Older QBs will cuase a reserection of the running first philosophy.

[MakoShark]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...ame-in-the-nfl

very interesting and compelling... I say this makes drafting Melvin even more critical to our success this year and going forward.

Interesting. I think the lack of NFL quality QB's among the college ranks will also play a role in re-emphasizing the RB position.

[Faded blues]

When I read the title thread, I thought someone came up with otc form of Viagra. Too bad.

[Lightningwill_420]

I don't think the RB have that much to do with it. Franklin is the key. He replaces Reinhart who was incredibly inconsistent. He doesn't even have to be overpowering (although he should be), he just needs to hold his block long enough to get the RB into the line. If Reinhart had played up to his level of the previous season, we would have been a lot better then we were (still the C and right side to worry about). But allowing a lot of quick pressure up the middle kills any running game, which is why we went out and got the top OG in FA. It will also help our inside pass protection.

Was Reinhart better the year before last or did we just not notice how bad he sucks until he played next a center and guard who were equally bad or even worse? Last year, the centers and the Troutman/Watt rotation were the new additions to the line. I'm just guessing (and I could be wrong, because, unlike some of you, I really can't tell how great each individual inside lineman is) that Hardwick and Clary made him look better. And having Mathews running the ball all of the season before made the line, as a whole, look better than it was. When we got Donald Brown back there, we could see that it was Mathews, not the line, that allowed our running game to look good.

I'm still not trusting Watt or Troutman. If Franklin is as good as he's supposed to be, having one good inside lineman should be better than last year, when we had what appeared to be zero good inside linemen.

[Steve]

2 years ago Reinhart played pretty well. Very consistent.

The center thing made things worse, but Reinhart has a history of being relatively healthy and playing well one year, then being banged up and struggling the next. Guess which year it was last year. I don't disagree that it was an issue, but Reinhart was only ever a temporary fix. Besides we didn't cut the guy for no reason (and we did actually cut him, not just let his contract expire). Reinhart has had some decent play for Washington, Buffalo and with us, but he is a dime a dozen kinda guy.

It really didn't help the OL much being constantly put into passing situations. They didn't run the ball well, so they spend most of the time run blocking, so they don't get any better run blocking because they are always pass blocking...... it gets to be a vicious circle.

I don't mind letting Troutman and Watt come in and compete, but it depends on how serious they are about letting Sirles and Robinson compete for the spots. I thought both showed flashes as decent OL, but I am not convinced yet.

[richpjr]

Does anyone really think anyone but Watt will be our opening day center (barring injury of course)?

[Panamamike]

Does anyone really think anyone but Watt will be our opening day center (barring injury of course)?

Fairly certain it will be Watt.

[Steve]

I can still see that Robinson could play well in TC and end up winning the starting C job, with Watt moving over to OG. That is the most likely way to get the 5 best OL on the field, which may go against what TT has said, but still keeps the staff true to the "5 best must play" mantra.

What I think is funny, is depsite the fact that so many claim "this is what the Chargers keep saying" so many of the same poster seem to refuse to accept that Fluker is not moving to OG.

[WindsorUK]

I can still see that Robinson could play well in TC and end up winning the starting C job, with Watt moving over to OG. That is the most likely way to get the 5 best OL on the field, which may go against what TT has said, but still keeps the staff true to the "5 best must play" mantra.

What I think is funny, is depsite the fact that so many claim "this is what the Chargers keep saying" so many of the same poster seem to refuse to accept that Fluker is not moving to OG.

Robinson was our best C last year. Short of a major collapse, I expect him to be starting there this fall.

[Millionaire Wussy]

Robinson was our best C last year. Short of a major collapse, I expect him to be starting there this fall.

i like that OL (with Watt moving to RG) or Fluker moving inside and Happy Hairston starting at RT (Watt staying at C). It comes down to whomever shows the most - among Robinson and Hairston - in training camp/preseason for me. And I hope Fluker stays in better condition throughout (weight and cardio) than he did last year this time until the season started.

[Lightningwill_420]

i like that OL (with Watt moving to RG) or Fluker moving inside and Happy Hairston starting at RT (Watt staying at C). It comes down to whomever shows the most - among Robinson and Hairston - in training camp/preseason for me. And I hope Fluker stays in better condition throughout (weight and cardio) than he did last year this time until the season started.

Wait. We have a tackle named Happy Hairston?
Happy Hairston and King Dunlap at the tackle spots.
The league needs to bow down to us.