WHAT THE 2017 CHARGERS SNAP COUNTS CAN TELL YOU!

                         WHAT DOES THE 2017 CHARGERS SNAP COUNTS MEAN!

    Snap counts are as important to football as the batting average is to baseball. It is one of the most important stats to a teams coaches and general managers. It gives you a lot of insight into which players the coaches trust the most on game days and who the coaching staff believe can get the job done on Sundays.

   Games started is one of the most misleading stats in the NFL. It only takes one snap to start a game. From a glance, games played could look solid showing a player starting in all 16 games. If he only plays a couple of snaps a game that would equals out to just 32 snaps in a season. He didn't contribute much either way in the outcome of his teams game. The NFL season takes a brutal toll on the human body in a full season. You can learn a lot about a teams roster by looking at the weekly snap counts.

   The argument for Tre Boston was he was on a "Pay for play" contract in 2017. The terms of his deal was if he contributed consistently. He would be rewarded in 2018. He played in all 1,041 of the defensive snap for the Chargers in 2017.  He also caught 5 interceptions. He was not rewarded with a long term deal. Telesco just didn't see the value in Boston compared to the impact of a cheaper safety in the draft. Right or wrong that is what transpired leaving Boston feeling used and lied too.

   Looking at the snap counts from last year, the Chargers have some emerging stars on the roster as well as some players who are developing in their system. It also shows some players being close to losing the trust along Coach Lynn staff.  Player such as Corey Liuget, Jatavis Brown and Travis Benjamin saw their snaps counts drop dramatically near the end of the season. While others like Melvin Gordon, Darius Philon, and Adrian Phillips saw more and more action as the season went on.

                                                                 FULLBACK SPOT IN 2018
    A player like Derek Watt could very well be on the bubble in training camp at the end of the month. Watt averaged 8 snaps a game. With Coach Lynn and Ken Whisenhunt  both wanting to get Gordon more catches out of the backfield this season. The fullback position could be eliminated or at least replaced on the roster by newly acquired undrafted free agent Anthony Manzo-Lewis out of Albany College. At 6'0 and 257 pounds Anthony played fullback and as a hybrid TE. He caught 20 passes for 120 yards and he contributes on special teams. A talent that normally decides between multiple players that are on the bubble during the final cuts.

   Desmond King rookie season was amazing for the Chargers. He played in 714 of the teams 1,041 defensive snaps. He also posted as the 3rd best corner in the league by Pro Football Focus. They had King with a rating  of a 83.3% while in pass coverage. With that said, the Chargers had the 5th lowest snap counts among rookies in 2017 with 809 snaps. Mike Williams and Dan Feeney brought those numbers way down. Mike Williams played the final 10 games and was on the field for only 234 snaps. He was targeted by Rivers in 23 of those snaps. He caught 11 out of 23 for 95 yards and 0 touchdowns.Tyrell Williams took some snaps away from Mike Williams as Tyrell finished with 69 targets compared to 65 for Williams. Tyrell finished with 43 catches gaining 943 yards and 4 touchdowns.

                                            THE TIGHT END SPOT IN 2018

   The tight end position seems to be a disaster in the making as you examine the roster today. Antonio Gates is still pondering his future and Telesco is reportedly considering bringing Gates back in 2018 if things don't look good in the preseason . Hunter Henry is now out for the year. The teams lacks anything close to a #1 TE on the roster. The Chargers enter 2018 with extremely little production coming out of the TE spot .. Braedon Bowman will probably be a good candidate for the Chargers practice squad. That just leaves Sean Culkin,Virgil Green, UNFA Ben Johnson and camp body Austin Roberts. Green had 534 snaps in Denver. At the age of 30, he has underachieved his whole career at best. Some would say he wasn't used correctly in Denver. They're wrong because John Elway knows TE's.  Denver knew what they had in Virgil Green. A  slightly below average receiving TE with very good run blocking skills. Green caught 14 passes in 22 attempts last year for the Broncos. He accounted for 237 yards and 1 TD for the season. He is strictly a run blocking TE. But with Ben Johnson. Cole Hunt, Braedon Bowman and Sean Culkin challenging each other in training camp (neither of them has ever recorded a catch in the NFL). The Chargers are now the weakest at a position they usually produce strength in previous seasons with Antonio Gates.

This position will be worth watching in the Preseason and as cuts take place around the league. Telesco will review the position near the end of camp and decide if further action needs to be taken. Even if that mean bringing back Antonio Gates. Mike Williams and Melvin Gordon can make up some of the production that was lost by losing Gates to free agency and Hunter Henry for the season. However, Gates production isn't the same. In 2016, Gates was targeted 93 times. In 2017, he was targeted just 52 times and caught 30 of them for 316 yards and one touchdown.

                                             
 THE OFFENSE
    Philip Rivers led the offense by taking 1,027 snaps under center for the Chargers. Melvin Gordon snap counts rose in 2017 from 661 to 750. Austin Ekeler took just 107 snaps. He was targeted 47 times last year (A big reason they need a RB #3) Guard Kenny Wiggins had 1,041 snaps and got himself the most pressures at the Guard position with 41 pressures coming from his side in 2017.         Russell Okung consumed 926 snaps while Spencer Pulley patrolled center for 1,055 snaps. Which was about 1,055 more than he should have had. The RT spot will be addressed in this article underneath in the title "Bubble Players".

  The offensive line for the Chargers in 2017 was worse than the numbers they produced. While Rivers was sacked a league low 18 times. That should not be confused with a good performance.  Rivers had the fastest QB release as rated by Pro Football Focus in 2017. That and adding the talent of throwing the ball away to avoid the sack kept this lines numbers respectable. The 2017 unit was average in pass protection and struggled all season in run blocking. The Chargers ranked 26th in run blocking in front of Gordon and Ekeler. The word is very questionable on if Forest Lamp will be ready by training camp after missing all of 2017 with an injury. Dan Feeney played 666 snaps for 62.65% of the teams offensive snaps. Mike Pouncey "IF" healthy will make this line improve in 2018. IF he's not, then they will regress in 2018 and that would result poorly in the Chargers W-L record at seasons end. Mike Williams will be the player everyone watches for in 2018. Joe Barksdale was very good in pass blocking but below average in run blocking. Today he is the starter. Travis Benjamin was Rivers target in deep plays. He had 40 targets and turned 18 of them into deep big plays.

   THE DEFENSE
   Tre Boston lead the defense with 1,041 snaps followed by Jahleel Addae taking 1,031. Casey Hayward played exceptional during his 1003 snaps for the team. Trevor Williams filled in for Jason Verrett taking 1005 snaps compared to Jason Verrett 421 snaps combined over 2 years. Bosa and Ingram was at edge for almost every snap. Bosa accounted for 852 snaps to Melvin Ingram 891.

Players who could emerge in 2018 is DT Isaac Rochell. He was on the practice squad in 2016 but last year he contributed on 53 defensive snaps and 43 snaps on special teams. Darius Philon snap counts jumped from 250 in 2016 to 510 last year. Brandon Mebane rose as well from 2016 where he played 340 snaps to 535 last year. When Perryman is on the field the defense surrendered an average of 117 yards a game. When he's on the training table they average a whooping 142 average yards a game. They go from 1.41 yards after contact to 2.41 vs the run. It's simple, Perryman doesn't play the teams suffers. They surrendered 994 yards after contact last year. The big reason is their linebackers were taking to many snaps for their skill level.

     Hayes Pullard and Kyle Emanuel should not be starters in the NFL. Korey Toomer (Not on roster anymore leaving as a free agent) was much better than Pullard . Pullard played in 45% of the defensive snaps to Korey Toomer 25%. Injuries to Perryman and Jatavis Brown being in the coaches doghouse made them starters not their by their physical abilities.  Pullard was the 79th worst LB in the NFL by PFF. He scored a pathetic 37.2 by Pro Football Focus.  Perryman unavailability in the past has cost this team games. He has missed 15 games in last 3 years. His ability to stay on the field will determine if he is a Charger past the 2018 season. He becomes a unrestricted free agent after this season. Until then, they need Perryman on that field at the Mike position which they removed him from when he returned from his injury last year for Pullard. When he plays they win. When he doesn't they usually do not. By limiting the snaps from Kyle Emanuel and Hayes Pullard greatly fixed this already stout Telescope got from the NFL draft the missing pieces to the Chargers already stout defense wit some holes.

    Uchenna Nwosu will replace Kyle Emanuel by the end of the preseason.. Emanuel snap counts dropped from 546 in 2016 to 303 in 2017. Emanuel is decent in run support but very poor in pass coverage and getting to his assignments on time. Gus Bradley wants more out of his key position players. His cover 3 defense needed more speed and harder hitters then he had on the roster in 2017. The Chargers #1 problem behind the field goal kicking was in the middle of the defense. They linebacking play was one of the worst in the NFL. Poor tackling, blown coverage assignments and not enough speed resulted in losses that would have been wins.    The transition to hopefully seeing Perryman at the Mike position and Kyzir White develops. Until he is fully prepared Kyzir White will contribute on special teams.


                                                      SPECIAL TEAMS
    The Chargers continue to just plain stink on special teams. In both kickoffs, punt returns and during coverage. This unit let the team down over and over again in 2017.Last years players consisted of special teams ace Nick Dzunbar, Travis Benjamin, Austin Ekeler, Desmond King, Tre Boston,Michael Davis, James Onwualu and Chris McCain to name a few. Special teams coach George Stewart will have to replace  the holes from those who moved on in the offseason. The problem with the run defense was the same on the special teams unit. The inability to tackle and stick to their assignments. Changing the special teams roster will probably be a good thing as the Chargers have been ranked as one of the lowest in the league for the past couple years. Watch for camp battles and who contributes most effectively on special teams. Normally, that is a huge advantage for a player competing for a job.
                                        
                    PRESEASON SNAP COUNTS-WHAT BUBBLE PLAYERS TO WATCH

   You can began to start paying attention to snap counts late in the preseason around week 3 and 4 for how the depth chart is panning out in the coaches minds.

 DB FINAL SPOT  MICHAEL DAVIS AND DB CRAIG MAGER
      Craig Mager could be playing for his career as a Charger. The 2015 3rd round draft pick has played in only 23 games and playing time was reduced to 2 games last season after being released after the preseason. He was signed to the practice squad then promoted up in December. He appeared in 11 games in 2016. He recorded 31 tackles, 1 Int, 1 forced fumble and 4 passes defensed. He was also hampered by a shoulder injury. Michael Davis and Craig Mager will be among those DB's who are fighting for the final spot on the 53 man roster at cornerback. The competition will also include some undrafted free agents. Telesco lined up some DB's undrafted most likely in case Jason Verrett gets injured again. In 2016 Mager was rated by PFF 114 out of 119 qualifying cornerbacks. Davis played 65.50% of the snaps on special teams in 2017.  Michael Davis played 36 snaps on defense and 281 snaps on special teams. Craig Maher snap count dropped from 408 snaps on defense in 2016 to 1 in 2017. That is the definition of a player on the roster bubble this year in training camp and the preseason.                      

   STARTING RT JOE BARKSDALE AND  MICHAEL SCHOFIELD
     Say it ain't so Joe? Joe Barksdale continues to be on the Charger fans shit list even though he played for 658 of the snaps on offense accounting for 61.90% of the teams offensive snaps. Michael Schofield was right behind him with 407 snaps. Barksdale was the weakest part of the offensive line last year. Schofield  could fight for a spot at RT and/or RG in the Preseason. Schofield did not play much better than Barksdale but old problems need new faces so Schofield will be given the chance to earn a starting role this preseason. Schofield resigned with the Chargers this off season.                           

    RB3 RUSSELL HANSBROUGH AND JUSTIN JACKSON
     It's been whispered during mini camp and OTA'S that the Chargers final RB spot is up for grabs between Russell Hansbrough and Justin Jackson the teams 7th round draft pick. Hansbrough 5'9 195 pounds was signed by the Chargers to their practice squad before the big game vs KC late last year from the Bucs. In college, he had 467 carries for 2,344 yards and 15 TD's. He averaged a nice 5.0 yards per carry. Jackson comes into the NFL already logging a heavy past load of carries that got him 4 straight seasons of 1,000 yards rushing at Northwestern. He won't be asked to do near that much if he makes the 53 man roster behind Gordon as the main RB and Ekeler primarily doing red zones and 3rd downs. Hansbrough gained the trust of the coaches enough to get him called up to the 53 in the final week vs Oakland. Personally, I think this will be one of the toughest, most fierce battles in camp. Probably coming down to Preseason week 4 performance. Snap counts will reveal who maybe leading for the final RB spot entering that game vs the 49ERS.

   K ROBERTO AGUAYO AND CALEB STURGIS
   Last preseason the coaching staff gave the kicking job to Younghoe Koo after he watched from the sidelines the entire preseason while Lynn had Josh Lambo make the kicks. The coaches already knew they were going with Koo over Lambo. FACEPALM!

   Coach Lynn will talk about competition but this is clearly Sturgis job to lose. Who gets the majority of the field goals in week 3 and 4 of the preseason may show who is actually winning to be the Chargers starting field goal kicker in 2018.


   DT JUSTIN JONES,  DARIUS PHILON, ISAAC ROCHELLE AND BRANDON MEBANE 
    Corey Liuget was already in the coaches doghouse losing snaps from 810 to 413 in 2017. Philon snap counts jumped from 250 in 2016 to 509 last year. Philon improved play and Mebane leadership will probably make Mebane the starter and Philon backing him up. The rotation after that is up for play. Justin Jones from NC State is nothing special. He was projected to go much lower than selected by Telesco with the 3rd round selection. He is not terrible but also gives you on tape that stands out neither. His game is average. However, these are my opinions and he will have his chances to showcase himself this  preseason.

  LB  JATAVIS BROWN AND KYZIR WHITE
    Jatavis Brown says he had ankle injury in 2017. That would be a relief because his play was not even close to 2016. Brown was only in on passing downs in the final half of the season. Brown play took a dramatic step back in 2016. He was replaced by Haynes Pullard who was awful. Even when Perryman returned the coaches picked Pullard over and then benched Jatavis Brown. Brown says he has devoted himself back to the game. Kyzir who played hybrid spur role as a safety in West Virginia will be moved to linebacker. He has to beef up his frame at 6'2 and 218 pounds. The speed that he can transition will decide how many snaps he will get early in the regular season. The team will be monitoring his progress closely as their trust in Jatavis Brown abilities have regressed quickly and dramatically. Bradley going to want White in at the WILL position defending the run and rushing the passer.

 LAST WR SPOT   ARTAVIS SCOTT, GEREMY DAVIS AND NELSON SPRUCE
    Artavis Scott and Geremy Davis both are thought highly by the coaches. Davis spent most of last year on the practice squad before getting called up late in the season. He played in 3 games taking 22 snaps.  Artavis spent time on the practice squad then released then signed again to a Reserve/ Future contract on January 2, 2018. Scott was returning punts in OTA'S and was informed he will be competing for a spot on the 53. With the injury to Hunter Henry more hands are needed for Rivers to throw too. Mike Williams and Travis Benjamin will have their targets thrown to them which may free up Artavis Scott to take over Travis Benjamin role as a punt  returner. Remember players win spots on the 53 man roster by playing special teams. Spruce, Scott and Davis  chances likely will come down to snap counts and opportunities hi to them in week 3 and 4 of the preseason.
   

STARTING ROLE UCHENNA NWOSU AND KYLE EMANUEL
    This will be as much as a "REAL" competition as the kicking spot. As in, not really. Nwosu should easily outplay Emanuel in the preseason. He gives the team so many more advantages and skill levels over Emanuel. The better Nwosu plays, the more Ingram and Bosa get freed up to do their own damage on the QB's the Chargers face in 2018.

 Players emerging in 2018...
     Darius Philon, Adrian Phillips, Kyzir White

  Players regressing..
      Craig Mager, Derek Watt, Corey Liuget, Hanes Pullard, and Kyle Emanuel.

  Players who left the team and will be missed by their snap counts...
      Chris McCain, Hunter Henry, Korey Toomer, Jeremy Attachou and Kenny Wiggins

 Players to watch in Preseason..
     DE Isaac Rochelle, DT Steve Richardson, CB Brandon Facyson and RB Russell Hansbrough
  
2016 Chargers Snap Counts 
http://pfref.com/pi/share/UjZ6E

2017 Chargers Snap Counts
http://pfref.com/pi/share/KvpeI