06-30-10 pm pac

L.T. is no more, Jamal Williams is a Bronco, Merriman's a shadow of his former self, Larry English and Shaun Phillips haven't lived up to expectations yet, starting LT Marcus McNeil and their best new WR Vincent Jackson both having serious contract disputes, with Jackson talking a 10 game hold out and or seeming to have one foot out the door.  

New #1 draft pick Ryan Mathews is a terrific all around back and SD may be looking to temper its pass happy attack from last year with a serious dose of Mathews and the running game (especially if Jackson and McNeil are gone or sit) but the Chargers O line is made of "dancers" as NFLN's Jamie Dukes puts it. Not the type of "power pigs" that excel at blowing defenders off the LOS and clearing running lanes through defending D's.

Add that to a long string of run ins with the League and the law and its clear the writing is on the wall for the San Diego Chargers.

Have no illusions, Phillip Rivers is the real deal (even with Marion slash Namath like knees) and opponents would be foolish to write them off, but the window of opportunity appears to be closing fast.

LITANY OF WOE

In recent times Chargers have racked up some dubious deeds...

Steve Foley LB

Sept. 3rd during his 5th arrest Foley was shot in the leg by SD police. With a blood alcohol level of .233 (3 times the legal limit) and a bad attitude Foley's NFL career no longer has a leg to stand on.

Terrence Keil SS

Keil was arrested 24 days later and charged with 5 felonies for smuggling "lean" a codeine cough syrup concoction.

He died July 25th 2008 after slamming his car into a wall. Party goers tried in vain to keep him from behind the wheel.

Shawne Merriman LB

In Oct of 06 Merriman was suspended for steroids.

Stephen Cooper LB

Suspended April 15th 2008 for steroid abuse.

Kevin Ellison S

May 26th 2010 Ellison gets popped with over 100 vicodin. He's dropped from the team but signs almost immediately with the Seahawks.

Warrants served...

June 29th 2010 the DEA serves warrant against the Chargers and Padres.

Boisterous Cinncinati Wide out Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson twittered former Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell may be a Bengal by mini camps.

Ocho's twitter said “I’ll see you at minicamp, Oops, did I just leak that info?”

NFLN's Jason LaCanfora states that "the Bengals are among the teams that have contacted the quarterback's representatives."

On ESPN Adam Schefter confirms the Bengals and others have called Russell's handlers, but “there are no plans for him to be at any minicamps now.”

Whether this is more baseless hype by the ever attentioned starved Ocho is anyones guess at this point, but it would be remiss not to point out Chad's tweet about T.O. becoming a Bengal were without merit.

Some have tried to reason Russell into the fold even though the Bengals already have a franchise quarterback in Carson Palmer, some think injuries like a bad elbow that plagued him in 2008 may still have been bothering him in 2009 and that the Bengals are seeking insurance.

Before Russell signs anywhere, he'll have to pass a physical.

I wonder if the Bengals will lie about his weight if he's over 300?

04-29-10 12:24 am pac

                                                                                                                           RB Ryan Mathews

San Diego needed help from this years draft after in recent years, rewarding maxed out players with long term deals.

They were going to the play offs and keeping together a super bowl challenging team, but injuries and some of the replacements they drafted haven’t panned out and those contracts came back to bite them in a way.

L.T. is gone and so is, for the most part, the line that blocked for him. They challenged again last year for play off supremacy but again, fell short.

The team is changing and the clock is ticking.

For the Chargers, this years draft will either put them over the top or signal its decline and the beginning of a long rebuilding process.

The San Diego Chargers

RND 1 Pick 12

RB Ryan Mathews

The Chargers may have panicked when they leapt 16 spots from 28^th to 12 in order to snag the former Fresno State running back.

In doing so, Miami, formerly at the 12^th pick, now had the Chargers 28^th selection, but San Diego had to give away their 2^nd round (40^th overall) pick and a 4^th round pick to get him. (126^th overall.)

Rumor had it the Texans were gunning for him, so the Chargers acted. (The Texans later quietly denied they were interested in moving on Mathews at that point.)

However it came to be, he’ll be starting his career in powder blue.

Mathews is a bruising, complete back who can catch and even throw, but his forte is running between the tackles and crushing defenders with one of colleges best stiff arms.

Mathews is meant to compliment scat back Darren Sproles and add some power to the Chargers sagging ground game.

The big knock on Mathews is he has struggled with injury his entire career.

The 6-0, 218 lb down hill runner’s only real draw back is his health.

Mathews talent is undeniable but muscles tears, foot and knee injuries and concussions have plagued the former Bulldog and he’s never managed to play an entire season.

At the pro level, its not likely to get any easier.

RND 3 Pick 15 (79^th overall)

LB Donald Butler

Trading away their second rounder the Bolts settled on 6-1, 245 lb line backer Donald Butler. Butler is an instinctive, physical linebacker but has several holes in his game especially against he run. He’s got good size and strength but not great speed.

He’s likely a few years out from cracking the starting line up and is more of a project for SD’s key line backing corps.

RND 5 Pick 15 (146^th overall)

DT Cam Thomas

Considered a huge value in the 4^th round the 6-4, 330 lb Thomas will be tasked with filling the shoes of the departed Jamal Williams. After being released by San Diego the 12 yr veteran nose tackle was signed to a 3 year deal with division rival Denver.

Needless to say, those are some big shoes.

The Chargers are all about their line backers, but a 3-4 can’t function with a block absorbing big man to eat up space in the middle.

Thats about all he’s good for.

No real pass rush moves other than bull rush, questionable tackler, poor lateral agility and gets winded easily which wasn’t as much of a problem for the Tar Heels incredibly deep and star laden defensive roster.

The reason Cam is considered a good value is you don’t lose much money on a 4^th round contract.

That was a major concern considering Thomas’s mediocre numbers at North Carolina and sudden explosion at the NFL Draft.

Many felt the big man was simply applying himself for the pay day and worry about his motivation.

He is a big body though and thats what the Chargers 3-4 needs.

RND 5 Pick 37 (168^th overall)

QB Jonathan Crompton

With a compensatory pick the Bolts selected the 6-3, 222 lb passer to groom over the coming years and take the place of back up Charlie Whitehurst who went to Seattle this off season.

Crompton’s got injury and accuracy issues, but he’s a big kid with a big arm.

RND 7 Pick 28 (235 overall)

TE Dedrick Epps

San Diego lost Brandon Malumaleuna to the Bears in free agency. The Chargers hope the 6-3, 250 lb Epps can help ease the loss as he competes to make the squad.

Both the Chargers and the Broncos had erratic even questionable drafts in 2010while the Raiders have been praised for theirs.

Time will tell.

                                                                     1st round pick S Eric Berry

Many analysts felt KC’s best move this draft would be to shore its O line with a blue chip left tackle and the #1 rated tackle in the draft was available for them in Russell Okung.

Instead head coach Todd Haley and crew opted for yet another top 5or better draft pick on the defensive side of the ball making it three years in a row for the Chiefs with little to show for it.

This years pick safety Eric Berry looks to change that, still the selection of Okung would’ve allowed a shifting of offensive linemen that could greatly benefitted the team and shored their lines for years.

Time will tell whether they made the right pick and whether or not their draft was a success or failure.

Kansas City Chiefs

RND 1 Pick 5

As mentioned, KC disregarded their O line needs and took instead Tennessee safety Eric Berry. KC’s D especially its secondary under performed, but they do have talent at corner. Now they have the best player in the NFL draft hawking their third level.

Bonus: He repaid an old debt to Peion Deion Sanders, refusing an interview with ole #21 because, when Berry met Sanders as a child and asked for his autograph Sanders told him "No."

Berry carries a grudge and a big stick.

RND 2 Pick 4 36^th overall

Again by passing their O line the Chiefs opted for nimble speed in the form of Dexter McCluster out of Mississippi. He’s tiny but mighty with quickness and speed he’ll need it to avoid having his 5-9, 172 lb frame distorted by NFL sized defenders and DBs.

Bonus: Versatile. Can line up in the backfield or at slot. Elusiveness makes him a night mare in the open.

RND 2 Pick 18 50^th overall

The Chiefs again addressed their defensive back field with Alabama’s Javier Arenas. The 5-9, 197 lb CB is a play maker who’ll likely man Nickle in Romeo Crennel’s new KC D.

His tiny stature makes him a questionable tackler and he’ll need to work on his ball skills at the next level.

Bonus: Is a bonafide return man.

RND 3 pick 4 68^th overall

Haley and co finally decided to dedicate a selection to the needy O line taking 6-4, 305, guard John Asomoha.. He’s aggressive and very quick but over extends and falls prey well executed counter moves, especially when his pads are too high.

Bonus: can play on either side of center.

RND 3 Pick 29 93^rd overall

KC takes a burly run blocking TE to shore its offense in the form of Iowa’s Tony Moeawki. At 6-3, 245, Moeawki is one of if not the best run blocking TE in the 2010 draft.

Bonus: Under rated receiver.

RND 5 Pick 5 136th overall

Todd Haley may have over compensated in this draft with too many picks at secondary when other needs were pressing.

6-0, 198 lb safety Kendrick Lewis (also out of Mississippi) is a smart vocal leader but lacks elite speed. He’ll support the run D and takes good angles, but needs to work on his hands.

Bonus: Instinctive and understands zone coverages.

RND 5 Pick 11 142 overall

DE Cameron Sheffield provided a body for the transistion to their 3-4 and is a project pass rusher. At 6-2, 257 he has good size and strength but lacks burst, athleticism and instincts.

Bonus: Tackles well.

04-28-10 1:22 pm PAC

McDaniel and co. seemed stunned by Oaklands early selection of MLB Rolando McClain and after, their draft looked erratic and confused in its aftermath.

Denver seems to want high character guys to fill in for productive, proven All Pros with question marks and attitudes. (With the exception of one of their selections) Will it pay off?

Time will tell but this years Denver draft gambles make Al Davis look a little less crazy.

RND 1 Pick 22

WR Demaryius Thomas

The former GT wide out suffered a foot injury so no one know show fast he is in the 40 (Like Crabtree last year) but he’s gifted wide out blessed with size (6-3, 224) and strength but is a gamble none the less due to lapses in focus and concentration making circus catches one moment and dropping gimmes the next. Playing for the Yellow Jackets spread means he hasn’t run pro routes and the few he did run at GT tended to have rounded edges and bananas.

Not known for his blocking prowess either.

RND 1 Pick 25

QB Tim Tebow

Some have fallen in love with what a sparkling prince of a young Christian Tebow seems to be and he is one of the best college QBs but Urban Myer’s spread offense.

Tebow’s slow decision making and inaccurate wind mill throwing motion makes him a gamble in the 1^st round.

Add to that the fact the 6-3, 236 lb Florida product has struggled when trying to read pro style defenses and wasn’t asked to go through pro style progressions and one can see the project McDaniels and co. have taken on.

He may be a magnetic presence to some but his shine may have blinded the Broncos to reach for Tim Tebow the character and not Tim Tebow the NFL caliber quarter back.

RND 2 Pick 13 45^th overall

T Zane Beadles

The 6-4 310 lb Utah lineman will kick inside to guard for starter so his bulk can help the Broncos run game. He’s adept at reading twists and blitzes, has quick feet but can be blown off the line by a strong punch.

Like Bronco linemen of old he plays dirty at times too but with poor footwork and inconsistent cut blocks may struggle in the ZBS.

RND 3 Pick 16 80^th overall

C J.D. Walton

A center at Baylor the 6-3, 300 Walton led the offense as captain and excelled academically. Another of McDaniels’ Christian soldiers Walton is a character guy but on the field is a mauler who’s specialty is pan caking opponents.

He needs work on cut blocks and doesn’t have great feet. His arms are short too and gets over powered by stronger DTs.

Has drawn comparisons to former Raider center Jake Grove.

RND 3 Pick 23 87^th overall

WR Eric Decker

A solid worker with great hands Decker suffered a foot injury pre draft. Many felt he could’ve gone higher in the draft but he’s sustained injuries like a high ankle sprain last fall and a knee surgery his junior year.

The 6-3, 217 lb WR has been working on his blocking, has good route tree and is a natural athlete who is a character guy as well.

RND 5 Pick 6 137 overall

DB Perrish Cox

A departure for McDaniel’s Cox is a player banned from the Oklahoma State facilities on its pro day.

The 5-11, 195 lb DB has an tangible return game for added value and could be a good press cover corner.

This selection flies in the face of McDaniel’s revamped character driven team since Cox was suspended several times and missed the Cotton Bowl due to the same. He’s also had run ins with the law and has three children.

RND 6 Pick 14 183^rd overall

C Eric Olsen

McDaniel’s is creating competition at the center position adding the 6-4 306 lb Notre Dame center with size strength and technique but lacking foot work.

He’s project but the move makes sense as the Broncos try to find a replacement or grow one to take over a position lacking since the departure of Tom Nalen years ago.

RND 7 Pick 18 225 overall

DB Syd’Quan Thompson

Tough, physical corner with skills.

His main draw back? I can out run him. A 4.75 in the 40 combined with his diminutive 5-9 186 lbs saw him spiral.

RND 7 pick 25 232 overall

DE Jammie Kirlew

Talented pass rusher who they hope could compete for a spot in their 3-4 as a LB/DE hybrid so popular these days.

Denver still has holes and question marks gambling on players with potential rather than proven football skills.

McDaniel’s desire to create a team of good Christian soldiers (or at least players with shorter rap sheets) is admirable but so far it looks like he’s replacing production with potential.

                                                                                                      KC QB Matt Cassel

The Chiefs Matt Cassel cashed in this week, but is he as solid an investment as they think?

Time will tell, but preliminarily, heres the pros and cons for and against.

Yes.

Cassel put up decent numbers and more importantly won games after Brady’s early departure, stepping out of the shadow of one of the most prolific QBs of our generation and taking his team to the play offs.

In todays League, a winning QB is worth his weight in gold and Cassel’s $60 million dollar deal, $28 million guaranteed, at this moment, is about fair market value for top notch talent.

No.

Cassel managed wins for the Patriots but they are and have been an extremely competitive team thats played as a tried and tested unit for many, many years. They're also replete with top notch talent, if not on the O line, then at wide receiver with again, two very prolific footballers.

In KC, they have two very young and untested linemen who are high draft picks and also Brian Waters who is one of the finest unsung guards in the League.

Cassel showed a tendency to hold the ball too long in New England, contributing to New Englands 51 sacks last year.

With the line in KC's line, if he does that in 09', he may be the one being carted off the field.

On the other side of the ball KC has even more questions. Its a fairly safe bet they'll experience growing pains installing a new 3-4 defense and that could make Cassel and the KC passing game work even harder.

Though KC has a running game with work horse Larry Johnson, he hasn’t been exactly thrilled to be a Chief the last few years and until he found out they would not have to pay him this years salary if he left, had both feet out the door.

Don’t be shocked if he gets injured in 4 games or less with the advantage being saving his body for next year, hopefully with a new team.

If The Chiefs running game falters, Cassel won’t have Tony Gonzales to chew up turf 10 yds at a time.

Maybe

Stranger things have happened, but its still a very real possibility Cassel could pull a Derrick Anderson and falter after one decent year. This seems more likely given the litany of woe that has plagued KC of late, not the least of which are the obvious holes in their roster and new coaches.

Then again, Cassel could unite the fledgling team and rally them a winning season.

But I wouldn’t bet on it.

Alot of things could go right, but odds are, alot of things will go wrong too...

The following quotes are from AP Sportswriter Arnie Stapleton:

"Broncos owner Bowlen sends letter trying to explain Cutler trade"

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-broncos-cutler&prov=ap&type=lgns

"At least one fan’s feelings weren’t assuaged by Bowlen’s letter.

"I thought it was too little, too late," said Ken Mendelsberg, 42, whose family has had Broncos season tickets since 1961.

Neither Bowlen’s letter nor McDaniels’ news conference Friday curbed his concerns about the direction of the franchise.

"I don’t understand why he’d go to a press conference wearing a hoodie," Mendelsberg said of McDaniels. "Jay Cutler showed up at his press conference (in Chicago) looking nice. He looked like he had a makeover—nice suit, nice tie, nice haircut. He even laughed. I’d never seen him laugh. It’s like he had a new lease on life."

He doesn’t feel the same about his beloved Broncos.

"I’m so bummed. What do I tell my kids? We don’t have a quarterback; we don’t have a defense," Mendelsberg said. "This did nothing to ease my mind."

You’d think the fact the Broncos mismanaged, rebuilding franchise now has FOUR first round draft picks in the next 2 years would offer some modicum of solace.

Who's to say they couldn't trade for a solid quarterback to replace Cutler and still rebuild with some first round talent?

Either way, the Broncos have suddenly fast tracked their way to a faster and desperately needed rebuild.

But is it on the up and up?

The whole blow up with Cutler and McDaniels seemed out of proportion from the get go and so does the reward.

This isn’t the first time someone with the Patriots has been accused of dirty dealing and even though they were punished only for a few minor infractions its likely for every one they got caught for, there were usually a lot more they weren’t.

Thats why some of the more astute Raider fans looked upon the new entry of Patriot blood into the AFC West with a watchful eye.

First it was former Patriots GM Scott Pioli, who officially joined the Chiefs January 13^th 2009 and immediately came under scrutiny for his seemingly sweet heart deal with his former team to acquire break out quarter back Matt Cassell.

Compared to Denvers compensation for Cutler, the Cassell deal seems even more lopsided.

Photo / Getty Images

                                                                                            Cheifs Qb Matt Cassell

A measly 2^nd round pick (34^th overall in the 09' draft) and a washed up 13 year veteran linebacker was all the compensation the Patriots achieved from trading a fresh young starting quarterback with a QB rating of 89.4 compared to Cutler’s 08' rating of 86.

The deal had many scratching their heads.

The notion "Cassell's franchise tag $14 million dollars for 2009 was the reason he was taken for a 2nd round pick" as asserted by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock doesn't hold water considering KC could and should sign him to a longer contract and defer that money over the years in guarantees.

No matter how you spin it, its a questionable deal.

Then along came another involving a "former" Patriot, Denvers new head coach, former Patriot offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Supposedly "at odds" with 3^rd year pro bowl franchise quarter back Jay Cutler, the two reached an impasse and the poor Broncos are forced to console themselves with all those first round picks to rebuild their ailing franchise.

I wonder if Bob Kraft has any stock in the Broncos or KC?

Maybe theres nothing wrong with either of these deals.

It could be the Patriots got burned on the Cassell deal and took too little for him. All this despite reports other teams offered 1^st round picks. Denver was reported to have offered its 12^th overall draft pick for Cassell and was denied.

The thinking was, that New England was only $4 million under the cap and couldn’t afford to pay a player picked at 12.

Of course by freeing up Matt Cassell’s projected $14.65 million for the 09' season and another $1 million by ditching aged linebacker Mike Vrabel, the money would certainly be there.

New England now has the 23^rd pick overall and 3 second round picks who’ll come at a much cheaper price.

Volume and value.

Smart, shrewd business dealings or insider trading?

Either way it seems New England’s shady dealings have branched out into the AFC West and that may not be good news for Oakland.

Photo Getty Images

                                                                                                  New KC QB Matt Cassell

Of course alot depends on whom they trade with, but it would be interesting if Cutler garnered the Broncos anything more than the Patriots received from Kansas City for Matt Cassell and over the hill LB Mike Vrabel.

After all, while Cutler did have a pro bowl caliber year in 2008, Matt Cassell's quarterback rating was higher.

Though Cutler posted impressive stats, finishing the season with 4.526 yds and 25TDs, completeing 384 passes on 616 attempts, his QB rating was 86%, thanks, in part, to 18 interceptions.

In 16 games, Cutler put the ball up 100 times more than Cassell in his 15 appearances last year, but amazingly, the vocal Bronco QB, was sacked only 11 times.

Photo Getty Images

                                                                                 Broncos QB Jay Cutler

Cassell threw for less yardage, airing out 516 passes and completing 327 for 3,693 yds, 21 TDs and 11 interceptions, seven fewer than Cutler, despite being sacked a whopping 36 more times than Cutler,47 altogehter.

Cassell came away with a QB rating of 89.4% filling in for the injured Tom Brady and established himself as a new player to watch.

Given his success and the rarity of seemingly productive QBs, many were shocked at the seemingly insufficient compensation the Patriots settled for when dealing him away to Kansas Citys newly appointed GM and former New England Patriot front office guru, Scott Pioli.

The Patriots did throw in Vrabel, who was exposed, along with every other New England LB, when Adalius Thomas got hurt.

After 13 seasons, Vrabel is past his prime and his trade saved the Patriots over a million dollars in guarantees, yet they contend their was nothing under handed or skewed about their seemingly sweet heart deal.

It will beintersting to see if New England may be branching out and using the Broncos and KC as a mutual back door partners to help each other out.

Remember, the Patriots got cuaght cheating and most know for every one a cheat gets caught for, there are ten more that slip by.

The fact is, if Denver does decide to ok a trade for Cutler (and you can bet they are covertly fielding offers) the Broncos should not receive any more recompense than the Patriots did for emerging star Matt Cassell.

Cutler does have a 2 more seasons of film and experience than Cassell, but also has diabetes and a seemingly serious attitude he doesn't mind sharing with the press.

If Denver does seek and acquire a trade and somehow ends up with more than a high 2nd round pick and a player with 13 years of wear and tear on him, it could, and should, reignite the Cassell trade controversy all over again.

UPDATE:

After repeated denials by owner Pat Bowlen and awkward posturing by rookie head coach Josh McDaniels, recently, the Broncos owner did an about face and announced they wouldbe severing ties with the unhappy quarterback.

There are at least 8 potential landing zones for Cutler, but most applicable seems to be in Cleveland after a possible exchange for the Browns 2007 1st round pick (22nd overall) Brady Quinn.

To sweeten the deal, its been suggested the Browns might go as far as giving Denver a 1st or 2nd round pick or combine Quinn with sometimes disgruntled but productive DT Shaun Rogers, who is a pro bowl caliber nose tackle, something the sieve like Broncos new 3-4 D would be interested mightily in, but, after missing the 1st week of organized work outs this off season, Rogers seems to have smoothed over differences with Coach Eric Mangini and is reportedly pleased he will receive his $6 million dollar roster bonus.

On march 4th the Cleveland Plains Dealer reported the Browns had "zero interest in trading Shaun Rogers, but the Broncos said something similar not long ago about a certain quarterback.

No matter where Cutler lands, it will be interesting to see if there is a seeming discrepancy in recompense between Cutler's deal and Cassell's.