Good morning.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers comes in at No. 73 on the NFL Network’s Top 100 players of 2017. He was No. 46 on the list last season.
Rivers is the second player from the Chargers on the list. Following his rookie season, Joey Bosa debuted at No. 100.
My take: Rivers once again made a lot of plays last season, throwing for 4,386 yards and 33 touchdowns, but he also had a league-high 21 interceptions in 2016. Taking care of the football is a point of emphasis for the Chargers this offseason.
In this ESPN insider piece, Mike Clay writes that the Chargers will be much better than their No. 25 position in ESPN's post-draft NFL Power Rankings. Clay is one of the panelists polled for the rankings, and he had the Chargers at No. 6 on his list.
Clay writes, “The Chargers need to overcome a tough division, but they have the easiest schedule in the [AFC] West, which will help launch them to the playoffs in 2017.”
My take: Clay points out the Chargers will get two key pieces back from injury in cornerback Jason Verrett and receiver Keenan Allen. And with the addition of Russell Okung in free agency and Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney in the draft, the offensive line should improve. I agree.
Ricky Henne of Chargers.com talks with offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt about some of the tinkering Whisenhunt is doing to the offense this offseason.
My take: Whisenhunt said the addition of Mike Williams improves the depth at receiver but also increases the competition level in practice, and that will be something to watch during training camp.
Tom Krasovic of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes that Rivers is still mulling whether to commute from his home north of San Diego or move his family closer to the team’s new home of Costa Mesa in Orange County once the facility is complete in August.
My take: With wife Tiffany and eight children, moving a family is much more involved for Rivers, even if it’s just a few hours. So it will be interesting to see whether Rivers decides to commute or move.