Bleacher Report - Articles by Carlos Gomez

Chargers-Steelers: The Deciding Factor

Carlos Gomez — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:00:44 -0500

We already know this is going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight between two of the most physical teams in the NFL.

They battled Nov. 16 and the defenses were so stingy that Tomlinson scored the only touchdown and the Chargers still lost. The score ended up a paltry 11-10, the first time that score had ever been recorded in the NFL.

According to weather.com, the temperature in Pittsburgh will vary from a low of 20 degrees to a high of 23, with a 30 percent chance of snow. The last game was a chilly, snowy night, and this one looks to be no different.

This part of the season, teams need to have a steady running game to stay competitive, but after RB Darren Sproles took a beating against the Colts over the weekend, it looks like the Bolts' running game will be in the hands of ex-Viking, Chief, and Buccaneer Michael Bennett. There is a possibility Sproles will be able to play extensively, but nowhere near his thirty-plus touches of the last game.

LT isn't even in the equation for the Chargers, because if they plan on getting past the Steelers, they'll need to rest him up in order to heal whatever is wrong—his groin, whether it's a tear or pull.

The Steelers have a bevy of healthy, well-rested runningbacks ready to play, but have a busted quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. He is expected to play despite suffering a concussion in the final game of the season against the Browns. The two offenses are completely opposite, though both teams have strong defenses that never give up.

The way I see it, the matchup of the day goes as follows:

Philip Rivers vs. Troy Polamalu

Rivers. Pro Bowl snub.

Threw for a franchise record 34 touchdowns, leading the NFL in touchdown's and quarterback rating, 105.5. In the Chargers last game in Pittsburgh, Rivers threw for two interceptions, but that was before the team got hot and won five in a row.

Rivers most likely won't have a running game to keep the offense honest, so he'll have to sling it more than usual. But there is the possibility Sproles will be available for screens—though highly ineffective against the quick Steeler defense.

In order for Rivers to be efficient, the offensive line has to deal with the likes of LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, a two-time Pro Bowler. These two linebackers combined for 27.5 sacks this season, and don't miss tackles often.

With the Steelers defense applying pressure, their maverick can fly all over the field making plays, whether it's the run or the pass: Troy Polamalu, No. 43, the one with the hair.

Polamalu ended the regular season with seven interceptions, a career best and has been voted to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. He is often the eighth man in the box, pulling back into coverage during pass plays and generally disrupting any offense that takes the field.

He is the key cog in the defense when it comes to stopping Philip Rivers on Sunday, as he can be deceiving when positioning himself before a play starts. The Steelers' defensive scheme uses Polamalu a lot in blitzes and stunts, made simply to confound quarterbacks and give the linebackers time to get to said QB.

If Rivers can connect with one of his tallest receivers (either Vincent Jackson or Legedu Naanee) consistenly underneath Polamalu's coverage, he may have a chance to hit a wide open Chris Chambers on the sideline or TE Antonio Gates down the seam (who will most likely never get open against this defense).

I really don't see there being a running game for the Chargers, so I have to give Polamalu the upper hand going into Sunday's game. I really don't believe an ailing Big Ben or even backup Byron Leftwich will hurt the Steelers' offensive chances, so I say-with a heavy heart—that I see the Steelers winning 23-20, with Rivers bringing the Bolts back in the fourth quarter, but not quite enough.

Opinions?

Man On Fire: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Carlos Gomez — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:01:02 -0500

Cromartie. He has 4.3 forty speed, he's 6'2", and loves to get the ball in his hands. I'm not talking about the guy on the Chargers. I'm talking about Antonio's cousin Dominique, the best cornerback taken in the draft this year.

Dominique ended the regular season as a starter and completed the series with the Seahawks by intercepting backup QB Seneca Wallace. He caught three interceptions out of his career four against Seattle, but certainly flashed the ball skills only Adrian Wilson has shown on this Cardinals team over the past few years.

He intercepted rookie QB Matt Ryan of the Falcons on a long pass attempt to WR Roddy White late in the third quarter of Saturday's Wild Card game and even led the Cardinals in tackles with nine.

Alongside playmaking SS Adrian Wilson and fellow starting CB Roderick Hood, Cromartie is becoming a leader for the Cardinal secondary, igniting a newly confident Arizona defense hoping to advance to the NFC Conference Championship.

Next week, Cromartie will line up against Panthers WR Steve Smith in a great match-up of two of the fastest players in the league. The Cardinals last played the Panthers in week eight and had the lead early, but lost due to two third quarter touchdowns to Smith. In that game, Eric Green was the starting corner instead of Cromartie.

No matter what happens, it will be fun to watch Smith and Cromartie battle all game. Pay close attention to DRC, No. 29. He has a bright future ahead of him.

Darren Sproles: What Does the Offseason Hold for "Little Tank?"

Carlos Gomez — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:29:16 -0500

Darren Sproles. A fourth-round pick in 2005. Great returner. Blazing fast, agile runner. The one piece of the Chargers' package that was not properly accounted for last year when fans worried about Michael Turner leaving L.T.'s shadow.

His contract runs out at the end of the year. Will the Bolts re-sign the little menace after his crazy, dominating performance in the past two games? The Chargers have a lot to think about.

The Bolts have right tackle Jeromey Clary and veteran guard Mike Goff as the only other possible priority signings this upcoming offseason. If the line play continues to succeed and take the team a couple games further in the postseason, we can look forward to Clary getting re-signed to a decent deal and Goff leaving to likely anchor a team that will be rebuilding.

That leaves the 5'6" Sproles as the wild card. Do they sign the man to a four or five-year deal worth more than a backup and keep the roster of backs they currently have, or do they plan for the future and go ahead and draft a good RB or two in the first couple rounds of '09?

The Charger's depth chart, just like last year, is pretty stacked, and the need to draft in skill positions isn't as high as many other teams. With LT under-performing and all of a sudden being injury-riddled, it's a good possibility that Sproles will be signed. The Chargers will likely have plenty of money over the cap this offseason, as they did last year, so why not spend it on Sproles?

But this leads to more questions about L.T., who DOES have plenty in the tank, it's just that he has assumed this every-down back title, and Sproles has not gotten the chance to show what he can do beyond the occasional third down or passing situation.

The little guy, in his few chances, has shown brilliance as a play-maker in these situations and has shown more flash than even Michael Turner did during his time in the Powder Blues.

Does Norv Turner decide to give up on L.T., like Mike Holmgren (justifiably) did with his previous MVP Shaun Alexander? No. That would be ill-advised, we won't go any farther on that subject. But what if Darren Sproles instead decided to try free agency? Who would sign him? Well, honestly, just about everyone would want a piece of him, but let me pick out a few teams I see possibly signing him:

Indianapolis Colts- Yep. The Colts have to think about this move, simply because the guy rips them a new one every time he steps foot near Bob Sanders and crew. And someone needs to properly back up Joseph Addai. Dominic Rhodes should be left on the street.
Cincinnati Bengals- They're terrible, I really shouldn't have to say more, but I shall. Cedric Benson is listed as a free agent next year, but due to his "good" performance during the three-game winning streak the Cats finished the season with, he will likely be signed. Chris Perry is not worth keeping and Kenny Watson is decent, but Sproles would give the Bengals the lightning fast offensive player they haven't had . . . ever.
Arizona Cardinals- Depending on whether they trade or release Edgerrin James, the Cardinals are looking at a bad situation with their RBs no matter what. J.J. Arrington could be re-signed after the season, but if Sproles is on the market, the Cards could be seriously interested in Sproles as Arrington's more effective replacement. If Edge is gone, Sproles could certainly compete with Tim Hightower for the feature back job, despite league "experts" stating it is Hightower's job to lose in James' absence.

Detroit Lions- (Obvious?) I really didn't want to even speak about these guys. No one does. Surprisingly, though, the Lions' running game was more effective than two of the previous teams on this list. Fewer TDs but more yardage and a better average. Management seems to have found the back of the future in Kevin Smith, but his mediocre receiving skills and the total lack of real play-makers on offense besides Calvin Johnson (not a Pro-Bowler simply because he's a Lion, what's wrong with you people?) makes Sproles' pure speed and quickness sorely needed on the worst team ever to play in the NFL.
St. Louis Rams- I see this as the least likely in the bunch, as I would expect Sproles to look for the possibility of a starting gig, but the Rams' offense is more suited to Sproles than the Lions, Cardinals, or Bengals. The Rams need someone with more speed than Steven Jackson (whom I have much respect for), that can catch out of the backfield, and a returner to give Dante Hall a spell, possibly to replace him in his waning years. Sproles fits the system well, and looks good in blue. Good enough for me.

I hope my view of Darren Sproles' future was given clearly and succinctly, with little error and a little humor. I also hope to see Sproles on the field for the Chargers next season, but if it's not in the cards, I wish him good luck in his seasons to come. Have fun watching the rest of Wild-Card Weekend, I know I will. Later!