The San Diego Chargers do enough in the off season to win the AFC West? The San Diego Chargers in-depth analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season. Will these additions help The San Diego Chargers win the AFC West and make it back to the divisional playoffs in 2014?
The San Diego Chargers finished the 2013 season with a 9-7 record. They beat the Cincinnati Bengals in the wild card and then lost to the Denver Broncos in the divisional match up. It was a turnaround year for the Chargers and new Head coach Mike McCoy and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt got franchise QB Philip Rivers back on track. This was the first winning season for the Chargers since 2010 and washed away the Norv Turner years. The San Diego Chargers lose Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as he left to become the head coach of the Tennessee Titans. We will see how that impacts the Chargers but I think Coach Mike McCoy was the big reason for the revitalization of the Chargers. Read my article, 2014 San Diego Chargers NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis and see why I think that 4 out of he 6 players drafted will have an immediate impact on the 2014 season.
Impact of free agency on the Kansas City Chiefs 2014 season
The San Diego Chargers didn’t lose many impact players in free agency. They had a good draft and signed depth and back up positions mainly in the off season. Always a good sign because it shows the confidence level of the coach with his present team. This stability will allow for a better fit on both sides of the ball and I expect Mike McCoy to take advantage of their extra depth at RB with the signing of RB Donald Brown. He is insurance if RB Ryan Mathews gets hurt and it’s a smart move. QB Kellen Clemens showed last year he can be a viable game manager and is an insurance policy in case QB Philip Rivers gets injured. CB Brandon Ghee missed most of last season due to a wrist injury and will be a back up in the secondary and also immediately impact on special teams. LB Kavell Conner is more depth at the Linebacker position. TE Dave Johnson will be more of a blocking TE than a guy who can catch the ball and be a threat in the end zone or the seam. He will be more of a situational player but will need to fight to find a roster spot.
Players lost in the off season to other teams
- Derek Cox, CB–5th season, signed by The Minnesota Vikings
- Lavelle Hawkins, WR–6th season, signed by The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Terrell Manning, LB–2nd season, signed by The Minnesota Vikings
- Stephen Schilling, G–3rd season, signed by The Seattle Seahawks
- Cam Thomas, NT–4th season, signed by The Pittsburgh Steelers
- Charlie Whitehurst, QB–8th season, signed by The Tennessee Titans
Players signed in free agency from other teams
- Donald Brown, RB–5th season, signed from The Indianapolis Colts
- Kellen Clemens, QB–8th season, signed from The St. Louis Rams
- Kavell Conner, ILB–4th season, signed from The Indianapolis Colts
- Brandon Ghee, CB–4th season, signed from The Cincinnati Bengals
- David Johnson, TE–5th season, signed from The Pittsburgh Steelers
Can The San Diego Chargers make it to the playoffs in 2014?
I think the Chargers again vie for a wild card spot. They are still missing a wide receiver before they will make the next step to being a perennial playoff team. Not sure why the Chargers didn’t target one in the draft or make a play for WRs DeSean Jackson or Eric Decker since Mike McCoy is very familiar with Decker being the former offensive coordinator of he Broncos in 2012. Might equal the same record as last year or gain a game but this about their best ceiling projection for 2014. They may make the playoffs, but they will get stomped again by the Broncos.
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