San Diego Chargers: Tomlinson Finds Strength To Succeed

In a season filled with doubts about his future with the Chargers, one thing became clear to LaDainian Tomlinson on Sunday; he was going to be a father.

His wife surprised him before the Chargers’ game against the Eagles with some fantastic news about a positive pregnancy test, and Tomlinson carried that emotion onto the field as he ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-23 victory over the Eagles.

While it was evident that he no longer has the burst that made him one of the greatest players in the history of the NFL, he did display some characteristics of his game that have been missing all season.

On Sunday, Tomlinson ran with heart, picking up yards after contact and playing through an ankle injury that might have sidelined him in weeks past.

Additionally, he seemed to have regained his field vision, and was finding open holes to run through all game. Since he no longer has the speed he once had, this was a huge key to his season-best effort.

And against a Philadelphia defense that ranks in the top ten in nearly every category, Tomlinson shouldered some of the offensive load for the first time all season, taking the pressure off of Philip Rivers.

Proving doubters wrong and getting the victory was an added bonus, but for the first time all season, it seems that LaDainian Tomlinson may have found the spark he needed to get back to top form.

In the end, nothing could top the news that his wife was pregnant with what will be their first child.

“It’s a special thing about having a child,” Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “I can’t explain it.”

Allow me to try: After a year filled with skepticism and doubts about his abilities and his future with the San Diego Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson has regained his love for the game.

All it took was the discovery of his newest fan.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Diego Chargers: Where Undrafted Players Shine

I was watching the Dolphins play the Patriots on Sunday and the final play of the game really caught my attention. Greg Camarillo, a former undrafted practice-squad player with the Chargers who is now a starter in Miami, made an amazing one-handed catch as time ran out on a 27-17 New England victory.

That play got me thinking about how many undrafted NFL standouts have gotten their first opportunity at glory with the Chargers. The results are quite amazing.

Along with Camarillo, who caught everything in sight during a dominant performance in the Chargers’ 2007 training camp but fell victim to the Chargers’ depth at wide receiver, New England’s slot-receiver extraordinaire Wes Welker also got his first opportunity out of college in San Diego.

Most people know the story at this point of Steelers linebacker James Harrison, an undrafted player who became the Defensive Player of the Year last season and registered the longest play in Super Bowl history in the Steelers’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

But right now, the Chargers are setting the bar quite high in getting contributions from undrafted talent.

This season, the Chargers feature five regular starters – TE Antonio Gates, G Kris Dielman, LB Stephen Cooper, DE Jacques Cesaire, and DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo – who entered the NFL as undrafted free agents.

Additionally, the Chargers found undrafted gems in key role players FB Mike Tolbert (who was a starter as a rookie), WR Malcolm Floyd (who just ascended to a starting role last week), OLB Jyles Tucker, OLB Antwan Applewhite and CB/S Steve Gregory along with special teams ace and team captain Kassim Osgood.

These 11 players have combined to represent the Chargers in nine Pro Bowls, which is astounding considering every single one was bypassed multiple times by every single team in the NFL.

While many people (myself definitely included ) have begun to question A.J. Smith’s talent evaluation ability when it comes to the NFL Draft, this could be his ace in the hole when answering his detractors. He has found studs in the refuse of the NFL’s undrafted free agent pool and has turned afterthoughts into starters, Pro Bowlers, and even a possible Hall of Famer.

Every football player wants to get his shot to play professional football; when it comes to the NFL, it seems to me that San Diego is the true land of opportunity.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Chargers Release WR Chris Chambers

The San Diego Chargers have waived veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

After arriving over three seasons ago at the trade deadline from the Miami Dolphins, Chambers’ production dipped in each season with the Chargers.

After amassing 35 catches for 555 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games in 2007, he had 33 catches for 462 yards and five TDs in 14 games in 2008.

This season, he only had nine receptions for 122 yards and one touchdown in what has been a largely invisible season.

According to coach Norv Turner, the Chargers released Chambers due to the emergence of Malcolm Floyd and the need to sign a replacement for injured linebacker Tim Dobbins.

Expect the Miami Dolphins to be major players in trying to sign Chambers if he clears waivers, as they need significant help at wide receiver and he is very familiar with the team, having played for them from 2001-2007. The St. Louis Rams could also be involved and would be the most likely team to pick him up off of waivers due to their record.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Diego Chargers: How Has A.J. Smith Drafted in the Last Five Years?

Chargers GM A.J. Smith has long been viewed as a shrewd talent evaluator when it comes to the NFL Draft, but how much of that stems from a single strong haul? After flipping an unhappy Eli Manning for Philip Rivers and several draft picks, Smith earned a reputation for being one of the best GMs in the game. But since then, he has done little to live up to that image.

In the past few seasons, Smith’s drafts have been dotted with reaches and lackluster production from Chargers draft picks, and his mystique may be slowly fading away. Exactly how well has he drafted in the last five years?

We’ll keep score in terms of whether each pick was a win or a loss for the Chargers.

Let’s explore.

Begin Slideshow

San Diego Chargers: MNF Could Be Job Interview For Merriman

When the San Diego Chargers take the field for Monday Night Football versus the Denver Broncos, it may amount to a job interview of sorts for OLB Shawne Merriman.

After notching the most sacks in the NFL over his first three seasons, turmoil has seemed to follow the fifth-year pro at every turn.

A positive test for a banned supplement in 2006 drew the ire from the rest of the league, and to this day he is viewed as a “juicer” by most NFL fans outside of San Diego.

While sitting out last season with an injured knee sustained in 2007 (after ignoring the Chargers’ medical advice, of course), many in the organization worried that his mind was focused more on his off-the-field exploits, including his own line of energy drinks.

Just a few weeks ago, he was embroiled in a controversy involving reality TV “star” Tila Tequila, who accused him of beating and choking her during a confrontation at his house. While it seems now that those accusations may have been false, it did little to repair the image of the polarizing pass-rusher.

Merriman promised improvement this week against the undefeated Broncos, and this game may do much to determine the course of his career in San Diego.

The trade deadline is this Tuesday, and the Chargers’ GM is undoubtedly willing to listen to any trade offers for Merriman. The issue, however, will be as to his value, as no one seems to know if he will ever get back to his previously fearsome form.

Even if he does not get traded, Merriman is in the last year of his contract, and the Chargers ostensibly drafted his replacement in April in rookie Larry English. If Merriman shows some signs of life against the Broncos on national television, he could prove himself worthy of a big new contract, possibly in San Diego or more likely elsewhere.

But if he does not exhibit much of his trademark explosion against the surprising Broncos, Merriman could be hampering his earning potential while also making it much more difficult for the Chargers to move him before his contract expires.

With English slowly becoming more and more comfortable in the Chargers’ defensive scheme, it would not be surprising for this to be Merriman’s last week in San Diego if another team steps up with an appropriate offer; but that offer will likely hinge on Merriman’s performance on Monday night.

Shawne Merriman would be wise to dress to impress at Qualcomm Stadium on Monday Night Football; he needs to make a good impression in this job interview for a better chance at future success.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

San Diego Chargers: Two Years Later, One Cheap Shot Still Hurts

Two seasons ago, the San Diego Chargers were flying high as they left Nashville with a 23-17 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans. However, they did not realize at the time that a single play would have such a lasting impact on the team’s outlook.

Early in the second quarter of that game, Titans quarterback Vince Young rolled out after handing the ball off to Chris Brown. Depending on whose fans you ask, what happened next was either a dirty play or an innocent mistake by Shawne Merriman.

On film, it looked like Merriman was blocked into Young, but that of course is open to interpretation (the Titans fans in attendance sure didn’t see it that way).

But regardless of how it happened, Young left the game for the rest of the series, igniting the vitriol of the Titans and their fanbase. Later in the second quarter, Titans linemen Kevin Mawae and David Stewart took out their frustrations on the Bolts’ star pass-rusher, combining to injure his knee on a downfield block.

The Titans claimed that there was no intention behind the hit, but several Chargers were of the belief that Titans coach Jeff Fisher had ordered the hit in retaliation for injuring Young. The NFL sided with the Chargers, fining Mawae and Stewart for late hits on the play.

Merriman was originally diagnosed with sprained knee ligaments, but as the season went on it was obvious that he was not himself on the field. He was later discovered to have two torn ligaments in his left knee, on which he decided to try to play without the recommended surgery.

I don’t need to remind you about how that worked out.

The Chargers defense was a shell of its old self with their emotional and physical leader sidelined for all but one game last season, and it is obvious that even today he is not close to full health.

Without the explosive Merriman wreaking havoc in opposing backfields, the Chargers’ defense no longer seems to inspire fear in opposing offenses. And thanks to his desire to try to play on without the surgery last year, he is still not fully recovered from the injury two seasons later.

The key to defensive coordinator Ron Rivera’s defensive scheme is an aggressive pass rush, but it remains toothless with Merriman still struggling to reach full strength.

It’s amazing how a single play can have such a profound effect on a team’s season; just look at Bernard Pollard’s hit on Tom Brady in week one last season. It’s even more amazing when that play impacts a team’s fortunes for two whole years.

If the Titans were trying to get payback with that play, they certainly accomplished their goal, and then some. That hit not only temporarily crippled Merriman, but it also may have crippled the Chargers’ chances at a Super Bowl when their roster was best built for such a run.

Retaliation is a common occurrence in professional sports, from fighting in hockey to throwing at the batter in baseball; but the intent should be to send a message, not to injure.

Sounds like Mawae and Stewart never got that memo.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Chargers Defenders on Hot Seat, Time for These Guys to Light a Fire

After a dreadful performance in a 38-28 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chargers GM A.J. Smith and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera have hinted at some major changes to come with the defensive lineup.

Be it through trades, demotions, or shuffling responsibilities, it seems like something big could be looming on the horizon. The trading deadline is Oct. 20, and all signs point toward some sort of major shake-up before then.

At this point, there are improvements that could be made at nearly every position, but here is an analysis of which Chargers defenders will need to step up most in order to keep their jobs:

 

Antonio Cromartie

All offseason, the news out of Chargers Park was that Cro was in for a bounce-back season after having a chance to heal both physically (a broken hip limited him all last season) and emotionally (at least five paternity suits in the past two years). But he still looks hesitant out on the field, giving opposing wide receivers enormous cushions off the line and committing an inordinate amount of penalties (including one that nullified his interception and touchdown last week).

He has a flair for the spectacular, but often finds himself out of position as he gambles to make game-changing interceptions. Right now, the Chargers defense needs consistency more than anything else, and he is not helping his own cause.

Coupled with the fact that 2008 No. 1 pick Antoine Cason has looked fantastic in his nickel corner role this season, Cromartie could soon lose his starting spot to his fellow first-round pick.

 

Shawne Merriman

Still recovering from a knee injury, it seems like someone has pulled the plug on “Lights Out.” He is still nowhere near his previously explosive self, and he is now struggling with a sore groin that is hampering his recovery even more.

The Chargers’ 3-4 scheme is predicated on pressuring the quarterback, and Merriman has barely sniffed an opposing backfield all season. He has mustered only eight tackles all season without a single play behind the line of scrimmage, and he is no longer the feared sackmaster he once was.

The fact that he is in the last year of his contract does not help his cause one bit, as the Chargers will likely balk at paying him the sort of money he believes he deserves. With several other players’ contracts up at the end of this season, Merriman is quickly becoming a lower and lower priority on Smith’s list.

2009 first-rounder Larry English has seemed to progress more with every game, which may soon make Merriman expendable. Do not be surprised to see Smith dangle him in trade talks over the next two weeks if he thinks he can get good value for the former Pro Bowler.

 

Jacques Cesaire

The seven-year veteran entered this season as the unquestioned starter at defensive end for the first time in his career, but has done little so far to put Chargers fans at ease. He has struggled with injuries and (along with the rest of the defensive line) has struggled to hold his ground and anchor against the run.

With Jamal Williams out for the season, it seems that they are no longer able to mask their deficiencies as well as they did when he was clogging up the middle of the line every week.

The Chargers like what they have seen so far with raw rookie Vaughn Martin, but he is nowhere near a finished product. Additionally, they traded for Travis Johnson to bolster their depth at all three positions, only to have him on the sideline for most of the time with injuries.

It is possible that the trade for Johnson might prevent Smith for making a play for another body at defensive tackle, but it is not out of the question for him to try to bring in some competition at defensive end to push Cesaire (and to a lesser extent, Luis Castillo).

 

Clinton Hart

Having previously been put on notice after his disappointing season last year and the drafting of Kevin Ellison out of USC, Hart managed to beat out Ellison and several younger veterans for the starting role to open the season. However, he has recently been seen as more of a caretaker for the position until Ellison (or perhaps Steve Gregory or Paul Oliver) is ready to take over as the starter later in the season.

He tends to be out of position quite a bit, and suffers major lapses in concentration and communication that lead to plays like Louis Murphy’s fourth quarter touchdown reception in the Chargers’ narrow victory against a woeful Raiders squad.

If no move is made here before the trading deadline, this is a position to watch in the NFL Draft, as there are several elite safeties who will be attractive to the Chargers (and just about every other team in the NFL, for that matter). It may take a significant trade, but do not be surprised if Smith tries to move heaven and earth for the right to move up and draft Tennessee’s Eric Barry or USC’s Taylor Mays.

 

When A.J. Smith makes a comment to the media, it is almost never in vain. He has left the door open for the Chargers to bring in some impact additions to the defensive lineup, and it will be a key storyline to watch for the next two weeks. But there are already some options on the Chargers’ roster who may get a shot at increased playing time, so it remains to be seen how exactly Smith will shake up the roster.

But this much is obvious; the Chargers defense needs a serious shot in the arm, and this may be just the way to do so.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Chargers’ Pass Rush Woes: Is Ron Rivera Out of His Element?

San Diego Chargers defenders had better be in outstanding shape, because they are going to spend a lot of time on the field this season.

With a defense that cannot defend the run or the pass right now, Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ quick-strike offense is barely even getting a chance to get onto the field.

But the problems stem from an ineffective pass rush, which puts the offense in impossible situations week-in and week-out.

Shawne Merriman is still not healthy, which makes it very difficult for him to do what he does best. He is almost entirely reliant on his bull-rush, but at less than full strength, he does not have the necessary lower-body power strength to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. Even in one-on-one situations, he does not seem to exhibit the explosive power that made him such a dominant player in his first three seasons in the league.

Ben Roethlisberger is notoriously difficult to sack due to his size and mobility, but with an under-performing Steelers offensive line, the Chargers should have been able to put more pressure on him throughout the game.

Granted, the three sacks tied a season-high for the Chargers, but with their talent, opposing quarterbacks should not have so much time in the pocket to find the open receiver on nearly every play.

While some of the problems can be attributed to the catastrophic loss of Jamal Williams in the middle of the defensive line, it seems that the biggest issue that has not been addressed is in defensive coordinator Ron Rivera’s schemes.

A wildly successful coordinator with the Chicago Bears, he was seen as a hot head-coaching candidate before the Chargers settled on Norv Turner. They still brought in Rivera as an assistant coach (before they promoted him to defensive coordinator last season), but it cannot be overstated how his experience is in running the 4-3, not the 3-4.

He is a fish-out-of-water when it comes to the 3-4, which makes this an inappropriate pairing because the Chargers’ roster is built to run that scheme.

And many times, the defensive scheme can be more important than the defensive talent putting it into action. Look no further than the Denver Broncos, who have far inferior personnel to the Chargers on defense, but are coached by Mike Nolan, who has led their 3-4 defense to historically dominant performances in the first four weeks of the season.

The Chargers have more than enough talent on offense to stay close in almost any game, and their special teams have done an outstanding job at winning the field position battle week-in and week-out.

But without consistent pressure on the quarterback, none of those other factors seem to matter, as the Chargers seem to be digging themselves into deeper and deeper holes every week.

The fact that they even made this game close after falling behind 28-0 is a testament to their offensive firepower, but right now they are far too one-dimensional.

A bye week followed by a three-game slate against the rest of the AFC West could cure most of this team’s problems, but at the same time, this defense is not set up to succeed for the rest of the season.

With mounting injuries, poor tackling, and a nonexistent pass rush, the Chargers may struggle to rebound from their slow start like they have done in seasons past.

This defense is built around getting to the quarterback; when the pass rush is not clicking, the entire defense seems to fall apart.

And unless something changes soon, the same might be said for the Chargers’ season.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Draft Reflection: Five Months Later, Grading A.J. Smith

The NFL season is in full swing, and several rookies around the league are already starting to distinguish themselves from the pack in their inaugural campaigns.

A.J. Smith is known as a shrewd talent evaluator when it comes to the NFL Draft, but his recent hauls have not done much to support that belief. With the 2009 NFL Draft five months in the past (and rookies having already gotten three games under their belts), now is a good time for a preliminary examination of the Chargers’ 2009 draft picks and whether A.J. could have done any better based on the players available at the time.

Keep in mind that these rookies are only three games into their young careers, so it is far too early to label any single player a bust or a star. This is only an exercise in hindsight based on what we know so far.

 

First Round (16th Overall)

Actual Pick: Larry English, OLB (Northern Illinois)

Better Options: Michael Oher, OT (Ole Miss) or Rey Maualuga, ILB (USC)

Analysis: Shawne Merriman’s recent legal and health troubles give some validity to Smith’s pick of a pass-rushing outside linebacker in English, but he has been nearly invisible in the first three games of the season, only registering four tackles and not even getting close to any opposing quarterbacks.

At the same time, Oher (selected 23rd overall by the Baltimore Ravens) has positioned himself as an early Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate with his outstanding play anchoring the Ravens offensive line. He would have been a great option for a Chargers team that was weak along the right side of the offensive line even before the starting lineup was struck by the injury bug.

Many people thought Maualuga (38th, Cincinnati Bengals) would be the pick for the Chargers entering the Draft, yet he inexplicably fell to the second round, possibly due to some character issues (who can forget his little dance behind ESPN’s Erin Andrews during preseason warm-ups last year?). The Bengals must have been absolutely elated to see him fall all the way to them in the second round, especially after getting the equally talented Andre Smith with their top pick. He has been an enforcer in the middle of their linebacking crew, having already forced two fumbles while playing alongside his college teammate Keith Rivers to create a formidable young wrecking crew at linebacker.

Verdict: At this point in time, Oher or Maualuga would have been a much better choice in the first round than English.

 

Third Round (78th Overall)

Actual Pick: Louis Vasquez, OG (Texas Tech)

Analysis: So far, it looks like Smith hit this one right on the head. Everyone at Charger Park seems to be raving about this guy, and they believed in him enough to cut presumptive starter Kynan Forney to pave the way for him to enter the starting lineup. He has been struggling to stay healthy lately, but he has not shown anything yet to second-guess this pick compared to the rest of the board.

Verdict: So far, so good.

 

Fourth Round (113th Overall)

Actual Pick: Vaughn Martin, DE Western Ontario

Analysis: There has yet to be much production from the players drafted around the time of the 320-pound Martin, who is oozing with raw potential due to his limited experience in the game. If he can adjust to the level of play in the NFL, he could be a star, so this pick could remain the same in retrospect until further information is available.

Verdict: So far, so good.

 

Supplemental Fourth Round (133rd Overall)

Actual Pick: Tyronne Green, OG (Auburn)

Better Option: Duke Robinson, OG (Oklahoma) or Herman Johnson, OT (LSU)

Analysis: If the Chargers were looking to draft two offensive linemen, they could have had their pick of massive specimens in Robinson (163rd, Carolina Panthers) and Johnson (167th, Arizona Cardinals), who both would have been better choices than Green. On a team struggling to run the ball, either would have been a welcome addition, as they are both maulers who would help establish the running game in order to open up the field for the vertical passing game with Philip Rivers.

Verdict: Right position, wrong player.

 

Supplemental Fourth Round (134th Overall)

Actual Pick: Gartrell Johnson, RB (Colorado State)

Better Option: Johnny Knox, WR (Abilene Christian)

Analysis: This is a bit of a luxury pick, but it is just about time to give up on former first rounder Buster Davis, and Knox (140th, Chicago Bears) has been an early standout as quarterback Jay Cutler’s new favorite target (even over former college teammate Earl Bennett). With the Chargers becoming a pass-first team this year, Knox would have been another weapon to add to an already-potent offense. Plus, with Johnson having been picked up by the New York Giants after the Chargers tried to stash him on their practice squad, this pick could have been considered a true do-over.

Verdict: Swing and a miss.

 

Fifth Round (148th Overall)

Actual Pick: Brandon Hughes, CB (Oregon State)

Better Option: Myron Pryor, DT (Kentucky)

Analysis: Hughes is a talented player and an even better person (see my interview with him here) but he joins an already talented secondary stocked with three former first round picks in Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromartie, and Antoine Cason. Because of this, he may struggle to see the field outside of on special teams any time soon. Pryor (207th, New England Patriots) is a big body who can play both defensive end and defensive tackle, and his versatility would have been extremely helpful after Jamal Williams went down with a season-ending triceps injury.

Verdict: Decent pick, but could have been better.

 

Sixth Round (189th Overall)

Actual Pick: Kevin Ellison, S (USC)

Analysis: There is no denying that the Chargers need help at safety, and Ellison is the kind of physical presence that could have a big impact in their secondary. He doesn’t have the best straight-line speed, but he has the instincts to be a starter on this team by the end of the season.

Verdict: Good pick. There wasn’t really any other option.

 

Seventh Round (224th Overall)

Actual Pick: Demetrius Byrd, WR (LSU)

Better Option: Rashad Jennings, RB (Liberty)

If he gets back to full health, there is no denying how great the pick of Byrd can turn out to be. Originally believed to be an early-round pick before his car accident just days before the draft, he was in the hospital when the Bolts pulled the trigger on him with their final pick. But due to depth issues this season, Jennings (250th, Jacksonville Jaguars) would have been a better pick. Jennings is a talented power back with enough speed to be a featured runner at this level once he adjusts to the level of competition, and would have been a good insurance policy in the likely event of another LaDainian Tomlinson injury.

Verdict: The jury is out until Byrd hits the field.

 

Overall, A.J. Smith gets a C- for this draft, although there is still plenty of time for this grade to change drastically one way or the other. These players are only three games into their young careers, and this rookie class in general has not had very many impact players this early in the season.

However, this draft seems similar to Smith’s drafts over the last few years, as he seems to be living more off of his reputation from previous drafts than building on it every single year. He may have had some major successes when it comes to the draft, but for every Shawne Merriman, there seems to be a Buster Davis as well.

Hindsight is 20-20, but remember that this is only an extremely preliminary ranking; only time will tell if this draft turns out to be “Lights Out” or a “Bust.”

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010