Chargers Make Moves As Free Agency Opens

Just as the gates of free agency prepared to swing open, the Chargers made some bold, and surprising, moves; the release of Jamal Williams, trading Antonio Cromartie, and tendering Darren Sproles all come as a bit of a shock considering the team's offseason needs. At this juncture it would appear as though the Chargers' holes are as clear as ever, and the team looks prepared to head towards the draft with obvious needs and a tremendous amount of pressure to remain championship contenders.

REPLACING JAMAL WILLIAMS A DAUNTING TASK

Admittedly, the release of Jamal Williams comes as a considerable surprise. Likely a financially driven decision, it nonetheless caused more than a few to scratch their heads. Why jettison one of the best and most dominant defensive players on your team? Why let such a respected leader leave a locker room that would certainly benefit from the maturity and professionalism. While there is a chance the Chargers could re-sign Williams as a free agent, it risky proposition.

Conversely, the Chargers have extended offers to journeymen and aging vets such as Ian Scott, Travis Johnson, Antonio Garay, and Alphonso Boone. While these guys played admirably in 2009, they best profile as backups. The Chargers are still looking for a starting impact player along the defensive line.

Any way you look at it, the Chargers must address the defensive line in the draft (or free agency) or risk having an even worse defensive unit in 2010. It takes a special type of player to play in a three-man front, and the Chargers are hoping they can find one.


CHARGERS MUST VOID LEFT BEHIND BY ANTONIO CROMARTIE

Antonio Cromartie lost a tremendous amount of favor with the fans last year, and it appears that Chargers shared in that sentiment. Cromartie's lack of toughness and want-to didn't sit well with fans of the collision sport that is pro football.

Cromartie may have shied away from contact at just about every opportunity, but he still posses freakish athletic ability and can be a very good man-to-man cover corner. Cornerbacks like Cromartie are valued commodities, and while the Chargers seem to be ready to replace him with Antoine Cason, they'll now need to find at least a nickel corner.

Considering AJ Smith's draft history, he tends to place a high value on cornerbacks and may look to take one early.


CHARGERS IN THE MARKET FOR RUNNING BACKS

"We're going to be looking for running backs," AJ Smith proclaims. Not that it was any secret, of course. But as free agency starts and the draft approaches, if there was any question the Chargers would be shopping for backs AJ Smith's latest admission put those doubts to rest.

As of this writing, the Chargers have not signed or visited with any free agent running backs, and with each passing day their options dwindle. Thomas Jones remains a possibility, as do Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Justin Fargas, and Jamal Lewis. But each of the aforementioned running backs is upwards of 30 years old and in the twilight of their careers. The Chargers would likely only sign one of these veterans to a one or two year deal as they look to find their long-term solution in the draft.

Having Darren Sproles back in the mix is good news for the offense and return game, but the Chargers don't appear to have changed their perception of the speedy #43; Sproles will continue to be the team's primary return man while serving as a change-of-pace running back and catching the ball out of the backfield. The team likely wont increase his carries by any significant number if they can avoid it.


YOUR TAKE

How did you react to the news of Jamal Williams' release? Between a $6 million franchise tag and a $7 million restricted tender, have the Chargers overpaid Darren Sproles over the past two years? Was getting a future 2nd or 3rd round draft pick good enough in exchange for Antonio Cromartie? Are you confident the San Diego Chargers front office has a plan in place to win a Super Bowl? Give your take in the comments section below!

Chargers Trade Antonio Cromartie To New York Jets

Multiple sources have confirmed that the New York Jets have acquired Antonio Cromartie for a 2011 3rd round draft pick that could be elevated to a 2nd round pick based on performance and playing time.

News broke on Twitter from sources such as FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, and ESPN's Adam Schefter

ESPN Says Chargers Are Looking To Trade Cromartie

According to ESPN, the Chargers are shopping cornerback Antonio Cromartie in hopes of getting a running back in return. ESPN's sources claim the former Pro-Bowl cornerback has fallen out of favor with the team.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen wont name specific teams at this time. More as the story develops.

SOURCE: ESPN

EXAMINING TRADE POSSIBILITIES:

As is typical in NFL trades, the Chargers may look to deal with an out-of-conference (NFC) team. More specifically, they may target teams that have multiple legitimate running backs on their rosters. Possibilities include:

CAROLINA PANTHERS: With both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart still in their twenties, the Panthers have an envious pair of running backs. Stewart, at 22 years old, could be a guy who has a longer-term future in Carolina. If that is the case, perhaps the Panthers would be willing to deal Williams. However, Williams has proven to be more explosive and has a higher averages in both yards per carry as well as yards per catch.

DALLAS COWBOYS: Rumors have been swilling for at least a week about a Tashard Choice for Antonio Cromartie trade. The Cowboys deny such conjecture, but the trade makes sense on a few levels. Choice is a young player who the Chargers had expressed interest in during the 2008 Draft process. The Cowboys have Marion Barber and Felix Jones providing a nice one-two punch. Then again, the Cowboys may decide to keep the younger Choice and might be open to dealing Barber instead.

NEW YORK GIANTS: The Giants' have been plagued with misfortune at cornerback in recent years. Aaron Ross has not lived up to expectations as a former first-round draft pick, and Corey Webster seemed to have regressed from his 2008 form. The might be interested in adding a guy like Cromartie, and the Chargers would certainly be interested in adding a big back like Brandon Jacobs to help the run game.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Coming off of a Super Bowl, the Saints are riding high. But the preparations for the 2010 NFL season are under way and one of the team's biggest question marks is at running back. Reggie Bush, although a playmaker, hasn't shown to be a consistent producer at running back. The Saints may be interested in moving Bush, but his $8 million price tag in 2010 and $11.8 million in 2011 make things difficult. The Chargers wont pay that for Bush. But Pierre Thomas' $460,000 2009 salary is much more palatable, and as a free agent in 2010 the Saints might be willing to try and get something for him.

YOUR TAKE: Thoughts, scenarios, or ideas for this trade situation the Chargers have seemed to find themselves in? I'd love to hear from you guys, so sound off in the comments section below!

Conflicting Reports Place Antonio Cromartie At Scene Of Crime

Reports are surfacing about an incident at Bar West in Pacific Beach (San Diego) involving either Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie or a member of Cromartie's entourage. Allegedly a bottle of champagne struck someone's head, causing an injury severe enough that police are investigating a possible assult case. According to Detective Gary Hassen of the San Diego Police Department, Cromartie claims the bottle "slipped out of his hand."

Antonio Cromartie's agent made the following statement to TMZ:

"This is absolutely not a story. Antonio didn't throw the bottle. There were actually three other players involved. Antonio is at a complex working out. Again, this is not a story."

Sources:

TMZ: NFL Star Suspected in Assault w/ Deadly Weapon

Defenceless

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Defenses win championships. As we've seen in games past, without a pass rush and bums like Cromartie giving it up like a virgin on prom night, the Lombardi will continue to be just a gleam in our blue and yellow eyes. Defenses like the Steelers, Eagles and Ravens (heck, even the Cardnals, WTF???) play at a level unknown to our defense (at least this year). The tenacity, the viciousness the "rip off their heads and sh*t down the hole" mentality. The Chargers D didn't have that yesterday. I watched in amazement to see our D line actually get blown off the ball multiple times, several yards off the line of scrimmage. The occasional blitz did little or nothing to help the cause as Ben Rothlesburger stood in the pocket most of the day for what seemed eons, completing passes that should never have been. Letting a team get 22 first downs just won't cut it. The Steelers wanted it more then we did.

While I like the fact that Steven Cooper stepped up this year as a leader and a motivator, we need to see more of this from other players. And why Brandon Siler isn't a starter yet or at least rotated in and not just during goal line stances, I couldn't tell you. The kid has a motor and has the potential to make huge plays.

I remember playing HS football and our defensive line coach telling us to get into that "rage" mindset, and to "pretend that the QB and RB just raped your mother" (true story) and "You have no friends out there, only enemies". While it all seems somewhat cliche, it worked. You want to hit harder, you want to injure, you want to inflict as much chaos as one could possibly commit. I remember during my senior year, a certain school's team decided to trash our field prior to the game. Not only did we win that game, but we took 5 of their players out of the game. Not playing dirty mind you, but playing with R-A-G-E.

The Chargers need to find that rage next year. Hopefully it will come with the return of Shawne Merriman.

Thanks for an exciting month and a half end of the season. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

PS - Ever see Cromartie on a play where the ball sails over a receivers head and the guy acts like he actually defended the pass? Funny.

Cro Needs To Go

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Unbelievable. Its the word most of us probably used last year when we saw Antonio Cromartie play. This year, however, the word is used in a negative connotation. How in the world does Cro go from the season he had last year to the absolute garbage I've seen this year? And if you say "Cause Merriman is out", I will smack you in the F*$&@*& mouth. Its much more then that.

I can't count the number of times I've seen Cromartie stand by and watch as his teammates are trying to make a tackle. And I'm trying to remember the last time he's even come near to knocking down a pass. And if he has, its been few and far between as he's been too busy allowing his man catch the ball because he's five yards off the guy. And god forbid he actually has to make a tackle. OH PLEEZZ, DON'T GET MY UNI DIRTY YO!

Now, I don't know what goes on during the Monday game review, but I would love to know what Rivera thinks of his play. There's just no way he can't see the way his "star corner" is playing if he's going over film every week. Its pretty much been going on all season, so its obvious to me, but why isn't it obvious to the coaches? Guess the question is "Who would replace him?" Unfortunately there isn't an easy answer as Cletis Gordon and Antione Cason aren't ready to start.

Its little things like this that have killed the Chargers as a whole this season. Of course Cromartie isn't to blame for everything, but it's the little things that can make a big difference in a game. And until Cro can prove he actually gives a shit on the field and make the plays we know he can make, we'd be better off without him in there.

Antonio Cromartie Is Only The Eight Best Corner In The NFL?

I have a ton of respect for what Scott Wright has done with his website NFLDraftCountdown. Not only has the guy turned a sports writing hobby into a dream job, he has also gained lots of respect among league circles and is regarded as pretty damn knowledgeable. Fans the internet over visit NFLDraftCoutdown to get in-depth football player analysis everyday. So with all that in mind, it comes as more than just a slight shock that Scott has Antonio Cromartie rated so low in his NFL Player Rankings:

Cornerbacks

1. Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos
2. Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders
3. Nate Clements, San Francisco 49'ers
4. Terence Newman, Dallas Cowboys
5. Marcus Trufant, Seattle Seahawks
6. DeAngelo Hall, Oakland Raiders
7. Asante Samuel, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Antonio Cromartie, San Diego Chargers
9. Rashean Mathis, Jacksonville Jaguars
10. Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings

No explanation accompanied these rankings, so it's hard to see what criteria Scott judges the players with. But I find it interesting that both Asante Samuel and Antonio Cromartie are ranked lower than DeAngelo Hall...a guy many people feel is hugely overrated. Ask Peyton Manning who he'd rather be facing; Hall or Cromartie?

Regardless of Scott's error in judgment, I'm still going to be a loyal reader of his and I suggest you do the same!

Link: Draft Countdown NFL Player Rankings

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Who Does Cromartie's Dominance Remind You Of?

10 interceptions and he didn't even start the full year. And another interception with a huge return in the Pro Bowl. To be honest, the last time I can really remember a guy coming in pretty fresh into the league and having such a huge impact would be Shawne Merriman's rookie season and more recently, Adrian Peterson's rookie season. Other than those two, is there anyone else who had such enormous impact in the NFL during their first two seasons? Maybe some of you old school dude can remember someone...

http://divisionrival.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=2

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Antonio Cromartie Highlight Mix

Shout out to WBKSeventyTwo for remixing a really cool Antonio Cromartie highlight reel...Cromartie for NFL Defensive Player Of The Year? Its not out of the question...

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A Pro Bowler Who Doesn't Even Start

AFC Special Teams Player of the Week and likely Defensive Player of the Week, Antonio Cromartie has established himself as an elite playmaker. His six interceptions on the year lead the entire NFL, and yet the only player in the Chargers secondary who has half a chance of making the Pro Bowl can't even earn a starting spot on the defense.

Quentin Jammer is expected to be healthy soon, and will resume his starting role. Opposite Jammer is Drayton Florence who, while a solid player and good tackler, is more likely to get called for a penalty than create a turnover.

Coach Turner was asked how much longer Cromartie will be kept out of the starting lineup:

"We'll deal with [that] when Jammer is ready. Its hard for me to get into 'ifs' [When Jammer is healthy] is when I'll answer that question."

Why avoid the question, Coach Turner? Maybe Cromartie might not seem ready when in the filmroom or on the practice field, but the fact of the matter is, Cromartie makes plays on the football field. Isn't the game about putting your best players on the field, and maximizing their ability to be successful? You could be the smartest football player in the world, but at the end of the day you have to make plays and Cromartie does it whenever he gets the opportunity.

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Cromartie Leads League With Six Picks

There is a new league leader in town, and his name is Antonio Cromartie. Six interceptions on the years puts Cromartie on top of the list among ballhawks. Cromartie was dominant in his first career start Sunday night; three interceptions and four credited passes defended is impressive enough, even without mentioning the Chargers were playing against Peyton Manning and the Colts.

"I was going up against the best quarterback in the NFL, Peyton Manning. For me to pick off three passes is a great accomplishment. But I feel like now I just have to keep my stride going, keep my confidence going, and be consistent throughout the rest of the season."

Starting in place of an injured Quentin Jammer, Cromartie and the Chargers defense probably expected Peyton Manning to test the coverage against Reggie Wayne. Little did Manning know, Cromartie is the most athletic, and more importantly opportunistic, defensive back on the Chargers roster:

"With it being my first start, I think he was trying to come after me. I was just trying to hold my own and have fun."

"With Jammer being down, it was my opportunity to come out and play football like I'm supposed to and get in a comfort zone."

All game long the Colts tested Cromartie. They knew he would need to be handled if they were going to have success. Cromartie was double-teamed on kick converage which freed up other players like Kassim Osgood. Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne went deep on a number of occasions to try and draw interference flags against Cromartie.

All of these tactics were only partially successful, and its a speaks volumes to Cromartie's poise and confidence that he kept his head in the game and remained focused for six minutes.

At this point if Cromartie hasn't earned a starting job then what more does he have to prove? When he was coming out of college I compared him to Shawne Merriman. I felt that Cromartie could bring playmaking ability to the secondary in a similar way that Shawne Merriman brought playmaking to the linebackers.

Quentin Jammer has a job waiting for him once healthy, but certainly the Coaches should entertain the idea of going with Cromartie as the opposite starter.

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Special Teams Are Crucial To Beating The Colts

How do you stop the Colts? The obvious answer is to stop Peyton Manning from getting the offense in rhythm (easier said than done). Not only is Indianapolis playing well on offense (like they always do), but their defense this season is much improved. Collectively, the Colts are a very good team, an elite team. Fresh off a Super Bowl victory, the Colts week in and week out draw the very best out of their opponents, yet continue to put together impressive winning streaks.

If there is a chink in the Colts’ armor then it would be their special teams units; specifically, their coverage units. The Colts score fast and they score often, and as a result they find themselves in lots of kickoff situations. Injuries to their linebacker corp have caused the Colts to promote some of their special teams guys into starting roles. There is a domino effect when you lose starters on defense and replace them with special teams standouts. Recently, the Colts have struggled in kick coverage and if they start to score points against a weakened Chargers defense, it’ll be up to the Chargers’ special teams units to keep the game in reach.

Here's Tony Dungy on the Colts' special teams performance:

We’ve got to do a better job. They are outstanding with their coverage units. They’ve got a lot of speed, they’ve got kickers that hang the ball high and put it directionally and they’ve covered really well. Darren Sproles is their return guy and a tough guy to tackle and take a lot of pride in it. And with their formula of running the ball with Tomlinson, playing defense; field position does become critical. And we’ve got to cover better. We talked about it this morning that we’ve got to kick the ball directionally the right way, kick it with good height.

The trickle down effect we’ve had with the injuries is showing on our special teams. (LB) Tyjuan Hagler and (LB) Rocky Boiman are starting so you’ve got to replace them on special teams. You get someone hurt and those backup guys go in and know they’re not playing as well on special teams because of the substitutions. We haven’t had (FB) Luke Lawton because we’ve had to get extra linebackers, and he was one of our better players. Guys are going to have to step and our young guys are going to be counted on this week.

If ever there was a week to promote special teams ace Antonio Cromartie, now is the time. Cromartie is making an impressive bid for the Pro Bowl with his play on special teams, but has yet to be given the opportunity to return kicks. There isn’t a player on the field who can keep up with Cromartie running at full speed. The Chargers can get into a funk at times and having a spark plug like Cromartie go out there and make big plays could be just what the team needs to keep them going 110% for 60 minutes. Not to mention the fans, who pay good money for season tickets, are literally begging Norv Turner to put Antonio Cromartie in so we can watch his playmaking abilities week in and week out.

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Could Drayton Florence Get An Extension With The Chargers?

By now, most people who have followed the situation closely feel that it's unlikely Drayton Florence will be a San Diego Charger beyond the 2007 season. Florence is in a contract year, and 2006 first round draft pick Antonio Cromartie is waiting in the wings.

I ran into Drayton after practice Saturday, and asked him about his contract status and his goals for the season. In terms of stats, I asked if five or six interceptions was attainable. Florence wouldn't talk specific numbers, and instead stressed his goal was to win games. I then brought up the fact that he is going to be a free agent next season, and I wanted to know if he had a desire to resign with the team. Drayton expressed that he would like to be a Charger, but that AJ Smith was the man to ask about any potential deals. Florence pointed to the Asante Samuel situation in New England (even after having one of the best seasons among league defensive backs, Samuel and the the Patriots are struggling to come to terms on a new deal).

I like throw big numbers out there and gage the player's response so I asked Drayton if it would take $40 million to resign with the Chargers. He told me nobody is getting forty (ha!).

I came away from that brief conversation not very optimistic that a new contract was in the books for Drayton Florence. While he never said it, you could tell from his tone and expression that negotiating with AJ Smith is a hard, if not frustrating, thing to do. Drayton probably knew that if he really wanted to stay in San Diego, he would have to take much less money than what would be offered him on the open market.

So it got me thinking...what are some realistic contract numbers for a guy like Drayton Florence? Here is a guy who can obviously play cornerback at a high level. His 16 passes defended ties him for 8th among defensive backs. Florence and Jammer and give the Chargers a tandem of defensive backs with 15 or more passes defended. There were only three such tandems in the league last year:


Green Bay Packers
Charles Woodson 8 INT / 20 Pdef / 59 Tackles
Al Harris 3 INT / 17 Pdef / 41 Tackles

Oakland Raiders
Nnamdi Asomugha 8 INT / 19 Pdef / 50 Tackles
Fabian Washington 4 INT / 15 Pdef / 40 Tackles

San Diego Chargers
Quentin Jammer 4 INT / 18 Pdef / 78 Tackles
Drayton Florence 3 INT / 16 Pdef / 66 Tackles

Florence and Jammer are a nice pair of corners and great fits for the Chargers physical brand of defensive. And while they might be an elite tandem, Florence and Jammer nonetheless make a very good pair of starting cornerbacks,

Last year, Quinten Jammer was extended five years to the tune of $30 million with about $13.5 guaranteed. Jammer is a better player than Florence, so D Flo can't expect Jammer-type money if he wants to be extended. But then again, Florence is much more likely to get Jammer money with the Chargers then, say, Charles Tillman money. Tillman signed a six year extension with the Chicago Bears for $38 million dollars. Tillman's teammate, Nathan Vasher, got a 5 years, $28 million dollar extension as well. In 2005, Anthony Henry signed with the Cowboys as a free agent for 5 years, $25 million.

Drayton Florence's deal with the Chargers, should they offer him one, will likely be in the 5 year, $20 million dollar range. And because they have begun to groom a replacement for D Flo, they may or may not make it a priority to resign him.

We know Drayton can play; he has steadily improved every year. And of the four defensive backs the Chargers drafted in 2003, (Sammy Davis, Drayton Florence, Terrance Kiel, Hanik Milligan) he is clearly the best of the bunch and the only one actually still with the team. So in essence, if Drayton Florence were to leave the Chargers via free agency, one might call the Chargers' entire 2003 class of defensive backs either a waste or a failure.


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Buying Low And Selling High Is Key To Striking It Rich

This is how championship teams are built; You maximize every possible draft pick available to you, taking players that (depending on who you ask) could have gone much higher than where you took them.

AJ Smith and his front office team are extremely good at maximizing the value of their draft picks. In 2006 and 2007, they selected seven players who at some point in their college career or post-college career carried a first-round grade.


2006 NFL Draft

Round 1, Pick 19: Antonio Cromartie, CB
Round 2, Pick 50: Marcus McNeil, OT
Round 3, Pick 81: Charlie Whitehurst, QB

2007 NFL Draft

Round 1, Pick 30: Craig Davis, WR
Round 2, Pick 37: Eric Weddle, SS
Round 3, Pick 96: Anthony Waters, LB

2007 Supplemental Draft

Round 4: Paul Oliver, CB


Obviously Antonio Cromartie and Craig Davis carried first round draft grades if the Chargers saw fit to take them with their first picks. Had Cromartie stayed in school for another season and played at a high level, he would likely have been a top 10 pick in the 2007 draft.

Marcus McNeill was one of the best offensive linemen in all college football for four years. Teams were worried about a back condition which is why he fell to the second round. McNeil has since gone on to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie in the NFL.

Charlie Whitehurst was one of the top Quarterbacks in ACC history. He had an up and down senior season, but there was some instability on the team and in the coaching ranks at Clemson so he is not fully to blame. Whitehurst at one point in his college career was projected to be a first round pick.

Paul Oliver was the top rated defensive back in the nation after completing his senior year in high school. A top cornerback in college, Oliver was academically ineligible to return to Georgia. Had be played another season at the level he is capable of, he would likely have been a first round pick in 2008.

There wasn't a true consensus as to whether or not Eric Weddle was projected as a bona fide first rounder, and that is solely due to his slightly less-than-elite athleticism. However, scouts league-wide were unanimous that the team who lands Weddle in the second round would be getting a steal. The Chargers did just that, and took him at pick 37. That is only 5 picks away from the first round, and there were a number of draft scouts that felt Weddle had a first round grade. His love for the game and ability to make plays across a variety of positions helped elevate his stock and if the Chargers had two picks in the first round of the 07 draft, they would have just as easily taken Weddle in the first.

Like Antonio Cromartie, Anthony Waters declared for the NFL draft following a college season in which he did not play due to injury. Waters was one of the best linebackers in the college ranks when healthy. Ask anybody who watched him play and they will tell you he is certainly a first-round talent, especially if you are a team that needs a starting inside linebacker. Fortunately for the Chargers, they just needed depth and landing Waters in the third round to play a backup role is the epitome of a steal.

The Chargers and AJ Smith are becoming what Ozzie Newsome built the Baltimore Ravens into; A Super Bowl team filled with extremely talented players acquired almost exclusively through the draft.

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Shock And Awe-some: Chargers Land Paul Oliver

Wow, can't say I saw this one coming. Just yesterday I talked about how the Chargers would probably sit out the Supplemental Draft. There was word that the Chargers had interest in Defensive Back Paul Oliver, but then again many teams had interest in this young talent.

BoltHype columnist Ivan Abrahim had previously expressed that he felt Oliver would be a good fit for the Chargers.

If AJ doesnt plan to bring back Florence next year (BIG mistake!), i think Oliver would make a great choice and could sit and learn for a year then become the nickel next year behind Jam/Cro.

While I certainly will acknowledge that Paul Oliver is extremely talented (I saw how he shut down Sidney Rice and Calvin Johnson), it is that same acknowledgment that led me to believe that to land Oliver in the draft would take a day one pick.

I did not feel that Oliver was worth a first or second round pick, especially considering the fact that Florence and Cromartie will be here this year, and that next year's NFL Draft will feature a great crop of defensive backs. For this reason, I figured that AJ Smith would sit out the Supplemental Draft.

To my amazement, AJ Smith threw out a fourth (the Supplemental Draft is a closed process. Teams place a bid and sit and wait to see if their's was the highest bid) and it actually worked. I had expected a few teams to bid at least a third on Oliver. He is that talented. But for only a fourth round pick, AJ Smith and the Chargers landed a major steal.

Adding Paul Oliver to the mix now increases the competition level and talent level of the secondary to all-time levels. While it is somewhat disappointing that the Chargers seem to not view Cletis Gordon as a potential starter, that disappointment is replaced with the hope that the Chargers will field the most talented secondary that I have ever seen in Bolts. Whether or not the talent that players like Eric Weddle, Antonio Cromartie, and Paul Oliver is ever materialized into production and consistency in the NFL remains to be seen; but on paper the Chargers' roster contains the best mix of talent in the secondary that I can remember seeing. Hats off to AJ Smith and crew for finally addressing what has been a pressing need in San Diego for a long time.


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San Diego Chargers Defense A Top Fantasy Unit?

FanProphet did the San Diego Chargers' fantasy outlook and determine that the Chargers have a number of players/units that are top picks.

Among Tomlinson and Gates each being the tops at their positions, FanProphet also says the Chargers Defense and Special Teams unit is top five in terms of projected fantasy points:

DEFENSE: Without question this defensive unit is one of the top 5 defenses in the league and worthy of fielding every week in your fantasy lineup. Last season they produced a total of 28 takeaways and 61 sacks, therefore, it would behoove you to draft them when the defensive draft barrage begins. If they show half of the intensity they showed in 2006, they will remain dominate.

The fierce pass rush that Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips, and Luis Castillo provide is going to mean lots of sacks, negative yardage plays, forced fumbles, and interceptions. Those interceptions will come with natural playmakers like Antonio Cromartie and Eric Weddle getting more playing time. As long as the Chargers defense can become effective at stopping the pass game like they are at stuffing the run game, then not only will the unit be a top fantasy scoring defense, but they will also be a top defensive league-wide.

If you are a fantasy football fan, I would suggest you go check out FanProphet.com to get help with building your draft board for the upcoming season.


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