Chargers vs. Raiders Pre-Game Analysis

The Chargers should win this one going away tonight. They have a superior organization, coaches and players. The Raiders are a complete mess with ancient owner Al Davis calling the shots. Their head coach, Tom Cable, is not a real NFL coach, and he's only there because he will play JaMarcus Russell and quarterback no matter what happens. Davis had some strange vision that Russel will be a great quarterback leading the Raiders to many Super Bowls and he's going to stick with it despite what reality presents.

Some have said that Russell did better at the end of last season, but in the preseason, he still couldn't make the reads quickly enough. If his first option was covered he was done. Some folks, no matter what they do in college(look across the Bay to Alex Smith), just don't have what it takes to be an NFL quarterback.

This presents the Chargers with some interesting possibilities tonight. Sacks and interceptions should be there for the taking. If the Charger offense has a good night and the Raiders are forced to pass a lot to try to catch up, Russell will be exposed. Shawne Merriman should have a chance to test his burst and see if he can still do it in the NFL. Also, look for some new wrinkles from the Ron Rivera defense. I'm interested to see if the front seven can create more confusion and havoc than last year.

On offense, the Chargers will get to see if an inexperienced right side of the line will hold up. Starting rookie Louis Vasquez at right guard and Jeromey Clary at right tackle is one of the biggest gambles San Diego is taking this season. They will get to face the intimidating and talented Richard Seymour, who just flew in from the Patriots on Saturday. If the line can gel, open holes in the run game, and pass block well, the Chargers will have an incredible season.

I'm also predicting LaDanian Tomlinson will return to form this year. He seems to have absorbed the Marty-Hate for the Raiders (a Raider intentionally cracked his rib in a pile four years ago), so he should be looking for a big game. This game should be a good indication of LT's physical abilities the rest of the season.

Final score? Chargers 38, Raiders 10

Tonight's Preseason Game at the Arizona Cardinals

Here's what I'm looking for in tonight's game:

Offense-

• Will Philip Rivers continue to look sharp like he has mastered Norv Turner's passing offense?


• Will the offensive line look crisp in the run game or sloppy and weak like the last preseason game? Did you realize the Chargers ranked 32nd in rushing after week one of the preseason?


• Rookie, Louis Vasquez, out Texas Tech will start at guard. After playing in a mostly quick passing offense in college where you just have to get in the way of the defense for a few seconds, will he be able to run block effectively in the NFL?


• Will LaDanian Tomlinson look more like the 2006 version or the 2008 version?


• How well can Antonio Gates run after he catches the ball? Will the toe injury fully heal?


• Can full back Jacob Hestor knock linebackers back at the point of attack?


• Rookie running back Gartrell Johnson did not show much burst in the first game. Was it just nerves and inexperience or were the concerns out of the combines about his lack of speed correct?

Defense-

• As noted in the Union Tribune this morning, this will be a strong test for the Charger corners and safeties, as the first string is expected to play the entire first half. Has Antonio Cromartie healed and is his head in the right place this season to return to 2007 form?


• Who will emerge as the favorite at safety in the battle between Clinton Hart, Steve Gregory, and rookie Kevin Ellison? As of now, it appears Gregory has the advantage even though Hart was the starter last year.


• Will Shawne Merriman look improved over his slow and gimpy performance last week? Hint: Watch him and don't be swayed by the overly hopeful analysis of Billy Ray and Ron Pitts, who were very excited by Merriman's phantom "burst" off the line last week that simply was not there.


• Can Jamaican/Canadian rookie, Vaughn Martin, not only push his blocker into the backfield(as he did with regularity last week), but detach from him and make a play on the ball carrier or quarterback?


• Can Kevin Burnett turn in another strong performance and win himself a permanent place at inside linebacker? Last week he was all over the field making tackles. I did not see him stick his nose in and make a play on a run up the middle though and I'll be looking for that this week.

Sadly, we still don't get to see top draft choice, Larry English, play for another week because of a balky hamstring. This injury is starting to look more serious as it limits more and more of his invaluable time out on the field learning how to play defense in the NFL.