2013 NFL Preview: San Diego Chargers
Added on Aug 09, 2013 by Scott in
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The Norv Turner-A.J. Smith era is mercifully over in San Diego. Constant underachieving, postseason collapses, and draft day blunders were more than enough to offset 56 wins in five years. Enter head coach Mike McCoy and General Manager Tom Telesco, who have been tasked to right a ship that’s leaking talent. A new regime should inject some much needed energy into a flatlined team, but will they be able to compete in 2013?
San Diego Chargers – Philip Rivers has accounted for 64 turnovers during the last three seasons. That’s the bad news. The good news is he has yet to miss a game since becoming a full-time starter in 2006. So, he might be mired in a prolonged slump, but he’s at least reliable. Some pundits feel his arm is weakening with age, while others point to the lack of playmakers surrounding him as explanation for his recent woes. Unfortunately for Rivers, a lackluster offseason yielded little help.
Player in the spotlight: Ryan Mathews – Like Darren McFadden in Oakland, Mathews has yet to live up to his draft positioning due to nagging injuries. The Bolts offense was spoiled by LaDainian Tomlinson’s dominant consistency. Through three seasons, Mathews has failed to prove he can be a workhorse back. Unless he shakes his brittle reputation, the run game will continue to suffer.
Trouble spot: Wide receiver/tight end – Danario Alexander’s fourth major knee injury could end his career. 2012 free agent acquisitions Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal aren’t starter material. Vincent Brown can’t stay healthy. Malcolm Floyd is average at best. First-round pick Keenan Allen has a golden opportunity to become Rivers’ favorite target, but is he ready? Making matters worse, Antonio Gates has slowed considerably at age 33.
Fearless forecast – The trio of Dwight Freeney, Derek Cox and first-rounder Manti Te’o were added to a unit that allowed 27 or more points in six of nine losses a season ago. Mike McCoy did wonders with Denver’s offense in 2011 and 2012, but the cupboard is much emptier in San Diego. They have the look of a six-win team.
