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!

#New Faces of the Sacramento Kings!

 

@Jimmer Fredette(7) ; @Tyler Honeycutt(3) ; @Isaiah Thomas(22)

NBA Mock Draft & Predictions

The 2011 NBA Draft is not predicted to be one of the strongest, but also not the weakest. Headlined by Kyrie Irving and Derrick Williams, the draft takes place Thursday, June 23rd.

Trades happen every year, whether it be for draft picks, players, or even money. This year will be no different. Some teams in the trade market include: 

• Philadelphia 76er's
• Golden State Warriors
• Orlando Magic
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Phoenix Suns

Philadelphia is trying to find a new home for Andre Iguodala, Warriors are thinking of moving Monta Ellis, Orlando might be losing Dwight Howard, Timberwolves have power with the second pick, the Suns are trying to get younger, and the Lakers are looking to rebuild with a new Point Guard or Center.

2011 NBA First Round Mock Draft (without trades.)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers - Kyrie Irving G Duke
2. Minnesota Timberwolves - Derrick Williams F Arizona
3. Utah Jazz - Brandon Knight G Kentucky
4. Cleveland Cavaliers - Enes Kanter C Kentucky
5. Toronto Raptors - Jonas Valanciunas C International
6. Washington Wizards - Jan Vesely F International
7. Sacramento Kings - Kemba Walker G Connecticut 
8. Detroit Pistons - Kawhi Leonard F San Diego State
9. Charlotte Bobcats - Marcus Morris F Kansas
10. Milwaukee Bucks - Klay Thompson G Washington State
11. Golden State Warriors - Tristan Thompson F Texas
12. Utah Jazz - Alec Burks G Colorado
13. Phoenix Suns - Jimmer Fredette G BYU
14. Houston Rockets - Bismack Biyombo C International
15. Indiana Pacers - Donatas Motiejunas C International
16. Philadelphia 76er's - Chris Singleton F Florida State
17. New York Knicks - Kenneth Faried F Morehead State
18. Washington Wizards - Markieff Morris F Kansas
19. Charlotte Bobcats - Tobias Harris F Tennessee
20. Minnesota Timberwolves - Marshon Brooks G Providence 
21. Portland Trail Blazers - Jordan Hamilton F Texas
22. Denver Nuggets - Tyler Honeycutt G UCLA
23. Houston Rockets - Nikola Vucevic C USC
24. Oklahoma City Thunder - Iman Shumpert F Georgia Tech
25. Boston Celtics - Jeremy Tyler C USA
26. Dallas Mavericks - Josh Selby G Kansas
27. New Jersey Nets - Justin Harper F Richmond
28. Chicago Bulls - Kyle Singler F Duke
29. San Antonio Spurs - Davis Bertans F International
30. Chicago Bulls - Nolan Smith G Duke

Trade Rumors

• Minnesota is not sure on their second pick. They are discussing between Derrick Williams and Enes Kanter. They are also in trade talks with Phoenix, Houston, Charlotte, and even the Los Angeles Lakers.
•  San Antonio are looking to trade up to get a big man, more importantly, an International big man. Jonas Valanciunas is the guy they are targeting at the moment.
• Washington is in need of a down low scoring threat. They are sitting at the number six spot in the draft. Look for them to try and trade up to four to get Enes Kanter if Minnesota doesn't draft him.
• Celtics owner Danny Ainge says every player on Boston's roster is available for trade talks.
• Minnesota, New York, Portland, and Orlando are some of the teams pursuing Steve Nash.

 Big Names That Could Be Moved.

• Dwight Howard - Los Angeles is the top team on the list trying to get him. The proposed trade would be Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard.
• Steve Nash - Phoenix might be willing to trade Nash to Minnesota for the second pick.
• Chris Paul / Deron Williams - The Lakers need a new point guard, and one of these two would be a great addition. 

Expect the unexpected at this years NBA Draft.

San Diego Chargers Brochure

ESPN Magazine

NFL Mock Draft

Cam Newton

 QB - Auburn

Marcell Dareus

 DT - Alabama

Von Miller

 LB - Texas A&M

A.J. Green

 WR - Georgia

Blaine Gabbert

 QB - Missouri

Robert Quinn

 DE - North Carolina

Patrick Peterson

 CB - LSU

Nick Fairley

 DT - Auburn

Tyron Smith

 OL - USC

Julio Jones

 WR - Alabama

Aldon Smith

 DE - Missouri

Cameron Jordan
 DE - California

Prince Amukamara

 CB - Nebraska

Corey Liuget

 DT - Illinois

Mike Pouncey

 OL - Florida

Ryan Kerrigan

 DE - Purdue

Anthony Castonzo

 OL - Boston College

J.J. Watt

 DE - Wisconsion

Gabe Carimi

 OL - Wisconsin

Da'Quan Bowers

 DE - Clemson

Adrian Clayborn

 DL - Iowa

Nate Solder

 OL - Colorado

Danny Watkins

OL - Baylor

Derek Sherrod 

OL - Mississippi St.

Jake Locker
QB - Washington

Muhammad Wilkerson

DT - Temple

Kyle Rudolph

TE - Notre Dame

Cam Heyward

DT - Ohio St.

Akeem Ayers

LB - UCLA

Phil Taylor

DL - Baylor

Aaron Williams

DB - Texas

Bruce Carter

LB - North Carolina

This is a full first round projection of the NFL Draft regardless of trades. The NFL Draft takes place April 28-30.

NBA Playoffs 2011

The NBA playoffs are here, and have brought many questions.

• Will the Bulls win another championship after a 60+ win season, behind Derrick Rose?
• Can the Celtics bounce back from their late season collapse?
• Will the Spurs stay healthy?
• Who is the darkhorse this year?
• Can Carmelo and Amar'e coexist?
• Will Miami's Big three lead them to a Championship?
• Will the Lakers three peat?

In this article, I will be answering these questions with my input.

Will the Bulls win another Championship after a 60+ win season, behind Derrick Rose?

With the likeable MVP in Derrick Rose on their team, should the Bulls be thinking championship? Chicago has had six 60+ win seasons before, and all of those seasons ended in championships. But they did have this guy named Michael Jordan. Will this season be the same? Maybe. There is no yes or no with this team. This is arguably the best Bulls team since the Jordan era. Derrick Rose is playing out of his mind, seventh in the NBA for points per game, with 25.0, and lead his team to the best record in the league.

Answer - The Bulls charge into the playoffs with great momentum. They are the favorite in the East. A star point guard can carry you to a championship, but I don't see them getting past the Celtics, Heat, Knicks, or Magic. The Bulls are a great story, and are very fun to watch, but they won't last in a seven game series with either of those four teams. Derrick Rose's Bulls, are Lebron James' Cavaliers.


Can the Celtics bounce back from their late season collapse?

At the All Star Break, the Celtics were the best team in the league. They had the best record and were the most feared. They had everything on their side, until they made a trade. The trade sent Kendrick Perkins, and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green, and Nenad Kristic. In the Celtics eyes, they were getting healthy. Perkins has been injured many times in his career, and Boston was through with it. Since the trade, the Celtics are 15-12. They head into the playoffs struggling, and at the third seed facing the Knicks.

Answer - Unless Rondo starts playing the way he did before the All Star Break and they get Shaq back, healthy, I don't see them getting past the second round.

Will the Spurs stay healthy?

The Spurs came out of the regular season with the second best record in the entire NBA. They had an elite season leading the league with the best record all the way up to the final week. They led the NBA in three point percentage. But, they accomplished all of this with some consequences. Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginoblii each were injured throughout the season. The injuries come with age. Duncan has been in the league fourteen years, and Parker and Ginoblii , twelve years. The Spurs are the oldest team in the NBA, and it shows. But with age, comes experience, and that's why they are a great team this year.

Answer - The Spurs head into the first round without their second leading scorer, Ginoblii. Knowing Manu, he will be back soon. But unless the role players create depth, and be proficient, I don't see them making it past the second round, maybe not even the first.

Who is the dark horse this year?

The Oklahoma City Thunder emerged as a contender in the Playoffs last year at the eighth seed. They almost shocked the Lakers the first round, taking them to Game 7, and creating the loudest arena is NBA history. They were the complete dark horse. A dark horse is a team that no one really talks about as a serious title contender, and just thinks of them as another team in the playoffs. They could also be a team that is recognized as a threat, but again, not a serious title contender. So who's the dark horse this year?

Answer - The Denver Nuggets made the biggest trade of their franchise this year. They traded none other than Carmelo Anthony, as well as Chauncy Billups, to the Knicks for a large amount of players. Everybody thought that with this trade, the Nuggets would get worse, and the Knicks better. Irony occurred, and the exact opposite happened. The Nuggets finished the season a lot better than the Knicks. Denver is a scary team, and anyone who faces them should be afraid. And what a coincidence, they play the dark horse from last year, the Thunder, in the first round. The team that wins that series could go as far as the championship this year.


Can Amar'e and Carmelo coexist?

The Knicks are probably in the worst position of all teams in the playoffs. They face the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Boston Celtics. New York's three best players were not even on the team last year. They are still trying to figure out how to play together. Any team with star power, can be a deep playoff threat; and this team has two, arguably three. Let's go back to the heat. In the final seconds of a close game, who has the ball, Lebron or Wade? Same with this team, Amar'e or Carmelo? 

Answer - Can Amar'e and Carmelo coexist? Yes. But if they wan't to beat the celtics, and have a real oppurtunity to make it to the Finals, they need production from their role players. Also, Billups needs to be the leader of this team. Whether or not Carmelo or Amar'e are the better players, Billups has the experience, and needs to be that leader.

Will Miami's Big Three lead them to a championship?

''I'm taking my talents to South Beach." Those words started it all. A day later, three of the NBA's best players came together to unveil the Miami's version of the Big Three. The Heat started the season number one in the power rankings, but failed to impress. They started the season 9-8. Overhyped, and overrated were words that were used to describe Miami. Then all of a sudden, they caught fire. They won 11 in a row, and 20 out of 21. They went from 9-8 to 29-9. Then they lost five of six, and then won eight in a row. Miami continued this the entire season. Words went from overhyped and overrated, to inconsistent. They finished the season winning fourteen of their final sixteen games. They have complete momentum heading into the playoffs, with the second seed.

Answer - Miami plays out of pure talent. If the Heat stay healthy, and get Haslem back, they can be a real serious contender for the championship. Point guard production from Bibby and Chalmers is a key. If Bosh is consistent, and Lebron and Wade turn on their seasonal playoff modes, I can't see anyone beating them.

Will the Lakers three peat?

Who did you say was the favorite to win the Finals? The Lakers? That's weird, they were the favorite that last couple years. As long as Phil Jackson keeps sitting on a sidelined chair, coaching, and Kobe keeps putting that number twenty four jersey on every game, they will be the favorite. That last couple of years, there hasn't been much competition for them, but this year is different. Every team in the west is a threat. Every team can give the Lakers a run for their money.

Answer - The Lakers are the defending champions. They have one of the greatest players of all time, in Kobe Bryant, and one of the greatest coaches, in Phil Jackson. As many three peats as Jackson has, I don't see him adding any more. Every team in the west can beat the Lakers, but the Lakers could probably beat every team in the west as well. It's all up to being healthy. If Bynum gets injured, or Kobe, the Lakers will go down. But make sure you count all fifteen other teams out before you count the Lakers out.

Prediction - NBA Finals

Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat

Miami Heat in Six.