Chargers thankful for depth

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Tuesday, Aug 28, 2007
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

As the Chargers approach their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday night, the Bolts starters will play very little. However, that doesn’t mean that fans won’t see players who are sure to make significant contributions to the roster this fall.

“People assume it’s only rookies and first and second-year guys,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “There are a lot of guys that I get a chance to evaluate and watch play almost an entire game. They are guys who will be counted on.”

The starters will exit early, but that will give players like linebacker Marques Harris, guard Scott Mruczkowski and defensive end Ryon Bingham a chance to get on the field and excel, just like they did last fall.

“There is going to come a time when your team needs you,” Bingham said. “You just have to step up. We all prepare like we’re starters. Getting to really contribute last year was a blast. It motivates you and pushes you through the offseason. You know you’re going to have a chance to help.”

General Manager A.J. Smith places a priority on depth, and as significant as it was that the Chargers sent 11 players to the Pro Bowl a year ago, it is also strongly noted they won multiple games with starters on the sideline.

When Igor Olshansky missed three games with a knee injury last fall and Luis Castillo missed six with a bum ankle, Jacques Cesaire and Bingham filled in. When Shawne Merriman missed four games and Shaun Phillips missed two, it was Harris and Carlos Polk that were called upon to keep the team’s win streak alive. While many teams pay lip service to the importance of depth, the Chargers have experienced it and thrived on it.

“We’ve got outstanding depth,” Turner said. “Sometimes you kid yourself about having outstanding depth. These are guys that have come in and played, played successfully and made plays.”

The Bolts saw that hold true when guard Kris Dielman had to sit out a Week 12 game against Oakland and Mruczkowski played admirably in his place. The same can be said for the job that Cory Withrow did in Cincinnati when Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick was forced out of the game.

It’s already played true this preseason. As linebacker Matt Wilhelm has missed time, second-year pro Tim Dobbins has had an opportunity to show his coaches that he can be counted on. With wide receiver Eric Parker sidelined while recovering from a foot operation, young players like Malcom Floyd, Craig Davis and Legedu Naanee have stepped in admirably. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson has watched as perhaps the NFL’s best backup Michael Turner has carried the load.

“There are a lot of guys on this team who could be starters elsewhere but they’ve just patiently waited their turns,” fullback Lorenzo Neal said. “You look at guys like Michael Turner and Andrew Pinnock. They’re really good players that help us every week. Our management has done a great job of lining guys up so that we’re not too affected when someone has to step up. We’ve seen that happen time and time again.”

Big 10

Turner said that most of his starters will play approximately 10 snaps Thursday so the top units have one more opportunity to form some cohesiveness as the regular season approaches.

“I’m interested in getting them a few more snaps together, getting the offensive line playing together,” Turner said. “I’d just like to have a good 10 to 12-play series or two series with our first defensive group and clean up some of the things in the secondary.”

It’s still uncertain whether or not Matt Wilhelm will be part of that group. Wilhelm has missed all three preseason with a calf injury but practiced for the second-consecutive day Tuesday.

“He moved around pretty well,” Turner said. “I’m going to get with (Head Athletic Trainer) James Collins and if he feels that there is any risk, we won’t play him.”

The only players who missed Tuesday’s work were defensive tackle Brandon McKinney (ankle), running back Michael Turner (ankle) and defensive end Ryon Bingham (foot). Bingham does expect to play Thursday.

Wide receiver Craig Davis did practice Tuesday and Turner would like to see the team’s top pick play against San Francisco. Davis had four wisdom teeth removed last Thursday and is still feeling the effects of the operation.

“He’s still very sore and his jaw is very swollen,” Turner said. “Today was the first day he could put a helmet on because his jaw was so swollen. He practiced, but you could tell he’s missed a few days.”

Friendly fire

49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan expects his starters to play about the same amount the Bolts’ first-teamers do, and that leaves Chargers safety Eric Weddle praying for a few 3^rd-and-long situations.

Weddle works as the “dime” safety with the first-team defense, and a third down would give him the chance to get on the field against his good friend and former college teammate Alex Smith.

Quarterback business

Once Philip Rivers exits in the first quarter, Billy Volek will take over at quarterback and play roughly one quarter. Charlie Whitehurst will handle the remainder of the snaps.

Volek has had a stellar preseason, going 29-of-44 passing for 327 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Turner has also been pleased with what he’s seen from Whitehurst in practice and wants to get him plenty of game action Thursday.

Roster move

In order to get their roster to the league-mandated 75 Tuesday, the Chargers placed guard Erik Robertson on “Reserve-Injured.”

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