CHARGERS FANTASY NEWS

March 7, 2006 6:00 PM ET

The Chargers may not have qualified for the postseason, but they provided the league with a defensive blueprint for defeating the formerly-unbeatable Colts. They also sport the NFL's premier player at both running back and tight end, and a shrewd trade netted two defensive starters who have already become impact players.

Despite the good vibes, all is not rosy in San Diego. For starters, there's animosity between general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Marty Schottenheimer, a dispute that spilled into the media and had to be mediated by team president Dean Spanos. There's a talented team that lost three of its final four games and fell out of the playoff picture. And there's the situation at quarterback, where Pro Bowler Drew Brees apparently won't be back.

The Chargers certainly have the cap room to add pieces to their puzzle this offseason, but will confusion at the top—in both the front office and on the field—keep them from taking the next step?

Needs
Stud running back? Check. Not only do the Chargers have LaDainian Tomlinson entering the prime of his career, they've got a quality backup in Michael Turner and a talented kick returner-change of pace guy in Darren Sproles. Fullback Lorenzo Neal is under contract, and backup Andrew Pinnock re-signed before free agency beckoned.

Elite tight end? Check. Antonio Gates is back in the fold after a messy start to last season—including a holdout that resulted in a one-game suspension for Gates and a season-opening loss (the swing game that kept them out of the playoffs?) for the Chargers. Gates has surpassed AFC West rival Tony Gonzalez as the top player at his position and is unquestionably the Bolts' go-to receiver. Backup Justin Peelle is a free agent, but he's of little consequence so long as Gates is healthy.

Gates could use some help from the Chargers' wide receiving corps, where Keenan McCardell isn't getting any younger. Eric Parker posted career-best numbers in his fourth NFL season, but he hasn't yet reached the consistency level McCardell brings. Potential RFA Kassim Osgood re-signed, but UFA Reche Caldwell can test the market. Essentially, this group needs someone to assume McCardell's mantle and, more importantly, provide enough of a downfield threat to draw attention away from Gates.

With so many key positions already locked down and plenty of cap room to spare, it's a bit puzzling that the Chargers appear willing to kick Brees to the curb. Be it concerns about Brees' shoulder or Smith wanting his hand-picked quarterback at the helm, the Chargers will proceed with Rivers and A.J. Feeley under center. True, the team did expend a first-round pick on Philip Rivers, but with the Bolts clearly able to play with the AFC's big boys there's hardly time for on-the-job training. The Chargers do have enough cap room that they could bring in a veteran to help Rivers learn, but it all begs the question: why not keep the Pro Bowler around?

The Chargers' offensive line scuffled a bit in year one without noted line coach Hudson Houck, but they were still a solid unit. Left guard Kris Dielman is a restricted free agent, but it will cost someone a first-round pick to sign him away so it appears the full line will return. There are some depth concerns, with Bob Hallen and Courtney Van Buren not expected back, but San Diego has the cap space to add help and the draft is rich with linemen.

After spending two first-round picks on defense last season, it's not surprising that the Chargers are pretty well set on this side of the ball. All 11 starters are under contract, but free agency could claim some key reserves including linebacker Ben Leber and cornerback Jamar Fletcher. Expect the Bolts to use later-round picks and incentive-laden free agent contracts to flesh out the depth of this unit.

Salary Cap Situation
The Chargers are approximately $19.6 million under the projected $94.5 million salary cap for 2006, according to ESPN.com's John Clayton.

Unrestricted Free Agents
QB Drew Brees, WR Reche Caldwell, TE Justin Peelle, G Bob Hallen, DE DeQuincy Scott, LB Ben Leber, CB Jamar Fletcher

Restricted Free Agents
G Kris Dielman, T Courtney Van Buren, LB Matt Wilhelm, LB Stephen Cooper

Free Agent Signings
None.

The Draft
San Diego has acquitted themselves quite well on draft day over the past few years; no fewer than seven starters have been plucked on day one since 2002. This time around, however, the plan is likely to nab a talent who can be groomed behind one of the club's veterans and emerge as an impact player two or three years down the road.

To that end, the 19th position could yield a wide receiver such as Santonio Holmes, Chad Jackson, or Sinorice Moss to shadow and eventually replace Keenan McCardell—and, most importantly, free up the middle of the field for Gates. The team could also tab a lineman early on, with Winston Justice or Marcus McNeill likely first-round candidates and Jonathan Scott or Ryan O'Callaghan potential second-round picks.

The other area San Diego may wish to upgrade via the draft is their secondary, as this year's crop is relatively deep. Don't be surprised if Tye Hill or Jimmy Williams get first-round consideration, or if the club looks at Greg Blue or Jason Allen later on day one.

Injury Watch
The most significant injury is clearly that of Brees, who had arthroscopic surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. Initial reports were that everyone expected the injury to heal fully, but when Brees and the Chargers couldn't come to terms on a contract extension suddenly the team seemed to have doubts. He likely won't be able to throw until May, but that would give him plenty of time to learn another team's offense in minicamp—and suitors such as the Dolphins, Vikings, and Packers are already lining up. Tomlinson nursed bruised ribs much of the season, but it wasn't enough to keep him out of the lineup—or keep him from 1,834 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns—so there's no cause for concern. Same goes for Gates, who played through a sore foot en route to 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns.

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