Kevin Burnett, LB

Raylee Johnson, DE

Eugene Marve, LB

Igor Olshansky, DT

Lee Williams, DE

Wilbur Young, DE

I end this series with a poll.  Not because it’s that tough a choice (at least not in my mind), but more to signify an end to the series.

After the jump, I'll provide my two cents about the contenders, but I'd like to take this moment to thank all who have read the series and even perhaps enjoyed one or two.  Some were designed to stir the pot of discussion, some were intended to bring a chuckle, but all were meant to bring back fond memories of a team and players that we've all come to love.  I thank you for your support and encouragement -- and even your criticisms.  Now let's get on with some football!  Go Bolts!! 

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THE 96’S

Keith Baldwin, DE

Dave Ball, DE

Leonardo Carson, DL

Travis Johnson, DT

Don Sasa, DT

Blaise Winter, DT

THE 97’S

Ryon Bingham, DT

George Hinkle, DT

Tony Simmons, DE

THE 98’S

Antwan Barnes, LB

Skip McClendon, DE

Michael Mohring, DT

Derreck Robinson, DE

Gerald Robinson, DE

Jim Skow, DE

Terry Unrein, NT

I promise, I’m not bulking 96, 97 and 98 together simply because I want to get this series over with (although I think there’s a number of us who would share that sentiment if it WERE my intention).

There are two main reasons I bulk these three numbers together:

1. Woeful competition.
2. The three winners – in varying combinations with each other -- formed a fairly formidable interior of a defensive line for a number of years.

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Mitchell Benson, DT

Jeff Brady, LB

Joe Campbell, OLB

Vernon Edwards, DE

Al Fontenot, DE

Fuller William, DE

Joe Salave'a, DT

95 is a no-brainer.  Not only because the pickings are slim, but because if I DON’T pick the obvious winner, he’s likely to kick my Twitter butt.

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Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, DE
Randy Kirk, LB
Robert Pollard, DE
Maa Tanuvasa, DL
Shannon Taylor, LB
Jyles Tucker, LB

From 1989 to 1993, the Chargers spent their 1st round draft picks on defense.  And it was a fairly decent run.  All five became starters and solid contributors to the AFC Championship team of 1994 – including the #94 winner.

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Reuben Davis, DT

Chris Demaree, DE

Eric Downing, DT

Tyrone Keys, DE

Otis Leverette, DE

Antoine Simpson, DT

George Thornton, DT

Earl Wilson, DE

It’s not surprising that the 90s bring a lot of defensive lineman to the forefront, but I suppose it’s a confluence of interesting timing that defensive linemen – and defensive ends in particular – are so much on the brain these days.  The 93 winner is a perfect example.  Is he one of the best ever?  Or has he just been a stop-gap band-aid all these years?

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Jason Fisk, DT

Scott Garnett, NT

David Griggs, OLB

Cedric Harden, DE

Dee Hardison, DE

Marques Harris, LB

Darren Mickell, DE

Eric Williams, LB

As we bid adieu to the 2011 Draft, #92 reminds us that sometimes choosing a Defensive End in the 1st Round is a (relatively) good thing.

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Rick Ackerman, DE

Tony Chickillo, NT

Brandon McKinney, DT

Shawn Price, DT

Mike Pringley, DE

Neil Smith, DE

As I go through these 90s, I’m starting to realize wearing a number in the 90s was not so much en vogue until the 80s -- which means there’s a dearth of options for most of these numbers.  Thankfully 91 features one of the all time greats.

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Quick – name a 90!  It’s not that easy.  For one thing, there weren’t that many.  In fact, according to my chart there were NONE UNTIL 1981!  Second of all, they were all pretty forgettable.

Sebastian Barrie, DT

Bill Elko, NT

Mack Moore, DE

Fred Robinson, DE

Cornell Thomas, DE

Reggie White, DT

Mike Wilcher, LB

John Woodcock, DE

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Sometimes, these are easy.

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• Chuck Bradley, TE
• Craig Cotton, TE
• Arthur Cox, TE
• Tom Day, DE
• Dick Gordon, WR
• Gene Huey, WR
• Deems May, TE
• Gregg McCrary, TE
• Pettis Norman, TE
• Kris Wilson, TE

By contrast to 87, 88 has much more interesting quality players – with far less quantity. Mainly because it features guys who wore the number for several years.

Worthy Mentions

• Eric Parker, WR
• Pete Holohan, TE
• Freddie Jones, TE

Parker was not a bad little receiver. But he was also very polarizing – some loved him, some hated him. Spending as much time as he did injured didn’t help his cause. But as a little engine that could (as long as his wheels were on the track), he had some memorable games for some memorable teams.

Holohan never put up big numbers (kinda hard when you’re playing in the Winslow shadow), but still put in some good service time as a Coryell Bolt.

Even Freddie Jones – for all his unfulfilled promise – performed admirably for some lousy teams.

But none of these compares with yet another one of those unsung, unknown "heroes."

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Lionel Aldridge, DE

Larry Burton, WR

Scott Chandler, TE

Howard Clark, TE

Harrison Davis, WR

Larry Dorsey, WR

Kevin Ferguson, TE

Reggie Jones, WR

Howard Kindig, DE

Chris Penn, WR

Brian Roche, TE

Dwight Scales, WR

Ryan Thelwell, WR

Tamarick Vanover, WR-KR

Andre White, TE

Kelley Washington, WR

Tom Williams, DT

87 is a weird one.  For all the players who have worn the number – mostly Wide Receivers -- and for all the offensive firepower the Chargers have displayed in their 50 years of existence, you’d THINK there’d be SOMEONE who stands out.  Eh…  Just be glad I didn’t put it to a vote!

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Mikhael Ricks, WR

Patrick Batteaux, WR

Jesse Bendross, WR

Ron Billingsley, DT

Marlin Briscoe, WR-QB

John Floyd, WR

Dondre Gilliam, WR

Wes Grant, DE

Jamie Holland, WR

Grant Mattos, WR

Keenan McCardell, WR (for half a season)

James Thaxton, TE

86 features a good battle between Tight Ends who were solid contributors to championship-caliber teams.  But their battle is for Runner Up!

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Johnnie Barnes, WR

Jim Beirne, WR

Tim Dwight, WR

Tony Gaiter, WR

Harry Holt, TE

Artie Owens, WR

Andy Parker, TE

Bob Petrich, DE

Laterio Rachel, WR

Robert Reed, WR

Scott Schwedes, WR

Eric Sievers, TE

John Tanner, LB

Kitrick Taylor, WR

With apologies to Wesley Hoaglund of Lenox Financial, THIS may be the biggest no-brainer in the history of mankind.

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Martin Baccaglio, DE

John Baker, LB

Ray Crittenden, WR

Buster Davis, WR

Mike Dyal, TE

Ron Egloff, TE

'Omar Ellison, WR

Chris Faulkner, TE

Chris Gannon, TE

Walker Gillette, WR

Bob Klein, TE

Aaron Laing, TE

Justin Peelle, TE

Webster Slaughter, WR

Josh Whitman, TE

Al Williams, WR

Dave Williams, WR

Walter Wilson, WR

84 is odd in the sense that not that many players wore it for more than one year at a time.  That SHOULD make the pickings easy.

Klein and Peelle were decent Tight Ends, but both suffered in the shadows of a couple legends.

The Winner

Paul Maguire, LB-K

John Burke, TE

Mike Carter, WR

Robert Claiborne, WR

Andre Coleman, WR-KR

Bruce Davis, WR

Willie Frazier, TE

Steve Heiden, TE

Trumaine Johnson, WR

Dave Kocourek, TE

Larry Mialik, TE

Josh Norman, TE

Bobby Shaw, WR

Joe Sweet, WR

Wesley Welker, WR

When this series is over (finally), and we look back, it’s very possible that 83 will be remembered as one of the most hotly contested of all the Jersey numbers.  But one thing I can say unequivocally: its timing couldn’t be better.

The Candidates

Vincent Jackson, WR

Okay, let’s get the Vincent Jackson talk about of the way.  No matter what side of the VJ fence you fall on, you’d have to admit it sure has been fun watching him blossom and develop over these years.  Is it enough to win a Golden Jersey?  Well, the numbers are pretty good.  Maybe not career worthy.  But he has certainly played at a high level for some very good teams.  Teams that probably could have gone far if people didn’t do stupid things like kick a challenge flag… Oh… Right… That was him.  Anyway, moving on!

Anthony Miller, WR

Miller did not have the good fortune to play as many great teams (only one playoff team in 6 seasons as a Charger), but he definitely put up the best numbers.  Four seasons of more than 60 receptions, three seasons of over 1000 yards, and four Pro Bowls.

John Jefferson, WR

There’s not much you can say about John Jefferson that isn’t encapsulated in the words "Air Coryell."  No one defines the early days of Air Coryell quite as distinctly as JJ – not even Dan Fouts.  But… well, we all know where the story goes from here.  Contract dispute, holdout, trade to Green Bay, career suicide, Wes Chandler, the legacy of Air Coryell.  To the Chargers credit – and to Jefferson’s discredit – the Chargers didn’t miss a beat without him.  But who’s to say what the team would have accomplished with him?  Who’s to say how many more iconic highlights he would have left behind?  Diving one-handed catches, rolling into the end zone.

There are viable reasons for any of the three.  Miller’s run was longer, but there’s not much "legacy" to it.  VJ’s legacy is still being written, and may be the best of all – but it’s tainted.  JJ is the most iconic – but he only lasted 3 seasons, and the fallout was bitter (yet replaceable).  So the choice is yours.  Wear your preferences on your sleeve.  Feel free to comment and stir the debate.  This will probably be the last best shot of this series.

Ralph Anderson, TE

Al Barry, G

Billy Brooks, WR

Byrd Demetrius, WR

Reche Caldwell, WR

Greg Camarillo, WR

Pat Curran, TE

Steve DeLong, DE

Bob Duckworth, WR

Trevor Gaylor, WR

Dave Grannell, TE

Charlie Jones, WR

Rommie Loudd, LB

Bob Micho, TE

Bob Mitinger, LB

Walter Reeves, TE

Tag Rome, WR

Tim Rossovich, LB

Mark Seay, WR

A lot of interesting names coming in at #82.  Some even memorable ones.  But the winner represents one of the most intriguing position shifts in team history.

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• Stephen Alexander, TE
• John Andrews, TE
• Mel Baker, WR
• Steve Bird, WR
• Roger Carr, WR
• Wendell Davis, TE
• Scott Fitzkee, WR
• Jeff Graham, WR
• Ron Holliday, WR
• Anthony Jones, TE
• Nate Lewis, WR
• Randy McMichael, TE
• Calvin Muhammad, WR
• Dave Plump, WR
• Maury Schleicher, DE
• Jeff Staggs, LB
• Wilbur Strozier, TE
• Sammie Taylor, WR
• Aundra Thompson, WR
• Mark Walczak, TE
• Timmie Ware, WR

Gee, you’d think with all the guys that wore 81, the choices would be better than this.  But at least there was a recent 81 who made things interesting.

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Curtis Conway, WR

Malcom Floyd, WR

Kevin Hardy, DT

Shawn Jefferson, WR

Gary Parris, TE

Houston Ridge, DT

Micah Ross, WR

Bryan Still, WR

Wayne Walker, WR

The Winner

Kellen Winslow, TE

You would really have to have been living under a proverbial football rock not to know that Winslow revolutionized the position of Tight End back in the 80s.  Not only because of the incredible numbers he racked up (or the 5 Pro Bowls, 3 First-Team All-Pro selections, and Hall of Fame induction), but because every good or great Tight End that plays, even to this day, is compared to Winslow (even his own son). 

Once there was Winslow, no longer was the Tight End a big, hulking, slow-footed glorified offensive lineman who could occasionally catch.  Winslow was a legitimate downfield threat.  In fact, despite the fact that some people might think that Winslow was just a product of a great offensive scheme, one could argue that he made the scheme a success.  The way Winslow forced defenses to account for him allowed the likes of Joiner and Chandler to get open, and Muncie and Brooks to do their thing.

When it was all said and done, Winslow was more than just a Hall of Fame Tight End.  He was a Charger legend, and a fixture in all of our hearts and minds.  And now he’s a Golden Jersey winner.

Coy Bacon, DE

Mike Goff, G

George Gross, DT

Joey Howard, T

Bill Hudson, DT

Ron Nery, DE

Volney Peters, DT

Marcus Price, T

Andy Rice, DT

Curtis Rouse, G

Jon Runyan, T

Tony Savage, NT

Sammy Williams, T

Solomon Page, G

The Winner

Gary Johnson, DT

Johnson’s best year was in 1980.  In fact, it was one of the best years in franchise history.  Aside from the typical Air Coryell offensive explosion, the Chargers had a league high 60 sacks that season, and part of the reason was that there were no weak links in the Dline.  Johnson picked up 17.5 sacks that season, more than anyone in the league that year, and was selected to the Pro Bowl.  In fact, 75% of the AFC Pro Bowl DLine that year was made up of Chargers. 

Johnson was not huge, but he was quick and incredibly strong; it was a lethal combination.  Johnson spent his best years, 1975-1984 as a Charger and picked up over 60 sacks during that time, he made the Pro Bowl from 80-83.  He still ranks second in all time Charger sacks.

When Johnson passed away earlier this year, it felt to many of us like an old friend had died.  To quote Brian (DaBolts), who helped with much of this tribute: “What I always liked about Johnson was his smile; you could tell that he was one of those guys that left all the aggression on the field.  Big Hands was doing something he loved and excelled at it.”

Bob Brown, DT

Andre Coleman, DE

Chuck Ehin, DE-NT

Richard Hudson, T

Joel Patten, T

DeQuincy Scott, DL

Gene Selawski, T

Sometimes the quality of a team is not measured by the quality of the individual players.   Case in point: the 1972 and 1973 San Diego Chargers.  The two teams won a combined 6 games, even though their offensive lines consisted of 3 Golden Jersey winners – including the #78 winner.

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First there was Jim Griffin.  Then Bob Wells and Ron East gave valiant efforts that each lasted about 3 seasons.  After John Teelinck lasted a couple seasons, there was virtually no one until Sam Claphan made a pretty strong showing (actually lasting the longest of all), followed by the likes of Eric Moten and Damien McIntosh.  But none of them could topple the ultimate winner of the Golden Jersey for #77.

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Keith Ferguson, DE

Gary Finneran, DT

Willard Goff, DE

Terry Owens, T

Henry Schmidt, DT

Broderick Thompson, T

Van Tuinei, DE

Both Terry Owens and Broderick Thompson equated themselves quite well as offensive linemen for a number of Charger teams – as well as some other ones.  But it was a player on the defensive side of the ball who walks off with the Golden Jersey.

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75 is interesting not for who wins but moreso for who doesn’t.  No less than three honorable mentions who could make up a solid defensive line in their own right. 

Sort of Runners-Up

Joe Phillips, DE

David (Deacon) Jones, DE

Marcellus Wiley, DE

Joe Phillips gave some lousy Charger teams 5 solid seasons of quality play before bringing his services over to the Chiefs.  Deacon Jones gave some lousy Charger teams 2 mediocre seasons of past-his-prime play before bringing his services to the silver screen (not too many pro football players get to say they knocked Warren Beatty on his ass).  And then there’s Marcellus Wiley, who joined the Chargers amidst much hoopla only to fizzle and flame out without much more than a whimper.

But ultimately 75 boils down to 8 glorious years of Hall of Fame caliber bookend offensive tackles.

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Jacques Cesaire, DE

Chris Gambol, T

Eric Jonassen, T

Jim Lachey, T

Brett Miller, T

Raleigh Roundtree, T

Dave Rowe, DT

As we get ready to start another Charger season, the Golden Jersey committee finds itself embroiled in one our toughest battles.

We considered putting it to a vote, but ultimately we determined that a vote for one is a vote AGAINST the other.  And with two players who meant so much to this franchise, we just couldn’t subject you to that.  (We’re such a compassionate bunch.)

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Going through the 70s, and all the non-descript, non-statistic-driven OLineman, gives me a chance to expound on personal opinions as it relates to Chargers history.  And 73 allows me to bring up this little personal nugget: GOOD GOD, DID I HATE ME SOME BOBBY BEATHARD!!! 

Okay, let me clarify.  By the time his reign as Charger GM was over, I felt a strong dislike for Bobby Beathard.  And to further clarify, my disdain for the man was based solely on his failings as a GM, not on any shortcomings as a person (after all, I didn’t really know the man).

In all, Beathard oversaw 11 Charger drafts.  Without getting into the minutiae of each pick, I would say that 6 of the drafts were decent and 5 were below average to putrid.  The funny thing is that the 6 that were decent were the first six.  From there, it was downhill – earmarked by some absolutely certifiable moves. 

So what does all this have to do with #73?  Because even in my fog of hatred, I have to admit, there were some picks that were pretty good, and the 73 winner was one of them.

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Gary Kirner, T

Roman Oben, T

Joe Owens, DE

Troy Sienkiewicz, G

Ron Singleton, T

Emil Slovacek, T

John Stadnik, C

Courtney Van Buren, T

Jeff Walker, G

Jeff Williams, T

Karl Wilson, DE

Rickey Hagood, NT

Oben and Van Buren made minor dents on the Impact Scale during their time in a Bolts uni.  But for the Golden Jersey, we gotta go with the starting Left Tackle for the Super Bowl team!

The Winner

Harry Swayne, T

Swayne was a solid, unflashy contributor to a team that elevated itself from blech of the pack to AFC Champions.

It’s hard to believe that Swayne played for 15 seasons in the NFL.  It’s even harder to believe that he played for the Broncos for two – and got 2 Super Bowl rings with them.  Even so, against weaker competition, he gets the Golden Jersey.

Charles Aiu, G

Harold Akin, T

Levert Carr, T

Dick Chorovich, DT

Toniu Fonoti, G

Antonio Garay, DT

DeMingo Graham, G

Cory Lekkerkerker, T

Joe Milinichik, G

Fred Moore, DT

Dwight Wheeler, G

Mike Charles, NT

The Winner

Fred Dean, DE

Like most kids living in Clairemont in 1980, I was a big Charger fan.  One summer day, while playing outside, I saw a moving van pull up down the street.  Hoping to find a new kid to play with – or beat up, since I was the neighborhood bully (yeah, right) – I made my way down the block to check out the new family.  Lo and behold, what did I see?  Not the new family, but none other than Fred Dean!  Working as a mover!!  Different times, huh?

Soon after that (or maybe BECAUSE of that), it all went sour between Dean and the Chargers.  Needless to say, because of my personal encounter, I give Dean the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his "beef" with the Chargers.  Plus, he gets a Golden Jersey for his trouble.

You know, I suppose if you choose not to retire a number, the best thing that can happen is that it goes on to suit others well.  And no other number is as indicative of that adage as #70.

In fact, I would argue (without doing a lick of research) that no other number was worn so consistently by good players.  Once our winner donned it for 15 seasons, no one after him wore it for less than 4 seasons (until its current owner), and each wore it with distinction.

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Monte Bennett, DE

Ben Bordelon, T

Ed Ellis, T

Joe Goebel, C

Darrel Gofourth, G

Tyronne Green, G

Curtis Jones, G

John Lee, DT

Huh??  Maybe it’s the stigma of wearing the number 69 (tee hee).  Or maybe it’s just utter coincidence that the guys who wore the number in Chargers’ history stunk.  Well, in case any of them are reading this, not "stunk," per se.  Just… weren’t able to parlay their natural talent, hard work ethic and prep and collegiate success into a quality NFL career – due to circumstances beyond their control, of course.

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Bob Briggs, DE

Joe Cocozzo, G

Don Estes, G

Orlando Ferrante, G

Gary Kowalski, T

Lloyd McCoy, G

Elliot Silvers, T

Brian Vertefeuille, G

Greg Wojcik, DT

Finally, some competition.  So much so, that I’ll let you guys decide.  Please carefully review each candidate’s material before voting. 

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