#30 SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

season preview
2012 Record: 7-9 2012 Position in the Standings: 2nd AFC West 2012 Offensive and Defensive Rankings: 24th Passing Offense, 27th Rushing Offense, 18th Passing Defense, 6th Rushing Defense

Power Outage
There used to be a time not long ago when San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers would be selected at the top of your fantasy draft with the likes of elite QBs such as Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning. Rivers threw for an impressive 4,000 yards or more for four consecutive years from 20082011, and for at least 25 TDs five years in a row from 2008-2012. Though Rivers still had a respectable 64% completion percentage, 3,606 yards, and 26 TDs in 2012, he will always be known as the quarterback from the 2004 draft yet to raise the Lombardi Trophy. His peers Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger have both won the Super Bowl twice each. When will it be Rivers turn to step up to the podium as confetti falls from the sky? Your guess is as good as mine.
QB Philip Rivers

The Chargers havent been to the playoffs since 2009. Owner Dean Spanos finally wised up after last season and canned coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith, who kept giving Turner his vote of confidence year after year. In hiring their new head coach, San Diego subscribed to the theory if you cant beat em, join em by reeling in division winner Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy to coach the team. The Chargers also added new general Coach Mike McCoy manger Tom Telesco and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, former coach of the Arizona Cardinals who lead his team to a Superbowl in 2009. John Pagano returns for his 12th season, second as defensive coordinator. The blame for the Chargers lackluster 2012 season can be placed largely on the porous offense line that frequently broke down in front of Rivers to the tune of 49 sacks allowed. The loss of San Diegos best offensive lineman, guard Louis Vasquez, to division rival Denver didnt help matters. The Chargers addressed their offensive line needs with the best remaining offensive tackle on the draft board in D.J. Fluker from Alabama. However, Fluker has looked every bit 1

the rookie that he is in training camp and preseason games. San Diego also added tackles King Dunlap from the Eagles and Max Starks from the Steelers in free agency to anchor their offensive line. Center Nick Hardwick is the only other player on the o-line with experience. None of these offensive linemen are world beaters by any means and problems will still continue in 2013 with protecting Rivers. The run game was horrible for the Chargers last year as they ranked 27th on the ground and last in rushing TDs with four. Running back Ryan Mathews cant stay healthy and hasnt played a full season since he was drafted with the 12th pick in the 2010 draft. Mathews had the misfortune of breaking both clavicles last year. Ronnie Brown and free agent Danny Woodhead from New England will tote the rock for San Diego if Mathews cant go the distance this year. However, Brown and the smallish Woodhead will be running behind an offensive line that hasnt greatly improved since last year. Quarterback Philip Rivers used to have one of the best receiver corps in the league. This years group of wide receivers looks more like a MASH unit. The Chargers lost wide receiver Danario Alexander for the season to a torn ACL earlier this month. Malcolm Floyd has a sprained knee and isnt expected back until after the start of the regular season. Floyd led the team last year with 56 receptions, 814 yards, and 5 TDs. Eddie Royal was loaded into an ambulance about a week ago with a bruised WR Malcolm Floyd lung and a concussion. This leaves Vincent Brown, who missed all of 2012 with an ankle injury, and rookie Keenan Allen as the starting receivers for the Chargers next preseason game against Arizona on Saturday. San Diego selected Allen in the third round from the University of California. He was projected on some NFL draft boards to go higher, but slipped because of a knee injury. Antonio Gates isnt the monster tight end that he used to be. However, he is still reliable as a possession receiver, grabbing 49 balls for 538 yards and 7 TDs in 2012. Rivers will more than likely look to the 6 4 veteran on third down to keep the chains moving. The Chargers defense ranked an outstanding sixth against the run in 2012. However, they lost outside linebacker in Melvin Ingram to a torn ACL in May. Ingram was expected to play a major role in the Chargers defense this year. The Chargers also released LB Takeo Spikes and his many years of leadership experience. Shaun Phillips, who led the team in sacks last year, departed in free agency to division foe Denver. Venerable cornerbacks Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer also bolted in free agency. San Diego added aging veteran Dwight Freeney in free agency from the Colts. It remains to be seen how much the 33-year old Freeney has left in the tank. The Chargers also added controversial linebacker Manti Teo in the second round of the draft. Teo is expected to become the leader of the defense, but it remains to be seen how much respect he will receive from his teammates after his revelations about an imaginary girlfriend.

Outlook: 4-12. Last in the AFC West. I dont see much improvement on either side of the ball for the San Diego Chargers. The additions to the offensive line arent very impressive and Rivers will still be running for his life. The defense has lost many years of leadership with the departure of key linebackers and cornerbacks. To top it all off, the team has been severely bitten by the injury bug this summer, losing two key cogs to ACL tears in LB Melvin Ingram and WR Danario Alexander. This is not the San Diego Chargers of old when they quite possibly had one of the best rosters in the league. This is a mix of veterans and rookies that will take a year or two to come back to respectability in the league. Rivers will keep them in close games, but the Chargers might only be able to get wins against Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Miami, and Oakland this year.