Jake Roth-USA Today Sports
The San Diego Chargers ranked 20th in points per game, 22nd in receiving yards, 30th in yards per reception, 31st in yards per rushing attempt and were tied for last in the NFL with four rushing touchdowns.
San Diego’s front office named former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy as the team’s head coach. Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was named the team’s offensive coordinator.
Denver ranked 16th, 12th and sixth in yards per play in 2009, 2010 and 2012 with McCoy as their offensive coordinator. The Pittsburgh Steelers ranked 10th and seventh in yards per play with Whisenhunt as their offensive coordinator in 2005 and 2006.
San Diego’s key to being dominant on offense again will depend on improvement to the offensive line. San Diego’s offensive line allowed 49 sacks in 2012, and only three teams allowed more than them.
Ryan Mathews is capable of being a big key to San Diego improving their rushing attack because he averaged 4.9 yards per attempt in 2011, but he also averaged a career-low 3.8 yards per attempt in 2012.
If San Diego is able to get the right pieces to put together their puzzle, McCoy and Whisenhunt will revive an offense that ranked first in total yards in 2010, and sixth in yards per play in 2011.
I expect the offensive line problems to be solved in the 2013 NFL Draft. There are free agent wide receivers like Wes Welker, Dwayne Bowe or Greg Jennings who could help San Diego’s receiving game.
San Diego’s front office had to make improvements on their offensive coaching staff and they did this by signing McCoy and Whisenhunt to deals.
There is still work to be done by going after free agents and selecting dependable offensive linemen, but San Diego’s front office is headed in the right direction.
