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Another season come and gone, but what a season it was. 

It was, by definition, an emotional roller coaster.  It had it all; late game dissapointments (4 losses in final minute), late game triumphs (In KC mainly, ridiculous game), and a huge come back to take the division, a play-off victory over a bitter rival in Indy, and of course the loss to the Steelers. 

This season had a few great individual performences, Philip Rivers breaking Dan Fouts's record for TD passes in a season, and Eric Weddle being the only true bright spot in the secondary collecting 127 tackles, and Vincent Jackson gathering just under 1100 yards (1098).

The Chargers being hampered by injuries all season did not allow them to reach full potential.  Is there any way to know how well Philip Rivers would've played with more consistency along the offensive line or with a run game?  LDT was playing with an injured toe, and when he finally looke healthy and ready to wreck havoc in the play-offs he tears a groin ligament.... talk about bad luck.  Malcolm Floyd the unsung hero, was on a tear before his injury, getting him back will provide a solid 2-3 options at WR for Rivers .Of course how could I leave out maybe the biggest of them all, Shawne Merrimen was out the entire season and it showed, with his presence the Chargers could've been 12-4 (A good pass rush may have prevented 4 last minute game winning drives).  

This off-season provides a lot of potential for the Chargers.  The Chargers have the #16 pick in the draft, and AJ Smith never misses with any pick that is remotely high.  This pick is a luxury.  I have a few suggestions on how to use it:

1. Get a RB to lighten LT's load

LT carried the ball 69.4% of the teams runs, more than good enough to lead the league.  And he has averaged 331 carries a season through out his career, but even with this wear and tear put up over 1100 yards and 11 TD's.  A good back such as Beanie Wells, LeSean McCoy, or Shonn Greene should they be available should be more than good enough to fit this demand.

2. Get an intimidating force at ILB

Stephen Cooper is good, but he is a cover ILB andhas a finese style about him.  A big physical guy with speed like Rey Mauluga or Brandon Spikes would be a perfect compliment to Cooper.

3. A punishing safety

They need a guy to make receivers think twice.  Weddle is a solid player, but he isn't a big hitter just a very good fundamental player.  I have 2 guys I would love to see in the powder blue, Taylor Mays (Please lord, let him slip) and William Moore.  I would prefer Mays, he comes from the Pete Carrol philosophy of "don't let any one beat you deep" which is the kind of mentality the Chargers are lacking.

Also with the Early to mid round draft picks, try to pick up more depth to DE, NT, OLB, RB, and TE.  Players at those positions all have a history of injuries, and it would be nice to have good players fill in if multiple players go down.

This off-season also brings some mystery to it.  Will Norv Turner keep his job?  Well as much as I'v fantasized, please No.  The players are finally beginning to respect him (4-8 and he kept the team together and got them into the play-offs) and understand his philosiphy, desires and expectations on the field.  The Chargers brought him in for a specific purpose, to win play-off games, and he does have a winning record in the post season (3-2).  And the thing the Chargers player need right now is continuity, yanking another coach they like is going to create bad blood and resentment for anyone who takes the job to deal with.

 I forsee a Phenominal year next year.  I honestly think with LT, Merrimen, Floyd, and a fairly high draft pick all ready to go along with the emergence of Vincent Jackson and Philip Rivers as a great QB/WR duo this team could be 14-15 win caliber and a possible Superbowl appearence is not out of the question.

 It was a great year, and I'm looking forward to another one next season.