Chargers preview: Bolts could get a jolt after Los Angeles move
Training camps are still in the distance, but USA TODAY Sports is providing five things you need to know about every team in the NFL to catch you up on the offseason. Today, the Los Angeles Chargers ...
1. The Chargers are headed for L.A., but they're settling in Orange County
While the Chargers will share the new stadium in Inglewood with the Rams beginning in 2020, the team is settling 40 miles south of that in Orange County. The team has leased 101,000 square feet of office space and 3.2 acres of land at a former office campus called The Hive in Costa Mesa for its headquarters. It also has signed a 10-year lease to use the nearby Jack Hammett Sports Complex for training camp. Alabama and Florida State have used the complex to prepare for national championship games at the Rose Bowl. With the Rams north of Los Angeles at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, the teams could split the metropolitan region geographically the way the Dodgers and Angels do for baseball.
2. Gates is back for another go-around
While the Chargers planned for life after Antonio Gates by drafting Arkansas’ Hunter Henry with the 35th pick in the 2016 draft, the 37-year-old future Hall of Fame tight end isn't ready to hang up his cleats. Gates made news by joining the team for the first phase of organized team activities in April, telling ESPN he wanted the new coaching staff, led by head coach Anthony Lynn, to get to know him. Gates also sold his San Diego-area home for nearly $2 million.
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3. There's no drama with rookie contracts this year
One year after defensive end Joey Bosa was the last first-round pick to sign a contract, the Chargers became one of the first teams to come to terms with their 2017 first-round draft pick May 11. The team announced it had signed five of its seven draft picks, including first-rounder Mike Williams. The former Clemson receiver’s deal was for $19.75 million, fully guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Bosa, the third overall pick in the 2016 draft, didn’t sign with the team until Aug.29.
4. A revamped offensive line could alleviate pressure on Rivers
There was a reason why the Chargers spent three of their seven draft picks on offensive linemen. The team has allowed the most pass pressures in the NFL over the past three seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Quarterback Philip Rivers and his understudies saw pressure on 732 drop-backs from 2014 to 2016, more than 100 more than 30 of the other 31 teams. The Chargers grabbed guard Forrest Lamp of Western Kentucky, whom some rated as the best lineman in the draft, in the second round and another guard, Dan Feeney of Indiana, in the third.
5. Better luck on the injury front could aid the turnaround
The Chargers were derailed by injuries in 2016. By the time the 5-11 season ended, the team had 21 players on injured reserve, including starters such as receiver Keenan Allen, cornerback Jason Verrett and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane. The team’s top running back, Melvin Gordon, didn’t finish the season. After leading the NFL with 355 man games lost to injuries in 2016, according to ManGamesLost.com, a clean bill of health might make them a potential bounce-back team.
Curley also writes for the Ventura (Calif.) County Star, part of the USA TODAY Network.
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