Chargers all-time team features some of the NFL’s greats on offense
Chargers all-time team features some of the NFL’s greats on offense
The Chargers spent the 1960 season in Los Angeles then 46 in San Diego before returning to their original home. The franchise played for a league championship six times, including five AFL title games in six years. However, the Chargers only won once, 51-10 over the Patriots in 1963.
While titles may be elusive, the Chargers have seen some of the greatest offensive players in NFL history grace the field in both San Diego and Los Angeles.
Coach: Sid Gillman, the club’s original head coach, is the all-time leader with an 86-53-6 record in parts of 11 seasons. Under his leadership, the Chargers went to five AFL Championship Games, including their only title. He retired due to health reasons in 1969 and returned briefly two years later. Don “Air” Coryell went 69-56-1 in eight seasons in the late 1970s and early ’80s. His high-powered offensive club reached the playoffs four times, including losses in back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 1980-81. Under Bobby Ross (47-33), the Chargers went to their only Super Bowl, a 49-26 loss to the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX after the 1994 season. San Diego won two division titles and went to the playoffs three times in five years under Ross. Norv Turner (56-40) led the team to three AFC West championships in six years, highlighted by a run to the 2007 AFC title game, where they lost to the perfect Patriots. With Marty Schottenheimer (47-33) at the helm, San Diego won two division titles in five years, including a franchise-best 14-2 mark in 2006.
Quarterback: Philip Rivers is currently eighth all-time with 54,656 yards and is sixth with 374 touchdown passes. He led the NFL with 4,710 yards in 2010 and 34 scoring passes in 2008. The eight-time Pro Bowler had 10 seasons with 4,000 or more yards. Hall of Famer Dan Fouts finished his career with 43,040 yards, which is 16th now, but was second (behind Fran Tarkenton’s 47,003) when he retired in 1987. He is a six-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro, an Offensive Player of the Year in 1982, and he led the league in passing yards four times. John Hadl threw for 26,938 yards in 11 seasons. The five-time Pro Bowler led the AFL in passing yards three times. Hadl also appeared in three AFL Championship Games, including the 1963 title victory. Stan Humphries led the Chargers to Super Bowl XXIX and had three seasons with 3,000 or more yards.
Running Back: LaDainian Tomlinson is one of the all-time greats in the backfield. The Hall of Famer is sixth in rushing yards, with 12,490 coming in San Diego. He is a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and he was the 2006 NFL MVP after running for 1,815 yards and a then-record 28 touchdowns. LT is third on the all-time list with 162 total touchdowns, 153 coming with the Chargers. His 530 receptions are fourth in team history. Original Charger Paul Lowe ranks second on the franchise list with 4,972 yards and 38 scoring runs. He appeared in five AFL Championship Games and was named a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro twice. Marion Butts and Natrone Means were bruising backs who played in San Diego in the 1990s. Butts is third with 4,297 yards and made two Pro Bowls. Means ranks third with 34 touchdowns and was a Pro Bowler in 1994. Chuck Muncie went to the Pro Bowl twice and led the NFL with 19 touchdowns in 1981. Ryan Mathews ran for 4,061 yards in five seasons, and he was a Pro Bowler in 2011. Current back Melvin Gordon has been named to a pair of Pro Bowls.
Wide Receiver: Hall of Famers occupy both starting spots. Lance Alworth went to three AFL Championship Games, including the title victory in 1963. He is second on the franchise list with 9,584 yards and 81 touchdowns, and ranks fifth with 493 receptions. The seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro have seven seasons with 1,000 or more yards. Charlie Joiner is second with 586 receptions, third with 9,203 yards and fourth with 47 touchdowns. He is a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1980. Four-time Pro Bowler Gary Garrison is fourth with 7,533 yards and third with 58 scoring catches. Wes Chandler went to three Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 1982. Anthony Miller was a four-time Pro Bowler in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Malcolm Floyd had 5,550 yards in 12 seasons. Vincent Jackson was a two-time Pro Bowler and one of Rivers’ favorite targets. Tony Martin led the NFL with 14 touchdowns in his 1996 Pro Bowl season, and he played in Super Bowl XXIX. John Jefferson played only three seasons with the “Air Coryell” Chargers, but he had 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns every year. He was also a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. Keenan Allen went to a pair of Pro Bowls and has 5,206 yards in six seasons.
Tight End: Antonio Gates is arguably one of the three best tight ends in NFL history. His 116 touchdowns are the most all-time at the position and tied for 12th overall. Gates has 955 receptions and 11,841 yards, which both rank first in team history and are third all-time among tight ends behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. He has been to the Pro Bowl eight times and is a three-time All-Pro. Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow was Fouts’ favorite target, ranking third on the franchise list with 541 catches and fifth with 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. He is a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro and he led the NFL in receptions twice. Dave Kocourek manned the position for the team’s five AFL Championship Game appearances. He went to four Pro Bowls, and his best season was 1961 when he had 1,055 yards.
Tackle: Hall of Famer Ron Mix was a nine-time All-Pro, was selected to eight Pro Bowls in 10 seasons, and he was a starter on all five AFL Championship Games. His partner on the left side, Ernie Wright, went to three Pro Bowls in nine years. Russ Washington played in 200 games and was named to five Pro Bowls in San Diego. Marcus McNeill played in two Pro Bowls in six seasons. Vaughn Parker was a rookie in Super Bowl XXIX and he went on to spend 10 years with the team. Terry Owens and Billy Shields occupied the left tackle spot for a combined 18 years from 1966-83.
Guard: Walt Sweeney went to nine Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro in 11 years on the right side. He went to three AFL Championship Games and was part of the 1963 title team. Doug Wilkerson started 195 games at left guard. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1982. Kris Dielman was selected to four Pro Bowls in nine seasons. Ed White started for six seasons and was a Pro Bowler in 1979.
Center: Don Macek was a member of the 1976 All-Rookie Team at right guard, then went on to play 14 seasons in San Diego. Courtney Hall was an All-Rookie team member in 1989 and started in Super Bowl XXIX. Nick Hardwick played 11 seasons with the team and went to the Pro Bowl in 2006.
Defensive End: Leslie O’Neal was a sack machine, amassing a franchise-best 105½ in 10 seasons in San Diego. He had seven seasons with 10 or more, including a career-high 17 in 1992. O’Neal was a six-time Pro Bowler who appeared in Super Bowl XXIX. Lee Williams, a two-time Pro Bowler, is third with 65½ sacks. He had 11 in 1988 and 14 the following season. Hall of Famer Fred Dean was a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1980. Raylee Johnson was fifth in team history with 46 sacks, including 10½ in 1999. Earl Faison was a four-time All-Pro who appeared in four AFL Championship Games and five Pro Bowls in six years. Corey Liuget has 24 sacks in eight seasons. Leroy Jones was a seven-year starter in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Defensive Tackle: Gary “Big Hands” Johnson made four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams in 10 seasons on the West Coast. Louie Kelcher and Jamal Williams each went to three Pro Bowls on the left side. Williams was a two-time All-Pro and Kelcher earned the honor in 1978. Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd went to four Pro Bowls and was a three-time All-Pro. The same year the Chargers won the AFL Championship, Ladd also debuted as a professional wrestler, where his 6-foot-9 frame helped him immensely in the ring. John Parrella played in 125 games, including Super Bowl XXIX as a rookie.
Outside Linebacker: Hall of Famer Junior Seau ranks first in club history with 1,286 solo tackles and 16 fumbles recovered. He is fourth on the team list with 47 sacks and also had 15 interceptions. Seau went to 12 Pro Bowls, was an All-Pro six times and played in 200 games. Concussion-related injuries were believed to have played a part in his suicide in 2012 at the age of 43. Shaun Phillips forced 20 fumbles, the most in franchise history, and his 69½ sacks rank second. The total includes 11 in his 2010 Pro Bowl season. Shawne Merriman had 43½ sacks in just 60 games with the Chargers, including a league-leading 17 in his All-Pro season of 2006. He made the Pro Bowl three times, including 2006, which also included a four-game suspension for steroid use. In 10 seasons in San Diego, Billy Ray Smith Sr. had 15 interceptions, 14 fumbles recovered and 26½ sacks, including 11 in 1986. Woodrow Lowe had 15 sacks and returned four of his 21 picks for touchdowns. Melvin Ingram is a two-time Pro Bowler who has 42 sacks in seven seasons.
Middle Linebacker: Gary Plummer is second in team history with 792 tackles, including four seasons with 100 or more. Chuck Allen was a two-time Pro Bowler who played in four AFL Championship Games. Donnie Edwards has 588 solo tackles and was a Pro Bowler in 1992.
Cornerback: Gill Byrd, a two-time Pro Bowler, is the team’s all-time leader with 42 interceptions, with five seasons of five or more. Original Charger Dick Harris is second with 29 picks, and he returned five for touchdowns. He was a two-time All-Pro, a 1961 Pro Bowler, and he appeared in five AFL title games. Quentin Jammer has 21 interceptions and ranks fourth in team history with 617 solo tackles. Mike Williams had 24 picks in eight seasons. Bob Howard and Leslie “Speedy” Duncan each had 21 interceptions. Duncan played in two AFL Championship Games and was a three-time Pro Bowler.
Safety: Rodney Harrison has 26 interceptions and ranks fifth in team history with 599 solo tackles. Harrison is a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 1998. Joining him in the hard-hitting club is Eric Weddle. He had 19 picks, including a league-high seven in 2011, and he returned three for scores. Weddle is a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro whose 679 tackles ranks third on the franchise list. Kenny Graham is a four-time Pro Bowler. His 25 interceptions include five returned for touchdowns. Joe Beauchamp had 23 picks and brought back three for scores. Mike Fuller had 15 interceptions and was also formidable on kickoff and punt returns.
Kicker: John Carney is the franchise leader with 1,076 points in 11 years, including five with 100 or more. His 1994 season included Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, a league-leading 135 points, and a chance to play in Super Bowl XXIX. Nate Kaeding had seven seasons with 100 or more points and 889 overall. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in 2000 when he led the NFL with 146 points.
Punter: Darren Bennett made the successful jump from Australian rules football to the NFL. His 46.2 yards per punt led the NFL and earned him a Pro Bowl selection in 2000, Bennett had a 43.8-yard average over nine seasons. Mike Scifres ranks second in franchise history, averaging 45.2 yards per punt over 13 years.
Returners: Darren Sproles has 6,469 kickoff return yards, including six seasons with 1,000 or more. He returned two kickoffs and two punts for touchdowns. Rodney Jenkins is second with 3,997 kickoff return yards, including an NFL-best 1,541 in 2001. Andre Coleman had 3,914 yards, but his most famous kickoff return was a 98-yarder he brought back for a score in Super Bowl XXIX. Fuller is the franchise leader with 2,388 punt return yards, and he had two scores. Duncan earned his “Speedy” nickname, with 1,651 punt return yards and four touchdowns.
Special Teams: Kassim Osgood made three Pro Bowls as a coverage player in seven seasons in San Diego. David Binn was a rookie in the Super Bowl season in 1994. He went on to appear in 256 games, the most in franchise history, and make the Pro Bowl in 2006 as a long snapper.
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-By: Kevin Rakas