
The Chargers have a wild history in San Diego and Los Angeles. The franchise has been dragged through the mud after Dean Spanos decided to leave San Diego for LA. The decision to leave is still a confusing one, but the Chargers are doing everything they can to become relevant in Hollywood. They have a franchise quarterback, Jim Harbaugh as head coach, and some pretty sweet uniforms showcased in SoFi Stadium.
Since 1960, the Bolts have seen a lot of legends come and go. Some of the best players to ever suit up played in San Diego at one point in their careers. The Chargers do not have a Super Bowl to show for it, but they have appeared in one and been close a handful of times. If Tom Brady didn’t exist, who knows, maybe the Bolts would have a trophy or two.
No team has ever won 20 games in the NFL and won a Super Bowl. With 17 regular season wins and a playoff bye week, the most you can go with an undefeated streak is 20-0, as 21-0 would not make any sense without a playoff bye.
What would a Chargers team look like if you built an all-time squad of their players? 20-0 has never been done, but it is fun to think about what an all-Chargers team would look like. We will list offense, defense, and three special teams players, with a short breakdown on each of the three.
Quarterbacks: Phillip Rivers, Dan Fouts
Running Backs: LaDainian Tomlinson, Austin Ekeler, Paul Lowe, Lerenzo Neal (Fullback)
Wide Receivers: Lance Alworth, Keenan Allen, Charlie Joiner, Vincent Jackson, Wes Chandler, John Jefferson
Tight Ends: Antonio Gates, Kellen Winslow, Jacque MacKinnon
Left Tackle: Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt
Left Guard: Kris Dielman
Center: Nick Hardwick
Right Guard: Walt Sweeney, Ed White
Right Tackle: Ron Mix, Russ Washington
The Chargers’ all-time offense is going to score a ton, and I mean a ton, of touchdowns. LaDainian Tomlinson still holds the record for the most touchdowns in a single season with 32 (2006), Austin Ekeler scored 69 in seven seasons, and receiver John Jefferson scored 10 in three straight seasons with the Bolts, back in his day. Oh, and let’s not forget, nobody has more touchdowns as a QB/TE duo than Rivers and Gates with 89.
Rivers and Fouts loved to air it out. With LT and Ekeler catching passes alongside route running extraordinaries, Keenan Allen, Lance Alworth, and Charlie Joiner, this offense could be almost unstoppable. Gates and Winslow would form arguably the greatest 1-2 punch in tight-end history. Opposing defenses will have to pick and choose who they want to defend.
Edge: Shawne Merriman, Leslie O’Neal, Fred Dean, Khalil Mack
DT: Gary Johnson, Jamal Williams, Louie Kelcher
Linebackers: Junior Seau, Donnie Edwards, Gary Plummer
Cornerbacks: Gill Byrd (Slot), Antonio Cromartie, Casey Hayward Jr, Quentin Jammer, Leslie “Speedy” Duncan
Safeties: Derwin James, Rodney Harrison, Eric Weddle
This is such a special group of players. The legacy Junior Seau left for the Chargers, New England Patriots, and the NFL will never be forgotten. He is one of the best linebackers of all time, and is joined by some studs, Donnie Edwards and Gary Plummer. The defensive front is formidable, and you have some of the best safeties of all time back deep, with Derwin James, Rodney Harrison, and Eric Weddle. Those three will turn your lights off if you are not careful, and can play anywhere on the field.
The cornerbacks are the weakest group here, as none are known as “lockdown” corners. However, they are ball hawks who were elite at making the opposing quarterbacks pay for bad balls, with many interceptions in their careers. Byrd is the team leader in INT’s with 42 for his career.
Kicker: Cameron Dicker
Punter: Mike Scifres
Returners: Antonio Cromartie, Leslie “Speedy” Duncan
Cameron Dicker is the most accurate kicker in the history of the NFL. What he has done since he began his career with the Bolts is nothing short of amazing. Dicker has been very clutch and a coach’s best friend. Mike Scifres was a very respectable punter during his time in San Diego and one of the best in the league during his era.
As for returners, Antonio Cromartie and Leslie “Speedy” Duncan would be a lethal combo. Everyone remembers Cromartie’s 109-yard field-goal return against the Minnesota Vikings. Duncan has the nickname Speedy for a reason; he could seriously move.
If you enjoyed this read, here are the 10 greatest Chargers teams of all time.
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