Supercharged: A San Diego Chargers' M15 Franchise

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Chargers grant HC McCoy extension
Published January 25th, 2015

The San Diego Chargers have announced that they have extended head coach Mike McCoy's contract through the 2017 season.

With coaching headlines at this time of year being dominated by firings and interviews, it is perhaps surprising to hear of a contract extension, particularly given how the Chargers finished their 2014 season.

Ravaged by injuries and inconsistent offensive play, the Chargers floundered down the stretch, going 4-6 their final 10 games and missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. The team had a chance in Week 17 at Kansas City against backup quarterback Chase Daniels to book a postseason ticket, but put up a dud to end their season on a sour note.

Nevertheless, by signing McCoy to an extension, the Chargers management has expressed its confidence in where the team is heading. "Though we didn't meet our own expectations this past year," said team president Dean Spanos, "we have complete faith in the coaching staff and system we have in place, and believe that we have the right building blocks for reaching our ultimate goal of a championship."

In two years as head coach, McCoy has led the Chargers to back-to-back 9-7 seasons. After taking over from Norv Turner in 2013, McCoy was able to lead the Chargers to a Wild Card birth, where the team knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals before losing to the eventual AFC Champion Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. Perhaps more impressively, however, McCoy has been able to resurrect the career of Philip Rivers, who has returned to being a top player at the quarterback position.

The contract extension is worth $4.5M per year, a $500,000 raise for McCoy.

With this vote of confidence from team management, McCoy now has his work cut out for him in the off-season. With the 33-year old Rivers likely headed to the operating table to fix a slipped disk in his back, and several key players with expiring contracts, the Chargers will need to a solid off-season to avoid a step back in 2015.

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Chargers re-sign CB Flowers
Published February 10th, 2015

The San Diego Chargers have announced the re-signing of a key piece of their defense, agreeing to terms with cornerback Brandon Flowers on a two-year deal worth $15M.


Flowers recorded 52 tackles and 3 interceptions in 2014, his first season with the Chargers.

After being released by the Kansas City Chiefs after the 2013 season, Flowers signed a one-year deal with the division rival Chargers and immediately helped improve one of the league's worst pass defenses. Flowers was quietly brilliant in his first season with the Chargers, helping them go from 29th to 4th in the NFL in passing yards against.

Team officials also praised the veteran Flowers' leadership as a reason for the new contract, which will particularly important given the earlier report from NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport that cornerback Shareece Wright will likely test the free agency market, leaving second year player Jason Verrett as the probable starter across from Flowers.

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Chargers re-sign Freeney, Liuget
Published February 16th, 2015

The San Diego Chargers continued retaining key defensive veterans Monday, re-signing outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and defensive end Corey Liuget.

Freeney has agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.75M. After missing the majority of his first season with the Chargers in 2013, the veteran pass-rusher played a situational role with the team in 2014, recording 3.5 sacks.

Liuget has agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth a total of $23.2M. Drafted by the Chargers in 2011, Liuget has recorded 169 tackles and 18 sacks in his four year career. He his coming off a career-high 57 tackle season in 2014.

[djp73]

this should be a nice team to play with in a tough division

great screen name

solid resignings

following

[weddlesbeard]

Woodhead headed for free agency
Published February 26th, 2015

Sources around the Chargers' organization and Danny Woodhead report that contract negotiations have stalled between the team and the six-year pro. Woodhead is likely headed for free agency, opening March 10th.

Reports have cited the Chargers brass's imagined reduced role for Woodhead in 2015 as the main source of disagreement between the two parties. Undrafted rookie Brandon Oliver emerged in 2014, playing a similar role to that of Woodhead before the latter's season was cut short by a broken tibula.


Woodhead had over 1000 all-purposed yards and 8 touchdowns in 2013, but only played two games in 2014 before breaking his tibula.

With Woodhead leaving, the Chargers' depth at running back is suddenly now in question, especially with starter Ryan Mathews also still yet to renew his contract.

Woodhead will be a top option in free agency at running back, though will be a risk for whichever team signs him, as he is coming off injury and has reached the dreaded age of 30.

[weddlesbeard]

Chargers re-sign multiple players ahead of free agency
Published March 2nd, 2015

It was a busy day for Chargers general manager Tom Telesco Monday, as he announced a handful of contract renewals ahead of next week's free agency period.

Most notable among the group were a pair of starting offensive lineman, left tackle King Dunlap and center Nick Hardwick.

Dunlap has signed for four years for a total of $18M. He was the lone bright spot on an offensive line that struggled in 2014, protecting Philip Rivers' blindside and quietly becoming a star left tackle in the NFL.

Hardwick has resigned for two years worth a total of $4.2M. After a season-ending neck injury in 2014, many expected the 33-year old to retire. His recover has been progressing well, however, and this new contract will likely keep the long time Charger in blue and yellow for good.

Among the other signings announced by the Chargers were wide receiver Seyi Ajirotitu, linebacker Andrew Gachkar, defensive end Lawrence Guy, and right tackle Mike Harris. Still yet to sign for the Chargers, however, are running backs Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead, cornerback Shareece Wright, safety Marcus Gilchrist, and receiver Eddie Royal.

[weddlesbeard]

Quote: Originally Posted by djp73

this should be a nice team to play with in a tough division great screen name solid resignings following

Thanks for the support!

[weddlesbeard]

Mathews re-signs with Chargers
Published March 8th, 2015

They waited until the eleventh hour, but the San Diego Chargers are keeping one of their key offensive pieces from hitting the free agency market. Running back Ryan Mathews has signed a new three year contract worth $11.4M, keeping the former first round pick in San Diego through the 2017 season.


Ryan Mathews is coming off a career-low 330 rushing yards in an injury-filled 2014.

"It's an honor to stay in this wonderful organization," said Mathews, "and to be given the opportunity to prove that I can be one of the best running backs in the league."

With the risk of sounding like a broken record, the challenge for Mathews will be to stay healthy. His five year career has been riddled by injuries, yet when healthy, Mathews has shown glimpses of the talent that drove the Chargers to trade up to draft him twelfth overall in 2010. Mathews has only played a full 16 games once in his NFL career, in 2013, when he rushed for a career-high 1,255 yards. This was followed by an injury-shortened 2014 in which Mathews played a career-low six games and ran for only 330 yards.

This was enough to garner Mathews a new contract, however. "We still believe in Ryan," head coach Mike McCoy succinctly stated, "he is a top level talent at the back position."