San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers Dream Team

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game

being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players

from different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy

that notion. 

Considering that the Los Angeles Chargers (better known as the San

Diego Chargers) were founded in 1960, the task becomes enormously

challenging. Today, I have taken on the daunting task of compiling a

Chargers Dream Team. The Chargers played their inaugural season in

Los Angeles before calling San Diego their home from 1961-2016).

Unable to get a new stadium, the Chargers relocated to Los Angeles.

The Chargers won the 1963 AFL Championship, blasting the Boston

Patriots 51-0 for the only championship in a major sport for the city of

San Diego. The 1994 Chargers reached Super Bowl XXIX only to

lose to a legendary San Francisco 49er team, 49-26. The franchise has

reached the playoffs 19 times, won 15 division champions and reached

four conference title games. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player

needed to have played for the Chargers for a minimum of four seasons

-- no exceptions. Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that

standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list.

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This

is football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first

consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number of

All-Pro seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping

immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not

going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Chargers during a season of being a contender does not get

you a hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level

performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,

which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to

make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be

there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case

to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that

position?”

OFFENSE

QB -- First team: Dan Fouts. Honorable mention: Philip Rivers. 

The Chargers have an embarrassment of riches at this position, including

having future Hall of Famer and long-time New Orleans Saint Drew

Brees for four seasons. Fouts is a Hall of Famer and Rivers, who recently

became an Indianapolis Colt, is going to be a Hall of Famer. Though

Rivers eclipsed many of Fouts records, Fouts gets the nod here because

in the Air Coryell era, he put up his numbers before the NFL was a pass-

first league. In his 15-year career, Fouts was a six-time Pro Bowler and

four-time All-Pro (three as a first-teamer). Fouts was the NFL Offensive

Player of the Year in 1982, two-time AFC Player of the Year, four-time

NFL passing yards leader and twice led the NFL in touchdown passes.

Rivers was a Pro Bowler on eight occasions, NFL Comeback Player of

the Year in 2013, NFL passing yardage leader in 2010 NFL touchdown

passes leader in 2008. The Southern accented Rivers had a brash

personality but his trashing-talking toward opponents came in more of

a civilized tone. 

RB -- First team: LaDanian Tomlinson, Melvin Gordon. Honorable

mention: Paul Lowe, Chuck Muncie.

Tomlinson is one of the most complete running backs in NFL history. 

Tomlinson holds numerous franchise rushing records on the way to a

Hall of Fame career. Tomlinson was a five-time Pro Bowler, six-time

All-Pro (three as a first-teamer), NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the

Year in 2006, two-time NFL rushing yardage leader and three-time

NFL rushing touchdowns leader. Tomlinson also added 530 pass

receptions. Though Gordon recently signed as a free agent with the

division rival Denver Broncos, Gordon recently completed his fifth

season with the Chargers and has already carved out his niche in

franchise history. Gordon is the fourth-leading rusher in franchise

history. He was a Pro Bowler on two occasions. Lowe's last season

with the Chargers was 1968 but he remained the franchise's leading

rusher for over 30 years until Tomlinson came along. Lowe was on

the Chargers 1963 AFL championship team. He was also four-time

All AFL (Two as a first -teamer), two-time AFL All-Star AFL MVP

in 1965 and AFL rushing yardage leader in 1965. Though Muncie

played for the Chargers for just five seasons, in a sense he was ahead

of his time. Muncie is the seventh leading rusher in franchise history

and made the Pro Bowl on two occasions as a Charger. Muncie also

caught 138 passes in his five seasons with the Chargers.

FB -- First team: Lorenzo Neal. Honorable mention: Keith Lincoln.

Neal is an interesting story in that he played 16 years for eight different

teams with his longest stretch coming with the Chargers (2003-2007).

Neal deserves to be on somebody's Dream Team because he blocked

for five different 1,000 yard rushers (Adrian Murrell, Jets; Warrick

Dunn, Buccaneers; Eddie George, Oilers/Titans, Corey Dillon,

Bengals and Tomlinson, Chargers). Though Neal faces long odds to

reach the Hall of Fame, a strong case could be made that he should be

there because of his role of being the aforementioned running backs’

personal escort. Neal was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-

Pro (two as a first-teamer). Lincoln was a Charger for five seasons and

was a member of the 1963 AFL championship team. He was a five-time

All-Star and two-time all AFL selection. He rushed for 3,338 yards and

caught 165 passes.

WR -- First team: Lance Alworth, Charlie Joiner. Honorable mention:

Gary Garrison, Wes Chandler.

Both Alworth and Joiner are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Alworth was one of the best receivers of his generation. His 493 career

receptions may look pedestrian by today's standards but it also came

during 14-game seasons. Alworth was a member of the 1963 AFL

championship team. He was an AFL All-Star seven times and all AFL

seven times (six as a first-teamer). Alworth was the AFL MVP. Joiner

spent 11 of his 18 Seasons with the Chargers but it was in San Diego

where his career took off as a member of the Air Coryell offense. Joiner

is second in franchise history with 586 career receptions. Joiner made

the Pro Bowl three times and was all pro on two occasions (one as a

first-teamer. Garrison played 11 seasons (1966-1976) with the Chargers.

Garrison caught 404 career passes and 58 touchdowns. He was a four-

time Pro Bowler. Chandler formed a formidable receiving duo with

Joiner. In a Chargers uniform, Chandler was a three-time Pro Bowler

and two-time All Pro (one as a first-teamer). 

TE -- First team: Kellen Winslow. Honorable mention: Antonio

Gates.

Either one would be a great first-team choice but Winslow gets the nod

because of how he helped transform the position. Winslow was the first

tight end that looked like an oversized wide receiver -- too fast for a

linebacker and too big for a defensive back. That skill set is similar to

what is seen from today’s top tight ends (George Kittle, Travis Kelce,

Zach Ertz). Winslow is third in franchise history with 541 career receptions.

He was a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro (three as a first-

teamer). On two occasions, Winslow led the NFL in receptions. Gates is

a very compelling story and that he played basketball and not football

while in college at Kent State University. At 6-4, scouts felt he was too

much of a ‘tweener to play in the NBA. Gates then worked out for the

Chargers and they selected him as an undrafted free agent. The rest as

they say is history. Gates holds numerous Chargers receiving records.

He was an eight-time pro bowler and five-time All-Pro (three as a first-

teamer). Gates will be a surefire Hall-of-Famer when he is eligible in 2023. 

OT -- First team: Ron Mix, Russ Washington. Honorable mention: Billy

Shields, Marcus McNeill.

Mix was a Charger for ten seasons including the 1963 AFL championship

team. Mix was a nine-time All AFL and an eight-time AFL All-Star. Mix

is also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Washington played both

offensive and defensive tackle but his best work came on the offensive

line. Washington was a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro. His

career spanned three decades (1968-1982). Shields played nine seasons

(1975-1983) with the Chargers. Though he never earned any postseason

accolades, he was a consistent and reliable starter. McNeill's career only

lasted six years (2006-2011) and was forced to retire early after health

issues. McNeill was a Pro Bowler in his first two seasons and in 2006 did

not get called for a single holding penalty.

OG -- First team: Doug Wilkerson, Kris Dielman. Honorable mention:

Ed White, Broderick Thompson. 

Wilkerson played 14 seasons (1971-1984) with the Chargers. He started

195 of the 204 games in which he played. Wilkerson was a three-time Pro

Bowler and three-time All-Pro (one as a first-teamer). Dielman played nine

seasons with the Chargers and was a big reason for Tomlinson evolving

into a Hall of Famer along with Brees and Rivers becoming eventual Hall

of Famers. Dielman was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team

All-Pro. White played eight seasons (1978-1985) for the Chargers. He

was a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time second-team All-Pro in the Air

Coryell era. Thompson often alternated between the NFL and the USFL.

He played for the Chargers for six seasons (1987-1992). Thompson never

earned any postseason accolades but as a Charger once had a 62-game

streak as a starter. 

C -- First team: Nick Hardwick. Honorable mention: Don Macek.

You could have picked either one of these guys to be first team and not

been wrong. They were both very similar and that they were limited on

postseason accolades but long on consistency and reliability. Hardwick

was a Pro Bowler one time and his 11 seasons (2004-2014). Hardwick

was a huge reason why Tomlinson is in the Hall of Fame and why Rivers

and Brees eventually will be. Macek played for the Chargers 14 seasons

(1976-1989), much of it being in the Air Coryell era. Macek never

learned any postseason accolades. However, he was deserving on more

than a few occasions.

DEFENSE

DE -- First team: Leslie O’Neal, Fred Dean. Honorable mention: Earl

Faisan, Lee Williams.

O'Neal could make this team as a 4-3 end or 3-4 linebacker. He burst onto

the scene in 1986 and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

O'Neal went on to become the franchise leader with 105.5 career quarterback

sacks. O'Neal was a three-time Pro Bowler and three time second-team All-

Pro. Dean spent his first seven seasons with the Chargers before being

traded to the San Francisco 49ers, for whom he helped win two Super

Bowls. Dean's career as a Charger, however, is a big reason why he is a

member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In his career as a Charger, he

was a three-time Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro once. Dean was an

excellent pass-rusher but the numbers would never display it because sacks

were not an official statistic until 1982. Faison was a Charger for six years

(1961-1966), including being part of the 1963 AFL championship team.

Faison was a five-time All-AFL performer (four as a first-teamer) and

five-time AFL All-Star. The Los Angeles Rams defensive line became

the famous Fearsome Foursome but Faison was part of the original

Fearsome Foursome. Williams was a Charger for seven seasons (1984-
1990) and became the franchise's third all-time leader in career quarterback
sacks with 65.5. Williams was a two-time Pro Bowler. 

DT -- First team: Gary Johnson, Louie Kelcher. Honorable mention:
Jamal Williams, Ernie Ladd. 

Johnson, who was nicknamed “Big Hands,” spent ten seasons as a Charger
(1975-1984) before being traded to the 49ers. Johnson was a four-time Pro
Bowler, four-time All-Pro (two as a first-teamer) and made the NFL all-
rookie team in 1975. Kelcher was a Charger for nine seasons (1975-1983).
He was a three-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro (two as a first-teamer).
Ladd spent 13 Seasons as a charger (1961-1972). He was a member of the
1963 AFL championship team. Ladd, who was also a professional wrestler,
was a four-time AFL All-Star and three-time first-team All AFL. Williams
enjoyed an outstanding 12-year career (1998-2009) as a charger. He was a
three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. Williams recorded 21 pass
deflections from his nose tackle position. 

OLB -- First team: Junior Seau, Shawn Merriman. Honorable mention:
Shaun Phillips, Emil Karas.

The memories of Seau’s suicide death in 2012 are still very haunting but
memories of becoming a San Diego Sports icon are special. Seau spent 13
of his 20 NFL seasons with the Chargers. Seau earned the nickname
“Tasmanian Devil” because of his high-energy style of play. Seau could fit
this team either as a 3-4 inside linebacker or 4-3 outside linebacker, though
most of his career was spent in the latter role. In his career, Seau was a 12-
time Pro Bowler, 10-time All-Pro (eight first-team) and NFL Defensive
Player of the Year in 1992. Merriman had his share of legal baggage off
the field but on the field, he produced. In his six seasons with the Chargers,
he was a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro (two as a first-
teamer). Merriman, who earned the nickname “Lights Out,” was also the
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2005. Phillips played nine seasons
with the Chargers (2004-2012). Though he was only a Pro Bowler one
time in that span he was a consistent playmaker. Harris was an original
Charger and played for the franchise for seven seasons including the
AFL Championship season in 1963. Karas was a three-time AFL
All-Star. 

ILB -- First team: Woodrow Lowe, Chuck Allen. Honorable mention:
Billy Ray Smith, Gary Plummer. 

What the Chargers lack and greatness at this position, they made up for
with longevity and reliability. Lowe was a Charger for 11 seasons (1976-
1986). Lowe was a solid player against both the run and the pass. As for
the latter, he recorded 21 career interceptions. Allen was a Charger for nine
seasons during the infancy stage of the franchise (1961-1969). Allen was
a member of the 1963 AFL champions and was an AFL All-Star on two
occasions. Smith and Plummer formed a solid inside linebacking tandem.
Smith was second-team All-Pro in 1989. He recorded 15 interceptions and
26.5 career sacks, 11 of which came in 1986. Plummer once starred in the
USFL and made the team as an undrafted free agent in 1986. He spent
eight seasons with the Chargers before spending four more with the
49ers.

CB -- First team: Leslie Duncan, Gill Byrd. Honorable mention: Dick
Harris, Mike Williams.

Duncan, who earned the nickname “Speedy,” was a Charger for eight
seasons (1963-1970), including the 1963 AFL championship team.
Duncan recorded 21 career interceptions. Byrd played ten seasons with
the Chargers (1983-1992). He is the franchise leader with 42 interceptions
and played safety for two seasons. Byrd was a two-time Pro Bowler and
three-time All-Pro (one as a first-teamer). Harris was an original Charger
and played for the franchise for six seasons (1960-1965). He was a member
of the 1963 AFL champions. Harris was a two-time AFL All-Star and a
second in franchise history with 29 interceptions. Williams played for
eight seasons (1975-1982). As a Charger, he recorded 24 interceptions
and recovered six fumbles. 

S -- First team: Rodney Harrison, Eric Weddle. Honorable mention:
Charlie McNeill, Kenny Graham.

Though Harrison is prominently known for his six seasons as a New
England Patriot, two of which were Super Bowl champions, he spent
nine highly productive seasons as a Charger. Harrison is third in franchise
history with 26 career interceptions. Harrison was a member of the 1994
team and was a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro with the Chargers.
Weddle spent nine seasons (2007-2015) as a Charger. He was a three-
time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro. He led the NFL in
interceptions in 2011. McNeill was an original Charger and played five
seasons including the 1963 AFL championship team. He was an AFL
All-Star in 1961. That season he recorded the most interception yardage
in a single season as well as a single game. Graham was a Charger for
six seasons (1964-1969) and was an AFL All-Star four times. He
recorded 28 career interceptions, five of which were returned for
touchdowns. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K -- First team: John Carney. Honorable mention: Nate Kaeding.

Carney spent 11 seasons as a Charger (1990-2000), including membership
of the 1994 team. Carney's best season in a Chargers uniform was 1994
when he was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro. Carney is also the
franchise's leading point scorer. Carney made good on 82.4% of his career
field goal attempts. Kaeding was a Charger for nine seasons (2004-2012).
Though known for his missed field goal and the Chargers 23-20 loss to
the New York Jets in a 2004 wild card playoff game, he had a highly p
roductive career. Kaeding was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All
Pro (one as a first-teamer). Kaeding connected on 86.2% of his career
field goal attempts.

P -- First team: Darren Bennett. Honorable mention: Mike Scifries.

The Australian-born Bennett started his career by playing Australian Rules
Football. That experience translated into a highly productive NFL career
that spanned ten seasons as a Charger (1994-2003), including membership
of the 1994 team. Bennett was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
Bennett averaged 43.4 yards per kick. Scifries followed Bennett with 13
seasons (2003-2015) as a Charger. Though he never received any
postseason recognition, Scifries averaged 43.2 yards per punt. 

RETURN -- First team: Darren Sproles. Honorable mention: Lionel
James.

Sproles and James are a prime example of good things coming in small
packages as they both stood 5-foot-6. Sproles was a Charger for six
seasons (2005-2010).  In a Charger uniform, he averaged 25.1 yards
per kickoff return and 8.2 yards on punt returns. He returned two punts
and two kickoffs for touchdowns. James, known as the “Little Train,”
averaged 21.2 yards on kickoffs and 9.6 yards on punts. In 1985, he set
an NFL record with 2,535 all purpose yards. 

HEAD COACH -- First team: Sid Gillman. Honorable mention:
Don Coryell.

Gillman and Coryell are remembered for their influence on the game as
much as their win-loss record. Gillman remains the franchise leader with
86 career coaching wins including the 1963 AFL championship. Gillman
implemented things such as film study and using motion on offense,
much of which is seen today. Gillman is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
There are a large segment of people that believe Coryell should be in the
Hall of Fame as well. Coryell's Charger teams went 69-56, reaching the
postseason for four consecutive years. His offenses were much watt TV.
Coryell indirectly influenced the implementation of nickel and dime de
fenses because of his use for three and four receiver sets. He also was
among the first coaches to have a tight end that was too fast for a
linebacker and too small for a defensive back. 

TEAM -- 2006. 

Though an argument could be made for the 1963 team that won the
AFL Championship along with the 1994 team that reached the Super
Bowl, 2006 gets the nod. If there ever was a Charger team that should
have made a serious Super Bowl run, if not win it, this was the team.
The 2016, led by Tomlinson's record-setting season led to a 14-2
regular season. The Chargers, however, lost in the AFC divisional
playoffs 24-21 to the New England Patriots. Marlon McCree’s fumbled
interception of Tom Brady is a memory that haunts Charger fans to this
day. This version of the Chargers, however, was a complete football
team in all three phases.