Eric D. Williams, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Chargers' Orlando Franklin focused on losing weight, gaining flexibility

Good Morning.

In this interview with Steve Hartman and Mike Costa of Xtra 1360 Fox Sports Radio, San Diego Chargers guard Orlando Franklin acknowledged that he wasn’t in the best shape possible heading into the 2015 season.

Franklin said he played at 325 pounds, but wants to be at 315 when the 2016 starts.

"Last year I felt I wasn’t in the best shape that I’ve normally been in, going into previous seasons when I was in Denver," Franklin said. "I know a big thing for me this offseason was to get my weight under control.

"Last year I played at about 325. This year I plan on playing at about 315 pounds. A lot of people say it’s only 10 pounds, but at his level, moving around, getting in your squats and putting your force against other people, it makes a big difference."

After missing just one game because of injury his first four seasons in the NFL, Franklin missed six games in 2015 because of a high-ankle sprain and MCL knee sprain.

My take: Franklin’s comments are a familiar refrain for some of San Diego’s underperforming veteran players from last season. Cornerback Brandon Flowers echoed similar comments about not being in the best shape last season. Franklin and Flowers make more than $13 million combined in guaranteed money in 2016. They both need to play to their potential for the Chargers to turn things around this season.

New quarterback Zach Mettenberger had some interesting comments in this interview with Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith of The Mighty 1090 AM radio. Mettenberger shows his unique personality in the conversation. It’s worth a listen.

My take: Mettenberger said that he has been told he will compete for the backup job with Kellen Clemens, who signed a one-year deal to stay in San Diego this offseason. Undrafted rookie Mike Bercovici also is in the mix, so there should be some competition behind Philip Rivers for the backup jobs, depending on if San Diego keeps two or three quarterbacks on the final roster.

Michael Gehlken of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes that unlike last season, the Chargers could have the answer to their offensive line issues already in May, with the potential starting front five for the regular season already taking reps together during organized team activities.

My take: Building chemistry up front is important, but those five guys have to stay healthy, something the Chargers have not done up front for a full season since the start of the Mike McCoy era.

Ricky Henne of Chargers.com writes that the Chargers placed safety Matt Daniels on the injured reserve with a leg injury, replacing him on the roster with Michigan linebacker James Ross.

My take: Daniels was an interesting prospect because of his size, but the Chargers add another productive linebacker from the college ranks in Ross.

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