Projected Day One Offensive Starters

Martin J Coon Jr.
Updated
Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) waves to the fans after the Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins 30-14 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) waves to the fans after the Chargers beat the Miami Dolphins 30-14 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Chargers have had starters come and go for a high octane passing attack led by staples in Rivers, Gates, and Allen. This year they add a few new additions to this already potent offense to make them even more potent than before.

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The Chargers merry-go-round offensive line will be back to full health once training camp comes around. This is a massive offensive line when healthy. The problem that past few years since Hardwick retired this offensive line has been in shambles. They haven’t found there identity and obviously lack the chemistry to be a top offensive line. This offensive line has the talent to be great with four starters from a year ago returning and now have a hard nose center in Max Tuerk out of USC, taking over for Chris Watt. Hopefully this line can hold up through the year to build the chemistry that they desperately need to keep Philip Rivers upright and open running holes for Melvin Gordon, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Oliver.

Offense
Offense

Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates are the number one QB-TE tandem in the NFL today and maybe history. Of course they will be returning as starters at their respective positions. We already have a successor to Gates in Hunter Henry. Henry has been regarded by many as the top TE in the draft. His size and speed combination will give misfits for defense as Gates has done for so long. The successor for Rivers is not yet on the roster.

Melvin Gordon will be in his sophomore year and will have a major weight on his shoulder to improve on his rookie campaign. Gordon underperformed his rookie year due to a makeshift offensive line and a lack of a true fullback. Gordon in college always had a true fullback blocking for him and would hardly run out of the draw. Gordon is more of a north to south runner. His potential will be seen this year since the Chargers drafter his blocking buddy in Derek Watt. Watt is the younger brother of JJ Watt. Watt in college was a solid blocker. He can block for Gordon, chip in and block for Rivers and maybe can even be an escape pass for Rivers out in the flats. Danny Woodhead returns to be Rivers favorite 3rd down running back because he can do it all. He is a little lightning bug coming out of the backfield. Opposing defenses have trouble finding him behind the massive offensive line we have. Woodhead is so crafty whether running the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield. When Woodhead went down due to injury his absence was evidently missed as Rivers had no escape route when he got heat. Brandon Oliver returns to be the third running back on the depth chart behind Gordon and Woodhead. Oliver showed what he could do in the little time he had to showcase his talents. He has speed to outrun defenders and the power to run over linebackers.

Keenan Allen the star of this wide receiver corps will be returning from his lacerated kidney that occurred during his touchdown catch against the Baltimore Ravens last season. Stevie Johnson will be thrusted into the second wide receiver spot with Malcolm Floyd retired. The new slot receiver is the speedy Travis Benjamin. Benjamin becomes the speedy receiver that Rivers loves. Benjamin had a good season with the Cleveland Browns with quarterbacks nowhere near Rivers caliber. The polished route running of Allen and the speed of Johnson and Benjamin will be able to spread the defense out also clearing running lanes for Watt and Gordon. The speed of the receiving corps doesn’t stop with these three. They have capable reserves in Dontrelle Inman, Tyrell Williams and Javontee Herndon.

For years this offense has been in the top half of the league. With the addition of a speedy receiver in Benjamin, a true center in Tuerk, and a blocking fullback in Watt, this offense can possibly bring us to the promise land with a very balanced attack of a power running game and a passing game led by Rivers.

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