<
>

Morning links: Green ready for larger role

Good morning and Happy Easter. Mark Sessler of NFL.com includes San Diego Chargers tight end Laderius Green in his list of five players on offense who will have larger roles in 2014.

Green has been a trendy pick this offseason to put up bigger numbers because of the explosive playmaking he showed in a limited role with the Chargers last season.

Sessler: “After playing just 450 snaps in 2013, Green is ready for a bigger piece of the pie. We got a taste of his speed and sticky hands during a two-week stretch in November that saw Green haul in seven balls for 161 yards and a touchdown. His 22.1 yards per reception topped all qualifying tight ends last season, while his 9.3 yards after the catch ranked third. His late-season production led coach Mike McCoy to acknowledge self-critically that he should have gotten the tight end involved ‘a little earlier’ in the year.”

Mark Walker of U-T San Diego writes that the Chargers are looking at a placing a measure on the ballot for voters to weigh in on helping to fund a new stadium in 2016. Although likely, no date is set in stone as the team and the city continue to negotiate on the issue.

Kyle Posey of Bolts of the Blue breaks down Oregon State pass-rusher Scott Crichton.

Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated ranks Crichton No. 4 among his top 10 defensive end draft prospects.

Ricky Henne of Chargers.com profiles Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller.

Scott Kacsmar of Football Outsiders takes a statistical look at the impact of the NFL rule change moving kickoffs five yards up three years ago.