Jake Roth-USA Today Sports
The San Diego Chargers finished their 2012 season with a 7-9 record, but that did not stop three time All-Pro safety Eric Weddle from saying “I feel like we’re the best team in the league.”
This statement by Weddle is far from the truth because San Diego is coming off their first season with a losing record since 2003 and they ranked in the bottom of the league in some important categories. San Diego ranked 20th in the NFL in points per game, 22nd in receiving yards, 27th in rushing yards, 30th in yards per play and per reception, 31st in yards per rushing attempt and last in rushing touchdowns.
San Diego’s defense saw major improvements from 2011 to 2012 because they went from 20th in fewest yards per rushing attempt allowed in 2011 to fifth in 2012. The Lighting Bolts ranked 28th in this category against the pass in 2011 while they ranked 12th last season.
There were changes which led to former Indianapolis Colts Director of Player Personnel Tom Telesco becoming the new GM while former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is the head coach.
According to Tom Krasovic of utsandiego.com, Weddle had high praise for San Diego’s new head coach. “And a lot of that is because of coach McCoy and the way he presents himself – the way he portrays what he wants. A lot of what you are as a team is attitude, and you can control that.”
San Diego finished three games behind the Cincinnati Bengals who held the final wild card spot in 2012 and six games behind Denver who won the AFC West and had the conference’s best record.
Weddle is entitled to his opinion, but besides the 7-9 record last season, San Diego did not add a free agent or do much of anything else to help them become a top team, let alone the best team.
