2023 Official Roster Build Thread - The Initial 53 / Practice Squad

[Maniaque 6]

Me too. Maybe it feels worse than normal because after the FA season we had last year I really thought we had a legitimate chance to go deep into the playoffs. To have it end like that - with a classic Charger failure - just hurts (more than usual).

I think the Chargers were very lucky to have a PO game last year.
With all the injuries and a very bad OC, that team was probably 7th, 8th or 9th best in AFC.

[Fouts2herbert]

Sorry to see Fehoko go. He was a character guy and solid player. Like Drue. We’re losing guys that glue the team. If they don’t bring back KVN it will be a lost lockerroom.

A lot of guys called KVN the grumpy old man last year, LOL

[gzubeck]

A lot of guys called KVN the grumpy old man last year, LOL

Better grumpy old man than bitchy Bosa....

[wu-dai clan]

So do we want Staley to play your defense ?

Or his defense ?

[dmac_bolt]

So do we want Staley to play your defense ?

Or his defense ?

Who are you talking to?

I don’t want him to play my defense, I’m pretty sure this is not about me but you know how I like to get involved and contribute …

[jamrock]

So do we want Staley to play your defense ?

Or his defense ?

His defense is bottom of the barrel the last 2 years so If go with mine

[Bolt4Knob]

His defense is bottom of the barrel the last 2 years so If go with mine

Right so far - Staley has not impressed as a DC

Also the same reason I could really care less that guys like Gaziano, Dru, Fehoko, Reeder aren't back. And KVN and Callahan aren't signed yet

The defense just wasn't good enough

I get there were injuries - but the defense needed turnover - it was pretty bad last year.

[blueman]

I’d settle for any defense at this point.

[Lone Bolt]

Who are you talking to?

I don’t want him to play my defense, I’m pretty sure this is not about me but you know how I like to get involved and contribute …

Lol...I thought the same thing...where is the quote? Maybe ol' Wu got into the gummies, thought he was having an internal dialogue, while sitting in front of the keyboard...fingers had a mind of their own...

If it was a random thought directed at TPB...then I say I want Staley to run the defense he was brought here for...a defense tailored to the roster's strengths....to what the players can do...

...but in his defense, (pun absolutely intended) its tough to install a defense like that, then watch half the dline, and what was supposed to be your star corner go down before you can get any consistency/continuity/success.

Again, though...when he first got here, he talked about playing to player strengths...about building an offense and defense around the players you have, and what they can do well. So...dumb it down for Murray...and let Jackson man up on the opponents biggest threat...play hybrid man/zone if need be.

[ChargersPowderBlue]

Right so far - Staley has not impressed as a DC

Also the same reason I could really care less that guys like Gaziano, Dru, Fehoko, Reeder aren't back. And KVN and Callahan aren't signed yet

The defense just wasn't good enough

I get there were injuries - but the defense needed turnover - it was pretty bad last year.

Gaziano and Fehoko were okay. The team needed better DTs. The team still has OO (Otito Ogbonnia), who is going to take time to develop.

Dru Tranquil was so-so. Eric Kendricks is all around better than him. Reeder was a back-up at best. He wasn't needed much.

I wish the team drafts a linebacker, or get one in FA, or something. Make Kenneth Murray work for his starting spot.

[Lefty2SLO]

A lot of guys called KVN the grumpy old man last year, LOL

He was probably grumpy because he knew he had to play alongside some of our knuckleheads, and for a knucklehead. After his time in NE I'm sure he knows how things should be done to be successful, and recognized that we weren't doing them . . . . . .

[Lefty2SLO]

Right so far - Staley has not impressed as a DC

Also the same reason I could really care less that guys like Gaziano, Dru, Fehoko, Reeder aren't back. And KVN and Callahan aren't signed yet

The defense just wasn't good enough

I get there were injuries - but the defense needed turnover - it was pretty bad last year.

Agree with this wholeheartedly, but with our limited cap space we're reduced to plugging holes in the roster with dumpster bin FA's and rookies. I think Kendricks is an improvement over Dru (TBD), but really our hopes of better performance out of the defense rests on the return to health of last years injured guys, improvements on the part some of the young guys (Murray, Woods), and improvements in coaching / scheme.

This is a pretty big ask overall . . . . . I still think it's up to the offense to outscore everyone. I'll be surprised if our defense manages to be average next year (unless they add veteran talent).