Bolts From The Blue
We’re kicking off the journey to the Chargers Quarter-Century Team by voting on the team’s WR1 since 2000.
The Chargers were blessed with some very talented and blue-collard offensive lineman during those mid to late 2000s. From one side to the other, that front office built themselves a winner made out of high draft picks, late picks, free agency finds, and even an undrafted free agent.
Below are three of the best offensive guards the Chargers employed this turn of the century and unfortunately only two of them will make the cut for the Quarter Century Team.
Let’s go ahead and find out who the first one is!
Dielman began his time with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Indiana who had most recently been playing defensive tackle. He parlayed that humble NFL beginning into becoming a two-time Second-Team All-Pro, four-time Pro Bowler, and being named to the Chargers 50th Anniversary Team.
By the end of his career, he had started 97 games and played in 120 total for the Bolts. Just like many of the offensive linemen who will be up for the Quarter Century Team, Dielman was part of the record-breaking seasons by LaDainian Tomlinson in the late 2000s.
Goff did not start his career with the Chargers but he sure had his best years as a professional with in San Diego. After six years with the Bengals, Goff joined the Bolts in 2004 and quickly became an impactful veteran presence.
In his first year, he started at right guard between center Nick Hardwick and right tackle Shane Olivia, both of whom were rookies. In 2005, he was named a First-Team All-Pro by Sports Illustrated.
In all, Goff started all 16 games in each of his five seasons with the Chargers.
The Chargers selected Vasquez in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He won the starting right guard job as a rookie and never looked back, holding it down through his entire tenure with the team.
While he was with the Chargers, Vasquez started every game he played in, totaling 54 with 10 missed to injuries. He would go on to become an All-Pro for the Broncos in 2013 and help them win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.
