Welcome back, Charger fans. Another season is here and another season of the man pictured at right doing his best (and succeeding, this week) to let opposing offenses back into the ball game. But you knew it was coming, right? Go ahead and admit that after the Chargers took a 5-point lead with just a little over 2 minutes left, you knew that Defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell would play that blasted, ever-loving prevent defense instead of using the Chargers’ defensive strength in getting after the quarterback.
You just knew that instead of putting the hammer down on Panther QB, Jake Delhomme, Cottrell’s scheme would be to allow the Panthers to march right down field and roll the bones on one or two shots into the end zone from around the 10 yard line and hope to G#d for a tipped pass or a poorly thrown ball because putting pressure on the quarterback sure as hell wasn’t going to come into play. You knew, ‘cause everyone in our crew knew and we couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Sho’nuff, Delhomme goes 8 of 11 for 68 yards in the final drive including the game-winner, a 14 yard touchdown pass to Dante Rosario as time expired. Bonus points for clock management, Ted.
Final score: Carolina 26, Chargers 24.
Lest you think we’re just going to beat-up on poor old Ted, there was plenty of blame to go around. The Chargers slept-walked through the first 3 quarters before coming to life in the 4th. This is the risk-reward of not playing a lot of your starters in the pre-season. They stay healthy but look sluggish and ill-prepared for the speed of a game that counts coming out of the blocks.
This was mostly evident on defense where the run defense was, in a word, pathetic. The supposedly patch-work Carolina offensive line physically dominated the supposedly brutish Charger D as the Panthers gained over 150 yards on the ground. Also, the pass defense still can’t seem to defend the quick slant to the wide-outs. Charger defensive backs gambled too much on interceptions and on at least 3 plays we saw, paid the price in giving up big plays to Carolina’s receivers. Put down the press clippings claiming what a wonderful set of corners the Chargers have, boys, and starting executing some sound coverage techniques.
QB Philip Rivers looked out-of-sync in the first half but came on strong in the 2nd, particularly in the 4th when he threw 2 touchdown passes. One thing we noticed that we really liked: His pocket presence and ability to sense pressure and slide to one side or another to avoid pressure was a quantum improvement over just last season.
A lot of work to be done and a lot of stuff to be cleaned-up before the trip to Denver next week.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
(Dis)comfort Food
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
3 comments:
It was amazing - when the Panthers scored that last touchdown it was like someone hit the mute button in the stadium. It went from a full-throated roar down to nothing.
By the way, thanks a bundle, Chargers. You could have done the Saints a favor by beating Carolina, but nope, didn't get it done. Argh.
KT, To your point, I knew the ultimate result of the game by the dead silence before I could visually determine whether or not there was a catch made in the shadows of the endzone.
Was there some form of football Sunday, too?
- Mongo still breaking down video of "the fumble"
Post a Comment