Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Words cannot express the amount of sports related joy I felt upon learning the news that the San Diego Chargers had followed my urging from throughout the offseason and severed ties with washed up wide receiver Robert Meachem in the final roster cut downs.
That being said, now the receiving corps has continued its deterioration from one of the biggest strengths on the roster to one of the weakest units on the team. With injuries to Danario Alexander (season-ending), Malcom Floyd, and Eddie Royal, the Bolts are down to Vincent Brown (two years removed from a meaningful down of football), rookie Keenan Allen, recently unemployed Seyi Ajirotutu, and special teams ace Richard Goodman at the position.
Now it is likely that Floyd will be back for Week 1 according to reports, but the Bolts are still perilously thin at receiver. Any more unexpected run-ins with the injury bug could leave them scouring the depths of free agency for a potential solution. Granted, that turned out fairly well a year ago in the form of DX, but this season it’s unlikely they will get as fortunate.
Quarterback Philip Rivers has shown a great rapport with Ajiotutu in the past, but that will likely be a work in progress seeing as he just joined the team last week after Royal’s scary injury. Floyd and Rivers have always had a great bond, but he is good for a few missed games per season given his track record which could spell trouble should it occur again this year. Brown and Rivers were clicking on all cylinders last preseason, but his injury derailed that chemistry and there’s no telling if it can be rekindled this time around.
So while Meachem’s release is worthy of some serious celebration from all Chargers fans who appreciate justice, it’s also worthy cause for concern given the team’s lack of depth at the position. New general manager Tom Telesco continues his clean-up job of former GM A.J. Smith’s malinvestments. With the locker room cleansed of toxic situations like Meachem and former all-world waste-of-money teammate Jared Gaither, skies are definitely brightening in San Diego. This season may be somewhat painful as a result, but that will be well worth it in the grand scheme of things for this rebuilding organization.
Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
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