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DATE	OPPONENT	'10 Record	POINTS FOR	POINTS AGNST	WIN / LOSS	RECORD
Sun., Sep. 11 1:15 pm - PST	Vikings	6-10	24	17	Won	1 - 0
Sun., Sep. 18 1:15 pm - PST	at Patriots	14-2	21	35	Lost	1 - 1
Sun., Sep. 15 1:05 pm - PST	Chiefs	10-6	20	17	Won	2 - 1
Sun., Oct. 2 1:15 pm - PST	Dolphins	7-9	26	16	Won	3 - 1
Sun., Oct. 9 1:15 pm - PST	at Broncos	4-12	29	24	Won	4 - 1
Sun., Oct. 16	- BYE -
Sun., Oct. 23 10:00 am - PST	at Jets	11-5	21	27	Lost	4 - 2
Mon., Oct. 31 5:30 pm - PST	at Chiefs	10-6	20	23	Lost	4 - 3
Sun., Nov. 6 1:15 pm - PST	Packers	10-6	38	45	Lost	4 - 4
Thurs., Nov. 10 5:20 pm - PST	Faiders	8-8	17	24	Lost	4 - 5
Sun., Nov. 20 1:15 pm - PST	at Bears	11-5	20	31	Lost	4 - 6
Sun., Nov. 27 1:15 pm - PST	Broncos	4-12	13	16	Lost	4 - 7
Mon., Dec. 5 5:30 pm - PST	at Jaguars	8-8	38	14	Won	5 - 7
Sun., Dec. 11 1:15 pm - PST	Bills	4-12	37	10	Won	6 - 7
Sun., Dec. 18 5:20 pm - PST	Ravens	12-4	34	14	Won	7 - 7
Sat., Dec. 24 1:05 pm - PST	at Lions	6-10	10	38	Lost	7 - 8
Sun., Jan. 1 1:15 pm - PST	at Faiders	8-8	38	26	Won	8 - 8

2011 STANDINGS

	8 - 8
	8 - 8
	8 - 8
	7 - 9

2012 Schedule

HOME		AWAY
Denver		Denver
Faiders		Faiders
Chiefs		Chiefs
Carolina		New Orleans
Atlanta		Tampa Bay
Baltimore		Pittsburgh
Cincinnati		Cleveland
Tennessee		New York J

Dates and times will be announced in the Spring.

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2011-12 NFL IMPORTANT DATES:

2012
Jan. 14-15 -- Divisional Playoffs
Jan. 22 -- Conference Championships
Jan. 29 -- Pro Bowl, Honolulu, Hawaii
Feb. 5 -- Super Bowl XLVI, Indianapolis, Ind.
Feb. 22-28 -- NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis, Ind.
April 26-28 -- NFL Draft, New York City

Future Super Bowl Sites

Super Bowl XLVI Feb. 5, 2012 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, Indiana

Super Bowl XLVII Feb. 3, 2013 Super Dome New Orleans, Louisiana

Super Bowl XLVIII Feb. 2, 2014 New Meadowlands Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey

Super Bowl XLIX Feb., 2015 University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Arizona

Super Bowl: NFL, stop with the Roman numerals
By Tracee Hamilton, Washington Post Staff Writer, February 4, 2011

We've been putting up with this nonsense for XLIV years. Enough. Why can't this Sunday's NFL championship game be called Super Bowl 45?

The Roman numerals were cute at first. The first few Super Bowls weren't even called Super Bowls. Once the name came along, the numbers followed, and the first few years were okay. Super Bowl V? Kind of cool. Super Bowl X? Still following along. XXX was easy.

Then came No. 40. XXXX, right? Wrong. XL, of course - 50 (L) minus 10 (X). Everyone knows that! The big game dropped from a 4X to an extra-large, right before our eyes, like a contestant on "Biggest Loser."

But okay, so using that theory, Super Bowl 49 would be IL, right? Wrong. In 2015, we'll call it XLIX. And then comes Super Bowl L in 2016, er, sorry, in MMXVI.

That's one of the problems with this system: You have to be able to subtract to translate Roman numerals. Studies already show that America's youngsters are falling behind the rest of the world in math. So we have to rub that in their faces on our biggest national holiday?

Roman numerals are fine in names - the world needs guys nicknamed Trey. Roman numerals are also fine for numbering "Saw" movies and Popes and . . . that's all. That's enough.

So why do Roman numerals belong at the Super Bowl? Did we gripe about the Redskins' switch to a III-IV defense this season? Do we covet tickets on the L-yard line? Do we enjoy a good XXIV-XXI victory in overtime?

Most sports don't use Roman numerals. The World Series has been going on twice as long as the Super Bowl, but it doesn't feel the need to be all pompous about it. The Olympics use Roman numerals - the Games of the XXIVLCM Olympiad, or whatever - but does the NFL really want to model itself after the International Olympic Committee? Most folks just call them the 2012 Olympics, or the London Olympics, or the 2012 London Olympics. Simple.

Why can't we have the 2011 Super Bowl? Why does the NFL think it's so special?

Because we've all told the NFL how special it is. It's torn up our calendar, changed our TV viewing habits (Monday games, Thursday games, Sunday night games) and wreaked havoc on America's productivity (two words: fantasy football). We've let it do these things because, hey, we enjoy it. But why do we have to learn Roman numerals just because Roger Goodell says so?

It's not like the knowledge is really transferrable to the real world. Clock faces sometimes use Roman numerals, but they only use 12 of them, and let's face it, most of us can read clocks that have no numbers whatsoever.

I'd have no objection to learning, say, the metric system, even in my dotage, because a lot of the world is already using it. Good incentive. Why should I have to decode Roman numerals once a year? The Romans don't even have to do that, for Pete's sake.

Some of these Super Bowl numbers look more like text slang than monikers for the supposed greatest day of our collective lives. Someone could slip in a reference to Super Bowl ROTFL or Super Bowl TMI, and no one would know the difference.

The system reached the apex of ridiculousness in 2004, when Super Bowl XXXVIII was held in Houston. Given the limited attention span of the Twitter generation, I'm surprised anyone . . .

Sorry, forgot what I was going to say.

But at least then, we were still dealing with I, V and X. Now L has been added to the mix. Assuming the NFL is still around in 56 years - and would you bet against it? - C will be next, then D, then M.

Let's end the madness now, Roger Goodell, if not for this generation, then for our distant descendants who'll have to suffer through Super Bowl MMMCMXCIX.

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Chargers will pick 18th in the 2012 Draft

2011 NFL Draft was conducted on April 28-30 at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Rnd	Pick	Name	Position	College	Ht	Wt	Notes
1	18	Cory Liuget	Defensive Tackle	Illinois	6'2"	298
2	18 (50)	Marcus Gilchrist	Cornerback	Clemson	5'10"	195
2	29 (61)	Jonas Mouton	Outside Linebacker	Michigan	6'1"	239	From Jets
3	18 (82)	Vincent Brown	Wide Receiver	San Diego State	6'	195
3	25 (89)	Shareece Wright	Cornerback	USC	6'	185	From Seahawks
4							To 49ers
5							To Eagles
6	18 (183)	Jordan Todman	Running Back	Connecticut	5'9"	190
6	36 (201)	Stephen Schilling	Guard	Michigan	6'6"	303	*Compensatory
7							To Cowboys
7	31 (234)	Andrew Gachkar	Outside Linebacker	Missouri	6'3"	235	**Compensatory

*Kassim Osgood lost to Free Agency in 2010
**Brandon Manumaleuna lost to FreeAgency in 2010.

Round 1, Pick 18:  DT Cory Liuget belongs in the discussion with the other elite defensive tackles in this class. Arguably this year's most productive DT against the run and also very active rushing the passer. Fires off the ball, maintains sound positioning, has hands that never stop moving, gets off blocks quickly, and closes on ball-carriers and quarterbacks with speed and power. Has the size and strength to move offensive lineman into the backfield. Also comfortable tackling in space and has the awareness to diagnose screens and draws and bat down balls at the line. Liuget has skyrocketed up draft boards this season and should be gone by the mid first round.

 

Round 2, Pick 18 (50):  Clemson cornerback Marcus Gilchrist, 5-foot-10, 195 pounds set a career high with 96 tackles as a junior in 2009 and earned second-team All-ACC as a kick returner.  "I played a lot of safety and I played a lot of nickel and I did a lot of directing traffic," Gilchrist said at the Combine. "I was a big part of the run game, blitzing and doing things of that type of nature."  As a senior, Gilchrist finished second in the ACC in kickoff returns (25.3) and third in punt returns (10.1). He led the Tigers with 10 pass breakups.  One of the strongest defensive backs, Gilchrist managed 26 bench press repetitions at the NFL Combine.  Former Chargers running back Natrone Means announced the pick in New York.

 

Round 2, Pick 29 (61) from Jets: OLB Jonas Mouton, 6'1", 239 pounds will probably find a home as a backup outside linebacker on a team that deploys the Tampa-2 where he can play in space and drop into zone coverage - two of his strengths. He's vulnerable when teams run at him. Doesn't possess the strength to shed blocks and can lose gap integrity when shooting gaps instead of taking on blockers. Shows great effort rushing the passer but just doesn't have the natural tools to consistently get to the quarterback. Mouton can make some plays dropping into zone coverage and make some big hits in the open field. Potentially a mid-round selection.

 

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ChargerTom's Blog-RANTS

Chargers free agent list

WR Vincent Jackson
C Nick Hardwick
RB Mike Tolbert
RB Jacob Hester
NG Antonio Garay
SS Steve Gregory
DL Tommie Harris
ILB Na'il Diggs
OLB Everette Brown
SS Bob Sanders
SS Paul Oliver|
WR Patrick Crayton
OG Tony Moll
TE Randy McMichael
OT Jared Gaither 
ILB Stephen Cooper
TE Kory Sperry (exclusive rights)
WR Richard Goodman (exclusive rights)
RB Curtis Brinkley (exclusive rights)
OT Brandyn Dombrowski (restricted)

By Scott Blair, Staff Writer, North County Times, January 12, 2012

SAN DIEGO — The Chargers' roster will have a dramatically different look next season. General manager A.J. Smith conceded that point last week with a harsh evaluation of his own personnel decisions and the team's performance. 

While he focused on the Chargers' lack of capable backup players, there could be some turnover among the starters, as well. First up, the team must decide who among its 19 pending free agents it wants to keep.

"There are some tough decisions to be made," said Smith, who has long preferred offering long-term contracts to his own players rather than pursuing players on the open market. "We'll formulate a plan and make some hard choices that we believe will solidify this roster."

Among the Chargers eligible for free agency this offseason are receiver Vincent Jackson, center Nick Hardwick and running backs Mike Tolbert and Jacob Hester. All have played their entire careers with the Chargers.

Team president Dean Spanos said he is willing to spend big money on players if necessary, as he did last season in making Eric Weddle the NFL's highest paid free safety.

Jackson would likely be the most expensive of the Chargers' free agents to retain. The team kept him off the free-agent market last year by designating him its franchise player, a move that awarded Jackson a one-year contract worth $11.24 million. The Chargers could designate Jackson again this offseason, but that's highly unlikely. They have too many holes to fill to devote upwards of $12 million to one player.

Jackson said he wants to stay in San Diego, but he also wants the long-term contract he has been seeking for years now. That makes it likely he'll test the open market.

"I really do like it here," Jackson said. "I like playing for (coach Norv Turner) and playing with (quarterback Philip Rivers), but I honestly have no idea how this is going to play out. After all I've been through over the last few seasons, I won't be surprised by anything."

The Chargers may not be able to retain Hardwick for a different reason. The 30-year-old center has talked about retirement after a trying season. No final decision has been made, but Hardwick seems poised to return.

"I still have some thinking to do," Hardwick said. "But I can say that I love the guys in this locker room and I believe that I'm really starting to understand how to play this position."

The Chargers like Hardwick's character and understand the respect he commands in the locker room, which means he's high on their list of players to retain.

Tolbert and Hester are unrestricted free agents for the first time. They have significant roles in the offense and the kicking game, which improved significantly last season. It's less clear how much the Chargers value them, meaning they might have a cap for how much they are willing to spend on either player.

"We're entering the unknown here," Hester said. "This is the only NFL team I've ever known, and I obviously want to stay because this feels like home. I also understand that this is a business and both sides must decide if this continues to be a good fit."

The Chargers have tried to find a better fit at strong safety. They signed Bob Sanders last offseason after drafting Kevin Ellison in 2009 and Darrell Stuckey in 2010. But Steve Gregory remains the starter. Gregory has made 22 starts over the last two seasons, but the Chargers have never indicated that he'll be a fixture in the starting lineup.

"It is what it is," Gregory said. "I believe I've proven myself worthy of a starting spot, and I work extremely well with Eric (Weddle). I'm growing as a player and have my best football ahead of me. Only time will tell if the team feels the same way. We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

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Chargers fire DC Manusky
By Terry McCormick, Yahoo Sports, January 5, 2012

Norv Turner is staying on. So is A.J. Smith.

So naturally someone had to be the fall guy for the San Diego Chargers' disappointing 8-8 season. That someone was defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, who was fired on Thursday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Manusky spent just one year in San Diego replacing Ron Rivera, who became head coach of the Carolina Panthers.

According to the report, linebackers coach John Pagano is the favorite to be the new defensive coordinator.

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Free agency provides opportunity for Chargers
By Kevin Acee, Staff Writer, San Diego Union-Tribune, January 4, 2012

Maybe you’ve noticed, but A.J. Smith sort of does things his own way.

While acknowledging in no uncertain terms that he has made mistakes and saying he could do things differently in some areas going forward, he made a point on Tuesday, the day of his reprieve, to say his philosophy on the all-important topic of free agency has not and will not change.

“It hasn’t,” he said. “It’s the same.”

So, while it would seem the pressure is on Smith to make a splash in free agency, he probably doesn’t think so.

It says here that the perfect storm is upon the Chargers to do just that – what is expected to be an excellent crop of available veteran talent coupled with an abundance of Chargers’ needs.

“We are always open-mind,” Smith said. “… It depends on the roster, how many pieces are missing. You might sign some more, depending on the quality of free agents available.”

Robert Mathis? Andre Carter? LaRon Landry? That’s just to name a few of the players who could potentially help the Chargers' gap-toothed defense.

But before all that is considered, it begins with Smith making amends and getting one of his own free agents signed.

We’re talking about Vincent Jackson and the Chargers agreeing on a long-term deal.

That would accomplish a couple things. It would allow Smith to use one of his favorite arguments about how retaining the team’s own free agents counts just as much as signing someone else’s. And getting Jackson locked up for many years on a long-term deal would constitute a great PR move considering not only his importance of Jackson to the Chargers’ passing game but the contentious history between the two sides.

Moreover, it may be the only way to keep him.

Considering all the Chargers have to do – pass rusher, strong safety, possibly replacing three starters on the offensive line, etc. – sources said this week that it is unlikely the team would place the franchise tag on Jackson again in 2012.

The tag is an option, of course, should negotiations, which the team will likely initiate in February, yield no long-term deal. But paying one receiver more than $13 million for one year, especially with so many other players to secure, is unlikely.

There is thought inside Chargers headquarters that the Chargers need to shake up their roster like rarely, if ever, before. While both Smith and head coach Norv Turner have publicly decried the term “rebuilding,” they did allow for something like a remodel.

“We will have some significant personnel changes,” Smith said.

Turner denied the characterization he has thrown Smith under the bus in recent days by talking about the need to get better. But the coach said this on Tuesday:

“We’ve got to get better. I think every team that is sitting in the position we’re in has got to look at it and say, ‘Hey, you’ve got to get better if you want to compete with these teams.’ I look at personnel, and the thing we have to make sure that we’re aware of is that every team in our division from a talent standpoint, has gotten a lot better over the last three years or certainly since I’ve been in San Diego and they’ve drafted in the top 10. They’ve got a lot of good football players. If people want to say that we are the class of the division, that’s fine with me, but we’ve got to make sure that we keep getting better so we can be.”

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CHARGERS TEAM REPORT
Yahoo Sports, January 12, 2012

Being so-so means keeping the status quo in San Diego.

The Chargers completed another disappointing season, but despite what was the prevailing opinion, general manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner were retained.

Team president Dean Spanos decided continuity trumped another year of heartache as the Chargers missed the playoffs for the second straight year.

By winning four of their final five games, Spanos speculated that an upheaval would be counter-productive in a decision that was not popular with the fan base.

When Turner took over Marty Schottenheimer’s 14-2 team for the 2007 season, he was promised as the coach to get the Chargers over the hump.

Instead it’s been a gradual erosion of a team that was often mentioned among the elites to just an average team, going 17-15 the past two years.

Not only were the Chargers again out of the playoffs, but in the last four years they’ve claimed but one postseason win.

That had many clamoring for Smith’s and Turner’s hides. But 8-8 gets both another run with the Chargers’ roster. Spanos promised though they both have to be open to tweaking their approaches.

“We need to do some things differently in coaching and in our personnel decisions moving forward,” Spanos said. “Those are things we need to discuss. Staying the course with these individuals gives us the best chance to implement those changes and get ourselves back where we need to be.”

They would likely already be there if not for a killer six-game losing streak. That erased a rare strong start (4-1) under Turner and with the Chargers unable to find the rip cord, cost them another playoff chance.

But quarterback Philip Rivers, who had an off year, was clear he wanted Turner to return. His voice seemed to hold sway with Spanos, and that was among the reasons Turner is back.

Smith has struggled with his recent drafts and has a personality which puts few in his corner. But he too was deemed too valuable to let go, by Spanos.

The Chargers have to get busy, rebuilding a roster that is showing frays around the starters and edges—especially on defense. That side of the ball wasn’t strong against physical teams and didn’t have the speed to compete against the spread offense. There are huge holes that Smith has to fill, and he has to improve his moves that have painted the Chargers into their current corner.

Smith and Turner are smart enough to know they dodged a bullet with this year’s stinker, one that is being swept aside as an injury-riddled aberration for Chargers football.

But really, the brand of Chargers football has slipped so much recently that going 8-8 in the watered-down AFC West got Smith and Turner’s ticket punched for another season.

They’re lucky. Now they have to be good.

NOTES, QUOTES

• CB Quentin Jammer told a San Diego radio station some off-the-field issues clouded his play this season. Jammer seemed to get beat more regularly, especially late in the year. Jammer, who’ll be in his 11th season next year, said he’ll use his subpar play as motivation to return better in 2012.

• Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has been clear he’s a draft-and-develop guy in building his roster. But his approach might have to change heading into next season. “In regards to free agency, my philosophy is not to recommend getting eight or nine guys at high dollars, but we’re open-minded about players that are available,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s going to change. But if the free-agent options are attractive, given the circumstances of our team and the vacancies we have, we’re open to pursuing players in that way. There are lots of things we can do.”

• The Chargers informed San Diego they plan on playing in Qualcomm Stadium in 2012. The Chargers have an annual window in which they must notify the city of its intentions for the following season. While rumored to go to Los Angeles if ever a stadium is constructed there, the team remains focused on a downtown site adjacent to Petco Park.

• Clarence Shelmon, 59, the team’s offensive coordinator, resigned. He spent a decade with the Chargers and was the running backs coach from 2002-06. “I’m just done,” Shelmon said in a statement. “You know when it’s time. It’s time for me to go and do some other things with my life.” Shelmon’s work goes back to his days with the Cowboys and Emmitt Smith. “Clarence was a big part of five AFC West championship teams and three playoff wins in San Diego,” coach Norv Turner said, also in a statement. “His work ethic and dedication to this team go back a long time and he’s had a positive effect on the many players he coached during his tenure here.”

• Jimmy Raye, the team’s director of player personnel, is interviewing for the Bears’ opening at general manager. Raye, the son of the former longtime NFL coach, is thought to be among the NFL’s bright young minds.

• It’s believed two assistant’s contracts are up in secondary coaches Chris Dishman and Steve Wilks. Wilks also serves as the assistant head coach, but has been passed over twice for the coordinator position.

• For those looking way ahead: Ex-Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer interviewed for the head-coaching vacancy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yep, Tampa Bay plays at San Diego next season—wouldn’t that be fun.

Quote To Note:   “We have a talented roster, but we didn’t do a good enough job overcoming our obstacles.”—Coach Norv Turner on what went wrong in 2010.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

The Chargers have been busy already, and that doesn’t include the decision to retain Smith and Turner.

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was fired, one year after promising to produce an aggressive, unit prone to force turnovers. Whether it was the players or the schemes can be argued, but regardless, Manusky is out.

Linebackers coach John Pagano was promoted to Manusky’s post, a popular move in the locker room. Pagano has been a Chargers assistant, most notably with the linebackers, dating to 2002.

Offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon is also gone, choosing to retire. Shelmon’s input wasn’t as significant as Manusky’s, with Turner formulating the game plans and calling the plays.

On the free-agent front, the Chargers are faced with 19 significant players they need to decide about. Among them are Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson, their franchise player last season, and center Nick Hardwick. Running back Mike Tolbert and fullback Jacob Hester are also free agents.

Unit-by-unit Analysis  

Quarterbacks:   Starter—Philip Rivers. Backup—Billy Volek.

Rivers had another sensational season with 27 touchdowns and 4,624 passing yards. But that is eclipsed by 25 turnovers, including a career-high 20 interceptions. Rivers found his groove in the season’s final quarter; before that he was dreadful while often trying to do too much and making some curious plays. Volek remains a viable backup.

Running Backs:   Starter—Ryan Mathews. Backups—Mike Tolbert, FB Jacob Hester, Curtis Brinkley.

Mathews spit out a 1,000-yard rushing season and nearly 1,600 yards from scrimmage. His consistency improved as a receiver and slightly so in pass protection. The Chargers hope his ball-security issues are behind him; he did lose two fumbles. Tolbert is the bruising change-of-pace option and solid in short-yardage situations. Hester’s morphing into a fullback continued as he was steady but seldom spectacular. Keep an eye on Brinkley, especially if Tolbert leaves as a free agent.

Tight Ends:   Starter—Antonio Gates. Backups—Randy McMichael, Kory Sperry.

The demise of Gates was exaggerated when he missed the season’s first three games with a foot injury. He went on to start 13 and caught a team-high 64 passes and had seven touchdowns in a Pro Bowl season. McMichael went back into his blocking role and did well.

Wide Receivers:   Starters—Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd. Backups—Patrick Crayton, Vincent Brown, Richard Goodman, Bryan Walters.

Jackson led the team with nine touchdown catches and now we’ll see if he returns. The free agent battled through some injuries and still caught 60 passes. Floyd was plagued by injuries again but averaged 20 yards on 43 catches. Brown is a keeper, and his playing time increased as the season wore on. Crayton might be gone; Goodman contributes as a returner.

Offensive Linemen:   Starters—LT Jared Gaither, LG Tyronne Green, C Nick Hardwick, RG Louis Vasquez, RT Jeromey Clary. Backups—T Brandyn Dombrowski, G Stephen Schilling, C Colin Baxter, G Tony Moll. Injured reserve: LT Marcus McNeill, LG Kris Dielman, G Scott Mruczkowski.

No unit was ailing more with three landing on IR, including two Pro Bowlers. Gaither was a godsend when he arrived down the stretch and played well. But losing McNeill and Dielman, in particular, left the Chargers lost during their mid-season dive. With free agency and other issues, this group might have to be rebuilt starting from Hardwick and going left. Dielman, as well as Hardwick could retire and McNeill’s health is a red flag.

Defensive Linemen:   Starters—LDE Corey Liuget, NT Antonio Garay, RDE Vaughn Martin. Backups—DE Jacques Cesaire, NT Cam Thomas, DE Tommie Harris. Injured reserve: DE Luis Castillo.

With Castillo going down in the opener, this was often a mix of youth and journeymen players holding down the fort. The lack of push was often taken out on the linebackers. There was little pass rush, even for a 3-4 alignment. Castillo could be an odd man out considering his salary and the infusion of younger players. Garay was steady, but the team could seek more production outside the roster.

Linebackers:   Starters—OLB Shaun Phillips, ILB Takeo Spikes, ILB Donald Butler, OLB Antwan Barnes. Backups—OLB Travis LaBoy, OLB Darryl Gamble, ILB Na’il Diggs, OLB Everette Brown, ILB Bront Bird, ILB Nate Triplett. Injured reserve: OLB Larry English, ILB Stephen Cooper, ILB Jonas Mouton.

Without the consistent pressure off the edges, the backend paid the price. Phillips missed four games and parts of others; Barnes was a find with 11 sacks but he had to become an every-down player because of injuries. Larry English adds another chapter to a disappointing season; Travis LaBoy showed but one sack. Spikes delivered consistency and another 100-tackle season but his range is limited. Butler, in his first year after missing his rookie season, missed few snaps and more often than not was in the right spot. Cooper won’t return; Mouton will.

Defensive Backs:   Starters—LCB Quentin Jammer, RCB Antoine Cason, FS Eric Weddle, SS Stephen Gregory. Backups—FS Paul Oliver, CB Marcus Gilchrist, SS Darrell Stuckey, CB Dante Hughes. Injured reserve: SS Bob Sanders.

Cason and Gilchrist were swapping starting roles at one point with each getting beat often. Also Jammer’s game faded late in the season; not sure if he rebounds next year or the Chargers need to look elsewhere. Weddle played well, tying for the league lead with seven interceptions. There remains a void at strong safety. Sanders won’t be back.

Special Teams:   K Nick Novak, P Mike Scifres, KR Richard Goodman, PR Patrick Crayton. Injured reserve: Nate Kaeding.

Novak set a team record for most field goals from at least 40 yards; Novak seems to believe his job will be waiting when he returns from his knee injury—we’ll see. Scifres remains solid and Goodman showed a spark, especially late. Punt-return game never did show a pulse.