SAN DIEGO -- We’re at the halfway point of the 2016 season, and the 3-5 San Diego Chargers have a realistic shot to win the next two games at home against the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins to reach the .500 mark before the team’s bye week.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed, and the Chargers have to figure out a way to close out games on the field.
Also factor in that the Chargers have an important stadium vote on Tuesday that could determine whether the team remains in San Diego long-term, and you can understand why the next two weeks are important for the franchise.
Now, let’s get to your questions from this week’s mailbag:
@eric_d_williams #Chargersmail I have a hard believing cur. coaching will get team to 10+ wins. Early take on biggest draft needs?
— Peter F. (@PickinBolts) November 5, 2016
@eric_d_williams: Last year I thought the top needs for the Chargers were at defensive end, offensive line, safety and tight end.
San Diego appeared to solve its long-term issues at pass-rusher with the selection of Joey Bosa in the first round of this year’s draft and also hit on tight end with Hunter Henry in the second round.
The addition of safety Dwight Lowery in free agency served as a good bridge at that position. Adrian Philips and Dexter McCoil have shown they are NFL players.
But San Diego still needs to find a long-term replacement for Eric Weddle by adding a speedy, play-making safety through the draft.
Offensive tackle also is a major area of concern. When healthy, King Dunlap has been solid at left tackle, but the Chargers need a long-term answer at that position to protect Philip Rivers' blindside.
Joe Barksdale signed a four-year, $20.2 million deal this offseason that included $10.5 million in guaranteed money. Pass protection and staying healthy have been Barksdale’s strengths. But Barksdale’s play has been uneven of late, and he needs to get back to playing with consistent effort like he did last season.
Other areas of focus in the draft next year for the Chargers should be adding another explosive playmaker at receiver who can serve as a returner, and perhaps another between-the-tackles runner who can spell Melvin Gordon.
@eric_d_williams 3rd rounders Tuerk and Watt...what's up? #Chargersmail
— Brian McBride (@pbmcb) November 5, 2016
@eric_d_williams: A year removed from ACL knee surgery that cut short his final season at USC, this season has basically a redshirt year for third-round selection Max Tuerk.
The Chargers have remained relatively healthy at interior offensive line, which is why Tuerk has not played any snaps this year.
Tuerk has had an opportunity to learn behind a veteran center like Matt Slauson and work against an experienced nose tackle in Brandon Mebane in practice, so school is in session for the USC product.
And undrafted rookie Spencer Pulley out of Vanderbilt has been a welcome addition as depth behind Slauson and guards Orlando Franklin and D.J. Fluker, taking potential reps away from Tuerk.
Right now, Tuerk’s focus is continuing to get his weight up and play strength back so he can compete for a job next year.
As for Chris Watt, the team’s third-round selection in the 2014 draft, he’s still working himself back into shape after offseason knee surgery.
The Chargers have until Week 11 to start the clock on Watt, who remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. After that, San Diego has 21 days for Watt to practice so the team can determine whether to activate the interior offensive lineman by Week 15, or keep him out for the remainder of the year.
Watt has maintained his weight and strength, so the main thing for the Chargers will be to evaluate his fitness level and the durability of his knee to handle the constant grind of practice each day.
But again, because of San Diego’s relative health at offensive line, the Chargers can take a conservative approach with Watt, who heads into the final year of his four-year rookie contract in 2017.
Getting Watt healthy and ready to compete for a job next season is likely the goal for the Chargers at this point.