Strong Safety Still A Huge Question Mark For The Chargers
By BoogaP
October 15, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers safety Atari Bigby (26) during player introductions prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Another season and another “stop gap” solution at the strong safety for the Chargers. Although some people had high expectations for Atari Bigby, the guy is not the long term answer at strong safety.
Bigby is certainly a big hitter. But his refusal to wrap up has allowed for some big plays. Let us not pretend as though he covers enough green on passing plays. He has proven to bite on play action time and time again.
As we all know, Brandon Taylor has a torn ACL but was hardly active until the last two weeks. One of my favorite Chargers, Darrell Stuckey, has yet to prove that he can make the desired difference on the defensive side of the ball. He is known as a standout on special teams but, like Taylor and countless others, will finish the 2012 season on injured reserve.
The last time the Chargers had a true force at strong safety was back when Rodney Harrison was still here.
Yup, it’s been a decade people. Although it is clear that we must first address the offensive line, it’s about time that we find a solid player to fill the void at strong safety.
I would like to see the Chargers address the need at the position either through free agency or perhaps moving Quentin Jammer to the spot. It is unclear whether or not he would even consider the switch. The soon to be former Charger head coach, Norv Turner, has said multiple times that he doesn’t see Jammer making the move.
Well, it’s not going to matter what Norval has to say about it in about a week or so.
I am of the opinion, as I stated on San Diego Sports Junkies, that if Jammer is unwilling to make the move to strong safety that he will not be Charger in 2013.
That was difficult for me to say on the show and it’s just as hard to put it into print for this article. Quentin Jammer is one of my favorite players on the Charger roster. But I do believe that he is no longer able to play cornerback at the level that is required of him.
I truly hope that he transitions to strong safety and eventually retires wearing lightning bolts.
This is just one of the many areas that will need to be addressed by the incoming regime. It is just one more question that we as fans hope to have an answer for when the time is right.
Thanks a lot for reading.
BoltUp!!!
BoogaP
P.S. If you notice in the picture above there is a ton of smoke coming out of that tunnel….. nevermind.