NFL: Sun Sets on San Diego Draft

By Jason Thomas

After trading the number one overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons, a lot of questions were floating about as to what type of draft the San Diego Chargers would have. After all, they traded away the rights to the greatest athlete in the draft for simply a first and third round pick. Were they going to be satisfied with the type of draft that was left?

Without question they were. The Chargers put together a collection of offensive and defensive talent that will serve as a solid foundation for the future of the organization. According to head Coach Mike Reilly the Chargers feel that their draft was among the most solid of any team in the NFL.

“We are very happy with what we got,” said Reilly. “We feel that the players we selected are a great start to turning around our organization. Coupled with the free agents that we have signed there will be quite a collection of talent in San Diego next year. There is no way that we will be a 1-15 team this season.”

The Chargers began their draft by taking TCU tailback Ladainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is an explosive running back who many considered the best in the draft. Tomlinson had a stellar career at TCU, which included 4,997 yards and 52 touchdowns in just three seasons. He was also the Chargers number one rated player coming into the draft. Reilly feels that by drafting Tomlinson, the Chargers picked up a solid professional for the next decade.

“LT is the type of player that has all the talent to be great in this league,” stated Reilly. “He has size, speed, and overwhelming talent. He is a good running back between the tackles and he can also create several big plays a game. He is a solid talent and we think he was the best player in this entire draft. We think that he will be the player most talked about in this draft in ten years.”

The Chargers then used their second round pick on Purdue quarterback Drew Brees. Brees is the type of quarterback the Chargers say fits perfectly into their system. They feel he will be able to come along slowly under Doug Flutie and learn the complicated Norv Turner system. They feel he is in an ideal situation.

“Drew is perfect for us,” said Reilly. “He has a great knowledge of football and we think that he will be very good within our system. He is in a great place, because he doesn’t have to play immediately. He can learn the system under a veteran and a great player like Doug. When I spoke to Drew he said he was very excited to be here and we are very excited to have him.”

The Chargers then started work on the defensive side of the ball. The Chargers spent their 3rd round pick on Florida State cornerback Tay Cody and their 4th round pick on Nebraska linebacker Carlos Polk. The Chargers feel Cody is a talented athlete and he could become a starter within one year in their defensive system.

The Chargers also stated they plan to move Polk to outside linebacker and use him as an immediate starter. The Chargers wrapped up their defensive work by taking Colorado State linebacker Zeke Moreno (5th round) and Clemson safety Robert Carswell (7th round).

“Every defensive player we took is ready to play football in this league,” said Reilly. “They are all great talents and they are all very accomplished young men. In Tay and Carlos we feel we got a pair of kids that are ready to start. In Robert and Zeke we feel we got two players ready to contribute to this team in whatever way they can. We feel every player we got is going to be great in this league.”

San Diego finished their draft work by selecting a pair of offensive lineman. In Washington’s Elliot Silvers (5th round) and Purdue’s Brandon Gorin (7th round) the Chargers feel they got a pair of bookend tackles that will serve the team well in the future.

“We don’t know if either one of them is ready to start,” said Reilly. “We are going to give them the opportunity to compete though and I believe that is what they want. We feel that both are good football players and both are going to be great football players. They, like everyone else we drafted, just has a lot to learn.”

All of the Chargers draft picks have a lot to learn, however after this draft it is clear that other teams in the NFL have the same to learn from San Diego. As the sun sets in Southern California, the Chargers have taken a big step in turning around their franchise. Not only for 2001, but also for years to come.