After a 4-12 season in 2015 and a new stadium vote in November, it’s a make-or-break season for the San Diego Chargers.
The Chargers had a forgettable 2015 season. One of the few bright spots was the play of quarterback Philip Rivers, who passed for 4,792 yards and 29 touchdowns. He did that with his top receiver Keenan Allen only playing half the season.
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Conversely, rookie running back Melvin Gordon had an awful rookie season. Gordon failed to reach the end zone, and he missed the last two games due to injury. If the Chargers are going to turn things around, they need Gordon to turn things around.
The return of offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt should help keep Rivers up right in terms of pass pro, and it should also benefit Gordon and his production in the running game. The Chargers should be better offensively in 2016.
Here are five things the Chargers must do well schematically on both sides of the ball in 2016.
1. Man-Gap Blocking Schemes: The Chargers will get back to being more physical under Whisenhunt in the running game. How they run the ball will determine how physical they are. If the Chargers truly want to use the running game to set the tone, they need to employ a fullback and utilize more man, gap blocking schemes. Power football. Don’t get me wrong, they should still employ zone blocking schemes as well, but traditional man gap blocking schemes may benefit Melvin Gordon and the offensive line more early on.
2. Pass Protection: Rivers took a lot of hits last season. He was sacked 32 times. Part of the problem was the pass protection schemes, the other part of the problem was injuries along the offensive line. The Chargers coaching staff will do a better job scheming pass protections this season, and if the line can stay healthy, Rivers won’t take as many hits.
3. The Bosa Army Knife: Joey Bosa will be used in a myriad of ways by defensive coordinator John Pagano. Depending on the down and distance, front and sub package, Bosa will play defensive end, defensive tackle and outside linebacker. Bosa is not supremely athletic but he’s tough, smart and athletic enough to play all three positions well. Pagano will come up with all kinds of different ways to use Bosa.
4. The Blitzing Bolts: The Chargers have depth at corner with Brandon Flowers, Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward. Look for Pagano to up the ante in terms of pressure. The Chargers line up in a variety of fronts and they bring a variety of exotic pressures. With this type of depth at corner, San Diego will blitz even more.
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5. Life After Weddle: Eric Weddle was an integral part of the Chargers defense for nine seasons. His leadership, toughness and versatility will be missed. Perhaps more than anything else, Weddle’s versatility will be the toughest thing to replace. He played in all three levels of the Chargers defense. Players that can do that are rare in today’s NFL. The Chargers will figure that out now that he’s gone. Replacing Weddle is impossible. Now the Chargers have to figure out what three players they are going to use to fill the void he’s leaving.