THOUGHTS AS WE ENTER THE FINAL PRESEASON GAME

                                           BE THE HUNTER, NOT THE HUNTED

Tonight the Chargers will end the 2018 preseason schedule. They will do so with a lot of hype and high expectations for the 2018 season. What did we learn during the 3 preseason games? What are reasonable expectations for this team this year? I'll give you my thoughts on both and you can comment under the article with your own thoughts and opinions.

   If certain things go right this season it could be very memorable year for Charger fans. In only their second year in LA. They seem on pace to break their streak of not winning the division since 2009 and a non playoff streak that is approaching 4 years. Some have the Chargers playing in Atlanta for the Super Bowl. One thing is for certain...

This is the best Chargers team in 10 years going back to the 2006 season.

   The Chargers did improve on somethings against the Saints that will benefit them in the regular season.  After committing 28 penalties in 2 games. They recovered to only being flagged 4 times for 47 yards.  The starting offense drove the ball on both drives deep into Saints territory. The starting defense started their game with an INT and them a 3 and out. Fast starts on both sides of the ball will help them in the regular season.

   The tight end situation is just as grave as it was entering the preseason. My guess is they will carry 2 TE on the 53 man roster. Virgil Green and Sean Culkin.  Antonio Gates could be signed as their 3rd TE before the season. Although he is not the answer and a trade could be more lucrative. Telesco will for sure be monitoring the waiver wire. Eric Williams of ESPN brought up a possible trade partner in the New England Patriots https://twitter.com/eric_d_williams/status/1034454580401250306.

   Justin Jackson will see reps at running back tonight. There will be chatter from the coaches that they look forward to getting a good look at their 7th round draft pick. This is in all honesty, complete hogwash. Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler and Detriz Newsome are your 3 RB's for the 2018 season. Newsome outworked Jackson with his 35 carries for 117 yards and 9 receptions for 70 yards with 2 touchdowns. Justin Jackson their 7th round draft pick was injured the whole offseason. The result is he will not the make the 53 man roster.

   Although Jatavis Brown had a horrible game against the Saints I think he is a lock to be on the 53. Some have questioned if Nick Dzunbar will make the 53. He has been huge on special teams. Taking into account what happened last year on special teams and quite frankly the units dismal production the last couple of years. I don't think they'll risk releasing Dzunbar. He will be their depth player at LB. I suspect Artavis Scott and Geremy Davis both will have a spot on the 53 man roster entering week one. That could change if  Antonio Gates is signed. Artavis Scott seems to be the front runner for the final WR spot.

  Craig Mager entering  the last year on his contract, Mager might fill the final DB spot on the roster. He was not targeted in the preseason.

   Forest Lamp will see some reps this week finally. He could be starting by week one. My guess is Michael Schofield starts and Lamp replaces him as a starter when he's ready. I think week three vs the Rams is a better possiblity than week one.  Behind the starters on the Oline the talent is weak. No one wants to see Tevi, Pulley, Schofield or Quessenberry to be forced into a starting role.
MEMO to Football Gods..Be kind to the Chargers offensive line in 2018.

   The Chargers have $9 million in cap space. They should be looking for a veteran TE and shopuld also continue talking to free agent Johnathan Hankins. That would be a huge pickup right before the season. Brandon Mebane would be released if they can pickup Hankins. With Telesco wanting $2-3 million for in-season spending, Mebane release frees up $4.5 million. Plenty to bring in a TE and DT before the season. Hankins has said he has had talks with the Chargers and Browns recently. He is expected to sign with a team right before the season begins. Hankins had the 8th most run stops in 2017 by interior defensive lineman. Gates is a possible emergency fill in at tight end too.

                                                       SEASON ENDING IR
   Telesco confirmed what should have been plain common sense.  Hunter Henry will be placed on season ending IR after the final cuts are made. Dylan Cantrell who is very doubtful to make the team could be placed on IR as well thus ending his rookie season.

   The Chargers did add Houston Texans DT Marcus Hardison off waivers and released Zachery Crabtree.

                                                            PRACTICE SQUAD
   The 10 practice squad candidates are QB Nic Shimonek, G Zach Golditch, TE Braedon Bowman, DB Tony Brown, DB Brandon Facyson,  DB A.J. Handy, WR  JJ Jones, WR Andre Patton, RB Justin Jackson, DLine Whitney Richardson and Oline Eric Wren with Trent Scott.

   Here is what we know entering the final preseason game. The Chargers have a deep roster of talent and a easy schedule in 2018. They should win the division for the first time since 2009. The game of the year on the schedule will be in Pittsburgh in December. The Titans and Ravens will be significant games as well. The team needs to start fast in all their games on both sides of the ball, Don't make the mental errors that could cost them in close games and take the attitude of being the hunter and not the hunted every week.  It starts in week one. Win in your division in doing so by beating the biggest thorn in your side the last few years in the Kansas City Chiefs.

   Las Vegas has the Chargers at 18-1 to go to the Super Bowl. For once it's not a long shot. But then again it is a long season.
                                                 CURRENT DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

 
   Last year, the Chargers claimed Jeff Richards from Carolina and Michael Schofield from Denver after final cuts were made. They released WR Geremy Davis and DB Craig Mager to make room. Both guys were brought back onto the practice squad. So keep in mind the 53 man roster will stay fluid up until the Chiefs game actually approaches.

   Review:

1. Watch for DT Johnathan Hankins signing a free agent contract somewhere this weekend. This would be a massive pickup for the Chargers. Maybe the biggest of the offseason. The corresponding move would be releasing Brandon Mebane and saving $4.5 million.

2. Tom Telesco should be watching for a tight end and he could make a trade with the Pats after final cuts.

3. Hunter Henry and possibly WR Dylan Cantrell going on IR after final cuts. Cantrell won't make the 53 man roster.

4. Staying healthy against the 49ers tonight. Lifelong goals will be achieved and lifelong dreams will end tonight. Neither team is going to be playing the main starters tonight. Find a rookie and root for him. I'll be coming out with my 53 man roster prediction after the game.