*** Official 2014 San Diego Chargers **** (1 Viewer)

[tommyGunZ]

Why not take a flyer on Stephen Hill?

He can't catch.

Were his catch-skills poor in college as well? There was a recent article re: the Chargers where receivers mentioned how Rivers throws a very "catchable" ball. I know that seems anecdotal and very difficult to measure, but there is something to be said for guys who are able to judge exactly how much velocity they need to both fit it into the passing window while giving the receiver the optimal chance to snag the ball.

Obviously Hill is now a Panther, so it's moot, but I wonder if Hill's catching woes couldn't be fixed if he played with Manning, Rivers, or Brees.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Chargers over or under 8 1/2 wins. Try NOT to be a homer.

First half of the season makes it look very doable but then you see those last 5 games and whoa, they could finish 1 - 4.

@BAL

NE

DEN

@SF

@KC

Talk to me Chargers fans.

 

[Tau837]

Over

 

[Rick James]

Why not take a flyer on Stephen Hill?

He can't catch.

Were his catch-skills poor in college as well? There was a recent article re: the Chargers where receivers mentioned how Rivers throws a very "catchable" ball. I know that seems anecdotal and very difficult to measure, but there is something to be said for guys who are able to judge exactly how much velocity they need to both fit it into the passing window while giving the receiver the optimal chance to snag the ball.

Obviously Hill is now a Panther, so it's moot, but I wonder if Hill's catching woes couldn't be fixed if he played with Manning, Rivers, or Brees.

I'm a GT fan. Hill always had problems catching the easy ones. It was frustrating to watch. He would catch bomb after bomb and then drop a hitch or out route. Doesn't make sense.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Over

Thanks but I ended up going under. We'll see how it goes but if they aren't having a good season going into those last 5 games, good night.

 

[cstu]

Why not take a flyer on Stephen Hill?

He can't catch.

Were his catch-skills poor in college as well? There was a recent article re: the Chargers where receivers mentioned how Rivers throws a very "catchable" ball. I know that seems anecdotal and very difficult to measure, but there is something to be said for guys who are able to judge exactly how much velocity they need to both fit it into the passing window while giving the receiver the optimal chance to snag the ball.

Obviously Hill is now a Panther, so it's moot, but I wonder if Hill's catching woes couldn't be fixed if he played with Manning, Rivers, or Brees.

He's still on the practice squad so any team can add him to their active roster at any time.

 

[Bucky86]

Some things never change.

 

[cstu]

Chargers over or under 8 1/2 wins. Try NOT to be a homer.

First half of the season makes it look very doable but then you see those last 5 games and whoa, they could finish 1 - 4.

@BAL

NE

DEN

@SF

@KC

Talk to me Chargers fans.

December doesn't worry me.

 

[FF Ninja]

Chargers over or under 8 1/2 wins. Try NOT to be a homer.

First half of the season makes it look very doable but then you see those last 5 games and whoa, they could finish 1 - 4.

@BAL

NE

DEN

@SF

@KC

Talk to me Chargers fans.

I'm not a Chargers fan, but that assists in me not being a homer... Baltimore looked like dookie. Their offensive line issues are far from over. SF looked good against Dallas but there's a reason Kaepernick was playing in week 4 of the preseason - he needs the work. He's still not that good. KC is going to be a doormat. I predict 3-2 in December for you guys. You've beaten Denver before but it is unlikely. I think Baltimore and KC are very likely wins. And you've got a 50/50 shot against NE and SF.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

yeah I stayed up until 2am to watch that, WTF

 

[Bucky86]

yeah I stayed up until 2am to watch that, WTF

It's sad that I wasn't even really mad because I had already mentally prepared myself once we scored those 2 TD's. This team will never go anywhere losing these types of games every single year.

 

[Gr00vus]

yeah I stayed up until 2am to watch that, WTF

It's sad that I wasn't even really mad because I had already mentally prepared myself once we scored those 2 TD's. This team will never go anywhere losing these types of games every single year.

I realize if they had made basically 1 play among the missed sacks, interceptions, dropped passes and fumbled snaps of last night they probably win.

Regardless, I have to question some of the play calling and personnel utilization decisions on offense. I thought they would have figured a few things out following on from last season, but apparently they haven't. There must be something really wrong with Green that we don't know about to justify his near lack of participation in the passing game. There must be. Bad chemistry with Rivers? Doesn't know the playbook? Doesn't know how to run routes? Also, it's enough with the reverses to Royal - or getting Royal anything more than 1 or two targets a game for that matter. Similarly with running Woodhead into the line - once or twice a game for that is probably enough.

0-2 here we come.

The defense looked much better than I expected though - Pagano really earns his paychecks. Attaouchu and Verrett looked really good last night. Teo looked faster than I remember. Somehow Freeney still has the moves. I hope he can make it through the season. Flowers was a good addition.

 

[cstu]

yeah I stayed up until 2am to watch that, WTF

It's sad that I wasn't even really mad because I had already mentally prepared myself once we scored those 2 TD's. This team will never go anywhere losing these types of games every single year.

I realize if they had made basically 1 play among the sacks, interceptions, dropped passes and fumbled snaps of last night they probably win.

Regardless, I have to question some of the play calling and personnel utilization decisions on offense. I thought they would have figured a few things out following on from last season, but apparently they haven't. There must be something really wrong with Green that we don't know about to justify his near lack of participation in the passing game. There must be. Bad chemistry with Rivers? Doesn't know the playbook? Doesn't know how to run routes? Also, it's enough with the reverses to Royal - or getting Royal anything more than 1 or two targets a game for that matter. Similarly with running Woodhead into the line - once or twice a game for that is probably enough.

0-2 here we come.

Caught both of his targets for 24 yards.

 

[Gr00vus]

yeah I stayed up until 2am to watch that, WTF

It's sad that I wasn't even really mad because I had already mentally prepared myself once we scored those 2 TD's. This team will never go anywhere losing these types of games every single year.

I realize if they had made basically 1 play among the sacks, interceptions, dropped passes and fumbled snaps of last night they probably win.

Regardless, I have to question some of the play calling and personnel utilization decisions on offense. I thought they would have figured a few things out following on from last season, but apparently they haven't. There must be something really wrong with Green that we don't know about to justify his near lack of participation in the passing game. There must be. Bad chemistry with Rivers? Doesn't know the playbook? Doesn't know how to run routes? Also, it's enough with the reverses to Royal - or getting Royal anything more than 1 or two targets a game for that matter. Similarly with running Woodhead into the line - once or twice a game for that is probably enough.

0-2 here we come.

Caught both of his targets for 24 yards.

Exactly. The rest of the time he hardly even ran routes, if he was in the game at all. Meanwhile I'm watching Eddie ####### Royal botch routes and drop passes. Awesome.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Very frustrating to see a win slip through our fingers in that manner. As Groovus points out, any number of plays likely changes the outcome had 1 of them been made: Rivers catching the snap, Freeney wrapping up Palmer, ANYONE getting Palmer on that 3rd & 10 scramble inside their own 20 on the game winning drive in the 4th, Gates and Royal dropping balls that would have resulted in 1st downs, etc.

That said, losing by 1 on the road to a 10-6 team from the NFC West team in their home opener on MNF isn't anything to be embarrassed about. And I'm particularly excited by the play of our top 2 draft picks. I think they both get an A+ grade for game 1. Perhaps Telesco has hit another home run in the draft. If so, this team will not only be fine, but they are legit AFC Title contenders.

 

[Gr00vus]

Wasn't thrilled with the run blocking last night. They did a great job of pass protection, and AZ tried to apply a ton of pressure.

 

[cstu]

Very frustrating to see a win slip through our fingers in that manner. As Groovus points out, any number of plays likely changes the outcome had 1 of them been made: Rivers catching the snap, Freeney wrapping up Palmer, ANYONE getting Palmer on that 3rd & 10 scramble inside their own 20 on the game winning drive in the 4th, Gates and Royal dropping balls that would have resulted in 1st downs, etc.

That said, losing by 1 on the road to a 10-6 team from the NFC West team in their home opener on MNF isn't anything to be embarrassed about. And I'm particularly excited by the play of our top 2 draft picks. I think they both get an A+ grade for game 1. Perhaps Telesco has hit another home run in the draft. If so, this team will not only be fine, but they are legit AFC Title contenders.

The bright spot from the loss is that the defense held a pretty good offense to 6 point through 3 quarters. That bodes well for them if they can get the offense clicking.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Wasn't thrilled with the run blocking last night. They did a great job of pass protection, and AZ tried to apply a ton of pressure.

Run blocking was abysmal.

 

[BoltBacker]

Wow, Eddie Royal was playing offense like Derek Cox played defense for SD in 2013. It almost looked like he had money on the Cardinals. It's one thing to drop a pivotal 3rd down pass in your hands, but a whole other thing to stop on a route allowing the defense to intercept the ball in their territory. That's pretty much a rookie mistake, at least his contract is cheap. I still remember people saying I was over-reacting when he signed that contract.

Where are all my peeps that were convinced the OL is just fine and were glad we didn't get caught up in worrying about backups? Let's see a show of hands with those that agree! Meanwhile, Will Montgomery sits on den's bench when he could have started in place of Johnnie Troutman at G on opening day and could be replacing Hardwick at C now given his experience and versatility. His salary? $1.5mil. For those scoring at home Clary negotiated his deal down so he's only making $3.3mil to sit at home with his ### in a sling.

 

[Gr00vus]

 

[Bucky86]

So..is it almost time to fire up the 2015 off-season thread?

 

[BoltBacker]

The bright spot from the loss is that the defense held a pretty good offense to 6 point through 3 quarters. That bodes well for them if they can get the offense clicking.

An even brighter spot was Verrett, Te'o, and Attaochu(all moves I wasn't a fan of) playing well. Given the state of the OL SD may have to rely on their defense a great deal moving forward and those three form an important nucleus that cost 5 draft picks.

I was disappointed in Ingram not making the impact I expected, however. Very happy with the play of Flowers, but ARZ may have stayed away due to reputation. Or the fact Shareece Wright was playing on the other side.

 

[BoltBacker]

So..is it almost time to fire up the 2015 off-season thread?

No, this is the time of year SD fans all agree that the OL is a weakness of the team and needs to be addressed. It's sometime by the end of January that the group amnesia sets in and somehow people get convinced that the OL really isn't all that bad and signing guys like Eddie Royal to a $5mil/yr contract to be the #3 WR aren't really that bad a move. Rinse and repeat.... since about 2007? Earlier?

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

Sounds you guys like the under 8 1/2 now!

 

[Bucky86]

Sounds like you guys like the under 8 1/2 now!

Let us mourn our season in peace. These were the most exciting 3 quarters we'll have all year.

 

[Raider Nation]

I'm watching a replay of the game on Monday night. Can't get over how freakin enormous King Dunlap is.

He makes Gates look like a child when they stand next to each other in the huddle.

 

[BoltBacker]

Sounds you guys like the under 8 1/2 now!

Meh, I think they are still a 7-9 win team so they have a solid shot at the over imo. I am just bitterly disappointed they didn't take a step forward and build off last year. I am guessing the glaring hole at NT is going to be highlighted this week. This will be a good week to determine whether Te'o was a mistake or not. The team really needs him to step up. Let's hope the TE's can lure those SEA S' s away from the line of scrimmage. I don't care what Packer fans say, line Royal up against Sherman and stay away from both of them all game.

 

[Tau837]

Regardless, I have to question some of the play calling and personnel utilization decisions on offense. I thought they would have figured a few things out following on from last season, but apparently they haven't.

I was out of town on business last week and didn't have time to vent about this. Groovus mainly referenced Green here, but my issue is once again with the RB usage.

Mathews: 23 snaps, 12/40/1 rushing, 2/20/0 receiving on 2 targets

Woodhead: 30 snaps, 6/5/0 rushing, 1/6/0 receiving on 1 target

Brown: 11 snaps, 2/-2/0 rushing, 0/0/0 receiving on 0 targets

Heck, Royal had 2/-1/0 rushing (to go with his 1/20/0 on 6 targets with 3 drops and a cut off route for an interception).

Mathews had 4/32/1 on runs between the tackles. The Chargers led for 24 minutes of the second half. Why not more of those runs for him and fewer runs overall for Woodhead? Why not more targets for Woodhead?

Why play Brown for 11 snaps? What exactly is he better at than Mathews or Woodhead? Brown touched the ball twice and lost 2 yards. He also allowed a QB hurry in 5 pass blocking snaps. Pretty unimpressive. The guy should sit on the bench as long as Mathews and Woodhead are healthy.

I hope this coaching staff can take some lessons from week 1 and adjust this usage quickly.

ETA: And I'd much rather see Green or Ajirotutu getting Royal's snaps going forward. He arguably cost the Chargers the game last week. His play was inexcusably bad. He couldn't have played worse if he was trying to throw the game. Why he was such a big part of the game plan is another mystery.

 

[Gr00vus]

Chargers shock the world today and get the W.

 

[Bucky86]

Chargers shock the world today and get the W.

 

[Gr00vus]

Chargers shock the world today and get the W.

I wasn't joking either. My record for normally being a pessimist speaks for itself. I had a feeling about this one.

Time to see what Oliver and Grice can do a little bit.

 

[Riversco]

Broncos have to play them too, but they have to travel up to Seattle.

 

[Gr00vus]

Broncos have to play them too, but they have to travel up to Seattle.

Love the new avatar version - don't change it ever.

 

[Bucky86]

My reverse mojo worked!!!

 

[Gr00vus]

I know it's just a week 2 game, but how high must TGunz be right now? And by high, I mostly mean happy.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Chargers shock the world today and get the W.

BAM

 

[tommyGunZ]

LET ME SEE YOUR LIGHTNING BOLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gr00vus]

MCL sprain for Glassthews. No news on the degree yet. Hopefully he'll make it back this year.

The Bills game is looking like tough sledding. I'd imagine they'll focus on running the ball a bit more than AZ and SEA did. I still think the Charger D can be had there. 10am EST starts are never fun.

 

[Gr00vus]

What a fantastic game that was by Rivers. So many great throws, one of the best performances of his I've seen. I'll be a shame if he never wins a Super Bowl and therefore doesn't get the credit he deserves.

 

[tommyGunZ]

What a fantastic that was by Rivers. So many great throws, one of the best performances of his I've seen. I'll be a shame if he never wins a Super Bowl and therefore doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Not to worry. Rivers will be celebrated in February.

 

[Tau837]

What a fantastic game that was by Rivers. So many great throws, one of the best performances of his I've seen. I'll be a shame if he never wins a Super Bowl and therefore doesn't get the credit he deserves.

And to think that some Chargers fans were ready to move on from him just last offseason...

 

[Gr00vus]

What a fantastic game that was by Rivers. So many great throws, one of the best performances of his I've seen. I'll be a shame if he never wins a Super Bowl and therefore doesn't get the credit he deserves.

And to think that some Chargers fans were ready to move on from him just last offseason...

Guilty as charged. I didn't think the rest of the team would support him, but I've been wrong about that so far.

 

[BoltBacker]

What a fantastic game that was by Rivers. So many great throws, one of the best performances of his I've seen. I'll be a shame if he never wins a Super Bowl and therefore doesn't get the credit he deserves.

And to think that some Chargers fans were ready to move on from him just last offseason...

Guilty as charged. I didn't think the rest of the team would support him, but I've been wrong about that so far.

Same, didn't think he could carry the entire team on his back the way he has. Still feel the OL limits the potential upside of this team, unfortunately. He's a SB quality QB but they've wasted the best half decade of his career.

 

[BoltBacker]

So, remember last spring when all the football "experts" were scratching their heads and trying to figure out why on earth Telesco would sign Brown to be a backup to Mathews? I'm sure they are all eating crow now..... oh wait, now they are acting as if Mathews next injury was a foregone conclusion all along. Shocking.

I have no ill will towards Mathews. It's not like he's driving drunk or hurting others and I think there's actually a good chance he returns to the team in a RBBC role now that he's reminded everyone in the league just exactly why he is a RBBC guy. The FA market for RB's is already soft to begin with. He'll either rush back and play at less than 100% making last year stand out as the aberration it was OR he'll wait to come back 'til he's healthy and his fragility will be on the forefront of everyone's mind.

Again, I don't think he's a bad guy but if his last play for the Chargers was injuring himself while trying to recover his own fumble.... could there ever be a more fitting end? Ironically, on the tale end of people still clamoring for him to get more carries.

 

[tommyGunZ]

So, remember last spring when all the football "experts" were scratching their heads and trying to figure out why on earth Telesco would sign Brown to be a backup to Mathews? I'm sure they are all eating crow now..... oh wait, now they are acting as if Mathews next injury was a foregone conclusion all along. Shocking.

I have no ill will towards Mathews. It's not like he's driving drunk or hurting others and I think there's actually a good chance he returns to the team in a RBBC role now that he's reminded everyone in the league just exactly why he is a RBBC guy. The FA market for RB's is already soft to begin with. He'll either rush back and play at less than 100% making last year stand out as the aberration it was OR he'll wait to come back 'til he's healthy and his fragility will be on the forefront of everyone's mind.

Again, I don't think he's a bad guy but if his last play for the Chargers was injuring himself while trying to recover his own fumble.... could there ever be a more fitting end? Ironically, on the tale end of people still clamoring for him to get more carries.

Let him walk unless he takes a cut. Would love to see the Bolts target CJ Spiller in the offseason. He would thrive in this offense with Rivers.

 

[Gr00vus]

So, remember last spring when all the football "experts" were scratching their heads and trying to figure out why on earth Telesco would sign Brown to be a backup to Mathews? I'm sure they are all eating crow now..... oh wait, now they are acting as if Mathews next injury was a foregone conclusion all along. Shocking.

I have no ill will towards Mathews. It's not like he's driving drunk or hurting others and I think there's actually a good chance he returns to the team in a RBBC role now that he's reminded everyone in the league just exactly why he is a RBBC guy. The FA market for RB's is already soft to begin with. He'll either rush back and play at less than 100% making last year stand out as the aberration it was OR he'll wait to come back 'til he's healthy and his fragility will be on the forefront of everyone's mind.

Again, I don't think he's a bad guy but if his last play for the Chargers was injuring himself while trying to recover his own fumble.... could there ever be a more fitting end? Ironically, on the tale end of people still clamoring for him to get more carries.

Let him walk unless he takes a cut. Would love to see the Bolts target CJ Spiller in the offseason. He would thrive in this offense with Rivers.

Hopefully he keeps it under wraps this weekend though.

 

[BRONG]

It's a good thing you guys held on to Sproles.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

In the running game, the Chargers are averaging 2.5 yards per carry so far this season (tied for worst with Jacksonville), and they're giving up 5.6 yards per carry (second worst behind Houston).

I would say that I hope both teams keep it in the air as much as possible this weekend, but the Bills are actually averaging more yards per pass attempt than the Chargers (7.8 to 7.2). They're also giving up fewer yards per pass attempt (6.0 to 8.2).

 

[tommyGunZ]

SSS alert, but it feels good reading stuff like Kiper's rookie rankings after 2 games:

2. Jason Verrett, CB, San Diego

If this kid had been two inches taller, I'm not sure he would have been around past the top 10. That's not an exaggeration. The No. 25 overall pick is just so steady and competitive, and already the Chargers have to feel like they got a steal. Verrett was fantastic against the Cardinals and what I really like beyond the cover skills is the ability to limit anything after the catch. Every CB is going to allow catches, but as my friend Jon Gruden reminds me, for corners in this league now, tackling is so crucial.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

OH WTF

| Melvin Ingram to IR recall list Sat Sep 20, 05:14 PM

San Diego Chargers LB Melvin Ingram (hip, hamstring) was placed on the Reserve/Injured Designated to Return list. Ingram underwent an MRI on his hip Thursday, Sept. 18, but it's unclear how the injury occurred. He'll be out until at least Week 11.