Preseason Week 1 - San Diego Chargers

Written by Chris Sullivan | 15 August 2009

Alright folks, the season gets underway today. What are you watching for? Here's my list:

• Aaron Curry: How comfortable will Curry look dropping back into coverage? What about stopping the run? Can he effectively rush the passer when asked to play end? I expect Curry to look decent tonight, make a few nice tackles and maybe a big play, but I don't expect him to look like a superstar yet. He's only been practicing with the team for one week.

• Defensive Line: How does Cory Redding look in an actual game? Can he live up to his size and training camp hype? Will Colin Cole prove to be the stalwart one-tech monster we are all counting on him becoming, or will he look mediocre as he did in much of his time in Green Bay? We think we have Brandon Mebane figured out, but we have not seen him at three-technique tackle in a game situation. Can he live up to the promise?  Tapp and LoJack are perhaps the most important guys to watch as they are both going to see significant playing time this year, but could end up getting pushed by Atkins if they disappoint.  Beyond that, I am watching Red Bryant, Baraka Atkins and little Nick Reed to see how they're all progressing.
• Offensive Line: I don't expect them to play very well tonight, but I will be looking to see the lanes opened up for the running backs and the pass protection. Max Unger will be getting substantial playing time, but Rob Sims might be the guy to watch tonight. Sims has been a warrior in camp thus far, but its time for him to show it when it matters, something he's had issues with in the past. Can Vallos step up and prove he's the #2 center? I have my doubts, but I hope to see him kill it today!
• Houshmandzadeh - Hasselbeck connection: We won't get a good chance to see it, but I expect at least a few attempts Housh's way. I want to see how Hasselbeck looks when he's looking for Housh, whether he appears comfortable or a little apprehensive. He has made no bones about the fact that he is not there yet, that all the WRs are different and it's taking awhile to learn them all. While Housh is an upgrade from Bobby Engram age and skill-wise, that won't necessarily matter if our QB can't get him the ball. I'm not too worried about that, but a few solid plays would put my mind further at ease.
• Josh Wilson and Kelly Jennings: We haven't talked much about it yet, but Kelly Jennings has actually had a very good camp. John Morgan over at Fieldgulls even suggested Jennings might win Trufant's starting job opposite Ken Lucas (sounds like a sitcom, Kelly and Kenny). I'm not sure about all of that, but if Jennings has learned to put his wittle feewings in his back pocket, I think we might just see a reemergence of Jennings. It's funny how we have three good but not great CBs, but the battle between them just gets more and more interesting.
• Julius Jones: I don't dislike Julius Jones, I don't harbor ill-will for him, and I don't think he's going to fail. I'm just not sold on his ability to succeed. If Jones has a poor performance today, and Duckett / Forsett really show up, what will that mean for this team in the longer run? Will we get a chance to see Forsett early on as a third-down back, or will he just get carries against the second and third team guys? I think this running back squad has a lot of potential, but honestly, I'm tired of potential. I want to go back to the time when we had a solid, reliable stud (2002-2005). Can Jones be that guy?
• Safeties: This will be our first shot to see The Brian Russell Redemption Tour 2009 (we already saw the 2007 version, which was alright). Russell has Jordan Babineaux breathing down his neck... okay, well, he's breathing towards his neck at least. The "competition" isn't really much of one as Babs hasn't shown up yet to push him in training camp. The games are when things are really decided though. Look for Babs to try to upstage Russell, and Russell playing like an NFL player to hold him off (a rarity of late). Also on the safeties: Houshmandzadeh blew a gaskett over his Madden ratings, but C.J. Wallace is the one with reason to complain. Wallace has an overall rating of 51 and a play awareness rating of 42 -- basically, he could be wearing the QB's radio and still not know what was coming. Just sayin'.
• Place Kickers: "There shall be only one!" Brandon Coutu is fighting for his career while Olindo Mare fights for his legacy. The Hawks have two good kickers, but they have announced that they will only keep one of them. Which one? We'll start getting closer to that answer tonight. Kickoff distance by Coutu will be the biggest determining factor.
• District 9: Okay, I won't actually be watching this during the game, but I did just see it and it was flippin' awesome.