| Andrew Perna & The RGM San Diego Chargers Board. 22nd April, 2008 - 5:39 pm
 Here at RealGM our hearts beat thanks to the thousands upon thousands of posters that frequent our forums on a daily basis. With the NFL season still months from kicking off, but the ever-important NFL Draft less than a week away, what better time than now to check in with the people who care about football even more than some of the players on the field?
2007 Record: 11-5
Additions: Derek Smith, LB
Subtractions: Michael Turner, RB (ATL), Drayton Florence, CB (JAX)
Draft Picks: 27th
The Answers
1. What was the best thing(s) that happened in 2007?
CJ_18: Getting hot at the right time by winning our last six regular season games, beating the defending champion Colts at their house, Phillip Rivers finally showing why he deserved to be the fourth overall pick and showing we can do damage without LaDainian Tomlinson.
BlackMamba: The divisional playoff game against the Colts because of everything that happened and still the Chargers still won!
2. What was the worst thing that happened in 2007?
CJ_18: The bad start, 1-3, that might have cost us a first-round bye.
BlackMamba: The start. It really made everyone question the coaching staff and lose confidence in the team. Also, Tomlinson and Antonio Gates getting hurt during the playoff run.
3. Who had a breakout season?
CJ_18: From what I remember, nobody really jumped out at me. However, Vincent Jackson and Antonio Cromartie come to mind first. By the end of the year Jackson became one of Rivers' main targets, and Cromartie showed flashes of a future that many (including me) believe will be AMAZING.
BlackMamba: I agree on Cromartie.
4. Who was the biggest disappointment?
CJ_18: No one really jumps out at me.
BlackMamba: At the beginning, it was Michael Turner and for some games Rivers, but they managed to get it together for the end of the season.
5. How could the team have been more successful?
CJ_18: If they had gone 3-1 at the beginning of the season instead of the opposite, which could've helped our seeding. Also, maybe keeping Marty Schottenheimer instead of firing a guy who went 14-2 in 2006.
BlackMamba: I agree that a better start would have given some players more confidence.
6. What do you make of the team’s offseason progress at this point?
CJ_18: I think it has been pretty poor so far. We lost many starters/good players (Drayton Florence, Michael Turner, Shane Olivea, and Lorenzo Neal), and we have only signed one unrestricted free agent and he doesn’t even fit any of the holes that we lost (linebacker).
BlackMamba: Not much. I still don't get why San Diego didn't re-sign Neal. Also, the several surgeries aren’t the greatest thing.
7. Where are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
CJ_18: Right tackle (Gosder Cherilus), safety (Kenny Phillips), defensive tackle (Kentwan Balmer), and just maybe try to fill holes of what we lost in free agency, then sign whoever you need after the draft.
BlackMamba: It's on defense, primarily in the secondary. Also, getting more depth on both sides of the line would be helpful as well.
8. Who do you hope the team drafts with their first pick?
CJ_18: Either Phillips or Cherilus. As a fan you want to see a safety, because they are exciting to watch, while a tackle just blocks. However, either of those guys would make me very happy.
BlackMamba: Phillips.
9. Which player will be on the hot seat in 2008?
CJ_18: Rivers, if he doesn't keep making strides and improving.
BlackMamba: Rivers. He had questionable games last year, but he had very good performances to end the season. He needs to prove from Week One that he can be the leader of the team and not depend on what L.T. can and cannot do.
10. What are the realistic expectations for 2008 at this point?
CJ_18: Win it all.
BlackMamba: I think that last season may have been a "transition" year because there was a change in the coaching staff. This season there is no excuse to at least make it to the Super Bowl. The talent is there. They will be more experienced, and I strongly believe that last season was determinant for some players to make it through the big door.
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