The Chargers – like the Falcons – are one of 12 franchises to have never won a Super Bowl. While they’ve had an embarrassment of riches in terms of talent, they’ve yet to be able to finish the job.
Among the players that have made up that embarrassment of riches are 3 great offensive players and 1 hard-hitting defender. While 2 of those offensive players have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame, 1 of them has one of the most contentious Hall of Fame cases in all of sports.
Last month, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox compiled a list of each team’s Mt. Rushmore since 2000. For each list, Knox considered several factors, including the following:
- Overall production
- Postseason success
- Contributions to team success
- Individual accolades
- Memorable moments
- Any other relevant team- or player-specific factors
With those factors in mind, let’s dive right in. The Chargers Mt. Rushmore since 2000 included the following players:
- TE Antonio Gates
- QB Philip Rivers
- RB LaDainian Tomlinson
- S Eric Weddle
First 3 Spots on Chargers Mt. Rushmore ‘All Locks’
While constructing the Chargers Mt. Rushmore since 2000, Knox acknowledged that Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates “were all locks.”
Tomlinson spent 9 seasons in San Diego as one of the most electrifying players in league history. He racked up 12,490 yards and 138 touchdowns in just 141 games with the Chargers. He ran for over 1,100 yards in each of his first 8 seasons, racking up 5 Pro Bowl nods, 6 All-Pro nods (3 First-Team, 3 Second-Team) and a league MVP in 2006. Even though he’s a Hall of Famer, I’m sure he would give up a few of those yards or touchdowns to have won a Super Bowl with San Diego.
Antonio Gates served as a pillar of consistency for the Chargers, playing all 16 seasons in San Diego/Los Angeles. As “one of the best tight ends of his generation,” according to Knox, and anyone with eyes, Gates earned 8 consecutive Pro Bowl nods (2004-2011) and 5 All-Pros (3 First-Team, 2 Second-Team). He’s got the 4th-most receptions (955) and 4th-most yards (11,851) by any tight end in league history, but he’s still No. 1 in receiving touchdowns (116).
While Rivers is the Chargers’ all-time leader in just about every category among quarterbacks, he’s still not guaranteed to be a Hall of Famer. The 8-time Pro Bowler never made an All-Pro team, but that’s not too surprising, considering his peers during his era.
For most of his career, Rivers competed against quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger in the AFC. He only made 1 trip to the AFC Championship game, but struggled and fell short against the then-undefeated 2007 Patriots. He threw 2 interceptions and no touchdowns.
Knox noted that Gates and Tomlinson are both in the Hall of Fame already, but Rivers may not make it. He argued that, despite Rivers’ lack of postseason success, his numbers – 59,271 passing yards, 397 touchdowns, 8 Pro Bowls and 123 wins – “are Hall of Fame-worthy.”
While he’s “Hall of Fame-worthy,” Rivers most likely will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer this year. Drew Brees will surely be the headliner and is a lock for this class.
Eli Manning was eligible last year, but did not make it. So, Rivers may have to wait a little longer than he’d hoped, considering Manning won 2 Super Bowls. Each of them played 12 playoff games, but Rivers went 5-7 and Manning went 8-4 with 2 Super Bowl MVPs.
Final Spot on Mt. Rushmore ‘Wasn’t as Easy’
While the first 3 spots were locks, Knox acknowledged that the final spot “wasn’t as easy” to fill. He notes that players like Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, Nick Hardwick and Kris Dielman “had strong cases,” but they ultimately went with hard-hitting safety Eric Weddle.
Bosa finished his time with the Chargers second in franchise history with 72 sacks, trailing only 6-time Pro Bowler Leslie O’Neal (105.5 sacks). Keenan Allen ranks second in receptions and yards, trailing only Antonio Gates. As a note, Allen played 97 fewer games with the Chargers than Gates. But, Gates’ inclusion was a no-brainer.
Hardwick played 10 solid seasons at center in San Diego, but only earned 1 Pro Bowl nod (2006). Dielman played 9 solid seasons at guard for the Chargers, racking up 4 Pro Bowls and 2 All-Pro Second-Team nods, but Knox went with Weddle.
Weddle played his first 9 seasons in San Diego, racking up 19 interceptions, 6.5 sacks, 6 fumble recoveries and 851 tackles. During his time as a Charger, Weddle “was one of the league’s most prolific safeties,” Knox wrote. He racked up 3 Pro Bowl selections and 5 consecutive All-Pro nods (2 First-Team, 3 Second-Team).
I personally would’ve gone with Keenan Allen or maybe even Derwin James for the 4th spot, but these lists usually aren’t as easy as you think. Chargers fans are hoping that Justin Herbert will soon supplant Rivers. But, once again, it will come down to playoff success.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Chargers Mt. Rushmore since 2000 Includes QB with ‘Contentious’ HOF Case appeared first on Heavy Sports.