Didn't want to watch the Rewind of the Chargers-Dolphins game, but did anyway. Nothing good to be said. Chargers didn't force a punt until the end of the 3rd quarter. Phillip Rivers played one of the worse games I've seen him play ever, going 12-23, 138 yards, 3 interceptions. He was going into the game with a franchise record 7 straight games with multiple TD passes...obviously that's over. If it wasn't for Andy Dalton's pathetic display last night, the sportscasters may be talking about Rivers. The offensive line was horrid, getting beat consistently one-on-one by Dolphin defenders. I read somewhere that the Dolphins only blitzed 6 times, but sacked Rivers 4 times and harassed him all night.
It was an awful performance by the entire team...well the special teams played OK.
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I don't know how I feel about games in London. I know it has to be a burden on both teams and really detrimental to the team that has to give up a home game. It's not like they're going to give London a game that could possibly bring in a big TV audience here in the states. Next years London games are Dolphins-Jets (first time for a divisional matchup...don't know who's the home team, but that doubly hurts losing a home division game), Bills-Jaguars, and Lions-Chiefs. You think a Broncos-Patriots game will ever be in London as long as Manning and Brady are playing?
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RB Denard Robinson is an interesting story. Robinson played QB in college and in high school, he was once ranked as the 16th best CB prospect in the country...and he had never played the position. Over the last three weeks, Robinson has more rushing yards than anyone in the NFL not named Demarco Murray. This Bleacher Report story covers how Robinson became an NFL running back.
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I've been claiming here that despite the winning record, that the Patriots are a team in decline. Well, in Week 9 the Pats beat the Broncos, the team most sportscasters say will return to the Super Bowl, quite handily. I don't know where that performance came from, but it sure wasn't the team I've watched for the first 8 weeks of the season. This was a defense that got mauled by Alex Smith for 41 points and an offense that managed only 16 against the Raiders. That's earlier in the season you say? Just two weeks ago they needed a blocked field goal to beat the Jets. Patriots are on a bye in Week 10, but go to Indianapolis in Week 11...that will be interesting to watch.
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And the crazy QB statistics keep coming. Last week Ben Roethlisberger became the first QB to toss for 6 TDs in back-to-back games. Prior to this, YA Tittle (1962) was the only QB ever to do it twice in the same season. I wonder if it's a product of the new pass defense rules...figure it's has to have at least played a part.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
NFL Week 8 Thoughts, All On Chargers
OK, one non-Charger thought. Did you know that Tom Brady is the only QB in the history of the NFL to pass for 350+ yds, 5 or more TDs, 0 interceptions, and better than 85% completions in the same game? Will, last week against the Bears he did it for the 2nd time (1st was in 09 vs. the Titans).
I mentioned in my Week 4 Thoughts post that people were over-blowing the Chargers 5-1 record. Now after 2 straight loses some sportscasters are jumping off the bandwagon, like in this Around the NFL article. Just watched the Broncos game on rewind last night and I'm not that discouraged (that might change if they lose to the Dolphins this week).
Chargers defense played the Broncos tough in the first quarter. They made the Broncos punt in their first two drives...how many times has that happened to Broncos this year? The halftime score was 14-7 Broncos, but mostly because the Chargers were robbed of a turnover (even the instant replay official calling the game said it should have been a fumble) and partially because CB Jason Verrett went out with a shoulder injury. Branden Flowers was already out, so both starting CBs out versus Peyton Manning...not likely that's going to work out well. Manning immediately started picking on replacement Richard Marshall. Marshall was so bad that the Chargers cut him after the game. You have to play pretty lousy to get cut when a team has both starters at your position injured.
Phillip Rivers threw 2 interceptions, but neither one was terrible. On the first, Keenan Allen slipped on the cut. The bad part was that it happened in the opening drive of the 3rd quarter. On the previous drive the Chargers went 13 plays, 84 yards to tie the score at 7-7.The 2nd interception was towards the end of the game down 2 TDs. Rivers was trying to go deep to Malcolm Floyd, but a Bronco safety was over the top. Considering the game situation I can see why Rivers' gambled, but it still wasn't a good decision.
With the Broncos up 28-14 Eric Weddle made a great interception that could have changed the game. The interception was overturned by a tricky-tack holding call on Marcus Gilchrist. I can see why they called it because Gilchrist put a hand on the receivers hip, but he never turned him or impeded his progress.
Lastly, with time left to turn the game around, Broncos up 35-21, Weddle punched the ball out of Emmnauel Saunders hands. Unfortunately, despite several Chargers defenders around the ball, Wes Welker ended up recovering it.
The point is all the breaks went the Broncos way. Are Broncos a better team? Absolutely, so when you lose the turnover battle 2-0 you should get blown out. The Chargers lost handily by 2 TDs, but it wasn't a blowout. Add to that they could have easily had 3 Bronco turnovers and I don't feel like the Chargers were over matched (especially considering 2 starting CBs, and OLB Melvin Ingram were out). It was really encouraging how well the defense played before Verrett went out. Broncos only TD while Verrett was in the game was set up by a great catch by Saunders...and it was well covered.
Unfortunately, Verrett may be out for awhile and Ingram isn't due back anytime soon. Flowers should play against the Dolphins and the Chargers signed ex-Washington CB Richard Crawford. Who knows how soon Crawford can play. The Chargers defense has been a lot better when Flowers and Verrett have been on the field, but Shareece Wright has been serviceable when either of the two has been out. Rookie Chris Davis has been getting playing time and getting better.
The schedule does get tougher late November into December, but if they can beat the Dolphins the Chargers will be on a bye so they should be able to get a few players back from injury for Week 11 including a very realistic return by Ryan Mathews. Branden Oliver made a splash running for 100+ against the Jets and Raiders, but hasn't been able to duplicate that success against the Chiefs or Broncos. Love Oliver and he does have talent, but I'm guessing his success had something to do with the opponent.
If the Chargers are at full strength going into the last five game gauntlet of @Ravens, Patriots, Broncos, @49ers, @ Chiefs, I'll still give this team a decent shot at the playoffs.
I mentioned in my Week 4 Thoughts post that people were over-blowing the Chargers 5-1 record. Now after 2 straight loses some sportscasters are jumping off the bandwagon, like in this Around the NFL article. Just watched the Broncos game on rewind last night and I'm not that discouraged (that might change if they lose to the Dolphins this week).
Chargers defense played the Broncos tough in the first quarter. They made the Broncos punt in their first two drives...how many times has that happened to Broncos this year? The halftime score was 14-7 Broncos, but mostly because the Chargers were robbed of a turnover (even the instant replay official calling the game said it should have been a fumble) and partially because CB Jason Verrett went out with a shoulder injury. Branden Flowers was already out, so both starting CBs out versus Peyton Manning...not likely that's going to work out well. Manning immediately started picking on replacement Richard Marshall. Marshall was so bad that the Chargers cut him after the game. You have to play pretty lousy to get cut when a team has both starters at your position injured.
Phillip Rivers threw 2 interceptions, but neither one was terrible. On the first, Keenan Allen slipped on the cut. The bad part was that it happened in the opening drive of the 3rd quarter. On the previous drive the Chargers went 13 plays, 84 yards to tie the score at 7-7.The 2nd interception was towards the end of the game down 2 TDs. Rivers was trying to go deep to Malcolm Floyd, but a Bronco safety was over the top. Considering the game situation I can see why Rivers' gambled, but it still wasn't a good decision.
With the Broncos up 28-14 Eric Weddle made a great interception that could have changed the game. The interception was overturned by a tricky-tack holding call on Marcus Gilchrist. I can see why they called it because Gilchrist put a hand on the receivers hip, but he never turned him or impeded his progress.
Lastly, with time left to turn the game around, Broncos up 35-21, Weddle punched the ball out of Emmnauel Saunders hands. Unfortunately, despite several Chargers defenders around the ball, Wes Welker ended up recovering it.
The point is all the breaks went the Broncos way. Are Broncos a better team? Absolutely, so when you lose the turnover battle 2-0 you should get blown out. The Chargers lost handily by 2 TDs, but it wasn't a blowout. Add to that they could have easily had 3 Bronco turnovers and I don't feel like the Chargers were over matched (especially considering 2 starting CBs, and OLB Melvin Ingram were out). It was really encouraging how well the defense played before Verrett went out. Broncos only TD while Verrett was in the game was set up by a great catch by Saunders...and it was well covered.
Unfortunately, Verrett may be out for awhile and Ingram isn't due back anytime soon. Flowers should play against the Dolphins and the Chargers signed ex-Washington CB Richard Crawford. Who knows how soon Crawford can play. The Chargers defense has been a lot better when Flowers and Verrett have been on the field, but Shareece Wright has been serviceable when either of the two has been out. Rookie Chris Davis has been getting playing time and getting better.
The schedule does get tougher late November into December, but if they can beat the Dolphins the Chargers will be on a bye so they should be able to get a few players back from injury for Week 11 including a very realistic return by Ryan Mathews. Branden Oliver made a splash running for 100+ against the Jets and Raiders, but hasn't been able to duplicate that success against the Chiefs or Broncos. Love Oliver and he does have talent, but I'm guessing his success had something to do with the opponent.
If the Chargers are at full strength going into the last five game gauntlet of @Ravens, Patriots, Broncos, @49ers, @ Chiefs, I'll still give this team a decent shot at the playoffs.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
NFL Week 7 Thoughts
Thought the Chargers moved away from their identity last week versus the Chiefs. The majority of Rivers passes were down the field instead of the short passing game that has made this offense a success. Maybe it was the way the Chiefs played defense (I haven't watched the game on Rewind yet), but if that's the case it's an issue also. That would mean that the Chargers' future opponents are going to play them the same way and dare the Chargers to beat them deep. With Jason Varett out and Branden Flowers playing hurt, the Chargers' defense isn't the same. Still, the Chargers were able to win last year without those guys. More than any other game this season the offense needed to protect the defense, but it was the Chiefs who dominated the time of possession. Also, the last two drives into Chiefs territory resulted in FGs. Rivers wasn't sharp, missing Floyd on a couple end zone throws. A TD in either of those drives and the Chargers had a decent chance of escaping with a win. How in the world did the Seahawks get fooled on that punt? If you haven't seen it the Rams duped the Seahawks punt coverage team by pretending to receive the punt on one side of the field, while the punt was actually fielded on the other side. Wouldn't it be called in the huddle which side of the field their punter is kicking the ball so they can set the coverage? They tried to explain it in this article on Business Insider, but that even makes it worse for the Seahawks. According to the article, Seahawk punter Jon Ryan almost always punts to his left when he's trying to pin teams deep. The Broncos victory over the 49ers was the best game I've seen a team play in quite a while. As a Charger fan I'm hoping that's an anomaly and not who the Broncos really are. If that's who the Broncos really are, give them the Super Bowl trophy now, because if they play like that every week no one is going to beat them. Oh and congratulations to Peyton Manning for the career TD record. It's crazy to know that he could realistically push the record close to 600 before he retires. Speaking of records, DeMarco Murray broke Jim Brown's record for consecutive 100 yard games to start a season, going for 100+ in his 7th straight game. A lot of football people consider Brown a running back god, so breaking one of his records is a really big deal. Those same people may diminish the accomplishment by saying it's easier to run now with spread offenses, but there's always two sides to a coin. With spread offenses, less and less backs have the opportunity to carry the ball enough times to get to 100. Many teams are protecting the health of their RBs by platooning, also leading to less opportunities. In today's NFL a back has to pass protect and catch passes or he isn't going to stay in the game, again leading to less RBs with an opportunity to go for 100 yards a game. Finally, if it was so easy, why hasn't anyone done it before Murray? Are Green Bay Packers fans relaxing now? What happened to the Legend of Doom? Russell Wilson becomes the first QB to throw for 300+ and rush for 100+ in the same game...and the Seahawks lose. The Saints are in trouble. Maybe the anomaly wasn't when they missed the playoffs two years ago, but when they made the playoffs last year. I still believe the Patriots are a declining club, but with a 5-2 record they keep finding ways to win. They still needed a blocked FG to get pass the lowly Jets. Will the Jaguars winning (and convincingly over the Browns 24-6), the Raiders are the remaining winless club. Coincidently, they play the Browns next week. The Raiders remaining schedule includes only 2 teams with records currently below .500 (at St. Louis, home vs the Bills). Not saying they won't win a game, but the thought did cross my mind.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
NFL Week 6 Thoughts
Phillip Rivers is playing some great QB right now, setting a record with 5 consecutive games with a QB Rating over 120, but lets not get carried away with the Super Bowl contender talk. Yes, the Chargers are 5-1 and would be the #1 seed if the playoffs started today, but 4 of the wins came over the Bills, Jaguars, Jets, and Raiders...and they had to come from behind to beat the Raiders.
The Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 after beating the Seahawks, who lost only their 2nd home game in 2 seasons. Cowboys are performing way above expectations this year, but you have to wonder if DeMarco Murray can hold up getting 30 touches a game (26.5 rushes, 3.5 catches). Murray previous high in carries is 217 and he already has 159. He's also on pace to have 66 catches which would best his career high of 53.
Joe Flacco set a record by throwing for 5 TD passes in 16 minutes. That broke the previous record by 12 minutes!!!
Bengals' kicker Mike Nugent has to feel like crap after missing a gimme 36 yarder in OT that preserved a 37-37 tie with the Panthers. I saw a lot of articles written on how games shouldn't end in a tie, but if you miss a 36 yarder you shouldn't deserve a 2nd chance.
After getting fined $10,000 for wearing Beats headphones in a post game interview, Colin Kaepernick used the same headphones again during his post game interview after Monday nights game...but this time there was masking tape over the Beats logo. If you didn't know, the NFL has a sponsorship deal with Bose as the official headphone of the league. Beats is getting a lot of free publicity from this, much more than if the NFL never fined Kaepernick.
Panther's rookie wide out pulled a Donovan McNabb, saying "I didn't even know you tie in the NFL."
Kirk Cousins isn't the answer in Washington. In 13 games he has thrown 18 interceptions and fumbles 3 times. In 8 starts his record is 1-7. Maybe RGIII wasn't so bad after all.
The Dallas Cowboys are 5-1 after beating the Seahawks, who lost only their 2nd home game in 2 seasons. Cowboys are performing way above expectations this year, but you have to wonder if DeMarco Murray can hold up getting 30 touches a game (26.5 rushes, 3.5 catches). Murray previous high in carries is 217 and he already has 159. He's also on pace to have 66 catches which would best his career high of 53.
Joe Flacco set a record by throwing for 5 TD passes in 16 minutes. That broke the previous record by 12 minutes!!!
Bengals' kicker Mike Nugent has to feel like crap after missing a gimme 36 yarder in OT that preserved a 37-37 tie with the Panthers. I saw a lot of articles written on how games shouldn't end in a tie, but if you miss a 36 yarder you shouldn't deserve a 2nd chance.
After getting fined $10,000 for wearing Beats headphones in a post game interview, Colin Kaepernick used the same headphones again during his post game interview after Monday nights game...but this time there was masking tape over the Beats logo. If you didn't know, the NFL has a sponsorship deal with Bose as the official headphone of the league. Beats is getting a lot of free publicity from this, much more than if the NFL never fined Kaepernick.
Panther's rookie wide out pulled a Donovan McNabb, saying "I didn't even know you tie in the NFL."
Kirk Cousins isn't the answer in Washington. In 13 games he has thrown 18 interceptions and fumbles 3 times. In 8 starts his record is 1-7. Maybe RGIII wasn't so bad after all.
Angels a Big Disapointment
All the money and star power and they didn't get it done. Mike Trout, considered the best player in baseball, went 1 for 12. Albert Pujols and his $240 million salary went 2 for 12. Worse even was Josh Hamilton, who went 0 for 13. Hamilton was upset that Angels fans booed him, but they had a right too. He signed a $133 million contract with the Angels has done little to help the team win. Hamilton even said, "I don't think we played poorly." Really? The Angels win streak at the end of the season came without Hamilton in the lineup...coincidence? I don't know if anyone, but the players can answer that, but they were swept by the Royals with Hamilton back. To me, both Hamilton and Pujols have been epic failures that will cost the Angels for many years to come. The Angels parted with several top prospects and 1st round picks to sign those two.
It's not all on the offense though. C.J. Wilson lasted just 2/3s of an inning. The bullpen, which was great since acquiring Jason Grilli and Huston Street, took losses in games 1-2.Grilli and Street became non-factors when Fernando Salas took the lost in Game 1 and Kevin Jespen gave up the winning run in Game 2.
Still if the Angels could have put up a few more runs, Grilli and Street would have been a factor and I would be writing a different post. Both will be free agents next season. Street will likely be resigned, but after that the money gets thin. There is some hope for next season with rookie starters Garrett Richards and Matt Shoemaker, but what happens when their contracts are up?
The Angels mortgaged the future to win today...so far that's added up to 0 playoff wins.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Angels - Royals, Hoping Offense Keeps Rolling
Anyway, my favorite MLB team is in the Playoffs again. The signings of Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton haven't equaled playoff appearances until this season and will Hamilton out a lot this season he wasn't much contributor this year either. Pujols was better this season, so you have to give him some credit, but this team is led by Mike Trout, a rebuilt bull pen and a surprising rookie pitcher in Matt Shoemaker.
The Royals pitching is going to be key in this series. The Angels' pen may be deeper, but the Royals are slightly better with Gregg Holland (46 saves, 1.44 ERA) as their closer and Wade Davis (1.00 ERA) as their main setup guy. What there's no doubt in is that the Royal's rotation is better than the Angels' rotation. The Angels get a break with the Royals' having to pitch their Ace James Shields in the 1-game wildcard playoffs (that's the advantage of being the #1 seed). Angels' hitters will face Danny Duffy and counter with Jered Weaver in Game 1. Game 2 will be Jeremy Guthrie vs. Shoemaker. Weaver has all the experience, but doesn't have the velocity he once did. I wonder how Shoemaker, being a rookie, will handle it...especially if the Angels lose Game 1. Game 3 will be Shields vs. CJ Wilson who has been erratic. Shields will likely pitch on short rest if there's a game 5, were he'll face Shoemaker.
As Yogi Bera once said "Pitching will always beat batting...and vice-versa." For the Angels' sake, I hope it's vice-versa, because as clear cut as the Royals' pitching is better that the Angels...it's just as clear that the Angels' offense is superior to the Royals. Funny thing is the Royals are what the Angels used to be, an AL team that plays NL style...get on base, steal bases, move runners, timely hitting. I liked it when the Angels played that way. Now the Angels are the mashers with big hitters up and down the lineup and the potential to put up big numbers in any inning. The Angels are the highest scoring team in the Majors and that's what got them to the best record in baseball...they need to be the highest scoring team in the playoffs to get their 2nd World Series win.
You want a prediction...since I'm out here in the 50th state this is going to be straight from my gut as I haven't put much research in it. Angels in 4, winning Games 1, 2, and 4.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Chargers - Bills Thoughts
On the Chargers 1st series Danny Woodhead was carted off the field. According to CBS Sports, Woodhead will undergo season-ending surgery. This after losing Ryan Mathews in Week 2. Whether the Chargers had plans to work Donald Brown more into the offense or not, he is now going to be main ball carrier for San Diego. Behind Brown is undrafted free agent Branden Oliver. At 5'7", 208 lbs., Oliver is built a lot like Woodhead,, but is more a one-cut, between the tackles runner. He's a good pass blocker, but hasn't shown good receiving skills. I think he's a good backup for Brown, but he's not going to replace Woodhead's skill set. I expect the Chargers to go after someone to add depth at RB, but the question is who?
Brown gained just 62 yards on 31 carries against the Bills. I know that Buffalo's front seven is stout, but 2.0 yards per carry is pretty pathetic. Hopefully it was just an off game for Brown, who still was productive, catching 5 for 27 yards to finish with 89 total yards from scrimmage. No way Brown, who had never had more that 18 carries in a game, will see 31 carries again this season. With a week of practice, the Chargers will utilize Oliver more.
Thought the offense got too conservative after they went up 20-10. Luckily the defense stepped up and shut Buffalo out in the 4th quarter. They put good pressure on EJ Manual getting a sack and a safety on an intentional grounding call. I thought the Chargers might have trouble containing Manual with Melvin Ingram out, but Dwight Freeney, Kendell Ruiz, and Corey Luiget each recorded a sack.
Last season, the Chargers were giving up 100 yard receiving games to wide receivers almost every week. So far this season they've held Sammy Watkins to 2 catches 19 yards and Percy Harvin to 1 catch 15 yds (leading receivers: Buffalo - CJ Spllier 3-37, Seattle - Jermaine Kearse 4-61) They did give up 5-119 to Michael Floyd in Week 1, but shut out Larry Fitzgerald. Overall, I would say that's an improvement over last year.
Up coming is a stretch of very winnable games for the Chargers (Jaguars, Jets, @Oakland, Chiefs) all ahead of the first match up against the Broncos in Denver. Chargers were very erratic last year because they very dependent on the offense to hold the ball to protect a very suspect defense. While this years' defense has been better, I don't know if they're good enough to win games yet. Charger fans will have a month of football to find out.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Melvin Ingram Placed on IR - Designated to Return
The "Designated to Return" label can only be used on one player per season, so the Chargers won't be able to use the exemption for the remainder of 2014. Ingram suffered a hip injury in last weeks game against the Seahawks. Since 2012, the rule allows a player to return to action instead of missing the entire season as with a non-Designated to Return labeled IR. By the rule, Ingram cannot practice for at least 6-weeks.
This is really disappointing for me as it looked like the combination of Ingram and Dwight Freeney at OLB was causing problems for opposing offenses. Jarret Johnson, who missed the Seattle game because his wife was giving birth, will be back at outside linebacker and rookie Jerry Attaochu will see action as a designated pass rusher. I like Attaochu, he was all over the field in Week 1 against Arizona, but as a rookie he's not an every down player yet. Attaochu is listed as questionable for Sunday. Johnson is in his 12th season (first 9 with Baltimore) the last 3 as the Chargers starting OLB, but isn't the pass rusher that Ingram is. Chargers could also use Tourek Williams, who started last season when Freeney and Ingram were out.
Ingram's speed helped contain Russell Wilson (18 yard rushing) and the Chargers face another mobile QB this week in the Bills' EJ Manual. Johnson is tough against the run, but doesn't have the foot speed to run QB's like Wilson and Manual down from behind like Ingram can. Attaochu has the tools, but don't know how much he will play.
Some good news for the Chargers...Brandon Flowers, who missed the Seattle game with a groin injury, says he's comfortable running at full speed and cutting, so he should play against the Bills. It will be interesting to see if Flowers or rookie Jason Verrett is on Sammy Watkins. Mel Kiper Jr.'s rookie rankings has Watkins #1 and Verrett #2.
The Chargers can beat anyone if the offense keeps the ball in their hands. That's the key to every Chargers game. Although Ingram's absence will be missed, Donald Brown's performance in place of Ryan Mathews will make more of an impact. If Brown can replace Mathew's production the offense has a good chance of dominating time of possession. If they do that, the Chargers win Sunday over the Bills.
This is really disappointing for me as it looked like the combination of Ingram and Dwight Freeney at OLB was causing problems for opposing offenses. Jarret Johnson, who missed the Seattle game because his wife was giving birth, will be back at outside linebacker and rookie Jerry Attaochu will see action as a designated pass rusher. I like Attaochu, he was all over the field in Week 1 against Arizona, but as a rookie he's not an every down player yet. Attaochu is listed as questionable for Sunday. Johnson is in his 12th season (first 9 with Baltimore) the last 3 as the Chargers starting OLB, but isn't the pass rusher that Ingram is. Chargers could also use Tourek Williams, who started last season when Freeney and Ingram were out.
Ingram's speed helped contain Russell Wilson (18 yard rushing) and the Chargers face another mobile QB this week in the Bills' EJ Manual. Johnson is tough against the run, but doesn't have the foot speed to run QB's like Wilson and Manual down from behind like Ingram can. Attaochu has the tools, but don't know how much he will play.
Some good news for the Chargers...Brandon Flowers, who missed the Seattle game with a groin injury, says he's comfortable running at full speed and cutting, so he should play against the Bills. It will be interesting to see if Flowers or rookie Jason Verrett is on Sammy Watkins. Mel Kiper Jr.'s rookie rankings has Watkins #1 and Verrett #2.
The Chargers can beat anyone if the offense keeps the ball in their hands. That's the key to every Chargers game. Although Ingram's absence will be missed, Donald Brown's performance in place of Ryan Mathews will make more of an impact. If Brown can replace Mathew's production the offense has a good chance of dominating time of possession. If they do that, the Chargers win Sunday over the Bills.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Did the Chargers Show the Broncos How to Beat Seattle?
Watching the Chargers-Seahawks game on NFL Rewind. With the Broncos-Seahawks rematch coming up Sunday everyone is talking about if the Chargers provided the recipe to beat the Legend of Doom. My first reaction is that all the Chargers did was do what they did in almost all of their wins last year...hold the ball forever and protect their defense, which wasn't very good last season.
Right off the first possession for Seattle though I see a different Charger defense. OLBs Melvin Ingram and Dwight Freeney (both missed most of last season and never were on the field at the same time) made big plays. Ingram breaking in to the backfield stopping Robert Turbin for a loss then Freeman sacking Russell Wilson for a loss in back-to-back plays. Ingram picked up another sack on the Seahawks next drive. Chargers kept the pressure on Wilson all game and held him to 18 yards rushing.
The Chargers D also had a great series to seal the win. Seahawks tried the jet sweep to Percy Harvin that got them a TD in the first quarter, but the Chargers dropped Harvin for a loss. Pressure on Wilson made him flip the ball to check offs that the Chargers immediately stuffed for no gain on the next two plays. Last pass on 4th by Wilson had no chance. Rivers then took 3 knees and the Chargers kicked a FG to make the final score 30-21.
The question though, was did the Chargers show how to beat the Seahawks?
Well I saw a lot of things that the Broncos like to do that the Chargers were successful with. Mainly, bunch receiver sets and wide receiver screens. Chargers also went to a lineup with 3 receivers to the left with Gates lined up in a normal TE position on the right side of the line. This put Richard Sherman to the opposite side of the field from his normal position on the right side of the defense. If they split Gates out, then I believe Sherman would pickup Gates as a WR. Gates caught several passes out of this formation, including his first two TDs. I can see the Broncos going to this formation to put their talented TE Demaryious Thomas with the whole right side to work with against LBs and safeties. Will be interesting to see if the Seahawks have an answer for that.
What I saw that I don't believe the Broncos can duplicate is the way Phillip Rivers was able to escape pressure and the versatility of the Chargers' running backs.
While Rivers' mobility is sort of an oxymoron, he was able to escape the pressure several times to make plays including 17 rushing yards. On the last two TDs to Gates, Rivers escaped what could have been sacks before hitting Gates for the TD. Peyton Manning, at this stage in his career, doesn't have the same escapablity (is that a real word).
While RB Monte Ball is a talented back, he isn't a great pass blocker which was why he lost the starting job last year to Knowshon Moreno. All 3 of the Chargers backs (Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead, Donald Brown) can block, catch passes, and are good runners. It made it tough on the Seahawks to key on what the Chargers were going to do by what personnel was on the field. Ball also has just 5 catches through two games and C.J. Anderson has 0 catches so far this season. In this game alone, the Chargers RBs caught 9. WR Malcolm Floyd was shut down by the Seahawks secondary, but the Chargers RBs more than made up for it.
The one thing I really question about the Broncos is their ability to pressure a QB when they have to. Yes, I know that they signed DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller is back from injury. I also know that they recorded 5 sacks in Week 1 versus the Colts and 3 against Kansas City in week 2. The numbers are there, but in both games, with a big lead, the Broncos' D had a hard time putting pressure on the QB allowing both Andrew Luck and Alex Smith to bring their teams back with a shot at winning/tying the game at the end. Give the Broncos defense credit for preventing those scores, but it seems to me like living on the edge. Also, consider that both Indy and KC have offensive line issues.
I'm not saying I think the Broncos can't win. That's a very talented club in Denver that deserves to be the favorite to be the AFC Champion again this season. I just don't think the Broncos can duplicate the "hold the ball" formula the Chargers used to beat the Seahawks. To use a baseball analogy, the Chargers are built to hit singles and doubles. Besides Wes Welker, the Broncos have home run hitters.
The Broncos can win, they just need to do it their way and not try to duplicate someone else. On offense, there is no physical reason they should have been shut down like they were in the Super Bowl.
Mike McCoy was asked after the game what the Chargers did to beat the Seahawks, he said, "We played our game."
Right off the first possession for Seattle though I see a different Charger defense. OLBs Melvin Ingram and Dwight Freeney (both missed most of last season and never were on the field at the same time) made big plays. Ingram breaking in to the backfield stopping Robert Turbin for a loss then Freeman sacking Russell Wilson for a loss in back-to-back plays. Ingram picked up another sack on the Seahawks next drive. Chargers kept the pressure on Wilson all game and held him to 18 yards rushing.
The Chargers D also had a great series to seal the win. Seahawks tried the jet sweep to Percy Harvin that got them a TD in the first quarter, but the Chargers dropped Harvin for a loss. Pressure on Wilson made him flip the ball to check offs that the Chargers immediately stuffed for no gain on the next two plays. Last pass on 4th by Wilson had no chance. Rivers then took 3 knees and the Chargers kicked a FG to make the final score 30-21.
The question though, was did the Chargers show how to beat the Seahawks?
Well I saw a lot of things that the Broncos like to do that the Chargers were successful with. Mainly, bunch receiver sets and wide receiver screens. Chargers also went to a lineup with 3 receivers to the left with Gates lined up in a normal TE position on the right side of the line. This put Richard Sherman to the opposite side of the field from his normal position on the right side of the defense. If they split Gates out, then I believe Sherman would pickup Gates as a WR. Gates caught several passes out of this formation, including his first two TDs. I can see the Broncos going to this formation to put their talented TE Demaryious Thomas with the whole right side to work with against LBs and safeties. Will be interesting to see if the Seahawks have an answer for that.
What I saw that I don't believe the Broncos can duplicate is the way Phillip Rivers was able to escape pressure and the versatility of the Chargers' running backs.
While Rivers' mobility is sort of an oxymoron, he was able to escape the pressure several times to make plays including 17 rushing yards. On the last two TDs to Gates, Rivers escaped what could have been sacks before hitting Gates for the TD. Peyton Manning, at this stage in his career, doesn't have the same escapablity (is that a real word).
While RB Monte Ball is a talented back, he isn't a great pass blocker which was why he lost the starting job last year to Knowshon Moreno. All 3 of the Chargers backs (Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead, Donald Brown) can block, catch passes, and are good runners. It made it tough on the Seahawks to key on what the Chargers were going to do by what personnel was on the field. Ball also has just 5 catches through two games and C.J. Anderson has 0 catches so far this season. In this game alone, the Chargers RBs caught 9. WR Malcolm Floyd was shut down by the Seahawks secondary, but the Chargers RBs more than made up for it.
The one thing I really question about the Broncos is their ability to pressure a QB when they have to. Yes, I know that they signed DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller is back from injury. I also know that they recorded 5 sacks in Week 1 versus the Colts and 3 against Kansas City in week 2. The numbers are there, but in both games, with a big lead, the Broncos' D had a hard time putting pressure on the QB allowing both Andrew Luck and Alex Smith to bring their teams back with a shot at winning/tying the game at the end. Give the Broncos defense credit for preventing those scores, but it seems to me like living on the edge. Also, consider that both Indy and KC have offensive line issues.
I'm not saying I think the Broncos can't win. That's a very talented club in Denver that deserves to be the favorite to be the AFC Champion again this season. I just don't think the Broncos can duplicate the "hold the ball" formula the Chargers used to beat the Seahawks. To use a baseball analogy, the Chargers are built to hit singles and doubles. Besides Wes Welker, the Broncos have home run hitters.
The Broncos can win, they just need to do it their way and not try to duplicate someone else. On offense, there is no physical reason they should have been shut down like they were in the Super Bowl.
Mike McCoy was asked after the game what the Chargers did to beat the Seahawks, he said, "We played our game."
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Los Angeles Angels 1st Team to Clinch Playoff Spot
Just about two months ago, on August 20th, making the playoffs was in doubt. On that day the Angels held a 1.5 game lead of the A's with a record of 75-50 (.600). Doesn't sound like a team in trouble, but on July 31st starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs was lost to a season ending injury and on that day, August 20th, #1 starter Garrett Richards also was lost for the season. On the 21st many sportscasters were questioning whether the Angels could hold off the A's for the division crown and some even questioned if they had the ability to hold on to a Wild Card spot.
Yesterday, with 8-1 win over division rival Seattle Mariners, the Angels clinched a playoff spot. Angels improved their record to 94-56 (.627) and it was the A's that folded. Angels hold a 10.5 game lead on the A's who only have a 2 game lead on the Mariners for the 2nd Wild Card spot. Angels also hold a 4 game lead over the Orioles for the best record in the league.
But all is not well in Anaheim. Richards was the staff ace sporting a 13-4 record and 2.61 ERA when he went down. The offense has been great, but in the playoffs you're likely to face the opposing teams 1-2 starters twice in a 7 game series. Richards and Jared Weaver would have made a nice 1-2 counter for the Angels. Rookie Matt Shoemaker has helped save the Angels so far going 16-4 with a 3.04 ERA. Shoemaker was called up for several spot starts early in the season, but got a permanent starting gig when Skaggs went down. Yesterday, Shoemaker suffered a mild oblique strain in the 8-1 win over Seattle. He will miss his next start, but hopefully he'll be 100% when the playoffs start.
With the playoffs guaranteed and a likely #1 seed, the question now is whether the Angels can get to and win the World Series without their Ace Garrett Richards.
NFL Week 2 Thoughts
I know the 49ers' defense has been decimated by injuries and suspensions, but they just got ripped apart by two Bears' receivers that could barely run down the field (Marshal and Jeffries nursing leg injuries). Usually the preseason doesn't mean much, but the 49ers struggled during the preseason and struggled against the Bears. I know they won Game 1, but that was more Tony Romo turning the ball over and facing a Cowboy defense that isn't very good. 49ers barely got any pressure on Cutler allowing him to wait on his receivers.
Nice win for the Chargers in their home opener over the defending Champ Seahawks. Offense held the ball for 42:15! You'll win a lot of games keeping the all for that long, especially if the opposing defense has to be on the field in 100 degree temps. Time of Possession was big for the Chargers last year. If they hold the ball, they protect the defense. Chargers led the league in ToP, 10 play drives, and 3rd down conversions last year...when they held the ball, they won.
Rivers to Gates already own the QB-TE TD record at 62...now 65 TDs and counting.
Chargers fans get to see if the money paid to Donald Brown was worth it. Looks like Ryan Mathews may miss significant time (4-5 weeks according to ESPN's NFL Nation). Mathews injured his knee going after a fumble. Chargers made Brown a 3 year, $10 million insurance policy on Mathews.
Now we get to see if Kirk Cousins can really carry the Redskins. Yes, I know the stats favor Cousins and he played great in relief on Sunday, but he was 0-3 last season when he started for RGIII.
Saints are 0-2. Too early to panic? Maybe, but history tells me that teams that start 0-2 only make the playoffs only 16% of the time.
The NFL is sure taking a PR hit lately. You know all about Ray Rice. The Panthers' Greg Hardy and the 49ers' Ray McDonald also charged with domestic violence. Now Adrian Peterson accused of child abuse (another story on USA Today says Peterson had been previously accused of abusing another son). I know reports are saying that Peterson will play next Sunday, but with this new story coming out I don't know how the NFL or the Vikings can afford the negative PR by allow him to play. Radisson already dropped their sponsorship deal with the Vikings. Covergirl dropped their website featuring "fanicures" after one of their pictures got photoshopped and went viral on social media.
The NFC West was the toughest division coming into the season. Two weeks in both the 49ers and Seahawks are 1-1. The Rams have lost key offensive (Sam Bradford, Tavon Austin) and defensive personnel (Chris Long) to injury. The Cardinals are 2-0, but the health of Carson Palmer is in doubt.
Nice win for the Chargers in their home opener over the defending Champ Seahawks. Offense held the ball for 42:15! You'll win a lot of games keeping the all for that long, especially if the opposing defense has to be on the field in 100 degree temps. Time of Possession was big for the Chargers last year. If they hold the ball, they protect the defense. Chargers led the league in ToP, 10 play drives, and 3rd down conversions last year...when they held the ball, they won.
Rivers to Gates already own the QB-TE TD record at 62...now 65 TDs and counting.
Chargers fans get to see if the money paid to Donald Brown was worth it. Looks like Ryan Mathews may miss significant time (4-5 weeks according to ESPN's NFL Nation). Mathews injured his knee going after a fumble. Chargers made Brown a 3 year, $10 million insurance policy on Mathews.
Now we get to see if Kirk Cousins can really carry the Redskins. Yes, I know the stats favor Cousins and he played great in relief on Sunday, but he was 0-3 last season when he started for RGIII.
Saints are 0-2. Too early to panic? Maybe, but history tells me that teams that start 0-2 only make the playoffs only 16% of the time.
The NFL is sure taking a PR hit lately. You know all about Ray Rice. The Panthers' Greg Hardy and the 49ers' Ray McDonald also charged with domestic violence. Now Adrian Peterson accused of child abuse (another story on USA Today says Peterson had been previously accused of abusing another son). I know reports are saying that Peterson will play next Sunday, but with this new story coming out I don't know how the NFL or the Vikings can afford the negative PR by allow him to play. Radisson already dropped their sponsorship deal with the Vikings. Covergirl dropped their website featuring "fanicures" after one of their pictures got photoshopped and went viral on social media.
The NFC West was the toughest division coming into the season. Two weeks in both the 49ers and Seahawks are 1-1. The Rams have lost key offensive (Sam Bradford, Tavon Austin) and defensive personnel (Chris Long) to injury. The Cardinals are 2-0, but the health of Carson Palmer is in doubt.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Thoughts This Week (NFL Week 1 addition)
According to SI, Antonio Gates restructured his contract to free up $1.5 million in salary cap space for the Chargers. Gates has two years left on the 6-year, $39 million contract he signed in 2010. He was due $5 million this season, but $3 million was converted to a salary bonus. My question is why now? Do the Chargers need to free up money to make a trade? That would be unusual so early in the year, but I can't think of any other reason why this would be done now.
No link for this one...the Ray Rice story is all over the net. All I'm going to say about it is that justice is finally served. That video takes away any shadow of a doubt that anyone may have had.
Monday Night Football: Kinda hate these double headers...luckily I don't live on the East Coast. Chargers 18-17 lost to the Cardinals was so disappointing on many levels. Phillip Rivers wasn't sharp. Players dropped potential first downs and interceptions. Critical mistakes; an interception, blown coverage to hand the Cards 3 points at the half and a botched snap to take the Chargers out of FG range at the end of the game. Defense couldn't step up to make one play in the Cardinals last two drives...Carson Palmer throws only 1 incomplete pass in those two drives (and it was a sure INT that was dropped) and never got sacked. Still Rivers had 2:25 left and 2 timeouts...and it ends on a dropped passed. Yea, I know it was tipped, but Keenan Allen had both hands on the ball and couldn't hold on. Difference between losing teams and winning teams is the winners find a way to make positive plays and limit negative ones...in a 1 point game only a few of those plays would have made the difference.
Bright spots for the Chargers were the two defensive rookies picked 1-2 by the Chargers in the draft. Jason Verrett held his own against the big Arizona receivers. Jerry Attaochu didn't play a lot, but it seemed like every time he was on the field he made an impact on the game. He made great plays in kick coverage, blocked a punt, and got the strip/sack on Palmer. This Chargers may not be great at getting a team ready early in the season, but their first two drafts have produced 4 potential stars (D.J. Fluker, Keenan Allen last year).
A co-worker and I were discussing all these so-so performances. Tom Brady, Nick Foles took a half to finally get going, even Peyton Manning wasn't sharp. Tony Romo looked terrible in the first half. We wondered if it could be that teams aren't preparing enough in the preseason (they're shorter now and teams are afraid their starters will get hurt). Almost none of the starters play any in the last preseason game. Chargers starters at most played a quarter of the "dress rehearsal" 3rd preseason game and only a series in the previous two. No starter that I remember played in the 4th game. Rivers and the Chargers as a team weren't sharp...even Antonio Gates was dropping passes. Would be interesting to find out how many minutes the teams that played well (Seahawks, Falcons/Saints - at least the offenses, Vikings, Lions) played their starters.
Bulldog over at Nothing If Not Random posted his preseason picks and mentioned the stat that 4-5 teams, on average, make the playoffs that didn't make it the previous season...of course that means 4-5 teams that made it last season don't make it back. Call this 1 game overreaction, but could one of those teams be the Patriots? Sooner or later the mighty have to fall. Could it be this year? Lets imagine the Viks and Lions are for real and it's not a 1 game aberration. Pats go to Minnesota next week and play the Lions in Week 12. They also play the Bengals and Broncos at home and have to go to Green Bay and Indy. Lets image they lose all those games...that's 6 losses and still have the rematch against Miami in Week 15. Can the Pats go 9-7 and miss the playoffs? I would say that's a one game overreaction, but if they lose next week in Minnesota...
It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine the Chiefs and Chargers missing the playoffs this year...that would account for the AFC teams. The NFC is a lot tougher to see a team not repeating. Falcons missed the playoffs last year and made a strong case that they'll be in this year...but who would be out? Packers lost in Week 1, but the Seahawks treat most teams that visit Seattle badly. Arizona was a 10-6 team last year and missed post season play, so they are a strong candidate to make it, but again who's out? Could it be the Saints? Saints and Packers are the only playoff teams to lose in Week 1. Before the season started I thought the Panthers would be one of the teams that miss out, but then they go and win a game with their backup QB at the helm. This was the team that everyone said had no WRs or RBs to help Cam Newton.
How many of you fantasy players have put in for Kelvin Benjamin and Allen Hurns?
Lions adopted the Saints offense this year and Week 1 they did a pretty good Saints imitation. That was an impressive offensive showing. Calvin Johnson is...well Calvin Johnson. Seeing him lineup against DBs...the size difference is alarming...and the guy can leap over tall buildings and is faster than a speeding bullet. Now Detroit has Golden Tate and Reggie Bush playing the role of Darren Sproles. If Stafford holds up his end this could finally be the year for the Lions.
When are the Indianapolis Colts going to admit they made a big mistake in acquiring Trent Richardson? The guy runs hard, but looks slow and doesn't change direction very well. Colts seem blindly committed to this guy for some reason.
After week 1, the #1 RB in fantasy football is Knowshon Moreno and will likely be the starting RB in Miami the rest of the season...how many of you predicted that? Please, drop your hands, I know your lying.
I won't go into why, because you know why, but Justin Forsett will be the #1 most picked up player in Fantasy Football this week.
No link for this one...the Ray Rice story is all over the net. All I'm going to say about it is that justice is finally served. That video takes away any shadow of a doubt that anyone may have had.
Monday Night Football: Kinda hate these double headers...luckily I don't live on the East Coast. Chargers 18-17 lost to the Cardinals was so disappointing on many levels. Phillip Rivers wasn't sharp. Players dropped potential first downs and interceptions. Critical mistakes; an interception, blown coverage to hand the Cards 3 points at the half and a botched snap to take the Chargers out of FG range at the end of the game. Defense couldn't step up to make one play in the Cardinals last two drives...Carson Palmer throws only 1 incomplete pass in those two drives (and it was a sure INT that was dropped) and never got sacked. Still Rivers had 2:25 left and 2 timeouts...and it ends on a dropped passed. Yea, I know it was tipped, but Keenan Allen had both hands on the ball and couldn't hold on. Difference between losing teams and winning teams is the winners find a way to make positive plays and limit negative ones...in a 1 point game only a few of those plays would have made the difference.
Bright spots for the Chargers were the two defensive rookies picked 1-2 by the Chargers in the draft. Jason Verrett held his own against the big Arizona receivers. Jerry Attaochu didn't play a lot, but it seemed like every time he was on the field he made an impact on the game. He made great plays in kick coverage, blocked a punt, and got the strip/sack on Palmer. This Chargers may not be great at getting a team ready early in the season, but their first two drafts have produced 4 potential stars (D.J. Fluker, Keenan Allen last year).
A co-worker and I were discussing all these so-so performances. Tom Brady, Nick Foles took a half to finally get going, even Peyton Manning wasn't sharp. Tony Romo looked terrible in the first half. We wondered if it could be that teams aren't preparing enough in the preseason (they're shorter now and teams are afraid their starters will get hurt). Almost none of the starters play any in the last preseason game. Chargers starters at most played a quarter of the "dress rehearsal" 3rd preseason game and only a series in the previous two. No starter that I remember played in the 4th game. Rivers and the Chargers as a team weren't sharp...even Antonio Gates was dropping passes. Would be interesting to find out how many minutes the teams that played well (Seahawks, Falcons/Saints - at least the offenses, Vikings, Lions) played their starters.
Bulldog over at Nothing If Not Random posted his preseason picks and mentioned the stat that 4-5 teams, on average, make the playoffs that didn't make it the previous season...of course that means 4-5 teams that made it last season don't make it back. Call this 1 game overreaction, but could one of those teams be the Patriots? Sooner or later the mighty have to fall. Could it be this year? Lets imagine the Viks and Lions are for real and it's not a 1 game aberration. Pats go to Minnesota next week and play the Lions in Week 12. They also play the Bengals and Broncos at home and have to go to Green Bay and Indy. Lets image they lose all those games...that's 6 losses and still have the rematch against Miami in Week 15. Can the Pats go 9-7 and miss the playoffs? I would say that's a one game overreaction, but if they lose next week in Minnesota...
It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine the Chiefs and Chargers missing the playoffs this year...that would account for the AFC teams. The NFC is a lot tougher to see a team not repeating. Falcons missed the playoffs last year and made a strong case that they'll be in this year...but who would be out? Packers lost in Week 1, but the Seahawks treat most teams that visit Seattle badly. Arizona was a 10-6 team last year and missed post season play, so they are a strong candidate to make it, but again who's out? Could it be the Saints? Saints and Packers are the only playoff teams to lose in Week 1. Before the season started I thought the Panthers would be one of the teams that miss out, but then they go and win a game with their backup QB at the helm. This was the team that everyone said had no WRs or RBs to help Cam Newton.
How many of you fantasy players have put in for Kelvin Benjamin and Allen Hurns?
Lions adopted the Saints offense this year and Week 1 they did a pretty good Saints imitation. That was an impressive offensive showing. Calvin Johnson is...well Calvin Johnson. Seeing him lineup against DBs...the size difference is alarming...and the guy can leap over tall buildings and is faster than a speeding bullet. Now Detroit has Golden Tate and Reggie Bush playing the role of Darren Sproles. If Stafford holds up his end this could finally be the year for the Lions.
When are the Indianapolis Colts going to admit they made a big mistake in acquiring Trent Richardson? The guy runs hard, but looks slow and doesn't change direction very well. Colts seem blindly committed to this guy for some reason.
After week 1, the #1 RB in fantasy football is Knowshon Moreno and will likely be the starting RB in Miami the rest of the season...how many of you predicted that? Please, drop your hands, I know your lying.
I won't go into why, because you know why, but Justin Forsett will be the #1 most picked up player in Fantasy Football this week.
Friday, September 5, 2014
What I Read This Week (NFL Week 1 edition)
Seahawks seem low on this list especially after the beat down they put on the Packers Thursday night. Not really feeling the 49ers after their preseason performance and injuries/suspensions on defense.
The interesting thing for me as a Charger fan was the AFC Championship picks. The Broncos are the favorite at a whopping 42.7%, but of the 4 teams that they gave a shot to beat out the Broncos, one of them was the Chargers (although they only gave them a 1.2% chance). To quote Jim Carrey from Dumb and Dumber, "So you're telling me there is a chance...YEAH!"
The other prediction story I saw posted that caught my attention was on Yahoo Sports. It was about a prediction model called Cortana that Microsoft used to predict 15 out of 16 World Cup matches. If you're interested in the nuts and bolts of how Cortana works, you can read about it here. The predictions are for Week 1. Cortana gave the Seahawks a 74.2% chance of beating the Packers, which was the 2nd highest percentage. Cortana gave the Cardinals, the Chargers Week 1 opponent, a 58.2% chance of winning. That was the 2nd lowest chance of victory. Looking at it a from the other side, that means the Chargers have the 2nd best chance of pulling off a Week 1 upset.
History is on the side of the Chargers, according to an article on ESPN called A Tale of Two Mondays. Carson Palmer and the Cardinals have been so-so on Mondays, but Phillip Rivers and the Chargers have been pretty good. Rivers is also used to playing Monday night on the road, having done it 3 of the last 5 seasons.
According to Football Outsiders Defensive Efficiency Ratings, the Chargers were dead last in 2013. That's right, the Chargers had, according to advanced statistics, the worse defensive in the league, and still managed a 9-7 record and a playoff win. Last season, OLBs Dwight Freeney and Melvin Ingram played a total of 8 games combined and 0 games were they were both on the field at the same time. If the duo can stay healthy they will have a big impact on the defense as a whole. Add to that, #1 draft pick CB Jason Verrett and free agent pickup CB Brandon Flowers and they should be much higher on that list this season.
And one time before the season starts...
Thursday, September 4, 2014
San Diego Chargers - Thoughts before the season starts
Search on predictions for the San Diego Chargers and you'll see anywhere from going 10-6 and making the playoffs (ESPN) to being a one hit wonder (Bleacher Report). To be honest, I have no idea how this year's Chargers will do. They were a Jekyll and Hyde team last year...beating the Eagles in Philly, upset the Colts, swept the Chiefs, and split games with the Broncos, but also losing to the Texans, Redskins, and Raiders.
While the big questions are on the defensive side of the ball, there are some on the offensive side as well. Phillip Rivers looks like he's back, but fantasy guru's aren't giving him much love. Rivers is ranked as a QB2 in standard 12-team leagues. I picked him up as a backup in one league that has 14 teams and as the last QB1 that came off the board in another league that has 16 teams. While fantasy has nothing to do with reality, his low ranking shows that many experts aren't sold on Rivers' being able to repeat what he did last season.
I expect big things from the WR position this year. Keenan Allen says he's fully recovered from the knee injury that made teams pass on him in the draft. Allen claimed he wasn't able to run at full speed last year and reports from training camp says Allen is showing a burst that he didn't have before. Not only is Malcolm Floyd back from a neck injury that many thought would end his career, but he is being touted as training camp MVP. Floyd was the Chargers deep threat last season, but that neck injury in Game 2 ended his season. Allen should draw a lot of attention after breaking out last year. Add to that Antonio Gates and a predicted break out year for LaDarius Green...Floyd will get a lot of single coverage.
I'm wondering why the Chargers signed Donald Brown from Indianapolis for 3 years, 10 million. They have to have something planned for him. Remember that Danny Woodhead didn't play much in the preseason last year, but ended up a key piece in the offensive game plan.
New OC Frank Reich plans on doing a version of the K-gun (the offense the Bills ran while Reich was there). The Bills were the first team to run the no-huddle as the main offense and not just in given situations.
Here's the trivia question for you...Why was it called the K-gun? If you said it was named after QB Jim Kelly you would be wrong. It was named after Keith Keller. Keller was a hi-bred TE/FB. Part of the no-huddle strategy is to limit defensive substitutions. NFL substitutions rules state that if the offense makes a substitution, they have to give the defense time to also make a substitution. Keller gave Kelly the ability to call more of the playbook with out changing personnel by being able to lineup at FB or TE.
So what is one of the 1st things the Chargers do in the off season? They pick up David Johnson a hybrid FB/TE. Many people thought the Chargers' would go to a 2TE set, but everyone, including myself figured it would be Gates and Green...now it looks like it will be Johnson and Gates or Green. One of the things I'll be looking for in Week 1 is how often Johnson will be on the field.
While I can't wait to see the offense in action, the Chargers will still be around a .500 team again this season unless the defense gets better.
The big issues were bad corner play and an inability to generate consistent pressure on the QB. A bad combination in the modern NFL passing age. Not surprisingly the Chargers were ranked 29th in defense last season...which makes the Playoff appearance last year even more amazing. You also have to question how the Chargers defense managed to hold the Broncos' record setting offense to their lowest point total of the season (not counting the Super Bowl). The offense was more exceptional than they were being given credit for. They led the league in time of position and 3rd down conversion rate which protected the defense by limiting the other teams offensive possessions.
The Chargers drafted CB Jason Verrett with their 1st pick and picked up Brandon Flowers when the Chiefs released him. While neither played much in the preseason due to nagging injuries, both are reported to be good for the season opener against the Cardinals.
The inability to generate a pass rush had more to do with injuries than lack of ability. OLB Melvin Ingram was lost during the preseason. Dwight Freeney was lost in Game 2. If they can avoid the injury bug this season the pass rush will be markedly better than last season. While it was only preseason, with Freeney at OLB, DT Cory Liuget looked like the disruptive force he was two years ago.
While I don't expect the Chargers to become a top 10 defense, any sort of improvement would go a along ways toward improving on last seasons 9-7 record and both the secondary and pass rush should improve this season barring injuries.
One thing the offense didn't do well at is scoring TDs. Chargers ranked 23rd in Red Zone TD percentage and 28th in TD percentage when goal-to-go. Chargers don't have a true power running game and defenses bracketed Gates in the Red Zone last season. The return of the 6' 5" Floyd will give Rivers another big target. TE/FB Johnson will provide more versatility. Ryan Mathews runs hard and has good speed, but isn't a power back...could Brown become the Red Zone back?
Questions, questions...the answers will start Monday night.
While the big questions are on the defensive side of the ball, there are some on the offensive side as well. Phillip Rivers looks like he's back, but fantasy guru's aren't giving him much love. Rivers is ranked as a QB2 in standard 12-team leagues. I picked him up as a backup in one league that has 14 teams and as the last QB1 that came off the board in another league that has 16 teams. While fantasy has nothing to do with reality, his low ranking shows that many experts aren't sold on Rivers' being able to repeat what he did last season.
I expect big things from the WR position this year. Keenan Allen says he's fully recovered from the knee injury that made teams pass on him in the draft. Allen claimed he wasn't able to run at full speed last year and reports from training camp says Allen is showing a burst that he didn't have before. Not only is Malcolm Floyd back from a neck injury that many thought would end his career, but he is being touted as training camp MVP. Floyd was the Chargers deep threat last season, but that neck injury in Game 2 ended his season. Allen should draw a lot of attention after breaking out last year. Add to that Antonio Gates and a predicted break out year for LaDarius Green...Floyd will get a lot of single coverage.
I'm wondering why the Chargers signed Donald Brown from Indianapolis for 3 years, 10 million. They have to have something planned for him. Remember that Danny Woodhead didn't play much in the preseason last year, but ended up a key piece in the offensive game plan.
New OC Frank Reich plans on doing a version of the K-gun (the offense the Bills ran while Reich was there). The Bills were the first team to run the no-huddle as the main offense and not just in given situations.
Here's the trivia question for you...Why was it called the K-gun? If you said it was named after QB Jim Kelly you would be wrong. It was named after Keith Keller. Keller was a hi-bred TE/FB. Part of the no-huddle strategy is to limit defensive substitutions. NFL substitutions rules state that if the offense makes a substitution, they have to give the defense time to also make a substitution. Keller gave Kelly the ability to call more of the playbook with out changing personnel by being able to lineup at FB or TE.
So what is one of the 1st things the Chargers do in the off season? They pick up David Johnson a hybrid FB/TE. Many people thought the Chargers' would go to a 2TE set, but everyone, including myself figured it would be Gates and Green...now it looks like it will be Johnson and Gates or Green. One of the things I'll be looking for in Week 1 is how often Johnson will be on the field.
While I can't wait to see the offense in action, the Chargers will still be around a .500 team again this season unless the defense gets better.
The big issues were bad corner play and an inability to generate consistent pressure on the QB. A bad combination in the modern NFL passing age. Not surprisingly the Chargers were ranked 29th in defense last season...which makes the Playoff appearance last year even more amazing. You also have to question how the Chargers defense managed to hold the Broncos' record setting offense to their lowest point total of the season (not counting the Super Bowl). The offense was more exceptional than they were being given credit for. They led the league in time of position and 3rd down conversion rate which protected the defense by limiting the other teams offensive possessions.
The Chargers drafted CB Jason Verrett with their 1st pick and picked up Brandon Flowers when the Chiefs released him. While neither played much in the preseason due to nagging injuries, both are reported to be good for the season opener against the Cardinals.
The inability to generate a pass rush had more to do with injuries than lack of ability. OLB Melvin Ingram was lost during the preseason. Dwight Freeney was lost in Game 2. If they can avoid the injury bug this season the pass rush will be markedly better than last season. While it was only preseason, with Freeney at OLB, DT Cory Liuget looked like the disruptive force he was two years ago.
While I don't expect the Chargers to become a top 10 defense, any sort of improvement would go a along ways toward improving on last seasons 9-7 record and both the secondary and pass rush should improve this season barring injuries.
One thing the offense didn't do well at is scoring TDs. Chargers ranked 23rd in Red Zone TD percentage and 28th in TD percentage when goal-to-go. Chargers don't have a true power running game and defenses bracketed Gates in the Red Zone last season. The return of the 6' 5" Floyd will give Rivers another big target. TE/FB Johnson will provide more versatility. Ryan Mathews runs hard and has good speed, but isn't a power back...could Brown become the Red Zone back?
Questions, questions...the answers will start Monday night.
Monday, September 1, 2014
San Antonio Spurs Tribute
I was going to post about the Spurs winning the Championship, but then I ran into this on YouTube...pretty much says it all. Captured the heartbreak of last year, the tentative feelings on making it back to the Finals, and Finally the Joy and amazement on how the Spurs played...all to a pretty good musical score. I especially liked how the music built momentum from Game 3 on. It was like a wave that kept building and couldn't be stopped...sort of like how the Spurs gained more momentum as the series went on.
Better than words...
Better than words...
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Los Angeles Angels Sweep Oakland A's
When the Angels lost Tyler Skaggs and Garrett Richards earlier this month I wondered if they would be able to compete with the A's for the AL West crown. Who would have guessed that they would allow only 4 runs in the 4-game home stand against the A's, shutting out the A's in 31 of the 37 innings on the way to a 4-game sweep. Before the series started I would have said that a sweep was possible, but not probable....but this became a series of improbabilities.
C.J. Wilson was the only starter to allow a run (although one of the games really didn't have a starter...more on that later). Angels gave Wilson a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st, but he couldn't hold the lead and the A's tied the game in the 6th. Howie Kendrick ended up winning the game with a walk-off sac fly in the 10th...and that was the most normal game.
Jared Weaver outdid A's #1 Jon Lester by pitching 7 shutout innings on the way to a 4-0 win in game 2. The game was a 0-0 duel until Chris Iannetta drove a ball deep into left center. Coco Crisp seemingly made a home run saving catch, but the ball popped out of his glove when his wrist hit the top of the wall. Crisp had to leave the game with a strained neck and didn't play in the rest of the series.
Matt Shoemaker matched Weaver with 7 shutout innings in game 4. In Shoemakers win, the Angels ended former Angel Scott Kazmir's day in just 1 1/3 innings by scoring 6 runs in the 2nd, eventually wining 8-1. Shoemaker being the savior of the Angels is as unlikely as the 4-game sweep without Skaggs and Richards. Shoe was an undrafted free agent that wasn't that impressive in the minors. He only got called up to the Majors because of the injuries to the starters, getting a few spot starts earlier in the year. Shoe has been lights out in August, winning 6 games and pitching 23 1/3 straight shutout innings. He's the 1st Angel to pitch 3 consecutive shutouts of 7 or more innings since...get this...Nolan Ryan. He picked up his 14th win, which ties the Angels rookie record set by Dean Chance and tied by Frank Tanana. Nobody in their right mind would have even mentioned Shoemaker in the same breath as Ryan, Chance, and Tanana...but they are.
The bullpen allowed only 1 run in the series including a game 3 shutout that was pitched entirely by Angels relievers. The Angels used 8 pitchers against Jeff Samardzija who pitched all 8 innings in a 2-0 loss. Technically, Cory Rasmus was the starter and pitched 3 innings. Yoslan Herrera got the win pitching 2/3 of an inning. Fernando Salas, Jason Grilli, Kevin Jespen, and Joe Smith all recorded Holds, each pitching 1 inning each. Huston Street pitched a scoreless 9th to record the save. The other pitcher was Michael Roth who recorded the 1st out in the 4th before giving way to Herrera. I know this had to have been done before, but I can't remember a team using only relievers.
The Angels now own a 5 game lead over the A's with 26 games left. Even if the Angels should go 13-13 the rest of the way, the A's would have to go 18-8 just to tie. If the Angels continue to play at the .610 pace they are on, they would go 16-10, meaning the A's would have to go 21-5 the rest of the way. Possible, but not probable.
Maybe I shouldn't have typed those words.
C.J. Wilson was the only starter to allow a run (although one of the games really didn't have a starter...more on that later). Angels gave Wilson a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st, but he couldn't hold the lead and the A's tied the game in the 6th. Howie Kendrick ended up winning the game with a walk-off sac fly in the 10th...and that was the most normal game.
Jared Weaver outdid A's #1 Jon Lester by pitching 7 shutout innings on the way to a 4-0 win in game 2. The game was a 0-0 duel until Chris Iannetta drove a ball deep into left center. Coco Crisp seemingly made a home run saving catch, but the ball popped out of his glove when his wrist hit the top of the wall. Crisp had to leave the game with a strained neck and didn't play in the rest of the series.
Matt Shoemaker matched Weaver with 7 shutout innings in game 4. In Shoemakers win, the Angels ended former Angel Scott Kazmir's day in just 1 1/3 innings by scoring 6 runs in the 2nd, eventually wining 8-1. Shoemaker being the savior of the Angels is as unlikely as the 4-game sweep without Skaggs and Richards. Shoe was an undrafted free agent that wasn't that impressive in the minors. He only got called up to the Majors because of the injuries to the starters, getting a few spot starts earlier in the year. Shoe has been lights out in August, winning 6 games and pitching 23 1/3 straight shutout innings. He's the 1st Angel to pitch 3 consecutive shutouts of 7 or more innings since...get this...Nolan Ryan. He picked up his 14th win, which ties the Angels rookie record set by Dean Chance and tied by Frank Tanana. Nobody in their right mind would have even mentioned Shoemaker in the same breath as Ryan, Chance, and Tanana...but they are.
The bullpen allowed only 1 run in the series including a game 3 shutout that was pitched entirely by Angels relievers. The Angels used 8 pitchers against Jeff Samardzija who pitched all 8 innings in a 2-0 loss. Technically, Cory Rasmus was the starter and pitched 3 innings. Yoslan Herrera got the win pitching 2/3 of an inning. Fernando Salas, Jason Grilli, Kevin Jespen, and Joe Smith all recorded Holds, each pitching 1 inning each. Huston Street pitched a scoreless 9th to record the save. The other pitcher was Michael Roth who recorded the 1st out in the 4th before giving way to Herrera. I know this had to have been done before, but I can't remember a team using only relievers.
The Angels now own a 5 game lead over the A's with 26 games left. Even if the Angels should go 13-13 the rest of the way, the A's would have to go 18-8 just to tie. If the Angels continue to play at the .610 pace they are on, they would go 16-10, meaning the A's would have to go 21-5 the rest of the way. Possible, but not probable.
Maybe I shouldn't have typed those words.
The Lost Year (Well half year)
I can't believe that I haven't posted on this blog for 6 months. It wasn't that I went into hiding for a year...the exact opposite in fact. Things are starting to slow down enough to revisit the little things...like this blog...which has taken a back seat since this time last year.
Since it's NFL season again, I'm working on a post about my thoughts on the Chargers. Coming is a post on the Focus ST now that I've owned it for a year and a half. There's been some changes and one issue that I ran into that I'll cover. Not happy that I had a problem with a new car, but Ford had a TSB out for it and they fixed it in a day.
I also have some ideas on an Angels post and maybe a throw back post to the Spurs Championship. I already own the Spurs Championship DVD. Also found (and bought) a DVD on the 1999 Championship, which I have only seen on VHS before. I now own all the Spurs Championship DVDs and the Angels World Series DVD. Still waiting on the Chargers Super Bowl DVD. It was interesting looking back at the past Spurs' Championship DVDs...that may be an interesting post.
The best movie I've seen this year is "Guardian's of the Galaxy." To be honest, I didn't know much about the Guardian's, but after seeing previews it looked, if nothing else, like a fun movie to watch. I absolutely loved it, so much so I made my own Awesome Mix Volume 1. I won't do a review, that's more my good friend Bulldog over at Nothing If Not Random...on which I had a good time catching up on reading the articles he posted over the last year...but the story was good, the Characters great, and the humor was, well very funny, and well delivered. All though there were a lot of 70s references, none of it went over my head (Nothing goes over my head! My reflexes are too fast, I would catch it)...you have to see the movie.
Anyway, look forward to posting regularly again.
Since it's NFL season again, I'm working on a post about my thoughts on the Chargers. Coming is a post on the Focus ST now that I've owned it for a year and a half. There's been some changes and one issue that I ran into that I'll cover. Not happy that I had a problem with a new car, but Ford had a TSB out for it and they fixed it in a day.
I also have some ideas on an Angels post and maybe a throw back post to the Spurs Championship. I already own the Spurs Championship DVD. Also found (and bought) a DVD on the 1999 Championship, which I have only seen on VHS before. I now own all the Spurs Championship DVDs and the Angels World Series DVD. Still waiting on the Chargers Super Bowl DVD. It was interesting looking back at the past Spurs' Championship DVDs...that may be an interesting post.
The best movie I've seen this year is "Guardian's of the Galaxy." To be honest, I didn't know much about the Guardian's, but after seeing previews it looked, if nothing else, like a fun movie to watch. I absolutely loved it, so much so I made my own Awesome Mix Volume 1. I won't do a review, that's more my good friend Bulldog over at Nothing If Not Random...on which I had a good time catching up on reading the articles he posted over the last year...but the story was good, the Characters great, and the humor was, well very funny, and well delivered. All though there were a lot of 70s references, none of it went over my head (Nothing goes over my head! My reflexes are too fast, I would catch it)...you have to see the movie.
Anyway, look forward to posting regularly again.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Continental DSWs - All-Season Tire Update
To highlight the article, after researching all-season tires I settled on a set of Continental Extreme DWSs. The DWS stands for Dry, Wet, Snow. Continental also makes an Extreme DW...which aren't designed for the snow, so be aware that the tires are similarly named.
I am really amazed at how well these tires grip in the snow. It's hard to really compare them to the other all-season tires I've owned because those were on different cars and some of the difference maybe due to the car itself, but I can honestly say that I've never driven a car this stable in the snow that didn't have dedicated snow tires. In my opinion, these Conti DSWs would equal, or even exceed the snow traction of some of the cheaper snow tires out there.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Super Blow Out. How do you see Manning now?
Of all the scenarios I thought would play out in this game, I felt the least likely would have been a Seahawks blowout of the Broncos. Did I underestimate the Seahawk defense? Maybe. I did believe they were good, best in football this year, but we were talking about the most prolific offense in NFL history playing in an era where all the rules favor the offense.
I really didn't care who won this game...as the saying goes, "I had no dog in this fight." As a Charger fan my beef is with Eli not Peyton...even though Peyton is a Bronco now...and even though I would choose Brady over Manning in the great, who's better debate, it's not like I'm saying Peyton sucks. On the contrary, the fact that you mention Peyton in an argument with Brady is because he is that good considering those are more or less considered the best QBs in the league right now. In any event, Peyton will be a first ballet HoFer and go down as one of the best of all time despite this 43-8Superbowl loss.
That being said, I think his legacy is tarnished a bit...again not saying he's not great, he is, but when you start to look at performances in signature games, Peyton doesn't live up to his own high standards. Even the year he took the Colts to a Superbowl victory he threw 7 interceptions and 3 TDs in the post season. The Colts' defense really saved them that season, wining the Wildcard game 23-8 against the Chiefs despite Manning throwing 1TD and 3 INTs. He won the MVP for the Superbowl, but his stat line wasn't very MVP-like...25-38, 247 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Good, but not great. In the Saints Superbowl, the Saints came back to win after trailing 6-10 at the half. That year, Manning had Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, and Reggie Wayne...and don't say they didn't have a good defense, because neither did the Saints. Everyone expected a shootout, but the Saints won going away 31-17 aided by a Manning 4th quarter interception that was returned for a TD.
Back to the this years Superbowl...the Seahawks did match up with the Broncos the way no other team can. They played man on both receivers (with a safety over the top) and played zone underneath. The speed of their safeties and linebackers were key to stopping the Broncos short passing game. Broncos lived all year on short passes on crossing routes and off picks. Picks didn't work against the under zone, because the defender didn't have to stay with one WR. Plays where Bronco receivers took those short passes and turned them into decent gains, if not big plays, those same routes against the Seahawks resulted in <5 yards. Also the size of the Seahawks' DBs played a big part. The other Bronco staple was the WR screen out of a bunch formation. Seahawk DBs constantly ran through those WR blocks to make stops.
With the short passing game ineffective, Peyton had to hold the ball a little longer to go down field...and the Seahawk CBs played the outside WRs tight. That gave the pass rush time to get to Peyton. Normally, Peyton would start checking down to running plays, but against the Seahawks front seven that wasn't effective either. That was another key, allowing the Seahawks to keep one safety deep.
Bottomline, the Seahawks were just a more physical team and the Broncos didn't have an answer for that. Manning couldn't make enough plays under duress and nobody else could will the team to step up to match the Seahawks physically (not even Demaryius Thomas' 13 catches, 118 yds, 1TD).
Sure, you can't give Manning all the blame, but that street goes both ways. Manning was being hailed as the greatest during the season, but he did have a lot of weapons and a good running game. The defense wasn't great, but they stepped up when they had too. I didn't hear too many people talking about their injuries on defense when they shut down the Patriots in the AFC Championship game and the defense played great in the first half keeping the Seahawks out of the end zone twice after the safety and Manning threw his first pick (score was just 8-0 at that point). Also, I don't know how many times I heard "I want Peyton to win a ring" this past two weeks, like their wasn't 52 other guys on the team. So although it isn't fair to put all the blame on Manning, he does get most of the accolades when things are going well.
Maybe not fair, but I think this ends the debate on Peyton Manning being the best of all-time. He'll be like Brett Favre, have all the passing records, but unless you're a Favre/Packer fan, than he doesn't enter in the discussion of NFL's best ever.
I really didn't care who won this game...as the saying goes, "I had no dog in this fight." As a Charger fan my beef is with Eli not Peyton...even though Peyton is a Bronco now...and even though I would choose Brady over Manning in the great, who's better debate, it's not like I'm saying Peyton sucks. On the contrary, the fact that you mention Peyton in an argument with Brady is because he is that good considering those are more or less considered the best QBs in the league right now. In any event, Peyton will be a first ballet HoFer and go down as one of the best of all time despite this 43-8Superbowl loss.
That being said, I think his legacy is tarnished a bit...again not saying he's not great, he is, but when you start to look at performances in signature games, Peyton doesn't live up to his own high standards. Even the year he took the Colts to a Superbowl victory he threw 7 interceptions and 3 TDs in the post season. The Colts' defense really saved them that season, wining the Wildcard game 23-8 against the Chiefs despite Manning throwing 1TD and 3 INTs. He won the MVP for the Superbowl, but his stat line wasn't very MVP-like...25-38, 247 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. Good, but not great. In the Saints Superbowl, the Saints came back to win after trailing 6-10 at the half. That year, Manning had Joseph Addai, Dallas Clark, and Reggie Wayne...and don't say they didn't have a good defense, because neither did the Saints. Everyone expected a shootout, but the Saints won going away 31-17 aided by a Manning 4th quarter interception that was returned for a TD.
Back to the this years Superbowl...the Seahawks did match up with the Broncos the way no other team can. They played man on both receivers (with a safety over the top) and played zone underneath. The speed of their safeties and linebackers were key to stopping the Broncos short passing game. Broncos lived all year on short passes on crossing routes and off picks. Picks didn't work against the under zone, because the defender didn't have to stay with one WR. Plays where Bronco receivers took those short passes and turned them into decent gains, if not big plays, those same routes against the Seahawks resulted in <5 yards. Also the size of the Seahawks' DBs played a big part. The other Bronco staple was the WR screen out of a bunch formation. Seahawk DBs constantly ran through those WR blocks to make stops.
With the short passing game ineffective, Peyton had to hold the ball a little longer to go down field...and the Seahawk CBs played the outside WRs tight. That gave the pass rush time to get to Peyton. Normally, Peyton would start checking down to running plays, but against the Seahawks front seven that wasn't effective either. That was another key, allowing the Seahawks to keep one safety deep.
Bottomline, the Seahawks were just a more physical team and the Broncos didn't have an answer for that. Manning couldn't make enough plays under duress and nobody else could will the team to step up to match the Seahawks physically (not even Demaryius Thomas' 13 catches, 118 yds, 1TD).
Sure, you can't give Manning all the blame, but that street goes both ways. Manning was being hailed as the greatest during the season, but he did have a lot of weapons and a good running game. The defense wasn't great, but they stepped up when they had too. I didn't hear too many people talking about their injuries on defense when they shut down the Patriots in the AFC Championship game and the defense played great in the first half keeping the Seahawks out of the end zone twice after the safety and Manning threw his first pick (score was just 8-0 at that point). Also, I don't know how many times I heard "I want Peyton to win a ring" this past two weeks, like their wasn't 52 other guys on the team. So although it isn't fair to put all the blame on Manning, he does get most of the accolades when things are going well.
Maybe not fair, but I think this ends the debate on Peyton Manning being the best of all-time. He'll be like Brett Favre, have all the passing records, but unless you're a Favre/Packer fan, than he doesn't enter in the discussion of NFL's best ever.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Random Charger Thougts This Past Week
The Chargers came up short against the Broncos 24-17 this past Sunday. It wasn't much of a game for Chargers fans until the 4th quarter, when the Chargers scored all 17 of their points. Chargers bid for a comeback ended when the Broncos ran out the last 3:53 of the game converting on a 3rd and 17, a 3rd and 6th, and finally a 3rd and 1. Backup LB Bront Bird was in the game due to injuries and he was absolutely lost in pass coverage. Both the 3rd and longs were completed in Bird's area of coverage. I'm not blaming Bird though. Bird had played earlier in the season due to injuries so the coaches new he wasn't the best in coverage. The smarter move would have been to blitz Bird. Would it have made a difference? Who knows, but I believe Bird would have been better utilized as a blitzer than in coverage.
Although the failure of the defense to get the ball back sealed the Chargers faith, overall it was a good defensive effort. Three of the four lowest scoring games the record setting offense of the Broncos put up were against the Chargers. 28, 20, and 24 points for a team that was averaging about 39 a game. The other team that held the Broncos under 30 were the Chiefs on Week 11 (27 points). I also have to wonder if the game would have turned out differently if Shareece Wright hadn't dropped a sure interception on the Broncos 1st drive.
I've been hyping rookie WR Keenan Allen all year and he was really the only one that showed up on offense on Sunday against the Broncos. 6 catches, 142 yards, 2 TDs. The coaches were way too conservative against the Broncos. Rivers only threw 8 passes in the 1st half and ended the game 18-27, 217 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs. It wasn't garbage stats. The game was still in doubt when the Chargers started to throw the ball. There was still 3:56 on the clock when they closed the score to 24-17. I had all the confidence in the world that if they had gotten the ball back that Rivers would have led them to a tying TD.
I was pretty prophetic in my preseason post on the Chargers (Last Look Before the Season). In that post I said the Chargers look to be a .500 team and could possibly make the playoffs with a 9-7 record if they caught a few breaks. I also gave tight end Ladarius Green some props and thought he would eventually be Antonio Gate's heir apparent. I also thought that the coaching staff had a plan for Danny Woodhead even though he didn't play much during the preseason.
Although the failure of the defense to get the ball back sealed the Chargers faith, overall it was a good defensive effort. Three of the four lowest scoring games the record setting offense of the Broncos put up were against the Chargers. 28, 20, and 24 points for a team that was averaging about 39 a game. The other team that held the Broncos under 30 were the Chiefs on Week 11 (27 points). I also have to wonder if the game would have turned out differently if Shareece Wright hadn't dropped a sure interception on the Broncos 1st drive.
I've been hyping rookie WR Keenan Allen all year and he was really the only one that showed up on offense on Sunday against the Broncos. 6 catches, 142 yards, 2 TDs. The coaches were way too conservative against the Broncos. Rivers only threw 8 passes in the 1st half and ended the game 18-27, 217 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs. It wasn't garbage stats. The game was still in doubt when the Chargers started to throw the ball. There was still 3:56 on the clock when they closed the score to 24-17. I had all the confidence in the world that if they had gotten the ball back that Rivers would have led them to a tying TD.
I was pretty prophetic in my preseason post on the Chargers (Last Look Before the Season). In that post I said the Chargers look to be a .500 team and could possibly make the playoffs with a 9-7 record if they caught a few breaks. I also gave tight end Ladarius Green some props and thought he would eventually be Antonio Gate's heir apparent. I also thought that the coaching staff had a plan for Danny Woodhead even though he didn't play much during the preseason.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Chargers vs. Broncos, the Rubber Match
Random thoughts about the AFC playoffs...
OLB Melvin Ingram wasn't expected to play this season after suffering a knee injury in preseason, but came back to practice in just over 6 months. Ingram played a week later against the Giants and I don't believe that it's a coincidence that the defense has improved since Ingram came back. With Ingram in the lineup the Chargers beat the Giants 37-17, then the Broncos 27-20, and then the Raiders 26-13 despite the offense turning the ball over 3 times. Next was the Chiefs game that the Chargers should have lost. For some reason the Chargers couldn't get their collective act together for that game. Inexcusable for what it meant...a spot in the playoff. Regardless, the Chargers didn't squander the gift and upset the Bengals 27-10.
The other reason for the resurgent defense is that DC John Pagano inserted a new scheme for the Giants game. Jon Gruden called it the "Amoeba Defense" during the Thursday Night Broncos win after studying the Giants game the week before. I won't pretend to understand the ins and outs of how it works, but if you watch the Chargers defense they only put one or two of the front seven in a 3-point stance. They shift in and out of a 3-4/4-3 defense by using the weak side linebacker as either the OLB in the 3-4 or DE in the 4-3...in effect changing the roles of the players up front. Ingram's interception in the 4th quarter against the Bengals was a result of a shift from the 3-4 to 4-3. Ingram is the strong side OLB and the primary pass rusher in the 3-4, but when the Chargers shifted to the 4-3, the defensive end becomes the primary outside pass rusher. Ingram stayed in coverage and jumped the short route by the TE.
Before I give you the idea that "the Amoeba Defense" is something new, it isn't. Teams like the Browns, Steelers, Falcons, Patriots, and Saints (and most likely many others) have ran similar schemes from time-to-time (I notice that it's a base 3-4 defense sort of thing...I've never seen a base 4-3 team run it).
Interesting to note that, along with the Broncos, the three teams left in the AFC playoffs are the teams that gave the Broncos their three loses during the season. Colts 39-33 in Week7, Patriots 34-31 in Week 12, and the Chargers 27-20 in Week 15. The Chargers were the only one to do it in Denver.
Interesting note #2, the Broncos and Chargers have never met in the Playoffs.
Interesting note #3, Phillip Rivers is a perfect 6-0 when he wears gloves.
Whatever the reasons, the Chargers have historically given Peyton Manning a hard time. The Chargers are 7-6 all time against Manning. He is 4-4 vs. the Chargers at home. Manning is 3-1 vs. the Chargers since becoming a Bronco, including the 35-24 win in Denver in 2012 when the Chargers were up 24-0 at halftime aided by a fumble and interception return for TDs in the 2nd half. The other games were close...30-23 in San Diego last season, 28-20 in San Diego earlier this year, and the Charger 27-20 upset in Denver last month. While playing for the Colts, the Chargers knocked him out of the playoffs in back to back years (28-24 in 2007 and 23-17 in overtime in 2008) in the only times Manning has faced the Chargers in the playoffs.
I'm hoping the Chargers can even up the record against Manning on Sunday and keep the perfect record during the playoffs. It's going to take a great game on both sides of the ball against a record setting QB that is having the best statistical year in NFL history.
OLB Melvin Ingram wasn't expected to play this season after suffering a knee injury in preseason, but came back to practice in just over 6 months. Ingram played a week later against the Giants and I don't believe that it's a coincidence that the defense has improved since Ingram came back. With Ingram in the lineup the Chargers beat the Giants 37-17, then the Broncos 27-20, and then the Raiders 26-13 despite the offense turning the ball over 3 times. Next was the Chiefs game that the Chargers should have lost. For some reason the Chargers couldn't get their collective act together for that game. Inexcusable for what it meant...a spot in the playoff. Regardless, the Chargers didn't squander the gift and upset the Bengals 27-10.
The other reason for the resurgent defense is that DC John Pagano inserted a new scheme for the Giants game. Jon Gruden called it the "Amoeba Defense" during the Thursday Night Broncos win after studying the Giants game the week before. I won't pretend to understand the ins and outs of how it works, but if you watch the Chargers defense they only put one or two of the front seven in a 3-point stance. They shift in and out of a 3-4/4-3 defense by using the weak side linebacker as either the OLB in the 3-4 or DE in the 4-3...in effect changing the roles of the players up front. Ingram's interception in the 4th quarter against the Bengals was a result of a shift from the 3-4 to 4-3. Ingram is the strong side OLB and the primary pass rusher in the 3-4, but when the Chargers shifted to the 4-3, the defensive end becomes the primary outside pass rusher. Ingram stayed in coverage and jumped the short route by the TE.
Before I give you the idea that "the Amoeba Defense" is something new, it isn't. Teams like the Browns, Steelers, Falcons, Patriots, and Saints (and most likely many others) have ran similar schemes from time-to-time (I notice that it's a base 3-4 defense sort of thing...I've never seen a base 4-3 team run it).
Interesting to note that, along with the Broncos, the three teams left in the AFC playoffs are the teams that gave the Broncos their three loses during the season. Colts 39-33 in Week7, Patriots 34-31 in Week 12, and the Chargers 27-20 in Week 15. The Chargers were the only one to do it in Denver.
Interesting note #2, the Broncos and Chargers have never met in the Playoffs.
Interesting note #3, Phillip Rivers is a perfect 6-0 when he wears gloves.
Whatever the reasons, the Chargers have historically given Peyton Manning a hard time. The Chargers are 7-6 all time against Manning. He is 4-4 vs. the Chargers at home. Manning is 3-1 vs. the Chargers since becoming a Bronco, including the 35-24 win in Denver in 2012 when the Chargers were up 24-0 at halftime aided by a fumble and interception return for TDs in the 2nd half. The other games were close...30-23 in San Diego last season, 28-20 in San Diego earlier this year, and the Charger 27-20 upset in Denver last month. While playing for the Colts, the Chargers knocked him out of the playoffs in back to back years (28-24 in 2007 and 23-17 in overtime in 2008) in the only times Manning has faced the Chargers in the playoffs.
I'm hoping the Chargers can even up the record against Manning on Sunday and keep the perfect record during the playoffs. It's going to take a great game on both sides of the ball against a record setting QB that is having the best statistical year in NFL history.
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