There will be 3 open practices at Qualcomm Stadium in August. Admission is FREE, and Parking is FREE. Sodas and Hot Dogs will be sold for $1 each. There are no autographs sessions on the Wednesday practices, however there will be an autograph session for kids 14 and under on the Saturday Chargers FanFest at 10:15am, as well as an opportunity for autographs after the practices.

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As it stands now, the 2009 NFL cap is $127 million per team. The Chargers currently have ~$18 million of cap space based on their current contracts. Much has been said about the uncertainty after the 2009 season, with multiple pro-bowl free agents potentially leaving the team. Can the Chargers sign Rivers, Merriman, Jackson, McNeill, and Sproles to multi-year, multi-million dollar deals? A resounding "No" always follows this question. Will the CBA be renewed for 2010 and beyond? We can't see into the future, but we can make predictions based on historical information. Much more will be known by the time the final roster cuts are made this year, and even more if a new CBA is approved. Yet to continue to be competitive in the NFL, most believe the Chargers will need to sign at least two of these marquee players, with Rivers being an absolute must.  Let's take a look at the 2009 cap space, and 5 San Diego free agents. Of course several assumptions will be made as we look to the future.

Assumption 1: Chargers cut ILB Matt Wilhelm providing [+$3.7 mil in cap space]

Assumption 2: Chargers do not re-sign WR Chris Chambers after the 2009 season [+$5.9 million in cap space]  

Assumption 3: 2010 will be a capped year, with the total cap at $137 million - Based on the last 6 years, the average increase in the cap each year is ~9.3%. We'll take the median 4 year average and calculate the 2010 cap using an increase of 7.5%  

NFL Cap by Year [million]

2009 $127

2008 $116

2007 $109

2006 $102

2005 $85.5

2004 $80.5 

This gives the Chargers a total of $28 million in cap space for 2010. After the contracts to Wilhelm and Chambers come off the books, that number grows to $37.6 million for 2010 and beyond. 

Assumption 4: The focus on free agent priority and assumed contract offer:

Philip Rivers [7 years for $100 mil]          Average cap hit $14.3 mil   Increase in 2008 cap hit $6.7 mil

Shawne Merriman [6 years for $70 mil]  Average cap hit $11.7 mil   Increase in 2008 cap hit $9.1 mil

Marcus McNeill [6 years for $60 mil]       Average cap hit $10.0 mil    Increase in 2008 cap hit $9.2 mil

Vincent Jackson [5 years for $40 mil]    Average cap hit $8.0 mil     Increase in2008 cap hit $7.2 mil

Darren Sproles [4 years for $16 mil]      Average cap hit $4.0 mil     Increase in 2008 cap hit $-2.6 mil

Total 2010 and beyond, increase in contract obligations from 2008 =$29.6 mil

Total 2010 cap space =$37.6 mil

Does this mean that the Chargers can fill all 5 bank accounts, and still come in at $8 million under the cap for 2010? The largest variable here is the 2010 CBA. However, the cap will continue to increase each year providing additional cap space, and LT will come off the books after 2011 freeing up about ~$8 million. So on the face of it, it does look like the Chargers can sign all 5 key components. But why do I keep hearing that this is impossible? Well, many of these contracts are back loaded, so I can only make assumptions based on 2008 cap numbers. The exact numbers will vary. We also have to account for incremental increases in other player salaries, increase in league minimums based on the 2010 CBA, and new rookie contracts, and we want to keep the ability to fill holes in the roster with a Kevin Burnett or other FA. However, any number of these new contracts can be back loaded as well, and the Chargers may never pay out the final years. The issue will be in guaranteed money. It will be very difficult to guarantee so much money across just a handful of players. What happens if they are injured? The Chargers with hardly any cap space will not be able to retain other talented players, and definitely will not be signing any free agents. Based on these numbers, the Chargers have the ability to offer a contract to any, or all of these players, but it may very well come with a huge risk to the future success of their organization, and I don't see AJ Smith writing that check.

With only 61 carries, and 29 catches in 2008, Darren Sproles accumulated 672 yards from scrimmage [7.5 yards per touch], while LT had 292 carries, and 52 catches totaling 1536 scrimmage yards [4.5 yards per touch]. Even with kick and punt return duties, for the entire season Sproles accumulated only 165 touches. However, recent quotes of Norv Turner indicate he plans on giving LT 320+ carries in 2009, totalling a very likely 370 touches for a 30 year old back. This will leave Sproles with a similar looking ~90 touches. Looking at many of the two-back systems in the league, the more balanced the touches are, the more effective each RB generally becomes. I would like to see the Chargers implement more of a split back system. Yes LT will carry the load, but we need to see more from Sproles. Lets compare the averages (yards from scrimmage using rush attempts + receptions):

2008
• Sproles:  Average of 5.6 touches per game for 7.5 yards per touch
• LT:  Average 21.5 touches per game for 4.5 yards per touch

Career
• Sproles:  Average 3.2 touches per game for 6.3 yards per touch
• LT:  Average 24.9 touches per game for 4.9 yards per touch

I believe if you balance the amount of touches each RB gets, they would both increase their average yards per touch. I would like to see Sproles get 160 carries on the ground (8-10 per game) to go along ~50 catches. This gives LT about (17-20 per game) and ~30 catches. Sproles has much more big play potential, but has only been given 10+ carries per game during the regular season twice in his entire carer:

• 2007 Week 15 vs Detroit [25 rush for 122 yards, 2 TD]
• 2008 Week 17 vs Denver [14 rush for 115 yards, TD]

Given the game breaking ability of a back like Sproles, we will definitely want to preserve him for KR/PR, but there other very effective returners touching the ball at least 7-8 times per game, and still being very productive in the return game (scrimmage yards only):

• 2008 ATL RB, Jerious Norwood [Average 8.2 touches per game for 6.3 yards per touch]
• 2008 NYJ RB, Leon Washington [Average 7.7 touches per game for 6.5 yards per touch]
• 2008 NO RB, Pierre Thomas [Average 10.7 touches per game for 5.7 yards per touch]

Bottom line, lets see the little guy. You paid him enough, and it also allows LT to extend his career. We know the split back system works extremely well, and we are not utilizing Sproles nearly enough. Gartrell may be helpful getting the tough yards between the tackles, but I think 2009 is the year for Sproles. It's quite possible though by allowing him to get enough touches, the Chargers in no way could sign him to a long term contract. They would almost be guaranteed to lose either LT or Sproles if Sproles gets the chance on the field he deserves.