Nov 18 2012; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Antoine Cason (20) and inside linebacker Donald Butler (56) combine for a tackle after a reception by Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme (84) during the fourth quarter of the game Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie year for DB56 was not what he had in mind being drafted out of the University of Washington. Sitting out really wore at him from a season ending Achilles injury during training camp in 2010. Then linebacker coach and now defensive coordinator John Pagano knew that dude was going to be a leader. Some people just have that ability to lead and coach Pagano knew the Bolts had a special one.

Chargers have recently approached Butler to hopefully give him an extension on his career with the Bolts and I for one am ecstatic that this could happen. He will be the captain of the defense coming into 2013 with Takeo Spikes and Shaun Phillips recently shown the door.

Despite missing four games last year, he still killed it and was in every play. I look for him to be in with some of the best core of linebackers in the league and at 24 years of age, he’ll continue to be even stronger. Suppose he would have played a full second-half of the Ravens game last year, the Bolts could have avoided yet another embarrassing franchise scar that was 4^th and 29. I know for sure he would not have missed his tackle!

Pull this off Chargers and you will make fans very happy (still mad about Vasquez walking to your rivals, but what’s new.) Oh, and Donad’s a great follow on facebook. Bleeds the blue and gold.

Kawhi so serious?

RP

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

By James Fedewa

The 2013 NFL Draft is right around the corner (less than 19 days). Kansas City Chiefs are on the clock and “who” will the Chiefs choose; “why” did they do that, and “they should’ve traded it” whispers and estimates fill the web. Everyone has their favorite picks/players and guesses for who should be the next prospect taken and for what team. Draft experts and analyst skew projections of team needs and scheme fits, but no one really knows what is going to happen on draft day. Evaluating the future is only a guessing probabilities. Unpredictability is the name of the game (as well as new team additions/future superstars) that’s what makes the NFL Draft so intriguing.

Here a version of predicting the future, with the same odd as winning the lottery: My 2013 mock draft. This is my 6^th so I’m not going to leave a “note” with the reason why I chose this player with that team. Lets just say it’s an educated guess,  followed by TEAM NEED, then Best Player Available.

By James Fedewa

*Note: I’m a San Diego Chargers fan, so San Diego selects: #1.) Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma  #2.) Kawann Short, DT Purdue.   #3.) Corey Lemonier, DE/OLB, Auburn

Now that the offseason is here and the San Diego Chargers have much rebuilding to do many mock drafts are to follow. I keep coming across the same question over and over from people, “How do you come up with mock drafts?” While the answer can be simple I figured I could explain it better for fans through an article. I will be taking you through step by step of my process and what goes into my mock draft analyzation.

What are the needs of the team: The first thing you should do is understand what the team needs to do to improve themselves. Thoroughly look at every position and see which one drives you nuts. keep going down in order from there.

Projection: San Diego has a long wish list this year. In my mind the list should look something like this, Offensive line, Corner Back, Linebacker, Strong Safety, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Quarterback, Defensive Line, Free Safety.

Locate Free Agents that have a chance of leaving: Every team will have a list of people who will choose to leave or stay with the present team. While we can only predict what will happen, for an accurate mock draft you will have to assume where the team will go with the Free Agents they have. San Diego has a list of 24 free agents (20 unrestricted and 4 restricted).

Unrestricted means they may sign with any club, with no compensation owed to his old club, through the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp (usually late July). At that point, his rights revert to his old club if it made a “tender” offer to him by June. His old club then has until the Tuesday after the 10th week of the season to re-sign him. If he does NOT sign by then, he must sit out the season.

A restricted free agent is a player who has received a “qualifying” offer (negotiated in the CBA) from his old club, but is free to negotiate with any club through the free agent signing period. If he accepts an offer from a new club, his old club can match the offer and retain him, or not match the offer and possibly receive draft-choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.

Projection: With some key Free Agent signings San Diego can be competitive again, I also take in the tight cap situation. I think that the Chargers can wait out Philips and get a decent price tag on him. While they will almost have to be forced to make a decision between Cason and Jammer. When all the smoke clears I feel as if some of the holes that San Diego will fill is corner back and outside linebacker.

What will teams do before the Chargers: So now comes the difficult part, What will picks 1-10 do. With this part just take a look at the big board and draft till the 11th pick. This years order starts with the Chiefs and so forth. If you lack a little knowledge of what a team needs, or aren’t up to date, ESPN always has mock drafts as well as other websites that can give you an idea. Also don’t forget to watch the Combine due to the fact that you can get a lot of information on what makes a “player,” at the respected positions.

Projection: With the big position the Chargers are looking at is Offensive Line. I can’t see the Chiefs not going quarterback here. Another possibility is for them to go Defensive Tackle. The pick the Chiefs make will determine how the Chargers first round pick will go. The Eagles are bound to go offensive line. So that takes Luke Joeckle off the board. You can almost never project what teams will do on draft day. So don’t take it out on yourself.

Make your pick: So now that you decided where you think your team will go it is time to make a pick based on the information that you have gathered. Everything you have studied and read about comes down to this one moment. for a minute you get to be the General Manager of your team! Pick wisely!

Projection: With the 11th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft the San Diego Chargers select… Eric Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Central Michigan.

Support your thinking: You will have haters but it’s up to you, as it is Tom Telesco, to defend your selection.

Projection: You can’t hide the fact that San Diego needs help on the line. They need to get some rocks in front of Rivers and Fisher is a great pick. He wouldn’t be a bad selection at all. Fisher is big, strong, and ready to go. He is a player that can make an impact right away. I just don’t see offensive linemen lasting too long in this years draft. You’ll see them fly off the board after this point. I don’t think they should take a chance waiting for a Kyle Long type from Oregon due to the fact that he just might not fall to the Chargers in the second.

Remember this, you are not finished! You need to update and keep people on their toes. They need to say, “I wonder who they projected this week.” Keep them coming back for more. As for the rest of the draft? Start out by looking at a full 7 round draft and judge by that with you’re own pick. You might not agree with everyone but the more and more you get experience the further and further you can go on your own. So who do you think the Chargers will draft?

GOOD LUCK AND BOLT PRIDE!

-Joey Nicks