Chargers the WestCoast Steelers?

[TheSanityAnnex]

The Chargers looked every bit like the team they are trying to copy - the Pittsburgh Steelers - in an opening night win over the Raiders.

Philip Rivers made his first start in the 27-0 blanking, but his debut will be known for as much as what he didn't do, as what he did.
Rivers only threw the 11 times, completing eight of them for 108 yards and a score. Big numbers? No way. Big boost to the Chargers? Absolutely.

Much like the Steelers did when breaking in quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, not too much was put on Rivers' plate. Instead the Chargers were more than content to pound the ball with LaDainian Tomlinson (131 yards) and unleash a defense which could be the best one the Chargers have produced in years.

"I knew I wasn't going to ease into the season, but I wanted to do what Philip did: I just wanted to take care of the football," Tomlinson said. "The way our defense was playing we could be a little conservative."
The defense had nine sacks, and was in the Raiders' quarterback's faces more times than that. With the grand field position being awarded for their work in sacking the passer, the Chargers were seldom pinned in in the shadow of their own goal post.

Instead, Rivers managed the game with a calm demeanor, passed when he was asked to, took care of the ball and trotted off with the Chargers being the only AFC West team to win its opening game.
"When you don't throw it a lot, you have to be efficient and we were able to do that," Rivers said. "Obviously this will probably be the lowest passing attempts this year. But hey if this is what it takes, I am happy to get it done."
The Chargers got it done all right, giving the Raiders their first home shut out since 1981 and only their second at home all time. Look for the Chargers to embrace this approach all the time, as long as it results in a win. With this defense and a strong running game, Rivers won't be asked to carry the team. And that could carry on throughout the season.


http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/teamRep...pe=InsideSlant

[BUMP]

calm down. look who you played. one of the top 5 worst teams of all time

[ducks]

coach said no matter who the quartback was
had he had mario he would have done the same thing
get a big lead run the clock out

[leemajors]

i don't know if martyball can make it to the super bowl. cowher turns it loose occasionally, marty keeps an iron grip on that o.

[samikeyp]

That's what happens....teams try to emulate champions.

[Fillmoe]

Spicoli.... YOU ARE ONE FUNNY DUDE! :lol :lol

Ryan Leaf has a better chance of taking the Chargers to the Superbowl than Philip Rivers

[johnsmith]

Spicoli.... YOU ARE ONE FUNNY DUDE! :lol :lol

Ryan Leaf has a better chance of taking the Chargers to the Superbowl than Philip Rivers

I haven't seen Phillip Rivers do anything wrong yet? What's wrong with the idea of him taking a team to the super bowl. Plus, your argument is just stupid, Ryan Leaf doesn't even play in the NFL.

I wouldn't get overly excited about any team in the NFL right yet, but San Diego is strong and I don't really see any glaring weaknesses in their team. Having said that, I didn't see any weaknesses last season for them either but it's like they never quite had that "intangible" quality that say, the Steelers had last year. Oh, and "Lights Out" will be considered the best linebacker in the league within two more seasons.

On a different note, Go Broncos.

[NBA Junkie]

I'm basically counting down the hours until Shoogarbear makes his predictable post about how Marty Schottenheimer=Flip Saunders. :rolleyes

[MajorMike]

Not even close. The Chargers are LDT and a defense. Willie Parker is no LDT. At the same time, Rivers is no Big Ben. Rivers will have plenty his share of mistakes, something Ben just didn't do last year. Rivers is coming in with tons of hype and expectations. Ben came in after the starter was injured, with no expectations. If a team is able to stack the box to stop LDT and forces Rivers to win the game, I don't expect as pretty an outcome.

[leemajors]

Not even close. The Chargers are LDT and a defense. Willie Parker is no LDT. At the same time, Rivers is no Big Ben. Rivers will have plenty his share of mistakes, something Ben just didn't do last year. Rivers is coming in with tons of hype and expectations. Ben came in after the starter was injured, with no expectations. If a team is able to stack the box to stop LDT and forces Rivers to win the game, I don't expect as pretty an outcome.

agreed there. there's also marty's tendency to turtle up in crunch time.

[MajorMike]

agreed there. there's also marty's tendency to turtle up in crunch time.

Yes, yes, very much so.

[johnsmith]

Yes, yes, very much so.

I love Marty. He has been like a guaranteed victory on the Broncos schedule since around 1986.

[Fillmoe]

I haven't seen Phillip Rivers do anything wrong yet? What's wrong with the idea of him taking a team to the super bowl. Plus, your argument is just stupid, Ryan Leaf doesn't even play in the NFL.

I wouldn't get overly excited about any team in the NFL right yet, but San Diego is strong and I don't really see any glaring weaknesses in their team. Having said that, I didn't see any weaknesses last season for them either but it's like they never quite had that "intangible" quality that say, the Steelers had last year. Oh, and "Lights Out" will be considered the best linebacker in the league within two more seasons.

On a different note, Go Broncos.


its suppose to be a joke..... lighten up

[johnsmith]

its suppose to be a joke..... lighten up

Agreed.

[NBA Junkie]

If the Chargers play anywhere near the inconsistent level they did last season, their game at home versus Tennessee on Sunday isn't a lock.

They had problems against inferior opponents last season, especially at home.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Not even close. The Chargers are LDT and a defense. Willie Parker is no LDT. At the same time, Rivers is no Big Ben. Rivers will have plenty his share of mistakes, something Ben just didn't do last year. Rivers is coming in with tons of hype and expectations. Ben came in after the starter was injured, with no expectations. If a team is able to stack the box to stop LDT and forces Rivers to win the game, I don't expect as pretty an outcome.
Rivers was thought by many to be a greater player than both Ben and Eli in that draft. You are right, Rivers is no big Ben. I expect him to outperform Big Ben in every aspect in a couple of years. Probably not this year, but who knows. Rivers has to only do what Ben has done, manage the game.

LT can't be "stopped", only slowed. And so what if they stop LT, there is always that Tight End guy Antonio Gates. Or the sure hands of Parker/McCardell. Or Michael Turner can run, or Vincent Jackson can catch. There are plenty of options besides LT and Rivers should have no problem
getting the ball to them.

[BUMP]

Rivers was thought by many to be a greater player than both Ben and Eli in that draft. You are right, Rivers is no big Ben. I expect him to outperform Big Ben in every aspect in a couple of years. Probably not this year, but who knows. Rivers has to only do what Ben has done, manage the game.

LT can't be "stopped", only slowed. And so what if they stop LT, there is always that Tight End guy Antonio Gates. Or the sure hands of Parker/McCardell. Or Michael Turner can run, or Vincent Jackson can catch. There are plenty of options besides LT and Rivers should have no problem
getting the ball to them.

lets not go overboard. with that crappy O-line anyone can be stopped. i remember last year against the eagles he had like negative yards

[TheSanityAnnex]

lets not go overboard. with that crappy O-line anyone can be stopped. i remember last year against the eagles he had like negative yards

Against the Eagles was the worst game of his career. And no, it wasn't negative yards, but close. 7 yards.
The o-line is improved compared to last year. And LT is healthy unlike all of last year. Lot of games to play and I'm looking forward to them.


And Bump, who do you root for so I can talk some shit!

[Fabbs]

Marty is capable of stopping any quarterback, including Marino and Rivers.

Rivers could be just as good as Big Ben was his rookie year. I predict MMMmmartyBall will screw that chance up.

San Diego Union Tribune just had a q and a with Schot.
He feels no need to get into the playoffs this year.
When asked about his 5-13 playoff record he refused to answer, saying he saw no need for any of his teams to change from the reg season to the playoffs.
San Diego ain't gonna win no playoffs with this guy.
http://www.wvah.com/programs/kingofthehill/dalegribble.jpg

[stretch]

LT is by far the best RB in the NFL. however, he cannot singlehandedly carry the load. that defense is decent, but the secondary is still pretty weak. when they face a team with a good O-line, its going to be a rough day for that D. and dont expect someone who is basically a rookie QB to lead his team far in the playoffs.

and marty is a shitty playoff coach, as already mentioned.

[TheSanityAnnex]

LT carried the entire load the entire game against the Raiders. Granted, the Raiders could be the worst team in the NFL.

You act as this defense has never faced a decent O-line before? Did they play crap O-lines all of last year? Did it stop them from being the #1 rush D last year?

[samikeyp]

and marty is a shitty playoff coach, as already mentioned.

You are so wrong. Marty is a great playoff coach!!

Sincerly,
John Elway.

:p

[MajorMike]

You act as this defense has never faced a decent O-line before? Did they play crap O-lines all of last year? Did it stop them from being the #1 rush D last year?

Did they miss the playoffs by losing their last 2 because they gave up 157 and 144 on the ground?

[TheSanityAnnex]

Did they miss the playoffs by losing their last 2 because they gave up 157 and 144 on the ground?
Doesn't discount their # 1 ranking last year does it?



And Capt, how's it gonna feel going into the bye week having scored ZERO points?

[NBA Junkie]

San Diego fans are so into their Chargers that the game runs the risk of being blacked out in that area if the game doesn't sell out by 1:15 PST today.

[TheSanityAnnex]

San Diego fans are so into their Chargers that the game runs the risk of being blacked out in that area if the game doesn't sell out by 1:15 PST today.
Some crap huh.

Why is it that if 69,500 fans show up out of 71,000 the league will blackout a game. The blackout restrictions are too strict and seem pointless. Hopefully the Casinos will buy the tickets so I can watch the game.

[NBA Junkie]

Some crap huh.

Why is it that if 69,500 fans show up out of 71,000 the league will blackout a game. The blackout restrictions are too strict and seem pointless. Hopefully the Casinos will buy the tickets so I can watch the game.

I don't know where you reside, but if you're outside of the 75 mile radius of San Diego, you should still be able to see the game. However, IIRC, if you're still 100 miles outside, but your local feed is a SD area affiliate, you're still screwed.

I agree with the blackout opinion. The league should at least become a little more lenient on this rule and televise locally, if say, 90 % of the tickets are sold.

Are blacked out games in SD common or are Charger fans taking a wait and see approach now that the team has changed somewhat with Rivers at QB?

[TheSanityAnnex]

I don't know where you reside, but if you're outside of the 75 mile radius of San Diego, you should still be able to see the game. However, IIRC, if you're still 100 miles outside, but your local feed is a SD area affiliate, you're still screwed.

I agree with the blackout opinion. The league should at least become a little more lenient on this rule and televise locally, if say, 90 % of the tickets are sold.

Are blacked out games in SD common or are Charger fans taking a wait and see approach now that the team has changed somewhat with Rivers at QB?I'm in Long Beach, CA, and the blackout rules apply where I'm at. One game was blacked out last year in the beginning.

From what I've read, the seats that are left really suck and are a minimum of 74 dollars. That is too much for a crappy view. Lower it to 50 bucks and I'm there.

And I agree with you about the 90% of tickets being sold should negate a blackout.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Game will be televised. Local casino's and radio stations picked up the remaining 1,000 or so tickets. The Sanity Annex is happy!

[j-6]

I have a stupid question regarding the blackout rule. Doesn't San Diego have a TV station that actually broadcasts out of Tijuana? I read a story about it after Anchorman came out.

Guess it's not the CBS affiliate or there'd be no reason to sweat a blackout.

[TheSanityAnnex]

I have a stupid question regarding the blackout rule. Doesn't San Diego have a TV station that actually broadcasts out of Tijuana? I read a story about it after Anchorman came out.

Guess it's not the CBS affiliate or there'd be no reason to sweat a blackout.
Thats an interesting question and one I'll have to look into. Haven't been down to TJ since highschool but I wouldn't mind heading down to Revolucion Ave for some cheap beer, cheap lap dances and the Chargers game. And of course a bacon wrapped hotdog on the way out. Viva la Mexico.

[samikeyp]

I think they have a radio station down there that does...but not sure about a tv station.