Do/Will the Chargers Need to Draft a QB?

[georgiafan]

Phillip Rivers is now 30 and over the last 2 years has went from a top 5/10 QB to average. The team hasn't made the playoffs in a few years and after this year there has to be a new coach brought in and maybe even a GM. I'm not sure what his contract looks like but any chance they bring in a new QB?

[descendency]

I think they will definitely spend a pick on a QB, because a new coach/GM will want his guy playing.

However, I'm not sure this will be a first (or second) round pick.

I'm 100% confident that whoever comes in as the new guy to run the organization will want his QB somewhere on the team.

[keylime_5]

No, Rivers is good. They need a new coaching staff/GM and some help around him. Their WRs/TEs went from elite to average in the past few years. Gates is kinda washed up, Jackson is gone. Floyd is not a #1. Neither is Meachum. 30 isn't that old for a QB of Rivers' caliber. It's not like he had a ton of arm strength or something and is losing it.

[bigbuc]

Rivers was QB of a team with LT, Sproles, Turner, Jackson, Gates ( when great ) Hardwick, Dielman and McNeill

That's 3 pro bowl linemen, 1 pro bowl WR and 3 pro bowl Rb's ( 1 who's also the best 3rd down back in the league )

It's not that Rivers isn't any good... His team isn't any good.

[RCSooner]

I think the head coaching and the front office in San Diego may explain Rivers' struggles. He's still a top 10 quarterback in the league.

[Scott Wright]

Philip Rivers is the least of the Chargers problems.

Perhaps San Diego should try not letting his top weapons leave with no compensation?

[bigbluedefense]

Rivers is not the problem. I'd be shocked if San Diego drafts a quarterback.

[dmoneyrockin]

I wouldn't say it's a major need that should be addressed in the first round, but I could see them taking a QB in 3/4 area in preparation. For the future.

[dmoneyrockin]

I can't see them taking a QB in the first round. However, I could see them taking a QB in the 3/4th round area with an eye towards the future.

[Hurricanes25]

He needs some talent around him. It's cray what that team looked like a few years ago compared to now. Give the man some weapons.

[killxswitch]

I am annoyed by Rivers but he is a good QB. His HC and especially his GM should be fired. AJ Smith is terrible. So many bad decisions lead to ruining what was once an excellent, super-talented team. I'm thrilled at the prospect of Bill Polian and AJ Smith getting canned in consecutive years.

[b316]

He is no Manning, turning poo into gold. He is capable when he has some talent around him. But he seems off this year.

[BeerBaron]

More than anything else, I think the Chargers letting both Sproles and Tolbert get away has been one of the biggest problems for Rivers. Those guys were sure handed dump off targets and the Chargers failed to produce anyone to take their place.

Gates decline and letting Jackson get away have also contributed, but not having the check down option who can make plays is a big issue too.

Also, Danario Alexander has been coming on for the Chargers of late. If he finishes the season strong, he might be looked at as a sleeper #1 WR for them headed into next year.

[bigbuc]

If Miami lets Long go SD should jump all over that. Also moving down and drafting a OG or OT is a must. Rivers needs a clean pocket. Another player SD should look at is Tavon Austin. He can be that check down / slot player.

[descendency]

If SD fires AJ Smith, Rivers job will be in jeopardy. When you fire a decision maker, the QB is almost always replaced (or they bring in a replacement who fails to win the job). The exceptions are super rare.

[WCH]

When you have a 31 year old QB who's struggled for the past two seasons and the backup is Charlie Whitehurst, you probably draft a QB. Not necessarily an early-round guy, but somebody you can develop.

[Duffman57]

I'm gonna bring out the stats on this one.

Someone else dug these up so i'm not 100% sure where they came from...but

Phillip Rivers average release time for the ball is 4 seconds...not bad

The average time from snap to when he is pressured, is 4.5 seconds...

And the average time from snap to sack on the plays that he is sacked, is 2.5 seconds...

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME????????? Thats the freaking AVERAGE sack time...meaning they'v eprobably gotten there in as fast as 1.5 seconds...thats just not acceptable for ANYONE in the league...let alone when your playing with maybe the most immobile QB in the game.

No we will not draft a QB. Yes we will draft a lineman....

Weapons actually haven't been the problem this year Scott. It didn't help. What hurt us most was downgrading from PB form Gaither/McNeil and Dielman last year to UDFA rook Mike Harris and Tyronne Green.

[SchizophrenicBatman]

It's time to move on.

By the time the Chargers are good again, Rivers will be mid 30s. He already had no mobility and probably leads the league in sack/fumbles every year.

They need to look at drafting a replacement. They have the opportunity to be selective, but it absolutely should be on the board for them.

[Duffman57]

Originally Posted by bigbuc

If Miami lets Long go SD should jump all over that. Also moving down and drafting a OG or OT is a must. Rivers needs a clean pocket. Another player SD should look at is Tavon Austin. He can be that check down / slot player.

We already have Eddie Royal, as that guy, he's just been hurt.

People cant forget that Meachem, Matthews, Vincent Brown, Royal, Gaither among others have been hurt nearly all year, either with just being banged up, or with serious injuries.

[bigbuc]

Originally Posted by Duffman57

We already have Eddie Royal, as that guy, he's just been hurt.

People cant forget that Meachem, Matthews, Vincent Brown, Royal, Gaither among others have been hurt nearly all year, either with just being banged up, or with serious injuries.

Matthews is always hurt so you have to most likely draft a RB to back him up.
Meachem has been somewhat of a FA bust
Brown was hurt all year
Royal is no where near the player Austin is. Maybe you're thinking of that rookie season he had
And Gaither is a 6 foot 9 345 pound guy with a bad back... you want to give him a big contract?

[y.f.s.]

Originally Posted by WCH

When you have a 31 year old QB who's struggled for the past two seasons and the backup is Charlie Whitehurst, you probably draft a QB. Not necessarily an early-round guy, but somebody you can develop.

Exactly.

Rivers is a problem, but he's not THE problem or the root of the problem. He needs certain things to be successful and they just don't have that. Developmental QB is needed because its likely Rivers will be washed up by the time the talent around him in at an acceptable level.

[Jack203]

Rivers is currently playing at an avg to slightly below avg QB play.

He is only getting older, and is simply not good enough to take the Chargers anywhere.

They'll draft a QB this year, almost definitely. It might not be a high pick.

[bornnraisedwhodat]

Phillip has had some issues, but it truly is not all on him. I can think of a good 10 teams that would run at the chance of taking Phillip (2 of them in their own division). They dont need another Drew Brees situation. Get that guy a good run game and a good head coach, some offensive line help and they would be ok. I dont see anyone in this year's draft that can outplay Rivers.

[georgiafan]

Originally Posted by bigbuc

Rivers was QB of a team with LT, Sproles, Turner, Jackson, Gates ( when great ) Hardwick, Dielman and McNeill

That's 3 pro bowl linemen, 1 pro bowl WR and 3 pro bowl Rb's ( 1 who's also the best 3rd down back in the league )

It's not that Rivers isn't any good... His team isn't any good.

And if he cant win a superbowl with all that talent then why do you think he can do it now when he not at his peak and doesnt have the talent around him? If you don't think he can win the superbowl then you need to atleast be bringing someone in that you think can take over for him in a few years.

[San Diego Chicken]

No. The problem is the offensive scheme. He's been running it for years and everyone has it figured out.