Chargers Questions

1. Better blocking by the offensive line. All of a sudden Kris Dielman is playing like a Pro Bowler again.

2. He’s healthy and happy. There’s something to be said for that second part of it. Ever since he found out his wife is pregnant (they had trouble conceiving in the past), he’s been running with fire.

3. I know Chiefs fans may find it hard to believe, but Malcom Floyd is a much better deep-threat than Chris Chambers was when he was here. The defenses are stretched more than ever with Floyd as the starter and Naanee as the slot receiver.

Have you guys ever gone 6-0 in the division?

No clue. Not in the last few years we haven’t, I know that much.

How is the weather right now in Jersey? Im going to Cape May on Dec 1st for bootcamp. What should i expect? Lol, Snow or more rain?

People here are so uptight. Please don’t embarrass us. Sports and trash talking come hand and hand. Arrowhead Pride isn’t sacred ground. There are no sacred cows here

what happens if we miss the kick or fumble the snap? he’s looks like an asshole; his words “I stepped out cause i didn’t want to get hit again”. I really like what we’re seein from him, but i’m just sayin; that wasn’t 100%

Taking care with one’s own tone, and being thick-skinned as to the tone of others is important for the smooth functioning of AP. :o)

It’s worth noting that the Chargers are also playing much better football now than they did when they played the Chiefs.

and my apologies. My answers will be thoughtful, I promise.

As for the Charles thing, I just remember pointing it out last time and somebody (perhaps more than one person) disagreed with me. Yes, it was gloating and I regret posting it now.

I promise I’ll be good and drink the Kool Aid and go to my room. But don’t you think part of the AP’s allure is the fact that you never know what outrageous comment may leap out from the bushes and scare you out of your complacency.

Too much Kool aid makes me sick. I’ll go to my room where I’ve got a nice little stash of good scotch whiskey.

the fav broncos j man part now on john he is trying he went on mhr last week and was good to us broncos fans

My question is pretty basic, What has changed for the Chargers? I mean there were no big roster changes for the Chargers but yet the team has come alive the last 5 games. What can you tell us about how things have changed and do you think the changes are sustainable for the rest of the season?

No big roster changes? That’s where you’re wrong. The Chargers cut 2 starters (Clinton Hart – SS, Chris Chambers – #2 WR) and sat another one down (Antoine Cason – Nickel CB). Those changes have been huge on both sides of the ball.

The offense appears to be in a better rhythm each game without Chambers’ drops, Steve Gregory (who was the backup SS) has brought toughness to the Nickel CB spot which has been huge and two projects (Kevin Ellison and Paul Oliver) have been platooning at SS and making big plays.

The better the Safeties and Nickel Corner play, the more the defense can blitz. The more the offense stays in rhythm and scores points, even more blitzes can be brought. Shawne Merriman finally seems to be getting close to 100% healthy, and his pressure on opposing QBs is freeing up Shaun Phillips and said blitzers. The main characteristic of this defense has become Safety and CB blitzes.

Yes, I think part of the reason Chambers was cut was because of his off-the-field issues. Really, the benefit of keeping him on the team was far outweighed by the distractions, problems he was causing with the offense and money he was costing the team. If it was a 3rd or 4th WR with the same issues getting paid hardly anything, I doubt they’d be cut.

to answer point 1…..I’m excited because Chambers has been shut down by Quentin Jammer in practice for the last few seasons. So his knowledge of the playbook may be cancelled out.

To be fair to John, he’s just saying that Chambers did the same thing when he was traded to SD…played great when he first arrived & had something to prove, then regressed. He’s just saying to expect the same here…& I don’t really have any reason to doubt him.

IMO Chambers was brought in only because of the pending suspension of Bowe. Based on his play I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s offered a contract next season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they let him walk either.

On the contrary, I realized last year that Chris Chambers was no longer a good fit for this offense. I’m not pissed about anything. My theory is based off the fact that Chris Chambers did this same thing in 2007.

2007
MIA: 69.2 yards per game, 13.4 yards per reception, 0 TD (6 games)
SD: 55.5 yards per game, 15.9 yards per reception, 4 TD (7 games)

2009
SD: 30.5 yards per game, 13.6 yards per reception, 1 TD (4 games)
MIA: 83 yards per game, 24.9 yards per reception, 2 TD (3 games)

I’m just telling you, as a Chargers fan, that we went through the same thing with Chambers in 2007. He was awesome. He was electric. He was even better in the playoffs. However, ever since then it seems like he’s only giving 70%.

1) I’m surprised that Cassel’s gotten a pocket, so he can make some of these deep throws. How bad is it that a poo-poo platter of Wade Smith and Andy Alleman has given this line a boost. Yikes.

2) You’re not going to be shocked by this, but The Pendergast Zone will be heaven for Naanee and for Gates. Our defense blitzes in cover-2, which can make a slot man or TE’s day.

3) Unsung heroes include Leonard Pope, Lance Long, Andy Studebaker, and our whole defensive line.

1) What has been the most surprising part of SD’s resurgence?
The coaching. All around. Norv Turner has been praised endlessly by his players for keeping a cool head during the early season struggles. Ron Rivera went from looking like he’s never seen a 3-4 defense to a complete wizard with it. Even the offensive line coaches and running back coaches deserve praise for the progress they’ve made.

2) Does the team have any major flaws that a division rival fan might not see?
Although it’s been strong for two weeks, I still don’t entirely trust the running game. Also, when the Chargers drop back in zone Stephen Cooper moves like he has cement in his shoes. At the end of the half, when Rivera decides to just play zone, is when the Chargers can make QBs (like an injured Kyle Orton) look like Peyton Manning.

3) Who is, or are, the Chargers’ unsung hero(es), right now?
Steve Gregory is a big one. He was the Chargers backup SS that nobody was real excited about (he’s white, undersized for the position and doesn’t do any Safety things particularly well). When Clinton Hart was cut, and everyone was sure Gregory would take the starter’s role, Steve instead became the starting Nickel CB. He has proven himself to be a great blitzer from that spot, a huge help in run support and (besides the fact that he’s slow and probably can’t cover downfield) has been unbelievable in coverage. That weakness the Chargers had in stopping the short pass earlier this season is gone because of Gregory.

Travis Johnson would be another. He was traded for in the preseason after some D-linemen started going down. He had trouble staying healthy early in the year, but since he’s gotten on the field he’s proven to be a great 3-4 lineman. He takes up blockers, stops the run and occasionally can pressure the QB as well. He’s been a steal.

His knee has been good since the beginning of the season. It was just a matter of getting in game shape, then he had a groin pull and then an ankle problem. He’s probably about 90% right now, but he is dominating the game like he used to. His two sacks against the Giants, and his chasing Eli Manning around all night, were the best evidence of that.

Since Merriman has gotten back to this level, offenses have gone back to double and triple teaming him on just about every play. This is why Ron Rivera is constantly bringing blitzers up the middle and around the right side. It’s also why Shaun Phillips is suddenly playing at a Pro Bowl level again.

The two biggest free agents, for us, are Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson. They’ll be signed. I have my doubts about Sproles being signed long-term. Merriman will probably be back in San Diego next season as a restricted free agent (so for one year, at a discounted price) and will probably go somewhere else in 2011. The money he’s going to command is not the type of money that the Chargers’ GM is willing to invest in him, and that has been made very clear by both sides.

English hasn’t done much this season, but he hasn’t been on the field much either. When he gets on, he looks like he has potential but isn’t starter-material yet. I think the Bolts are okay with that, wanting to nurse him along to be ready when Merriman leaves town.

I find it funny that I do this every week and AP is the only place where I’ve ever had a problem.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

It’s a blind spot to the person who shows it. That’s why I’ve gone to ascribing it to youth, rather than intent.

When John or any of the other editors of SBN’s blogs comes to another blog for one of these Q&A’s it is as a favor to that blog and its community. It is in the interest of all parties that everyone remember that when commenting on these threads.

The Chargers are on track to post 4,000 yards again this season; it doesn’t seem like a coaching thing. He wasn’t a good fit any more, his time had come. I’m glad he’s doing well for the Chiefs, not so much for next week though.

That would make sense if it weren’t for the fact that he was getting outperformed by the rest of the receivers on the team.

I think this game will be closer because the last game was the most lopsided contest in the history of this rivalry. I doubt that happens twice in one season.

…may I suggest editing it to tone down the “poking with a stick” feeling =P

I actually have to leave for the airport in 15 minutes

1) Considering the mulit year history of LT starting slow, improving as the season goes along and then running out of gas in later November only to end up injured by playoff time; What have you seen that would give you reason to believe this year will be any different?
The fact that he missed some games was actually good for him. He’s at an all-time low for carries at this point in the season. Also, as the Chargers showed against the Broncos, when the game is over they will not waste LT pounding the ball in the 4th quarter (which they did last year). Finally, I think they’re saving Michael Bennett (who has barely played at all after being amazing in the preseason) to take a lot of late-season snaps away. I could be wrong about that. In a nutshell, nothing significant is being done but I hope the minor things work.

2) Would YOU have chosen to keep an aging RB on the wrong side of 30 with a multi year history of injuries that had not lived up to his potential for 2 seasons, or would you have prefered to see Sproles in the Backfield with Turner instead of letting him go to Atlanta?
When Turner was leaving LT had one injury. There was no history of injuries and he was still one of the top 5 RBs in the league. To keep Turner “over” LT at the point would’ve been insanity, and the team could not afford to pay both backs top dollar. They went with the proven guy and it hasn’t worked out as planned.

3) Given that in 2008 the Chiefs vs. Chargers 2 game match up was decided by a TOTAL of 2 points, and the Chiefs are clearly a better team this year than last year, and teh Chargers were off to their usual slow start: How can you possibly say that you expect a 5 or 6 point margin? These 2 teams have played in so many close ones inthe last few years that end as nail biters. What leads you to believe this one will be different?
It’s a completely different matchup. The Chargers had trouble with the “Pistol” formation because they couldn’t defend short passes (too much zone) and couldn’t stop Tony Gonzalez (blame Clinton Hart). The Chiefs no longer have a viable TE, and the short-passing game is no longer a problem. Also, for whatever reason, Rivers and the passing game always plays really well against 3-4 defenses (maybe cause they see it in practice). The Chiefs, while improved, are a much better matchup for the Chargers now than they were last season.

4) Will Merriman EVER be as good of a player as he was on steroids? That’s nto a pot-shot at you guys, but I have not seen even CLOSE to the same player he was before he tested positive. He’s certainly good (better than any pass rusher KC has onthe field) but he isn’t nearly the game dominator he once was.
Probably not, but not because of the PEDs. Every NFL player’s prime is years 2-3 of their career except QBs. After that the beating of the NFL takes it’s toll on your body and you have to use smarts just to stay near that level. Not to mention the amount of film the opposing teams get of you, so that they know every move you’re going to make before you make it. That was Merriman’s prime and I don’t think he’ll ever be that good again. Do I think he can be close to it for the next 5 years? Yes.

5) Again, not a pot shot at you guys, ratehr a valid (in my eyes) question: Do you honestly think the Chargers EVER EVER EVER have a chance to go to a Superbowl with Norv Turner as the head coach? I will admit the man is an exelent coordinator. He’s phenominal as a play caller. However, he’s been the downfall of the team everywhere he goes as a head coach. What SPECIFICALLY do you see in San Diego that would lead you to believe that he’s capable of changing his colors as a Charger HC?
Because he hasn’t been the downfall as the Chargers HC at all. Before you point out 14-2, remember that was against a last-place schedule and for the second straight year the Chargers were embarrassed at home in the first game of the playoffs. That’s not a strong team. That’s a fluke team.

Sure, Norv’s teams have started slow, but he’s going against 1st place schedules and is still undefeated in December. Plain and simple, I think the NFL is all about having the talent and coaching to be competitive in the playoffs. Luck settles the rest. Norv gets the Chargers there when Marty couldn’t, the Chargers have just been unlucky so far. Put Norv’s record the last 2 years from December on (including the playoffs) against any other coach and he looks fantastic. I believe he ties for the most wins over that span. How could you ask for anything more than that?

There’s lots of talk at BFTB that the slow starts and strong finishes are due to a soft training camp from Norv. If that’s the case, I’m fine with it. If my team is going to be stronger, healthier and fresher at the end of the season….you have to take that.

95% of what we’ve seen out of Dombrowski this year has been at RG (and he’s not a guard) and has been terrible. He’s a much better RT, but we haven’t seen him there too much. I have no idea what to expect, but the team is confident that Dombrowski is not too much of a drop off from Clary. Having the best blocking TE in football (Brandon Manumaleuna) to help him is big.

Still, don’t expect him to have TOO big an impact. He still needs to learn the scheme.

The comparison to DEN/SD doesn’t really work because Denver got worse while San Diego improved. Since Week 7, both San Diego and Kansas City have improved. Also, the Chargers beat the Chiefs much more soundly than the Broncos beat the Chargers.

Good to see you guys blow out Denver. Hopefully they continue their collapse all the way to weeks 13 and 17.

Jackson is finally getting some recognition as an elite wideout (after all, he’s tied for the lead league in recieving TDs and I think is 6th in yardage? Someone double check that), and he could be fatigued after such an explosive first half. Not to rub salt on it or anything, but he went for 142 yards in a half against you guys— that’s astronomical, and efforts like that every week have got to be catching up to him.

Floyd has about three strides and 7 inches on Chambers, plus he dogs out every play, whereas Chambers appeared to be taking some off in the early part of the season. Cost was also a factor, but not the primary one.

No matter. It’s just part of routine. Generally John does this every week.

Kevin Ellison and Paul Oliver have replaced Clinton Hart at strong safety. Steve Gregory has replaced Antoine Cason as the nickle corner. Merriman continues to get healthier and is commanding more and more attention from offenses. Travis Johnson and Ian Scott along with a healthier Jacques Cesaire have provided a solid rotation along the defensive line which has made them all better. Also, Ron Rivera seems to have realized that Gregory and Weddle have better closing speed than his dinged up linebackers and is bringing them as blitzers far more often than he did. Also, Kevin Burnett has gotten healthier and appears to be a force in the middle.

I have a hard time believing that a team with a 4th ranked offense and a 22nd ranked defense has as its highest priority drafting a running back. Running back should be a day 2 consideration.

We’re as passionate a bunch as there is on SBNation, and I love that. It’s part of why I keep coming on here. But I’m a member of many blogs on this network and nearly all of them have this tradition. A little foreign exchange between opposing teams’ blogs every week where they trade questions and some good-natured razzing. This is pretty much the only one I’ve seen that started out hostile and stayed that way. To put that in perspective, there hasn’t been fighting on the “Ask a Jayhawk” thread on the Mizzou blog, and the MU-KU rivalry goes back to our ancestors raping and murdering each other before the Civil War. So, consider that the guy is taking time out of his life to come over here into enemy territory and answer questions.

That said, Obviousman doesn’t get off scot-free either. Whether or not it was intentional, the opening post came off as very condescending, like we should be honored that he would even deign to enlighten us with his presence. I could almost hear it being said in a nasal fake British accent, nose up in the air, eyes closed, heart full of loathing for these pitiful people who back such a pitiful team. When I heard that he had come over to boast after we played our worst game of the season and one of the worst in many years of bad football, he fell even further in my eyes. I understand that we all make mistakes, especially in the heat of the moment and even moreso when it regards our favorite teams. But you better believe that if I was in his shoes after pulling a stunt like that, I’d have been apologetic, humble, and ready to praise the Chiefs in this post. That’s not what we got at all, though the answers have been very civil and helpful, so thank you for that.

So this is how I look at it. We have two penalties on the play. Unsportsmanlike conduct on Obviousman, and unsportsmanlike conduct on the AP readership. Those penalties will offset. Let’s start over and just talk some football.

Good luck to both teams on Sunday! GO CHIEFS!

I believe it was 29% before the Steelers game. I got that off of Football Outsiders, which has since changed/updated.

Floyd and Naanee are #2 and #3 WRs, and easily the 3rd or 4th options in the offense. Chambers has been playing as the #1. You can’t compare the two.

Also, you can’t take 3 good games and compare them against the entire season of somebody like Miles Austin. If any Chiefs fan says they’d take Chambers over Austin, they’re fooling themselves.

Your perception of Rivers as an a-hole seems way off. In interviews he is incredibly humble and credits his linemen, receivers and coaches for pretty much everything. Also, his trash talk on the field is just how he plays the game. He’s never profane. The guy just likes to talk.

Tomlinson is not the same back he was. His cuts aren’t as sharp. His acceleration is not as fast. His top end speed is diminished. His balance is not even close to what it was before.

Charles is not even close to the talent LJ was, but he’s a better player than LJ is currently. You’re right about the o-line, though. Without talent on the line your skill position players don’t matter.

Careful DTR, if you hurt John’s feelings, he’ll ban you from his awesome blog

He came into our game threads the first game this season and was vulgar and blatantly trolling.

Most everything has since been deleted. Those of us referencing this saw it, and that is why we are voicing these opinions.