San Diego Chargers:                       

2013 RECORD: 9-7  

2012 RECORD:  7-9   

2011 RECORD: 8-8   

2010 RECORD: 9-7   

TEAM OVERVIEW: One could make a case that SD could have been as high as 11-5 or as low as 6-10 in ’13.  Games were coming down to the wire, and the wins were often close, while some of the early losses were a bit unlucky.  Offensively, QB Rivers rebounded with a stellar season and RB Matthews stayed healthy.  The OL performed in a shockingly positive fashion considering the level of talent.  Defensively, the front seven had some key injuries while the secondary was weak.  To their credit the point D and run D improved over the 2nd half of the year but the pass D did not and finished near 66%.  The first year staff (coaching and GM) represented an upgrade over the Norv Turner and A.J. Smith regime.  Can they build on the success of 2013? 

KEY STATS: SD and its new staff ran the ball much better at 4.0-123.  The new scheme also had an impact on sacks, with SD being sacked just 30 times as compared to 49 in ’12.  QB Rivers had an NFL 2nd worst (47) QB turnovers the previous two years and cut that figure way down in ’13.  Their 3rd down conversion rate was exceptional at over 48.5%.  They also had a +6:04 time of possession figure.  The run D lagged behind at 4.6-110 but in games 14-16 vs. all their AFC West rivals the run D was strong at 63-230.  The pass D went the wrong way at 66.4% for the season but was “better” in games 12-16 at 102-168, with five of their 11 interceptions during this time.  SD had just 35 defensive sacks.  No news is good news on special teams as SD had lately fielded the NFL’s worst special team unit.  They were a bit lucky only 23-30 field goals were converted vs. them.  Spread-wise, SD remains 24-14 as a dog off consecutive losses and was 1-1 as a favorite of 10 or more points (3-11).  The fiery Rivers improved to 20-10 with same season revenge which included a revenge win at Denver.

2013 DRAFT REVIEW: I confess!  I sent a twitter note to SD personnel believing one of the top five OL would fall to them at pick 11.  That didn’t happen but SD, realizing how great a need OL was, stayed the course and upgraded by drafting OT Fluker.  The new draft team should be very proud of their efforts, getting Te’o at his proper spot and finding a gem in draft dropping WR Allen, who slipped due to slow 40 times.  Two undrafted signees could help down the road.  DT Geathers was 14th rated (by me).  He had a modest 4 rookie tackles.  Central Michigan CB Addae came in and contributed 38 tackles.  RB Woodhead was the best of the free agency pick-ups, running 429-4.0-2 and catching 76 passes for another 6 TD’s.

1-11, OT  Fluker: Naturally strong phone booth run blocker started 15 games as a rookie 

2-38, LB  Te’o: Play-maker as long as DL keeps him clean, he came on late to record 61 tackles

3-76, WR Allen: Polished and productive, he became SD’s #1 going 71-14.7-8 not including the playoffs!

5-145, CB S Williams: 5’9”.  Quick and flexible, but needed another year in college (Cal).  IR as a rookie.

6-179, LB T Williams: DE turned OLB was a productive pass rusher.  6 starts, 10 tackles as a rookie.

7-221, QB Sorenson: Mechanically sound, but is a statue in the pocket.  Still with SD, at least for now.                     

 

2012 DRAFT REVISITED: San Diego had an uneventful ’12 draft and that was good news!  Ex-GM Smith went about his business and drafted some very decently rated players.  Still they did not properly address issues along their offensive line which was an absolute critical need.  Failing to draft a WR or a LB represented additional mistakes.  As a result the ’13 draft was forced to focus on these three areas.  DE Ingram missed most of the year but is a starter.  DT Reyes was serviceable going 34-5.  Safety Taylor blew out his knee in week #13 of his rookie season and has yet to return.  TE Green may be ready to take over full time for Gates in ’14.  He went 17-22.1 with 3 TD’s.  OL Troutman was on IR in ’12 but started 9 of 16 games at LG in ’13.  OC Molk and RB Baker both barely played in ’12.  Molk is now in Philly while Baker is in Cleveland.  

TOP STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS PRIOR TO THE DRAFT: While no area is truly elite, QB Rivers is clearly the strength of the team when given time to throw.  This is a makeshift OL and that remains a worry, as does their high pass D%.

FREE AGENCY ANALYSIS AND STAFF NOTES: Things have been fairly quiet, with few splash moves.  QB Clemons has to be better than the departed Whitehurst.  Donald Brown is a solid rotational RB, clearly necessary in case Matthews gets hurt.  David Johnson is the new #3 TE.  SD loses DT Cam Thomas.  Minor changes were made at DB.  Frank Reich replaces Ken Whisenhunt as Offensive Coordinator. 

2014 DRAFT NEEDS: 2 CB’s, 2 OL, True #2 WR, DT, young safety, young QB, LB depth.   The CB’s are Richard Marshall and Shareece Wright.  There is depth, but this unit needs immediate attention!  The OL vastly overachieved in ’13 (or maybe Norv Turner was the problem) and could still use a highly rated draftee and another player to develop.  Vincent Brown is reliable but a better and faster WR is needed on this roster to assist young WR Allen.  SD is solid at DE but needs to support young DT Geathers in the middle.  The starting safeties are fine but another body could be added.  It’s time to draft a potential down the road starter at QB.  SD has an emerging LB group but the back-ups have not been reliable when pressed into action.