Carlson's Corner--- 'Weekly San Diego Chargers Write-up'
San Diego Chargers Season Outlook
NEW YEAR; SAME CHARGERS
My oh my what a two weeks it has been thus far of the 2016 NFL season as a Chargers fan. It has only been two weeks and my Chargers have me ripping my hair out like it’s late November. This roller coaster of emotions began back on April 28th at the 2016 NFL draft, when in the first round with the third overall pick the San Diego Chargers selected Joey Bosa from The Ohio State University. All offseason we heard the names of “Deforest Buckner”, “Laremy Tunsil”, and “Jalen Ramsey”; but nope Tom Telesco had other plans. At first I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that we drafted a player that mainly played defensive end for a 4-3 defensive scheme, when the chargers base defense is a 3-4 front. I’m hearing however that the Chargers believed Bosa has the athleticism to both drop back as an outside linebacker and stick his hand in the ground to play the edge. After weeks and weeks of holding out, including missing all of training camp, Bosa finally signed a 4-year $26 million contract with $17 million guaranteed with the Chargers on August 29th ending his prolonged holdout. I think all of us as football fans are eager to see this man step out on the field and see how he performs, and with Bosa finally practicing in full pads participating in contact drills as of September 21, I think our wait is slowly coming to an end. I expect Bosa to be on the field week 4 against the New Orleans Saints and be an immediate impact up front.
I know it’s already week 3, but let’s take a look back at a surprisingly busy San Diego Chargers offseason. Last year the Chargers were ranked DEAD LAST defensively against the run, and 20th overall defensively. With this being said, defense was their number 1 mission this offseason and it shows. Key departures of the offseason included the release of Inside linebackers Donald Butler and Kavell Conner, running back Donald Brown, and punter Mike Scifres. Key acquisitions this offseason on the defensive side of the ball include former Seattle Seahawks NT Brandon Mebane, former Indianapolis Colts FS Dwight Lowery, and ball-hawking ex Green Bay Packer Casey Hayward. On the offensive side of the ball Chargers added playmaker Travis Benjamin who has already made a true impact for this ball team, as well as C/G Matt Slauson. The Chargers hired ex-offensive coordinator Ken Whisehunt back as their offensive coordinator before the start of the season. As far as the draft goes, other than Joey Bosa the Chargers drafted TE Hunter Henry from Arkansas, C Max Tuerk from USC, as well as ILB Joseph Perry, OLB Jatavis Brown, P Drew Kaser, and FB Derek Watt.
My preseason prediction for my San Diego Chargers was 9-7, even 8-8 at worst, possibly sneaking into the playoffs via the wildcard. With this being said I jumped all over the over of our season win total of (6.5). Healthy, this is a sneaky dangerous team in the AFC and was getting no respect after a poor 4-win season last year. Like I said… “Healthy”. Just when the Joey Bosa roller coaster came to a screeching halt, the injury bug bit us again, over and over and over. Staying healthy is just not a San Diego Charger tradition. Preseason the Chargers lost key pieces to both their offense and defense in WR Stevie Johnson, RB and kick returner Branden Oliver, and NT Sean Lissemore. Week 1 @ Arrowhead against the Kansas City Chiefs, after the first half I couldn’t believe my eyes. The Chargers led 21-3 @ Arrowhead and even 24-10 heading into the fourth quarter. Star receiver, and my favorite player, Keenan Allen had six catches for 63 yards, toying with star CB Marcus Peters, and was poised to have his predicted breakout fantasy year. Then... Keenan Allen went down and was carted off the field with what we now know was a torn ACL. That was the turning point in this game where the Chargers would blow their lead, and lose in overtime 33-27. I’m still stomaching that loss to this day... The following week against the Jaguars, just when I think it can’t get any worse, the Chargers dual threat RB in Danny Woodhead goes down with a torn ACL as well. Also injured in that game was the Chargers starting SS Jahleel Addae, who is now out 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on his clavicle. The San Diego Chargers are CURSED.
San Diego Chargers Week 2 wrap-up/Week 3 look ahead
The San Diego Chargers are headed to Indianapolis this week to take on the 0-2 Colts. The Chargers are coming off a 38-14 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars making them 1-1 on the year, (2-0 still in my mind after the debacle of a second half performance against the chiefs in week 1). Phillip Rivers was 17/24 for 220 yards and FOUR touchdown passes, posting an 85.6 QBR. Travis Benjamin snagged six receptions and led the team in receptions and yards with 115 receiving yards including two touchdowns. Up and coming receiver Tyrell Williams and old reliable Antonio Gates each added a receiving touchdown as well. Melvin Gordon found the Endzone yet again on the ground, earning his third touchdown of the season, (three more than all last year), and also had his first career 100+ yard rushing game with 102 yards on the ground. The defense looked great yet again, forcing three turnovers including a two interception performance from offseason addition Casey Hayward. Melvin Ingram had two sacks in the game including a sack fumble, recovered by Corey Liuget. The Jaguars were held scoreless in three quarters of play and scored their only two touchdowns in the fourth quarter in “garbage time”. Some key takeaways from this game are that the Chargers offense is still clicking on all cylinders despite the losses of both Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead. The offensive line looks outstanding, Melvin Gordon is taking on a huge role and excelling, and Travis Benjamin and company are stepping up when needed too. Ken Whisenhunt back at Offensive coordinator truly feels right thus far. The defense looks stout and there is actually a PASS RUSH. Can’t remember the last time I have seen the Chargers consistently get after the quarterback. The Chargers secondary of cornerback’s Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers, Casey Hayward, and safety’s Jahleel Addae, and Dwight Lowery looks to me like one of the most under rated in the league.
To look ahead to week 3, the Chargers are currently three point underdogs to the Andrew Luck led colts in Indianapolis. This baffles me after reading the Colts hefty injury report. Offensively Indianapolis will be without one of their star receivers in Donte Moncrief, and will look to TY Hilton and Phillip Dorsett to carry the load. The Colts are currently ranked 30th in total defense and as of now their whole starting secondary is injured. Cornerbacks Darius Butler, Patrick Robinson, and Vontae Davis, have yet to practice this week as well as safety Clayton Geathers. Andrew Luck apparently is nursing a right shoulder injury, though he is fully expected to start Sunday vs. the Chargers, we all have seen a not so 100% Andrew Luck on the field, and if so, I wouldn’t be too worried as a Charger fan. As far as the Chargers are concerned, as of now the only question mark heading into the weekend is TE Antonio Gates. With that being said look for Hunter Henry out of Arkansas to possibly get his fair share of reps this weekend.
What I expect out of this game is a possible shootout between Phillip Rivers and Andrew Luck. Phillip WILL torch this abysmal defensive after seeing both Kansas City and Jacksonville weeks prior. I can’t imagine this to be much of bump in the road. With the Colts ranking 28th in run defense I look for Melvin Gordon to continue to build off his new found confidence and become even more of an option out of the backfield with the absence of Woodhead. I expect the defense to be ready to go coming off a nice win at home. Casey Hayward recorded his first career interception against the colts in 2012, and coming off a two interception game, why not have another? Jason Verrett rarely covers the slot so it will be up to Hayward and Flowers to take care of TY, and I can’t imagine Dorsett being much of a factor with Verrett shadowing him. Chargers currently are ranked 7th in rush defense, and don’t see old man Frank Gore getting anything going. Andrew Luck has been sacked seven times in only two games of play, and I imagine Defensive Coordinator John Pagano and the boys will have a game plan in place to continue to bring the pressure at Luck. With Luck nursing a shoulder injury to his throwing arm, things could get ugly quick, and boy do I hope they do. The road to 15-1 continues. BOLT UP
Chargers 31-23
(P.S the Chargers have outscored their opponents 42-3 in the first half this year, why not make a play with Chargers first half?)
