A league source says the San Diego Chargers are interested in Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver, who left school during the spring semester, and may choose him in the July 12 supplemental draft. Oliver had a mediocre performance when he worked out for NFL scouts, and I was highly skeptical that any team would spend a 2008 first-day pick on him, but many observers in the league and in the media think some team will use its 2008 second- or third-round pick to get Oliver right now.
For the Chargers, the addition of Oliver (who had an outstanding game matched up against Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, now with the Lions, last year) would anticipate the loss of Drayton Florence, who becomes a free agent after the 2007 season. Oliver would probably get minimal playing time as a rookie, but he has the potential to be a solid starter down the road, and it's that potential that will lead some team to take him next week.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-02-2007 @ 11:03AM
Kai said...
I don't see the point of bringing this guy in. Ever since I have been a Chargers Fan (1989) the secondary has always been suspect. As it stands right now we have two decent corners in Jammer and Florence. Both of these guys have the physical tools to be better corners but from my perspective and especially in the case with florence the mental focus is not always there. The guy I hope develops is Cromartie, the could be a beast at the corner spot and provide us with the "shutdown" corner that we desperately need. To me it makes better sense to cultivate the talent we already have instead of bringing in a rookie setting the secondary back.
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7-02-2007 @ 4:17PM
Lando said...
Florence will be gone after this season. There have been several reports that his agent has tried to contact the Chargers about an extension but they have no interest. I like Drayton but he ruffled some feathers with that head-butt in the playoff game. The above poster "hopes" Cromartie develops? The dude is going to be a stud and it wouldn't shock me to see him beat out DFlo for the starting job this season. Oliver makes sense to bring in as the future nickel back but I don't know if I would give up a first day pick for him, especially since the Bolts don't have a 3rd round pick in '08 as of right now.
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7-09-2007 @ 2:03PM
Cale Self said...
Chargers fans, you want this guy, trust me. Look up Calvin Johnson's stats vs. Georgia for the past three years. You're going to be shocked. And it was all Paul Oliver's doing. This guy is a beast who can be physical and play lock down. Everybody's saying Calvin Johnson is the best athlete to come in the NFL in years, maybe ever. Well, PO is the guy who shut him down. For three years straight. Pick him up, he's worth it. Hell, I'm a Cowboys fan, and I was seriously hoping they'd pick him up to boister and aging nickel back and some young backups.....
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7-12-2007 @ 8:31PM
Phil Johnson said...
I've been a Charger fan for four decades, and I'm happy with the Oliver pick. Florence should have a good year, which will help his market value, then he will walk. Cromartie will get more playing time; he might even beat Florence out and become a starter. If Oliver has the right stuff, he becomes the dime back this year. Then the following year it's Jammer and Cromartie as the starters with Oliver as the nickel back. A. J. Smith is always building for the future.
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7-12-2007 @ 4:41PM
Tom Conlon said...
A great day for Bolt fans worldwide. As a 30 year Charger season ticket holder, I have watched with dismay many years of our corners getting toasted or game-losing interference penalties. I can count on one hand the number of decent CBs over the years so this can only help.
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7-18-2007 @ 11:17PM
corey said...
this guy was a monster in high school
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