Los Angeles Chargers: Offensive line is still a question mark
I’ve been watching Rivers play since he entered the NFL back in 2004 as a fresh-faced rookie out of North Carolina State. One of the most entertaining gunslingers around, he constantly amazes by pulling off plays that appear destined to end in disaster.
However, last year was just awful. He led the NFL in interceptions, throwing 21 passes that were caught by opposing teams. It was the culmination of something that he’s largely been able to overcome throughout his career — a lack of protection from his offensive line.
Philip Rivers hasn’t had one season of above average pass protection in the last decade, according to @PFF
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) June 26, 2017
Now at the age of 35, Rivers can’t move as well as he used to move — not that he was ever Cam Newton-esque to begin with. And the offensive line is still a big question mark. Granted, general manager Tom Telesco finally invested some smart draft capital to land offensive guards Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney. Lamp could be a star right out of the gate at right guard. Feeney is at worst a solid backup.
The real issue lies on the edge. It’s true that left tackle Russell Okung had a big season last year in Denver. Who knows? Maybe he’ll have another great season in Los Angeles. But Okung has been perpetually injured throughout his career. On the right side, Joe Barksdale was awful last season but remains the best option going forward unless Lamp is bumped outside and Feeney moves into a starting role.