Welcome Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College (R1, #17)

[WindsorUK]

I’m in the middle of the Atlantic, approaching Funchal tomorrow. So no gelato yet.

I’m 8 hours ahead of San Diego so I went to bed at 3:30 this morning after the Bolts finally picked. It was a long draft day for me.

That's better than I did.....I went to bed before the draft even started!
Safe passage.

[Eurobolt]

What kind of name is Zion

Old name I would say Jewish one defo can be found in Bible.

[Velo]

the sid gillman era featured some awesome lines as did the air coryell era with dan fouts. I wasn’t around for the early charger teams with ron mix and those guys but I remember that late 1970s charger team with the charger power line, shields, wilkerson, macek, white, and washington is the best I’ve seen in my lifetime as a charger fan, that includes the boss ross era that featured swayne, hall, and brock with different guards coming and going, the rivers era line isn’t even in the top five mcneil was okay, even dielman and hardwick are not enough to boost those lines goff had a good year or two tho

Yeah, I know the OL in the Fouts era was pretty good with those players you listed. That I was when I became a Chargers fan, and I paid all my attention to Fouts, Air Coryell, Jefferson, Winslow and Joiner. I was young, and really didn't think the OL was that important, they were just big bodies you could find anywhere. The 49ers, during their glory years, assembled offensive lines from players they got off the scrap heap. That was their philosophy - Bob McKittrick was their OL coach - they didn't spend a lot of money on the OL, nor spend premium draft capital on OL players. They found decent, competent players and built cohesive units during the '80s that did their job well. It wasn't until the LT era when LT was setting NFL records that I learned to appreciate the OL. It was McNeill, Dielman, and Hardwick who opened my eyes to how important a good OL can be.

[Velo]

Old name I would say Jewish one defo can be found in Bible.

Zion is a place name for the Holy Land - Mt Zion in Israel. A Zionist was a Jewish person who advocated a Jewish state in Israel prior to the First and Second world wars.

[Silversurfer]

Am I the only one who noticed how big his biceps are? (no homo)

[Craig440]

the sid gillman era featured some awesome lines as did the air coryell era with dan fouts. I wasn’t around for the early charger teams with ron mix and those guys but I remember that late 1970s charger team with the charger power line, shields, wilkerson, macek, white, and washington is the best I’ve seen in my lifetime as a charger fan, that includes the boss ross era that featured swayne, hall, and brock with different guards coming and going, the rivers era line isn’t even in the top five mcneil was okay, even dielman and hardwick are not enough to boost those lines goff had a good year or two tho

I agree on Sids and Coryells OL's. I wish our line would get a little nastier. It pissed me off when that Steeler guy punched Herbie in the stomach and our guys did nothing. Can you imagine if he did that to Fouts? The linemen would kill him.

[beachcomber]

Something in the back of my mind remembered Sweeney being moved to guard, and not drafted as one, even though that may have been Sid Gillman's intention all along. So I did a little research, and the 1996 Chargers Media Guide I have listed his position as "End" from the 1963 Draft. I also went back and looked at his stats from Syracuse. They listed him as a WR of all things, and he even had a few receptions. Here's the link: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb...sweeney-1.html
I remember him being a great guard, but what I remember most was he was a special teams beast in his rookie year and almost always made the tackle on kickoffs. He had a cult following among fans and Balboa Stadium would erupt when he would make the tackle.

great story.... thx for sharing,

was just going off of Pro Football Reference, which shows him as drafted in '63 as an OG ??

1

Walt Sweeney

2

G

1975

2

9

12

80

181

0

8

0

0.5

Syracuse

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers All-Time Draft History | Pro-Football-Reference.com

[ghost]

Grade A
Los Angeles Chargers

Draft pick

• Boston College OL Zion Johnson (No. 17 overall)

Analysis: Leading up to the draft, I thought Johnson would be a good fit for the Chargers because he fills a big hole at right guard. I’ve graded him as a first-round pick for quite a while because he’s smart, hard-working, experienced and does not give ground to any defensive lineman. He’s a 10-year starter with Pro Bowl potential. The Bolts may still look to add a right tackle, but the team can find value at that spot later in the draft.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2022-nfl-draft-day-1-quick-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams

1st Round litmus test is: 'do I see myself guaranteeing this players' 5th year salary?' With Zion, the answer is Yes.

[ghost]

I agree on Sids and Coryells OL's. I wish our line would get a little nastier. It pissed me off when that Steeler guy punched Herbie in the stomach and our guys did nothing. Can you imagine if he did that to Fouts? The linemen would kill him.

I think they were too ******* stunned to do anything. And a singular incident like that won't happen ever again, concerning Justin Herbert.

[Craig440]

great story.... thx for sharing,

was just going off of Pro Football Reference, which shows him as drafted in '63 as an OG ??

1

Walt Sweeney

2

G

1975

2

9

12

80

181

0

8

0

0.5

Syracuse

San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers All-Time Draft History | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Walt Sweeney was one of the players my mom sold a house to. His wife was a firecracker and ruled the roost. haha. They lived by Granite Hills in east El Cajon. He was quite a physical presence. I remember after games he always had a bloody crack on the bridge of his nose. It was there every time. I also remember I worked as a box boy at Alpha Beta on Second street. He would come in and shop. There was one check out lady who would almost faint when he was there, she was infatuated. Last I saw him he had a book signing at JP's bar and grill in Tierrasanta shortly before he passed away. He had a bad drug and alcohol problem that he accused the league of causing. He was a good guy. RIP Walt. Theres another old story for ya Chargeroo.

[PR#1]

Great pick. I'm thrilled the Chargers are dedicated to getting BEEF and protecting Herby.

[Boltdiehard]

With Herbert and several of our Oline picks we have some serious brain power happening. Computer Science and cyber security degrees aren’t exactly easy majors.