BACH
Superbowl, Homeboy!
Finally, we make it to the dozen teams we regard as most likely, at this stage of the offseason, to make it to the postseason.
First up -- a team that in 2005 was arguably one of the best franchises in NFL history not to make the playoffs.
The San Diego Chargers.
The end result could well be a lot worse than the playoffs for the Bolts, given the lingering feud between G.M. A.J. Smith and coach Marty Schottenheimer, which got so bad earlier this year that they were called to the principal's office. Smith hates Schottenheimer and Schottenheimer hates Smith and we hate artichokes.
Warned that the Spanos family might clean house if the team doesn't go deep into the postseason in 2006, Smith and Schottenheimer had better get on the same page -- or they'll both be out the same door
It's a shame that they can't get along, because they have a talented team. LaDainian Tomlinson is one of the best running backs in the game, Antonio Gates is one of the best tight ends, and linebacker Shawne Merriman is a rising star. The roster generally is solid, and Schottenheimer is one of the greatest coaches of his era.
Okay, one of the greatest regular-season coaches.
Quarterback Philip Rivers is the question mark this year, since he's finally getting his chance after two years on the sidelines. Whether he can get it done remains to be seen, but if he fails it won't be because he hasn't had a chance to prepare.
For now, we're cautiously optimistic that the Chargers will use Tomlinson to help open up the passing lanes, and that the defense will help keep low the number of points that Rivers and company will need to win games.
And now the fantasy grades.
Quarterback: Rivers is an unknown, and though we expect the Chargers to do well in the won-lost column, we'd wait to take him as a No. 2, and then be prepared to thrust him into the lineup if he tears it up early on. He gets a C, but only because he's got no track record.
Running back: LaDainian Tomlinson is the man. More than 1,400 rushing yards. More than 50 catches. A whopping 20 touchdowns. He's the top guy to get behind Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. A+.
Wide receiver: Keenan McCardell had steady numbers in 2005, but is one of the older pass-catchers around. He gets a C+.
Tight end: Antonio Gates quickly has become the measuring stick for tight ends. He gets an A+ as tight ends go, but remember that there are plenty of receivers who will generate numbers as good or better.
Defense: The Chargers are a solid but not spectacular unit, from a fantasy perspective. Still, we've got a feeling that linebacker Shawne Merriman is going to have an L.T.-type coming out party in 2006, building on a Pro Bowl performance as a rookie.
Kicker: Nate Kaeding is decent talent who might get more field goal attempts as Marty Schottenheimer goes more conservative than usual as Philip Rivers gets up to speed. Nate gets a B.
First up -- a team that in 2005 was arguably one of the best franchises in NFL history not to make the playoffs.
The San Diego Chargers.
The end result could well be a lot worse than the playoffs for the Bolts, given the lingering feud between G.M. A.J. Smith and coach Marty Schottenheimer, which got so bad earlier this year that they were called to the principal's office. Smith hates Schottenheimer and Schottenheimer hates Smith and we hate artichokes.
Warned that the Spanos family might clean house if the team doesn't go deep into the postseason in 2006, Smith and Schottenheimer had better get on the same page -- or they'll both be out the same door
It's a shame that they can't get along, because they have a talented team. LaDainian Tomlinson is one of the best running backs in the game, Antonio Gates is one of the best tight ends, and linebacker Shawne Merriman is a rising star. The roster generally is solid, and Schottenheimer is one of the greatest coaches of his era.
Okay, one of the greatest regular-season coaches.
Quarterback Philip Rivers is the question mark this year, since he's finally getting his chance after two years on the sidelines. Whether he can get it done remains to be seen, but if he fails it won't be because he hasn't had a chance to prepare.
For now, we're cautiously optimistic that the Chargers will use Tomlinson to help open up the passing lanes, and that the defense will help keep low the number of points that Rivers and company will need to win games.
And now the fantasy grades.
Quarterback: Rivers is an unknown, and though we expect the Chargers to do well in the won-lost column, we'd wait to take him as a No. 2, and then be prepared to thrust him into the lineup if he tears it up early on. He gets a C, but only because he's got no track record.
Running back: LaDainian Tomlinson is the man. More than 1,400 rushing yards. More than 50 catches. A whopping 20 touchdowns. He's the top guy to get behind Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. A+.
Wide receiver: Keenan McCardell had steady numbers in 2005, but is one of the older pass-catchers around. He gets a C+.
Tight end: Antonio Gates quickly has become the measuring stick for tight ends. He gets an A+ as tight ends go, but remember that there are plenty of receivers who will generate numbers as good or better.
Defense: The Chargers are a solid but not spectacular unit, from a fantasy perspective. Still, we've got a feeling that linebacker Shawne Merriman is going to have an L.T.-type coming out party in 2006, building on a Pro Bowl performance as a rookie.
Kicker: Nate Kaeding is decent talent who might get more field goal attempts as Marty Schottenheimer goes more conservative than usual as Philip Rivers gets up to speed. Nate gets a B.
