Fitzgerald is a better choice for Chargers

Ole Miss. quarterback Eli Manning is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL… Ole Miss. quarterback Eli Manning is projected to be the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, but maybe that should depend on which team ends up picking first.

As of right now, the San Diego Chargers hold the first pick, but the New York “football” Giants have inquired about the pick. To me it wouldn’t make sense for San Diego to go after Manning because the Chargers already have invested in quarterback Drew Brees. Brees had a poor season in 2003, but you can’t just give him the ax after one poor year.

In 2002, his first full season as San Diego’s starting quarterback, Brees completed 60.8 percent of his passes, threw for 3,284 yards and connected for 17 touchdowns against 16 interceptions. That’s not too bad for a second year player who did not have a big time receiver.

Last season, Brees had wide receiver David Boston, as well as LaDainian Tomlinson, one of the best running backs in the NFL. Boston was a disappointment this season, even though he had 70 catches along with seven touchdowns. But he only had 800 yards receiving.

However, Tomlinson has been consistent over his three-year career in the NFL. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards each season and in the last two has eclipsed the 1,500-yard rushing plateau. He also led the Chargers in receptions with 100 in 2003.

That’s a crying shame, which leads me to what position San Diego needs to concern itself with — wide receiver. Obviously, the Chargers need to look no further than Pitt’s own Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is arguably the best receiver coming out of college and could team with Brees and Tomlinson for years to come.

Brees and Tomlinson both will be 25 this season, while Fitzgerald comes into the league at the age of 21. Fitzgerald will not necessarily be an instant success, but give him at least one season before he breaks out.

While Manning does have a promising future in the NFL, the amount of talent he possesses and the Manning legacy he is following — as he is the son of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning and brother of current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning –may not be factors if he does not have any wide receivers to throw the ball to.

Currently the Chargers have former Tennessee Titan wide receiver Kevin Dyson, who has never had a 1,000-yard receiving season during his six-year career and has battled injuries the past two seasons. Tim Dwight is San Diego’s other experienced wideout and also has never had 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Both of these wide receivers will be 29 this season and will not pose a serious challenge to premier defensive backs.

San Diego made a critical mistake by trading Boston to the Miami Dolphins. Boston will be 26 this season and teaming up with Fitzgerald, along with the Chargers’ running game would have resurrected his career as well as Brees’. Injuries and personal problems have slowed Boston, but with his size and speed he was bound to break out of his slump, especially if he had a complement.

All San Diego had last season was a running game, and they have already parted ways with Boston, who was part of the solution to its offense. Hopefully, it will not give up on Brees, who is a talented quarterback, because I’m not sure that Manning would fare any better with what the Chargers currently have at wide receiver.

It may seem like I’m being a homer, but considering that the Chargers have the first pick, it makes sense for Fitzgerald to be selected number one overall. San Diego needs to tell the Giants they are keeping the first pick and make the right decision on April 24.

Kevin Nash is the assistant sports editor for The Pitt News.