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The Chargers are prohibitive favorites in the AFC West; with Kansas City and the Raiders just seeking respectability and the Broncos with question marks on the line and at quarterback and receiver. That doesn't mean all is rosy in San Diego, however.
This article in the San Diego Union-Tribune highlights just some of the concerns facing the Chargers right now. Among them:
- Antonio Gates is having his foot checked out, due to soreness he's experienced the past couple of weeks. Foot injuries have bothered him for much of his career; not enough to keep him from being one of the league's elite tight ends, but enough to make it worrisome. Norv Turner calls it "not long-term," but it's something to monitor.
- San Diego has more big-name restricted free agents who haven't signed than anyone, including Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Shawne Merriman and left tackle Marcus McNeill. All are sitting out OTAs, while McNeill is openly talking about a holdout. Jackson, of course, faces a suspension of some kind to start the season after pleading guilty to a DUI offense.
Everything else appears to be the kind of minor bumps and soreness most teams have at this stage of the offseason, like Nate Kaeding (coming off a groin injury) and Darren Sproles (hamstring). Still, all together there are some issues that bear watching as the offseason moves forward, with Gates and the unsigned free agents the key ones.
--Andy Richardson
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Posted by Paul Owers | May. 28 at 12:54 AM
I'm not as worried about Nick Kaeding's groin as much as I'm worried about his head. I figured his playoff failures were behind him last year when I drafted him in the divisional round. He choked in that game against the Jets, costing me a spot in my title game, despite three TDs from Sidney Rice. Kaeding, like the Chargers, will be fine in the regular season, but their repeated playoff shortcomings most likely will keep me from drafting them with my season on the line.
Posted by JODY SMITH | May. 28 at 07:04 AM
Paul, never forgive guys kickers that tank in your playoffs. I remember in my 2002 championship game, the Eagles were playing somebody bad on a Saturday. Naturally I started David Akers, and of course, Philly scores 7, so Akers got me one whopping point. I had that nervous "why didn't I start Jason Elam" thought all night Saturday and all day through that Sunday. Of course, I still won the game, but I have never drafted David Akers again in any league...he lost my good buddy a game in the 2009 playoffs. Lifetime ban.