Four months removed from the last San Diego Chargers game of the 2015 regular season, the team has undergone several key changes to stride towards a winning direction.
Directly following the final game of the 2015 season, general manager Tom Telesco had a daunting decision as to whether or not the organization should retain head coach Mike McCoy. The team opted to stick with McCoy and have since been in the process to address several areas of need on offense, defense, and special teams.
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Offensively, the Chargers needed to address their obvious lack of luster. To begin, the team brought back former offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt who was with the team (in the same position) when they reached the playoffs in the 2013.
The team also shored up its most desperate offensive lineman position at center by signing proven veteran Matt Slauson and drafting ex-USC standout Max Tuerk (third round). With the signing of Slauson, San Diego is now tied with the Oakland Raiders for the largest offensive line in the NFL with an average height of 6’6″ and an average weight of 327 pounds.
Moreover, combining the installation of Whisenhunt’s downhill run designs contrary to ex-offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s constant (predictable) shotgun draw schemes along with the massive size up front should spell a much more successful season for second-year running back Melvin Gordon.
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From free agency, the team lost their face of the defense in Eric Weddle. Telesco attempts to fill that role with his signing of journeyman safety Dwight Lowery. The team will most likely try to use Jatavis Brown in a Deone Bucannon hybrid safety/linebacker type role.
This would most likely represent the better option given the versatility and athleticism that Brown brings to the team. San Diego also signed Casey Hayward to help out the secondary; the defensive back has solid experience at both safety and cornerback.
Most likely, the worst-case scenario in the 2016 would be an exact repeat of the 2015 season with the only worse thing being an injury to Philip Rivers. The team is particularly talented, however the main problem was constant injuries to key players. The best-case scenario for the 2016 San Diego Chargers would definitely be a playoff-competitive team.
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With Keenan Allen back from injury and a healthy offensive line, Rivers finally could get the help that an elite quarterback needs for a deep run in the playoffs.
Barring injuries, the 2016 campaign could be a bright one for the Chargers.