Defensive tackles Gary Johnson (left) and Louie Kelcher (right) were two of the success stories in the Chargers' celebrated 1975 draft class.

The 1975 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's sixth season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 16th overall. The team were seeking to improve on their 5–9 record in 1974, but they lost their first eleven games amidst attendances under 30,000.^[1]

By the beginning of December, the prospect of the first winless and tieless season since World War II loomed, and led to serious discussion of the Chargers’ plight in the press.^[2] San Diego eventually finished 2–12, tying the New Orleans Saints for the NFL's worst record. The team suffered badly from injuries, most critically running back Don Woods, who had been AFC Rookie of the Year in 1974 but played only the first four games in this season.^[3] Quarterback Dan Fouts had a difficult campaign, throwing only two touchdowns in nine starts. 1975 would remain as the Chargers’ poorest record until they went 1–15 in 2000.^[4]

More positively, the Chargers draft class of 1975 proved to be a success, with ESPN naming it the franchise's best in a 2009 article.^[5] Defensive linemen Gary "Big Hands" Johnson, Louie Kelcher and Fred Dean would go on to form three quarters of San Diego's Bruise Brothers unit, with each of the three being named a first team All-Pro by the Associated Press at least once during their careers. Other selections included defensive backs Mike Williams and Mike Fuller, and tackle Billy Shields, each of whom would start at least 70 games for the Chargers.

Offseason

NFL draft

While Harland Svare was the Chargers' general manager in 1975, head coach Tommy Prothro is credited as the primary decision-maker when it came to the draft.^[6] His first selection was Gary "Big Hands" Johnson, a defensive tackle whose pass rushing appealed to Prothro.^[7] Johnson would miss only a single game during nine seasons in San Diego, starting the vast majority and accumulating 67+1⁄2 sacks; he made four Pro Bowls, was an Associated Press first team All-Pro twice, and was inducted into the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1999.^[8]

San Diego had a further 1st-round pick, as part of the trade that sent Duane Thomas to Washington.^[9] With this, they selected cornerback Mike Williams ("as good a coverer as I have ever seen" - Prothro).^[7] Williams started every game during his rookie year, and went on to intercept 24 passes in eight seasons with the team.^[10]

In the 2nd round, the Chargers again had an extra pick, acquired in the 1973 trade of Bob Babich to Cleveland.^[9] This was used to draft Louie Kelcher, a defensive tackle noted for his strength.^[7] As a rookie, Kelcher was inserted into a starting role which he retained when injury-free for the bulk of his nine years in San Diego. He would be credited with 40 sacks during his career, appear in three Pro Bowls and be a first team All-Pro once. In 2003, Kelcher was inducted into the Charger Hall of Fame.^[11]

With their following pick (their fourth selection out of the top 33 overall in that year's draft), San Diego selected a third defensive lineman in tackle Fred Dean. Prothro praised Dean's speed and intensity, and indicated that he would be switched to linebacker.^[12] In the event, Dean played at defensive end throughout his professional career, which was split between San Diego (6 seasons) and San Francisco (5 seasons). Dean, another rookie who would be speedily inserted into the Chargers' defensive line-up, recorded 52 of his 92 career sacks in San Diego, while making two of his four Pro Bowl appearances and being granted the first of his two first team All-Pro selections.^[13] Dean was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008;^[14] later that year, he became the third member of the Chargers' draft class of 1975 to be added to their Hall of Fame.^[15]

The Chargers acquired other future starters in the later rounds. 3rd-round pick Fuller had some success as a kick returner in his rookie season, and also saw action as a strong safety. He started all but one game at that position from 1976 to 1979, and spent six years with the team in total.^[16] San Diego's first seven picks were all spent on defensive players,^[7] but they picked up a key offensive lineman in 6th-rounder Billy Shields. The 6 foot 8 inch tackle made only occasional appearances as a rookie, but started 116 out of possible 117 games through the next eight seasons.^[17] Another offensive lineman, Ralph Perretta, became the team's long snapper during a six-year career, and served as the starting center in 1977.^[18] Running back Rickey Young spent the first three of his nine years in the league in San Diego, rushing and receiving for close to 3,000 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns as a Charger.^[19]

^[20]

Departures

A number of veterans left the Chargers during the offseason. Carl Mauck had started 54 games at center out of a possible 56 during four seasons in San Diego, but was traded to the Oilers for two other players.^[21][22] Cornerback Bob Howard had been with the team for twice as long, playing in 102 games and starting 85 through 8 seasons. He was traded to the Patriots for a 1976 5th-round draft choice, which they would spend on Woodrow Lowe.^[23]

Other former starters to be traded included running back Cid Edwards and Jerry LeVias (for draft choices),^[24] and defensive end Pete Lazetich (for linebacker Bruce Bannon),^[25] while wide receiver Harrison Davis, tight end Wayne Stewart, linebacker Carl Gersbach and safety George Hoey were all cut or placed on waivers.^[26][27]

Arrivals

As well as their new draftees, San Diego also signed a handful of established veterans. Tight end Pat Curran was obtained from the Rams in exchange for a draft pick, which proved to be the Chargers' 3rd round pick in 1977.^[28] Curran had been primarily used as a backup to Bob Klein (also a future Charger),^[29] making only nine catches in six seasons while starting a single game.^[27] He played a much bigger role in the Chargers' passing game, catching 45 passes in his first season alone.^[30] The offensive line gained a new center in Ed Flanagan, who joined the team after earning four Pro Bowl appearances during a decade in Detroit Lions. In 1975, he started every game in San Diego.^[22][31] On defense, fourth-year linebacker Tom Graham was acquired, and started 28 games over the next three seasons.^[32]

Personnel

Staff

Roster