Bolts (yawn) going with what they have?

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

Nice try. I'm not going to engage you in this again. I know where you stand...wait, no I don't.

Whatever that means. Thank you for the non-sequitur of the day.

and TT knowing more than *I* do - well, that kind of goes without saying, no? It's funny, we (all of us) engage in nothing but the purest form of speculation around here and then, when it serves a person's argument, he plays the "Nobody knows what TT (or McCoy, or Spanos, etc) is thinking". card. If we really want to be consistent (and boring) let's have a 'rule' that says we can't discuss anything until AFTER it happens.

Speculate away. You'll never see me run someone down for their opinion. But when the opinion is 90% negative and dripping with certitude (as yours are tending to these days), then yeah, I'm going to call you on it. I try to at least post with an implicit acknowledgement that I could be wrong and sometimes I even come right out and say it. When the negative opinion is quite literally at the beginning of the the player movement period of the offseason, and passes outright judgment, yeah, I'm going to call someone on that too.

I'm never sure...about anything. Football included.

If you watched the games you might at least get somewhat closer.

I haven't the slightest idea.

Right. But pass judgment anyway.

The '$100 spent' is if all those guys see every penny for the full length of their contracts. Which rarely, if ever, happens.

OK, fine. But when FA spending is reported in the media, it is often reported in those terms bc it is the only objective way to understand the commitment without getting into all the nitty gritty. But if it will make you feel any better, we can look at SportTrac (which as far as I know is the most accurate/up to date on these issues....open to another source if there is a better one) and see how they compare to other teams.

# FA signed: 6 (T-9th in league)
FA Spend: $55M (15)
Guaranteed: $18M (18)
'15 Cap Hit: $10M (21)

Total Overall Team Spending on Salaries: $135M (8th)
Total Guaranteed Money for 2015: $53M (6th)

So in terms of FA, about middle of the pack--pretty much what you would expect based on what Telesco told us he would do. But quality/competitive franchises spending more than us? 6 (Philly, KC, Miami, Indy, SF, AZ). Philly's going for broke (how'd that DreamTeam work out for them last time?), KC is playing catch up, Miami backed up the truck for Suh, Indy is angling for a Super Bowl, SF is trying to do anything to stop the bleeding and AZ is positioning for a SB. We're just behind those guys. About what we would expect given where this team is right now.

However, despite the increased pool of money to work with this year, Telesco is still on the hook for the 8th highest outlays for player salaries and the 6th highest guaranteed money commitment. So the old meme that won't die (The the Spanoses are cheap), continues. We all knew that Telesco, like Aj Smith until his bacon was in the fire), was not going to break the bank. They both tend toward targeted, under the radar guys and to backfill depth. If you had some other expectation and are disappointed, then that's a you problem.

My complaint is...we've really, truly ADDED exactly 2 guys: Franklin and Jacoby. And Jacoby, by most accounts, is a 'meh' signing. The rest have been cheaper, lateral moves.

Cheaper, lateral moves actually count (if that's actually what they are...and at this point we don't actually know that). Re-signing the guys you might've lost count. They aren't sexy, but they count. The draft is where Telesco said he would annually focus and that lies ahead of us. So we'll be adding some players there. Of course, around the draft there are often trades of picks and even veterans for picks. It's a fairly active time for deals. Maybe TT is going to do some wheeling and dealing. And then we have June, and as we have seen in previous years we've had some success with guys we pick up later in the process. Like Brandon Flowers last year. He turned out to be a pretty good signing, no?

Now, it's certainly not as sexy to discuss, but some of our improvement could and should come from getting some key players back from injury. Woodhead was central to our offense in 2013. His loss really hurt us. Hardwick won't be back but at least we have an offseason to transition and prepare vs plugging the hole on the fly. Maybe this is the year that Ingram stays healthy. Attaochu was off to a tremendous start and sure looked good to me when he was in there. Maybe he stays healthy and contributes. We hung in there last year with our #1 pick basically playing only a third of the season and when he was in there, our secondary was lights out. Maybe Rivers gets some good line play (big IF....agree with your concern here) and a semblance of a running game and stays upright this year. Of course we'll have other injuries this year but maybe we get fortunate (for once) and we stay relatively healthy. Even so, Telesco has done a nice job already in building up our depth. I think it's better than a wash. More evolutionary than revolutionary, but if done at a lower $ commitment you have to appreciate it.

And finally, no one ever considers this aspect this time of year, but what about organic improvement? Guys can work and improve in the offseason by training, working with the staff /each other and watching film. Maybe Te'o takes a step forward with some good health. Maybe Butler pulls his head out of his ass. Maybe Watt bulks up and prepares adequately for being the starting center (I'll admit, I don't see what they see with this kid. But they see it. And I'm a believer in Coach D. So if he sees something, I'll defer to him). Maybe Fluker rebounds or maybe gets kicked inside. Maybe Frank Reich gets his act together. Maybe Reyes rebounds (finally) and Liuget becomes more consistent. Maybe Ricardo Matthews takes the next step.

Of course this is a lot of IFs. Certainly more than a Super Bowl contender would have. But with a good draft, some savvy pickups and even hitting 50% on the injuries and organic improvement I don't see any reason to be so pessimistic. Do I think they can make a deep run in the playoffs. Unlikely unless they hit closer to 75% on those latter categories. But I think they can incrementally improve. And right now, frankly (punny), my biggest concern is Reich. I just don't see why people are coming down on Telesco for not blowing a bunch of cash on big name guys. I think he swings for the fences when there are fewer IFs amongst guys we have under reasonable contract. Next year would more likely be the time for it. And that should have been expected going into this year. I remain convinced that he and MM are building a program for sustained success. Not knee jerk NYJ shit.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

I haven't posted squat on the state of the Chargers this offseason. But, they had a lot of holes to fill just on the o-line alone and they haven't done much there. I'm not thinking the Franklin signing is all that and a box of chocolates.

Are you you or are you an -ism?

[Den60]

Are you you or are you an -ism?

Do you mean real-ism? I suppose I am.

[QSmokey]

Whatever that means. Thank you for the non-sequitur of the day.

You are such a pompous ass.

Speculate away. You'll never see me run someone down for their opinion. But when the opinion is 90% negative and dripping with certitude (as yours are tending to these days), then yeah, I'm going to call you on it. I try to at least post with an implicit acknowledgement that I could be wrong and sometimes I even come right out and say it. When the negative opinion is quite literally at the beginning of the the player movement period of the offseason, and passes outright judgment, yeah, I'm going to call someone on that too.

Positively dripping, indeed. Let's talk about this off-season NEXT off-season, since it's so important to you - on a brainless football board (present company INCLUDED) - to be "right" all the time.

If you watched the games you might at least get somewhat closer.

And you criticize OIP for being monotonous. Pompous AND hypocritical. But that's always been your MO.

Right. But pass judgment anyway.

You have zero ability to read between the lines of anyone's posts. You use big words, but you're pretty dull.

OK, fine. But when FA spending is reported in the media, it is often reported in those terms bc it is the only objective way to understand the commitment without getting into all the nitty gritty. But if it will make you feel any better, we can look at SportTrac (which as far as I know is the most accurate/up to date on these issues....open to another source if there is a better one) and see how they compare to other teams.

# FA signed: 6 (T-9th in league)
FA Spend: $55M (15)
Guaranteed: $18M (18)
'15 Cap Hit: $10M (21)

Total Overall Team Spending on Salaries: $135M (8th)
Total Guaranteed Money for 2015: $53M (6th)

So in terms of FA, about middle of the pack--pretty much what you would expect based on what Telesco told us he would do. But quality/competitive franchises spending more than us? 6 (Philly, KC, Miami, Indy, SF, AZ). Philly's going for broke (how'd that DreamTeam work out for them last time?), KC is playing catch up, Miami backed up the truck for Suh, Indy is angling for a Super Bowl, SF is trying to do anything to stop the bleeding and AZ is positioning for a SB. We're just behind those guys. About what we would expect given where this team is right now.

However, despite the increased pool of money to work with this year, Telesco is still on the hook for the 8th highest outlays for player salaries and the 6th highest guaranteed money commitment. So the old meme that won't die (The the Spanoses are cheap), continues. We all knew that Telesco, like Aj Smith until his bacon was in the fire), was not going to break the bank. They both tend toward targeted, under the radar guys and to backfill depth. If you had some other expectation and are disappointed, then that's a you problem.

Cheaper, lateral moves actually count (if that's actually what they are...and at this point we don't actually know that). Re-signing the guys you might've lost count. They aren't sexy, but they count. The draft is where Telesco said he would annually focus and that lies ahead of us. So we'll be adding some players there. Of course, around the draft there are often trades of picks and even veterans for picks. It's a fairly active time for deals. Maybe TT is going to do some wheeling and dealing. And then we have June, and as we have seen in previous years we've had some success with guys we pick up later in the process. Like Brandon Flowers last year. He turned out to be a pretty good signing, no?

Now, it's certainly not as sexy to discuss, but some of our improvement could and should come from getting some key players back from injury. Woodhead was central to our offense in 2013. His loss really hurt us. Hardwick won't be back but at least we have an offseason to transition and prepare vs plugging the hole on the fly. Maybe this is the year that Ingram stays healthy. Attaochu was off to a tremendous start and sure looked good to me when he was in there. Maybe he stays healthy and contributes. We hung in there last year with our #1 pick basically playing only a third of the season and when he was in there, our secondary was lights out. Maybe Rivers gets some good line play (big IF....agree with your concern here) and a semblance of a running game and stays upright this year. Of course we'll have other injuries this year but maybe we get fortunate (for once) and we stay relatively healthy. Even so, Telesco has done a nice job already in building up our depth. I think it's better than a wash. More evolutionary than revolutionary, but if done at a lower $ commitment you have to appreciate it.

And finally, no one ever considers this aspect this time of year, but what about organic improvement? Guys can work and improve in the offseason by training, working with the staff /each other and watching film. Maybe Te'o takes a step forward with some good health. Maybe Butler pulls his head out of his ass. Maybe Watt bulks up and prepares adequately for being the starting center (I'll admit, I don't see what they see with this kid. But they see it. And I'm a believer in Coach D. So if he sees something, I'll defer to him). Maybe Fluker rebounds or maybe gets kicked inside. Maybe Frank Reich gets his act together. Maybe Reyes rebounds (finally) and Liuget becomes more consistent. Maybe Ricardo Matthews takes the next step.

Of course this is a lot of IFs. Certainly more than a Super Bowl contender would have. But with a good draft, some savvy pickups and even hitting 50% on the injuries and organic improvement I don't see any reason to be so pessimistic. Do I think they can make a deep run in the playoffs. Unlikely unless they hit closer to 75% on those latter categories. But I think they can incrementally improve. And right now, frankly (punny), my biggest concern is Reich. I just don't see why people are coming down on Telesco for not blowing a bunch of cash on big name guys. I think he swings for the fences when there are fewer IFs amongst guys we have under reasonable contract. Next year would more likely be the time for it. And that should have been expected going into this year. I remain convinced that he and MM are building a program for sustained success. Not knee jerk NYJ shit.

Is that you, Yuba??? I don't have time to read all that.

[bonehead]

I haven't posted squat on the state of the Chargers this offseason. But, they had a lot of holes to fill just on the o-line alone and they haven't done much there. I'm not thinking the Franklin signing is all that and a box of chocolates.

U lose cred with that statement.....our guard play was horrific and we got the top,available FA Guard with afair contract, it's a huge upgrade, u just peed in your own cornflakes

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

King was solid last year Franklin at LG next to King will be huge. Its fair to say we have a question mark at Center however we are visiting with draft prospects that have played center. Troutman going into his forth year at RG or maybe Watt or maybe a draft pick at RG however it pans out it will be determined through competition. Fluker at RT is what it is. The tackle and guard prospects we are looking at for the most part have strong run blocking qualities so I am thinking we are looking at RT or RG options or maybe a Center. If RT Fluker kicks inside if Center Watt kicks to OG. If we draft an OG Fluker and Watt stay put.

[Steve]

While technically Porkchop is going into his 4th season, he is really going into his 3rd since he missed his rookie year with the torn chest muscle.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

Do you mean real-ism? I suppose I am.

Negativism and certitude are your calling cards. You'll kick around till tge season starts and pop in after every loss. Like Old Faithful.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

You are such a pompous ass.



Positively dripping, indeed. Let's talk about this off-season NEXT off-season, since it's so important to you - on a brainless football board (present company INCLUDED) - to be "right" all the time.



And you criticize OIP for being monotonous. Pompous AND hypocritical. But that's always been your MO.



You have zero ability to read between the lines of anyone's posts. You use big words, but you're pretty dull.



Is that you, Yuba??? I don't have time to read all that.

Well you seem to have plenty of time to jack around here but not enough time to deal with a reasoned and data-based argument.

You're a zero.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

[Steve]

Supposedly Wisniewski is recovering from labrum surgery, but he is really one of the few FA that is much of a name left. I also get the sense most teams are not thrilled at putting a lot of money at C, especially considering most NFL C are the type of player who are better helping out then handling a guy totally on their own.

I still think he has as much value to us as an OG, despite the fact that he was a C for most of his time in Oakland. He started his rookie season at LG for them.

I am also not convinced that we wouldn't move Watt from C to OG if we had a viable option. I am not saying that Watt's best spot isn't C, but if we had multiple options, it is a way to get the best five OL on the field, then I think the Chargers have to take it, if for no other reason then that is what McCoy preaches.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Its either a draft game or they like Watts mind for the game. I think we see the physical but they see the mental. Or its a bluf...