Now Breesless.

Do you guys think Rivers will be able to step up and be a good player?

Rivers is talented. I feel bad because this ordeal has taken away from him. I'm just from a style of football that respects it's vets, hence my dedication to Drew. I think eventually in this league Drew and Phillip will be good QB's, just in different cities.

My only real scare with Rivers is how he has played so little the past two years, and the fact that the Chargers have been a playoff caliber team for the past two years under Brees.

Yea thats what I'm worried about too. But I dont know, hopefully AJ Smith knows what he's doing. We are 17 mil under the cap, so we better pick up some free agents to help Brees. Im praying for Antonio Bryant, and Steve Huchinson. If we can get those two, some other free agents and have a good draft. I see no reason, unless Rivers is terrible, that we cant get in as a wild card next year. We have an easy schedule for the most part too.

Oops that was me ^

Ive always been high on Chad Jackson, but he just ran a 4.29.

I hope we get him.

what do you mean we are Breesless, I thought nothing was set in stone yet. I am still praying Brees will be our starting QB next year.

Me too, but he will most likely be gone.

What Brees had on Rivers was that he was a proven commodity. Once he got injured he lost that status. Brees does have some physical limitations and has learned to pay within in them. Still, he wasn't very good down the stretch although a lot of the blame can be put on losing the left side of the line (Oben and Fonotti) and having LT dinged up in the second game against the Raiders. Still, some feel that we got all out of Brees that there was and there are some in the league that feel Brees was more of a cartaker QB and not one that raised the level of those who played with him. I think the Chargers could have won a SB with Brees with a better O-line and better play at the safety positions. Still, AJ believes that Rivers will be better in the long (maybe not so long) run. It is worth noting that only Miami and New Orleans showed much interest in him when there are a lot of playoff caliber teams in need of a QB. I really think Brees made a mistake going to New Orleans. I know Miami backed out late, but they had an interest in Brees if not the willingness of New Orleans to throw more guaranteed money into the equation.

The Chargers won't go crazy with spending on FA's. Even though they have a lot of room under the cap they didn't get there by making foolish moves. By getting McCree they've already gotten better at the safety position with a fairly young player. Their defense is sound up front and they may only need to address the nickle back position going into the season.

On offense they need both a LT and LG. At least one of these positions will be filled with a veteran. There is still another round of cuts coming up after the draft and there are still a few lineman availble now (Runyan comes to mind). AJ Smith has shown me that he recognizes the biggest areas of needs and attacks them. Last year it was at LDE and the pass rush. Getting Castillo and Merriman was huge. The O-line wasn't supposed to be in much need but that changed with the injury to Oben and the injury and subsequent release of Fonotti. I think if they can address this side of the line, and I don't know what the status of Oben is, then Rivers will be fine. He may make some mistakes, but their defense should be vastly improved, perhaps best in the AFC West (I think Merriman will be even more dominant next year).

Depending on the status of Oben and whether they sign a FA offensive lineman prior to the draft I see the Chargers current greatest needs being:

1. LT
2. OG (Could be solved by getting a RT and sliding Olivea inside).
3, Wide Receiver (deep threat).
4. Cornerback (nickle).
5. ILB (Godfrey will retire one day).
6. Punt returner.

It is quite possible the Chargers could look to draft a WR first, given this draft is deep at tackle and there is really only one who stands above the rest.