newest Rivers rumors:

[Guest]

Funny, as much as I like these rumors (makes for some interesting speculation during the dull times), I feel just the opposite, i.e., nothing is going to happen with Rivers and he will be our QB, as everyone says, for 3 more years (if we stay in San Diego...otherwise, I think he retires).

And I agree 100%: This can't be Rivers AND our #17 for the Titans' #2!! That would be a f**king joke, and we'd deserve all the ridicule we'd get for doing that. Even if Tampa were to throw in their #2 (in other words, Rivers and #17 for #2 and #34). Still not enough.

I agree too. Can't include swap of 1st round picks. And I'm really thinking there is something to this. Telesco says that they are just doing what they would normally do every draft. Except that they haven't worked out one of the top 2 QBs in the draft
every year, and they are not working out Jameis Winston too.

[richpjr]

[Coachmarkos]

I agree too. Can't include swap of 1st round picks. And I'm really thinking there is something to this. Telesco says that they are just doing what they would normally do every draft. Except that they haven't worked out one of the top 2 QBs in the draft
every year, and they are not working out Jameis Winston too.

I'm with you, SC.

The organization knows Rivers thoughts on LA. They know he has one year on his deal.

This may also tell you something what the organization thinks will happen with Los Angeles.

Coming in 2016, the Los Angeles Chargers featuring Marcus Mariotta and Gordon/Gurley.

[Panamamike]

why the rush on Rivers? Play it out and see what happens. Can always franchise him and let him go for two first Rd picks next year. I am not sold on Mariotta. he played In a gimmick offense running bubble screens, did not have to read a defense, and has not played under center. He may be good, but it will take time. He is a great athlete and by all reports a Great kid, but is well beind the curve on what it takes to be a great NFL QB. Next year's QB crop is better IMO. They can still add great pieces in the draft this year and address the QB situation down the line.



I

[Guest]

why the rush on Rivers? Play it out and see what happens. Can always franchise him and let him go for two first Rd picks next year. I am not sold on Mariotta. he played In a gimmick offense running bubble screens, did not have to read a defense, and has not played under center. He may be good, but it will take time. He is a great athlete and by all reports a Great kid, but is well beind the curve on what it takes to be a great NFL QB. Next year's QB crop is better IMO. They can still add great pieces in the draft this year and address the QB situation down the line.



I

Because we're all morons.

[Coachmarkos]

why the rush on Rivers? Play it out and see what happens. Can always franchise him and let him go for two first Rd picks next year. I am not sold on Mariotta. he played In a gimmick offense running bubble screens, did not have to read a defense, and has not played under center. He may be good, but it will take time. He is a great athlete and by all reports a Great kid, but is well beind the curve on what it takes to be a great NFL QB. Next year's QB crop is better IMO. They can still add great pieces in the draft this year and address the QB situation down the line.



I

I think the whole "not sold on Mariotta" thing is why they brought pretty much the whole organization to evaluate him. Not just his play, but him as a person, etc...

As far as the Under Center stuff goes, Chargers did the least amount in the league last year, if I remember. McCoy likes having his team in the SG.

The point is, if Mariotta doesn't pass the mustard on any of the qualities they are looking for, they just do what you said. They don't HAVE to do anything.

I'm not sold on Mariotta either. But I'm thinking that the team is watching Seattle and Russel Wilson and envisioning something similar. Mariotta is smart, and can pull the ball down and slide like Wilson does.

I didn't think it had a chance in heck of happening, even 4 days ago. Now, I'm not so sure.

[Geezbolt]

I feel compelled to give props to Den60 who floated the idea on this board last year of trading Rivers. This situation reminds me of when San Francisco traded Joe Montana to the Chiefs. Of course they had Steve Young waiting in the wings. In Montana's case, it was almost like the last thing he did for the franchise was get a #1 pick for them (along with another player and a 3rd). BTW, Montana was 36 when this trade went down.

[KNSD]

Mariotta seemed to play "nervous" the very few times I watched him last year. Very accurate in some cases, not very accurate when he had to go to the 3rd receiver. He seemed like a robot executing instructions and not a guy actually "seeing" the field and "getting it".

[Coachmarkos]

Mariotta seemed to play "nervous" the very few times I watched him last year. Very accurate in some cases, not very accurate when he had to go to the 3rd receiver. He seemed like a robot executing instructions and not a guy actually "seeing" the field and "getting it".

I would agree with this wholeheartedly.

He was amazing in college, but how often was he amazing against other good teams? Not too often. He normally dominated against poor teams.

But he did look good against Florida State in the Rose Bowl, and played well against Michigan State. (Those are teams with good defenses). He did well the 2nd time against Arizona, but struggled the first time.

One thing to remember, for all their spread/hurry up/exciting offense... Oregon is primarily a running team. And they have been since Kelly took over.

Is Mariotta good enough to carry a team, when teams are shutting down the running game? Urban Meyer and Ohio State would certainly think "NO".

[Guest]

The only game I saw Mariota in ever was the national championship game last year. He was freaking terrible in that game, so I'm not impressed by him, nor would I like to see him as a Charger. I'm also happy about some of you guys' optimism that Rivers will stay, but right now, there are no assurances that he will. If I was in Telesco's position, I would be planning for life without Rivers too.

[CTrout]

What exactly would be the long term downside to trading Rivers now?

If they move to LA, they can tag him and be stuck with a "team leader" who DOESN'T want to be apart of the team. Sounds
like a great winning atmosphere! (historically, this sounds like something they'd do).

If they stay in SD, then Rivers might have maybe 3 more years of playing at a high level. Then we'll have to start looking for a QB and might
have to take whoever is available....instead of a QB they'd want. Big difference.

If they make a deal for Mariotta and he ends up a good QB, then they've set themselves up to continue being a competitive team
for the next 10 years.

If he sucks, well we'd certainly know by year 3 and would likely have to start looking for a new QB. The same senerio if Rivers stays.

Imo we've seen the best years out of Rivers. In the last 7 years we've surpassed 9-7 once. Yes once. While the team may improve
around him over the next 2-3 years HE will not. Likely continuing this middle of the road pattern we're in.

I doubt Mariotta ends up here but if he does, can't say I'd be 100% against it.

[richpjr]

The one hard thing to take into account in all of our speculation is what Rivers has or has not told the Chargers about his plans. If he flat out told the team he would not move to LA under any circumstances, it would obviously explain the Marriota rumors along with this:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 1h1 hour ago
After #Chargers work out Mariota in Ore., they’ll head to LA to work out #UCLA QB Brett Hundley tomorrow. Might not need to trade up for him