July 26, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) holds his helmet on his hip during training camp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

With the 2012 San Diego Chargers roster looking a bit different compared to 2011 word has it that there’s  some intense competition for not only back-up/reserve positions, but for starting positions as well.  Already, the possibility of a rookie starting has been mentioned and for returning players there is competition for snaps that has not been there the past few years.  This article will give you an up close look at six training camp battles that might not be decided until pre-season games are said and done.  There is sure to be more competition for playing time moving into the season as players progress and I might be missing one or two but we’ll focus on these for now.  The winners listed are only my humble opinion based on analysis by myself and others with solid information.

Jul 20, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of San Diego Chargers jerseys of tight end Antonio Gates (not pictured) at the Chargers team store at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

TIGHT END #4:  Kory Sperry vs. Dante Rosario

Sperry, the incumbent, is familiar with the Chargers playbook and coaching, has decent blocking and pass catching skills, and has come up big on third down more than once with a clutch grab.  Unfortunately for Sperry, the Chargers aquired free agent Dante Rosario to shore up the TE ranks and push Kory for the final spot.  Rosario might sound familiar to you because he caught a game wimming TD pass in a last second loss to the Carolina Panthers in 2008 by out jumping Eric Weddle with the clock ticking away the final seconds.  Rosario has had a couple down years but was one of the players Philip Rivers mentioned when he was asked if any new players had stood out to him, and this was during voluntary workouts months ago.  The deciding factor will be how much Sperry has improved during the offseason versus the chances of Rosario getting back to his explosive form of 2008 and 2009.

Winner – Rosario:  He’s the more explosive receiver of the two and we know Norv and Philip like to push the ball down field, his run blocking will improve with the coaching staff at Chargers Park and he will surprise more than a few of us.

July 26, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Ronnie Brown (30) comes off the field after practice during training camp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Running Back #3:  Curtis Brinkley vs. Ronnie Brown

This is another position loaded with talent for the Bolts and the winner of this  training camp battle will be the player capable of handling more than taking hand-offs out of the backfield.  Ryan Mathews is primed for a huge season, especially with the addition of FB/RB Le’Ron McClain who also will get his share of carries in short yardage situations.  The addition of Jackie Battle, who the Chargers offered a contract during the beginning of the free agent period but only recently signed makes this group deep and tough to decide on.  Here’s the thing, Battle is solid if not awesome on special teams (a la Mike Tolbert) which Brown is not.  Battle is also a power runner, big enough to crush linebackers to their knees up the middle which Brinkley is a bit undersized for.  So assumming Battle takes the third spot, you have newly signed Brown (who’s on the wrong side of thirty) and “fan favorite” (you remember him leaping over defenders versus KC) Curtis Brinkley.  To me this is a no-brainer.  Brinkley is younger with much less tread on the tires and still has a burst that running backs depend on (see LT).  Brown has clearly lost a step, vocalized his dissent about being a backup last year, and unless you think the “Wildcat” offense is the way to go; nothing more than a veteren presence in the locker room at best.  Some will say that Brinkley is unproven, but I think he has shown he can handle the role when called upon.  Those opportunities have been few and far between but Brinkley has always made the most of these chances.

Winner - Brinkley:  Unless Brown has some kind of miracle preseason don’t be shocked if he’s looking for another team sooner than week 1 or just riding the bench behind Brinkley.

May 11, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers assistant secondary coach Greg Williams (left) and cornerback Brandon Taylor (28) at rookie minicamp at Chargers Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Strong Safety #1:  Atari Bigby vs. Brandon Taylor

This competition is one of the more interesting in that it will have a huge effect on how the season plays out for the Chargers.  The SS position is going to have to be on point, especially with cornerbacks who are in constant need of help deep and a run defense that needs improvement.  Bigby had one good season for the Packers after spending the previous couple seasons on their practice squad, he had big numbers that season (2007) posting 5 INT’s and 66 TCKL’s.  Then, injururies somewhat derailed Bigby’s career.  He only started 6 games in 2008, tried to bounce back in ’09 before going down in week 11, then started only 4 games in 2010.  His return to health and desire to be a starter again no doubt had a part in A.J. Smith signing the vet, and once again Bigby finds himself with a chance to shine even after a season with Seattle spent mainly on special teams..  His competition; rookie third round draft pick Brandon Taylor out of LSU.  The SEC has always boasted some pretty solid defenses, and last years LSU Tigers were no exception.  Taylor, who wore #18 at LSU, which is considered the most honored number on the team (also worn by Jacob Hester) was a permanent team captain and was considered a high character guy and team leader.  The Chargers obviously thought highly enough of Taylor to move up 5 draft spots to grab him.  A.J. Smith was quoted as saying ” He’s extremely competitive, he’s football smart, he’s aggressive.  He’s not a cautious guy, I just like his overall game”(via CBSsports).  Knowing that Taylor is shiny in the eyes of management may work in his favor.

Winner – Both.  Bigby will start the season as the #1 by beating out Taylor because of his experience but not by much, unfortunately he continues his past record of injuries and Taylor takes over mid-season.  Once Taylor hits the field as the starter he will become the hard hitter that perfectly compliments the speedy, ballhawking Weddle.

Sep. 20, 2009; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers guard (69) Tyronne Green against the Baltimore Ravens at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Baltimore defeated San Diego 31-26. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Right Guard #1:  Tyronne Green vs. Rex Hadnot

With the injury and subsequent retirement of Kris Dielman the Chargers offensive line coaches have a major decision to make before week one.  They must take into account Green’s subbing in admirably when Dielman went down, and apparently Green has made some big strides physically during the offseason working with lineman specialist LeCharles Bentley.  So should Green just be handed the position even though there’s  ten year veteran Rex Hadnot ready and waiting in the wings?  The answer:  Absolutely.  Hadnot is simply a backup caliber lineman who can play center and both guard positions at an average level.  His versatility will keep him on the roster but it will be in a backup role, spelling Green here and there while also subbing for Vasquez at right guard when needed.  If Green has really got himself into the shape he’s claiming expect his run blocking to improve as he learns to use his long arms for leverage against opposing D-lineman.

Winner – Green:  The only way Hadnot cracks the starting lineup is if there’s a significant injury that causes Green or Vasquez to miss time.

There are a few other less dramatic competitions of note, namely the battle for spots at WR and DL.  With Floyd, Meachem, Brown, Royal, and Goodman (because he returns kickoffs well) basically locked in for the top five receiver positions veterans Michael Spurlock and Roscoe Parrish will try and squeeze their way on to the roster as the 6th WR.  I personally like Parrish to win out but let’s see how they look in the preseason before jumping the gun.  The defensive line will also feature a rookie trying to make his way in second round draft pick Kendall Reyes.  He will have his work cut out for him because of the versatility the two veterans standing in his way.  jacque Cesaire and newly acquired Aubrayo Frankilin can both play both end positions with Franklin being able to slid into the nose tackle spot as well.  Reyes’ youth will be tested against the two dinosaurs but I expect him to see the field right away with his time steadily increasing as the season wears on.  His nose for getting into the backfield and his speed will help him overcome the learning curve of rookie NFL players and the fact that he’s not being asked to do to much right away will allow his game to develop in a more timely fashion.

Needless to say that the next six weeks will have a pretty dramatic effect on the 2012 Chargers roster, and I’m excited to see how it plays out.

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When the Chargers pick at #18 in the 2012 NFL Draft there will be a few players off the board that they would have loved to see in blue and gold, that’s why they should target the Seattle Seahawks and their twelfth pick for a draft day trade.  We know if AJ wants a certain guy he is willing to make the deal necessary to get that said player,  (See Ryan Matthews and Eric Weddle) and this year could be more of the same.  There is a significant drop off in talent between the top two pass rush specialists and the rest of the field,  and with a couple of other teams in the hunt for the next DeMarcus Ware the Bolts would have to move in to the top twelve to acquire one of these prospects.  The Seahawks and Pete Caroll have shown that they can be had for a price that works in the other teams favor and AJ Smith has shown that he doesn’t mind being on that receiving end (see Charlie Whitehurst).  So if the twelfth pick could be had for a reasonable cost, say a first round swap plus our second and fourth round picks should the chargers pull the trigger and move up to select one of these two players? What say you?

November 26, 2011; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) is pressures by South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Melvin Ingram (6) on a pass play in the first quarter of the game at the Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Melvin Ingram  DE  South Carolina

Height:  6’2″  Weight:  264 lbs.

Strengths:  Elite pass rush potential.  Has the the rare combination of size, speed, and skills to make him an immediate success at the next level.  Has a variety of moves to get to the QB, and shows that if his first burst isn’t successful his second will be.  Doesn’t stop, high motor throughout the entire play and simply dominates opposing tight ends.

Weaknesses:  Still must prove that he can handle NFL running backs in the flat if he’s to play OLB, and will have to keep improving his run defense to be considerd elite.  Had issues being slow of the snap but his althleticism bailed him out at the college level.

NOTE:  I really like Ingram, he’s tough and nasty as they come.  He’s already had an interview with the Chargers at the Senior Bowl so AJ has had a look at his play and had a chance to get a bearing on his character.  This guys got the perfect build for a OLB in the 3-4 defensive scheme and has been compared to Dwight Freeney when it comes to initial burst and the spin move right around tackles and tight ends.  The Chargers would be set with Sean Phillips and Ingram coming off the edges on passing downs and Jarrett Johnson could mentor the rookie on his run defense.

Sep, 3, 2011; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; James Madison Dukes quarterback Justin Thorpe (7) is sacked by North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end Quinton Coples (90) in the fourth quarter. The Tar Heels defeated the Dukes 42-10 at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

Quinton Coples  DE  North Carolina

Height:  6’6″  Weight:  284

Strengths:  Explosion off the ball, knocks linemen back with speed and strength.  Has very long arms which give him leverage over his opponent and excellent balance at the point of attack.  Quick feet and good burst for his size, has an elite bull rush.

Weaknesses:  Seemed to disappear for a number of plays at a time, usually against elite college linemen.  Was part of the NCAA investigation into players attending draft day functions so character may be a concern.  Oversized to play OLB, which might limit him to 4-3 defenses.

NOTE:  Coples is a monster when he shows up and could be used in the same fashion that Wade Phillips uses Mario Williams in the Texans 3-4 scheme.  This is a really tough call for me because he would heave to learn the position from scratch.  Realistically though, you give this guy a three foot running start there’s no way anyone going to stop him one on one.  He would not only demand double teams but in turn open up holes for other linebackers.  It would be a risky pick but could pay dividends in the end.

With these being the top rated pass rushers in the draft, do you think the Chargers should make a play and trade up with Seattle or maybe another team within the 9-12 range?  It would be a move that let the fans know they are committed to putting a dominant defense on the field, even though it would be considered a high price to pay.  Let me know your thoughts Charger fans, we’ll continue our mock draft with round two this week so stay tuned.

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With The Chargers lacking impact players at major positions they are expected to fill the remaining holes with their (8) upcoming picks in the 2012 NFL Draft.  AJ Smith has more pressure upon him than ever before which suggests he may step outside the box and draft players that fall into the “Risk vs. Reward category, rather than the “Safe Bet” category.  The Bolts first pick is the 18th overall and is expected to yield an above average player but may be just out of reach for the sure thing, therefore a trade may not be out of the plan. Let it be said that I believe the front office will pull the trigger and move up at least 6 spots to get a player to be discussed sooner than later but for this article we will assume the Chargers stay at #18 and we will address the trade possibilties at a later date.  This will be the first of (8) articles before the draft at the end of the month in which we will mock all the Bolts picks, giving the top three options available in my opinion.  So, in the words of the Commish: With the 18th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the San Diego Chargers select….

Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nico Johnson (35) along with linebacker Courtney Upshaw (41) celebrate after a play during the BCS National Championship game against the LSU Tigers at the Louisiana Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

Courtney Upshaw:  OLB/DE University of Alabama

Height:  6’2″  Weight:  272 lbs.  40 yard. Dash:  4.77 sec. (unofficial)  Bench Press:  22 reps at 225lbs.

Strengths:  Upshaw has immense talent as a pass rusher and is a big time hitter, he has excellent hand and arm action to shed blockers on his way the quarterback or to the running back.  His natural instincts make him a beast when it comes to defending the run, screen plays, and dump offs into the flats.  He is widely considered to have above average strength and speed with regard to his size, which is pretty heavy for a OLB.

Weaknesses:  Lacks experience in dropping into coverage, but showed surprising fluidity in the opportunities he had.  Open field tackling is a concern, and Nick Saban‘s defensive scheme is considered simple for linebackers to play in.  Character issues have been reported by coaches and NFL advanced scouts.

Conclusion:  The Chargers need a pass rusher for their 3-4 scheme, well look no further than Alabama’s All American Courtney Upshaw who is perfectly suited for the job.  He’s as advertised and could be the type of impact player that becomes a leader on any defense in the NFL.  You could plug him into a rotation with Sean Phillips, Antwan Barnes, Travis LaBoy, and the oft-injured Larry English to make the group far more efficient right away.  Upshaw will have to get passed the New York Jets at pick #16 to fall to the Chargers and an incident in 2009 which resulted in an arrest for domestic assault could work against this young talent.  If Upshaw is available at #18 the I feel AJ Smith should take a chance (with concerns to character) and pull the trigger on the volatile pass rusher from Alabama, but if he’s not there lets go for:

Nov 26, 2011; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen (43) is hit by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Mark Barron (4)at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

Mark Barron:  (S) University of Alabama

Height:  6’1″  Weight:  213 lbs.  40 yard dash:  4.51 (unofficial)  Vertical Leap:  34.5″

Strengths:  Barron is a classic ball hawk with big play ability when the ball is in his hands and he is a natural at being in position to make the big play.  NFL scouts cite his quick feet and even quicker reaction time as one of his major selling points and his knack for reading the quarterback’s eyes is second to none.  His above average hand eye coordination make him great in jump ball situations and to be able to snatch the ball out of the air on high velocity passes.  He has a rare combination of balance, patience, and aggression which led to him becoming the “defensive quarterback” on the nations toughest defense and showed his smarts and leadership ability.

Weaknesses:  He is recovering from a procedure to repair a bilateral sports hernia and is still not 100% which concerns some people.  Barron lacks the bottom end speed to run with some of the top tier receivers in the league but his closing burst on the ball somewhat makes up for it.  He’s not a huge hitter, he’s a good tackler so he might not make the bone shattering hit but he gets the job done.  Some game film seems to show him being simply outmatched in the open field against running backs, which is a bit concerning if he’s the last line of defense.  He’s somewhat injury prone with the hernia, and also a torn pectoral muscle suffered his junior year leading to his return to Alabama his senior season.  Again, there is some character concerns with Barron as well.  he was arrested in March of 2011 for hindering an investigation into a single car accident he was involved in.

Conclusion:  Can you picture Eric Weddle (a ball hawk in his own right) and Upshaw patrolling the Chargers secondary like a couple of vultures over a fresh carrion?  I’d wager that’s the last thing opposing quarterbacks want to see when they play the Chargers.  Barron could finally be the missing piece the Bolts secondary has been lacking since the departure of stalwart SS Rodney Harrison, bringing a toughness that Clinton Hart, Kevin Ellison, and Steve Gregory lacked the capability to provide.  Barron is the #1 safety on the board and it will take some luck to have him fall to the Chargers but he would be as close to a sure thing as there is available in this years crop.  Can AJ overlook a bit of mis-spent youth and see the talent and potential that is a player like Mark Barron?  I’m not sure, but you can count on the front office to give him a long hard look if he’s still there at #18 even if AJ is rumored to have a huge man crush on safety Harrison Smith from Notre Dame.  If he’s not there they should look at….

October 29, 2011; Jacksonville FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive tackle Cordy Glenn (71) blocks during the first quarter of their game against the Florida Gators at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Cordy Glenn: OG Georgia University

Height:  6’5″  Weight:  345 lbs.  Bench Press:  31 reps at 225 lbs.  40 yard dash:  4.96 (unofficial)

Strengths:  Cordy Glenn is simply a monster of a man-child, his arm length is 36″ which gives him an overall reach of over eight feet.  His athleticism suggest he could play 2 if not 3 of the offensive line positions and he seems to always be in control of the guy in front of him.  He is known for his good hands, and for being an excellent run blocker but the closing factor is that he’s NEVER been injured.

Weaknesses:  Glenn’s massive size makes him a bit susceptible to speed rushers like Tamba Hali or Dwight Freeney.  Some scouts and coaches have said he has a habit of leaning on his opponent depending on his size over technique.  He wasn’t beaten often but his mild inconsistency off of the snap showed that he could be beaten if the defense was on top of the snap count.

Conclusion:  Glenn is the #2 ranked OG in the 2012 NFL Draft behind Stanford‘s David DeCastro who will most certainly be gone by the time the Chargers pick, and I know that offensive line might be the third biggest priority for the team at this point.  Glenn could be the player to change the Bolts mind on their desire to draft defense in the first round.  His sheer size and athleticism, not to mention his versatility to move around on the line make Glenn a hot commodity.  It’s not a secret that Jeromy Clary is not an elite right tackle and Glenn has the potential to not only unseat Tyronne Green as the current starter on the depth chart at guard but possibly push Clary out as the starting right tackle.  The fact that he has never suffered any major injuries is intriguing because of the brutality of playing offensive line, these guys fight battles in the trenches and his durability is a sign of good things to come.  If the Chargers select Glenn with pick #18 I would not be surprised in the least, if he is the highest rated player when the Bolts pick it might just happen.

Check back tomorrow for a look at a trade scenario that probably won’t happen but sure will be fun to think about.

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