With The First Pick
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Do the San Diego Chargers Need a Makeover?

By Blake Yagman

Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) passes during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Assets

Of all of the Chargers players, I think linebacker Denzel Perryman is one of the team’s biggest assets. Perryman is one of the hardest hitters in the NFL, and I think he will  be the heart and soul of the Chargers future defensive unit. The Chargers linebacker unit is pretty good, I also really like the play of Manti Teo and Jerry Attaochu.

Continuing the legacy of outstanding tight end play for the Chargers, Hunter Henry will be a good player going forward. Next year, Henry will be an even more effective target; Keenan Allen will draw double coverage and safeties are play deep off of speedster Travis Benjamin, opening the flats up for Henry.

All of this comes down to Philip Rivers. Rivers is the Chargers’ most important asset. Although Rivers isn’t exactly a spring chicken, he continues to play at an above average level as compared to other NFL quarterbacks. Rivers has the ability to be the Chargers leader for the foreseeable future, or he could head elsewhere to help a different franchise.

Rebuild or Recharge?

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The Chargers showed flashes of brilliance in last night’s game. San Diego appeared much more confident than the injury-depleted, Kubiak-less Broncos. After several elusive and frustrating losses to begin the season, the Chargers corrected many of the minor adjustments needed to win close games.

I would hang on to Philip Rivers, I think any team would be lucky to have him.

Further, I would not necessarily replace head coach Mike McCoy. The Chargers have talent on both sides of the ball, and I think McCoy is starting to do a better job of utilizing that talent. From a cursory glance, I think they could benefit from switching to a 4-3 defense. This would maximize Joey Bosa’s talent, allow more of a margin for error at defensive tackle, and allow Denzel Perryman to ‘clean up’ against the running game.

The Chargers, as they showed last night, are capable of winning games. It is unfortunate that they did not find this confidence earlier in the season.

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