[Buckskin86]

Briefly, Shane Olivea
by John Morgan on May 2, 2008 2:33 PM PDT in Analysis

On February 28th, the San Diego Chargers cut Shane Olivea. On November 29th Olivea lost the starting RT job to Jeromey Clarey. Both tackles are young and former late round picks, 7th and 6th respectively. Not too long back, Olivea was considered part of the Chargers? young core, but amidst reports that he had badly regressed the past season and a half, Olivea fell from the organization?s and particularly Norv Turner?s good graces. I?m willing to bet against Turner when it comes to talent evaluation. What?s surprising, though, is that Olivea is still a free agent.

Whatever?s wrong with Olivea, it doesn?t show up in his pass blocking stats. In his first three seasons in the league, Olivea allowed 4.5, 5 and 5.75 sacks in 16, 15 and 16 games started. Pretty steady. In 2007, Olivea allowed 3 sacks in 10 games started. He didn?t record a single hold - charged with only 2 in his entire career - and was penalized for just 1 false start. Holmgren is known to stress penalty avoidance by his offensive line, and I must think that Olivea?s impressive discipline would be at home in Mike?s system.

His run blocking, is, eh, less impressive. In his first 3 seasons, the Chargers were consistently top 10 rushing around right tackle. In 2007, they were among the league?s worst, 29th.

I don?t have any video of Olivea handy, but gather from wending through various Chargers sites that fans felt he was doggin? it. That?s a pretty common accusation when a player unexpectedly looks worse, and no one can provide a real explanation as to why. Olivea played with a bit of a gimpy back, and his right side mate, Mike Goff, could have taken that toboggan like decline ho-hum players often take in their early 30s. Also, lest my eyes deceive me, LaDainian Tomlinson is no longer the back he once was. Still, that Olivea is in the midst of a sudden, very early retirement is curious, minimum.

Briefly, Shane?Olivea - Field Gulls