Lissemore starting at NT

[Panama]

isn't that the same role envisioned for Geathers? probably only keep 1 of those types going forward.

Have to think that Geathers has not impressed to this point. There were opportunities for him to earn some reps and he hasn't even been active. Maybe they are stashing, but i have a bad feeling (hope i am wrong).

I agree with both of you. This was supposedly the role for Geathers, yet he has not impressed. If we keep the cheaper option, that would be Geathers. If we keep the better option, we keep Thomas.

Of course, if we sign a stud NT, which most of us feel we should, both might be gone, and perhaps we go with Lissemore backing up the starter and another young guy completing the rotation.

[BoltBalls]

Geathers was an undrafted rookie not a 1st round pick, and he needs at least another off-season to show what he is capable of. He showed flashes in the preseason, don't forget that it took Jamal Williams a few years to come into his own at NT.

[Panama]

Geathers was an undrafted rookie not a 1st round pick, and he needs at least another off-season to show what he is capable of. He showed flashes in the preseason, don't forget that it took Jamal Williams a few years to come into his own at NT.

Did someone say Geathers was a first round pick?

He did show flashes in the preseason. And he's been regressing in the regular season. That's a bit troubling. He's definitely worth bringing back to camp, but if we draft a NT, keep Lissemore, and possibly bring back Thomas or other young bodies, the deck is stacked against Geathers.

[oneinchpunch]

http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2013/12/11/5199384/san-diego-chargers-bench-nt-cam-thomas-for-sean-lissemore

San Diego Chargers Bench NT Cam Thomas for Sean Lissemore

The Chargers nose tackle has lost his starting role to Sean Lissemore. Could this be the last season in San Diego for Cam Thomas?

Cam Thomas has been moved down the depth chart at Nose Tackle for the San Diego Chargers. This comes as little surprise to viewers of the team, as he has been the centerpiece of a defensive line that has been very disappointing this season.

While the Chargers defensive secondary has been historically bad, it is also true that the run defense has been terrible and ranks dead last in DVOA as well. That is largely attributable to the poor play of the defensive line. Thomas has posted a mediocre Pro Football Focus score of -5.8, 56th out of 69 defensive tackles who have played at least 25% of their team's snaps.

Thomas has been taking about two-thirds of the snaps in a rotation with Sean Lissemore, who will be taking over the starting duties. Lissemore has been solid this season, especially in the run game, posting a PFF score of +5.7.

This move may work out being beneficial to both men, as Thomas has posted his best two games this season coming off the bench and playing about one-third of the team's snaps. He also succeeded in that role being Aubrayo Franklin last year.

This season is the last of the rookie contract Thomas signed in 2010, signalling that this could possibly be the last few games for Thomas as a San Diego Charger. Lissemore is still under the contract he originally signed with the Cowboys before being traded to the Chargers through 2016, earning a cheap $1 million in 2014.

[Panama]

http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2013...sean-lissemore


San Diego Chargers Bench NT Cam Thomas for Sean Lissemore

The Chargers nose tackle has lost his starting role to Sean Lissemore. Could this be the last season in San Diego for Cam Thomas?

Cam Thomas has been moved down the depth chart at Nose Tackle for the San Diego Chargers. This comes as little surprise to viewers of the team, as he has been the centerpiece of a defensive line that has been very disappointing this season.

While the Chargers defensive secondary has been historically bad, it is also true that the run defense has been terrible and ranks dead last in DVOA as well. That is largely attributable to the poor play of the defensive line. Thomas has posted a mediocre Pro Football Focus score of -5.8, 56th out of 69 defensive tackles who have played at least 25% of their team's snaps.

Thomas has been taking about two-thirds of the snaps in a rotation with Sean Lissemore, who will be taking over the starting duties. Lissemore has been solid this season, especially in the run game, posting a PFF score of +5.7.

This move may work out being beneficial to both men, as Thomas has posted his best two games this season coming off the bench and playing about one-third of the team's snaps. He also succeeded in that role behind Aubrayo Franklin last year.

This season is the last of the rookie contract Thomas signed in 2010, signalling that this could possibly be the last few games for Thomas as a San Diego Charger. Lissemore is still under the contract he originally signed with the Cowboys before being traded to the Chargers through 2016, earning a cheap $1 million in 2014.

And now let's emphasize the bit that backs up what I've been saying.

[Bolt-O]

From the OP:

"This is a rotation change, not a benching."

If playing Lissemore more than Thomas helps the team in reducing the yardage given up on 1st down to under 45% of the needed yardage, which should lower the DVOA, that will make the stat-o-matics happy. T'eo and Butler also need to step it up in that critical 1st down.

[BoltBalls]

Did someone say Geathers was a first round pick?

He did show flashes in the preseason. And he's been regressing in the regular season. That's a bit troubling. He's definitely worth bringing back to camp, but if we draft a NT, keep Lissemore, and possibly bring back Thomas or other young bodies, the deck is stacked against Geathers.

First round pick so to speak, it seems some of us on the forums have the expectations here that he should be a starter and highly producing at this point. Granted he hasn't cracked the active lineup so that is a bit of a concern but I believe it is mainly the veteran presence ahead of him still healthy more than anything else.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

The statistical trend has been well established so I wonder what took them so long to make this change. It seems that Cam does not have the stamina to play NT full time or even half time. One third of the snaps should be OK as long as he is stronger quicker and more meaningful in general to the defence.This change seems to have benefited Butler and Te'o as well both had better games the last two weeks.

[Beerman]

Did someone say Geathers was a first round pick?

He did show flashes in the preseason. And he's been regressing in the regular season. That's a bit troubling. He's definitely worth bringing back to camp, but if we draft a NT, keep Lissemore, and possibly bring back Thomas or other young bodies, the deck is stacked against Geathers.

How exactly is he regressing? He hasn't played. He's a UDFA that has multiple vets in front of him. Ideally I'd like to see him play, but it is what it is. Lissemore and Guy (surprisingly) have been solid backup types so far. It's the starters that hadn't played up to snuff most of the season.

[Beerman]

The statistical trend has been well established so I wonder what took them so long to make this change. It seems that Cam does not have the stamina to play NT full time or even half time. One third of the snaps should be OK as long as he is stronger quicker and more meaningful in general to the defence.This change seems to have benefited Butler and Te'o as well both had better games the last two weeks.

Don't think it has anything to do with stamina. He's getting blown up in the 1st qtr. He simply is not a NT. He's always looked better when he's rotated at DE and is allowed to rush the passer. In any case, we are seeing the last few games of Cam in a bolt.

[Panama]

How exactly is he regressing? He hasn't played. He's a UDFA that has multiple vets in front of him. Ideally I'd like to see him play, but it is what it is. Lissemore and Guy (surprisingly) have been solid backup types so far. It's the starters that hadn't played up to snuff most of the season.

I'll admit I haven't watched him closely, but it seems to me he has gotten less playing time as the season has progressed. Maybe it's not a regression and is, as you suggest, a result of more veteran players playing well.

[Coachmarkos]

Lissemore and Guy (to a lesser extent) have been nice additions.

Feel bad about Cam Thomas, because I always like the guys attitude..even the way he handled this (take it like a man, etc...) but he just hasn't gotten it done.