Any Day Now

A Super Bowl Championship, the one thing every NFL team plays for. It's the one thing the San Diego Chargers have not accomplished. They have had great seasons, ending with the best record in the NFL, and even a MVP on the roster, but yet couldn't even make it to the Super Bowl from 2000-2010. To start the new decade, the Chargers couldn't even make the playoffs.

The talent level is at the top right now. They are arguably considered to be the most talented team in the league. Philip Rivers is playing sensational as of late, and is recognized as the team's leader. He led the league in passing yards this last season regardless of all his receiver's injuries.

 Player / Yards/ Length of Injury

• A. Gates / 782 Yards / 6 Games
• M. Floyd / 717 Yards / 5 Games
• P. Crayton / 514 Yards / 6 Games
• L. Naanee / 317 Yards / 6 Games
• V. Jackson / 248 Yards / 11 Games

Rivers had one of his best years of his career in 2010, yet his team could not secure a playoff spot. The San Diego Chargers ended the year second in their division with a 9-7 record. It was the first time in four years they didn't make the playoffs. 

The passing game was top of the league with Rivers, but the running game was inconsistent. Three different running backs were used, and each started at least once. Rookie Ryan Mathews had a struggle of a first season, with 678 yards and 7 touchdowns. He struggled throughout the season with an ankle injury, forcing him to miss four games. Mike Tolbert came out of nowhere and filled in with 735 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sproles had 267 yards as well. Tolbert also missed a game for an injury.

The running game has not been elite for San Diego ever since Lorenzo Neal left the team. LaDainian Tomlinson has been the best running back of 2000's, but every one of his great seasons, he had Neal in front of him. Yes, LT has slowed down with age, and that's why the Chargers let him go. But what no one really thinks about, is blocking. The big boys in front have a pretty hard, and important job. Are you surprised when a lineman gets drafted in the top 10 picks? Let alone the first round? Well, like it or not, sometimes it's a smart move. I guarantee, if you ask Tomlinson who he would thank for his success, he would say his blockers, and mainly, Lorenzo Neal. The LT era is gone, now they are looking for a new answer. Is that answer Ryan Mathews? Let's hope so. As long as he stays healthy, they will be in good shape. Think about this, what if Philip Rivers played this superb when Tomlinson did? Unstoppable.

Ever since Norv Turner started coaching in 2007, San Diego always gets off to slow starts. They started 1-3 in 2007, 3-4 in 2008, 2-3 in 2009, and a horrible 2-5 last year. The Chargers weren't able to get themselves out of the hole they dug themselves into last year. The Cowboys and the Chargers are almost mirror images of each other if you think about it. Both teams have a ton of talent, no run game, and soft coaches. The only thing different is, the cowboys took a step, whether it be forward or backward. They moved on from Wade Phillips and gave Jason Garret an opportunity. The Chargers were also expected to go the same way, and let Ron Rivera step up. They didn't. He's know the Carolina Panthers' head coach. Back to the "soft coaches" reference. Norv is not a head coach, plain and simple. He's an offensive coordinator, SPECIFICALLY an offensive coordinator. Same goes for Wade Phillips, he's not a head coach as well. Now, he's Houston's defensive coordinator. All these slow starts, missing the playoffs, with all the talent they have only means one thing, Norv Turner is on thin ice. Psssst, Gruden, you ready to coach?

Chargers notable free agents for this offseason. 

• Vincent Jackson
• Darren Sproles
• Eric Weddle
• Malcom Floyd
• Stephen Cooper
• Kevin Burnett
• Brandon Siler
• Billy Volek

Vincent Jackson definitely headlines San Diego's free agents. He only played five games last year from holding out. He was offered a 3.3 million dollar tender, for one year. Jackson declined, and said he wanted a long term offer. A.J. Smith decided to be his stubborn self and tell him no, for some reason. Surprisingly, the first move he made after the season was franchise tagging none other than Vincent Jackson. Everything is pointing to Jackson staying in the blue and gold. The only way I see him leaving is if another team makes a trade offer that Smith can't pass up. 

On the other hand, 2010 could be the last time we'll see Darren Sproles as a Charger. San Diego is not willing to give Sproles the money he wants. Plus, they already have Mathews, Tolbert, and now Jordan Todman, a guy that resembles Sproles very well. 

Unless Malcom Floyd is willing to sign a one year tender for less money than what he could make somewhere else, don't expect to see him back in San Diego.

Another guy that's high on the Chargers priority list is Eric Weddle. He is a very gifted safety. He may not have much speed, but he is a great tackler and defender. He should return back to Qualcomm. 

Everyone else on the list is a toss up. Smith could decide to resign them, or look at others in the free agent market. One move has already been made by bringing Bob Sanders to San Diego to boost the secondary. Other guys they could go after is ILB Takeo Spikes, WR Steve Smith (Carolina), TE Kevin Boss, CB Nnamdi Asomghua, TE Bo Scaife, and DE Cullen Jenkins.

The NFL Draft is also a place to improve your roster. San Diego had the eighteenth pick in the draft. With that pick, they chose Corey Liuget, DT out of Illinois. In the second round, the Chargers had two picks. With those two picks, DB Marcus Gilchrist and LB Jonas Mouton were chosen. They also had two picks in the third and sixth round, and one in the seventh. WR Vincent Brown, DB Shareece Wright, RB Jordan Todman, OL Steve Schilling, and OLB Andrew Gachkar were the final five picks. 

 A.J. Smith might not be the best GM out there, but he does find incredible talent. In the 2011 draft, Smith covered all the main weaknesses of the team. Corey Liuget, Jonas Mouton, and Andrew Gachkar will give more strength to the pass rush. Marcus Gilchrist and Shareece Wright will help Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason out in the pass coverage. Steve Schilling will help on the offensive line if needed. Vincent Brown will be a great slot receiver, and could be a steal of the draft. Jordan Todman will replace Darren Sproles, plain and simple. 

In 2010, one of the big reasons for their upsetting season was special teams. Mike Scifres had four blocked punts, two for safeties and two for touchdowns. They also allowed three kickoffs returned for touchdowns, two in one game. One punt was returned for a touchdown as well. The Chargers couldn't answer either, they did not return one punt or kickoff for a touchdown. Steve Crosby, the special teams coach in 2010 was let go after the season. Rich Bisaccia was chosen to replace him.

Once the lockout is over, the Chargers should secure the players they need, sign the players they want, and get to the practice field with a new state of mind. The state of mind should be redemption. Forget 2010, and bring a championship back home to San Diego. Every player on the roster should be thrilled for this next season. Management should focus on this season as well. If they win a championship, it would be very unlikely for San Diego not to give the Chargers their new stadium.

What will the explosive and exciting Chargers have in store for us this season? We'll find out!

SAN DIEGO SUPER CHARGERS!