Fansided

One silver lining for every team that missed the playoffs

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) runs onto the field before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett (22) runs onto the field before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. Kansas City won 33-3. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

San Diego Chargers (4-12)

Jason Verrett emerged as a star.

The San Diego Chargers are one of three teams on this list that submitted an application for relocation to Los Angeles, and of the three their situation might be the most dire. For those unfamiliar with the details of the potential LA stadium project, here’s a quick rundown:

  • There are two current proposals for stadiums being built in Los Angeles: (1) a shared stadium in Carson, CA for the Chargers and Oakland Raiders, and (2) a stadium in Inglewood, California for the St. Louis Rams
  • All three teams applied for relocation on Monday, and on next Tues-Wed the NFL’s finance and stadium committees will hear pitches for both stadiums. In their history all three have been located in LA, but for the Chargers this was only during the first year of their existence, 1960.
  • The committees will make a recommendation to the owners, and at least 24 owners must vote to allow the relocation.

The impact of the team’s failures in 2015 were compounded by the specter of relocation. In spite of veteran quarterback Philip Rivers enjoying another stellar season, the Chargers were sunk by injuries, poor defensive play and shaky coaching by Mike McCoy, who the team chose to retain for next year.

So, either the Chargers abandon San Diego, or they return fundamentally broken. Yeesh.

If there is one positive takeaway for the Chargers, it has been the emergence of Jason Verrett. The second year cornerback has matched up and blanketed some of the best wide receivers in the league, including the Lions’ Calvin Johnson (2 rec-39 yds), Bengals’ A.J. Green (3-45-1 TD), Steelers’ Antonio Brown (6-45) and Chiefs’ Jeremy Maclin (3-29, then 6-68).

When he’s on the field, Verrett is the best Chargers defender. He’s a top five cover corner, and one of the few elements of the defense that gives the team an advantage.

Next: Dallas Cowboys

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