Chargers/Patriots...

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I think they are doing well and can be a factor in the playoffs. I agree with the poster though that they may be a bit overhyped right now. Some rankings, Peter King for example, have te Chargers as their #1 ranked NFL team right now. That, to me, is a bit high, especially when considering the Colts have won 14 out of 15. He had good points about the Chargers weaknesses too. As everyone knows, I am a Chargers fan. Still, objectively speaking I agree with him. That's not to say I don't think the Chargers can do well in the playoffs, I think they can. It's going to be a tough road though and it will be no surprise or shame if they lose to the Patriots in the divisional round. I don't see any team beating the Patriots in the Wild Card round at Gillette.

I don't think they are being over hyped. if anything, they are being under hyped. LT looks better than he has in the past few years, Gates looks totally healthy, and all the receivers are big.

I would have SD as my #1. They have been absolutely impressive. Also, in a "ref neutral" league, Rivers is the man.

 

[pao]

Quite frankly I think SDs best win of the year was vs TN. It seems to me that in their wins, they've come at a time where their opponents were not playing their best football or lousy football- with the exception of TN.

Actually I think you may be right. Funny though, at the time mediots were saying it would be tough on the Chargers because those team's backs were against the wall. Whatever, the Chargers beat the teams they played. Most they handled pretty easily, including the close game against the Bengals.

 

[pao]

Hmmmm 2006 vs now?

QB- I think Brady is better now.
RB- Better now w/ Morris & Taylor
WR- Words can't describe it.
TE- not as good. I still think they miss Grahambo's blocking.
OL- Hmmm. Not sure about this one. I'll say slightly better now w/ Vollmer.

D
Dline- not a good
LB-not as good
Safeties- better now- No Rodney that game
CBs- Tough one...Asante had 10 ints, but WAY more depth this year at CB

Thanks for that. I'm glad Rodney and Asante are gone. I am a big Rodney fan, Asante, not so much. Rodney is one of my favorite Chargers of all time and when he won a SB with the Patriots I was happy for him, dude deserved it. Asante is a great player but something about him rubbed me wrong.

 

[Deus Irae]

Actually I think you may be right. Funny though, at the time mediots were saying it would be tough on the Chargers because those team's backs were against the wall. Whatever, the Chargers beat the teams they played. Most they handled pretty easily, including the close game against the Bengals.

This is a year without any really great teams, so the fans and media are desperate to find a bandwagon they can jump on. The Colts and Saints were it for a long time, but the Saints' warts have finally been seen, and it's playoff time so cheering for the Colts becomes a dicey proposition with Senor Gas-pipe under center.

That leaves a team like the Chargers, winners of game after game, as a very attractive alternative, especially because they've been able to beat the Colts in recent playoffs. The Chargers have issues, but so does every other team in the league this year.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Actually I think you may be right. Funny though, at the time mediots were saying it would be tough on the Chargers because those team's backs were against the wall. Whatever, the Chargers beat the teams they played. Most they handled pretty easily, including the close game against the Bengals.

Agreed. Chargers are a good team. The've beat the teams that they should beat. I honestly don't know how good they are.

They always win a game or two in the playoffs which ALOT of teams can't say they have. They are a contender for the sheer reason that they OWN Indy.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Why all the hoopla over San Diego? They have question marks on D - they can't cover TEs, their pass rush is kinda mediocre, and for that matter too, they're missing like 3 OL.

I know they've been playing well, but this could hurt them when they play big boys competition in the playoffs.

The San Diego Chagers are a better team than the New England Patriots at this point in time

Thier record is better,they have been more consistent and have beaten a team twice that we lost to,the Broncos

Injuries or not the Chargers have won 10 in a row and are far more consistent than this years Patriots after a rough start.

Its if or when the SDC play the NEP whoever plays better that day will win but lets get real about who is better right now an put the homer glasses off for a minute.

 

[pao]

This is a year without any really great teams, so the fans and media are desperate to find a bandwagon they can jump on. The Colts and Saints were it for a long time, but the Saints' warts have finally been seen, and it's playoff time so cheering for the Colts becomes a dicey proposition with Senor Gas-pipe under center.

That leaves a team like the Chargers, winners of game after game, as a very attractive alternative, especially because they've been able to beat the Colts in recent playoffs. The Chargers have issues, but so does every other team in the league this year.

What do you think the Patriots' issues are, if any?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Thanks for that. I'm glad Rodney and Asante are gone. I am a big Rodney fan, Asante, not so much. Rodney is one of my favorite Chargers of all time and when he won a SB with the Patriots I was happy for him, dude deserved it. Asante is a great player but something about him rubbed me wrong.

Seau needs to get a ring....Period.

 

[pao]

Agreed. Chargers are a good team. The've beat the teams that they should beat. I honestly don't know how good they are.

I don't know either.

They always win a game or two in the playoffs which ALOT of teams can't say they have. They are a contender for the sheer reason that they OWN Indy.

I think the oft repeated representation that the Chargers own the Colts is an overstatement. All the games the Chargers have beat the Colts have been very close games. Last year's playoff game went to O/T. A play here or there and it could be the Colts with a 4-1 edge over the Chargers rather than vice versa. Having said that I believe the Chargers match up well against the Colts this year again. If the Chargers and Colts get that far, the AFCCG will be a tough one for both teams...as it should be.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

This is a year without any really great teams, so the fans and media are desperate to find a bandwagon they can jump on. The Colts and Saints were it for a long time, but the Saints' warts have finally been seen, and it's playoff time so cheering for the Colts becomes a dicey proposition with Senor Gas-pipe under center.

That leaves a team like the Chargers, winners of game after game, as a very attractive alternative, especially because they've been able to beat the Colts in recent playoffs. The Chargers have issues, but so does every other team in the league this year.

I actually feel both the Cowboys and Cards can give the Saints a really hard time in the divisional round - both teams have a mamoth power running game that can wear down that Saints D and keep Brees and Co off the field. Don't be surprised to see the NFCCG be hosted at the Linc - either against their hated rivals the Cowboys or a rematch of the NFCCG from last year.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

What do you think the Patriots' issues are, if any?

Weak pass rush and a young soft zone defense in the secondary. Rivers could have 300 yards by halftime.

 

[signbabybrady]

Hmmmm 2006 vs now?

QB- I think Brady is better now.
RB- Better now w/ Morris & Taylor
WR- Words can't describe it.
TE- not as good. I still think they miss Grahambo's blocking.
OL- Hmmm. Not sure about this one. I'll say slightly better now w/ Vollmer.

D
Dline- not a good
LB-not as good
Safeties- better now- No Rodney that game
CBs- Tough one...Asante had 10 ints, but WAY more depth this year at CB

I'll take a stab too

QB - Even
RB - Even
WR - lightyears better (though troys play was the difference then)
TE - worse - not neccessarly skill wise but production wise we got more out of the TE then not to say they were markedly better
OL - close one but I say worse The 06 versions of Light, Neal, and Koppen were younger and one would believe better....One would think Mankins would have improved and probably has in many ways but I think this year was not his best....Volmer/Kazcur is at RT though is better though.
DL - worse no seymour
LB - alot less depth but Mayo is the best of both groups but in the end doesn't make up the difference - worse
CB - Worse - That was Asante's best year and this years unit while showing some skill and depth has been to inconsistant.
S - Better - as pointed out there was no Rodney that year (inj) and while the safeties have been a little inconsistant at times they have also been nasty at times.

 

[redsx8827]

Why all the hoopla over San Diego? They have question marks on D - they can't cover TEs, their pass rush is kinda mediocre, and for that matter too, they're missing like 3 OL.

I know they've been playing well, but this could hurt them when they play big boys competition in the playoffs.

They barely beat cincy, nyg, philly, dallas...lost to denver, pitt, balt...

they are really no different than this patriots team. I think the patriots are better than all those teams they barely beat -- cincy, nyg, philly, dallas -- and so that gives New England a great chance to beat them.

I don't think any team is above another team, which is why the pats have as good of a shot as they did in 01 and 03 to win it all.

 

[Deus Irae]

What do you think the Patriots' issues are, if any?

1.) Brady's inconsistent play, and Moss' as well

2.) Lack of a WR3

3.) Mankins/Koppen against a strong push up the middle

4.) Neal's health

5.) Lack of a fullback

6.) Questionable game planning and play calling on offense

7.) Poor usage of the running backs

8.) D-line play against good opponents

9.) Inability to get consistent pressure against decent offenses

10.) Guyton against the run

11.) CB play when left in single coverage

12.) Inconsistent safety play prior to the re-insertion of Sanders as starter

All of which can be fixed or overcome, as long as item #1 becomes a non-issue

 

[pao]

Thier record is better,they have been more consistent and have beaten a team twice that we lost to,the Broncos

I think, as I told a Bronco fan at the time, the Patriots were still vulnerable at that time because TB was still getting back into the flow of things after his missed year due to the knee injury AND the relative scarcity of info about the Broncos new defense. If the Patriots and the Broncos played now I think the Patriots crush them.

Its if or when the SDC play the NEP whoever plays better that day will win but lets get real about who is better right now an put the homer glasses off for a minute.

If they play, almost a given imo, you're right, whoever plays best that day will win. The Patriots are doing what Norv Turner and AJ Smith try to get the Chargers to do....play their best ball going into the playoffs. It will be an exciting game.

 

[RobertWeathers]

All the games the Chargers have beat the Colts have been very close games. QUOTE]

Doesn't matter, pao. They closed the deal. They deserve the props.

No need to be modest.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I actually feel both the Cowboys and Cards can give the Saints a really hard time in the divisional round - both teams have a mamoth power running game that can wear down that Saints D and keep Brees and Co off the field. Don't be surprised to see the NFCCG be hosted at the Linc - either against their hated rivals the Cowboys or a rematch of the NFCCG from last year.

I've been surprised with the Cards running game this year. Since midseason Wells and Hightower have done really well.

 

[pao]

Seau needs to get a ring....Period.

Period, EXCLAMATION POINT! Not this year though, I hope. LOL.

 

[pao]

They barely beat cincy, nyg, philly, dallas...lost to denver, pitt, balt...

Be careful. Although the outcomes were close in those wins, the actual games were not that close with the exception of the NYG game. Philly and Dallas would have taken miracles along the lines of the first Patriots game against Buffalo this year for them to win. Cincy got back in the game on a fluke intererception where the ball went through Gates' hands and dropped into the hands of a LBer. Until that point the Chargers pretty much had the game wrapped up with an 11 point lead and driving. NYG was too close for comfort.

they are really no different than this patriots team. I think the patriots are better than all those teams they barely beat -- cincy, nyg, philly, dallas -- and so that gives New England a great chance to beat them.

Although I agree that the Patriots have a great chance to beat the Chargers in the AFC Divisional round I don't think your "barely" beating those teams analysis is something to hang your hat on for the reasons I stated above. NE is a better team than they showed at the start of the season, BB, TB, et al are playoff warriors, and the Patriots are peaking at exactly the right time. Those are the things that, as a Charger fan, concern me.

I don't think any team is above another team, which is why the pats have as good of a shot as they did in 01 and 03 to win it all.

Can't argue that, especially when talking about the Colts, Chargers, and the Patriots (not to discount the other teams, they have a chance too).

 

[pao]

I'll take a stab too

QB - Even
RB - Even
WR - lightyears better (though troys play was the difference then)
TE - worse - not neccessarly skill wise but production wise we got more out of the TE then not to say they were markedly better
OL - close one but I say worse The 06 versions of Light, Neal, and Koppen were younger and one would believe better....One would think Mankins would have improved and probably has in many ways but I think this year was not his best....Volmer/Kazcur is at RT though is better though.
DL - worse no seymour
LB - alot less depth but Mayo is the best of both groups but in the end doesn't make up the difference - worse
CB - Worse - That was Asante's best year and this years unit while showing some skill and depth has been to inconsistant.
S - Better - as pointed out there was no Rodney that year (inj) and while the safeties have been a little inconsistant at times they have also been nasty at times.

Very interesting. Thanks.