SDUT: Chargers mailbag (Feb. 25)

Robin Miller · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 85

Question
We all know AJ is great.

That being said, going into the 2006 draft, the Chargers' starting OLT,
Roman Oben, suffered a significant foot injury.

With the 19th pick, AJ selected Antonio Cromartie. Marcus McNeil
(thankfully) fell to San Diego in the 2nd round.

By the time San Diego picked McNeil, Winston Justice (who turned out to be a
bust) and Daryn Colledge (has been so-so playing guard) were already picked.
Another prospect, Eric Winston, went at the top of round 3 but probably
didn't have the measurables to play OLT.

Was AJ more lucky then good in finding the Chargers' OLT of today and
tomorrow - or did he have a credible back-up plan?

I often think about this scenario.

Scott Ono / Honolulu

Answer

Too much time on your hands, Scott.

AJ was lucky and good, as are all "good" GMs.

Little-known fact: he tried to trade up that day to make sure he got
McNeill. No takers, so he sat and held his breath. It worked out.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
Kevin, I know AJ likes experienced depth; however, is the acquisition of
Derek Smith an indication of the Chargers' declining confidence in either
Dobbin's or Siler's development?

Tim / SF Bay Area

Answer

There is little to no confidence that Dobbins can be a regular. He can be
the next Carlos Polk -- outstanding on special teams.

They are high on Siler, but he is two or three years away from being
consistent enough for them to have confidence in him being the primary
backup.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
Hey Kevin,

With the news that the Chargers have made an offer to Derek Smith, how many
ILB's to you think the Chargers will keep in '08? I think it would be no
more than 5. I would say Cooper, Wilhelm & Waters are locks. Does that leave
Siler, Dobbins, Polk & Smith battling for 2 spots?

Josh / Corona

Answer

I'd say Polk is gone. They'll keep the rest. Dobbins is a special teams guy,
nothing more.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
Is there any chance you bring in a guy like Vinny Testaverde to be the 3rd
string QB behind Rivers and Whitehurst?
Not just his play on the field (as a 3rd stringer) but his exp. makes him an
extra coach.

Chargerfanmx / Baja California, Mexico

Answer

Not a chance. Too old. Who's to say he's better than Whitehurst? As for him
being an extra coach, that may or may not be true. And they don't need
another coach.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
Why do the chargers captains dont wear the "C" patches on their jerseys
like all other teams do?

Alejandro / Mexico City

Answer

Not all other teams do. I asked once, and it was a significant number that
do not. They just thought it was cheesy.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
What is your assessment of Craig Buster Davis? I know he was injured off
and on this season, but he really showed very little as a rookie. With his
speed, you would think he could at least average 10 yards a catch.

Mike / Kaneohe

Answer

He was a rookie. It's just that simple. He is a VERY good receiver who
should catch 40 balls in 2008 and will continue to grow. Not bad since he's
behind Gates, Chambers and Jackson.

Please name me a rookie receiver that really excels that first season. I've
said it a lot -- receiver is a tough transition to make to the NFL level.

Four receivers were taken in front of Davis. Calvin Johnson (the second
pick) had 48 catches for 756 yards. Tedd Ginn 34-420. Dwayne Bowe 70-995.
Robert Meachem was inactive every game. The three that played were on bad
teams.

How ticked off would you be if the Chargers had Meachem?

Long way to go.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
Kevin, I didn't read you'll be going surfing in the off-season...
Anyway, do you think Norv likes Eric Weddle enough to start next season over
McRee? I live in SLC, and saw him play every year at the U of U. He's a
special football player. I'm not saying he has the best raw athleticism or
talent - just a reall footballer.

Adam / Salt Lake City

Answer

McCree will be gone. Weddle will start.

The thinking is that he will be a solid player for many years -- always
around the ball, making hits, maybe a Pro Bowler but definitely a long-time
starter who comes through big a few times a game.

He showed a few times last season he can be special making plays.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
Hi Keven,

I haven't heard any mention of the Bolts needing some D-Line help this off
season. Is it just me, or didn't it seem like the injuries to Castillo and
Williams really hurt us at times and both of those guys have seemed to be
pretty nicked up at times the past 2 years. Do you feel that our depth at DL
needs to be addressed or am I way off base here?

John / Las Vegas

Answer

You're right. Jamal is still a beast when healthy. When healthy. He is a guy
who might miss three to five games a year from now on, and they need someone
behind him.

I think that person is more likely Bingham than McKinney, even though they
played Bingham at end more than inside last season.

Sure, how great would it be to go out and get the next Jamal. Good luck with
that.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Question
Ace,

Can you settle the arguement on who let Wes Welker go...with actual fact...
instead opinions from supporters of Marty or AJ or ...whomever?

Cal / Brawley

Answer

It was AJ. It was a numbers thing. Welker was a FA, and they had Eric
Parker. You could argue they chose wrong. So did everyone but Miami.

Kevin Acee
Monday, February 25, 2008

Archived from group: alt>sports>football>pro>sd-chargers

Kurgan Gringioni · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 114

On Feb 26, 6:43 am, "Robin Miller" wrote:

>
> He was a rookie. It's just that simple. He is a VERY good receiver who
> should catch 40 balls in 2008 and will continue to grow. Not bad since he's
> behind Gates, Chambers and Jackson.
>
> Please name me a rookie receiver that really excels that first season. I've
> said it a lot -- receiver is a tough transition to make to the NFL level.

Well, there's Davis' college teamate Bowe (KC, lit our team up) and
the most obvious is Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals.

It's not common, but it is possible.

> Can you settle the arguement on who let Wes Welker go...with actual fact....
> instead opinions from supporters of Marty or AJ or ...whomever?
>
> Cal / Brawley
>
> Answer
>
> It was AJ. It was a numbers thing. Welker was a FA, and they had Eric
> Parker. You could argue they chose wrong.

You sure could.

Fred Fredburger · Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

Kurgan Gringioni wrote:

>> Can you settle the arguement on who let Wes Welker go...with actual fact...
>> instead opinions from supporters of Marty or AJ or ...whomever?
>>
>> Cal / Brawley
>>
>> Answer
>>
>> It was AJ. It was a numbers thing. Welker was a FA, and they had Eric
>> Parker. You could argue they chose wrong.
>
>
> You sure could.
>

That's one of those moves that looks bad in retrospect. At the time, it
was a simple bet on how those players would develop. Welker really
progressed in 2006, and played out of his mind in 2007. A) I don't
believe one could have reliably predicted he would progress as he has
and B) his productivity will decline if Randy Moss disappears from the
other side.

Mostly though, I stopped in here to see if there were any opinions on
Chris Chambers. I saw your name and thought I'd say "hi".

Kurgan Gringioni · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 114

On Feb 26, 10:25 pm, Fred Fredburger
wrote:
> Kurgan Gringioni wrote:
> >> Can you settle the arguement on who let Wes Welker go...with actual fact...
> >> instead opinions from supporters of Marty or AJ or ...whomever?
>
> >> Cal / Brawley
>
> >> Answer
>
> >> It was AJ. It was a numbers thing. Welker was a FA, and they had Eric
> >> Parker. You could argue they chose wrong.
>
> > You sure could.
>
> That's one of those moves that looks bad in retrospect. At the time, it
> was a simple bet on how those players would develop. Welker really
> progressed in 2006, and played out of his mind in 2007. A) I don't
> believe one could have reliably predicted he would progress as he has
> and B) his productivity will decline if Randy Moss disappears from the
> other side.
>
> Mostly though, I stopped in here to see if there were any opinions on
> Chris Chambers. I saw your name and thought I'd say "hi".

You're a Finfan?

Fred Fredburger · Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

Kurgan Gringioni wrote:
> On Feb 26, 10:25 pm, Fred Fredburger
> wrote:
>> Kurgan Gringioni wrote:
>>>> Can you settle the arguement on who let Wes Welker go...with actual fact...
>>>> instead opinions from supporters of Marty or AJ or ...whomever?
>>>> Cal / Brawley
>>>> Answer
>>>> It was AJ. It was a numbers thing. Welker was a FA, and they had Eric
>>>> Parker. You could argue they chose wrong.
>>> You sure could.
>> That's one of those moves that looks bad in retrospect. At the time, it
>> was a simple bet on how those players would develop. Welker really
>> progressed in 2006, and played out of his mind in 2007. A) I don't
>> believe one could have reliably predicted he would progress as he has
>> and B) his productivity will decline if Randy Moss disappears from the
>> other side.
>>
>> Mostly though, I stopped in here to see if there were any opinions on
>> Chris Chambers. I saw your name and thought I'd say "hi".
>
>
>
> You're a Finfan?

Yep. From waaayyy back. Late 60s. Obviously they haven't gained many
fans in the last couple years.

I saw the Chargers in their playoff games and Chambers looked good. As a
Dolphin, he'd make a spectacular catch, then drop the next couple that
hit him in the hands. A real tease. I didn't notice that when he was
wearing the new uniform. Maybe I didn't watch enough, or maybe he's
concentrating better.

Chuck D. · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 92

Fred the Fin Fan:

"Yep. From waaayyy back. Late 60s. Obviously they haven't gained many
fans in the last couple years.

I saw the Chargers in their playoff games and Chambers looked good. As a
Dolphin, he'd make a spectacular catch, then drop the next couple that
hit him in the hands. A real tease. I didn't notice that when he was
wearing the new uniform. Maybe I didn't watch enough, or maybe he's
concentrating better."

Nah... Since game 1 w/ us he has been money, and quite frankly helping
Gates & Vincent Jackson immensely by giving a legit threat on the
outside. Maybe you noticed how well #83 (VJ) played opposite CC during
the Playoffs. He wasn't like that before Chris came here. Although, I do
feel your pain about your Phins of late. It wasn't THAT long ago when we
went 1-15, we know what you are going through. And hopefully this year
is the first year you guys are on the path to greater things. I would
absolutely love for Chambers to burn his old team in the Playoffs, I
sincerely hope that is at least a possibility in the near future. Best
of luck to you your Phins.

GO BOLTS!!!

Robin Miller · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 85

"Shawn" wrote in message @38.119.97.118...

> I used to have a friend

Yeah, we believe that.

--Robin

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