NFL Betting: San Diego Chargers Notable
Offseason Moves
The San Diego Chargers made high-profile
additions at three positions, bolstering their roster and giving
their fan base hope that they can regain a measure of success in the
AFC West.
2013
Super Bowl Odds: +2150
Notable Change #1:
The Chargers waged many a playoff battle
against Dwight Freeney when the outside pass rusher was a member of
the Indianapolis Colts, a frequent postseason competitor in the
American Football Conference. Now, though, Freeney will wear a
lightning bolt instead of a horseshoe on his helmet, an abrupt turn
of events for one of football’s best players over the past decade.
Lindsay Jones of USA Today wrote this in an article from June
3: “Even though Freeney has yet to practice, or even receive a
jersey number (the No. 93 he wore in Indianapolis is currently owned
by fourth-year defensive tackle Cam Thomas), the Chargers have begun
to envision how he'll affect their defense. Freeney spent most of his
career as a defensive end, but learned to play outside linebacker
last season as the Indianapolis Colts shifted to a 3-4 system under
coach Chuck Pagano, whose brother, John, runs San Diego's defense.
‘With what Pagano is going to do, and what our defense is going to
do. He'll be fine,’ McCoy said. ‘We're not going to limit him.’"
“Freeney figures to be a starter immediately,
replacing second-year outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, who tore his
ACL last month. The Chargers had hoped Ingram, a first-round pick in
2012, would fill the pass rushing void left by the departure of
veteran Shaun Phillips. Instead, they landed Freeney, whose stint as
a free agent lasted longer than most anticipated.”
Notable Change #2:
The Chargers’
top need is on their offensive line, and the team addressed that
point of need by landing left tackle Max Starks. Dan Hanzus of
NFL.com had this to say on May 21: “Starks fills a huge need
for the Chargers, who have major talent and depth issues up
front. Starks stands a very good chance to displace King
Dunlap as San Diego's starting left tackle. First-round draft
pick D.J. Fluker will start on the opposite side of the
line. Starks, 31, spent the last five seasons protecting Ben
Roethlisberger's blind side with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Starks
played every snap last season, but he was not re-signed as
the Steelers looked to get more athletic at the position.
The Steelers wouldn't have let Starks get away if they
thought his best football was still ahead of him. Nevertheless, he's
a substantial upgrade for the Chargers, who should consider
themselves lucky they had a competent option on the market this late
in the game.”
Notable Change #3:
The Chargers pried cornerback Derek Cox away
from the Jacksonville Jaguars, thereby shoring up their secondary.
Cox will step into a division with Peyton Manning and Alex Smith, so
he’s likely to add a needed dimension to San Diego’s back line of
defense. Cox’s main limitation has been his propensity to absorb
injuries. If he can stay on the field, though, he’ll help the
Chargers.
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2013-14 NFL season.
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