Bolts Free Agency/ Draft Review

Jan 1, 2012, Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) gestures during the game against the Oakland Raiders at the O.co Coliseum. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 38-26. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

I’m sure I can speak for most Chargers fans when I say that I went into this off season a little nervous. The last few years have been depressing to say the least. The Chargers front office had not been making the best decisions in free agency and the draft. Darren Sproles, Buster Davis, Larry English and our best special teamer, huge crowd favorite, and San Diego beloved Kassim Osgood ring a bell when it comes to poor decisions. However, this year it had to change. This year the decisions made by the front office had greater consequences – jobs were on the line. The team has already undergone a ton of personnel changes. Dean Spanos had just about every Charger fan around the globe puzzled when he kept AJ Smith and Norv Turner around for another season. This was it right? This was their last chance to get it right…right? Well it would seem that the heat placed on the dynamic duo of Smith and Turner changed something in them.

This was the most active I have seen the Bolts in free agency since……..well it’s been a while. The Charger team we all saw in 2011 has changed drastically. From free agency, to the draft, to the undrafted free agency signings, this team has undergone a complete overhaul. This off season has been like Christmas for Philip Rivers. He has an arsenal of new and talented targets. Robert Meachum, Eddie Royal, Donte Rosario, and newly drafted rookie Ladarius Green are all fantastic targets and are going to be huge contributors. Not that you can tell but I’m super excited to see these guys in action.

Let’s not overlook the changes to our sieve like defense that couldn’t buy a third down stop last year. For this, enter the gift from the NFL god’s rookie Melvin Ingram. This kid can flat out play football. The fact that he was sitting in the green room undrafted at 18 must have had old AJ and Norv losing their minds! Jarret Johnson is also someone that I’m super excited to see in blue and gold. He will provide a veteran presence to the front seven that will fit in quite nicely with the leadership Takeo Spikes has already instilled.Last but not least, special teams. This is one area that is going to be a dog fight during the off season. For a while it seemed like the Bolts were going to be on the next episode of Hoarders with all the wide receivers with kick return ability they were signing. But know this! Our special teamers will be lights out this year. We got special team’s captain Jacob Hester resigned and signed Roscoe Parrish and Michael Spurlock who can fly with the best of ‘em. I doubt that Eddie Royal will see too much action on special teams do to his “fragile” nature, but who knows.

When all is said and done I have to tip my hat to what the Chargers front office has done this offseason. They finally came out of their shell and made some great choices that in my opinion have made the team a legitimate contender. I’m not saying we are Super Bowl bound but if this new group of guys can gel into a team before September then stand by for the Bolts to put a hurtin’ on the teams they play in 2012. I know it’s April but I’m gonna go out on a limb right now and say they finish 11-5 and once again reclaim the AFC West! Peyton who?? Go Bolts!!!