| Christopher Reina. 27th March, 2009 - 11:18 am
 Record: 8-8
Trench Counter: +2.4 (11th)
Point differential per game: +5.8 (7th)
Payroll: $111.8 (19th)
Cost Per Win: $14.0 (8th)
Passing offense: 241.1 (7th)
Rushing offense: 107.9 (20th)
Passing defense: 247.4 (31st)
Rushing defense: 102.6 (11th)
Turnover differential: +0.25
Strength of schedule: 31st
If their season were a song: ’Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect’ The Decembrists
Game-by-Game (Score, Trench Counter)
Week 1: CAR, 24-26 Loss, +1.8
Week 2: @ DEN, 38-39 Loss, -0.8
Week 3: NYJ, 48-29 Win, +12.2
Week 4: @ OAK, 28-18 Win, +8.4
Week 5: @ MIA, 10-17 Loss, -15.3
Week 6: NE, 30-10 Win, +17
Week 7: @ BUF, 14-23 Loss, -13.6
Week 8: @ NO, 32-37 Loss, -5.4
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: KC, 20-19 Win, -2.1
Week 11: @ PIT, 10-11 Loss, -3.4
Week 12: IND, 20-23 Loss, +6.6
Week 13: ATL, 16-22 Loss, -10.8
Week 14: OAK, 34-7 Win, +26.1
Week 15: @ KC, 22-21 Win, -5.6
Week 16: @ TB, 41-24 Win, +11.6
Week 17: DEN, 52-21 Win, +10.9
Season Summary
Though the Chargers had an 8-8 record, they did have the 7th best point differential in the NFL and had the misfortune of losing six games by five or fewer points.
The Chargers were ranked 2nd in points scored, but were relatively modest defensively with a 15th ranking in that category.
Reina Value and FIC Rank
Quarterback
- Philip Rivers (5th, 925, 57%)
Rivers led the NFL in passer rating with a mark of 105.5 and the Chargers really became his team for the first time. He lowered his interception percentage back down to 2006 levels, while completing 65.3% of his pass attempts. Anytime a quarterback throws for 7.4 yards per pass attempt or better as he did in 2008, his team will move the chains and put up points.
Running Backs
- LaDainian Tomlinson (8th, [370 rushing, 284 receiving], -35%)
Tomlinson was a 5.2 yards per carry rusher in 2006 when he scored an insane 28 rushing touchdowns and another three via the pass, oh and two via his own pass attempts. Then in 2007, he was a still productive 4.7 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns, but he dropped to 3.8 in 2008. One of Tomlinson’s two 100-yard games came in a game I covered at Oakland and 41 of those 106 yards came on a touchdown at the very end of the game that was one of the worst defensive plays I saw in all of 2008. He played banged up, so with a full offseason to heal and a lighter 2009 workload, I can see his numbers nudge back up.
- Darren Sproles (34th, [124 rushing, 234 receiving], 58%)
Sproles nearly had his carries doubled with Michael Turner gone and Tomlinson not himself, rushing 61 times for 330 yards. His 5.4 yards per carry average is of course excellent, but is clearly tied to usage and the timing of that usage. He isn’t an every down back and the Chargers realize this. Sproles also caught 29 balls for 342 yards, five touchdowns to go with a dynamic presence in the return game.
Wide Receivers
- Vincent Jackson (12th, 690, 687%)
Jackson had a true bust-out season, eclipsing the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time in his career, catching 59 balls for 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns. His 18.6 yards per reception average helped the Chargers use the vertical game.
- Chris Chambers (61st, 310, -67%)
Chambers was limited in 2008 due to injury, but he still had a 14.0 yards per reception average in his 33 receptions.
- Malcolm Floyd (66th, 301, 238%)
Floyd became a nice, big alternative target for Rivers, catching 27 balls for 465 yards and four touchdowns after being almost a non-factor in his first three seasons in San Diego.
Tight End
- Antonio Gates (6th, 486, -2%)
Gates is still a dangerous tight end, but he has really tapered off from his impact on the game. He caught just 60 balls for 704 yards (11.7 average), all of which were his lowest outputs since he was a rookie in 2003. Unquestionably, Gates has been slowed down by injuries.
Defensive Summary
Shawne Merriman missed the entire season, which took a lot of the juice out of San Diego's defense, which was clearly bad against the pass (247.4 yards per game), but perhaps not that bad (6.3 yards per attempt, which was 21st in the NFL). Jyles Tucker, Merriman's replacement had 5.5 sacks and Shaun Phillips had another solid season with 7.5 sacks and 52 tackles.
Biggest draft needs
Even though they retained both Tomlinson and Sproles, running back will still be a position of need long-term since both of those backs have clear flaws.
The Chargers also need to address defensive tackle, outside linebacker and the offensive line.
A.J. Smith tends to like players that can make an immediate impact and are essentially the best player available.
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