Know-da-foe: San Diego

[JSn]

First, some background:

History of San Diego

Now, l'd like to suggest we examine the things we need to do shut down the classiest team in the NFL.

I think they're prone to mental errors and lop-sided focii (run or pass), but I bet there are better experts than me. I just wanted to get the ball rolling. Can';t bask in the afterglow of a 49 forever.

I suspect we'll see another new wrinkle or two in the D and I think rocking the run-stop is going to be #1. The reason is the degradation of the receiving corps. and Rivers' seemingly aggravated right knee. You know they'll be expecting some serious hitting and to keep Rivers alive, those backs have to get it done. Can we stop this level of run attack?

Anyway, as I said, just rolling the ball. I'll dig more after I get some reading caught up, but I'm curious to see what weaknesses you guys think we can exploit, either mental or physical and where we can gain match-up advantages.

 

[bitsygirl]

Perfect post. I love it.

Does anyone know if Tom Brady was operated on today?
I heard on some where it was scheduled for today, in LA.

 

[jcdavey]

this is a no win situation for sd

if we lose....we lost to a bradyless pats team, if we win...we beat a bradyless pats team

man, that sucks

 

[Gumby]

this is a no win situation for sd

if we lose....we lost to a bradyless pats team, if we win...we beat a bradyless pats team

man, that sucks

sounds like a lack of confidence on your part.

you gotta win the ones you are supposed to win.

So what if we do or don't have Brady, you guys are still at home and still "nominally" one of the top AFC teams, and this is still a 'revenge game'. So either way SD was probably given a bit of an edge - 'pundit expected to win'.

Remember 'honor' doesnt mean squat. A win always looks better at end of year than a loss when playoff positions are divvied up. Nobody counts a win vs Pats (- Brady) as less in standings than a win vs Pats (w/ Brady).

(hopefully Bolts do just like we did in Miami; and play down to expectations )

 

[JSn]

San Diego has a lot of talented football players, no question.

I've seen a few High Profile teams running really lame offenses the last couple of weeks and I can't sort out why. Is it really all on Norv?

Anyway, I'm expecting a good scrap. I wouldn't complain about winning a lopsided match-up, but that's pretty unlikely. I think we'll win by 10 at the most.

 

[Kontradiction]

This weekend we get to see what this team is really made of. I can't wait. I'm not even going to call it because we're Bradyless and the Chargers are also banged up and playing like garbage. This game should be real close.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Their loss to Miami was not the prototype careless SD meltdown we are accustomed to. Only 4 penalties and no turnovers... The fins stopped classy and speedy cold, and cryme is hurting physically and perhaps mentally (lost Chambers late maybe for a while). This isn't so much a mistakes you can fix situation...

It was over when ...

The Dolphins stopped LaDainian Tomlinson up the middle on fourth-and-goal from the Miami 1, squashing San Diego's chance to tie the game on the first play of the fourth quarter. Miami did not allow the Chargers to get any closer than the Dolphins 46 the rest of the game.

Key stat
The Chargers had difficulty moving the chains all day, converting 3-of-12 third-down opportunities and just 10 first downs.

Noteworthy
Philip Rivers appeared to aggravate his right knee on the Chargers' opening drive but stayed in the game. He finished 13-of-28 with 159 yards and a touchdown. ... In his first game against his former team, Chargers WR Chris Chambers finished with three catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. Chambers was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a knee injury and did not return. ... Tomlinson finished with 35 yards on 12 carries.



NFL Game Center: Post Game - San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins - 2008 Week 5

 

[BradyFTW!]

San Diego has been rocked pretty hard by injuries too. In addition to Merriman, Tomlinson has an injured toe and was completely ineffective against Miami. Gates isn't 100%, and Chambers had to be carted off after injuring his leg.

 

[patchick]

San Diego may be the toughest foe-ta-know in the league at this point. They're still very talented, some of their losses were close and flukey, they've made their living rescuing slow-starting seasons, but yet you really can't have any faith in that team.

The 2nd most unknowable team in the NFL right now? Probably the New England Patriots.

To set point spreads for this game, you might as well throw darts.

 

[JSn]

To set point spreads for this game, you might as well throw darts.

Haha. True. But I think the key difference between the two is that our coach has a good idea of what he's got week-to-week. Not sure Naive's got that going for him, let alone knowing how to mask his team's weaknesses.

 

[JSn]

To set point spreads for this game, you might as well throw darts.

LOL That's very true.

That said, I think a key difference is that Darth Bill knows what he has and how to work it. I think Naive Turner also uses the dart system for play calling and "game-planning".

I'd bet on the bolts having their "back-to-wall" and "revenge-game" mentality screw them over.

 

[JSn]

Incidentally, Bolts fans are saying they're #32 against the pass. Wow. Moss must be licking his chops.

 

[JSn]

Keeping things organized, here's the scouting report on the Pats from San Diego (well, the webby one, chances are the team hasn't even bothered, LOL)

Scouting report: Patriots