Another Fearless Prognostication Sure to Go Wrong

As this article from today’s San Diego U-T sports section would suggest, the conventional wisdom is that Charger back-up tight end, Brandon Manumaleuna, will have to step up his game if Pro Bowl starter Antonio Gates is not able to answer the bell because of a sprained left big toe.

While this may be true, we are going to throw in our wild card. The gentleman pictured at right is Legedu Naanee, the Charger’s rookie hybrid TE/WR (to reduce the team's roster-spot footprint) out of Boise St. He didn’t get a whole lot of playing time this season but we liked what we saw when he did.

At 6-2 and 226 lbs. we like Naanee for this match-up as he has the speed and athleticism, more so than the Big Samoan, to get upfield on those seam routes to which cover-2 defenses are at times vulnerable. The Colts D will be occupied taking away the outside threats of Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson so we’re hoping this leaves the middle portion of the field open. The onus will be on Philip Rivers to drop the ball in over the linebackers but underneath the safeties.
So there you have it… we’re getting our marker in early. If the Chargers are to beat the Colts on Sunday, we believe Naanee will be the ‘X’-factor no one anticipated going in.