What Can Chargers Fans Take Away From San Diego's Win Over the Vikings?

Well Chargers fans, the season has begun and the Chargers are off to a 1-0 start.  It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win.  I don't know about you, but I entered this season with many questions about the Bolts. 

For instance; ARE THE SPECIAL TEAMS FIXED?  Or; Will the Chargers be able to stop the run? How about; Will the Chargers be able to run the ball?  Any many more.

Well, after attending yesterday's game, I can tell you that questions may not have been completely answered, but there are definite clues that may help us know what to expect the rest of the way. 

Answers may have been more clear if they were playing a team with a quarterback who didn't look like he was trying out for the local cricket team.  Hey Donovan!  The ball doesn't have to bounce before it gets to the receiver!

Oh well, let's take a look at what we did learn.

"Special" Teams

I have no doubt that most people are thinking, "it's the same old thing", in regards to the Chargers special teams. 

I know that I was thinking that as Percy Harvin galloped past Chargers players who were disturbingly out of their assigned lanes.  

It is no secret that the kick off and punt teams were the worst in NFL history last season. 

Well, I may be going out on a limb, but after watching the entire game, my thoughts have changed.  I do think that the special teams have improved.  Here is why:

1.  The Chargers punted the ball three times and never came close to getting one blocked.

2.  After the opening kickoff, Mike Scifres came in to replace the injured Nate Kaeding, and astonished the fans and coaches by not only kicking the ball very effectively, but making a clutch 40 yard field goal that tied up the game at 17.

3.  The Chargers kick off coverage team is young and aggressive.  The opening kickoff of the game showed that.  They over pursued and left their lanes, allowing Harvin to break the long touchdown return.  That being true, once opening day jitters wore off and the coaching staff firmly planted their shoes up the appropriate behinds, kick and punt coverages looked better than average.

The jury is still out, but I have a great deal of optimism for the special teams.  Now to find a new kicker.

Passing Game

Okay, Philip Rivers didn't look that great yesterday.  He did throw two interceptions, one of which was not his fault as the defense hit his arm in the act of throwing. 

The second pick was just a badly timed and under thrown pass to Matthews coming out of the backfield. 

That being said, he did end the day going 33 for 48, for 335 yards through the air.  Oh yes, don't forget the two touchdown passes to Mike Tolbert.

Yes, Rivers was unimpressive if you like downfield passing (which he normally specializes in), but very impressive if you appreciate a quarterback who can check down under pressure and take what the defense gives him.

Rivers played pitch and catch with running backs Mike Tolbert and Ryan Matthews all day.  He also enjoyed targeting the currently healthy Antonio Gates whenever he needed a first down. 

It seemed that Rivers was doing his best to turn the Chargers high flying offense into the West Coast Offense that the Niners used to run.

Rivers did have one wide open shot at a deep pass for a touchdown to Vincent Jackson.  Jackson had his coverage beaten by five yards but Rivers put way too much air under the ball and overthrew Jackson's full length dive at the goal line.

I have no doubt that the offenses timing will improve in the passing game and the deep passes will open up as teams are forced to respect the short pass game.

The Running Game

With just 77 total yards rushing, it would be easy to say that the Chargers once again have no running game. 

Just like you felt when the opening kick of the season was returned 103 yards, "Here we go again!"  I don't feel that way.  Here is why:

First, although the running game never did get rolling, the running backs did (Tolbert almost literally!)  Both Matthews and Tolbert were a huge part of the passing game. 

The short, dump off passes that were directed to Tolbert and Matthews are just glorified runs.  The percentage of these short passes being complete will be extremely high with a QB like Rivers at the helm. 

The way I see it, if the O-line can't create a hole, let's get the back to a hole and throw it to them.  If you don't buy it, ask the Vikings what they think about it.

Pass Defense

It would be very easy to say that the 2011 Chargers must be the best pass defenders ever!!!  But let's get real. 

The facts are these:  1.  The Chargers only gave up 39 yards passing. 

2.  Donovan McNabb was pathetic!  It's hard to say how good the defense plays against the pass after week one.

What I will say is that Donovan had pressure in the pocket most of the day.  He did manage to escape the pressure and run for first downs on more than one occasion. 

Fortunately, most quarterbacks won't be able to run like McNabb.

To me, the jury is still out on the pass defense.  We'll all have a better clue after next week's game against Tom Brady and the Patriots.  If they can keep Brady from looking like God Himself sent him down to Earth to throw footballs, then all is well.

Run Defense

With one exception, I was very pleased with the Charges run defense. 

New edition, Takeo Spikes, was all over the field and stayed very disciplined when facing Adrian Peterson's best moves. 

Spikes is going to be a great addition to the Chargers defense.

The last time Peterson faced the Chargers, he went nuts and accumulated something like 5343 yards!  This time around, A.P (or A.D.) told radio host Dan Patrick that he could guarantee over 200 yards and a W against the Chargers. 

A funny thing happened on the way to that outcome.  Peterson got shut down.  I know what you're thinking, "Peterson ran for 98 yards, that is not getting shut down."  Ah....yes it is, in this case.  You see, 46 of Peterson's yards came on one play. 

Honestly, if Eric Weddle could tackle, or at least get some help, Peterson would have only gained 11 yards on that play.  Unfortunately, Weddle couldn't hang on and Peterson broke free and made a great play. But one play does not a great game make. 

Other than that one big run, Peterson only averaged three and a half yards a carry.  I'd sign up for that any day if I had to face him.

Now, before we get too excited, let's not forget that Peterson had no help from his quarterback.  The Chargers were able to focus on the run because McNabb threw like a middle school physical education student who thought "football" was really "soccer".

When the Chargers play a more well balanced offense, we will see what the real story is.

Mike Scifres

Despite the outstanding play of Mike Tolbert and Philip Rivers on offense, and the tenacity of Shawn Phillips and Takeo Spikes on defense, to me the MVP of Sunday's game was Mike Scifres.

Yes, that's right, I'm talking about punter extraordinaire, Mike Scifres. 

Well he's not just a great punter anymore.  He is a kicker with a 100% success rate on field goals and has never given up a good run back after a kickoff.

When Nate Kaeding went down, Scifres rode in on his white Charger and saved the day.  He kicked his first extra point since high school and his first field goal since college. 

Did I mention that it was a 40 yard field goal to tie the game?  Well, it was.

Also needing some love on this part of the story is Safety Eric Weddle.  He stepped in a took over Scifres usual job as holder and did it to perfection.  Nice to see out of two guys who were just given huge pay raises.

Coaching

I have to give Norv Turner some credit for Sunday's win. 

Although it seemed that he started out a little vanilla, he never panicked and was able to make the necessary adjustments to help the Chargers offense to become successful. 

Once Turner decided to focus on the short passing game, instead of the long passes, while still mixing in a few plunges of the line to keep the defense honest, the Chargers were able to "matriculate the ball down the field."

I'm not a big Norv guy, but I like what I was hearing about him in camp this year and I like what I saw on Sunday.

Injuries

Here are the injuries of note from Week 1 and what the Chargers will do to move forward:

1.  Nate Kaeding: 

Kaeding tore ligaments in his left knee while trying in vain to stop Percy Harvin's kick return for a touchdown. 

Kaeding is out for the year and has been replaced by journeyman Nick Novak.  Novak does not appear to be anywhere close to an equal replacement, but the Bolts seem to think he is the best out there. 

Personally, if he can't kickoff at least 6 yards deep in the end zone, I want Scifres to do kickoff from now on.

2.  Luis Castillo: 

Defensive End (and one of the highest paid Chargers) is injured again with a fractured fibula.  Word is that he may be able to return later in the season, but only time will tell. 

In the mean time, the Chargers brought back Ogemdi Nwagbuo to fill the gap.  It appears that second year Charger, Vaughn Martin will take over the starting role with veteran Jacques Cesaire.

3.  Mike Tolbert: 

Word on Tolbert is that he left the game with a knee strain and that he will certainly be on the field next Sunday.  I sure hope so, he scored all three touchdowns against Vikings.

Next Opponent: The New England Patriots

As much as I hate to say it, there may not be a better quarterback on the face of the planet than Tom Brady. 

Don't get me wrong, I love Philip Rivers and I'm glad that the Chargers have him. 

I'm just saying that Tom Brady is to the position of quarterback what Michael Phelps is to swimming, or Usain Bolt is to sprinting.....simply dominant.

Can he be beaten?  Sure he can.  Will it be easy?  Heck no!

I do give the Chargers a fighting chance in this game, but I will not be placing a wager on either team.  Let's face it, Rivers and company struggle some against he Vikings. 

Brady and his boys gathered 517 yards through the air alone!

On the bright side, on Monday night, the Dolphins were able to move the ball and score a decent number of points against the Pats defense.  The Chargers offense is certainly better than Miami, so this could be one heck of a shoot-out!

I hope you tune in and are treated to an historic event.

Go Bolts!