Know Your Enemy: San Diego Chargers

Hes definitely the number 2 receiver behind Gates. He has the third most yards in the nfl (a big reason is because against the Raiders he had 213 yards, lined up against Nnamdi) he is a great deep threat but isnt much of a threat for YAC. Hes a very talented receiver but most of his success is because of Rivers no doubt.

The number 3 receiver seems to be a number of people depending on the week, going from most likely to least likely would probably be Naanee, Buster Davis, Pat Crayton, sproles/mathews/tolbert and then Randy McMichael (you remember him)

can we have the rams 2nd and 3rd round picks?

is if he can agree to a long term contract with another team first. Only then would a team be willing to give up a few high draft picks. The problem is, VJax won’t come down on his price, so no one is biting.
On the Charger’s side of things, I think it’s beginning to be personal. AJ Smith is not going to let VJax see the light of day until he gets something of value for him. In some ways, Marcus McNeil signing his tender might have been a result of his hardball tactics. Plus, he’s setting a precedent that you better not F with the boss. He’s content to let VJ rot all year and take his chances on the new collective bargaining agreement. VJ, is placing a pretty large bet that he will reach free agency next year.
Despite all the big talk from his side, it still wouldn’t surprise me to see VJax show up and play the last 6 games of the season, ensuring he gets free agency status.

we’ll probably play a soft zone and he’ll carve us up. We don’t like to put pressure on the other team when they’re down.

Sorry, forgot to add sarcasm alert at the beginning. That’s what happened last Sunday with Campbell. Pressured him and we looked good. Got 9 points ahead and the we go soft and the complete 93 and 70 something yd drives for td’s.

If we keep up the pressure Bradford will struggle, if not who know’s what might happen.

Special teams aside, what do you see as the team’s weak spots?

Bad coaching, bad luck, bad ball protection and a fake pass rush.

McMichael had the ball at his feet after Rivers was hit and fumbled. Instead of dive on it he tried to pick it up/fumble around with it and then the raiders safety grabbed it and ran 64 yds for a td.
So Randy not in the good books at the moment. FALL ON THE BALL RANDY!!!!

We obviously know who the #1 TE in San Diego (in the universe) is. This is just my opinion, but I think we just wanted another person around who can catch a ball, given the VJax situation. Also, we lost Manumlaherejlerehkea and needed a body there. I think Manu was a better run blocker, however. I remember him getting blown up in pass protection more than a few times.

That was meant to be a reply to Camo702

They were in a spot where they were clearly going to run it until the Raiders stopped it. I agreed with making a throw after being backed up, but the Raiders were blitzing on every down. They needed short slants or a screen or a flare to slow it down. But instead, they were dropping back trying to get it down the field. I just didn’t get it.

An offensive genius took over, but lacks teaching the discipline that a real head coach stresses…taking care of the football, no dumb penalties

Before the beginning of this season, the strength of Norv Turner’s Chargers teams has been that they consistently win by not making mistakes, not getting dumb penalties and taking care of the football. It’s just the first few games of this season where it’s been a problem, and in reality if he can get the team back to being disciplined like it was there’s no reason they should lose any more games.

I think Norv Turner is slightly better at being a HC than Martz, personally. However, it’s not a totally ridiculous comparison.

…so why to they start so bad every year? Does the Coaching staff just need 3-5 games after training camp and preseason to tie up all the loose ends? Do they get the injury bug early and it just takes a bit to adjust?

All of that. Last year it was adjusting after big-time injuries to the d-line and o-line. The season before it was Rivers coming back from two torn ACLs and the team missing Merriman. This year it has something to do with the injuries at OLB.

The coaching just seems to make the same dumb mistakes to start every season. Not enough pressure, predictable and bad play-calling, etc. It seems like they need to get into desperation mode before everyone turns it on, and most Chargers fans are pretty tired of it.

and, obviously, special teams.

He was put on IR, but won’t be out for the season. They essentially have put him on “the injured list” and will be forced to release him when he gets healthy. Some weird IR rule that nobody knew about until now. Here’s the reasons:

1) Health – He hasn’t been right since 2007.
2) Production – Goes along with the health.
3) OLB health – Jyles Tucker is already on IR and Larry English is out for at least a few more games. Having 3 OLBs out at the same time was tough.
4) Special Teams – The Chargers have had, without a doubt, the worst special teams all season. Blocking for punts, covering Kickoffs and Punts….it’s all been ridiculously bad. Because of his health, Merriman couldn’t help. The team has signed Antwan Barnes to replace him, he’ll back up Antwan Applewhite, and help on Special Teams.

I’ve watched the film for every game, some more than once, and Both Cason and Jammer are excellent in coverage. QB’s usually have gone to Tight Ends and dump offs because the secondary has the middle and deep field covered. Bet on Bradford throwing most of his completions to anyone not covered by Cason or Jammer. They’ve both allowed fewer than 50% completions.

(2nd or 3rd in the league, overall) is largely due to weak competition. I think by the end of the year, we’re somewhere around 10th in the league, which isn’t bad. I just don’t think we’re elite (top five).
Jammer and Cason are holding things down with our inconsistent pass rush. We get a lot of sacks because we blitz from every direction. But if the offense guesses right and blocks it up, our corners can be one on one on islands. Considering all that, they’re doing a great job. But I think teams will be able to run on us. That worries me the most. I hope I’m wrong, but the two long Raider drives last week have me nervous.

Merriman is hobbled, McNeill is back.

Mathews is supposedly healthy, and Tolbert had a horrible game. They’ll both get carries but Mathews will more than likely get more yards.

They’re not saying, just saying that Mathews will get “more”. They’ll probably let Mathews start the game, give Tolbert a few, and then ride the hot hand.

you got your wish sorta, but that’s baaaad karma wishing injury on players.