Sportsbooks Still Backing San Diego Chargers in 2010

NFL News - February 18th, 2010 - Written by John

The San Diego Chargers were owners of the third-longest winning streak last season, won the AFC West, and earned a bye in the first-round of the playoffs. Then they lost before reaching the Super Bowl. Just another day in San Diego. For the fourth year in a row, the Chargers entered the 2009 Playoffs with high hopes, but failed to break through. This time, it had rippling effect that meant change for everyone under the team's umbrella.

And with a new set of toys for quarterback Philip Rivers familiarize himself with, San Diego will certainly have a different personality on offense. But that doesn't mean their odds of success will change. Bodog has the Chargers as a 9/1 favorite to win the 2011 Super Bowl, tied for the second-best odds in the league with reigning champ New Orleans, according to NFL Betting Lines.

Gone is career rushing leader LaDainian Tomlinson, who has spent all nine years with the team. He takes all 12,490 yards and 138 career scores with him and leaves big shoes to fill for his replacement. But it was a move that needed to be done after San Diego finished the year 31st in rushing, and didn't have a back close to 1,000 yards. Tomlinson was an efficient goal-line back, though, scoring a team-high 12 touchdowns during the regular season.

Darren Sproles would be the logical choice to take on full-time duty. But the Chargers can only keep him if they tender him a contract, which would be around $7.3 million, and Sproles is expecting to test the market.

Vincent Jackson is also free agent during the NFL's first uncapped year, and the likely scenario is the highest bidder will win the sweepstakes. But Rivers won't be starving for targets with tight end Antonio Gates returning. Gates was the team's leading pass catcher with 79 receptions and 1,157 yards in '09, and earned another Pro Bowl spot.

Rivers was the league's third-rated passer, and was actually no. 1 for part of the year. He threw for 4,254 and 28 touchdowns to cap another Pro Bowl year, but was picked off twice in the second-round loss to the New York Jets.

Rushing defense was an issue for the Chargers in '09, ranking 20th in the league, and never was it more apparent than against the Jets. Thomas Jones battered the front line early in the game, and paved the way for rookie Shonn Greene to deliver the knockout. His 53-yard touchdown scamper in the fourth quarter was the difference, and gave him 128 yards on the day.

The team is reportedly shopping cornerback Antonio Cromartie this off-season, and is looking for a veteran running back to fill Tomlinson's void.