Where is the Chargers biggest concern going into 2007?

Question

OK, definitely not RB since we have 2 good ones, TE and both lines are solid, special teams are fine, Rivers will improve.
Iffy are the coaching staff, wide receivers, linebackers, corners and safties, and maybe QB
There is no bona-fide #1 receiver, though a bunch of promising young stars. Norv Turner was brought in to reclaim the offense that he left for Marty and Cam, this is the same offense he installed when he was coordinator a few years back, so in theory, it should be even better.
But, they say defense wins championships. Our 2nd level of defense, namely linebackers, a very young corp, consist of Merriman, Philips, that guy who always does the back flip and new LB coach Ron Rivera, 2 veterans in Edwards and Foley are gone. If the LBs can create pressure then the CBs and safties should be ok. So it narrows down to LBs, WRs and coaching. Any thoughts?

P.S. No fear, just asking for fun.
Chargers #1. 2008 SB - David Binn SB MVP.

Answer 1

Hahahahaahah I love your prediction that the long snapper will be the Super BOwl MVP.

Concern #1: how well will the team play for a totally new coaching staff?

Concern #2: replacing Donnie Edwards. The man is a playmaker and a very underrated inside linebacker. I think the Chargers should consider using their 1st round pick to select a linebacker to replace him. They may have other talented LBs already on the roster, but I don't think any of them have the skills needed to do what Donnie Edwards did.

Answer 2

They have many issues. 1st issue is their secondary. Though young and could improve they dont have elite speed, tackling, or hard hitting. They need a good coverage linebacker. The reason Merriman got so many sacks is because Edwards is a great cover linebacker and could pick up the slack in coverage. They need some serious help at wide out but also the game plan has to involve them more. The WRs dont even get many balls thrown to them in this offense. They also have a lot of problems with depth now. Positions like QB, OL, DT, LB, CB, S all have serious depth issues. If Merriman goes down for the season or their DT goes down what are they going to do? Also expect to see Turner get traded which will leave the RB position with depth problems. If Rivers goes down do you want Volek as your QB... NO. They are a very nice team in all areas except for WR and their secondary as long as their starters dont get injured. If they do loose a few starters to injury they will slump.

Answer 3

The Chargers fired a coach that did nothing but win during the regular season but Marty Ball couldn't get it done in the playoffs. Now they have a coach who doesn't win in the regular season. I am a Skin's fan so I know all about Norv. The guy took the Skins to the playoffs once. Norv is better suited to run an offense not to be a head coach.

Answer 4

Although the Chargers secondary was much improved in 2006, it could use a playmaking safety. The team also needs ILB Matt Wilheim, who will be a 1st year starter, to progress enough to replace Donnie Edwards. RT Shane Olivea needs to cut down on mistakes and be more consistent. The Chargers could draft S Reggie Nelson of Florida to fix their problem there and then draft a back-up LB and OT to add depth. The coaching staff has outstanding experience and with a veteran ladden team like the Chargers, should perform okay.

Answer 5

As a Chiefs fan I think you should draft 7 punters this year.
In all Reality, both the LB and the WR class are deep this year, but with Phillips and Merriman I'd say draft someone in the later rounds to play inside (H.B. Blades may be a good choices) I would go WR or CB in the first. Meachum, Bowe and Jarret could all be available. If they're gone you could look at Aaron Rouse (sp), and if they're all gone then I'd either draft a LB (like Beason) or trade down.

Answer 6

Thier Coach

Answer 7

I'm a chargers fan too.I would agree that they need a good WR.The best catcher the have now is Antonio Gates.Going into 2007 there biggest concern is the passing game.They need a WR that can go deep and catch a pass.

Answer 8

The monkey on their backs. I think now that Marty is gone, maybe they can shed that monkey. It is a big, scary one! They should do just fine, unless Norv utterly blows a chance of an already set in place Super Bowl contendar.

Answer 9

Here's 3:
1) coaching
2) keeping Tomlinson healthy
3) can Merriman keep off the juice and still be a factor

Answer 10

The Chargers don't need to get help in Linebackers remember they have Merriman so I think they really need help in the WR postion