Last Updated on August 11, 2010 1:39 pm by Anthony Rome
Chargers Season Odds
The San Diego Chargers haven’t been able to get over the postseason hump over the last couple of years, but they’re hoping that the offseason moves they made will change all that.
This past offseason, the Bolts parted ways with their long-time fixture at running back in LaDainian Tomlinson. They also traded troubled cornerback Antonio Cromartie to the same team that LT wound up with – the New York Jets. Safety Kevin Ellison got the boot as well, after he ran into some off-field legal problems.
To help compensate for the loss of Cromartie, the Chargers signed former Chicago Bears’ cornerback Nathan Vasher. The team also added tight end Randy McMichael and receiver Josh Reed, who were both free agents.
In other offseason needs, the Chargers addressed their biggest offseason need with the selection of Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews in the first round. San Diego coughed up a couple of draft picks in order to move up in Round 1 to take Matthews, but it got a big, physical runner that should be their franchise back for years to come.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com currently list the Chargers at 10/1 to win the 2011 Super Bowl and are +450 on the money line to win the AFC. They’re also –300 on the money line to win the AFC West and have a season win total of 11 games this season.
There’s no doubt that the Chargers are the class of the AFC West, but they also face a ton of questions heading into the new season. After losing both Cromartie and Ellison, do they have enough pieces in the secondary for the defense to hold its own? Can Darrell Stuckey hold down the strong safety position? Can Vasher (who will see time in nickel and/or dime packages) pick up his game after years of struggling in Chicago?
The other issue is that Vincent Jackson and Shawne Merriman are in the midst of contract battles with the team and neither has decided to report to camp yet. Seeing as how promising youngster Larry English is Merriman’s backup, Jackson is the bigger concern here. In terms of pass-catching, a deep threat and run-blocking, no receiver in the league was more productive than Jackson last year. He was outstanding and if San Diego’s passing game is going to be as explosive as it was last year, then they need Jackson.
That said, Philip Rivers has emerged as an elite quarterback in the NFL and he still has some quality targets in tight end Antonio Gates and receiver Malcom Floyd. While a lengthy absence by Jackson (who also has to serve a suspension at the start of the season) would hurt, it might not be crippling if other players step up.
2011 Super Bowl Odds: San Diego Chargers 10/1
Odds to win AFC: San Diego Chargers +450
Odds to win AFC West: San Diego Chargers –300
2010 NFL Regular Season Win Totals: San Diego Chargers O/U 11
Posted: 8/11/10 1:40PM ET