My first nomination for the Charger player I think will come out of nowhere to make a big impact is a defensive player who was an UDFA last year. He did see some action near the end of the year, and the young QB from Oakland will certainly remember him, as he met him 3 times in the season's last game. It's not likely that he'll start, but the Chargers will probably be loading up this year on obvious passing downs, so it is likely that he will see considerably more action than he did last year this year on passing downs as he continues his conversion from college DE to a 3-4 OLB in the NFL. My first nominee for Out of Nowhere Man is OLB Jyles Tucker. Presently, the strongest part of his game is his natural pass rush ability. Look for the Chargers to find ways to get Phillips, Merriman, and Tucker on the field at the same time this year.
They also have brought back another former college DE whom they are trying to convert to OLB, former SDSU player, Antwan Applewhite. When they made their final cuts and practice squad selections last year, it came down to Tucker and Applewhite, who both had impressive camps last year. It would not be too much of a stretch to see both make this year's team. If for some reason Applewhite does not make the Chargers, some other team should take a look at him, as he is definitely a pass rusher deluxe who could also help out on ST, if nothing else.
Full Version: San Diego Chargers Out of Nowhere Man
Well, Jyles Tucker didn't do too badly as my initial nominee for the Chargers 'Out of Nowhere Man.'
However, there is a better story. The story of an undrafted free agent out of a small school who has risen to the top of the Fullback depth chart, and will be in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Chargers face the Carolina Panthers. His name, is Mike Tolbert. The 5'9", 243 pound back will be leading the way for LT this year, and he truly is an exciting player. Not only did he distinguish himself with his blocking and running throughout training camp and the preseason, but he also displayed very good hands, and is a real threat to catch the ball, something that's been lacking for some time at this position for the Chargers.
The following, if you're interested, is a copy of an article written by Tim Sullivan from the San Diego Union that gives you a little more information about young Mike Tolbert.
Mike Tolbert's plan is to lead by following. He will clear the way for LaDainian Tomlinson by sticking to his script, obeying his instructions, and leaving the improvisation to the fellow toting the football.
“I'm not going to get cussed out,” the Chargers' rookie fullback said yesterday. “If I do my job and keep the linebackers and safeties off of (LT), he'll have his best year.”
Undrafted, unheralded and widely unknown, Tolbert knows his place and heeds his playbook. He's not ready to start skipping primary blocks, as Lorenzo Neal sometimes did, to target some tackler farther downfield. He's not yet so in sync with Tomlinson that he can confidently ad-lib at the line of scrimmage.
First things first. The fullback's basic job is to execute, not to extemporize, and Mike Tolbert has followed his orders exactingly enough to become the Chargers' first-string fullback. He is doing as he's been told and, perhaps, more than anyone could have asked.
Barely six months since they released Neal, the Chargers have replaced a four-time Pro Bowl player with a first-year free agent from Coastal Carolina, a school whose football team had never faced a big-time opponent until last Saturday's 66-10 thrashing by Penn State.
Mike Tolbert started at Coastal Carolina in the school's second season of varsity football, and he finished so far off the NFL radar that he barely qualifies as a “reach.” Yet he performed so well during training camp – scoring two touchdowns in 12 preseason touches – that the Chargers were emboldened yesterday to cut veteran Andrew Pinnock in order to create a roster spot for an extra tight end, Kris Wilson.
Pinnock was progressing following knee surgery, but he didn't rehab fast enough to obscure Tolbert's talent.
“Old veterans say, 'Hey, don't let a guy take a lot of reps at your spot.' ” Chargers coach Norv Turner said. “All of a sudden you let someone get those reps and the next thing you know, he looks pretty good and the next thing you know, those reps aren't there anymore.”
Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and rookie running back Jacob Hester will also figure in the fullback picture, but Tolbert's name rests atop the depth chart as the Chargers point toward Sunday's opener against the Carolina Panthers.
He's No. 35 in your program, and No. 1 on the list of surprising Bolts' breakthroughs.
“From three or four days into (camp), you could tell he had an air about him that said, 'This guy gets it,' ” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. “He wasn't overly confident, but he was not shy, either. After the second preseason game, I told him, 'I know your goal is to make this team. It has to be. But get it in the back of your mind that (you) might be on the field opening day.' ”
Agent Joel Turner says he targeted the Chargers with exactly that in mind; that Neal's departure, Pinnock's knee issues and Tomlinson's enduring excellence created not only an opportunity, but a fast track to the Pro Bowl.
“You can be the starting fullback walking in the door,” Turner told his client. “All you've got to do is bust your butt. You don't have to be anybody but you. In their system, with their talent, there's no reason you can't be All-Pro.”
Turner, who was a coach before he became an agent, found an ally in Chargers' scout Darrell Moody, a former colleague at Clemson. When the Chargers spent a third draft choice on Hester, ostensibly a fullback, Moody called to reassure Turner that Tolbert still had a place in the Chargers' plans.
Hester figures to inherit the change-of-pace running back role vacated by Michael Turner. Though Tolbert averaged 6.7 yards per carry as a senior with the Chanticleers, he is plainly ticketed for the less glorious lead-blocking gig.
At 5 feet 9, 243 pounds, Mike Tolbert is certainly built to fullback specifications. What sets him apart from the traditional blueprint is respectable footspeed and surprising ball skills.
Rivers recalls remarking on Tolbert's pass-catching ability during their first day together. Chargers running backs coach Ollie Wilson recalls being temporarily disoriented while watching video of Tolbert's 86-yard touchdown run against VMI.
“He showed a lot of athleticism, a lot of change of direction,” Wilson said. “He's 240-some pounds, but he looked like a tailback runner. I said, 'Wait a minute, this is supposed to be a fullback-type guy?' ”
If the level of Tolbert's college competition made scouts skeptical, the level of his play has necessitated no apologies.
“He came in with the idea that the game wasn't too big for him,” Wilson said. “In his lifetime, people have probably said, 'You can't do this.' It's almost to the point where he's stubborn and says, 'I'm going to prove you wrong.' ”
Until he can provide regular-season proof, Mike Tolbert will have to deal with doubt. Happily, opening holes for LaDainian Tomlinson can be as simple as staying out of his way.
“Obviously, there's concern when there is somebody new lining up in front of me,” Tomlinson said. “But I think he'll be just fine. He's a good football player. He has a great attitude. He should have been drafted.”
Where Mike Tolbert leads, LT will follow. Not a bad way to break into pro football.
However, there is a better story. The story of an undrafted free agent out of a small school who has risen to the top of the Fullback depth chart, and will be in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Chargers face the Carolina Panthers. His name, is Mike Tolbert. The 5'9", 243 pound back will be leading the way for LT this year, and he truly is an exciting player. Not only did he distinguish himself with his blocking and running throughout training camp and the preseason, but he also displayed very good hands, and is a real threat to catch the ball, something that's been lacking for some time at this position for the Chargers.
The following, if you're interested, is a copy of an article written by Tim Sullivan from the San Diego Union that gives you a little more information about young Mike Tolbert.
Rookie Tolbert knows role
as Tomlinson's leading man
as Tomlinson's leading man
Mike Tolbert's plan is to lead by following. He will clear the way for LaDainian Tomlinson by sticking to his script, obeying his instructions, and leaving the improvisation to the fellow toting the football.
“I'm not going to get cussed out,” the Chargers' rookie fullback said yesterday. “If I do my job and keep the linebackers and safeties off of (LT), he'll have his best year.”
Undrafted, unheralded and widely unknown, Tolbert knows his place and heeds his playbook. He's not ready to start skipping primary blocks, as Lorenzo Neal sometimes did, to target some tackler farther downfield. He's not yet so in sync with Tomlinson that he can confidently ad-lib at the line of scrimmage.
First things first. The fullback's basic job is to execute, not to extemporize, and Mike Tolbert has followed his orders exactingly enough to become the Chargers' first-string fullback. He is doing as he's been told and, perhaps, more than anyone could have asked.
Barely six months since they released Neal, the Chargers have replaced a four-time Pro Bowl player with a first-year free agent from Coastal Carolina, a school whose football team had never faced a big-time opponent until last Saturday's 66-10 thrashing by Penn State.
Mike Tolbert started at Coastal Carolina in the school's second season of varsity football, and he finished so far off the NFL radar that he barely qualifies as a “reach.” Yet he performed so well during training camp – scoring two touchdowns in 12 preseason touches – that the Chargers were emboldened yesterday to cut veteran Andrew Pinnock in order to create a roster spot for an extra tight end, Kris Wilson.
Pinnock was progressing following knee surgery, but he didn't rehab fast enough to obscure Tolbert's talent.
“Old veterans say, 'Hey, don't let a guy take a lot of reps at your spot.' ” Chargers coach Norv Turner said. “All of a sudden you let someone get those reps and the next thing you know, he looks pretty good and the next thing you know, those reps aren't there anymore.”
Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and rookie running back Jacob Hester will also figure in the fullback picture, but Tolbert's name rests atop the depth chart as the Chargers point toward Sunday's opener against the Carolina Panthers.
He's No. 35 in your program, and No. 1 on the list of surprising Bolts' breakthroughs.
“From three or four days into (camp), you could tell he had an air about him that said, 'This guy gets it,' ” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. “He wasn't overly confident, but he was not shy, either. After the second preseason game, I told him, 'I know your goal is to make this team. It has to be. But get it in the back of your mind that (you) might be on the field opening day.' ”
Agent Joel Turner says he targeted the Chargers with exactly that in mind; that Neal's departure, Pinnock's knee issues and Tomlinson's enduring excellence created not only an opportunity, but a fast track to the Pro Bowl.
“You can be the starting fullback walking in the door,” Turner told his client. “All you've got to do is bust your butt. You don't have to be anybody but you. In their system, with their talent, there's no reason you can't be All-Pro.”
Turner, who was a coach before he became an agent, found an ally in Chargers' scout Darrell Moody, a former colleague at Clemson. When the Chargers spent a third draft choice on Hester, ostensibly a fullback, Moody called to reassure Turner that Tolbert still had a place in the Chargers' plans.
Hester figures to inherit the change-of-pace running back role vacated by Michael Turner. Though Tolbert averaged 6.7 yards per carry as a senior with the Chanticleers, he is plainly ticketed for the less glorious lead-blocking gig.
At 5 feet 9, 243 pounds, Mike Tolbert is certainly built to fullback specifications. What sets him apart from the traditional blueprint is respectable footspeed and surprising ball skills.
Rivers recalls remarking on Tolbert's pass-catching ability during their first day together. Chargers running backs coach Ollie Wilson recalls being temporarily disoriented while watching video of Tolbert's 86-yard touchdown run against VMI.
“He showed a lot of athleticism, a lot of change of direction,” Wilson said. “He's 240-some pounds, but he looked like a tailback runner. I said, 'Wait a minute, this is supposed to be a fullback-type guy?' ”
If the level of Tolbert's college competition made scouts skeptical, the level of his play has necessitated no apologies.
“He came in with the idea that the game wasn't too big for him,” Wilson said. “In his lifetime, people have probably said, 'You can't do this.' It's almost to the point where he's stubborn and says, 'I'm going to prove you wrong.' ”
Until he can provide regular-season proof, Mike Tolbert will have to deal with doubt. Happily, opening holes for LaDainian Tomlinson can be as simple as staying out of his way.
“Obviously, there's concern when there is somebody new lining up in front of me,” Tomlinson said. “But I think he'll be just fine. He's a good football player. He has a great attitude. He should have been drafted.”
Where Mike Tolbert leads, LT will follow. Not a bad way to break into pro football.
What will happen if Merriman does permanent injury in his first game of the season, and is out for his career?
What will people in San Diego say or do in that situation?
What will people in San Diego say or do in that situation?
QUOTE (PatriotofMaine @ Sep 5 2008, 10:57:15 AM) 
What will happen if Merriman does permanent injury in his first game of the season, and is out for his career?
What will people in San Diego say or do in that situation?
What will people in San Diego say or do in that situation?
Well, as we now know, Steve, that didn't happen...at least that we know of. However, with their signing of Tucker prior to the season to a long-term deal, I think the writing was on the wall for Merriman anyhow. The Chargers will not sign him once his contract runs out, and will take the compensatory pick it gets for him. Merriman is one of the better pass rushers in the league, but as a OLB, he's limited in other areas, although he was working on improving that. Tucker is not a bad pass rusher himself, although he likely will not be as good a pass rusher as Merriman, but he will do some of the other things a LB does better than Merriman.
IMO, the Chargers will focus their dollars at other players, rather than Merriman. Rivers and Cromartie, for two are higher priorities for the Chargers than Merriman is, so he will get the Charger's big bucks. They have repeatedly stated they will not be able to sign all of their upcoming FAs, but reportedly have already who the future Chargers are...and who are not...and it's my belief Merriman is not on the "future Charger" list.
Your boy Jyles got his first sack the other day. From what I saw he looks to be pretty good.
Your boy Jyles got his first sack the other day. From what I saw he looks to be pretty good.
Your boy Jyles got his first sack the other day. From what I saw he looks to be pretty good.
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