Louis

Vasquez

Vasquez took awhile to get to his feet, but did manage to hobble on his own power. The Chargers offensive line is getting manhandled with LT Marcus McNeill and LG Kris Dielman out. Now Vasquez is considered doubtful to return.

The entire left side of the Bolts O-Line is also out, leaving overwhelmed backup Brandyn Dombrowski at left tackle, backup center Scott Mruczkowski at left guard, and street free agent Tony Moll (or rookie Stephen Schilling) at right guard. Philip Rivers is going to be throwing from a muddy pocket against the Bears.

One year after injuries decimated the Chargers’ offensive line, things are starting to look up. Jared Gaither and Tyronne Green have been jelling on the left side while Vasquez’s improvement is key to the right side. If this unit can play at an average level, Philip Rivers gets a boost.

The Chargers recently reached out to Vasquez, but contract negotiations are not yet believed to be underway. Vasquez will be just 26 when the 2013 season starts, and he’s near the top of a thin free-agent offensive guard class. Andy Levitre will be the most highly coveted guard. Vasquez won’t be too far behind.

ESPN AFC West blogger Bill Williamson considered 25-year-old Vasquez the Chargers’ “best offensive lineman” in 2012, and Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-13 overall guard. Vasquez, at 6'5/335, is a particularly effective pass blocker. He could be viewed as a better fit for left guard on the open market.

The Chargers arrived in Indianapolis on Wednesday, and on Thursday night met with Vasquez’s player rep. Vasquez is believed to be seeking $6 million annually. Turning 26 in April, Vasquez would be a hot commodity if he hit the open market.

The Chargers are going to have their hands full retaining Vasquez thanks to supply and demand. Outside of Andy Levitre, there simply aren’t many starting caliber guards available. The Chargers may have to pay more than market value if they want to get Vasquez locked up before free agency opens in two weeks.

New GM Tom Telesco has assured Vasquez that he’s a top priority, but the Chargers aren’t prepared to set the market. Coming off the best season of his four-year career, the 2009 third-round pick is likely fine with that. He’s the clear No. 2 guard available in free agency, behind only Buffalo’s Andy Levitre. Expect Vasquez to garner heavy interest come Tuesday.

Vasquez was initially turned off by what the Union-Trib San Diego refers to as a “modest/insulting” contract proposal under ex-GM A.J. Smith. It’s been crickets under new GM Tom Telesco. The Chargers have one of the worst offensive line situations in football and risk losing their best linemen to a thin guard market on which Vasquez will be coveted. The Colts will be in hot pursuit.

Cole adds that the Chargers’ chances of keeping Vasquez are “slim.” It would be a mammoth loss for a San Diego line that is already thin on capable blockers. Both Vasquez and Levitre will likely clear $8 million annually on their next deal, while the loser of the trio of teams will likely focus its attention on the Brandon Moores and Donald Thomases of the world.