Hey BoltHeadz, Today I am starting a new series. You guessed it “ODD MAN OUT”, there will be quite a few interesting camp battles this training camp and AJ has done a great job at filling the roster  this off season. But there are only 53 spots on the roster and 8 spots on the practice squad. Today I will be covering the Running Backs.

As you all know AJ just brought in Ronnie Brown as a possible back up to Ryan Mathews but, also on the roster at this time is Curtis Brinkley and the 2 rookies Micheal Hayes and Edwin”Rock” Baker. Baker was taken in the 7th round of the draft and Hayes is an undrafted free agent.

Lets start off with our returning VET, Curtis Brinkley. Curtis is a feel good story, after being signed as an undrafted free in 2009 he was shot while picking up us sister from work in Philly. As a result he spent the 2009 season on IR. He then was waived prior to the 2010 season, cleared waivers and signed to the practice squad.  In 2011 he was waived during final cuts again and resigned to the practice squad. He finally got his chance to play in a pro game on Halloween night Vs. KC. He had decent numbers as a backup, 43 yards on 10 carries and a 2yd over-the-pile touchdown along with 3 catches for 24 yards with 1 of the catches going for 20 yards. Although playing in 3 other games last season the KC game was his best showing. With the rules of the new CBA any player that has been on the practice squad the previous 2 seasons is not eligible to return to any teams practice squad. I’m not sure if he makes the team, although I believe he is the best choice.

Ronnie Brown is our newly signed vet from Philly. Ronnie was drafted second overall in the 2005 draft by Miami. Although his numbers do not really  show he was the second overall pick, you have to keep in mind that he avreages on 200 carries a year and the least was last season, backing up LeSean McCoy, with only 42. Brown has a career average of 4.2 yards a carry with his longest run being for 65 yards ( yes he can get loose) and  an average of  8.1 yards a catch with a long of 43. As we all know Brown can throw the ball too. He has played under Coach Cam Cameron who runs just about the same offense as Norv Turner. Yes he is ‘OLD’ for a running back, but he has not been used as much as he could have been, he could be a great pick-up by AJ.

Micheal Hayes is an undrafted rookie free agent who AJ brought in for depth. He has only played 2 years in collage at a very small school University of Houston. He has put up some decent numbers there at UH. In 2011 he had 138 attempts gaining 727 yards with a long of 71 yards, that is an average of 5.3 yards per carry . His receiving numbers also look good with 44 catches for 483 yards  with a long of 60, that is an average of 11 yards a catch. If he shines during camp he could be the third back kept. In 2010 he had 150 attempts for 629 yards with a long of 36, that is an average of 4.3 yards a carry. His receiving stats were 30 catches for 327 yards with a long of 43, that is an average of 10.9 yards a catch. If this kid can block he just might make the team.

Edwin Baker was taken in the 7th round of the draft. His numbers were decent in his freshman year, he played in 8 games with 85 carries for 427 yards with a long of 46 yards,that is an average of 5 yards a carry. His freshman receiving was also decent at 7 catches for 43 yards with a long of 23, that is an average of 6.1 yards a catch. He excelled in his sophomore year with 207 carries for 1201 yards with a long of 80, that is an average of 5.8 yards per carry. His receiving wasn’t use all that much as he had only 3 catches for 22 yards with a long of 13 yards, that is an average of 7.3 yards a catch. Some of you will say he fell off in his junior year and I might too seeing as he only had an average of 3.9 yards a carry. One of the main reasons he only had 170 carries for 665 yards with a long of  25 is Michigan State brought in Le’Veon Bell. “Rock’s” receiving number went up, with 5 catches for 60 yards with a long of 19 yards, that is an average of 12 yards a catch. This kid may also make the team.

Leave me a comment of  who you voted for as “Odd Man Out” and tell me why.

Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Since it is the slow part of the season, I’m going to do some player profiles, starting with our seventh round draft pick, Edwin Baker, RB out of Michigan State.

In his College career, Baker was a three year letter winner and finished with 2,293 rushing yards on 462 carries. That averages out to 5 yards per carry and 65.5 yards per game. He played in 35 games, including 21 starts. He also rushed for 19 career touchdowns and had six 100 yard rushing games.

Before the 2011 season, Baker was named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-America Third Team and ranked No. 65 on Rivals.com’s countdown of the nation’s top 100 players. He was also ranked No. 18 on 2011 Preseason Top 25 Heisman Watch List by NationalChamps.net. He was also viewed by many sports media outlets as one of the top running backs in the nation.

In 2010, Baker was a full time starter at running back but when the 2011 season came around, he played sparingly, being beat out by a younger back.

In 2011, Baker ranked second on the team with 665 yards on 170 carries (47.5 ypg.) and five touchdowns.

Some NFL analysts view Baker as being a “gradual accelerator who is good to get to the second level”. He is an inside runner who has a good feel and patience for blocks to develop and is a decent blocker when called upon to do so.

On the down side though, Baker’s weaknesses are that since losing his starting job in college to a younger back, his career seems to have been on the decline and hasn’t displayed the competitiveness that he did in 2010.

Going into the Chargers training camp, Baker will have to compete against Curtis Brinkley, Michael Hayes and  Ronnie Brown.

Needless to say, Baker has a huge uphill battle. We’ll see how he climbs it.

You never know.

Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

The San Diego Chargers have one more draft pick that they need to get signed after agreeing to terms with 7th round draft pick RB Rock Baker tonight. He agreed to a 4-year deal and he will compete for a spot as a reserve runningback. He could be the second string runningback if he does well in camp, but the Bolts are still likely to bring in a veteran back onto the roster.

LSU SS Brandon Taylor is the only Chargers draft pick that has yet to agree to terms. The rookies will be starting their rookie camps tomorrow. A contract for Taylor will likely happen quickly though. I will guess that something happens tomorrow.