Gary "Big Hands" Johnson ... Pour One Out For Him

Sadly, Gary "Big Hands" Johnson died yesterday of a heart attack. He was 57.

I haven't put together a Chargers All-Time Team in awhile, but I'm fairly certain we'd run a 4-3 and Big Hands would start at one of the defensive tackle positions. (I'd probably put Jamal Williams at the other DT spot, though I may keep Jamal in reserve as a NT if we use a 3-4 formation on certain downs.)

"Big Hands" anchored the Bolts defensive line during some of the greatest years in franchise history - the stretch from '79 to '82. Along with Louie Kelcher, Leroy Jones and Fred Dean, the group formed the "Bruise Brothers" in 1980, leading the League in both sacks and general mayhem.

They were one of the more imposing frontlines in the history of the League that's never really talked about.

As Chargers fans we don't often speak of defense - a few of the Seau-Rodney Harrison units excepted - but Big Hands was one of the great ones.

Pour one out for him. And make it a tallboy.

Big Jamal ... Such A Monster (and Sproles is likely back!)

The Chargers released Jamal Williams today, ending more than a decade of pure beastliness by the big guy on the Bolts defensive line.

Jamal joined the Bolts for the 1998 season. To put that in perspective, that was before the Padres last trip to the World Series.

I mean Jamal joined the Chargers at the same time as Ryan Leaf. Not to mention before LT and Drew Brees, and way before Philip Rivers and Shawne Merriman.

Looking over at Pro-Football Reference.com at some players who had careers of similar quality and shape to Jamal, a few beastly names jump out at me. Names like Gary Johnson, Marcus Stroud, Rulon Jones, Gary Larsen, Dwight White and Louie Kelcher.

Talk about a group of guys you'd like to have on your side in a vicious cockfight.

Man, I'm really going to miss Jamal.

But on the brighter side of life, it looks like Sproles will be back for another year.

Get r dun, A.J.!

Jamal Williams

Dear Jamal,

I miss you.

Best,
Bevormo

No Jamal For The Season

And the hits just keep on comin'.