Bleacher Report - San Diego Chargers

Chargers, Broncos Battle For Control Of AFC West

Michael Scarr — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:19:25 -0500

A month ago, the Chargers were buried and all but finished for the season.

A 34-23 loss at home to Denver was their third in five games to open the year and created a 3½ game hole in the division.

Making matters worse the loss came off a bye week for San Diego and gave their only legitimate challengers in the AFC West a leg up in the first tiebreaker to decide the divisional crown.

Fade out, fade in and the Broncos have yet to win another game while the Chargers are riding a four-game win streak since that Monday night contest.

The Chargers will get another chance at the Broncos as Denver hosts San Diego at Invesco Field on Sunday.

A Bronco victory would provide a lift to a sagging team that is one loss away from matching its four-game skid of last season, when they were eclipsed by these same Chargers on the last game of the year for the divisional crown.

It also would give Denver two victories over the Chargers on the season, wrapping up the first tiebreaker and forcing San Diego to finish the year with a superior record to win the AFC West.

A Charger victory would essentially confirm preseason expectations that all but handed them their fourth straight division title. Their winning streak would extend to five games with the Chiefs, Browns, Titans and Redskins remaining on the schedule.

They would be 7-3 with the December slate of games just ahead, which is worth noting. Norv Turner’s Chargers are 9-0 in December during his tenure in San Diego.

Weighing heavily against the Broncos in Sunday’s game is the health of their starting quarterback.

Kyle Orton has a left ankle sprain and missed his third straight day of practice Friday, according to published reports. Orton sustained the injury in the Broncos’ 27-17 loss at Washington and was replaced by Chris Simms.

Denver head coach Josh McDaniels said Orton is still a possibility for Sunday, but will wait for mobility tests on game day before making a decision.

If Orton does not play, Simms will start despite his poor play against the Redskins. Simms completed just 3-of-13 passes for a total of 13 yards and one interception.

It was the first time Simms had been on the field for any significant playing time since September 2006, when he suffered a ruptured spleen while playing for the Buccaneers. He had the spleen removed and was briefly on the field last season with Tennessee, completing 1-of-2 passes.

The Broncos should get a lift at home, where they are 3-1 this season, including an overtime victory against New England.

But it is their sixth-ranked defense that will have to control the tempo against the Chargers. Denver is 12th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game and fifth overall in passing yards.

A major contributor to the Broncos’ pass defense is Elvis Dumervil, who leads the league with 11½ sacks, including two of Philip Rivers in Denver’s win on Oct. 19.

Rivers remains the main engine that drives the Chargers with a passer rating that ranks seventh-highest in the NFL and third-highest in the conference. It was a balanced attack, though, that made a victory at home Sunday against the Eagles remarkably comfortable.

Despite a near comeback fueled by Donovan McNabb’s 450 passing yards, a productive running game with LaDainian Tomlinson, who contributed a solid if not spectacular 96 yards on the ground, allowed the Chargers to maintain their lead throughout the game.

Tomlinson also scored twice on had a long run of 20 yard and had a modest five-yard gain from the wildcat formation.

In a victory over the Raiders in early November, LT scored from six yards out on a direct snap and this past Sunday, Legedu Naanee also spent some time in the wildcat.

Naanee is specifically suited to the formation with his collegiate years at Boise State as a quarterback, though he spent far more time catching the ball than throwing or running.

Vincent Jackson hauled in one touchdown pass against the Broncos last month and leads the team with seven scores this season.

The Eagles double-teamed the 6-foot-5 target and Denver will not be able to ignore Jackson, but that provides Rivers with open looks to Antonio Gates, Malcom Floyd and Naanee. All three caught passes Sunday with Naanee getting his first career regular season TD.

Special teams play could determine the game's outcome.

In the teams' previous meeting, Eddie Royal scored on a 93-yard kickoff return and on a 71-yard run to the end zone on a punt return. Darren Sproles responded with 77-yard punt return for a touchdown return of his own.

Titles are not won in November, but Sunday’s victor will solidify their chances of a postseason run in January.

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Are LaDainian Tomlinson's Expectations Set Too High?

AP Wilcox — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:06:54 -0500

Sometimes I wonder if LT feels like the whole world is disappointed with him for not having amassed 800 yards rushing and 15+ TDs at this point in the season.

I also wonder what he thinks about every other article written about the San Diego Chargers making reference to him going through the inevitable decline due to his age. Not knowing him personally, I can't honestly say what he must be thinking and feeling, but I can say that I think he's getting a bum wrap.

Having followed the Chargers closely for the last ten years, I can see that there has been a big change in how LT has been used in the offensive scheme. Several factors beyond LT's control and most unrelated to his age have contributed to his changed role in San Diego's offense and the resulting decline in performance the last two years. Let's take a look at a few of these factors.

Improved Offensive Personnel

When LT was first drafted, the biggest name on the Charger's offense was Doug Flutie. While a competent NFL quarterback, Flutie was at the tail end of his career and did not have a high caliber cast at the skilled positions with which to work. Much to LT's benefit, he was expected to shoulder a large burden in powering the offense and, much to his credit, he stepped up and showed us what a special player he was.

In the last nine years, the Chargers have added players who have vastly upgraded the level of ability at the skilled positions. First off, Antonio Gates exploded onto the scene and brought another potent dimension to the Chargers offense.

After taking over for Brees, Philip Rivers has proven, from his very first game, that he has what it takes to run an NFL offense with the best of them. Add to that the development of Vincent Jackson into a top flight receiver, the explosive potential of Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, and not to mention the Meggett-like Darren Sproles, and the Chargers now have offensive potential unseen since the days of Fouts, Winslow, Joiner, and Muncie.

The addition of these players has immensely changed the balance of power and the balance of opportunities on the Chargers offense. The commitment the Chargers made by franchise tagging Darren Sproles has especially changed how many looks LT is likely to get. The resulting decline in opportunities to get his hands on the rock and get his rhythm going this year has unmistakably resulted in a decline on the stat sheets.

Change in Offensive Philosophy

With Cam Cameron's leaving to Miami and the abrupt dismissal of Marty Schottenheimer, after a 14-2 season no less, Norv Turner arrived in San Diego to take over the head coaching chores. Norv brought with him his own simplified brand of west coast offense that has often been criticized for being too predictable.

What Norv didn't bring with him was an O line the caliber of the one he had in front of Emmitt Smith in Dallas.

With an offensive scheme that uses compacted formations to draw secondary defenders in against the run and then use play action to push for down field opportunities, you need a powerful run blocking line and a top notch fullback and, right now, the Chargers have neither.

What we have seen, more and more over the last three seasons, are eight defenders in the box against offensive formations that telegraph the Charger's intentions to run.

Another knock on the Chargers current offensive scheme is the lack of an effective short passing game. This has affected LT in two ways, the first of which is the reduced opportunities he has seen this year on the receiving end of things.

For a guy who has posted both 79 and 100 reception seasons as well as averaging over 60 grabs a year over his first eight seasons, his meager nine receptions this season are mind boggling.

Some of those looks are going to Sproles, obviously, but the lack of pass plays to LT has made it easy for defenses to key on the run when he's in the game and conversely to key on the pass when Sproles is in. It also takes away opportunities for LT to work in space which has always been one of the most beautiful, yes I said beautiful, things to watch.

The second way LT is affected is, as mentioned before, the increased amount of defenders that are showing up in the box. The small amount of plays run from spread formations and the lack of short, timed routes, swing passes, and backs hitting the flats has allowed opposing defenses to stack up players in the box making it tough on San Diego's beleaguered line to open up holes for LT.

Injuries and Offensive Line Struggles

You'll have a hard time convincing me that the single biggest problem with the run game in San Diego this year isn't injuries. LT hasn't been at 100 percent obviously, but losing their best lineman, center Nick Hardwick, in game one was devastating to the line.

In the following several games they were nothing short of porous as they gave up sack after sack and were completely ineffective at driving anyone off the line. LT was hit so many times in the backfield, after missed blocks, it was ridiculous. Not only that, but when he wasn't hit in the backfield, there was no where to run up field.

Although I wouldn't say that the Chargers have ever had a dominating line during LT's tenure, I would say that the run blocking has been much better in previous years. Other than the injuries and some new faces, I can't really say what's missing, but something is.

Maybe it is simply adjusting to new players and gelling together that is the issue. The Philadelphia game was the first time this season that the line could consistently drive defenders off the line and pick up all their blocking assignments and it showed in LT's stats.

So are we expecting too much of LT?

My answer is yes. First and foremost, if LT's only going to get half the touches he's had in the past (counting both run attempts and receptions) then we can't expect the same amount of offensive output.

I would love to see him continue his streak of 1,000 yard rushing seasons, but that won't happen unless he gets more quality opportunities to run the ball (not just first down opportunities running out of I formation with eight defenders in the box).

It also won't happen unless the offensive line continues to stay healthy and improve. If they do open up the holes, he'll exploit them (he proved that against a tough Eagles defense).

Even if there are continued problems with the line, there are still other options to mount an effective run game. Run more spread formations and pull defenders out of the box. Create opportunities to run against six in the box and burn the defense with short pass completions to the flats and swing routes if they continue to load up against the run. The tools are there to run a wide open offense and launch a blitzkrieg against opposing teams.

LT still has the capability to be one of the most effective backs in the league and continue to amass rushing yards and touchdowns if used wisely. I would love to look back, in five or six years, and see that the addition of Sproles served to distribute the load and lengthen the effective career of one of the greatest backs to ever lace 'em up.

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Chargers Underrated, Balanced Attack Proves Crucial in Playoff Run

Bowe Fertig — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:22:30 -0500

After the demoralizing loss to the Denver Broncos Week Six, the Chargers were considered by most to be down and out. The Broncos beat the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in every aspect of the game and looked like they would take their three-game lead to cruise through the rest of the season in first place.

Oh how the tides have turned in San Diego.

After starting the season 2-3, the Chargers now on a four-game winning streak look to recreate the magic of last year and gain four games in as many weeks on the Broncos to regain first place in the AFC West.

An era of where the quarterback has taken over, Phillip Rivers has taken the reign for the Chargers. This season, the Chargers' most valuable player has led the team on two winning drives and could have been three if Norv Turner wouldn’t have taken the ball out of Rivers' hands against Baltimore on the 4th-and-1 play Ray Lewis blew up in the backfield.

But because of Rivers' success and the Chargers' trouble to run the ball, many are tricked into believing that the Chargers offense soars through the arm of Rivers, but many will realize that the Chargers offense still runs through the legs of the backfield.

Through the first nine games, Rivers has averaged 33 pass attempts per game. The Chargers are 2-3 when Rivers throws more than 33 times and 4-0 when he throws below his average.

Behind Rivers is the most underrated running game in the league. Rivers is undefeated through four games when throwing under his average of attempts because the Chargers ran the ball effectively. Due to injury and being last in the league in rushing, averaging 75 yards per game, many have overlooked the Chargers backfield as a threat.

There are a few reasons why the Chargers have lacked production from the backfield through the first half of the season. The first and most obvious is due to injury and inexperience.

Pro-Bowl center Nick Hardwick has been sidelined since Week One and rookie tackle Louis Vasquez is still getting acclimated to the speed of the game. The injuries have made it more difficult for the inexperienced line because, which many seem not to realize, opposing teams remain to stack the box against the Chargers.

Coaches aren’t mystified by the Norv Turner way of pounding the ball, but with a healthier line and LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers look to run the rock more successfully.

The Eagles are one of the best in bringing up an extra defender to stuff the run and the Chargers saw one of their better offensive attacks through a balance of 28 rushes and 25 passes. This is when the Chargers are at their best.

In fact, three of the Chargers last four wins have come when the Chargers ran the ball more than passed and in all three of the Chargers losses they have had their biggest gap in pass-to-rushing ratio. Against the Broncos they passed the ball a dozen more times. When they played the Steelers they passed 36 times compared to eight rushes. And at home against Baltimore, the Chargers threw it a season high 45 times to 21 rushes. Tomlinson was injured in both the Steelers and Ravens game.

The Chargers have cracked the century mark in rushing only twice this season and both games resulted in wins with their highest scoring output of 31 points against Philadelphia and 37 points against Kansas City.

Yes the Chiefs are in the bottom half of almost every defensive category imaginable, but the Eagles had only allowed one other team to score more than 17 points and rush for more than 100 yards in a game and that was the Saints.

Even though these stats are true and the Chargers are better when they run well, the Chargers should be a pass-first-run-second team.

For many teams the run opens up the pass but for the Chargers the pass opens up the run. The Chargers are a better passing team on offense because of Rivers and his targets. I hope Norv Turner realizes this next time he faces a third- or fourth-and-short.

The Chargers have the best short-yardage tight end in the game with Antonio Gates, receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd can out-jump or gain possession on any smaller corner, and when all else fails throw it to the backs Darren Sproles and Tomlinson.

It seems like a no brainier. Tomlinson or Sproles in the flats one-on-one with a corner or even better linebacker have a better shot of getting a few yards over Tomlinson or Sproles trying to escape three big guys in the backfield with no room to run.

Thus, if it comes down to one play for short yardage it is in the best interest of the Chargers to pass the ball. This stance is taken because of the simple fact that it is easier to pass block than run block and a team must adapt to their own strengths and weaknesses. Rivers is the strength of the offense and you want the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.

Rivers has come into his own lately making a name for himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. This is great for the Chargers because when Rivers completes 80 percent of his passes like he did against the Eagles, eventual cracks will open up into huge holes for the running game.

Last year, the Arizona Cardinals were the first and only team to reach the Super Bowl while being last in the league in rushing so it is possible for the Chargers. But in order for the Charger offense to reach its potential, the offensive line needs to open up holes and give Rivers time to throw the ball.

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Has "Around the Horn" Called for the Suspension of Shawne Merriman?

Mr. X — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:13:03 -0500

I have not watched ESPN since I announced the Boycott of ESPN for their malicious reports of gossip against Raiders' Coach Tom Cable.

I did so because of ESPN's flagrant disregard for integrity and consistency in reporting. ESPN's Vincent Doria for one, refused to report official charges of rape against Ben Roethlisberger, and yet the same network reported gossip (not charges) against Raiders coach Tom Cable.

I prefer the NFL Network, FSN, and local news, rather than watch the East Coast Media Network known as ESPN.

ESPN is biased. To believe otherwise is idiocy. It is in the interest of ESPN, their ratings, and thus their advertisers to promote East Coast teams, which typically garner higher ratings, and undermine teams that don't fit that agenda.

The San Diego Chargers must fit that agenda as well, because when Shawne Merriman's girlfriend Tila Tequila had him arrested for several charges of abuse and false imprisonment a few months ago, nary a word came from the shills at ESPN.

I say shills as a factual statement, rather than a facetious one.

I say nary a word because many at ESPN including, Bill Plaschke and Jay Mariotti, immediately called for the suspension of Cable, based on the gossip that ESPN reported.

Yet, Plaschke, of Southern California, said no such thing about Merriman.

Gee, I wonder why.

Plaschke also is supposedly a socially conscious critic at ESPN, often advocating for women's rights. Thus, of course, Plaschke would immediately assert that Cable fits the profile of an abuser.

Somehow, Merriman did not to Plaschke. You know, the "Lights Out" defender who has been suspended for using steroids.

Hmm, I wonder if he'd have a temper problem.

Mariotti was silent as well. After he had written a threatening *manifesto* in August on why he hates Al Davis, Raider fans, and his perception of, "thuggery." So much so, that Mariotti stated that he reports gossip without investigation in pursuit of his hate.

Now, Tequila has filed a civil suit in pursuit of 1.5 million in damages from Merriman. I wonder if Around the Horn thinks that Merriman fits the profile of an abuser.

Has ATH reported these chargers by Tequila, and if so, did anyone call for the suspension of Merriman?

I defended Merriman in September after these charges were made because I'm inclined to distrust the word of reality-TV stars, or those who make accusations against any type of public figure, unless they have credible evidence and which channels they utilized to report their claims.

Moreover, I had decided to remain consistent in defense of payers accused of crimes from being suspended because I believe that in the absence of convictions, troubled players and others involved in the NFL should be forced into counseling, rather than be suspended.

For ESPN to remain consistent however, they must make the same statements against Merriman.

So tell me please, has ESPN called for the suspension of Merriman?

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LaDainian Tomlinson Finds New Motivation Sunday in Chargers Win

Mark Strotman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:39:09 -0500

Entering Sunday’s game against the Eagles, LaDainian Tomlinson’s 2009 had been one to forget.

Six weeks in, the Chargers were 2-3 and looking through binoculars to see the 6-0 Denver Broncos at the top of the AFC West division.

Tomlinson had missed two of those games and had accumulated just 140 yards and caught five passes out of the backfield.

Questions began to be asked on whether this was the same LT that we had been spoiled to watch the last eight seasons. After all, he had just turned 30, the breaking point for running backs, and spell running back Darren Sproles had signed a one-year tender the year before and looked as though “feature back” would be his new title.

LT contemplated retirement and spoke of how he is beginning to cherish moments more because he knows he might be on his curtain call as an NFL player.

For a guy looking to cherish the moment more, the scene at his locker before Sunday’s game against the Eagles should certainly be added to the list.

As he entered the locker room, a purple bag sat in front of his locker. Inside was a positive pregnancy test that his wife LaTorsha had put there. Pretty special, right?

Throw in the fact that LaTorsha had suffered a miscarriage four years earlier when the Tomlinsons were expecting their first child, and it becomes a tearjerker.

LT called his wife as soon as he received the test and cried for five minutes on the phone, telling his wife how amazing she was. Take note, Travis Henry: This is what a real man looks like.

Forget the rap music or the pre-game chest bumps. LT had all the motivation he needed to go out and produce for his wife and unborn child. A season-high 96 rushing yards and two touchdowns later, LT and the Chargers were celebrating their fourth victory in a row and a tie in the AFC West in terms of record.

For the eight-plus years he has been in the league, Tomlinson has been one of the most likable guys on the field. It if weren’t for the fact that he has found the end zone 131 times in his career, more AFC opponents would probably like him.

The ultimate team player, LT will forever be remembered for his NFL-record 31 touchdowns in 2006. What might have gone over people’s heads was his post-game comment after he broke the record.

“Once I got over the pylon, my initial thought process was to bring every guy on the offensive unit over to share that moment,” Tomlinson said. “When we’re old and can’t play this game anymore, them are the moments we are going to remember, that we’ll be able to tell our kids, tell our grandchildren. We can talk about something special that we did. We made history today.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa...we made history? Yes, that’s the kind of guy Tomlinson is and has always been. He rarely trash talks or goes to the media to air his concerns. Rather, he speaks through that intimidating pitch-black visor and the lightning-quick cuts that we could watch for days on end.

We sometimes hate to see good things happen to bad people, and we surely hate to see bad things happen to good people, but when good things happen to great people, it makes up for it all. That’s exactly what Tomlinson’s situation was last Sunday.

Losing your first child in 2005 and your father in a car accident two years later is something none of us want to go through, but how much of a reward must it have been for Tomlinson to open that bag?

With the Chargers sitting at 6-3 and a rejuvenated Tomlinson in their backfield, the Chargers look poised to make a playoff run. Turning points happen all the time for teams and players that make championships happen, and it looks as though Tomlinson just found his.

Twelfth in rushing yards and third in total touchdowns, Tomlinson is a first ballot Hall of Famer because of what he has done on the field. Before this season, he had never missed more than one game. For a running back who has carried the rock over 300 times seven out of his nine seasons, that’s not half bad.

His time might be running out, but there isn’t an organization out there that would turn Tomlinson away. The Chargers’ offensive line has struggled this season, and LT has taken some of the blame for lacking the speed he once had, but if the Chargers decide to decline the $5 million they have to pay him next season, he is sure to quickly find a new home.

It’s one of the best feel-good stories that we could have heard, especially after hearing way too much about the Larry Johnsons and Allen Iversons of the world.

Congrats on the 96 rushing yards and win over the Eagles, LT. But even more importantly, congrats on the news of your first child. To say you’ve earned it is an understatement.

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Charged Up: Bill Belichick Benefits Chargers with Blunder vs. Colts?

Eric Gomez — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:28:20 -0500

Preface:

Game recaps are a thing of the past.

Let's face it, it takes way fewer than 1,000 monkeys banging on 1,000 typewriters for 1,000 years to churn out a decent NFL post-game stat sheet.

SportsCenter's on your iPhone and on the web, 24 hours a day.

Even if you missed that, by the time you pick up your morning paper the next day, you already heard about it on the radio and the morning news on TV.

Admit it, you didn't come here for no stinkin' recap.

You're here for fresh, hard-hitting analysis that takes no prisoners and has no vested interest in "playing nice" with Chargers players and brass.

And that's what you're going to get from now on with "Charged Up."

The Chargers beat a solid Eagles team last Sunday behind a balanced offensive attack and smart offensive playcalling in the early going.

Wildcat plays from Legedu Naanee and LT kept Philly's D at bay, not to mention a brilliantly drawn up pass to Mike Tolbert of all people, who scampered in for an easy score.

Up 28-9 in the third quarter, Norv Turner decided 45 minutes of football was enough, and put his dogs on a leash. Ron Rivera complied with the strategy.

The result? Donovan McNabb carves your defense up and marches down the field twice for 14 points in less than five minutes.

I guess Rivera didn't want to establish a pattern of violent behavior for Shawne Merriman now that Tila Tequila is suing Merriman for that incident back in September.

Listen, I get that the Chargers pass rush hadn't been able to put significant pressure on McNabb for the entire game, but why stop trying? When has playing the prevent defense actually stopped a Pro Bowl-caliber QB and his team from moving the ball?

Norv should just feel lucky that Antonio Cromartie didn't inadvertently pop the ball up into Jason Avant's hands during that final desperation heave with no time remaining.

He should also be relieved that it was Philadelphia and not, say, New Orleans or Indianapolis coming back on him. Right, Mr. Belichick?

Speaking of that Pats-Colts game, the fact that home-field advantage may already be won by Indy could work in the Chargers' favor.

Hear me out.

Not only do the Chargers have a superb track record against the Indianapolis Colts during the past few years, heck, they've traded better shots against the Patriots at times, but San Diego's offense is just as explosive and even more air-based than Indianapolis.

Assuming Indy doesn't implode in the playoffs like they usually do, you can expect to play one or two games at home and then travel to that over-sized garage in Indiana to face the Colts.

In the dome, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Pierre Garcon are just as dangerous as Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Antonio Gates.

Plus, the battle in the air between Rivers and Peyton Manning will draw attention away from the inevitably injured LT sulking on the sideline.

Too soon?

Is it just me, or is everyone else deranged, saying LT is "back" now that he scored twice and—nearly—ran for 100 yards last week?

Listen, I guess I hold LT to a higher standard than most. I know he's not going to attain 2006 form ever again.

But when did we ever get this excited about LT getting 96 yards in a game? Ever? In fact, it actually speaks volumes about his unfortunate decline.

If 2006 LT would've gotten news that his wife was pregnant before a game; he would've rushed for 850 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

In that game.

Last week, he finally gets in on whatever-and-goal inside the five on one play and then skips into the end zone on the O-line's first decent blocking play of the season from the 20.

Kris Dielman could've scored on that play with that blocking. Wearing concrete shoes. Carrying Rosie O'Donnell under his other arm.

Let him sustain this level for three or four games, and then we can start crowing about LT being "back."

What do we got next week? Oh, boy—Denver.

The grief San Diego fans get after every slow start about "disappearing" and being bandwagoners is overwhelming.

I got e-mails, Facebook comments, and IMs from seemingly every person in Colorado for the first month or so of the season.

Now?

Now I imitate cricket chirps every time I log on.

Now?

Now you've potentially got either Kyle Orton on one foot (who's been awful anyway these past three weeks) or Chris Simms (who's always awful) going against the Chargers at Mile High next week in a game that's going to define first place for the time being.

Ouch.

Better start icing up those calves now, Knowshon and Correll.

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San Diego Chargers: Tomlinson Finds Strength To Succeed

Mike Kranzler — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:24:46 -0500

In a season filled with doubts about his future with the Chargers, one thing became clear to LaDainian Tomlinson on Sunday; he was going to be a father.

His wife surprised him before the Chargers' game against the Eagles with some fantastic news about a positive pregnancy test, and Tomlinson carried that emotion onto the field as he ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-23 victory over the Eagles.

While it was evident that he no longer has the burst that made him one of the greatest players in the history of the NFL, he did display some characteristics of his game that have been missing all season.

On Sunday, Tomlinson ran with heart, picking up yards after contact and playing through an ankle injury that might have sidelined him in weeks past.

Additionally, he seemed to have regained his field vision, and was finding open holes to run through all game. Since he no longer has the speed he once had, this was a huge key to his season-best effort.

And against a Philadelphia defense that ranks in the top ten in nearly every category, Tomlinson shouldered some of the offensive load for the first time all season, taking the pressure off of Philip Rivers.

Proving doubters wrong and getting the victory was an added bonus, but for the first time all season, it seems that LaDainian Tomlinson may have found the spark he needed to get back to top form.

In the end, nothing could top the news that his wife was pregnant with what will be their first child.

"It's a special thing about having a child," Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I can't explain it."

Allow me to try: After a year filled with skepticism and doubts about his abilities and his future with the San Diego Chargers, LaDainian Tomlinson has regained his love for the game.

All it took was the discovery of his newest fan.

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This Year's San Diego Chargers Leave Me Baffled

Paul Preibisius — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:12:23 -0500

I don’t really know what to make of the Chargers at this point. I bounce somewhere between cautiously optimistic and downright cynical most of the time.

The beginning of the season served to fuel that cynical side, with an opening including closer-than-should-be wins over the Raiders, losses to any winning team they faced, and a host of issues within the roster.

Now they are sitting at 6-3, tied with Denver for the Division lead coming off big wins against a pair of solid NFC East opponents.

After the Giants game, I thought I had the team mostly pegged down. They could keep a passing attack mostly in check, but would be gouged by the running game giving up over 100 yards on the ground to nearly every team.

They then proceed to go against the Eagles and give up well over 400 yards through the air while only allowing 29 net yards on the ground (granted a Westbrook injury and Andy Reid playbook were major factors for the ground game, but I digress...).

I figure Rivers can put up great games (which he did again with a hyper-efficient game and a passer rating of 130!) but that the running game was a keep-em honest ploy where anything over 50 yards from a back was an aberrance, LT then proceeds to stomp out just short of 100 yards.

Between Denver losing against one of the league’s bottom-dwellers in a Washington team sans starting running back and tight end, and the Chargers victory against a strong Eagles team, I no longer look to the wild-card picture; I have both eyes on the division.

Next week’s game against a skidding Broncos team will put either team in the driver’s seat for the division title, and all momentum is San Diego's way right now.

I’m not sold on LT’s game being more than a blip yet, and the defense will continue to miss Jamal Williams dearly, but this team looks to be ironing out many of their bugs and becoming dangerous in the process.

The defense is not perfect, but a big reason for the turnaround has been a newfound capacity to make big plays. They are finally getting a few picks when the turnover battle had been hurting them dearly.

They have also continued to bring pressure to the QB. They only had two sacks this week, unlike the five-sack outings before, yet it brings the three-week tally to 12, witness to improved playcalling from Rivera with more aggression and blitzing.

This in turn has been brought about by improved secondary play. Jammer has always been reliable but everything else was a mess. Now Hart is gone, they have found a group of three safeties that will never be eyeballing pro bowls but are no longer a liability.

Cromartie, on the other corner, has improved his own play as well. Early season rumblings started for Cason to supplant Cromartie in the starter’s role (Cason has since lost his nickel spot to safety Stephen Gregory), yet Cromartie has persevered and shaped himself into an adequate coverage guy (I still would like to see a mid-tier veteran come in as insurance, not sold on Cromartie putting it all together, but he isn’t a complete mess a la last season and early this year).

Where does the team go? Dallas and Denver look much more beatable after big losses, the Cinci game looks tough as ever, but a loss to the orange and black shouldn’t hinder things too much.

I went from hoping for a wild card after 2-3 to pretty confident in the sixth seed at 5-3, now I would be very surprised if they let Denver take back the Division, too much momentum has shifted for both teams.

The question then becomes the playoffs.

If all goes as expected it will be a tough road for San Diego. Indianapolis and Cincinnati look to hold the first round byes. This means it will be vital to keep pace with the now 6-3 Patriots and grab the No. 3 seed.

If they can get this play out as they hope, the Steelers will face New England while San Diego looks to the No. 6 seed, most likely being either Denver, Houston, Jacksonville, or Baltimore.

This begs the question of round two, and frankly, I feel more confident facing Indianapolis over the Bengals. Cinci is far more physical, and the biggest weakness of San Diego is the capacity to be pushed around.

Regardless of end-of-the-season records, I think the Chargers simply don’t matchup as well against the AFC North.

Do they have what it takes to win a second playoff game? I am not sure, but after this team continues to astound me, I have grown more confident that it is possible. Good luck, and go Chargers!

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NFL Fantasy Football Risers: LaDainian Tomlinson

Wayne Makela — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:15:35 -0500

It's hard to believe we're even thinking about it, but despite a Hall of Fame career and still being the starting running back for the San Diego Chargers, we're just now beginning to hear some buzz and whispers about LT being a fantasy riser .

He's had a fairly ho-hum season so far, but almost reached 100 yards on the ground against a solid Philadelphia Eagles defense in Week 10, and notched his second game in three contests of at least two scores.

We're not saying you should pull of a blockbuster deal to land LT while his stock is low, but we are saying that if you have him, either sell high, or take pride in knowing that first round pick you spent on Tomlinson may not be a complete waste, after all.

Tomlinson has a supposedly tough match-up against the Denver Broncos next week, as he and his Chargers face-off in a big game that could mean the division for the team that escapes victorious.

LT then has a nice line of soft or mediocre match-ups, taking on the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns. You may want to use him for that three week stretch and then ship him off to another team on a high note, as his schedule then gets more difficult with tough matchups against the Bengals, Titans, and Redskins to end the season.

However, you can feel good about the fact that LT will be the main ball carrier and has looked like his old self in two of his last three games.

Verdict: If your running back depth isn't great, you may just have to settle with LT coming to life a bit, and take his re-emergence (of sorts) as a win.

If you have solid depth, however, now would be a good time to promote his decent schedule in the coming weeks, and try to get a desperate owner to take him off your hands.

For more Fantasy Football news and advice, go to NFLSoup.com

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NFL Week 10: You Crap The Bed

DMtShooter Five Tool Tool — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:51:00 -0500

Ed. Note and Update: This was posted before the SNF game. Scroll to the bottom for perhaps the biggest Bed Crapping Ever.

In honor of Eagles coach Andy "Help, My Testicles Have Receded And I Can't Stop Kicking Field Goals" Reid, this week's episode of You Crap comes to you from Depends Adult Brand Diapers for men.

If you've got a question about the use of this product, by all means, click here. (Note: The FAQ does not include answers to questions like "How do I avoid thoughts of suicide from not being able to hold my fudge?" and "God, oh God, why have you done this to me?")

We have just two contestants this week, but we're sure that you'll agree that these contestants are well and truly Crap-Tas-Tic. You all know how to play the game. Each week, we give you the chance to out-think people who are actually paid to make NFL decisions. Now, let's all play... You Crap The Bed!

1) You are Minnesota coach Brad Childress. You are up 3-0 in the first quarter at home against the awful Lions, despite sloppy play so far. After a missed Jason Hanson field goal, you drive to the red zone with ridiculous ease, including wide-open throws to emerging wideout Sidney Rice, and a nearly took it to the house 13-yard run by all-world RB Adrian Peterson. On first and ten, you call:

a) Peterson again, since he's the best running back in Creation, and the Lions seem actively afraid of tackling him

b) Rice on a pattern in the end zone, since the Lions are just ready for their kill shot, and the Lions secondary are treating him as if he's got H1N1

c) TE Vincente Schiancoe over the middle, since QB Brett Favre has always worked well with his TEs in the red zone

d) A bubble screen to exciting rookie WR Percy Harvin, who is quite good at making plays in space, or

e) A slow-developing gimmicky reverse of Peterson to Harvin, because when a defense is getting no push, you want to trick them

If you chose (e), preferably while licking flakes of lead paint, congratulations... You Crapped The Bed! And you've won an ugly and pointless fumble turnover from your exciting but fumble-prone skill players, life for the road team in what should be the squash game of the day, and a delay of the garbage time that this game begged for.

But since the bed wasn't crapped enough, Super Brad wants -- nay, demands! -- another turn!

2) You are still Minnesota coach Brad Childress. With your offense in cruise control with over 200 more yards than the Lions, it's 10-0 with 4:30 left in the first half. On fourth and 1 from the Lions 7, you choose to:

a) Kick the chip shot field goal, because honestly, it's hard to see how the Lions are going to score one touchdown when you dominate them at the lines like this, let alone twice

b) Run it with that Peterson fellow, who, as we have previously established, is the best RB in the NFL

c) Throw it to Rice, who has only 145 yards (!) in the first 25 freaking minutes of this game

d) Run a QB sneak with Favre, not that you really want your ancient media whore QB to take a hit, but at least if he converts, you get the fun of the full-on knob slobbing over how He's Just A Kid Out There, or

e) Try to trick the bad defense with no push AGAIN by running a quick hitter fullback dive in the middle of the line to someone named Jeff Dugan, since Dugan has only ran it eight times in five years

If you chose (e) while continuing to stick forks into plugged in toasters, all the while treating the Lions like a playoff contender, rather than a putrid 1-7 team on the road, well sir... well done. You are our very first double winner on You Crap The Bed!

And you've won a de facto red zone turnover, the continuing hatred of the fantasy and gambling public, and the slow building of the case that despite world-class talent, your team can't win because the coach is an unmatched dunderhead. Well played, sir, well played... but as we shall see, not well played enough. Cap'n Andy, Come On Down!

3) You are Eagles coach Andy Reid. Down 14-0 to the Chargers on the road, you see QB Donovan McNabb heat up to lead the team to a first and goal from the one. On first down, you send Leonard Weaver into the line for no gain. Second down is the inevitable play action roll out pass that fools no one, so McNabb throws it away. Third down sees Eldra Buckley (Note: Brian Westbrook was not yet concussed, you also had Weaver and LeSean McCoy, but by all means, bring in a young special teams player) get close but not in. So on fourth down, you choose to:

a) Sneak it with McNabb, who is a 6' 4" man that should be athletic enough to move it forward six inches

b) Give the ball to Weaver, who is your best power back, and, um, a fullback and all

c) Try play action, maybe with McNabb in motion, since the man is fairly mobile

d) Throw to your larger receivers (Brent Celek or Jason Avant, both of who will have huge games today), or

e) Send out the field goal unit when you are down two touchdowns, failure puts the Chargers 99 yards away from a score, and the field goal writes it large in the California sky that you think your offensive line isn't good enough to run in any situation

If you choose (e) while slowly filling your diaper, congratulations. And that warm feeling you got was so good, you had to try it again!

4) Once more, you are Andy Reid. It's now 21-6 Chargers, with six minutes left in the third quarter. On third and one from the Chargers seven yard line, you roll out McNabb, who misfires with DeSean Jackson in the back corner of the end zone, all while the home crowd snickers from your utter lack of conviction in your offensive line or running backs. On fourth down, do you:

a) Grow a pair and/or some sort of spine and call a running play, seeing how the play calls in this game are going to wind up as five passes for every run, and the Chargers will probably be too surprised to defend it

b) Run a play from that all-powerful Wildcat that hasn't worked all year, but was going to be so important with the supremely exciting Michael Vick on the roster

c) Throw it to Avant, for the love of God, he's having the game of his life with 155 yards, he's your biggest WR with the best hands, he's like a freaking TE on the edge, I'm begging you

d) Throw it to Celek, for the love of all that's holy, he's your breakout TE, McNabb throws lasers at him that he catches more often than not, you just can't take another freaking field goal here, or

e) Kick another field goal, all while assuring yourself that Norv Turner still has 21 more minutes of game time to figure out how to blow the game bigger than you have

And if you chose (e) yet again, your double-crap, double wide puts you in exalted You Crap The Bed territory, really. Should we just rename the show after Captain Andy? Let us know in the comments.

Well, I'm afraid that's all we have time for this week. But remember, with a little fiber, determination and inspiration -- or the security in knowing that even if you do have a little accident, Depends Brand Adult Diapers will keep your pants secure, just like Andy Reid -- you too can... Crap The Bed! Good night, everybody!

Update -- Well, folks, we hated to have to come back to the studio and fire up the cameras for a fifth bed crapping. We've lost the studio audience, and all of the production people are aghast. But when you Crap The Bed in the biggest regular season game of the year, in front of a national television audience... well, let's play the game, shall we?

5) You are New England coach Bill Belichick. You have 4thn and 2 from your own 28 yard line, and a 34-28 lead over the unbeaten smoke and mirrors Colts. With 2:05 left, do you:

a) Punt the ball. You'll make Peyton Manning go at least 70 to 80 yards with two minutes left, and while he's done that plenty, it's not like it's a lead pipe cinch. Besides, your defense has multiple picks, and you can't possibly risk giving Manning a short field there.

b) No, seriously, punt the ball. Your running game hasn't salted this one away, and while Tom Brady has been hot, you can't be certain that the offensive line is going to give you enough time.

c) Wait a minute, you really are thinking of not punting the ball? You do realize that if this screws up, you'll be a nationwide laughingstock, and every non-fool on the planet will be giving you the Nelson Muntz?

d) Oh my sainted aunt, you really are going to go for it. Why not just go spit in the face of your defensive team before you do this? Because there's really no bigger way to say that you have absolutely no faith in your defense than to say that they can't prevent a touchdown drive of 70 yards in the last two minutes. If this goes badly for you, you more or less blow off home field in the playoffs. Hell, maybe you even spiral down the stretch, since the team now has to worry about you not having their back.

e) Go for it, and run a 2.5 yard out to third-down back Kevin Faulk, not Wes Welker, not Randy Moss, because there's no earthly way that this could fail. I mean, after all, you are Bill Belichick! Everything you do is perfect!

If you choose (e), watch Faulk juggle the ball and lose the all-important yard as he goes to ground, and compound the error by not having a timeout to challenge a possible spot of the ball that could have given the refs a chance to bail your unbelievably arrogant ass out... CONGRATULATIONS, Bill Belichick, You Have Utterly And Completely Crapped The Bed!

And you've won a national consensus that you've lost your foolish mind, a possible backdoor hope to the rest of the AFC East that maybe the division isn't out of reach, most reasonable chance that you could get a top 2 seed and a first round bye, and some epically stained sheets. You can now spend, potentially, the rest of the season in a Lady MacBeth like manner, trying to scrub this stain out, and it's not coming. Alas, poor Cheater, We Mock You Well; this (almost) makes me forget Reid's afternoon in San Diego. You, Sir, have redefined Bed Crapping In Our Time.

And with that, good night, and good infamy. Once again, congratulations, Bill Belichick!

Read more San Diego Chargers news on BleacherReport.com

Eagles-Chargers: A Loyal Fan's Perspective

DMtShooter Five Tool Tool — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:29:00 -0500

In all of the ways your team can lose a game, the least satisfying has to be when your coaching staff goes "Maximum Pussy."

Repeatedly in this game, with no evidence that the defense was going to be able to win a low-scoring affair, the Eagles went for field goals instead of touchdowns...and in an eight-point game, you can do the math.

If you want to declare the Reid Era to be over from this game, or announce that you aren't going to watch this team anymore, feel free, but we know you're lying.

Lifelong fan-rooting interests don't work like that.

Besides, you are still here after the Raiders game, and that was a lot worse than this.

When your defense doesn't make stops to give you a chance to win for the second straight week, that's officially more disturbing than knowing the men didn't quit. It's especially irritating given that the Cowboys were playing their worst game of the year in Green Bay, which means the division is still up for grabs.

In Sunday's game, the Eagles ran it 13 times, and threw it 55. I'm pretty sure you could see more "balance" in Arena football.

As one of Donovan McNabb's biggest fans and supporters, I'm prone to looking the other way on a lot of things. In today's game, he threw for 450 yards and was as sharp as he's been all year; the fourth quarter first-down conversion to Celek is a throw that very few people can make, and he went down swinging.

But he really needs to stop palling around on camera with players from the opposing team. It looks horrible. If you have to be a guy before a player, do it in private.

How much do opposing TEs look forward to playing the Eagles?

I'm thinking that the schedule gets circled, in red, and the wives and significant others of these players know that they're going to be taken out to dinner and a show after the game. Antonio Gates didn't exactly light up the scoreboard today, but he made the back-breaking third-down conversion the Chargers needed.

Were you holding out hope for a classic Norv Turner choke job in this game?

The Chargers kicked off with 30 seconds left, up by eight, and allowed the Eagles to move the ball 40 yards on the sidelines with absolute ease. There is a difference between a Hail Mary from 60 yards out and one from 35; it has to do with the trajectory of the ball going from arm-punt to actual throw, and Norvalicious was happy to give that up.

Charger Fan, you do realize this man is taking years off your life, right?

How much does Sav Rocca suck? Enough that I think he's the worst long-term punter the Eagles have ever had and I've been watching this laundry for (gulp) 30 years.

On the first touchdown of the day, Mike Tolbert scored on a screen that I'm pretty sure I could have gotten in on, and I don't have the quickness I once had.

Does anyone in Eagles Nation get excited to see Michael Vick on the field anymore? I'm fairly sure that you can buy his jersey to use as a car rag. (To be fair, DeSean Jackson really should have caught his first-half pass.)

I've had FTT comments that ask me to write about Fox's "Lunch With Benefits" line. I'd say something about this, but from a network that promotes teabagging, I'm not sure that Irony is a concern.

For the second straight week, the announcing crew expressed amazement that the No. 1 WR (last week—Austin, this week—Jackson) against the Eagles hasn't done much. It's as if Asante Samuel isn't good, or that the opposing team doesn't know how to throw to the tight end. Is it hard for an announcing team to notice this as a trend?

Brian Westbrook, concussed for the second time in a month, and I suspect that it might be the last time we see him on a football field. It's as sad of an ending as you could imagine, and such an unfair way for the best RB in franchise history to be done.

In the long run, that was the most meaningful thing to happen to the Eagles on Sunday, and should prevent any fan of the laundry from having their anger outweigh their sadness. LeSean McCoy might be a better back right now, but there's no way he's going to be a better back for his career.

Be well, B Dub, and football writers—send this man to Canton with speed.

http://fivetooltool.blogspot.com —The Sports Blog That Loves You Back!

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Chargers Score Touchdowns, Eagles Kick Field Goals

Bob Cunningham — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:34:00 -0500

Now is the perfect time to use Michael Vick in the Wildcat.

With the score 14-6 at halftime, the Eagles are in great position to get blown out of the water.

Yes, it's only an eight point game, but the Eagles cannot close the deal in the redzone and have twice had to settle for field goals. The Chargers have the momentum and the confidence that they can stop the Eagles whenever they want.

DeSean Jackson now has two drops and an ankle injury, Jeremy Maclin still doesn't want to get hit returning kicks, and Westbrook couldn't find a cutback lane with a chaperon and a chauffeur.

Add all that onto the fact that Reid's playcalling is atrocious, the line can't run-block, and the linebackers all look confused and you've got the makings of an awful second half.

Sean McDermott is playing scared at this point by just sitting back and playing coverage. He's afraid to get beat at this point, and if JJ was still around he'd be losing his mind. This defense is about pressure and attacking and at this point they're doing neither.

If Reid doesn't start running the ball more often and fails to get more effective play out of his line, we're going to see a complete offensive implosion which will then be followed by a complete defensive implosion.

But everyone knows that Andy Reid won't put more emphasis on the run game, including Howie Long on FOX's halftime show.

"What is it about the Eagles going to the West Coast? They just refuse to run the ball on the West Coast," said Long.

Amen, Howie. Amen.

Prepare yourselves Eagles fans, this could get very, very ugly.

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Keys to the Game: Eagles at San Diego Chargers

Bob Cunningham — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:22:00 -0500

Any real fan can tell me what was going on here.

If you ask most fans in Philly what the keys to this game will be, you may be told that it doesn't matter. Apparently the season ended with a Week Nine loss to the Dallas Cowboys at home, dropping the Eagles to 5-3 with a 2-1 divisional record.

Negadelphia strikes again.

So for those of you who still think this season in salvagable, stick around and we'll see what it's going to take for the Birds to move to 6-3.

Be Creative With Secondary Depth

It is going to take some real creativity, innovation, and ingenuity on the part of defensive coordinator Sean McDermott to work with the lack of depth he now has in the secondary.

With Ellis Hobbs out for the season and Joselio Hanson serving a four-game suspension, Dimitri Patterson moves up from the fifth corner to the third and puts this team in a bad spot.

The Eagles did sign Ramzee Robinson and call up Jack Ikegwuonu from the practice squad, but between them there's only 19 games of playing experience—all belonging to Robinson.

That said, we could see a lot of Macho Harris and Quintin Demps lined up at corner over the next few weeks until Robinson and Ikegwuonu earn the trust of the coaching staff.

Chargers week was certainly not the week to lose depth in the secondary, but hopefully McDermott knows what he's doing and will be able to make up for it with some creative blitzing and coverages. If not, it's going to be a long day for the Birds in sunny San Diego.

Run the Football Up the Middle

Overall, the Chargers are not very good against the run, ranking 26th overall with just over 130 yards per game allowed. However, it's up the middle that the Chargers are most susceptible to the run.

With Jamal Williams landing on Injured Reserve earlier in the year, the Chargers have been scrambling to find a replacement who can eat space the way Williams could. However, the problem is that there is no one in the league who can play the position the way Williams can.

The Eagles need to take advantage of that and the duo of unimpressive linebackers manning the inside for the Chargers defense. They need to do that by running Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy, and most importantly Leonard Weaver right behind Herremans, Jackson, and Cole/Andrews.

Jaw at Phillip Rivers

As much as physical prowess obviously plays into this game, the psychological side cannot be overlooked. Phillip Rivers is known to lose his cool, it doesn't make any sense not to take advantage of it.

There's not really that type of guy on the Eagles defense, except maybe Asante Samuel, so someone is going to have to step out of their comfort zone and do a little yapping at Rivers.

Samuel is a good candidate, but as a corner he doesn't have a lot of interaction with the quarterback. A guy like Trent Cole could get into Rivers' head with a little talk, but again, he's not really that type of guy.

It might be a dirty move, but you've got to do all you can against a talented team like the Chargers. The Eagles would be fools not to take advantage of Rivers' hot head.

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Philip Rivers: The Ultimate Gamer

Isaac Barrow — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:01:12 -0500

Honestly, I find it hard to gauge the San Diego Chargers. They have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, have won the AFC West three seasons in a row, and draft incredibly well. So why haven’t they won the big one yet?

In my opinion, it has nothing to do with the players, and it’s mainly the coaching staff. Norv Turner has to go, as he doesn’t utilize the Chargers strengths.

Really, he’s not much of a head coach, but more of an offensive genius. The Chargers have talent at just about every position, so it reveals a lot about the coaches when they haven’t been to a Super Bowl yet.

There are tons of good players on the Chargers, like Antonio Gates, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Cromartie, Darren Sproles, and Vincent Jackson. But the best one? Definitely quarterback Philip Rivers.

Rivers entered the NFL draft in 2004, and was selected by the New York Giants, but since the Chargers pick, Eli Manning, didn’t want to play in a San Diego uniform, the Chargers traded Eli to New York for Rivers.

Four months later, the Decatur, Ala., native signed a six-year, $40.5M deal. With the developing Drew Brees already on the roster, the selection and signing of Rivers was controversial.

In fact, it ranks as one of the best quarterback controversies of all time, up there with Montana-Young, Simms-Hostetler, and even Brady-Bledsoe.

In the first two years, he combined to go 17-for-30 with 148 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, and he didn’t start a game.

But after the 2005 season, the Chargers elected not to bring Brees back, and let Rivers get the starting job for 2006. Boy, was that a good move.

The Chargers went 14-2, and Rivers had 3,388 yards, 22 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. In a Nov. 12 game against Cincinnati, the Chargers were down 28-7 at the half.

Former San Diego center Nick Hardwick reminisces: “He's yelling ‘Y'all don't think we're out of this’ to the Bengals. When he said that, I said, 'Shoot, I guess we ain't out of this. Right on.’”

So what happened? The Chargers scored 42 points in the second half , winning the game, 49-41. That’s a leader.

In the playoffs, the Chargers faced the always tough New England Patriots. Rivers struggled, going 14-of-32 with 230 yards and an interception, as the Chargers lost, 24-21.

But would he come back? Absolutely. Under Norv Turner, the Chargers went 11-5.

Rivers didn’t have the best year, with 3,152 yards, 21 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and an 82.4 rating. It clearly wasn’t as good a year as the prior one, but he showed that tremendous leadership.

After a 14-3 win over the Bears in Week 1, the Bolts lost three straight, to the Patriots, Packers, and Chiefs. At this point, they’re 1-3, and in trouble.

But Rivers and the Chargers came back to win ten of the next 12, and even advance to the AFC Championship. It started with a 41-3 win over the Broncos in which Rivers went 13-of-18 with 270 yards and two touchdowns, and from then on, it was tough to stop them.

He came through when it mattered. At 5-5, the chances of the Chargers going to the playoffs were looking dim. But in the next six games, the Chargers outscored their opponents, 183-75, and didn’t lose.

They even won their next two in the playoffs, beating the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts. In the AFC Championship, San Diego lost to the New England Patriots (18-0 through that game).

But during that game, Rivers turned in one of the gutsiest performances in NFL history. Against a stout New England defense, he played on a torn ACL, and he announced after the game that it would take six months to fully heal.

And once it healed, you could bet he’d be back. Not only did he return, he had the best year of his career...and that’s a huge accomplishment. His 105.5 passer rating led the NFL, he had 34 touchdowns (a Chargers franchise record), and after a 4-8 start, he led his Chargers back again.

Week 15 pretty much sums up his career, to me. The Bolts are playing the Kansas City Chiefs, and it’s not looking good early. Down 7-0 with 10:53 left in the second quarter, Rivers fumbles, and it’s recovered by the Chiefs.

Down 21-10 with 1:13 left, he throws a touchdown to Malcolm Floyd. That’s great and all, but game over, right?

Actually, no. An onside kick was recovered by San Diego. However, the Chargers still needed to drive 61 yards and score a touchdown. A field goal wouldn’t win it. He calmly threw a 41-yard strike to Vincent Jackson, putting the Chargers on the 20-yard line.

And with 36 seconds left, Rivers hit Jackson again...this time for a touchdown. Think about this...Rivers had thrown for two touchdowns in a span of 73 seconds to lead his Chargers from a 21-10 deficit to a 22-21 win.

And then, in Week 17, the Chargers beat their top rival, the Denver Broncos, 52-21, to win the division.

In the playoffs, Rivers led the Bolts past Peyton Manning’s Colts. Well, to be honest, Darren Sproles won that game, but Rivers did play well. In the next round, they played the eventual Super Bowl winning Pittsburgh Steelers, and he played better than just about anyone else had that year.

He went 21-of-35, threw for 308 yards, and had three touchdowns. To put that in other words, that’s like a defense holding this year’s New Orleans Saints to 200 yards and seven points.

In the offseason, he was awarded with a six-year, $92M extension. New contract, new Rivers? Nope. New contract, same (arguably better) Rivers.

He’s had two extremely gutty games. In Week 2 against Baltimore, he threw for 415 yards and two touchdowns, doing basically anything a quarterback could do to win, but the Ravens won, 31-26.

Oh yeah, in Week 4 against Pittsburgh, with his team trailing 28-7 after three quarters, he threw three touchdowns to make it 35-28, but his defense couldn’t hold it, as San Diego lost, 38-28.

Oh, and in Week 9, he threw a touchdown with less than a minute left at the Meadowlands to beat the team who traded him, the New York Giants.

San Diego Chargers fans don’t know how lucky they are. With Rivers, not only do they have an elite quarterback, they have one who has the heart of a champion. With him at the helm, the Chargers are never out of it.

In every game this year, he’s played well, and the reason for the team’s demise in three games has been mainly defense, and now that the defense has figured it out, watch out for the Chargers.

In my opinion, he deserved the MVP last year. Peyton Manning, the winner, had seven fewer yards, seven fewer touchdowns, and one more interception. On top of that, Rivers and the Chargers beat Manning in the playoffs.

In his career, Rivers has 12,942 yards, 92 touchdowns, 42 interceptions, and a 38-18 record.

Remember last year? When the Broncos had a comfortable road to the AFC West title, and Rivers and the Chargers stormed back to win it? I have a feeling it’s happening again.

Once, the Chargers were 3-3 and the Broncos were 6-0, but now, the Chargers are 5-3, while the Broncos are 6-2, so this year could be more of the same.

Rivers provides everything you could ask out of a quarterback. Toughness: he played on a torn ACL in the 2007 AFC Championship. Gaudy statistics: where do I start? Clutch ability: Multiple dramatic comebacks.

That’s the ultimate gamer.

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