Rivers of Tears: San Diego Chargers Season Preview

2011 Record: 8-8

2011 Ranks

Total Offense: 6

Rush Offense: 16

Pass Offense: 6

Scoring Offense: 5

Total Defense: 16

Run Defense: 20

Pass Defense: 13

Scoring Defense: 22

Offense

San Diego enters this season with more question marks on offense than they have had in the past. Gone is their former top receiver Vincent Jackson, and the Chargers brought in Robert Meachem to hopefully fill the void. Malcolm Floyd is a decent #2 receiver and Antonio Gates, when healthy, is one of the best tight ends in the league. The Chargers aren't as deep in the backfield as they have been in the past, and will rely heavily on Ryan Mathews, who is coming off a training camp injury, to shoulder the load in the backfield. Philip Rivers has all the physical tools a QB could want, but he's a crybaby with a bad attitude, so it's fun to root against him.

Defense

This is mostly the same starting unit that was straight up average last season. They gave up 14+ points in all but one game last season. Eric Weddle somehow was named an All Pro safety after recording 7 interceptions, but he isn't really all that good. Quentin Jammer has a great name for a cornerback but he sucks. The Chargers were in the bottom half of the league in rushing the passer, recording 32 sacks as a team. Antwan Barnes had 11 sacks, more than a third of the team total.

Intangibles

Philip Rivers is fun to watch fail.

Prediction

The Chargers don't have a lot of depth and an injury or two could make this a long season for the Bolts. More than likely, they will revel in mediocrity once again. 8-8.