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All the local writers have the Chargers at 7-9 or 8-8 or 9-7, nobody better than that; and most of them tagged that prediction with an "or worse".
Well this is going to sound wierd but I think we are going to be a hell of a lot better than that or a hell of a lot worse.
On the worse side, I can see the team getting distracted by all of the off field stuff (moving to LA, Stadium situation) much like the 49ers were last year with the GM at war with Jim Harbaugh. The team gets distracted, the players mail it in and McCoy can't get them focused or even interested. Before you know it, we are picking first in the draft. 35% change of that happening maybe.
But I think it is more likely 65% that the team will out perform expectations, go deep in the playoffs and maybe even reach the Superbowl ... and here is why:
Rivers - the guy is a top 5 QB in this league and with him at the helm we are in it until the last weekend of the season almost every year. This year, he may be playing out his contract and he may want to put up an EPIC season of stats to get a big pay day and maybe a ticket out of town.
Super Melvin #1 - Melvin Gordon is the real deal, highly productive and plays through injuries ala LT and if he can hang onto the ball, and learn to pass block, I think we have a better runner and a bigger homerun threat than Ryan MAthews when healthy. The guy will put up > 1,000 yards and maybe even threaten the rookie team record. With that kind of a run game, our pass game should improve significantly.
Dan the man - Getting Dan the man Woodhead back and fresh off a season of no contact, should be golden. His legs and body should be fresh, despite his age and the guy should be money on 3rd down. Look for a big Sproles like season from him.
Oliver - reminds me a little bit of the year Turner was backing up LT. Defenses relaxed a little when he came in for LT and then got slammed by his hard running style. After Melvin Gordon/Woodhead most of the game, Oliver comes in and the defense lets down and him ain't the drop off they expected.
Offensive line - The King is very decent, if not great, Watt at Center is not so bad (smart guy, 2nd season) should be better than last year, Franklin is a huge upgrade at LG. Fluker lost focus and gained weight last year and thought he could waddle through; team asked him to lose weight and come in at 330 instead of high 350's he was last year, he is down 8 to 345 but the team said not enough and brought in Joe Barksdale. Barksdale, also of questionable focus/effort inproves the pass protection at RT and allows Fluker to move into RG either that or lights a fire under Fluker's ass and he drops down to 330 like the team wanted, either way the line is better on the right side. Overall I think the OL is the most improved position group over last year. And look at the upgrade in SIZE over last year, Watt alone has 25 pounds over Hardwick. These are some big dudes. Backups are still an issue but overall much improved in both run blocking at OG and pass protection on the right side and up the middle.
TE - Gates will be Gates, Green steps it up in a contract year (this is more or a wish/prayer than a prediction) and the other guys are fodder. Same as last year at worst, breakout year for Green at best.
WR - Despite the loss of Royal, I like the additions of Stevie Johnson (1,200 yards if chemistry with Rivers clicks - 700 if it doesn't) and the deep threat of Jacoby Jones and the push the new guys give Allen who was lazy and unfocused las year compared to his rookie year. The new guys will push him for playing time and Allen steps back up to !,000 yards too. And Inman is just such a clutch possession receiver that I think e is in the mix too for 500. I know there is not a superstar but enough guys with talent that someone gets open. Hoping for a fire to be lit under Allen. Malcolm will be solid as usual on the deep balls too.
Super Melvin #2 - I think that Melvin coming into OTA's in EPIC shape took edge rusher off the Chargers list on day 1 and 2 of the draft. I think Melvin can finally put it all together and put up monster numbers this year, requiring a double team like when a roided Merriman collapsed the pocket, back in the day. Double digit sacks for Super Melvin this year and some monster athletic plays as well, including a defensive TD or 3.
Attaochu - the guy showed some real flashes against Arizona and at times during the year, but was injuried throughout the season, he will be bigger and stronger and less injuries this year and give us a 2nd edge rushing threat. Again super athletic andbig plays adding close but not quite double digit sacks from him.
Philon - also sees spot duty as a pass rusher but not much coverage, could be a Barnes type disrupter but from the interior up the middle type pass rusher.
Perryman - love this guy as a banger and inside LB on 1st and 2nd downs, also love that he pushes Butler at ILB (sure seemed like Butler pulled a Gaither last year and got lazy as soon as he got paid. Perryman should bring the nastiness that Foley and Godfrey brought back in the day.
Nolan - love this hire as LBers Coach, hoping he will motivate Butler and develop Super Melvin and Attaochu. Also adds so knowledge to our defensive game planning too.
Butler - I hope he picks it up but I'm not holding my breath, but if he is in shape and top form this year, we will have a solid interior to our LB group.
Teo - started to look better in coverage at the end of last year AND got a nice INT. Slow learner and slow developer, but if he can avoid injury we have our nickle/Dime ILB on 3rd downs. I think a 50-50 chance he has a big jump this season now that his confidence is improved.
DL - Luiget is good but he is doubled all the fucking time so it makes it really hard for him. Reyes could up his game in a contract year, he has been a disappointment up til now, ut with money on the line I think he steps up this year (if he ever will it will be now). Still need some help in the middle, not sold on Lissmore/Palepoi.
CB - Flowers and Verrett will be a top 2 tandem in all of the NFL if both are healthy all year, right after Revis and Cromartie. Verrett is the next top CB like a Revis or Sherman, he will be that good in a another year or two. Flowers is a top 5 talent as well, especially if he can stay on his favorite side of the field. Steve Williams adds nice speed to the mix and is another year stronger. I like Chris Davis and Patrick Robinson as backups and Wilson can be our new slot coverage guy. Even Mager as a spot DB is a nice hitter, bigger CB is we start getting pushed around. Other teams are going to be watching our DB cut list to see who gets cut.
Saftey - I like Addae as a poor mans Rodney, especially paired with Weddle (who is all pro). Wilson, Weddle is not bad either but I like the physical aspect of Addae's game. I think Addae dominates this year and I think Weddle has his best year EVER. With those CB's and Addae adding run support, I think Weddle is freed up to have his best year.
Special Teams - Love Stuckey, Mager, Perryman, Inman, Weddle on ST's. And Jacoby Jones on kick returns will be a huge gain for us this year. Top 3 in both kick and punt return yardage and like 3 TD's. Our cover guys were decent and Mager/Perryman replaces Tutu's loss. Punting will be solid, so will FG's, only weakness is a lack of Touchbacks.
Coaching - I really like the group we have, sans Pagano (who was better as an assistant), Nolan was a nice add and the OL and ST guys are strong too. And McCoy gets his team up for the big games (think Seattle last year) and can do the halftime adjustments (think 49ers game last year) and if we stay healthy, the team will over achieve under McCoy rather than under achieve ike with Norv.
Schedule - I like where our bye week is, and we could go 4-0 out of the gate if we beat Detroit week 1 which would give us lots of Mojo when we face the tougher teams; we could easily be 7-2 going into the bye week. And after that only the Chiefs, Broncos and Dolpins are playoff contenders after that. We could be looking at 12-4 or 11-5 and maybe even the Division title depending on the Broncos dropoff. And once we are in the playoff and if we still have a running game, unlike most any other year when we had a decent team, I really like our chances. If Rivers has Gordon at full speed in the playoffs and Woodhead on 3rd down, we are going DEEP in the playoffs, espcially with the Pats likely to struggle out of the gate this year.
Overall - the team looks way better to me this year at RB, OL and LB'ers and DB's than any other year since LT left; and we have a dangerous return game. We get on a roll and we are gone ... we make the Superbowl.
Got to go, they are knocking on the door and asking me to take my meds ...
Well this is going to sound wierd but I think we are going to be a hell of a lot better than that or a hell of a lot worse.
On the worse side, I can see the team getting distracted by all of the off field stuff (moving to LA, Stadium situation) much like the 49ers were last year with the GM at war with Jim Harbaugh. The team gets distracted, the players mail it in and McCoy can't get them focused or even interested. Before you know it, we are picking first in the draft. 35% change of that happening maybe.
But I think it is more likely 65% that the team will out perform expectations, go deep in the playoffs and maybe even reach the Superbowl ... and here is why:
Rivers - the guy is a top 5 QB in this league and with him at the helm we are in it until the last weekend of the season almost every year. This year, he may be playing out his contract and he may want to put up an EPIC season of stats to get a big pay day and maybe a ticket out of town.
Super Melvin #1 - Melvin Gordon is the real deal, highly productive and plays through injuries ala LT and if he can hang onto the ball, and learn to pass block, I think we have a better runner and a bigger homerun threat than Ryan MAthews when healthy. The guy will put up > 1,000 yards and maybe even threaten the rookie team record. With that kind of a run game, our pass game should improve significantly.
Dan the man - Getting Dan the man Woodhead back and fresh off a season of no contact, should be golden. His legs and body should be fresh, despite his age and the guy should be money on 3rd down. Look for a big Sproles like season from him.
Oliver - reminds me a little bit of the year Turner was backing up LT. Defenses relaxed a little when he came in for LT and then got slammed by his hard running style. After Melvin Gordon/Woodhead most of the game, Oliver comes in and the defense lets down and him ain't the drop off they expected.
Offensive line - The King is very decent, if not great, Watt at Center is not so bad (smart guy, 2nd season) should be better than last year, Franklin is a huge upgrade at LG. Fluker lost focus and gained weight last year and thought he could waddle through; team asked him to lose weight and come in at 330 instead of high 350's he was last year, he is down 8 to 345 but the team said not enough and brought in Joe Barksdale. Barksdale, also of questionable focus/effort inproves the pass protection at RT and allows Fluker to move into RG either that or lights a fire under Fluker's ass and he drops down to 330 like the team wanted, either way the line is better on the right side. Overall I think the OL is the most improved position group over last year. And look at the upgrade in SIZE over last year, Watt alone has 25 pounds over Hardwick. These are some big dudes. Backups are still an issue but overall much improved in both run blocking at OG and pass protection on the right side and up the middle.
TE - Gates will be Gates, Green steps it up in a contract year (this is more or a wish/prayer than a prediction) and the other guys are fodder. Same as last year at worst, breakout year for Green at best.
WR - Despite the loss of Royal, I like the additions of Stevie Johnson (1,200 yards if chemistry with Rivers clicks - 700 if it doesn't) and the deep threat of Jacoby Jones and the push the new guys give Allen who was lazy and unfocused las year compared to his rookie year. The new guys will push him for playing time and Allen steps back up to !,000 yards too. And Inman is just such a clutch possession receiver that I think e is in the mix too for 500. I know there is not a superstar but enough guys with talent that someone gets open. Hoping for a fire to be lit under Allen. Malcolm will be solid as usual on the deep balls too.
Super Melvin #2 - I think that Melvin coming into OTA's in EPIC shape took edge rusher off the Chargers list on day 1 and 2 of the draft. I think Melvin can finally put it all together and put up monster numbers this year, requiring a double team like when a roided Merriman collapsed the pocket, back in the day. Double digit sacks for Super Melvin this year and some monster athletic plays as well, including a defensive TD or 3.
Attaochu - the guy showed some real flashes against Arizona and at times during the year, but was injuried throughout the season, he will be bigger and stronger and less injuries this year and give us a 2nd edge rushing threat. Again super athletic andbig plays adding close but not quite double digit sacks from him.
Philon - also sees spot duty as a pass rusher but not much coverage, could be a Barnes type disrupter but from the interior up the middle type pass rusher.
Perryman - love this guy as a banger and inside LB on 1st and 2nd downs, also love that he pushes Butler at ILB (sure seemed like Butler pulled a Gaither last year and got lazy as soon as he got paid. Perryman should bring the nastiness that Foley and Godfrey brought back in the day.
Nolan - love this hire as LBers Coach, hoping he will motivate Butler and develop Super Melvin and Attaochu. Also adds so knowledge to our defensive game planning too.
Butler - I hope he picks it up but I'm not holding my breath, but if he is in shape and top form this year, we will have a solid interior to our LB group.
Teo - started to look better in coverage at the end of last year AND got a nice INT. Slow learner and slow developer, but if he can avoid injury we have our nickle/Dime ILB on 3rd downs. I think a 50-50 chance he has a big jump this season now that his confidence is improved.
DL - Luiget is good but he is doubled all the fucking time so it makes it really hard for him. Reyes could up his game in a contract year, he has been a disappointment up til now, ut with money on the line I think he steps up this year (if he ever will it will be now). Still need some help in the middle, not sold on Lissmore/Palepoi.
CB - Flowers and Verrett will be a top 2 tandem in all of the NFL if both are healthy all year, right after Revis and Cromartie. Verrett is the next top CB like a Revis or Sherman, he will be that good in a another year or two. Flowers is a top 5 talent as well, especially if he can stay on his favorite side of the field. Steve Williams adds nice speed to the mix and is another year stronger. I like Chris Davis and Patrick Robinson as backups and Wilson can be our new slot coverage guy. Even Mager as a spot DB is a nice hitter, bigger CB is we start getting pushed around. Other teams are going to be watching our DB cut list to see who gets cut.
Saftey - I like Addae as a poor mans Rodney, especially paired with Weddle (who is all pro). Wilson, Weddle is not bad either but I like the physical aspect of Addae's game. I think Addae dominates this year and I think Weddle has his best year EVER. With those CB's and Addae adding run support, I think Weddle is freed up to have his best year.
Special Teams - Love Stuckey, Mager, Perryman, Inman, Weddle on ST's. And Jacoby Jones on kick returns will be a huge gain for us this year. Top 3 in both kick and punt return yardage and like 3 TD's. Our cover guys were decent and Mager/Perryman replaces Tutu's loss. Punting will be solid, so will FG's, only weakness is a lack of Touchbacks.
Coaching - I really like the group we have, sans Pagano (who was better as an assistant), Nolan was a nice add and the OL and ST guys are strong too. And McCoy gets his team up for the big games (think Seattle last year) and can do the halftime adjustments (think 49ers game last year) and if we stay healthy, the team will over achieve under McCoy rather than under achieve ike with Norv.
Schedule - I like where our bye week is, and we could go 4-0 out of the gate if we beat Detroit week 1 which would give us lots of Mojo when we face the tougher teams; we could easily be 7-2 going into the bye week. And after that only the Chiefs, Broncos and Dolpins are playoff contenders after that. We could be looking at 12-4 or 11-5 and maybe even the Division title depending on the Broncos dropoff. And once we are in the playoff and if we still have a running game, unlike most any other year when we had a decent team, I really like our chances. If Rivers has Gordon at full speed in the playoffs and Woodhead on 3rd down, we are going DEEP in the playoffs, espcially with the Pats likely to struggle out of the gate this year.
Overall - the team looks way better to me this year at RB, OL and LB'ers and DB's than any other year since LT left; and we have a dangerous return game. We get on a roll and we are gone ... we make the Superbowl.
Got to go, they are knocking on the door and asking me to take my meds ...
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