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

[blueman]

Wow....all those college career accolades, accomplishments, production, growth...and he goes and throws it all away by losing a rep in senior bowl practice...

Post of the week.

[Ghost of Quacksaw]

The 1988 draft had some similarities to the 2022 draft. Both were receiver heavy.

The 1988 Chargers were awful-- it was the Al Saunders Era, need I say more?-- and the team needed the best foundational players it could get.

The Chargers had the 15th pick. Tim Brown, Sterling Sharpe, and Michael Irvin had already been selected by the time the Chargers were on the clock in Round 1.

The Bolts selected Anthony Miller.

I was writing for Chargers Football Weekly at the time, and had the opportunity to interview Coach Saunders. I asked him the reasoning behind taking Anthony Miller instead of, say, OG Randall McDaniel, who went to the Vikings four picks later at #19 overall (and who is in the Hall of Fame today.)

Saunders' response: "Fans like to see exciting players".

In other words, selling tickets was more important than building a good team. And... AS IF having a GOOD TEAM wouldn't tell tickets in itself!

In 2022, there were plenty of receivers the Bolts could have targeted at #17. But fortunately, the current administration is more interested in acquiring foundational pieces than flashy ones. No doubt in my mind that Zion Johnson is an outstanding addition to the Bolts.

[Maniaque 6]

It's a pure lottery.
In 1986'draft, the Chargers decide to pass on J. Rice.
They were wrong. I think, as a GM, I would have given him to coach Coryell.
In 2017, they picked M. Williams. I was not for that.
I think they were right.
In 2022, they will be wrong only if T. Burks become a star.
This year's decision on drafting a WR or not was an easiest one.

[RTPbolt]

It's a pure lottery.
In 1986'draft, the Chargers decide to pass on J. Rice.
They were wrong. I think, as a GM, I would have given him to coach Coryell.
In 2017, they picked M. Williams. I was not for that.
I think they were right.
In 2022, they will be wrong only if T. Burks become a star.
This year's decision on drafting a WR or not was an easiest one.

IMO there is no 1 draft pick that could have helped this team. Sure Burks may be a good prospect but I think taking arguably the top guard in the draft to fill a far bigger need (a hole really) is going to be more important to the success of this offense because it affects both the passing AND the run game and we get the top player at a position compared to a 5th or so best player at a position. There are a lot more WR options in FA or the draft in general than there are guards. Longevity of a guard i imagine is years longer than a WR too.

This year I give 5 stars to putting the line in place over 3 stars adding a shiny fast WR where our stable is arguably a strength and top 10 or 5 WR crew. Maybe next year a wr may be a better timing with Allen getting near his EOL.

[RobH]

IMO there is no 1 draft pick that could have helped this team. Sure Burks may be a good prospect but I think taking arguably the top guard in the draft to fill a far bigger need (a hole really) is going to be more important to the success of this offense because it affects both the passing AND the run game and we get the top player at a position compared to a 5th or so best player at a position. There are a lot more WR options in FA or the draft in general than there are guards. Longevity of a guard i imagine is years longer than a WR too.

This year I give 5 stars to putting the line in place over 3 stars adding a shiny fast WR where our stable is arguably a strength and top 10 or 5 WR crew. Maybe next year a wr may be a better timing with Allen getting near his EOL.

Extremely well said.

[dmac_bolt]

It’s the way he lost it. Picked up and thrown on his ass like a 90 lb girl by the 20th rated DL. Good luck versus NFL caliber talent.

Have you ever put up 32 reps barefoot? Yeah … barefoot!

didn’t think so.

[Boltjolt]

I’ve seen Ekeler trip on his own feet.

We have seen LT lose his footing many times. He made up for those many times.

[Boltjolt]

I was happy with Zion pick UNTIL I watched the tape on the third round tackle that blew Zion up. Anybody else see that during the draft? I was thinking Chargers should have drafted the defensive lineman and not Zion.

We drafted a first round guard who got rag dolled by a third round defensive lineman. Way to go TT.

All these first round defenders must hate themselves by getting torced by 6th round Tom Brady.

Settle down, you will see a lot more good from Zion than bad.

[Xenos]

We have seen LT lose his footing many times. He made up for those many times.

The turf monster is real!!!

[21&500]

Have you ever put up 32 reps barefoot? Yeah … barefoot!

didn’t think so.

Paint shoes on Zion's feet on gamedays
#shoegate

[RobH]

Paint shoes on Zion's feet on gamedays
#shoegate

I don’t know if there’s enough paint in LA to cover those size 18s.

[sonorajim]

Extremely well said.

IMO there is no 1 draft pick that could have helped this team.

?? I'm guessing that he meant no #1 WR, and that's debateable. There were some very good OT, Edge, DB that went early that could have helped.