Official Pats/Chargers Discussion (Divisonal Weekend)

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

January 14, 2007
Welcome to S.D.

SAN DIEGO -- Welcome to Qualcomm Stadium, where the Patriots will visit the Chargers today (4:30 p.m. EST).

Temperatures are cool, currently in the mid-40s. It's sunny and the flags in the stadium are hardly rippling, so wind doesn't appear as if it will be much of a factor.

Reminders of the Chargers' past are easily spotted here, with a banner of Dan Fouts' No. 14 jersey hanging above one of the end zones. Names of players and coaches along a ring of the stadium include Lance Alworth (1962-70), Charlie Joiner (1976-86), Don Coryell (1976-86) and Kellen Winslow (1979-87).

Qualcomm Stadium seats 70,000 and it is expected to be filled to capacity today.

We'll plan on passing along updates throughout the day.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 12:43:54 PM

[Pats726]

GREAT start..leave it to Reiss to start it off!!! A FEW hours before game time!!

[patsfan13]

Well everyone on the Fox and ESPN pregame picked the Chargers!!

I love the Pats as the underdog.

No Respect I tell YA!!

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

January 14, 2007
Pre-game feel

SAN DIEGO -- Took a trip out to the parking lots to get a feel for the fan contingent, and it wasn't hard to spot Patriots fans. Seems like there were a significant amount of the team's fans. One group, the Orange County Patriots Fans, had a large contingent.

Players have begun to loosen up on the field. As usual, long snapper Lonie Paxton and punter Todd Sauerbrun were two of the first players to take the field.

Quarterbacks Tom Brady and Matt Cassel, running back Kevin Faulk and tight end Benjamin Watson are also loosening up.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 02:00:43 PM

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

January 14, 2007
Brotherly love

Patriots reserve offensive lineman Gene Mruczkowski is on the field, chatting with his brother, Scott, a reserve offensive lineman for the Chargers.

Gene Mruczkowski (Purdue) is in his fourth NFL season. Scott Mruczkowski (Bowling Green) is in his second season.

Both are interior linemen who add value in their ability to line up at center and guard.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 02:30:52 PM

[BelichickFan]

OK, I just let out a loud, sudden, barbaric scream - my first gameface moment of the day

[Remix 6]

lets see how good these OC Patriot Fans are

they got the tickets..lets HEAR SOME NOISE whenever we need it!

and beat the **** out of some of those ***** ass Charger fans
LETS GO BABY I GOT THE ADENAAAAAAAALINE ALREADY. WHOS WITH ME

[BelichickFan]

As long as they're occupying seats that could otherwise be taken by loud Charger fans, they're doing their job.

[Steamer86]

I feel like I just listened to a Pete Carroll speech because I am feeling so jacked, pumped and amped....I'm sure the players are all business - it is going to be a brawl.

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/footbal.../reiss_pieces/

January 14, 2007
Scoring differential

As we wait for the inactive players for both teams, here is one final stat to pass along leading into today's game.

The Chargers led the NFL in point differential in 2006, scoring 492 points and allowing 303. That's a 189-point differential, which bested the Bears (172) for the top spot.

The Patriots were fourth in scoring differential, scoring 385 points and allowing 237, for a 148 point differential.

Posted By: mreiss | Time: 02:56:00 PM