Chargers Mini Camp Brings Optimism

There’s nothing like the fresh scent of rookie mini camp in the air and at Chargers Park on Friday, the Bolts officially welcomed the class of 2012 to the field. Now with the current rookie wage scale, the Chargers didn’t have nearly as much difficulty agreeing to terms with each of their incoming draftees. That meant that every player was in attendance and ready to begin their work as professionals this past weekend.

The highest profile of all the Bolts’ new pieces is undoubtedly pass rusher Melvin Ingram and he was eager to learn during these practice sessions. According to the team website, Ingram said: “I’m trying to listen to everything. I’m trying to make everything stay in my head. Everything the coaches say, I’m soaking it up. I’m like a sponge out there.”

Ingram sported the number 54 which was worn by nine-year Chargers veteran Stephen Cooper in years past. His size and build are similar to Cooper at 6’1” 264lbs., but his ability to explode off of the line of scrimmage and disrupt plays in the backfield distinguishes him from the former 54. During 11-on-11 drills Ingram showed just why the team drafted him and Head Coach Norv Turner offered him some praise saying: “We’re not stressing the physical part of (the game) right now. But you see his body type and the way he operates. He’s got a good combination of great quickness, and he’s going to be a very physical player — we saw that in everything he does. He’s got a great first step, and guys like that have a knack for rushing the passer.”

That talent for taking down opposing quarterbacks will be a welcomed addition for the Chargers who really struggled in that department during the 2011 season. The defense accumulated just 32.0 sacks which was a steep decline from 2010 when they had 47.0. Ron Rivera’s departure for the Carolina Panthers may have had something to do with that, but the need for a consistent edge rusher opposite Shaun Phillips will certainly aid the cause.

Second round pick Kendall Reyes was “a big 300-pound guy with great change of direction and great quickness” according to coach Turner. His ability to assimilate quickly and become a part of the club’s rotation up front along the defensive line will be important to enhancing the defense as a whole. Reyes is doing everything in his power to fit in as quickly as possible as he said: “Right now I just want to be the coaches’ go-to guy. I want to do everything right and I want to do everything hard and just be aggressive and go fast.”

Brandon Taylor, the team’s third round pick, will also add a lot to the Chargers’ defense. The biggest asset that he brings is an innate leadership that can’t be taught. One of his new teammates, Jacob Hester, is also one of his former teammates at LSU and he offered some personal insight on what Taylor will bring to the team. "You know you've got to be special when four offensive guys vote for a defensive guy to be No. 18 (a special number worn at LSU). He's just a real humble guy who works hard. Even when he got hurt, I was talking with the trainer, he said he'd be there twice a day, trying to get back as soon as he could. And the way he played, too. The tenacity he plays defense, I really enjoyed that."

My sleeper pick from this year’s class is tight end Ladarius Green who is an Antonio Gates clone at the tight end position. He found himself receiving some constructive criticism over the weekend however and seemed to take it well. “They’re telling me to bulk up a little bit. Get around the mid 240s to high 240s.” Green caught 51 passes for 606 yards and eight touchdowns at Louisiana-Lafayette last season, but the NFL will be a totally different animal. At 6’6” 235lbs. currently, his build is more like a wide receiver than a tight end. With the proper strength training and time spent under a tremendous mentor like Gates at his position, Green could blossom into quite a star sooner rather than later.

This is clearly a learning process for all of these young guys and their ability to pick up new information and translate it onto the field is critical to their individual learning curves. Coach Turner believes that this mini camp atmosphere is the perfect place to get a jump start on the upcoming season as he said: “We have to find out how different guys learn, because not all guys learn the same way. So we’re getting to know them, and in the process, we’re going to be evaluating their athleticism, but it’s a lot easier to evaluate that after they know what to do and they can go perform fast like we’d ask our veteran guys to. We threw a lot at them. We wanted to get them ready so they could compete when they start working with the veterans. For a young group, they're in outstanding condition. I think there are going to be some young guys who are going to be able to come in and have an impact on our team.”

Everything accelerated Monday as the veterans were brought into the mix and merged with the first year players. Only time will tell just which young players will become clear-cut starters from day one, but there seems to be a common theme surrounding the organization following the first look at these youngsters: Optimism.

Now it’s your turn to weigh-in! Do you believe that adding Melvin Ingram will boost sack totals for the team in 2012? Can Kendall Reyes fit in immediately as a rotation player on the team’s 3-4 front? Will Brandon Taylor provide the perfect complement for Eric Weddle in the secondary? Do you see Ladarius Green making an impact in his rookie season with the team’s plethora of tight ends? Are you as optimistic about these new rookies as the coaching staff seems to be? Please fill up the comments below with your thoughts!

Chargers Offseason Report Card

The 2012 draft was one of the most pivotal in recent Chargers history. Injuries and age have wreaked havoc on the Chargers roster, while past drafts have failed to back-fill key positions and provide the depth needed to last a full 16-game season.

Following a free agent frenzy unseen before in AJ Smith's tenure as GM, will this draft class be enough to put the Chargers back atop the AFC West? Here's a look at how the Chargers rate at a number of positions that got a lot of attention this offseason.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Pre-draft: B-
After a busy free agent signing period, the Chargers found themselves with basically the same offensive line group with which they ended last season. That's not necessarily a bad thing seeing as the team could have lost both their starting center in Nick Hardwick (however unlikely) and their new-found starting left tackle in Jared Gaither. The permanent loss of left guard Kris Dielman to retirement definitely stung, leaving a hole in the offensive line that would be tough to fill regardless of the player waiting in the wings. Given the options the Chargers had on their roster, a new left guard was at the top of many lists heading into the draft.

Post-draft: B-
The Chargers passed on one of the top guard prospects in the draft in the first round, albeit for one of the top outside linebacker prospects. In the second round they passed on the top center prospect in the draft. In the fifth round they drafted a guard who they knew was recovering from multiple injuries and has little chance of being active in 2012, let alone replacing Dielman in the near future. Center David Molk was selected in the 7th round and seems to stand a good chance of making the roster if he can prove to be versatile enough in a backup role. After the draft the Chargers are really no better off on the offensive line than they were last year...yet, they are also no worse.

SAFETY

Pre-draft: C-
This grade is helped by having a Pro Bowler on one side, but hurt by having really nothing on the other side (again, prior to the draft). The Chargers entered free agency with a big hole at strong safety, and after making little attempt to improve upon last year's starting SS in the free agent market, all eyes turned towards the draft.

Post-draft: B
Everyone knew the Chargers had to find a safety in the draft; the only question was in what round would they find him? The Chargers missed out on the top-rated safety near the beginning of the first round, and by the end of the first round the consensus #2 safety was gone as well. After contemplating pulling the trigger on Eric Weddle's new counterpart in the second round, AJ got his man in the third. Brandon Taylor, who I tagged as the third best option at safety prior to the draft, is not being viewed as the immediate starting strong safety heading into training camp but he will be the man sooner rather than later.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

Pre-draft: B-
Outside linebacker might be the most difficult position to grade pre-draft. The Chargers pass-rush problems were not exactly due to a lack of talent but more a lack of health. The lack of depth after injuries took a toll on Larry English and Shaun Philips, leading to the wearing down of the rest of the linebacker unit, provided a great opportunity for Antwan Barnes but little else to get excited about. Arguably AJ's biggest free agent acquisition (not previously on the team) was Jarret Johnson, the run stuffing OLB formerly with Baltimore. With Johnson and some health related luck, this unit could be on its way to becoming dominant once again.

Post-draft: A
Take a unit with a lot of potential heading into the 2012 season, then add first round pick Melvin Ingram, and you have a pass rush that may suddenly become one of the best in the league. There is still a lot to be proved, but expect Ingram to dominate on third downs early in the season and eventually work his way into an even larger roll on the team.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Pre-draft: C
Corey Liuget...Vaughn Martin...they aren't pushovers, but they don't strike fear in the hearts of opposing offensive coordinators. Add Antonio Garay back into the mix and the make-up of the defensive line becomes more respectable. This unit is made up of a bunch of role players who together may be stronger than the individual pieces.

Post-draft: B
Second round pick Kendall Reyes should be an immediate improvement to a unit lacking big play makers. Adding a quality player like Reyes into a rotation that otherwise will look very similar to the 2011 unit makes everyone around him better.

How do you rate the changes to the Chargers roster this offseason? Are we being too hard on the Chargers or too optimistic? Sound off in the comments section now!

Follow me on Twitter: @JSWilliams7

Defensive Focus For Chargers 2012 Draft Class

The NFL Draft may now be in the proverbial rearview mirror, but the San Diego Chargers are definitely looking forward to seeing what their first round pick Melvin Ingram can provide for their pass rush on the field this coming season. Once thought to be a potential top ten pick, Ingram was somehow still on the board when the Bolts picked at number 18 overall.

The story of the 2012 draft seemed to be the issue of arm length for several pass rushers in this year’s class. Ingram’s arms measured in at just 31.5 inches which is somewhat short for the typical sack artist at the NFL level. Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw slid the whole way out of the first round due to similar concerns about his less than ideal length.

Short arms or not, Bolts’ General Manager A.J. Smith was thrilled to see a player of Ingram’s caliber still on the board when his team selected. He offered some of his patented snarky commentary to U-T San Diego when he said: "I think Melvin will have the same problem Tyrannosaurus rex had millions of years ago.”

Having length doesn’t always dictate whether or not a player will have success rushing the passer however as two of the league’s most accomplished sack machines, Tamba Hali and Jared Allen, both have arm lengths similar to Ingram. The ability to make plays on film and excel against the best competition is certainly much more important than any physical attributes and Ingram was a powerhouse doing those things in the SEC while at South Carolina.

GM Smith took part in an interview with CBS Sports and revealed his ultimate strategy surrounding the team’s top selection Ingram. According to Smith: "In our realistic cluster, there was no way Ingram would be there. I thought if there was any activity for pass rushers he surely would be in the mix. I noticed there were a couple of pass rushers that went, and they weren't Ingram, and I would say the excitement started to come at about 16, where the Jets picked. You're thinking with the Jets making a move here, it's got to be Ingram ... or somebody else ... but I think they're going pass rusher. We don't know. We guess like everybody else. But then when they pick the other guy (Quinton Coples), we got awfully excited because we thought there may be a chance.”

It seemed almost too good to be true for most Chargers fans and for the guys in the front office. The fact that the Bolts could land a player of Ingram’s prowess by staying put was beyond the realm of conception heading into the draft, but the team isn’t complaining. GM Smith also said that: "We had a cluster of nine players we were looking at, including three we didn't think would be there, but they weren't mixed. It was all defense.”

What this really says is that the Chargers felt that their main deficiencies and reasons for not performing better in 2011 were on the defensive side of the football. The fact that the team also selected defensive players in rounds two and three only further solidified that thinking.

The pick of Kendall Reyes in the second round was interesting as well with Smith explaining his pick saying: "Again, it was defense, and, when it came our time, here he comes. And now we're looking around the draft room, and saying, 'OK, that's the first guy (Ingram), and now we have Reyes. It's like we're on a roll here. This is the greatest feeling in the world to start off a draft."

Fans had to be feeling the same way watching the draft unfold and even though many expected the Chargers to target a safety early in the draft order, the team had yet to land a partner for Eric Weddle. GM Smith offered his thoughts on that as well saying: "There were some rumors out there that we were prepared to go off after (Alabama safety Mark) Barron and that we had a package -- because I have a history of that going after certain players. But the second part of it was that, if we weren't successful there, that I was going to go down 10 picks and go after (Harrison) Smith of Notre Dame. But that was not the game plan. I wouldn't pay the price for Barron, and I felt Smith would be gone at the end of the first. And, if he didn't, he would be at the top of the second, and you'd have to go up to the second and pay a price to participate in that. So we targeted another safety as the third-best option, and somebody we really liked who was probably not a first rounder.”

This insight led the Chargers to their third straight defensive selection in safety Brandon Taylor who was the consensus third-best safety in the 2012 class. The fact that GM Smith was level-headed about filling a position of need and weighed all of his options carefully has to be encouraging for fans still skeptical of his sometimes brash decision making. Taylor will likely play situationally to begin his career and hopefully develop into a full-time starter by the end of 2012. If he can manage to fulfill those expectations, the Chargers draft class of this year will be one to remember.

Now it’s your turn! What do you think about the questions concerning Melvin Ingram’s lack of length? Do you believe Ingram was a steal for the Chargers or will his less than ideal measurements be a difficult hurdle to overcome in the NFL? How do A.J. Smith’s insights change your perception of the 2012 draft class? Do you see each of the team’s top three picks being major contributors in the coming season or will someone not live up to expectations? Please fill up the comments section below with your thoughts!

RIP Junior Seau

It's a sad day for Chargers fans as one of the team's all-time greats has been found dead. Cops responded to a 911 call where they found an unconscious Seau bleeding from the chest. He had been shot and was pronounced dead on the scene. As details emerge, police begin to suspect suicide and will continue their investigation as such.

The following from TMZ:
--
NFL legend Junior Seau was found dead at his Oceanside, CA home this morning from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest -- law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Oceanside Police Chief Frank McCoy just spoke outside Seau's San Diego house, claiming Seau's body was initially discovered by Seau's girlfriend.

A 911 call was placed around 10AM this morning -- authorities responded to the scene, and found Seau's unconscious body inside a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Paramedics attempted to revive Seau, but life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead on the scene. His body has just been removed from the house and is currently being transported to the Medical Examiner's office in a white van.

McCoy says investigators recovered a handgun in the bedroom -- and the case is currently being investigated as a suicide.

A law enforcement official tells TMZ ... no suicide note has been discovered at the scene.

Seau's mother also spoke briefly -- and she was hysterical, crying to God, "Take me. Leave my son alone!"

Seau was 43-years-old. He is survived by 4 children and an ex-wife.

We're told Seau sent text messages to his ex-wife and kids yesterday saying, "Love you." They all responded, but didn't suspect anything was wrong. We're told he last saw his kids 3 weeks ago.

Sources close to Seau tell us family members didn't notice any signs of depression in recent weeks.



The fact Seau chose to shoot himself in the chest seems like a premeditated decision -- considering several NFL players have recently killed themselves in a similar fashion in order to preserve their brains for research purposes ... in the wake of new studies which appear to connect football-related concussions to suicidal behavior.

Seau was a beast in the NFL -- skyrocketing to fame thanks to his explosive play with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The USC standout was selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 1990 and played in the league for 20 years.

Seau was involved in a car accident back in 2010 when he drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, CA hours after he was arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. Seau later said he was not trying to kill himself ... insisting he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

The San Diego Chargers released a statement, claiming, "Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now...We ask everyone to stop what they're doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family."

The New England Patriots also released a statement, claiming, "This is a sad day for the entire Patriots organization, our coaches and his many Patriots teammates. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his many friends who will mourn this loss.”

Seau is the 8th member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers team to die before the age of 45 ... joining linebacker David Griggs, running back Rodney Culver, linebacker Doug Miller, center Curtis Whitley, defensive end Chris Mims, defensive tackle Shawn Lee and linebacker Lew Bush.

The Internet's exploding with reactions to Junior's death -- click here to read more.

Credit To GM A.J. Smith For Chargers 2012 NFL Draft

Value is a term thrown around quite liberally at the time of the NFL Draft, but no matter what your definition of the word value is, there’s no denying the fact that the San Diego Chargers made a number of value picks in this year’s selection extravaganza. It’s easy to get caught up in team needs and reach for players of a particular position rather than being patient and waiting out the ebb and flow of the draft. The 2012 draft class is one that could give General Manager A.J. Smith a real opportunity to cement his legacy as the Bolts’ GM and leaves no excuses for Head Coach Norv Turner should he not get the job done again this season in San Diego.


Grading a draft is a difficult task even a few years down the line from the process let alone just days following the event, but determining whether or not a team filled its specific needs while getting the most out of its position in the draft is a much easier assignment. GM Smith has been heavily scrutinized (and rightfully so) in recent years for his lackluster draftees and some extreme reaches (Buster Davis, Larry English). Still, his pedigree as the man who pulled off the Eli Manning deal and landed the team three Pro Bowlers in the process is impossible to forget and he wants to keep it that way.

Brash decisions in free agency with many big names leaving for more money have been a big part of GM Smith’s tenure with the team. This season is a perfect example as wide receiver Vincent Jackson signed a huge deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rather than staying in San Diego. Several of these choices have left the Bolts’ roster a bit strapped for talent over the past two years, but the reload began in free agency this year and has officially culminated with the draft.

As for the GM’s incredible haul in this year’s draft, the discussion has to start in round one with the Melvin Ingram selection. The kid many felt was the best pass rusher in this year’s class somehow fell all the way to the 18th overall pick where it didn’t take the Bolts long to make him a Charger. Both the Seattle Seahawks at 15 and New York Jets at 16 selected pass rushers Bruce Irvin and Quinton Coples respectively before Ingram fell to the Chargers. Each of those teams should be receiving thank you cards from the San Diego front office soon. Ingram is an immediate plug-and-play solution to a lackluster pass rush in recent years and will be able to learn from Shaun Phillips while getting integrated into the rotation with Jarret Johnson and Antwan Barnes. He plays low to the ground, can get around the edge in a heartbeat, and has the versatility to fit into whatever scheme defensive coordinator John Pagano wants to run on any given down and distance.

Round two was much the same with another steal in Kendall Reyes falling further than anyone could’ve imagined for a player with so much upside. With the 49th overall pick, it’s hard to imagine much more value than this choice. Defensive end wasn’t at the top of the to-do list for GM Smith, but when the opportunity to solidify a defensive line that has been a collective revolving door for the last five years presents itself, that chance must be seized. Reyes made some of the best offensive linemen in the country look silly at the Senior Bowl and has a great first step with natural power to hold up at the point of attack. With Luis Castillo not getting any younger and Corey Liuget really the only entrenched starter for the foreseeable future, Reyes will be a valuable addition to the defensive line rotation.

Trading up has been a trademark of GM Smith during his time with the team and he executed a classic deal to move up and land safety Brandon Taylor in the third round. There was no secret that the team had toyed with the idea of moving up for Mark Barron in round one, but jumping into the top ten picks was too rich of a price. Taylor is a box safety with some limitations in coverage, but paired with Eric Weddle, the two will complement one another quite well. In certain packages, Taylor will make an impact in year one with the Bolts and he has the ability to develop into a full-time starter in the not so distant future.

As for the money rounds of the draft, GM Smith may have found his hidden gem again in Ladarius Green. Once upon a time, Michael Turner was drafted in the fifth round by the Bolts and his story is well-known by now. Green is going to learn from one of the game’s best in Antonio Gates and will provide the team with that always valuable second tight end that will give opponents match-up nightmares. Two more late picks that could prove to be winners are offensive linemen in guard Johnnie Troutman and center David Molk. In the very least these two will provide the line much needed depth, but Molk won the Rimington Trophy in 2011 and has plenty of potential to develop behind another Big Ten center, Nick Hardwick.

My opinion of GM A.J. Smith has always been a favorable one as even though he rubs many the wrong way, his decisions have always seemed to be in the franchise’s best interest. Smith tries to be ahead of the curve and his negotiation tactics appear frugal to some while looking downright miserly to others. In spite of his shortcomings as a “people person”, GM Smith has shown that he is a tremendous talent evaluator and has maintained the personnel for a very successful on-field franchise for the better part of a decade. I may be an admitted A.J. Smith apologist, but this time, give the man his due. He’s earned it.

Tell us what you think! How many starters do you ultimately see coming out of the 2012 draft class? Did A.J. Smith finally redeem himself in the eyes of Chargers’ fans or is he still on the hot seat pending the team’s relative success in the 2012 season? Fill up the comments below with your take!

Chargers 2012 NFL Draft Grade

The 2012 NFL season has shaped up to be a critical one for the San Diego Chargers. Coaching and front office jobs are on the line, and the team's future in San Diego is in doubt. Fans are looking for some reassurance that the team is heading back towards it's winning ways and is making strides towards the fulfillment of a Super Bowl promise. This is why the 2012 NFL draft was so critical for the Bolts; the team simply cannot afford to stumble again, they need to win and win now. The one-time "most talented team in the NFL" has fallen from such grace, and has some major ground to make up before they can reclaim that crown. In order to get back to the post-season, the team needs better players, plain and simple. Luckily for the San Diego faithful, AJ Smith and crew may have had their best draft performance of the past five years.

Podcast - Chattin' Chargers with Mychal Edelman and Josh Bretow

The Chargers had well documented needs coming into the draft. According to BOLTHYPE, the Chargers top draft needs were:

1. Outside Linebacker
2. Defensive Back
3. Wide Receiver
4. Offensive Line

The Chargers did an excellent job addressing those needs. Taking Melvin Ingram at 18 was an absolute steal; as the top 3-4 OLB prospect in the draft he was never supposed to fall that far down the draft board. He is a versatile, aggressive pass rusher who is always around the ball making plays. Ingram's personality and temperament reminds me of great leaders such as Takeo Spikes and Ray Lewis, and I think he will quickly become a respected player on this team. Rush Outside Linebacker was the Chargers' top need and they filled it early by taking Ingram.

In the second round the Chargers drafted Kendall Reyes, a Defensive Tackle who will play Defensive End in the Chargers three-man front. While not one of the Chargers most critical positions of need, the Chargers needed to improve the defense as a whole regardless. At pick 49, Reyes fell into the Chargers lap. He was projected as a possible first round pick, and was arguably the best 5-technique prospect in the draft, behind only Fletcher Cox on my board. Again, the Chargers got tremendous value in selecting Reyes and its no shock they took a Defensive Lineman so early. The Chargers have no stalwarts on their D-line since Igor Olshansky and Jamal Williams have left. The possibility for Corey Liuget and Kendall Reyes developing into a dominating, athletic young pair of bookends is exciting indeed.

Safety was a clear need for the Chargers, and in trading up in the third round they secured Brandon Taylor, who many felt was the best safety prospect after Mark Barron and Harrison Smith, both gone in the first round. The Chargers obviously needed to come out of this draft with a good Safety, but they didn't reach for one. Taking both Ingram and Reyes without any trades, and taking Taylor after a slight trade up in the third round tells me the Chargers came into the draft with a clear game plan, were well-prepared, and stacked their board appropriately. They executed their picks and got tremendous value while still filling needs. In many ways, the Chargers draft strategy reminded me a lot of the successful drafts Ozzie Newsome, one of the NFL's best GMs, has masterminded for the Baltimore Ravens over the years.

In the fourth round, the Chargers drafted Ladarius Green, a tight end who has some upside. Although not a top need, Tight End could still be considered a position of concern due to Antonio Gates' recent injury history. Green is a blown-up wide receiver converted into a Tight End with eye-popping measurables, but he will likely need time to develop and will sit behind Gates and Randy McMichael. By taking a flier on Green, the Chargers could develop him as a project with low risk, high reward.

In the 5th and 7th rounds, the Chargers loaded up on offensive linemen, filling another draft need. Johnnie Troutman, a Guard from Penn State, and David Molk, a Center from Michigan both bring a ton of experience and come from big time college football programs. Molk lead all Offensive Linemen at the Combine with 41 reps on the benchpress and won the 2011 Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center after starting four years at Michigan. Troutman was tied for 4th place among all Offensive Linemen at the Combine with 31 reps on the benchpress and is a force in the run game who could push Tyronne Greene at Left Guard.

If there was any question mark to the Chargers draft class, it would be the fact that they didn't draft a true Wide Receiver. However to their credit, they signed a whopping six undrafted free agent receivers. With their final selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chargers take Edwin Baker, an undersized running back who probably best fits a Zone Blocking scheme.

In summary, the Chargers have addressed all of their needs coming into the 2012 NFL Draft, and they did so without reaching and without trading away their future. The found guys who can make an immediate impact and who will see plenty of playing time. While I would have preferred to see them take a wide receiver or even a Quarterback over a tight end, I do recognize the concern at the TE position and understand they probably feel comfortable with what they have in Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem. They entered the draft with a clear objective, a well-researched and prioritized board, and were able to find value with the picks that mattered most.

CHARGERS 2012 NFL DRAFT GRADE: B+

YOUR TAKE:

Now it's your turn to grade the Chargers; How successful were the Bolts in addressing their draft needs with quality football players? Has AJ Smith done enough to restore your confidence in him? How would you grade this draft class? Sound off in the comments section below!

Edwin Baker

With the 250th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers have selected Edwin Baker, RB Michigan State.

SCOUTING REPORT

From NFL.com:

Baker is an early-entry junior who was a full-time starter in 2010 but only sparingly in 2011. He is a straight-line runner who had a very productive sophomore year until he was beat out by a younger back this past year. He returned kicks for Michigan State but didn't display the type of ability to contribute there in the NFL.

Analysis


Strengths
Baker is a gradual accelerator who is good to get to the second level and through trash at the line of scrimmage. He is an inside runner who has a good feel and patience for blocks to develop. He is a willing blocker who has a decent base and ability to jolt oncoming rushers.

Weaknesses
Baker's career has been on the decline ever since losing his job to a younger back at Michigan State. He has average strength and explosion and struggles to make plays on his own will. He needs a clear path to daylight to ignhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifite his above-average speed, and that hasn't happened often in the past year. He has trouble sifting through tackles at the linebacker level and is a one-speed runner most of the time. He hasn't displayed the competitiveness and will that he did in 2010 for quite some time.


HIGHLIGHTS

http://www.nfl.com/videos/auto/09000d5d827cc98f/2012-Combine-workout-Edwin-Baker

YOUR TAKE

How would you grade this pick? Does Edwin Baker meet the Chargers needs and provide good value? Sound off in the comments below!