Bolts in enviable spot
Draft focus can be on top overall talent - not needs
By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
April 12, 2005
The vibe was different in the room where the Chargers' football decision-makers gathered yesterday morning on their first day of all-together preparation for the NFL draft.
This being the NFL, where secrecy is a way of life, there is no way to know for certain how General Manager A.J. Smith, coach Marty Schottenheimer, every scout from here and there and every director of this and that attacked the day. The brain trust will meet all day every day for the next two weeks, and anything it is preparing to do will be pure speculation. But all indicators are that the Chargers are in rarely explored territory as they set up for the April 23-24 draft.
With the 12th and 28th picks in the first round, the Chargers are in good shape however they decide to tackle the draft. Smith said the team will "prepare to stand pat first." But there is the possibility the Chargers could trade up or down as well.
But more compelling than what the Chargers might do is what they don't have to do.
"It's the first time since I've been here," Schottenheimer said, "that I feel we have an opportunity to take the best player around. We're finally in that position. It's really encouraging."
It hasn't just been during Schottenheimer's four-draft tenure. The Chargers have entered at least the past six or seven drafts with absolute needs, sometimes more of them than others, requiring a player who could step in and start almost immediately. This year, with every starter returning from a squad that finished 12-4 last season, there is a new luxury.
"We have an opportunity at this juncture to add depth at a couple of positions," Schottenheimer said. "And we can take guys we think are the best."
That is all the more remarkable when you consider that 33 of the 53 players on the Chargers' season-ending roster are in their third year or less in the NFL.
That is not to say the Chargers don't have needs.
"We know the starters are here," Smith said. "But we also have some age here. (The ideal situation with an) older veteran is you put a fine young player behind that person."
Left tackle Roman Oben started every game last year and will be considered a foundation of the offensive line for 2005, but he will turn 33 in October. Receiver Keenan McCardell is 35, though Smith believes he plays younger.
There is simply not the urgency for a player to provide immediate substantial help, the way LaDainian Tomlinson did or Quentin Jammer or Philip Rivers were expected to do before contract squabbles kept them out of a substantial portion of the preseason. If one of this year's draftees does prove to be a starter, that will be a bonus.
"Some might play right away. Some might back up awhile," Smith said. "There's a chance some players would be added just for depth."
The Chargers' priority would seem to be a pass-rushing defensive end. The team ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks per pass play last season. Many prognosticators figure there's a good chance the top players who fit that description still will be available with the 12th pick overall.
There also is the possibility the Chargers take a receiver or offensive tackle in the first round. Former USC receiver Mike Williams or Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barron could be available at No. 12. There should also be quality players at those positions available later in the first round.
In the later rounds, the Chargers would appear to be in need of a safety and a linebacker to develop.
"We might not have a whole lot of holes, as we have had in the past, where we're unhappy with the players we have," Smith said. "However, there are always good football players out there. You can always find someone who can come in and add depth and even start."
Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050412-9999-1s12chargers.html
Draft focus can be on top overall talent - not needs
By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
April 12, 2005
The vibe was different in the room where the Chargers' football decision-makers gathered yesterday morning on their first day of all-together preparation for the NFL draft.
This being the NFL, where secrecy is a way of life, there is no way to know for certain how General Manager A.J. Smith, coach Marty Schottenheimer, every scout from here and there and every director of this and that attacked the day. The brain trust will meet all day every day for the next two weeks, and anything it is preparing to do will be pure speculation. But all indicators are that the Chargers are in rarely explored territory as they set up for the April 23-24 draft.
With the 12th and 28th picks in the first round, the Chargers are in good shape however they decide to tackle the draft. Smith said the team will "prepare to stand pat first." But there is the possibility the Chargers could trade up or down as well.
But more compelling than what the Chargers might do is what they don't have to do.
"It's the first time since I've been here," Schottenheimer said, "that I feel we have an opportunity to take the best player around. We're finally in that position. It's really encouraging."
It hasn't just been during Schottenheimer's four-draft tenure. The Chargers have entered at least the past six or seven drafts with absolute needs, sometimes more of them than others, requiring a player who could step in and start almost immediately. This year, with every starter returning from a squad that finished 12-4 last season, there is a new luxury.
"We have an opportunity at this juncture to add depth at a couple of positions," Schottenheimer said. "And we can take guys we think are the best."
That is all the more remarkable when you consider that 33 of the 53 players on the Chargers' season-ending roster are in their third year or less in the NFL.
That is not to say the Chargers don't have needs.
"We know the starters are here," Smith said. "But we also have some age here. (The ideal situation with an) older veteran is you put a fine young player behind that person."
Left tackle Roman Oben started every game last year and will be considered a foundation of the offensive line for 2005, but he will turn 33 in October. Receiver Keenan McCardell is 35, though Smith believes he plays younger.
There is simply not the urgency for a player to provide immediate substantial help, the way LaDainian Tomlinson did or Quentin Jammer or Philip Rivers were expected to do before contract squabbles kept them out of a substantial portion of the preseason. If one of this year's draftees does prove to be a starter, that will be a bonus.
"Some might play right away. Some might back up awhile," Smith said. "There's a chance some players would be added just for depth."
The Chargers' priority would seem to be a pass-rushing defensive end. The team ranked 31st in the NFL in sacks per pass play last season. Many prognosticators figure there's a good chance the top players who fit that description still will be available with the 12th pick overall.
There also is the possibility the Chargers take a receiver or offensive tackle in the first round. Former USC receiver Mike Williams or Florida State offensive tackle Alex Barron could be available at No. 12. There should also be quality players at those positions available later in the first round.
In the later rounds, the Chargers would appear to be in need of a safety and a linebacker to develop.
"We might not have a whole lot of holes, as we have had in the past, where we're unhappy with the players we have," Smith said. "However, there are always good football players out there. You can always find someone who can come in and add depth and even start."
Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050412-9999-1s12chargers.html
--but whatever, if the go 0-16 this season i'll still be down for the bolts...lets get into discussions about the team and football and we can base it on that