EDITOR'S NOTE:
I have a son coming Tuesday June 5, 2018
One is thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so patient with me and the lack of posting. I promise to do better but I have a son being born on Tuesday June 5, 2018 so I have been edgy and busy with my little one coming. Thank you for
However, I have been doing the weekly radio show BOLTBLITZLIVE as we have talked to Nick Hamilton NBCLA, Fernando Ramirez and NBCSD Derek Togerson of NBCSD, Former Charger Burt Grossman, Jennifer Lee Chan SF 49ers beat writer at Niners Nation and Richmond Webb of the Miami Dolphins.
Here is a few of my thoughts on June 3, 2018
THE LOSS OF HENRY AND THE GATES QUESTION
Hunter Henry..It's not the end of the worked. In fact, It's not even panic time. Henry was suppose to break out in 2018. Well, instead he broke an ACL running an out route and being untouched on the first day of OTA'S and is now out for the season. All the sources I have talked to say the same thing to me. This changes nothing with Antonio Gates. Gates can still play football he just can help "THIS" OFFENSE.
Antonio Gates can't block nor play special teams. One of the most gifted TE to -play the game was so good at breaking away from defenders and tormenting LB trying to cover him. His ability to get open made him a red zone target for Rivers. He was so good his negatives were easy to over look. But that is not the case no more. Gates has slowed way down. He can't separate or block on offense. He can't be counted on for 3rd downs nor in the red zone. The Chargers new offense is going to be run heavy. Gates just can't contribute to the Chargers offense. The Chargers decided to move on from him before the NFL draft. EVERY thing I hear is their position is the same.
In 2017, Gates played in 16 games but only started 4. 30 Rec for 3 TD's was his production. His receiving yards and TD were the lowest since 2003. http://pfref.com/pi/share/3ggL5.
Gates is one of the greatest Chargers to ever play. But there a reason to one has signed the future Hall Of Famer. IT is the right decision.
Virgil Green would have to tep up big time to replace Gates and Henry production. Green is mostly a run blocking TE. They also have newly signed Austin Roberts (camp body only) Ben Johnson, Sean Culkin, Cole Hunt, and Virgil Green are the TE's on the roster. The only one who not a rookie is Green and Culkin. The Chargers will look at transition cuts from other teams but Mike Williams stepping up could be very helpful. Dylan Cantrell, could be moved to TE but the coaches related not in 2018. Ben Johnson could be a player to watch in preseason.
2017
Gates played 500 snaps on offense while Henry played 598. Sean McGrath 218 snaps, Jeff Cumberland had 148 and Sean Culkin had 11. So, Culkin 11 snaps is the only TE to take snaps with Chargers in 2017 and remain on the roster. For the Broncos Virgil Green had 534 snaps on offense and 125 on special teams in 2017.
Mike Williams being healthy and producing with high snap counts can release the loss of the Chargers TE.
The loss of Hunter Henry is projecting what he could have done in 2017. He played 56% of the teams snap counts on offense in 2017. Henry had 45 catches for 579 yards in 2017.So what is actually lost? It is the expectations of what Henry COULD do not really what he has produced in 2017. This loss hurts but is not as bad as fans think in my opinion.
The loss of Green is replaceable either through FA or one of the TE on the roster as long as Mike Williams steps up.
So Gates may be back it is possible but VERY unlikely due to his decline in production and talent. I wish Gates the best in the future.
As for the others yea they get nicked up Mike Williams hamstring and another surgery on Lamp. Hey, Jason Verrett made it through OTA's without damaging anything!!!
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Training Camp starts in July and the Chargers are predicted to be the winner in the AFC West with the Chiefs developing Mahones, The Raiders have a new coach that hasn't coached since Khalil Mack and Derek Carr was 13. The Broncos have a new QB in Case Keenum and a defense that going to wreck hell in 2017. The division is no guarantee for the Chargers. Predictions are for rookies. The veteran fans know predictions seldoms produce in the season. The Chargers need to prove their contenders and not pretenders. Week 1 is going to be the "statement" game in the AFC WEST!
Denzel Perryman has to be on the field and not in the trainers room. Justin Jones the DT from NC State has to play at a high level while Luiget is suspended. The Chiefs, Rams, Bills and 49ers we attack the Chargers run defense who LB depth is still low. Perryman, Allen, Gordon, have to stay healthy. I believe they can win the Division at 10-6. The run defense will continue to be their weakest link. One key is Perryman and Pouncey health.
CAMP BATTLES
Kyzir White vs Jatavis Brown (Brown said his poor play in 2017 was due to a high ankle sprain)
Geno Smith vs Cardale Jones loser gets released
Kyle Emanuel vs Uchenna Nwosu
Jason Verrett vs Trevor Williams (Verrett if healthy has already been named the starter but that will change when Verrett gets hurt.
CHARGER NOTES
LA Chargers beat writer for NBCLA Nick Hamilton on Jason Verrett.. "He is soft and stealing money from the team."
Fernando Ramirez from NBCSD said the "chemistry" on defense is solid and close. This is a tight group that are friends on and off the field.
Darius Philon vs a heavy competition in snap counts. He needs more snaps.
Quessenberry will probably see very limited snaps to began the season. Spenser Pulley, Craig Mager, Roberto Aguayo will likely be preseason cuts.
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