Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft
Grabbing a 'corner'-stone
Chargers do the right thing by taking Jammer
By Mike Holbrook, Managing editor of special projects
April 20, 2002
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| Can you hear the cheering from San Diego? Talk about excited. The
Chargers are the first beneficiaries of the Lions’ decision to take Joey Harrington
at No. 3 because that dropped Texas CB Quentin Jammer in their laps at No. 5. Most mock
drafts had Jammer going to the Lions at No. 3 and there was talk that if he slipped past
that spot that Buffalo at No. 4 would be inundated with trade offers by teams interested
in picking Jammer. When that didn’t happen and the Bills chose Texas OT Mike
Williams, the celebrating began in San Diego.
Chargers general manager John Butler knows that if San Diego wants to be competitive in
the new AFC West, they will have to be able to defend the pass. That’s why he zeroed
in on Jammer as his top target in this year’s draft and that’s why he’s got
to be thrilled to get his man.
Look at the competition the Chargers must face in the rugged AFC West — the
Raiders have QB Rich Gannon and WRs Tim Brown and Jerry Rice. The Broncos have QB Brian
Griese along with WRs Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey and Rob Moore. And don’t forget the
Chiefs. They’ve got QB Trent Green along with TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Johnnie Morton.
As a result, Butler and the Chargers know that if they want to win their division, they
need players who can cover those talented receivers. Pairing Jammer, the best cover corner
in the draft, along with Pro Bowler Ryan McNeil vaults the Chargers to a potentially elite
secondary. Add in nickel corner Tay Cody, another youngster with a big upside, and you
have suddenly turned a weakness into a strength.
Besides Butler, I’ve got to think that new head coach Marty Schottenheimer, a
defense-first coach, is extremely pleased with this pick. Now the Chargers have the
foundation of a formidable defense. Think about it. DE Marcellus Wiley is a Pro Bowl
talent. The other DE, Raylee Johnson, came back from injury in a big way last year. MLB
Junior Seau is still the heart and soul of the San Diego defense, and SS Rodney Harrison
is a punishing hitter from the secondary.
If the San Diego offense can hold up its end of the bargain, the Chargers look to be
much improved this season. |
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