May 11, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Edwin Baker (26) is tackled by linebacker A.J. Storms (44) at rookie minicamp at Chargers Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

By Jake Hefner

This offseason, the least amount of buzz has been generated by the running back position of San Diego Chargers. The questions marks surrounding Ryan Mathews ability to stay healthy for a full season are still a huge concern. The Chargers brought back 31 year old Ronnie Brown for one more year and signed Danny Woodhead via free agency. Heading into training camp there will be a total of seven running backs on the roster.

The past two years, the chargers have taken a running back in the late rounds, in 2011 it was Jordan Todman in he 4th round and in the 2012 it was Edwin Baker in the 7th round. Baker was able to crack the 53 man roster last season. This season however, he may have to look behind his shoulder because there is some competition that is coming fast!!!

Michael Hill, an undrafted rookie out of Western Missouri is looking to make an impact on the chargers roster in a big way. At 5’11, 210 pounds, the Div II running back is nothing short of exciting. In 2012, Hill rushed for 2,186 yards and 16 touchdowns and paired that with 21 catches for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Q: “You caught people’s eye in college with your quickness. Would you say that is your best attribute?”

Hill: “I would say my best attribute is my strength. A lot of people underestimate me and that’s ok with me because the don’t even know until I get in the field.”

Q: “Has there been anyone in training camp that has taken you under their wing?”

Hill: “Really it’s not what what I expected, I thought people wouldn’t want to help me just because it’s the league but every body is willing and that’s what’s shocking! All the running backs took me in like a brother and are helping me everyday.”

Hill holds something in common with one running back in particular, free agent acquisition Danny Woodhead was cut from the same cloth of DIV II football. Woodhead won the Harlan Hill Trophy twice in his college career, an award that Hill was a runner up for this past season. While Making the jump from a smaller college division to the NFL may seem like a completely different game, Hill seems ready for the challenge.

“The tempo is about the same I’d say when it comes to practice and such but the players are all way smarter, faster, stronger and bigger! But the biggest difference is you earn your spot everyday.”

For an undrafted free agent, earning your spot on an NFL roster is never an easy task. Much in the same way that Hills’ childhood idol earned his spot in the the pros.

“I always loved watching Terrel Davis! He was a freak and that’s what inspired me to play running back! What’s funny is I just got number 30.”

Hill brings a very dynamic skill set to the table, a skill set that caught more than just the chargers eye. Indianapolis, Washington, Miami, Denver and Green Bay all attempted to sign the Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, but Hill saw an opportunity in San Diego that he is ready seize. Hill doesn’t just want to make the team, he wants to make a statement.

“My expectations are to make the team, contribute and make an impact on the team this year! Ultimately I want to go down as the best player like everyone else but I just want to help the chargers get an AFC Championship and most definitely a Super Bowl.”

How bout it bolt fans? What do you think of the addition of Michael Hill?

By Jake Hefner

Bolt So Hard!

November 18, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

By Jake Hefner

Last season the Chargers discovered a new toy for Phillip Rivers in the form of wide receiver Danario Alexander. Alexander came in off the street and added a new downfield threat to the chargers offense. This year,Vincent Brown makes his return to the field. Brown was lost to injury and missed the entire 2012 season. Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal were colossal bust in their first year of wearing a lighting bolt. Familiar faces such as Antonio Gates and Malcolm Floyd will return to their playmaking roles for at least another season or two and the Chargers added Cal WR Keenan Allen in 3rd round of this years draft.

On paper and when healthy the Chargers receiving corps has a good mix of youth potential and veteran stability to make the offense extremely dynamic. But is there a forgotten piece in this puzzle of wide receivers?….Is there a player that could be ready to make a big jump this upcoming season?

Tight end Ladarius Green, a 2012 4th round pick may be poised to have a breakout year for the Chargers. When Green was drafted, tight ends Randy McMichael and Dante Rosario were ahead of him on the depth chart and unfortunately never got an opportunity to contribute. Since then McMichael and Rosario have been released and Green has vaulted to 2nd on the depth chart behind Antonio Gates.

Standing 6’6 241 pounds, Green does not lack athleticism or measurables. In 2012 he posted the second-fastest time for a TE (4.45) had the longest arms (34 1/2 inches) and the second-largest hands (10 1/8 inches) of any TE at the combine. Possessing the leaping ability to go up and make a catch in traffic, combined with the body technique to block out opposing defenders, Green can be a mismatch for opposing defenses. As great as Antonio Gates has been for this team, we all now he doesn’t have much time left. If Green is ready to step up and make an impact for this team, the 2013 season may be a great time for the Chargers to reveal a new secret weapon.

How bout it bolt fans,what do you think about the potential of Ladarius Green?

By Jake Hefner

Bolt so hard!!!!!

Sep 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) is hit by San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Cam Thomas (93) and outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (95) after throwing the ball out of the endzone during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

By Jake Hefner

When the free agency period started back in March, Charger fans had to watch plenty of defensive veterans walk out the door and into the locker room of other teams. Two of those players that signed elsewhere were nose tackles Antonio Garay (Jets) and Abrayu Franklin (Colts). Garay, was a fan favorite for years with his crazy beard and hair styles plugged the hole in the middle for the Chargers defensive line. Franklin was signed as a street free agent last season and quickly became the anchor up front for the defense. Now with both Garay and Franklin long gone, the only veteran nose tackle on the team, is former 5th round pick Cam Thomas. Thomas was a rotational player last season and in the minimal time he got to play he played well.

So with Thomas now penciled in as the starter in the middle, who sits behind him on the depth chart? Who will rotate in to give the mammoth nose tackle a breather?

Unfortunately, the Chargers didn’t address the nose tackle position in this years draft….Or did they?

Undrafted free agents Kwame Geathers from Georgia and Byron Jerideau from South Carolina have more than enough size to fill up the gaps that were left behind. Geathers is not short on a football pedigree and NFL bloodlines. Last name Geathers sound familiar? It should, 4 members of Kwame’s family (father, both brothers and uncle) have played in the NFL. Geathers is impossible to go un-noticed. At 6’5 342lbs, he logged 40 tackles (five for a loss) and 1 sack in 14 starts for Georgia last season. Perhaps Geathers most impressive performance came against Alabama in 2012. Geathers consistently applied pressure, taking on double teams and making tackles in the backfield. Originally slated to be taken in the middle rounds of the draft, Geathers may wind up being a steal.

Another possible undrafted gem that fell to the Chargers came in the form of Bryron Jerideau. The only way you could miss this guy is if he was hiding behind a building. After the seven rounds of the draft had passed, Jerideau had a choice to make between the Texans and the Chargers. He choose to come to San Diego because he believed he had a better opportunity to play. Jerideau is a physical specimen with freakish strength. Given the title as the “strongest game cock ever” Jerideau holds school records at South Carolina for bench press at 500 pounds and a combined 1,455 pounds on bench press, squat and clean lift. In his years as a run eating nose tackle, Jerideau recorded 56 tackles, six sacks and nine tackles for a loss. Jerideau’s college game highlight came against LSU in 2012 where he man handled the offensive line and making multiple tackles in the backfield. Plain and simple if Jerideau wasn’t playing football he would probably be in the “Strongman” competition.

With the Chargers lack of depth at the nose tackle position, it would honestly not surprise me if both of these guys ended up making the final 53. The Chargers could greatly benefit from another mix of fresh bodies on the line with Jerideau and Geathers.

Do you see these guys making noise in training camp?

BOLTSOHARD