Tag Archives: San Diego Chargers

AFL, NFL, Pro Football HoF

Joiner, Charlie

ud97lgd cjoiner
Card: Upper Deck Legends 1997
Acquired: TTM 2016, C/o Home
Sent: 1/2     Received:  2/2    (31 days)

Charlie Joiner played an exhaustive 18 seasons in the AFL/NFL. Originally a 4th round pick of the Houston Oilers in 1969, as a defensive back, he made the switch to wide receiver and then started 8 games in 1970. He’d record 28 receptions for 416 yards and 3 TDs, including a 87 yarder.  He’d play with the Oilers through 6 games of the 1972 season but was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joiner spent the next 3 seasons there where he started coming into his own during the 1975 season. He’d pull down 37 receptions for 726 yards and 5 TDs.  The Bengals then traded him to the Chargers, where Charlie became the perfect fit for Air Coryell’s West Coast Offense catching passes from young Dan Fouts. In the midst of the ‘Dead Ball Era’, Charlie had 50 receptions for 1056 yards and 7 TDs -earning his first Pro Bowl nomination. He’d return to form in 1979 with a career high 72 receptions and 1008 yards with his second Pro Bowl berth.  The following year in 1980, Charlie earned his final Pro Bowl trip, and his first and only All-Pro Honor with 70 receptions for 1132 yards and 7 TDs. While he’d log a career high 1,188 yards in 1981, he did not earn any additional honors for the remainder of his career.  Joiner personified longevity in a league meant to break people.  He continued to play for the Chargers until his retirement after the 1986 season.  His 239 games played as a wide receiver, receptions, and yards, were NFL records at the time of his retirement.

G/GS  239/211      REC 750       YDS 12146     AVG 16.2    TD 65   LG 87

NFL

Watt, Derek

sage16_dwattCard: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Derek Watt is the younger brother of Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt, and while he followed in his older brother’s footsteps to Wisconsin, Derek elected to play fullback for the Badgers. With the versatility to play fullback or H-Back, Derek makes the case as a role player in a multiple RB set. Derek seals blocks well and picks up pass protection with ease. He has also displayed decent hands out of the backfield with 30 receptions for 309 yards and a 1 over his 4 years at Madison.  Watt also is a guy not afraid to cut his teeth on special teams as he had 17 total tackles for the Badgers.  One of the higher rated fullbacks, Watt will get a late round flyer or be a priority free agent for a team needing a fullback in 2016.

Derek heard his name called in the 6th round by the San Diego Chargers where he is expected to rejoin backfield mate Mevin Gordon from Wisconsin as his blocking back.

NFL

Tuerk, Max (1994-2020)

Card: Sage 2016
Acquired: 2016, Box Breaker

Max Tuerk played for the USC Trojans where he displayed versatility prized at the NFL level, by playing efficiently at every position on the offensive line.  He’s displayed great footwork and plays smart football.  Max has got the height and the long arms, but not the size, and will have to bulk up to hold his own at center against nosetackles in the NFL.  While initially presented as a center in a relatively talented class at that position- some clubs have projected Tuerk as a guard or even a tackle. His draft stock would be even higher, but a torn ACL suffered in October of 2015 diminished his draft stock significantly.

Tuerk had a 3rd round grade slapped on him for the 2016 draft and did not disappoint. The Chargers selected him with their 3rd round pick where he could see action at either guard or center.

UPDATE 6/21/20- The Arizona Cardinals signed Tuerk off of the Chargers’ practice squad in November of 2017 and then he was released in 2018. Max passed away at the age of 26 yesterday. No cause of death was given.