Newberry provides insurance for Chargers at center

By Tom Robinson  |   Sunday, July 06, 2008  |  Comments( 11 )

San Diego Chargers
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The recovery progress of several high-profile offensive players from injuries will receive much of the attention at San Diego Chargers training camp later this summer.

While fans are watching to see how often the ball is in the hands of LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates as the season opens, the Chargers have other areas of concern on offense.

When they signed center Jeremy Newberry last month, the Chargers acknowledged that they need insurance at the center position while also monitoring the progress at running back, quarterback and tight end. Like Tomlinson, Rivers and Gates, center Nick Hardwick spent much of the offseason dealing with the aftereffects of an injury suffered during the 2007 season. Hardwick, an AFC Pro Bowler after the 2006 season, had foot surgery in March.

The decision to add Newberry, a 10th-year pro and two-time Pro Bowler, indicates two things. It shows the Chargers consider Hardwick’s ability to be ready for the start of the season to be questionable, and it demonstrates the team's understanding the importance of having a viable second option.

Hardwick suffered a severely sprained foot during the sixth game of the 2007 season, sat out the next four weeks, then returned to play as the Chargers advanced to the AFC championship game. According to the team, the type of surgery Hardwick had typically requires 4-6 months of recovery.

The Chargers struggled on offense when Hardwick was out, going 2-2 in a four-game stretch that included a 35-17 loss in Minnesota. Although the combination of defenses they faced with Hardwick gone was just average, the Chargers saw their offensive production dip significantly. With Hardwick, they averaged 26.9 points, 18.7 first downs, 148.8 rushing yards and 338.4 total yards per game. Without him, they averaged 23.0 points, 13.5 first downs, 80.3 rushing yards and 262.8 total yards a contest.

Newberry, however, appears to be the preferred option. He spent nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and started 14 games for the Oakland Raiders last year. And if Hardwick is ready at center from the start, Newberry could be called on to fill in elsewhere.

Rivers, who is working his way back from a torn ACL, surprisingly spent some time with the first offense during recently completed organized team activities. The Chargers re-signed his backup, Billy Volek, during the offseason.

Tomlinson (knee) and Gates (toe) are working toward being ready for the start of the season.
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