OPTIONS FOR TELESCO MOVING INTO APRIL

What is the teams plans before the season begins as we approach the draft on April 26-28th in Dallas. They are expecting to announce the draft party information as soon as next week. Their Club PSL's had a great turnout for perspective buyers.

 But what about the X's and O's. After finishing winning the last 9-12 games and most stats showing improvement as the season went on. The front office is playing a game of don't break what doesn't need fixing. They might be forgetting they were 9-7. Things need fixing! The additions of Caleb Sturgis gives Coach Lynn want he wanted. A veteran kicker in 2018. Lynn wants a more focused running game to compliment Melvin Gordon game. In comes TE Virgil Green a above average run blocker who is being discounted as a pass catcher. He played 534 snaps in 2017 accounting for 47.38%n of Denver offense. He only caught 14 catches for 191 yards. They added Mike Pouncey a 3 time Pro Bowler from the Dolphins. Pouncey played in 15 games last year but will need hip surgery at some point. Risk vs Reward singing.

 They retained their #1 man in Casey Hayward as well as Adrian Phillips, Tyrell Williams, Nick Dzunbar, Michael Schofield, Chris McCain, and Geremy Davis.

Antonio Gates who Telesco said "there is no easy choice" and Tre Boston  (30th ranked in NFL for safeties) will have to wait till after the draft for the teams decision on their futures. Both men have been quiet during the early part of the free agency frenzy. Thinking here is if Gates get a offer he likes they will bow their hat to him. Boston on the other hand they seem to think was a 1 year wonder and have a figure in mind. Until he comes down to that figure or until they replace him in the draft he will watch the market slowly bear itself out at the position.

Tom Telesco makes the picks and Lynn coaches the team. Early in their careers working with each other these 2 men seem to have 2 different outlooks in how to build the team moving forward. Lynn wanted a QB to develop and a safety before the 2017 NFL Draft. He received neither.

Lynn on QB in 2017 Draft

“I think we do have to get a young quarterback on campus. We need to start developing someone because we have two veteran quarterbacks, and both of them are long in the tooth. I think they have some good years left in them; don’t get me wrong. But you have to start thinking about down the line, too…I would love for a young quarterback to get in here and learn from Philip. Philip is the ultimate pro in my opinion. We have a good situation for a young quarterback that does’t have to come in and play right now. He can sit, watch and learn.”

When it comes to evaluating young QB prospects, Lynn outlined what he looks for to determine future success:
“Taking care of the football is number one. That is something that we are going to do a lot better this year. Accuracy and leadership at that position. Whether you like it or not, you are the leader of that offense. Guys that can move the ball down the field and guys that can command their team. Get us in the right plays and right position. Read defenses. All those things. Mobility helps, especially for young quarterbacks (because) until they can figure it out, at least they can get out of harm’s way.”

Lynn on a safety in the draft 

"If you don't have a quarterback who can give you some kind of effective movement, you've got a dead offense."

"“There are some good safeties coming out. I like Jamal Adams. I like (Jabrill) Peppers. He could be a nice safety in the National Football League. Obi (Melifonwu), the young man from Connecticut, has a nice presence down in the box as a strong safety. (There are) some talented safeties…(Peppers) plays so many positions, I believe if you put him at one position he can be a superstar. It is just that simple. He has been a superstar his whole life. I don’t think it is going to stop because of the National Football League.”

Lynn also stated at the combine that he wants a FA veteran DT. "Playing DT in the NFL is a whole another ballgame than in college." Telesco never drafted a DT higher than Round 5 in the draft in his 5 years of being the general manager.

 They could upgrade the defense by getting better players at Linebacker and safety which Telesco believes will stop the run. He has made his belief that he is content with Corey Liuget contract and performance in 2017. Liuget will miss the first 4 gamer of the season serving his suspension from the NFL. The Chargers could save 6.5 million by releasing him after June1st. Liuget is the 5th most highest paid player on the team. 

The team has about 4.5 million in cap space. Telesco needs 6.2 million for the rookies contracts. That is currently a -$1.7 million range is where the teams at. However, they can restructure http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6564/corey-liuget Corey Luiget, Rivers, Allen and release Brandon Membane and http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/7562/travis-benjamin Travis Benjamin to create cap space. This could allow them to sign FA DT Veteran Jonathan Hankins who played solidly for the Colts but become a cap casualty. http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/8433/johnathan-hankins. He is the vet that Coach Lynn to the disappointment of some fans wants so badly.

Off season workouts began April 16th. The season comes faster than most GM like. Today, Whiz met with QB Lamar Jackson and Telesco was with OT Korey Cunningham and DT Washington Vita Vea.

This teams believes better LB play will solve a lot of the problems with the run Def. Adding a RT, RB, S LB, and DLine help along with Lynn desire to develop a developmental QB seems to be where the teams leaning. Of course it is the beginning of April. The draft is in 27 more days. A lot can change in this league in 27 days.