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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Chargers Offseason Report
        
(Message started by: StegRock on Jul 5^th, 2005, 11:40am)

Title: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Jul 5^th, 2005, 11:40am

Chargers' team correspondent T-Rave Coop's got a new, choco yum-yum (read, sweet) summer team report up:

http://www.ffpro.com/teamreports/chargers/chargers-footballinfoframes.htm.

Enjoy! [smiley=lickinmychops.gif]

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Philly on Jul 27^th, 2005, 12:43pm

For all you LT2 owners out there who might be looking for a handcuff. Jesse Chatman was released -- given his walking papers. He has a toe injury that wasn't coming along well plus he was overweight and wasn't losing that weight.

So, the new winner of the LT2 handcuff sweepstakes is second-year RB Michael Turner! He's a better pure RB than Chatman was. He could really put up nice numbers if given the opportunity. Another player to watch is rookie Darren Sproles. He's going to be a return man, primarily, but you all remember this little man from his days at Kansas State where he put up big numbers as a RB.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Jul 29^th, 2005, 10:53am

Hmmmm... From "The REAL Feed":

All-Pro tight end Gates a no-show at Chargers camp (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2119272&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233)
ESPN: NFL (28.07.2005 23:20)
Gates, Merriman remain unsigned by Associated PressSAN DIEGO -- All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates was a no-show when San Diego Chargers veterans reported for training camp Thursday, joining holdout rookie Shawne Merriman as the team's only unsigned players. Gates, who went from being...

Here's the LOCAL talk about Gates from sources available on "the Gridiron Newsstand" that cover the Chargers close-up:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050729-9999-1s29chargers.html;

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050728-1619-no-gates.html;

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/07/29/sports/professional/chargers/22_30_587_28_05.txt.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 1^st, 2005, 1:23pm

Another summer update for the Chargers is up for your viewing pleasure.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by BarnabyWilde on Aug 1^st, 2005, 8:53pm

Bolts get top pick Merriman in camp:

Off the Real Feed:

http://www.sportsline.com/u/partners/aol/frameset.htm?http://cbs.sportsline.com/

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/wires/08/01/2020.ap.fbn.chargers.merriman.0335/index.html

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 4^th, 2005, 1:10pm

Thanks for the heads-up, BW. Yeah, it figures: just when I get an update written, Merriman signs.

Anyway, this is obviously a big step for the Bolts. They really need Shawne Merriman in camp so he can make a big impact as soon as possible and help that pass-rush.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 9^th, 2005, 1:33am

Currently from atop "The REAL Feed":

Gates, Chargers open to talks but remain far apart (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2129144&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233)
ESPN: NFL (08.08.2005 20:19)
Gates still not in Chargers camp by John ClaytonThe gates remain open to a settlement that could end Antonio Gates' holdout but neither side is coming on the grounds to get an agreement before the San Diego Chargers' first preseason game. Negotiations for a contract extension, initiated...

UH-OH!!! [smiley=nervous.gif]

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 16^th, 2005, 3:59am

T-Rave's "Chargers Player Rankings" are up! Check 'em out... They're HOT...

http://www.ffpro.com/teamreports/chargers/chargers-footballinfoframes.htm.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by DB on Aug 16^th, 2005, 9:01am

A little optimistic, no? T-Rave, are you Marty Shottenheimer's kid?

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 16^th, 2005, 2:40pm

Optimistic? Perhaps with my ranking of Drew Brees. As for the rest, I don't think so. A decent defense, McCardell as a quality #2 receiver, Gates as a top-notch TE . . . that doesn't seem overly optimistic to me. Any thoughts?

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by DB on Aug 16^th, 2005, 3:30pm

OK, to expound on my thoughts.... I'll leave Brees out of this even though I disagree, but if Brees is a top 5 (or even top 15) QB, how can Rivers be a high #3 (20-25 best QB?). In a keeper league, Rivers has good value, but not that high.

LT2 - of course. However, McCardell a top 15 RC? :o I disagree. He was maybe at that level 2 years ago and don't think he can return to that now at 35? If he can put out 900-6 and be a bye week guy, that would be good for him. Do you really think he is in the category of a Lelie, Boldin, Fitzgerald (guys who I would call 2's)

Finally, I admit to not knowing much about the Chargers D, but I have seen them ranked 20-25 in the NFL by most rankings.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 17^th, 2005, 11:47pm

Hmmm. Your point about Rivers is well taken. My thought process was rather that Rivers, if he plays instead of Brees, would be somewhere in that realm, but if he doesn't play, then he's not someone you should draft. But as far as being a #3 puts him in the top 20-30, that's not what I intended to claim. My bad on that one, I suppose.

As far as McCardell, I do think he can be a top 15 wr. I would put him with the likes of Boldin and Lelie and Fitzgerald, if only because Boldin and Fitzgerald will steal tds and yards from each other, and because Rod Smith is still playing. I do think McCardell can "return" to the level of a few years ago, which really wasn't that long ago -- the only reason he didn't keep it up was contract problems and then getting used to a new offense. Both of these obstacles are behind him, so I do expect somewhere around 1000 yards, maybe 8 tds. I don't see how that is a "bye week guy" at all. If you have a guy with that output as a "bye week guy" you have a STACKED wide receiver corps, and probably only 7 guys in the league. Of course, I'm a little biased because I've never had the luxury of fielding a solid receiving corps, so maybe that kind of output isn't as good as I think it is.

I don't know who has ranked the Charger D 20-25, but that's certainly not accurate. The Bolts had one of the top rushing defenses in the league, and they've shored up their passing D this offseason. Plus, take into account special teams, with Sproles.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 20^th, 2005, 2:46am

Don't want to interrupt or anything... BUT, what's up with this? From a LOCAL source on "the Gridiron Newsstand":

"Gates camp holds firm as deadline looms (http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20050819-9999-1s19chargers.html)"

This is getting fugly... [smiley=zombie.gif]

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by bgsgfan on Aug 20^th, 2005, 1:11pm

Grid_leg, how do you see the FF impact of potentially not having Gates for the season? What players get bumped up and down, and how much?

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Callie on Aug 20^th, 2005, 7:06pm

on 08/20/05 at 02:46:18, StegRock wrote:

Deadline passed. Gates is out for 3 games:

"KFFL Breaking News
Gates to Miss Three Games

San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates did not report and sign his contract by the team's 12:30 p.m. PT deadline Saturday, Aug. 20. As a result, the team is placing him on a Roster Exempt list and he will not play in the first three games following the date he signs with the team. As it currently stands, he will miss the team's final two preseason games and the first game of the regular season. The Chargers and Gates' agent, Andre Colona, negotiated throughout the morning but could not reach an agreement on years or compensation. Gates is not comfortable playing for his exclusive rights tender offer."

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Callie on Aug 20^th, 2005, 11:59pm

Last time I couldn't find a link as good as the quote. This time I can't even find a link.

Gates may skate:

"KFFL Breaking News
Gates Could have Suspension Lifted; Will Report Sunday?

Kevin Acee, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, reports agent Andre Colona has confirmed San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates will report to the team Sunday, Aug. 21. Gates had a 12:30 p.m. deadline Saturday, Aug. 20, to report and when he did not the team promptly issued a statement saying Gates would be placed on the Roster Exempt List when he reported. A player on the list must miss three games after he reports. According to the NFL Management Handbook, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue could lift the exemption sooner than the usual three games. "Our interpretation is they could call the commissioner and request he lift the roster exemption. The big issue is if Antonio reports, is San Diego going to punish its fans, Antonio and his teammates by not requesting the commissioner lift the exemption," said Colona."

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 21^st, 2005, 5:13am

Sometimes I think these second- and third-tier sites do too much speculating in the (vain) attempt to "break the news first" (as if they really can)... Like with any news media, you have to be leery of the early reports, moreover, in this kind of case you have to "consider the source" (for what it is). I mean... With all due respect to KFFL, et al., how "inside" really is any fantasy football web site? Let the big boys do the news breaking and give me some intelligent fantasy football perspective... That's what I'm talkin' about... In any case, the latest "official" word as per the major news sources on "The REAL Feed":

Chargers' Gates Absent, Faces Suspension (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050820/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_chargers_gates)
AP Sports (21.08.2005 02:46)
SAN DIEGO - Antonio Gates didn't meet the San Diego Chargers' ultimatum to sign a contract by Saturday afternoon, meaning the defending AFC West champions will be without their All-Pro tight end for at least the season opener against Dallas.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by StegRock on Aug 22^nd, 2005, 4:07am

Latest "mixed" good word on Gates currently topping "The REAL Feed":

Gates signs, Chargers confused on suspension (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/wires/08/22/2020.ap.fbn.chargers.gates.1st.ld.writethru/index.html)
SI.com: NFL (22.08.2005 00:13)

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 22^nd, 2005, 10:32pm

Thanks, guys, for posting all this info. I was away for the weekend (with no internet access), so I missed it.

So Gates will miss only one (important) game. This is not a big concern, although it will force Gates owners to (a) pray for the impossible, namely, the lifting of the suspension, or (b) grab someone halfway decent for week one. In the big scheme of things, though, it's not nearly as bad as it could have been. My bet is that LT and McCardell see perhaps a few more balls thrown their way for week one, but not enough to make a significant difference.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Philly on Aug 23^rd, 2005, 8:55am

You don't think that Justin Peelle becomes an attractive fantasy commodity for week one now?

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 25^th, 2005, 2:18pm

I don't think Peelle is a great start for week one, unless you lack a decent tight end. Peelle is not the go-to guy that Gates has become, and the Bolts have plenty of other receiving options -- LT, McCardell, and the up-and-coming Caldwell.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 25^th, 2005, 2:27pm

Antonio Gate has signed a six-year contract, this coming after he accepted a $380,000 deal to play this year. The San Diego Union Tribune reported that his contract gets him around 10 million in guaranteed bonuses for the first two years, and could be worth up to 24 million for the 6 years. Obviously, this replaces the $380,000 deal.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Philly on Aug 25^th, 2005, 3:00pm

on 08/23/05 at 08:55:22, Philly wrote:

You don't think that Justin Peelle becomes an attractive fantasy commodity for week one now?

on 08/25/05 at 14:18:45, gridiron_legends wrote:

I guess I should have put that "this is a sarcastic response" smiley in my original post. ;)

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Aug 25^th, 2005, 4:29pm

;D

To tell you the truth, I could see it being a legitimate question.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Philly on Aug 25^th, 2005, 8:26pm

I think Peelle is a nice football player and a capable backup guy, but a fantasy commodity he is not.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Callie on Sep 1^st, 2005, 10:51pm

Anybody hear if Drew Brees' ankle injury tonight is serious?

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by gridiron_legends on Sep 2^nd, 2005, 1:00pm

Good question. It doesn't seem too serious, as Brees was joking about it after the game (it being a non-contact injury). I'm pretty sure he's still slated to start the first game of the regular season. I'll keep tabs on it and let you guys know as I hear information.

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by captainpurple on Sep 4^th, 2005, 11:20pm

any word on Gates status for week 1 ? they sticking to their guns and holding him out?

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by Callie on Sep 4^th, 2005, 11:27pm

"All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates did not take an active roster spot as he remains on the roster exempt list through the opener against the Dallas Cowboys, the final game of a three-game suspension for missing a team-mandated deadline for reporting to camp."

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050903/APS/509031081

Title: Re: Chargers Offseason Report
Post by DirkDiggler on Sep 6^th, 2005, 4:48pm

Attached is an interesting read regarding the future of the Chargers QB situation. Clearly, either Rivers or Brees is gone after this season. The interesting thing is no one has a clue who it will be........ They just count too much under the salary cap together.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2152532