Why he’s available: Andrews, a fifth-year pro out of Oregon State, was set to be Atlanta’s starting left guard but suffered a hand injury in camp and spent the first five games of the season on injured reserve. While Andrews was out, rookie Jalen Mayfield seemed to secure the left guard spot because Andrews pronounced himself ready to play a full game Sunday against Miami but didn’t see a snap. — Josh Kendall


Player: Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Detroit Lions

Why he’s available: He’s never going to live up to the five-year, $45 million deal that former Lions GM Bob Quinn handed him, but Vaitai has been a mauler in the run game this season. The 28-year-old also has experience starting at both guard and tackle — he filled in at the latter spot for the Eagles during their 2017 Super Bowl run. — Chris Burke


Player: Brandon Brooks, Philadelphia Eagles

Why he’s available: Brooks is 32 and expensive, and the Eagles’ season is spiraling away. When he’s healthy, Brooks is one of the NFL’s best interior linemen. He was a Pro Bowler from 2017-2019. But he missed all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon and has been out since Week 2 with a torn pectoral. The Eagles considered dealing Brooks last offseason, so it’s not out of the question they do it again. —Zach Berman

[cmplxgal]

[equivocation]

This is what he actually said. I think it’s actually quite reliable.

Dude, you're not allowed to use REALITY! You have to make up whatever you feel is right. It's the era of truthiness.

[jamrock]

Can Kenny Young play DT?

No but we need LBs

[UglyTruth]