In case you didn’t notice, NFL Free Agency started one week ago. Did you miss it? Maybe you have been mesmerized by the NCAA Finals and your brackets…maybe your focus has been on Spring Training for baseball…Kentucky Derby prep races….or perhaps you are watching the hockey standings or enjoying the beginning of the Major League Soccer Season. Most likely, you have just been tired. You, Charger fans, have used the last three months to recuperate. To forget the pain of another lost season. Well, this past crazy, nutty week of Free Agency should be enough to pull you back in. While the ANALYSIS may sometimes lie dormant, the ANALYSIS never sleeps. And it is time for the ANALYSIS to give you all the lowdown on where the Chargers stand after this past week’s massive changes.
First, let me say, the 2012-2013 Charger Team will be vastly different. Many names that we have relied upon, and had high expectations for, are gone. We cannot now say that the bulk of the team that was so good and competitive in 2006, 2007 and even 2009 still exists. With some exceptions, this is a new team. Let’s first review who we have lost…so far:
Kris Dielman – Retired
Luis Castillo – Released
Marcus McNeill – Released
Dante Hughes – Released
Scott Mcruckowski -- Released
Vincent Jackson – Signed by Tampa Bay
Steve Gregory – Signed by New England
Billy Volek – Released
Mike Tolbert – Signed by Carolina
Among this list, really, is the heart and soul of our offense. With the exception of Rivers, you really could not name 4 guys who have meant more to this team over the past several years. Let’s start with Dielman. His retirement due to a horrible concussion and subsequent seizure on the plane ride back from New York was scary. Clearly, doctors told him that he is risking his future brain capacity by playing. They must have, because he was the toughest guy on our team. Very sad it ended like that for a guy who turned down more money to play here and was a gutty, solid player in every way. McNeill is another sad story. He was cut because he is medically risky (neck, much like Peyton Manning). The Chargers were uncomfortable keeping him at his high price if he cannot finish a season. Probably a wise move, but a shame because he has been a good character guy and a solid player.
The loss of Vincent Jackson is the one that made all the headlines. This one has been coming for a long time. From the widely publicized holdout of Jackson, to AJ’s mind games, to VJ playing through injuries last year…this one was pretty obvious. Except, the ANALYSIS did not want to believe it. Sometimes, it seems, a franchise needs to overpay a bit to keep a guy who lends credibility, continuity and the possibility of excellence. That was VJ. Maybe he struggles with injury the rest of his career? Maybe he doesn’t truly care and isn’t willing to go 100%? Maybe he isn’t an “elite” receiver? But, it seems that he is and I believe AJ should have taken a shot. As it stands, there is no question he followed the money, because Tampa Bay is a miserable franchise right now. Maybe he is great with them? But it does not seem so.
The one that the ANALYSIS is most surprised by, however, is Tolbert. This one cannot be blamed on AJ. Mike took a contract that was $1 million less over the 4 years to join with Carolina. It seems clear that Tolbert wanted to be close to home (went to college in North Carolina), wanted to spend less on “living expenses” and may have been offered a more prominent role. Not sure about that last part, but I do know that AJ stepped up with a good offer, and it would seem that Mike balked because there was some type of “cost of living” escalator or some type of promise of playing time that the Chargers could not deliver. Because if you look at cash, the Charger offer was there. Not good, because this guy was a great backup, great special teamer, and a good locker room guy.
Steve Gregory signing elsewhere (New England) was another one where our offer was similar. I think New England offered more playing time. A solid guy but we could use an upgrade. The release of the other players (Volek, Castillo, Dante Hughes, Scott M) are not a big deal other than money savers.
Now let’s look at who we have signed:
Donorrio Williams – Linebacker from the Chiefs – Signed to 3 years
Nick Hardwick – Re-Signed to 3 years
Jared Gaither – Re-Signed to 4 years
Robert Meacham- Receiver from the Saints – Signed to 4 years
Brandyn Dombrowski – Re-Signed to 1 year
Kory Sperry – Re-Signed to 1 year
Mike Windt – Re-Signed to 1 year
Jarret Johnson – Linebacker from the Ravens – Signed to 4 years
Leron McClain – Running Back/Fullback from the Chiefs –Signed to 3 years
Eddie Royal – Receiver from the Broncos –Signed to 3 years
Charlie Whitehurst – Back from Seattle – Signed to 2 years
Atari Bigby – Safety from the Packers –Signed to 2 years
Randy McMichael – Re-Signed to 2 years
Dante Rosario – Tight End from the Broncos –Signed to 1 year
OK. So no blockbusters. You are right. None of these players is front page news. I think with the loss of Jackson and the shedding of massive contracts of McNeill and Castillo it was assumed that there would be a big splash of some kind. There was not. What there is, however, is the signing of a number of players that bring two important things: depth and toughness. Two things we have lacked. The signing of Hardwick and Gaither shore up the line and give us 5 solid if unspectacular starters…that is good. The signings of Robert Meacham from the Saints and Eddie Royal from the Broncos give us two solid receivers at less than the price we would have paid Jackson. Both these guys are young, have had some success, are good character guys, versatile, etc. And, Eddie Royal will now return punts. Jarrett Johnson is an excellent “sleeper” pick up. A very tough and physical linebacker. He upgrades our defense big time. Donorrio Williams and Atari Bigby are tough role players who tackle well and provide capable depth. Leron McClain is another nice sign. A tough fullback who can hit a la Lorenzo Neal. Charlie Whitehurst comes back to replace the departed Volek, Dante Rosario and the re-signed Randy McMichael add depth at Tight End. And, I don’t think we are done. I think we are still looking for a backup running back, we have offers on the table to bring back Jake Hester, Antonio Garay, and Luis Castillo. We may still sign a backup cornerback.
Are we better? I am going to say, uh, I think we are as good as we were. I don’t think we are better…player for player. I think we lost some guys with exceptional skills. However, I do think we are deeper and we are tougher. That is important. Think about it: A slightly deeper and tougher team makes the playoffs the last two years out of our division. We should tackle better, we should have better backups. Can we replicate VJ and his 1,000 yards of receptions and 9 touchdowns. Maybe not with one guy…but what about two? Can we block without Dielman and McNeill? Well, our best games last year were when they were both out. Can we re-create Tolbert’s spirit and short yardage game? McClain is pretty good.
Are we better? Don’t know yet. The Draft is coming up. Look for our team to add a lot of new faces on defense. We have no Strong Safety, we still need an outside linebacker and a defensive tackle who can get to the QB, and we need some depth on the offensive line. There is still a lot to play out. Make no mistake, the 2012-2013 Chargers are a very different team. But, you need to ask yourselves….after two years of missing the playoffs with so much “talent”, don’t we need a new team? Also, the hatred for Norv and AJ seems to be at an all-time high. But, despite the major changes, we had a plan through this crazy week. Whether it is a good plan remains to be seen. But at least we had a plan. Stay tuned…..
