The San Diego Chargers have been one of the most underperforming teams in the NFL over the past few years and after firing head coach Norv Turner, new coach Mike McCoy wants to make a quick turnaround and one way to do that is to rebuild the offensive line.
According to Pro Football Talk, the team is trying to do just that, as they hosted former Colts lineman Winston Justice for a visit, which followed one from former Steelers left tackle Max Starks. The Chargers ditched tackle Jared Gaither after a disappointing 2012 season despite his cap hit and the team may have a relationship with Justice, as new general manager Tom Telesco was once with the Colts when they got Justice from the Eagles in early 2012. The 29-year-old spent his first seasons in Philly before moving to the Colts and he started 12 games at right tackle last season, although he likely would play left with the Chargers.
Justice could be an insurance option for the team as he has played all but one of his 43 starts at right tackle, but the Chargers drafted DJ Fluker with the 12th pick and are content to have him start there. Justice was part of the Eagles team that allowed 12 sacks to the Giants once, but he improved his play with the Colts and he could be a solid addition to the roster, even if they bring in Starks as well.
McCoy wants to give quarterback Philip Rivers more time to throw the ball after he made too many mistakes last season and one reason for that was due to the constant pressure. The team never could get any consistent blocking, but McCoy had put a focus on that this offseason as evidenced by the drafting of Fluker. The Chargers would have loved to get Lane Johnson in the draft, but Starks may be their best option since he started 51 games for the Steelers over the past four years at the position and while the team still has King Dunlap, they want to upgrade.
The Chargers were mentioned in some Branden Albert trade talks, but that has subsided as offseason workouts continue around the league. The Chargers need to improve its running and pass blocking and Starks could help with both.
