2011 Chargers Season Preview

With the preseason in the rearview, it is time to get excited for meaningful Charger football.

There are a number of questions surrounding the team coming into the season.  Will they get off to yet another slow start? Will key players like Antonio Gates and Bob Sanders stay healthy for the whole campaign? Will Ryan Mathews have a breakout year? Will Greg Manusky’s defense be as effective as Ron Rivera’s was? And of course, have the special teams issues been overcome or will they prove to be an Achilles’ heel once again? These and more can only be answered by on field performance, but here are my thoughts on the upcoming season.

The offense will have a banner year.

Phillip Rivers completed passes to 17 different receivers last year when injuries and contract issues affected the receiving core, but this year he should have a more regular cast to throw to.

Vincent Jackson previewed what he intends to contribute in the preseason. His presence will be critical and he should put up Pro Bowl numbers this season. It can only help that Malcom Floyd lines up opposite of him and can make some spectacular grabs as well. Their size will give opposing backfields fits all year.

Add future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates into the mix and the passing game looks pretty much unstoppable. Gates had issues last year that carried over into this preseason with plantar fasciitis, but he has had plenty of rest and Randy McMichael will be available to take some reps to help him get through the season.

The running game is more in question. Mike Tolbert led the way last year when a high ankle sprain sidelined Mathews early. Mathews also had some issues with holding onto the ball. Tolbert should have another good year with some bruising runs. He did not come to the Chargers surrounded by a lot of hype, but he has proven he can get the job done. If Mathews can live up to his potential, the running attack will be dangerous. Mathews will provide the speed and Tolbert will provide the punch. Rookie Jordan Todman will also be available to contribute with his speed.

Blocking should be steadfast for the pass and run as the offensive line is made up of returning players including standouts Nick Hardwick and Marcus McNeill.

Defensively, the Chargers will blend some new faces into a unit that performed well last year.

Safety Bob Sanders could be the strongest addition if he remains healthy. When he is on the field he is arguably the best safety in the NFL. He will pair up with Eric Weddle who has quite a contract to live up to. As long as they both make it through the season, this should be a formidable duo all season long.

Linebacker Takeo Spikes should also be a great addition as he has had a great career including a strong year with San Francisco last year. He will fit into a complex picture at linebacker with 11 of them on the roster. Na’il Diggs was just signed on Saturday and is another accomplished veteran. This is a position with a blend of new veteran players, returning players like Shaun Phillips, and young players like Donald Butler that could prove to be a great combination.

First round draft pick Corey Liuget showed great potential in the preseason. He will have the opportunity to line up next to Antonio Garay who was nasty on the defensive line last year. Luis Castillo and Jacques Cesaire will also return to the line. With Cam Thomas and Vaughn Martin looking to finally make an impact, the line will cause some headaches for opposing offenses this year.

Defensive back will be one defensive position that will look familiar with Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason returning after a solid 2010. They should have another good year, and will have veteran Dante Hughes as well as draftees Shareece Wright and Marcus Gilchrist in the mix.

Special teams should be the most improved unit in the coming season with some of the players who shined in the preseason. Wide receivers Bryan Walters and Richard Goodman, as well as linebacker Darryl Gamble look to be key contributors. The rule change for kickoffs will mean touchbacks left and right, but look for some of the youngsters to impress with the chances they get.

The pieces are all there for this year’s team. It now falls to Norv Turner and his staff to put it all together.

Turner will look to shed his reputation as too laid back by getting the team of to a quick start. He will also attempt to at least match the level of playoff success he had in his first year as head coach.

He will have Clarence Shelmon back as offensive coordinator, and new defensive coordinator hire Greg Manusky will try to pick up where Ron Rivera left off. Manusky has a couple things working in his favor. He previously coached the Chargers linebackers for five years, and he uses the 3-4 defense, which is what Rivera used. Leading special teams will be the highly regarded Rich Bissacia.

The 2011 San Diego Chargers have no excuses. In my opinion, anything less than 12-4 with two playoff wins would be a disappointment. It’s not every year that a team has a Super Bowl caliber squad, but this looks like one to me. Could it be the year? We can only wait and see.