Chargers News: 2016 Breakout Players for the Chargers
#5
I know what you are thinking. Melvin Gordon? Really? The guy who couldn’t get a single touchdown last year in his rookie year. The season which had so much promise for the young back out of Wisconsin ended horribly. A knee injury forced him to miss the last two games of the 2015 season. That injury required offseason Micro Fracture surgery, so his future is cloudy at best. It is reported that he will be fine though.
I understand the severity of his injury but I also have faith that the young back will be able to come back a full speed. The Chargers have beefed up the line once again with the addition of Matt Slauson at the center/guard position. The big man is known as a great run-blocking lineman and will have no issues opening up holes for Gordon. That should help Gordon become a more complete back.
The Chargers also added Gordon’s old fullback from the University of Wisconsin. Derek Watt has great familiarity with Gordon and his running style. His addition will ensure Gordon is given every opportunity to succeed. With a healthy line, and a new full back Gordon should easily eclipse his numbers from last season. In fact I even predict that he will get his first NFL touchdown in Week 1. The Chargers need a healthy productive Gordon for the offense to be running on all cylinders. They will make sure he is given the rock.
Gordon only rushed for 641 yards last season on 184 carries (3.5 ypc) and his longest run was a 27-yard scamper. He really had a horrible year. He did run block pretty well and he caught the ball out of the backfield well too. Gordon caught 33 balls last season for 192 yards. The knock coming out of college was he couldn’t catch and couldn’t block and was just a runner. Ironically for the Chargers he did everything well except run the ball. You should expect better numbers from this young back. If he is to become a pro-bowl back, 2016 is the year to show it.
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James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.