Houck had more changeover in 2004

[Midswat]

August, 29, 2011

By Todd Archer


IRVING, Texas -- Hudson Houck has had this type of offensive line turnover before in his coaching career.

Go back to 2004 with San Diego.

In 2003 Houck started (from left to right) Damion McIntosh, Kelvin Garmon, Jason Ball/Cory Raymer, Phil Bogle/Solomon Page and Courtney Van Buren. The Chargers went 4-12.

In 2004 he broke in five new guys, including two rookies and two veteran free agent signings. From left to right the Chargers started Roman Oben, Toniu Fonoti, Nick Hardwick, Mike Goff and Shane Olivea and San Diego went 12-4. Hardwick and Olivea were rookies that year.

Only left tackle Doug Free will return to his same position from 2010 with Kyle Kosier moving to right guard. Houck will start Tyron Smith (first round) and Bill Nagy (seventh) at right tackle and left guard.

“It’s a great challenge,” Houck said, “and one we embrace.”

 

[Midswat]

Well... if the Chargers wen't 4-12 and then 12-4, simple math dictates that we'll go from 6-10 to 14-2.

YES!!!

 

[dbair1967]

Paging CMD!!!

 

[cmd34]

Paging CMD!!!

First off, that 2003 o line was horrible. Makes our line from last year look amazing.

Second, they signed 2 veteran free agents. Oben and Goff were experienced starters.

Toniu Fonoti was a 2002 2nd round pick they groomed for 2 seasons. Hardwick was a 3rd round pick from Purdue. Olivea, like Nagy, was a 7th round pick but was an experienced, multiple game starter at Ohio State.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

First off, that 2003 o line was horrible. Makes our line from last year look amazing.

Second, they signed 2 veteran free agents. Oben and Goff were experienced starters.

Toniu Fonoti was a 2002 2nd round pick they groomed for 2 seasons. Hardwick was a 3rd round pick from Purdue. Olivea, like Nagy, was a 7th round pick but was an experienced, multiple game starter at Ohio State.

Sooo, we groomed Costa for 1 season. Huge difference, right?

I don't know why you keep bringing up college experience, the schemes they run and the defensive schemes they block against, not to mention the level of competition and speed of the game, are totally foreign in college from the NFL. Cripes, there have been Division II rookies who have stepped into the line and shined immediately for their pro teams. I keep running back to this example, but Jahri Evans. Dude played at Bloomberg! and has been a fixture at OG for the Saints since Day 1. In fact, it took an injury for him to even get the nod. The only thing starting at a Div 1 school prepares you for is the lights, really. I know that's an oversimplifcation, but the benefits of having that experience are close to nil when it comes down to it. Mark me, I'm not saying I'm comfortable with a player who's backed up his entire college career, but Nagy didn't do that either.

BTW there are also rookies who the game isn't too big for, such as Dez Bryant. Now I'm not saying any of these rookies will turn into All Pros like Jahri Evans, but the point still remains. These kids "get it" and are ready to play.