All-Time Playoff Record: 7-12
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Strengths:
The Chargers feature a balanced attack on offense led by quarterback Drew Brees and running back LaDainian Tomlinson. But the facet that makes this offense really multi-dimensional is the ability of tight end Antonio Gates to make the big plays.
Defenses have a tough time keying on, and taking away, any one area of the Chargers attack. With Gates taking his game up a couple notches, teams can't afford to move a safety into the box to stop Tomlinson, one of the premier backs in the league.And with a solid receiving corps, combined with Gates' big-play ability and Tomlinson's superb skills as a receiver, defenses are flirting with disaster if they decide to bring the blitz.
On defense, the Chargers front seven has been nothing short of spectacular when it comes to stopping the run. The linemen are strong at the point of attack and the linebackers have good range and toughness. In fact, Donnie Edwards may just be the most underrated inside linebacker in the league.
Weaknesses:
As good as the Chargers defensive line has been against the run, they really don't get much push at all, and they rarely pressure the opposing quarterback. Their secondary is by far the weak point of the defense, so I would expect teams to attack through the air to try to open things up for the run instead of vice versa.
Overview:
There's no doubt the Chargers are the surprise team of the 2004 season, and they have the potential to win it all behind a strong run defense and a balanced offensive attack. However, they could be susceptible to a potent passing attack if their secondary doesn't play a little more consistently.In my opinion, the Chargers will make it through the first round, but pulling out a win in Pittsburgh or Foxboro in the middle of January could be too much to ask for. Either way, this team has made tremendous strides over the last year, and for a change, their immediate future looks bright.
Team Roster:
Offense
9 Drew Brees QB
7 Doug Flutie QB
12 Cleo Lemon QB
17 Philip Rivers QB
24 Jesse Chatman RB
41 Lorenzo Neal RB
34 Andrew Pinnock RB
21 LaDainian Tomlinson RB
33 Michael Turner RB
87 Tim Dwight WR
13 Malcom Floyd WR
86 Keenan McCardell WR
81 Kassim Osgood WR
88 Eric Parker WR
83 Bobby Shaw WR
85 Antonio Gates TE
89 Ryan Krause TE
84 Justin Peelle TE
50 David Binn C
65 David Brandt C
61 Nick Hardwick C
72 Roman Oben OT
68 Kris Dielman OG
77 Toniu Fonoti OG
79 Mike Goff OG
62 Bob Hallen OG
75 Leander Jordan OG
70 Shane Olivea OG
Defense
90 Adrian Dingle DE
99 Igor Olshansky DE
94 Robert Pollard DE
74 Jacques Cesaire DT
93 Eric Downing DT
92 Jason Fisk DT
78 DeQuincy Scott DT
76 Jamal Williams DT
54 Stephen Cooper LB
59 Donnie Edwards LB
53 Steve Foley LB
58 Randall Godfrey LB
51 Ben Leber LB
95 Shaun Phillips LB
56 Matt Wilhelm LB
22 Sammy Davis CB
25 Jamar Fletcher CB
29 Drayton Florence CB
23 Quentin Jammer CB
45 Robb Butler S
42 Clinton Hart S
48 Terrence Kiel S
31 Hanik Milligan S
20 Jerry Wilson S
Kicker/Punter
10 Nate Kaeding K
5 Mike Scifres P
Coaching Staff
Marty Schottenheimer – Head Coach
Cam Cameron – Offensive Coordinator
Wade Phillips – Defensive Coordinator
