Will The Chargers’ Offensive Line Improve In 2009?

Any smart NFL fan knows that a good offense starts at the line of scrimmage. Having addressed one piece to the Chargers running game with the retention of Ladainian Tomlinson, now the focus turns to the 2nd, and possibly most important piece: the offensive line. Much maligned throughout the 2008 season due to a combination of health issues and just poor play, the offensive line is one of the top areas that needs improvement for the Bolts."I just know we're not good enough. But I will say this, which I've said before: we need to have a solid, consistent running game. We have to." - AJ SmithHaving to improve the O-Line is a strange position for the Chargers to be in since it was just a year prior that three Chargers linemen were named to the Pro Bowl, including Marcus McNeill and Kris Dielman (and Hardwick as an alternate). Add Mike Goff to the mix, and Jeromey Clary starting his first full-season at right tackle, and it seemed as if the Bolts had a line that could mix it up with anyone. But once the season started, it was a totally different story.Hardwick started last season with a foot injury that never fully healed, and couldn’t even start until the 5th game of the season. McNeill injured his back in training camp and spent much of the season nursing the injury. Dielman was still a stud at the left-guard position, but Goff at right-guard was average, Clary was below average, and suddenly one of the Chargers' strengths became a big liability. The running game was effected the most, as evidenced by LT’s (or any other running back's) inability to find an opening in the line of scrimmage. When your former MVP-running back gets hit behind or at the line of scrimmage on almost every carry, you know you have problems blocking up front.Now, heading into the 2009 season, things are looking better, but not by much. Yes, McNeill and Hardwick should be healthy and back to their Pro Bowl form, but as for the right-side of the line… just looking at the depth chart makes me ill. Penciled in (I hope lightly) to start at right guard is Kynan Forney, with Jeromey Clary remaining at right tackle. You might remember that Forney was supposed to back-up Goff in 2008, while Clary spent most of last year impersonating a revolving door for a lot of opposing defensive ends.A lot of close games could have been won last year with better blocking up front, and we’re lucky that the Chargers’ playoff hopes weren’t squashed because of a lack of it. That’s why a lot of mock drafts show the Chargers taking an offensive lineman with their 1st round draft pick this year. AJ has noticed, as have most of the NFL experts, that this team needs to get better up front to compete. And actually, a lot of teams seem to be thinking the same thing, and that has me a little worried. Check out one mock draft, found here on BoltHype.com- http://www.bolthype.com/2009/03/chargers-select-tackle-eben-britton-in.html. Four of the top offensive linemen were drafted ahead of the Chargers’ number-16 pick, meaning our Bolts would be left with either a guy who might not be worth a mid-1st-round draft pick, or a guy who won’t fill the OL need at all. If they choose the later, you can almost forget about finding a new right guard or tackle this season. And then we’ll be settling for more of the same.I thought I felt ill? I think I see Philip ralphing in a trash can in the corner… BoltHype.com