The Chargers will likely be without starting LT Marcus McNeill for a huge chunk of the 2010 season due to a contract holdout and he’s the best lineman on the team.  Philip Rivers won’t likely be near as comfortable in the pocket in 2010 as he was in 2009.  Brandyn Dombrowski, Tra Thomas, Tyrone Greene and Corey Clark will all battle in training camp for the LT job.  I think when the dust settles it will be Dombrowski covering Rivers’ blind side.  He played well last season at RT but LT is a harder position.  LG Kris Dielman has been to 3 straight Pro Bowls.  Dielman has good balance and he’s very aggressive in the running game.  Center Nick Hardwick gets by with his brains as he is a finesse position type of blocker.  RG Louis Vasquez is a good run blocker but he has issues with fast rushers in the passing game.  RT Jeromey Clary is a below average tackle but his competition would have likely been Dombrowski who is needed on the left side.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CHARGERS O-LINE in 2010:  C-