Chargers look at several young ILBs – U-T San Diego
Every spring, inside linebacker is a spot where Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco has invested premium assets — two draft picks for Manti Te’o in 2013, a $51.8 million contract to Donald Butler in March 2014 and, this month, the 43rd pick for Denzel Perryman. Perryman isn’t the only newcomer to the unit. Telesco, rummaging after the draft, signed three college free agents. A look at them:Player: Curtis GrantSchool: Ohio StateSize: 6-foot-2 1/2, 240 poundsWhy he’s here: Started 15 games for the 2014 national champions as the middle man in a 4-3 front and, four years into a so-so career, showed glimpses of the talent that had made him a 5-star recruit in 2011. Was Rivals No. 2 prep prospect in the country. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who would go No. 1 the 2014 NFL draft, was the top prospect.What Grant does best is attack straight ahead. He takes on and fends off blockers. Defending passes and chasing down runners, he was uneven.Don’t forget: Chi Chi Ariguzo, a 39-game starter for Northwestern, finished with 24 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Ariguzo, 6-1 and 235 pounds, worked at the strong and weak spots.Big Ten connection: The Big Ten was home to this year’s top Chargers draftee, running back Melvin Gordon, who ran against Grant and Ariguzo in several games. Telesco has said a few Big Ten teams play more of an NFL style by which to judge interior linebackers, blockers and a running back’s power rushing. Michigan State and Gordon’s school, Wisconsin, prefer tight formations to the spread designs that are growing within the college game.Californian: Nick Dzubnar is also working at Chargers Park, after amassing 414 tackles with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo over four seasons. Dzubnar, who will be 24 in August, is 6-1 and 240 pounds. He wrestled and played hockey in Orange County before focusing on football. NFL football future or not, his degree in construction management could be an ice-breaker with the Spanoses. A thriving construction business based in California allowed Alex Spanos to buy the Chargers in 1984, and his children and grandchildren seek a new Chargers stadium.Opportunity?: Of late, injuries have hit hard at inside linebacker. A broken foot sidelined Te’o in each August. Butler, the other returning starter, sustained a season-ending elbow injury Dec. 14. Also, a torn Achilles’ tendon ended his rookie season, and groin injuries cost him multiple games in two other seasons. Butler was dropped into a platoon role last November.Kavell Conner is back for his second season with the Chargers. A run-stuffer and special teams contributor, he appeared in all 16 games last year and worked next to both Butler and Te’o. Conner, 28, is the senior member of the seven-man unit. Colton Underwood, who practiced at outside linebacker last year as a rookie, is also expected to get some snaps inside.Andrew Gachkar, who started five Chargers game last year, joined the Cowboys this offseason.
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