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San Diego Chargers: Impact of signing Orlando Franklin

By Keith Demolder

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With center Nick Hardwick retiring, the Bolts lost an anchor of their offensive line. During the season, that unit struggled at times in terms of run and pass protecting.

During this offseason, the Bolts signed former Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin who will join a Chargers offensive line with 6’5” right tackle D.J. Fluker, 6’9” left tackle King Dunlap and 6’5” center Trevor Robinson. Guard Chad Rinehart was released by the team.

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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “Free-agent guard Orlando Franklin has told people he will sign a five-year deal with the San Diego Chargers, a source told ESPN. If the contract is signed, it is expected to be worth close to $36.5 million with $20 million of guarantees.”

Other than these players, the Bolts don’t have many holes on their offensive line besides the left guard position.

Injuries caused mass confusion last season and it showed in the offensive statistics. But, good thing that Tom Telesco had some money to spend because now Orlando Franklin is in a Charger uniform, making this offensive line as massive as we have seen from the Chargers in recent years.

Fluker could potentially play the guard position, but he’s seen more success as a tackle.

With a price tag of $36.5 million, Franklin may seem slightly overpaid, however, he brings a lot to the table for the Bolts.

During his high school career with Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach, Florida., Franklin was a part of a long-standing football tradition that has produced NFL stars such as fellow Chargers  cornerback Brandon Flowers.

It is interesting to note that Franklin is a native-born Jamaican and moved to the states from Canada during his junior year.

He was recruited heavily by University of Miami as a four-star recruit and excelled at the tackle position while being a hurricane. In his junior and senior seasons, Franklin was nominated for offensive lineman of the week awards and earned a All-ACC second team nomination.

When looking at his skills, a better picture is represented as Franklin was shown to have great potential in terms of trap blocking and has showed his size can ravage opposing defenses. And although he was criticized for his attitude and physical play, the Broncos saw something in the Jamaican-born offensive tackle.

In the 2010 Draft, Franklin was selected 46th overall in the second round by the Broncos. Within two years, he was making an immediate impact on the offensive line protecting arguably the best quarterback of the modern era in Peyton Manning.

Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin (74) pass protects on Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jared Odrick (98) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

According to Ricky Henne of Chargers.com, “[Franklin] burst onto the scene as a difference maker his rookie year, named to Football Outsiders All-Rookie Team as he helped the Broncos lead the NFL in rushing with a franchise-record 164.5 yards per game.  He also anchored an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league in 2014 (17) and 2013 (20).”

This move was absolutely monumental for the Chargers who saw some bad luck on the offensive line last season to sign a big name offensive guard, especially one that has seen success on a big-time ball club. After having a lackluster running game, Franklin is going to give this Chargers running game new life in 2015.

Even if the Chargers do not have their running back of the future quite yet, Franklin gives that running back a great head start on a great career.

Next: Danny Woodhead's play is key to San Diego running success

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