Hardwick's thoughts

[oneinchpunch]

Technique issues all the way. Never does he say Fluker doesn't have what it takes.

Yet he never had anything negative to say about any other OL for the entire season

[Bordious]

The loss of Woodhead was huge, especially the impact on our short passing game. When Rivers has a release valve, like Woodhead last year or Sproles in previous years, he is a much more efficient QB and our run game is much more productive.

As for Fluker, it seems his issues stem from his lack of technique, which although being very young could still be very hard to fix. Not staying square and dropping your head with your punch or with contact is a big no no for an OT, and is usually a result of poor or slow footwork. Like Goff said, turn your shoulders (or hips) toward the sideline, you lose the inside to a quick pass rusher in a hurry, just like when Freeney was a spin moving stud. You drop your head on contact, no matter what position you play it's going to be hard not to get beat by a decent player. But a guard can get away with these issues, mainly because they are not on an "island" like a tackle (extra help on both sides of you) and DTs are not as quick as DEs.

[MakoShark]

• On-field enforcers wanted -- Hardwick wants the Chargers to hire hard-edged characters, believing the team's structure and veteran leadership help them to fit in. "We've got to bring some bad, bad dudes in here," he said, mentioning ex-Chargers teammates Randall Godfrey and Steve Foley.

My interpretation of this is that the team lacks an identity. They have veteran leadership, but no swagger. Fluker is probably the only guy I would say is a badass, and is our only enforcer. And speaking of Fluker. I can't believe all the bandwidth being used to criticize him. He was not even close to being the biggest issue with the Oline play this year, but he is and will be part of the solution moving forward.

[richpjr]

My interpretation of this is that the team lacks an identity. They have veteran leadership, but no swagger. Fluker is probably the only guy I would say is a badass, and is our only enforcer. And speaking of Fluker. I can't believe all the bandwidth being used to criticize him. He was not even close to being the biggest issue with the Oline play this year, but he is and will be part of the solution moving forward.

He clearly does have work to do, but there are a few who for whatever reason have decided to focus mainly on his shortcomings and bring them up over and over again.

[Wheels]

Yet he never had anything negative to say about any other OL for the entire season

So the other OL were flawless? Sounds like he's taken an interest in Fluker, which doesn't necessarily indicate he dislikes the player.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

Until he is playing gaurd, then they will pat themselves on the back with your hand.

[Yubaking]

Technique issues all the way. Never does he say Fluker doesn't have what it takes.

I guess the issue that I am having with your take is that you seem to be assuming that Fluker is having technique issues out of the blue for no reason.

My take is different. I agree that he is having technique and other issues, but my view is that those problems are being caused by the pressure Fluker is facing, often from quicker pass rushers.

Consider that Fluker had six false start penalties, plus got beat to the outside and then got beat to the inside when he overcompensated in an effort not to get beat to the outside. Consider that Fluker gave up six sacks as a rookie and either six or seven (depending upon the source you believe) as a second year player.

By contrast, my understanding is that Dunlap gave up 2.5 sacks in 2013 and 3.5 sacks last year. Also, guess how many false start penalties Dunlap had in 2014. That number is zero.

I wanted to discuss Dunlap because I think he is an example of a guy who is not struggling for the most part to deal with quicker edge rushers. He does not feel pressured to "jump the gun" on the snap. He is not repeatedly getting beat.

In his penalty breakdown, Eric Williams of ESPN also noted that Fluker's issue with false starts (led the team by a mile) is likely because of his struggling to deal with speed rushers.

Because speed/quickness is usually not something that can be coached, I think this is something that Fluker will always struggle with at times and that giving up half a dozen plus sacks per year (plus other pressure) is a little too much pressure allowed and it is not likely to significantly improve because there will always be a basic lack of quickness/speed on Fluker's part.

To me, that is why moving Fluker inside makes so much sense--how he is getting beat (laterally) will no longer apply.

[Yubaking]

My interpretation of this is that the team lacks an identity. They have veteran leadership, but no swagger. Fluker is probably the only guy I would say is a badass, and is our only enforcer. And speaking of Fluker. I can't believe all the bandwidth being used to criticize him. He was not even close to being the biggest issue with the Oline play this year, but he is and will be part of the solution moving forward.

I wanted to respond to this because I want it to be clear that while I have been critical of Fluker, I also believe that he is part of the solution--at RG.

I really like the idea in theory of getting a RT that can protect against the pass as an upgrade to Fluker's spotty pass protection, but kicking Fluker inside where he can maul people like the "badass" he is, which also is an upgrade at RG. I see that as upgrading two positions with one player transaction.

The problem is that the two college players that I felt could potentially do that for us, Stanley and Drango, have both decided to return to school. So now we may not have the right RT available to allow Fluker to kick inside. Very frustrating.

[Kyle]

http://www.1360sports.com/media/podcast-loose-cannons-loosecannons/the-nick-hardwick-show-123014-25708010/

Good show. Completely agree about pressing to 2nd and 3rd windows in all of our losses.

[Yubaking]

In general, I agree with a lot of what Hardwick has to say, but the one exception that I would clearly make is with respect to his discussion about Rinehart and Iupati. After having a nice 2013 season that warranted his being kept in 2014, Rinehart did not play well for us. Also, Iupati is very good. Any player can lose his matchup on a given play, but there is no way that I am getting on board with the notion that we should be keeping Rinehart and passing on Iupati because Rinehart's poor play was somehow not his fault and because Iupati is somehow overrated. Hell, if Iupati is only good instead of being the great player that many believe he is, he still represents a huge upgrade over any OG we have.

[Stinky Wizzleteats+]

I guess the issue that I am having with your take is that you seem to be assuming that Fluker is having technique issues out of the blue for no reason.

My take is different. I agree that he is having technique and other issues, but my view is that those problems are being caused by the pressure Fluker is facing, often from quicker pass rushers.

Consider that Fluker had six false start penalties, plus got beat to the outside and then got beat to the inside when he overcompensated in an effort not to get beat to the outside. Consider that Fluker gave up six sacks as a rookie and either six or seven (depending upon the source you believe) as a second year player.

By contrast, my understanding is that Dunlap gave up 2.5 sacks in 2013 and 3.5 sacks last year. Also, guess how many false start penalties Dunlap had in 2014. That number is zero.

I wanted to discuss Dunlap because I think he is an example of a guy who is not struggling for the most part to deal with quicker edge rushers. He does not feel pressured to "jump the gun" on the snap. He is not repeatedly getting beat.

In his penalty breakdown, Eric Williams of ESPN also noted that Fluker's issue with false starts (led the team by a mile) is likely because of his struggling to deal with speed rushers.

Because speed/quickness is usually not something that can be coached, I think this is something that Fluker will always struggle with at times and that giving up half a dozen plus sacks per year (plus other pressure) is a little too much pressure allowed and it is not likely to significantly improve because there will always be a basic lack of quickness/speed on Fluker's part.

To me, that is why moving Fluker inside makes so much sense--how he is getting beat (laterally) will no longer apply.

A great many things make allot of sense to you.

Consider I never said Fluker should not be moved inside to guard.
Consider my ass, how white and round.

I guess the thing to me is You can kiss my pucker! I have been interested in seeing Fluker at LG next to King as they are both so big they will crush the backside! I know he is suited for RT, but I want pan cakes galore and you put Dunlap and Fluker side by side and guys will be getting trucked! Qsmokey could run behind them!

I will also except it if they want to give him one more year at RT, after all he yet to start his 3rd year. Manny players take a few years to truly develop.

The issue have with your take is its yours from your thoughts of how the game works to your thoughts that I want Fluker at RT...

[Formula 21]

If the guard would help by popping the pass rusher when he came inside, Fluker could concentrate on not being beat to the outside. So in addition to Fluker's weakness, I think coordination of the whole O line is a problem too. I won't say Fluker can't play RT, just that he needs help from other players that hasn't been there.

So where's Coach D in all of this?