Ladarius Green

[BoltBacker]

After signing Stevie Johnson to go along with FLoyd and Keenan Allen one thing has not changed. Ladarius Green is still the fastest receiving threat on the Chargers, it isn't even close. Why he is not a bigger weapon for San Diego is anyones guess. Did he regress? Does McCoy not know how to develop a young TE? The Chargers are not loaded with talent and can't afford not to use what they have. By Telesco not going after a TE in free agency and Gates being 35 yrs OLD that is a huge message saying he expects Green to be that guy. So why isn't he?

I feel his lack of use/production was my biggest disappointment of things under the teams control this past season.

[Mister Hoarse]

Its all right in front of him, LG needs to take advantage of this.

[6025]

I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that Green was having issues progressing in McCoy's system, thus, the coaches couldn't really trust him.

[BoltBacker]

I thought I read somewhere (maybe here) that Green was having issues progressing in McCoy's system, thus, the coaches couldn't really trust him.

I can see that which is why I thought maybe a free agent TE was a possibility. Weak draft for TE's also. So they must think Green can make it.

MY concern was that Rivers loves his vets and his dependence on Gates will never go away which unfortunately stunts the growth of young players. But Keenan Allen was an exception as a rookie so who knows?

[blueman]

TT reportedly tried to sign Virgil Green. FWIW.

[richpjr]

After signing Stevie Johnson to go along with FLoyd and Keenan Allen one thing has not changed. Ladarius Green is still the fastest receiving threat on the Chargers, it isn't even close. Why he is not a bigger weapon for San Diego is anyones guess. Did he regress? Does McCoy not know how to develop a young TE? The Chargers are not loaded with talent and can't afford not to use what they have. By Telesco not going after a TE in free agency and Gates being 35 yrs OLD that is a huge message saying he expects Green to be that guy. So why isn't he?

I feel his lack of use/production was my biggest disappointment of things under the teams control this past season.

From what I have heard reported numerous times, he doesn't run very good routes and can't block so with Gates staying healthy for the entire season, there was just no where for him to play.

[BoltBacker]

From what I have heard reported numerous times, he doesn't run very good routes and can't block so with Gates staying healthy for the entire season, there was just no where for him to play.

Well Gates can't block either or better said just does not like to anymore. Gates can still do damage but he puts little fear into the opposition. He is always a threat in the red zone and picking up third downs but that is the extent at his age. Reminds me of Charlie Joiner towards the end of his career, the guy was so damn good catching the ball that it kept anyone from taking his place, didn't matter that he was slower than dirt. If he was the only receiver like that then ok. But the Chargers have no take it to the house threats at any receiver position, a bunch of really good mid range receivers.

Ladarius made more big plays two years ago than last season, did he get worse? Or did the Gates getting the job done just make it easy to forget the young guy. Gates last year of contract this year, are we going to re-sign a 36yr old TE? Better start developing Green then or move on and quit wasting our time teasing him.

[blueman]

From the interest TT showed in that FA TE, guessing the team views Green as not the heir apparent to Gates.

[Mister Hoarse]

Green did not develop as planned, but our OC has to figure out how to use his speed.

[Steve]

The other thing that happened last year was that Metzalaars got hired as the TE coach. He has a good background as an NFL coach (Colts and Bills) and player (Bills TE during SB years) but he has always been more of a blocker then a receivers coach. In fact most of his coaching experience is as an OL coach, not TE coach. He has always been very demanding, but the combination of Royal (now Stevie Johnson) as other options as the 3rd WR/other TE spot, it makes it tough to get a guy who is adjusting to all the stuff around him to make that next step up.

In the end, I just hope Green knuckles down and spends all spring/summer in SD, working on his craft. Running routes, catches passes and working on his blocking, at least as far as that is possible by himself.

[SDFan]

From what I have heard reported numerous times, he doesn't run very good routes and can't block so with Gates staying healthy for the entire season, there was just no where for him to play.

I've only seen it 'reported' here. The official line from MM last year when asked about Green not getting more opportunity was Royal and Gates were playing at such a high level they couldn't justify taking 1 out to feature Green. We'll see if they go 2 TE this year to tweak offense away from Mathews centered and include Green more.

[SDFan]

From the interest TT showed in that FA TE, guessing the team views Green as not the heir apparent to Gates.

or Phillips and David Johnson are not figuring heavily in the offensive scheme design for this year and they need to upgrade THEM, not Green?