Training Camp Preview: San Diego Chargers

Welcome Total Sports Blog’s NFL Training Camp Previews. For the next 3 weeks, we will continue to preview each team, and predict their records. The chances that we predict any of these records to be right drastically increases when Earl is writing the preview.

Today’s Team: San Diego Chargers (AFC West)

2013 Record: 9-7 Lost in AFC Div Playoffs at Denver
Passing Leader: Philip Rivers 4478 YDS 32 TD 11 INT
Rushing Leader(s):  Ryan Mathews 1255 YDS 6 TD
Receiving leader: Keenan Allen 71 REC 1046 YDS 8 TD; Antonio Gates 77 REC 872 YDS 4 TD
Leading Tackler: Eric Weddle 115 Tackles
Sacks Leader: Corey Liuget 5.5 Sacks
Int Leader: Eric Weddle and Marcus Gilchrist 2 INT each
FA losses: Charlie Whitehurst QB, Cam Thomas DT,
FA signings: Kavell Conner LB, Donald Brown RB, Kellen Clemens QB, Brandon Flowers CB, Reggie Walker LB, , David Johnson TE, Brandon Ghee CB

Draft Picks:

The 2013 San Diego Chargers were 5-7 heading into week 14. They won their last 4 games and needed help on the final day of the season to get into the playoffs. Hell, they even won on the road in Cincinnati in the Wild Card round. In the 7 regular season games they lost, 6 were by one possession. So maybe the Chargers weren’t exactly as “bad” as their record indicated? I wouldn’t exactly label them as “bad”, but they suffer what many teams do these days in the NFL. They score a lot of points, but their defense just can’t get the key stops when they needed it.

Quarterback Philip Rivers heads into the 2014 season coming off of what was possibly the best season of his career. After completing nearly 70% of his pass attempts, Rivers will get back Malcom Floyd, who suffered a season ending neck injury last year. The Chargers used Ryan Mathews as the main ball carrier last year and he put up a very nice season, but it was the use of Danny Woodhead that gave this offense a much needed change of pace. Woodhead slid into the role that Darren Sproles used to play for the Chargers before he left for New Orleans a few years ago. To add to the crowded backfield, Donald Brown, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, was brought in. To be honest, I’m not sure why. But it gives the Chargers insurance if Mathews starts coughing the ball up, or gets hurt again.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers will be anchored by stud safety Eric Weddle. Weddle is easily the best safety you may have never heard of. Which of course is a shame, because he’s in on every play and is the heart and soul of that defense. Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney might be the key to this whole defense. Freeney was so banged up last year that he only lasted 4 games. If Freeney can stay healthy this season, he might just be the pass rusher that the Chargers have been dying for. The Chargers haven’t had a player with 10 or more sacks since Antwan Barnes in 2011.

All you have to know is that the Chargers were one of the worst teams in the league against the pass last season. Mainly due to their lack of pass rush and playing shootouts. Hopefully in 2014, this won’t be the case. After winning their last 4 games to get into the playoffs, and then winning on the road in Cincy, the Bolts have something solid to build on this season. We all know that the Chargers win in December, but how about winning some in September, October, and November this year?  Their December schedule includes home games against New England and Denver, then traveling to San Francisco and Kansas City.

Prediction: 9-7