Chargers vs. Bears

The long teasing preseason arrives in San Diego this Saturday night, and while we can't wait for the actual season to start, there are some important position battles and strategy cues to look for in the next four games.

Rookie strong safety, Darrell Stuckey is looking to prove the Chargers can trust him as a starter. The knock on him out of the draft was that he didn't have optimal speed for the position, but he's probably faster than anyone the Chargers have been playing back there (Clinton Hart, Steve Gregory, Kevin Ellison). Look to see if he seems to be in the right place on passing downs and how aggressive he can be in run support. One could argue that this position has been the greatest weakness of the Chargers' defense for years. Finding a real player here could make a huge difference.

At corner, Antione Cason has to prove he can replace, and improve upon, the job Antonio Cromartie did last year. After be demoted out of the nickle back position in 2009, he has a lot to prove. One time Pro Bowler Nathan Vasher is hot on Cason's heals, trying to prove he can still be relevant, if not great, in this league after injuries struck him down in his prime.

At the linebacker position, I'll be looking to see if OLB Larry English is actually improved over last year. Reports out of camp laud his increased speed and technique. If true, this could make Merriman irrelevant (and trade bait?) if not, some might begin rumbling about AJ Smith's new "bust," as English went at #16 in the draft last year. The most cheering and applause of the night will come if English can get his hands on the hated whiner, Jay Cutler.



On offense, everyone will be looking to see if Ryan Mathews has the burst, cutting ability and vision to merit shipping LT off to New York. Look to see if he can burst through the line and make people miss while not fumbling. This could be the start of a new era in San Diego. However, will the starting line be able to run block even a little bit? We will find whose fault last year's horrible running game was.





Will the rest of the guys on the receiver corps be able to do much without Vincent Jackson? A poor performance could increase the calls for AJ to make a deal and get Jackson in sooner than later.

On the strategy front, we won't get to see much creative blitzing with the defense, but the offense may want to practice an intriguing formation they've reportedly been working on: the three tight end set. Lining up with tight ends Antonio Gates, the talented and experienced Randy McMichael, and Kris Wilson, this formation challenges defenses to prepare for the run with all the "bigs" in there, but all three of these tight ends are fast and great pass catchers. Those of you who play Madden might know this formation works incredibly well in the game...will it translate to reality? If it doesn't happen Saturday night, look for it later in the regular season.

Crackback IS Back

The wounds of last season have healed slowly, leaving scars of skepticism and new questions for the San Diego Chargers in 2010:

• Was is it all LT's fault last season? After hearing the Union Tribune's constant droning in 2009 about how the The League and the Chargers had changed and running the ball was simply no longer a priority, they released LT then went out and picked Ryan Matthews in the first round. This implies running the ball actually is important, but the lack of change on the offensive line, in coaching or personell, would imply someone (Norv and/or AJ) has actually made the calculation that last year's atrocious running game was actually LT's fault.




• Will Ryan Matthews live up to the hype? This guy is talented and tough. He ran through and over defenders at Fresno State, which caused some injury and concussion problems toward the end of his collegiate career. Will he hold up in the NFL? The Chargers hope the answer is "yes." The preseason may be telling if Norv gives Matthews a real chance to show his stuff.



• Will the offensive line be exposed as the "real" problem when an aging LT isn't around to blame anymore? There appeared to be no push and no holes last year against even the most mediocre of defenses. What has changed this year? Oh, the team has refused to sign their best young lineman, Marcus McNeill, bringing us to our next question.



• Has AJ Smith grown even more arrogant and overconfident, letting this team take a step backwards by forcing a holdout of Marcus McNeill, Vincent Jackson and Shawne Merriman(although there are reports Merriman is signing as this goes to press)? Or is he simply smart and tough, figuring he has these three over a barrel and they will have to report for the sake of their careers?



• Will the receiver corps suffer without Vincent Jackson? None of the remaining receivers contain both the size and speed of Jackson. Buster Davis is often injured and seems more of a prototypical slot receiver rather than a wideout. Malcolm Floyd has the height and pass catching ability of Jackson, but lacks the pure speed to stretch the field. Legedu Naanee is big and athletic, but also not as fast as Jackson. Will teams be able to stack the box with safeties even more if no speedy deep threat emerges?



• And the defense....Who will fill that final safety spot? The promising rookie, Darrel Stuckey or will the job default back to the average but gritty Steve Gregory? Will the team regret letting go of Antonio Cromartie at corner, or will Antione Cason provide more reliability and run stopping stoutness? Will the new free agents, Vasher and Strickland provide the solid experience lacking in the nickel and dime packages of previous years?



• Can the front seven regain its pass rush and run stopping swagger? Is Merriman done, or about to return to form? Is Ron Rivera simply not knowledgeable enough to run the 3-4 defense properly (like Wade Phillips)?



• Lastly, will the Chargers dominate a befuddled AFC West again this year only to get out coached, out-physicaled, or out kicked (Kaeding!) in the playoffs once again?

We'll be exploring all of these questions in depth as well as breaking down the preseason games over the next four weeks. I hope you tune in. Broken heart or not, it's going to be an interesting season.

RIP 2009

It's raining in San Diego. The Chargers did nothing less than choke this game away. Kaeding missed two, usually automatic, field goals. Jackson and Floyd lost their battles going up against smaller DB's. Hardwick snapped the ball over Rivers' head early in the game. The rest of the offensive line jumped offsides (as if they were the away team) and had no success at creating anything resembling a running game. Rivers did make the rookie mistake of forcing the ball backed up in his own end zone and throwing the crucial interception. Gates dropped easy passes right in his hands. Norv did not have a game plan set up that worked against the creative blitzes of the Jets. Even the Fans choked by booing their own team early in the second half when the Chargers still had the LEAD. The pressure beat this team, not the Jets.

All the criticism of this team is right tonight. The Jets', Raiders' and Broncos' fans who love to call San Diego "chokers" are right. Rex Ryan, who wondered out loud if the Chargers are "soft" is right. Those that think Norv is not ready for prime time (his team was not ready tonight) are right.

At what point do the Chargers become the modern Cubs? San Diego fans, no matter how promising the season, are right to feel trepidation every playoff game. Who will get tight and blow it this time around? We are officially cursed. The only question now is what to call it: The San Diego Seizure? The Charger Choke?

The Chargers simply have no excuse. I feel sorry for LT who probably won't be back next year. With Merriman gone as well will this be the pinnacle of this era of the Chargers? AJ will have to work better magic than he has in the past.

The Chargers Will Beat the Jets by at Least 14

San Diego fans are nervous. We've been here before and seen it our slip through our fingers as the Chargers just weren't ready to take advantage of all their talent and cash in on the advantages of a high seed in the playoffs. But things are different this time.

The stars have aligned for this team. Rivers is on another plane as a quarterback. He will take his place next to the Elways, Marinos, Mannings, Farves, and Montanas in the minds of NFL fans during this playoff run. Charger fans, hopefully, have already realized this, but NFL Nation needs to catch up to this reality. He has evolved beyond the possibility of choking in a huge game like this. Norv's gameplan and the Chargers' talented tall receivers will all come together to make the Jets' #1 defense look like the great Packers' defense that went to Arizona last week.

This playoff season may just be LT's last chance and he knows it. LT may have lost a step, but he's going to play the absolute best game he's capable of today and may surprise the Jets and Charger fans with what he's still able to do. LT thinks a lot about the history of the game and his place in it. He will step up and claim his destiny this playoff season:


On the other side of things, the Jets, despite their fat blowhard of a head coach, just aren't ready yet. Just like Colts made the Ravens look like half a football team last night, the Chargers will remind the Jets and the NFL that you can't make much noise in the playoffs while protecting a rookie quarterback. Sanchez is probably still a couple years away (if he ever gets there) from being able to lead a team in the way a quarterback needs to.

San Diego's defense (perhaps the least analyzed aspect of these teams in the run-up to this game) will show they aren't "soft," and force Sanchez to throw the ball; something he's not ready to do on the big stage. One turnover from the Jets could put the game out of reach.

Overall, look for Rivers to spread the ball around (like always) in the short passing game against the blitzing jets. Gates, Floyd, Naanee, Sproles, and LT will all make significant contributions. Jackson may be forced into the roll of decoy. The Chargers will score points on many of their drives and Rivers will avoid the costly turnover. On defense, the Chargers will allow the Jets to move the ball at times, but stiffen up in the red zone, forcing Sanchez to make some devastating mistakes.

San Diego 27, Jets 13 (And an embarrassed Coach Ryan learns a little humility)

J-E-T-S Jets! Jets! Jets!

The Jets looked great on Saturday in beating up the Bengals. Their defense completely discombobulated Carson Palmer and their run game controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage.

The Chargers should be worried that a pumped up team with a lot of momentum is coming into town. But isn't that the way the bye week works? While you're resting and getting healthy, whoever comes to town is getting early playoff experience and momentum.

The Bengals fell behind and had to throw the ball to catch up. Their creative blitzing front gave Carson Palmer fits. The Bengals didn't appear to have a short passing game to deal with the blitz. For the Chargers, Rivers, the offensive line, and the receivers have dealt with pressure and blitzing all season. The same strategy, if employed again by the Jets, simply won't work against San Diego. When the blitz comes, Rivers will check down and find the open guy.

The Jets have the number one rushing defense? Do the Chargers care about running the ball anyway? The run game is nothing more than a place setter for San Diego. The increased run production of late has more to do with the dominance of the passing game and running out the clock than much actual improvement.

Last weekend the dominant running and strong defensive teams (excepting the crazy Cards-Packers game) seemed to have the upper hand. This playoff season will put to the test the theory that a strong running game is a necessity. The Chargers will not try to pound the ball against the Jets 46 defense.

On the other side of the ball, the Jets will try to pound the ball against the Chargers. They need to protect rookie Mark Sanchez from making mistakes and probably (given the arrogant Rex Ryan) have convinced themselves the Chargers are "soft." New York will probably be able to move the ball in between the twenties. The question is, what happens in the red zone?

If the Chargers can hold up on the goal line when Brandon Siler and Tim Dobbins are in the game at the same time, sticking people on the goal line and forcing the Jets to kick some field goals, they will win the game.

Other keys to victory? On the offensive side of the ball, San Diego simply has to weather the early storm. Even though this is a road game, I'm guessing the Jets' defense will come out with extreme intensity, blitzes and general mad-dog craziness. If Rivers can come out and simply take what is given, not hold onto the ball too long (sacks/fumbles) and avoid throwing stupid picks, the Chargers can settle in and do what they do. If Rivers comes out early and tries to do too much? We all saw last weekend how an early mistake can set the tone for a whole game. If the Chargers come out and are forced to punt the first two series? That's actually a good sign.

I'll have more analysis before the game.

Chargers vs. Redskins

This game only matters for the Chargers in the sense that they play the fine line between keeping the starters fresh, avoiding injury, and resting those that are already injured. In general, the sense of timing is more important for the offense, both the line and passing game than the defense. I would expect Rivers, Gates, LT, Vincent Jackson, Sproles, and the starting offensive line all to stay in for the first half, showing the sharpness of execution they've maintained over the course of this winning streak.

On the defensive side, anyone who is even a little banged up should sit. This should include Merriman, Phillips, Jammer, Bennett and any of the defensive tackles in the rotation that need rest.

Washington is a flawed team, but they have a good defense and may be motivated to finish on a winning note. This might be their Super Bowl.

Even with the second string for the Chargers in for much of the game, if the Chargers come out sharp, they should win this game. This game means nothing playoff-wise, but I think losing would put a bad taste in everyone's mouth, incrementally slowing the steamroller of momentum built up over the last ten weeks. The Chargers already have enough of a momentum challenge in dealing with the bye week, a loss would just add to that.

This game may come down how sharp Billy Volek is in the second half. Unless the Chargers are already blowing out the Redskins, look for Norv to open up the playbook a bit for Volek, giving him the chance to show what he can do in the down field passing game. I predict the strong running of Mike Tolbert and a few key big plays to third-string tight end Kris Wilson will be the difference in this one.

Chargers 27, Redskins 17

Championship Form

Another week and another huge performance for the San Diego Chargers. In dominating the Titans, the Chargers showed they are ready for the playoffs. The worst part about earning the first round bye and earning it early is that the team has to wait three weeks to play their next real game. Coaching decisions become crucial in drawing the fine line between resting players and keeping that edge for the first playoff game.

Who do you play against the Redskins? How hard do you practice?

As for Friday's game, Vince Young seemed to single-handedly give the game up for the Titans. His interception and fumble in the first half were the decisive factors in building the Chargers' lead. Chris Johnson was running on the Chargers as well as he has on everyone else. Young was asked to complete a few strategic passes and simply was not up to the task. He scramble and find the one open receiver. He can run for the first down. Ask him to stay in the pocket, survey the defense and make the right decision? He's not there yet.

Shaun Phillips made a huge play to strip the ball from Young in the second quarter. Young has always carried the ball a bit loosely, going back to his Texas days. Phillips is the best in the league at swiping that ball away. Crucial little talents like this usually end up making the difference in the playoffs. Let's hope so.

The Chargers were able to run the ball somewhat effectively. LT and the line, while not dominating, are getting into some kind of sync. There are holes opening up. Nick Hardwick looked like he hasn't missed a beat in his 12 game absence. The pass blocking--especially picking up the blitz--looks like some of the best in the league. Rivers has time.

He's using that time as well as any quarterback in the league. The national media has noticed how incredibly difficult it is to defend the Chargers. The receivers, the scheme and the play calling are all just too good for most defenses to handle.

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive backs are turning out to be a strength of this team. This is huge because, as everyone knows, the road to the Super Bowl will go through Indianapolis. Eric Weddle is just a smart player who makes great reads and puts himself in the right spot on both run and pass plays. Kevin Ellison and Paul Oliver have improved each week sharing the other safety spot. Ellison may end up being San Diego's next Rodney Harrison in couple years. The corner play has been absolutely solid.

Watching today's scores, it looks like someone else may be "peaking at the right time": New England. They came out and just destroyed Jacksonville. While Indianapolis may not want to see the Chargers, does San Diego want to see New England come to town? That may just bring back some bad memories. However, what could be sweeter that beating the Patriots and the Colts on the way to the Super Bowl?

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