Interview with The Oracle, Season II

Football is back, and with that comes the expert analysis of our favorite Chargers insider, “The Oracle” Eddie Pappani:

Jeff:  What’s up Oracle?  Dude, how psyched are you for some football?  Anyway, let’s get into it…
Once again, AJ Smith was able to keep the roster pretty-much intact while adding a few key players for depth.  Looking at the roster overall, what are our strongest and weakest positions?

Eddie:  Our strongest position is LB.  We have 11 guys that could start for an NFL roster.  We are gonna cut some guys that will be picked up quickly.  You look at Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips, Matt Wilhelm, Stephen Cooper, Derek Smith, Carlos Polk, Tim Dobbins, Brandon Siler, Anthony Water, Marques Harris, and Jyles Tucker, who do you cut?  Probably Polk and Harris.  Which sucks cause those guys are good.  Dobbins may be on the chopping block as well.  I think our weakest position is at safety still.  I like Weddle and Hart, but I think they may struggle.  I was hoping the team would sign local boy John Lynch just to sure up that spot.  We’ll have to wait and see.

Jeff:  Which player might be the biggest surprise to the fans this season?

Eddie:  Hopefully it will be Buster Davis.  He needs to prove why he was a 1st rounder. I would like to see him step up and take that #3 WR spot and make it his.  Legedu Naanee may surprise some people after being moved to WR as well. 

Jeff:  The Chargers’ offseason injury list was also a big part of the Pro Bowl roster the last couple of years:  Rivers, LT, Merriman, McNeill, Williams, Dielman, Gates.  Which of these is the biggest cause for concern as we enter this season?

Eddie:  Gates.  We need him healthy.  He is probably 80% right now.  I am concerned that the injury may linger, but hopefully it won’t.  LT is fine.  Merriman will be fine.  Rivers will be fine.  Not having Hardwick for 7-8 games is not good either.  Luckily they signed a good one in Jeremy Newberry.  He has to stay healthy until Nick is ready. 
 
Jeff:  It’s well known that the Chargers front office and fans have huge expectations for this season.  What is the vibe you get from the players you’ve talked to during this preseason? 

Eddie:  One game at a time. The team believed some of it’s press clippings at the beginning of last season and they paid for it.  They have a rare opportunity this season and need to handle their business game by game.  No more looking ahead. 

Jeff:  The Chargers play the St Louis Rams this weekend.  Stephen Jackson of the Rams is holding out with no signs of returning to camp any time soon.  What do you think of player holdouts in the NFL?  By the way, Jackson was going to be my keeper in fantasy football this year.  He is absolutely killing me!

Eddie:  That sucks.  He needs to get into camp.  I understand this is a business and he will get what he wants.  It’s tough because as a fan it really blows when guys like that hold out.  I want to see him on the field.  I hope they work it out before the season starts, or your fantasy season is over!

Jeff:  I don’t even want to think about that.  Get into camp Jackson!  Are you ready to give your prediction for the Chargers 2008 season?

Eddie:  Umm, no.  It makes me nervous.  This is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.  They have to stay healthy and get hot at the right time and they can win it all.  How’s that?  Looking at their schedule they should win 11 games no problem.  

Jeff:  Talk about the Chargers Countdown To Kickoff show.  Can we expect any changes?  Has Hacksaw pushed his way on to it yet?

Eddie:  Hahaha…no.  Hacksaw will remain in his coffin until his afternoon show weekly.  They don’t let him out of the home on weekends.  It’s still me, Lew Bush and Laz.  We are the Dream Team.  Why change that lineup?

Jeff:  Nice.  Lastly, have you seen former Charger Girl Shantel’s performance in the Cheerleader Playoffs and the Chargers Cheerleader auditions on the NFL Network?  I’m surprised that I haven’t heard any drops on the Mikey Show.

Eddie:  To be honest, I haven’t.  I have to make time to check it out.  I have heard a lot about it.  She is ridiculous.  We can’t make her look any worse than she does every Friday on the show herself!  Boo Ya!

Jeff:  Looking forward to this season, and can’t wait to hear your takes throughout!  Thanks Eddie!

Eddie Pappani can be found on  Rock 105.3 pretty much every day of the week.  You can find him on the Fantasy Freakin Football Show and the Chargers Countdown to Kickoff show 4-hours before kickoff on gamedays.  You can also catch him every morning on the number-1 rated morning show, The Mikey Show, from 6am to 10am.

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