 |
 |
 |
|
While Chris Chambers' exit signals the beginning of a purge in Miami, it could mean the start of something big for San Diego.
For years the criticism of the Chargers has been that they didn't have a credible outside threat at wide receiver. Well, now they do. Now they have a 29-year-old potential star who once hauled down 82 passes and has 15 100-yard performances on his resume.
|
|
| Chris Chambers: Just what the Chargers need? (US Presswire) |
Chambers was going nowhere in Miami, where the Dolphins have given up on the season, but he could -- no, should -- flourish in San Diego, and here's why:
First, the Chargers have a far superior team and a far superior quarterback situation. Second, they're pushing for the playoffs, which means he should be reinvigorated. Third, and most important, Chambers has been involved with coach Norv Turner's system when Turner was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator.
"The system is a bonus," said San Diego general manager A.J. Smith. "Plus, we have a bye."
Critics contend the Chargers gave up too much in a second-round pick, but I disagree. When you need something -- especially when you think you need something to take you to the next level -- you do what you can to acquire it.
That's why the New York Giants paid a stiff ransom in 2004 for Eli Manning. They had a conviction about him.
And the Chargers' Smith has a conviction about Chambers. He's not concerned about his team's record this season; he simply wants to win the AFC West and reach the playoffs. The Chargers already were the favorite in their division because of an abundance of talent, but this move just clinched a playoff berth.
It makes them better on the outside, which should make them better pushing the ball inside with LaDainian Tomlinson.
Opponents have stacked the box this season against San Diego, daring the Chargers to beat them with Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson, and the results have been mixed. But the arrival of Chambers will force opponents to respect him, which means one or two fewer obstacles in the path of Tomlinson, and you figure out what that means.
Chambers' acquisition is the latest bold move by Smith, and he made it shortly after putting receiver Eric Parker on injured reserve. Parker hadn't played all season, and Smith was determined to improve the club at potentially vulnerable spots.
He just succeeded.
"Chris Chambers is very, very durable," Smith said, "and he's very, very productive. This is all about Chris Chambers. We had an opportunity to pursue him due to the direction Miami is pursuing, and it happened. It's unrelated to Parker. This is about Chris Chambers, not Eric Parker."
The Chambers' move is reminiscent of a 2004 trade Smith made as the Chargers drove for the playoffs. Then they picked up wide receiver Keenan McCardell in a deal with Tampa Bay, and he went on to help them to their first division title in years.
McCardell was older, and he was not as good as Chambers. But the Chargers had virtually nothing on the outside, so his addition was critical to the team's post-season drive.
This move is critical, too, strengthening an already strong San Diego club in an area where it was deficient. The Chargers must have felt they needed something more to push into the stratosphere that Indianapolis and New England occupy, and this will do nothing but help them.