Draft and Team needs this off season

There has been some talk of only one QB going in the first round, so if you believe that the #2 guy can play, you should take him.

Regarding Rivers improvement, give me one objective area in which he improved - by objective I mean something that has some statistical support - I looked and could not find one thing that you could say he was better last year than his first year. And since Turner has always been able to get his QB's to improve, that is the reason for my concern.

anatnom9

I agree with squad...Rb should be the primary position to consider in the 1st round. With Michael Turner now with the Falcons, and Lornezo neal gone that is a big hole. Darren Sproles is a fine return man, and excellent for a breather once in a while, but If LaDainian Tomlinson gets hurt we have 2 guys from the inactive squad, and Andrew Pinnock to go with Sproles?

On another thread someone suggested trading away the 1st rd pick for a second and a 3rd. This might be a smart option as well.

On Philip Rivers improvement (lack of) from his first year to his second year? He made the pro bowl his first year starting (by default I realise) but he did make it. He had a slight drop off in production early this year and threw more INT's. Everyone attributed some of that to the coaching changes...? I would be more worried about his tendancy for injuries to his feet and lower legs. Seems to be a trend. I read somewhere last season that he needs to use jump-rope excercises like boxers to improve his foot coordination. I watched Peyton Mannings footwork after reading the article, and he's almost always on his toes untill he plants and throws. With the recovery time from knee surg this year he might not get a chance to do the jump-rope thing. I thought it was an eye opener of an article.  

GO Chargers...Beat the Raiders, Broncos, and Chiefs

The Chargers with the 27th pick select -------. Well with the loss of Michael Turner to FA (Atlanta Falcons), Jamal Williams can't play for ever. I would like to see the Bolts either draft a RB or a DT.

If a Felix Jones, Jonathan Stewart, or a Rashard Mendenhall are still left on the board come pick #27, I sure hope the Bolts would grab any one of them. But if there long gone then go after a DT.

Chargers could use a future DT, a solid back up rb (turner was also a change of pace back which made a great 1-2 with him and tomlinson), or a possible replacement for hart at S.  i think they will just go with the best player available at that time.  if there really is nothing there i would be suprised if they trade it away for a low second round pick along with something else. 

as for the side conversation on LB'.  cooper played very well for a first year starter. i expect him to stay starting for at least a couple more years.  wilhelm on the other hand, i liked him in the passing game but was attrocious in the run game.  he missed tackles, was blown back by blockers that he couldn't shed and at times was just slow to react.  i expect him to lose a good portion of time to smith and possibley Siler.  but you mix those guys in, with the shawns on the outside and mix in tucker and waters.  we should never see fatigue at LB if they are used right.

Rivers never missed a game in high school, college or pro because of injuries.  The hit against Tennessee was cheap and would have brought anyone down.   While Rivers foot work might need improvement, it seems like a rush to judgement to say that his injuries are caused by it.    This is the NFL and you're going to get hit.   Frankly, his size and strength will go a long way in keeping him on the field.   Certainly, no one can question his toughness.

This past year, Rivers struggled early on as did the entire team.  It could even be argued that some of the Chargers struggles were in large part due to Rivers.   The second half of the season was a different story as Rivers showed dramatic improvement, cutting down on the mistakes.   His comeback against Tennessee on the road after getting drilled was an eye opener that helped build his confidence and that of his teammates.

Much of the struggles early on could be attributed to the coaching change but also to the offensive line not protecting Rivers and the lack of any receivers stepping up and the lack of a running game.  Rivers certainly was forcing the ball.    My feeling is that is was a combination of things that led to the turnaround: adjusting to new coaching staff, the addition of Chambers, Vincent Jackson stepping up, improved offensive line play especially with the return of Hardwick from injury and an improved running game. 

What should we expect next year?  My guess is a quantum leap in consistency from Rivers as Jackson, Chambers and a returning Parker help spread the offensive load.  Rivers should be more confident and comfortable in Norv's system and the offense should be one of the most powerful in football. 

We really need to draft for depth at this point and obviously running back, offensive tackle and nose tackle are the positions that jump out.

Although McNeil was taken in the second round, a potential Pro Bowl left tackle can easily command Top-5 draft status.  To find a left tackle of this quality in the second round would definately be considered a steal.

The general impression of Rivers play last season is that he started slow but finished strong. It is that he played better as the seaso