Official 2026 Chargers News | Acquisitions | Transactions | Injuries

[Boltjolt]

So AI is calling Hortiz a liar? Fuck AI!

AI likely does!t know the extent of the injury. My AI said 6 months for a broken ankle and I didn't mention ligament damage but that will heal sooner than a break.

He had a high ankle sprain before that didn't he? Probably also had that tightrope procedure as well.

He has till August at least.

[sonorajim]

well for that its worth, Lomu has been consistently ranked a better draft prospect than Bisontis

It's worth mentioning that McD's wide zone blocking calls for OGs who can move. Both are good but I think Lomu gets the nod for OT versatility.

[CanadianBoltFan]

It's worth mentioning that McD's wide zone blocking calls for OGs who can move. Both are good but I think Lomu gets the nod for OT versatility.

I won't be upset with either player. But if an athletic tackle like Fano or Lomu can play guard effectively while providing peace of mind and insurance behind Alt and Slater I am all for it

[Riverwalk]

The thinking is that a player like Lomu plays guard effectively, but can slide out to tackle if Alt or Slater get injured

Then you throw Penning in at LG. I think we saw last year finding playable tackles is very difficult. Tackle is the more demanding position where you need top talent. Lots of effective guards drafted in mid rounds...most of the good tackles are higher picks

We know Penning is a lousy guard and Lomu could suck as a Tackle.

Getting a decent backup tackle would be my stategery versus getting a rookie LG and trying to train him to be both LG and Tackle at the same time in his very first season. That’s crazy.

Ridiculous if you ask me.

[sonorajim]

If you are replacing an injured Tackle with the LG, then you have 2 substitutions versus just replacing the Tackle.

2 substitutions opens a whole different can of worms.

I can’t believe we have GM’s suggesting we draft a LG who can be our Tackle, instead of just getting decent backup tackles and losing the ones that aren’t good enough to substitute in the first place.

Numbers. We'll enter the season with 8-9 OL on the 53. I'd like to have 5 starters and 3-4 who are benched only by the quality starting.
Some GMs and HCs say they would prefer all OTs. They can find a C and 2 OGs from them.

[CanadianBoltFan]

We know Penning is a lousy guard and Lomu could suck as a Tackle.

Getting a decent backup tackle would be my stategery versus getting a rookie LG and trying to train him to be both LG and Tackle at the same time in his very first season. That’s crazy.

Ridiculous if you ask me.

You would train Lomu to play LG. If emergency and Slater goes down again you throw him to LT where he has played extensively and knows the position

I am not sure if it ridiculous or not...but Hortiz hinted his thinking and it sounds like he is very open to draft a tackle early. Why do you think Lomu would suck at tackle? He is a projected first round pick who has played LT his college career

[Bolt4Knob]

well for that its worth, Lomu has been consistently ranked a better draft prospect than Bisontis

Okay that -- thats fine. If he can play both, I am good with it
Thanks for clarifying

[sonorajim]

We know Penning is a lousy guard and Lomu could suck as a Tackle.

Getting a decent backup tackle would be my stategery versus getting a rookie LG and trying to train him to be both LG and Tackle at the same time in his very first season. That’s crazy.

Ridiculous if you ask me.

You missed the point. Draft a good OT and play him at LG since we already have top 10 OTs. We'll have a quality OT available if a top OT gets injured.

[Bolt4Knob]

You missed the point. Draft a good OT and play him at LG since we already have top 10 OTs. We'll have a quality OT available if a top OT gets injured.

Just as long as that OT is not like Becton or King Dunlap or Gaither or a dude who can't move. That player does need to have the traits to play OG. Which is why everybody would want Fano. Proctor might fit the Detroit system at OG if they want to slide him inside but not the Chargers.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Just as long as that OT is not like Becton or King Dunlap or Gaither or a dude who can't move. That player does need to have the traits to play OG. Which is why everybody would want Fano. Proctor might fit the Detroit system at OG if they want to slide him inside but not the Chargers.

Lomu for instance is very athletic, a finesse type tackle rather than a mauler...he would fit into zone perfectly

He needs to bulk up a bit and get a bit stronger...but he has great movement skills and gets to the 2nd level. As I say very athletic...and intelligent...and guess what...he is good at picking up stunts and twists

Shit i think I am talking myself into Lomu at 22

[Bolt4Knob]

Lomu for instance is very athletic, a finesse type tackle rather than a mauler...he would fit into zone perfectly

He needs to bulk up a bit and get a bit stronger...but he has great movement skills and gets to the 2nd level. As I say very athletic...and intelligent...and guess what...he is good at picking up stunts and twists

Shit i think I am talking myself into Lomu at 22

I am still of the trade down train to be truthful. If building through the draft - have to have draft picks. Hortiz has 5. I think he needs 7 -- so two more picks by the end of R5

Ioane, Fano or trade down

[sonorajim]

Just as long as that OT is not like Becton or King Dunlap or Gaither or a dude who can't move. That player does need to have the traits to play OG. Which is why everybody would want Fano. Proctor might fit the Detroit system at OG if they want to slide him inside but not the Chargers.

OT Lomu is good in space also. OG Bisontis proves guards can fly and had some experience at RT.