Two years ago Denzel Perryman Color Rush Jersey , the Chargers signed an undrafted tight end out of Missouri named Sean Culkin. d was mostly known for his prowess in the run-blocking..." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteBolts From The BlueBolts From The Blue, a Los Angeles Chargers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsChargersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections San Diego Chargers Daily LinksSan Diego Chargers NewsSan Diego Chargers OffseasonSan Diego Chargers HistorySan Diego Chargers HumorFiled under:Latest NewsLos Angeles Chargers NewsChargers Offseason2019 Chargers UDFA Profile: Michigan State TE Matt SokolNew,1commentPDTShareTweetShareShare2019 Chargers UDFA Profile: Michigan State TE Matt SokolPhoto by Duane Burleson/Getty ImagesTwo years ago, the Chargers signed an undrafted tight end out of Missouri named Sean Culkin. He didn’t catch a ton of passes in college and was mostly known for his prowess in the run-blocking department. Fast-forward to now and Culkin is still with the team as a reserve tight end, doing what he does best.At this very moment, the Chargers get a healthy Hunter Henry back on top of Virgil Green and, potentially, another year of Antonio Gates heading into the 2019 season. This will likely make the tight end group one of the hardest position rooms to break in to.Earlier this week, our very own Brad Kelly did the write-up for Daniel Helm, the other tight end that was signed as a UDFA. Both Sokol and Helm were seldom used while in college and don’t have a ton of experience with the ball in their hands. In fact, both failed to surpass the 500-yard receiving mark for their careers.Below are Sokol’s numbers while at Michigan State from 2016-2018 (He had no statistics in 2015):2016: 2 receptions - 26 yards2017: 21 receptions - 222 yards - 1 touchdown2018: 8 receptions - 100 yards - 1 touchdownSokol’s athletic profile is quite underwhelming which obviously doesn’t pair well with his lack of productivity. His 4.87 forty leaves much to be desired and the rest of his agility numbers don’t paint the picture of a guy who is “quicker than fast”, at least on paper.When I slapped on the film, I was vehemently surprised by Sokol’s initial acceleration off the snap. He was able to get into the body of second level defender’s quickly and could even threaten them vertically if they failed to treat him with enough respect.However, that surprising “football speed” means close to nothing when you can’t create any separation. Sokol made his money off finding soft spots in zone coverage but struggled mightily to create space at the top of routes if his defenders decided to challenge him physically.Of course Antonio Gates Color Rush Jersey , there is always a spot on teams for tight ends who can help create space in other areas of the offense, a.k.a the run game.Sokol thrives in the open space as a lead blocker on end-arounds and wide zone concepts. He knows his aiming points and constantly displaces defenders horizontally to give the running back plenty of space to turn up into.Running back Melvin Gordon did most of his work outside of the tackles over the last two seasons and the Chargers will likely try continue that success, allowing their big-bodied receivers to help out, as well.I liken Sokol to an old tight end who played in San Diego by the name of John Phillips. Phillips was essentially the team’s third tight end during that time and has continued to find work in this league for the past 10+ years based solely off his ability to contribute to the run game.In the end, Sokol will have to beat out Culkin for the final tight end spot if the team decides to keep four tight ends out the gate. If anything, I believe he deserves a spot on the practice squad, as well as Helm, because I don’t think this offense can have too many tight ends to play around with. Stay far, far away... even though they’re gonna cover"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections San Diego Chargers Daily LinksSan Diego Chargers NewsSan Diego Chargers OffseasonSan Diego Chargers HistorySan Diego Chargers HumorNFL PicksGamblingNFL Picks: The Degenerate Gambler doesn’t like the spreadNew,1commentStay far, far away... even though they’re gonna coverByJason MichaelsDec9, 2018, 10:34am PSTShareTweetShareShareNFL Picks: The Degenerate Gambler doesn’t like the spreadAs we head into the final weeks of the season, the Chargers are looking good. The Degenerate Gambler had been running on a 3-week win streak until last week. His instincts were right in most regards Derwin James Color Rush Jersey , but things just didn’t fall his way. He said it would be a three-point game, determined on the last play. Correct! He said Roethlisberger would throw for a lot, and that was true, too. But he thought it would be a more defensive game, and it was not.Each week the Degenerate Gambler, a ne’r-do-well NFL betting compulsive gambler, puts $100 on the line on various bets that the Chargers faithful might have some opinions about. Let’s take a look at what went wrong last week, shall we?Week 13:Chargers @ Steelers Wager 1 Total Points (Under 52.5) $45 [-110] L$0Wager 2 Total receiving yards - A. Brown (<84.5) $10 [-115] L$0Wager 3 Total receiving yards - A. Ekeler (>28.5) $15 [-110] L $0 Wager 4 Total passing yards - Big Ben (>301.5) $15 [-115] L $0Wager 5 No team scores 3 consecutive times $15 [+200]L$0 Week total:$ -100.00Season total: $ -1.46Well.That could have gone better.In 5 fell swoops, the season’s profits were effectively wiped out completely. Not a good day at the office. Luckily for you and I, the Degenerate Gambler has built enough credit over the weeks prior that he was easily able to scrape up $100 to lay on the line today. Week 14Bengals @ ChargersWager 1 Total points (Over 48.5) $45 [-110]Wager 2 Total receiving yards- M. Williams (>39.5) $15 [-115]Wager 3 Interceptions thrown - J. Driskel (>.5) $20 [-225]Wager 4 Total Field Goals Bengals (>1.5) - Bengals $20 [+125] Total possible win: $87.84Total possible loss: Everything (again!)Well, let’s take a look. The Degenerate Gambler doesn’t feel that the Chargers will have any problem clearing the +16.5 spread, but he’s not touching that with a 10-foot pole. There is no incentive for teams to go up by 3 touchdowns in the NFL, so if they are 14 points above the Bengals in the 4th, they’d better give Geno Smith some reps. Garbage time will ruin that spread http://www.chargersfanstore.com/Joey-Bosa-Jersey , but don’t take the Bengals either. They are really decimated right now. However, he’s giving Ohio the benefit of the doubt by taking the total Over. The Chargers have been able to put a lot of points on the board lately, and this should really be a 30 point endeavor at minimum. With lots of points on the board, receiving yards should be a-plenty. Again, be wary of them taking out Rivers, so receivers are a nice bet to aim for.Those looking at Wager 4 might be wondering why there is a +125 attached to what should be a shoe-in. Well, their kicker, Randy Bullock, has only made 2 FGs on the day once this season. He was 1-1 last week and 0-2 in all the three weeks prior to that. They haven’t attempted many kicks, but when they do.. it’s not been good. That said, the Degenerate Gambler is a proven sucker for positive bets. The Bengals are going to be eager to get points on the board against the LA defense, so it sounds reasonable that they’ll have to attempt 3 or so kicks. Just make two of those, Randy. -Jason “Don’t let the tiger catch you by the tail” Michaels