San Diego Chargers Branden Oliver & Jason Verrett named to Midseason All-Rookie Team

San Diego, CA- The San Diego Chargers rookie running back Branden Oliver and cornerback Jason Verrett were named to Grantland’s Midseason All-Rookie Team.

Here’s what Robert Mays of Grantland.com had to say about Branden Oliver and Jason Verrett.

"Branden Oliver, RB, ChargersWe’re a game or two away from the running backs in the 2015 draft leaving flaming bags of shit on Branden Oliver’s stoop. Oliver is just the latest argument for waiting on running backs until late in — or after — the draft. Undrafted out of the University of Buffalo, Oliver leads all rookie runners with 316 yards, almost all of which he’s racked up in the Chargers’ past three games.Finding someone like Oliver is a welcome surprise, but he’s also the sort of spark the Chargers were desperately searching for in the run game. San Diego was the worst rushing team in football coming into its game against the Jets (who happen to have maybe the league’s best run defense). Oliver went for 114 yards on 19 carries against Mo Wilkerson and Friends, and three weeks later, the Chargers are all the way up to 27th in rushing DVOA. It’s still not great — but it’s better!Wearing no. 43 and standing 5-foot-7, Oliver got the Darren Sproles comparisons instantly, but that connection doesn’t go very far. Oliver weighs almost 210 pounds, and San Diego has shown it’s willing to let him grind it out on the ground (he had 26 carries against Oakland). What he and Sproles do share is that each makes you sit up in your chair. Every Oliver carry has “holy shit” potential. -Robert Mays"

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"Jason Verrett, CB, ChargersIt’s not a stretch to say the Chargers had the league’s worst pass defense a year ago. Even a jump to merely being average has been impressive, and Jason Verrett has been a significant part of that. It didn’t take long, either. San Diego’s season opener against the Cardinals was still probably his best game, but the most telling one about what he means to the Chargers probably came last week. With Verrett sidelined with a shoulder injury (and Brandon Flowers out with a concussion), the Chiefs passing game had an easy day against the Chargers. Verrett returned to practice yesterday, which is big news for San Diego. It’ll need all the help it can get tonight against Peyton Manning. -Robert Mays"