Dec 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers guard Jeromey Clary (66) and center Nick Hardwick (61) and guard Chad Rinehart (78) listen to an audible called by quarterback Philip Rivers (17) in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
CBS Sports recently listed out an underrated player and an overrated player for each team in the league. I figured that I would talk about one of the most underrated players on the Chargers roster.
Let’s make this thing controversial. Might as well get the controversial player out of the way first. It is the offseason and I just want to talk football!!!
Jeromey Clary gets no respect from the fans. FROM HIS OWN TEAM’S FANS!!!! Evryone wants to kick him to the curb for a rookie that has not even stepped foot onto the field yet. I even suggest kicking him to the curb from time to time. Clary still is on the roster though and there is plenty of reason for it.
He is on the roster for his toughness. The dude plays through pain. He would probably walk onto the field with a broken arm. He is on the roster for his versatility. He can play at the guard and the tackle spot. He is on the roster because he will do WHATEVER the coaching staff asks of him to do and he will do it with all his effort. He will run through a brick wall if he was asked to. You can’t find a ton of guys like that in the league. He gives maximum effort every time he steps onto the field.
He does not have the most talent in the world, but that doesn’t mean that he sucks balls. The offensive line struggled without him in the playoffs against the Denver Broncos. He does a good job on the right side of the line. He is a much better guard than he is a tackle.
Not everyone is going to agree with this post. I still laugh when our staff writer Pete talks about Clary and some Cheetos. He has had trouble with some costly penalties. He has gotten beaten. I still get pissed off at him from time to time, but he is the scapegoat.
He still keeps working through all the talk. He finally is starting to get people on his side. His move to the right guard spot may have saved his job.
His career reminds me a bit of Quentin Jammer. Jammer was a flop out of college. He committed penalties all over the field, but he was thrown out with the starting secondary every game. Eventually, he worked his way into becoming a solid player and now everyone loves him.
Can people start liking Clary? Blasphemy. He will be the starting guard this season and I can see him being brought back to hold down that spot again after the year. Chris Watts was brought in to be the future center. Clary still has some years left and is durable. If he continues to be solid, then the team can focus on other areas to build up.