Very quietly, Chargers training camp approaches. The first preseason practices begin a week from Saturday, July 28. If the lack of pre-camp buzz is not a sign of the collapse of the local sports media, nothing is. How about another story on Michael Vick's dogs?
I think I have fan sentiment down perfectly. Let me know if I'm wrong (you won't): Bolts backers would trade that gaudy 14-2 record for a playoff victory in a heartbeat. Hey, a few problems adjusting to a new head coach and coordinators, no sweat. What's 10-6, as long as the team makes the playoffs? Even as a wildcard. Just get there. Get there while peaking, maybe. The team jells under the new coaches in late-December, makes the playoff cut, and then wins a few times in January.
Do I have it nailed? You betcha!
Actually, with new coaches and a tougher schedule, there's almost no way the Chargers will match or exceed 14-2. But this team has the best backfield, the best tight-end, a solid offensive line, and a solid defensive line, so should be right there with Denver in the AFC West and make postseason again. Maybe then the crapshoot will favor us this time.
What's not to like? The receiving corps is arguably weaker than it was a year ago with no additions at all. Drayton Florence remains penciled-in to start at CB when he should have been jettisoned after last season's playoff loss to New England.
What's to worry about? The age of FB Lorenzo Neal; that DT Jamal Williams has avoided serious injury the past couple years, is probably due for one, and Ryon Bingham is a step down if he has to play all the time (not a knock, just shows how much I like Williams); the inside-linebacker duo of Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm are fulltime starters for the first time; that Clinton Hart is the front-runner at strong safety, and no matter how much I like him, I'm not sure he's a fulltime guy.
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