So Sick of hearing charger last 8 games

[Watson's IQ]

Merriman and Phillips blitzed much much much less this season around 60% less than under Wade Phillips, mainly due to how much we were forced into nickel by 3+ wide sets.. Passrushing as 4-3 ends is another story.

Interceptions isn't the only reason we led the league in turnovers though. Timely forced fumbles as well thanks to Rivera instilling strip in the minds of all the players which isn't beneficial at some points when the Chargers failed to stop forward momentum.

Favre and Brady played the team unwilling to give the starting spot to Cromartie over a useless utterly useless Drayton Florence I mean did you see how useless Florence was against the Colts he was damn useless.

Weddle has also seen increased playing time over the last half of the season, probably the best tackler in the secondary other than Quentin Jammer. I think that's saying something for a rookie player in the backfield. Weddle has stone hands though he dropped 3-4 picks that hit him in his hands when he was in man coverage(A- in man, C+ in zone)

You make some good points, and you're right that Merriman and Phillips have blitzed less, although I've notice they've been rushing them a lot more recently, especially in the playoffs.

I'm 100% in agreement with you on Florence, but you'd better hope he's not so useless this weekend, since a team which hopes to slow down Brady needs a big game from their nickel corner.

As for Weddle, I was a huge fan of his in college, and I still am. Great looking young player. And if you want to talk about rookie defensive backs with hands of stone, we've got sob stories for you. Merriweather had about 10 clunk off his granite mitts this year.

I should just clarify, I have a lot of respect (and a healthy dose of fear) of the Chargers D. My overall point was it's tough to force Brady into the same kinds of mistakes they've induced out of others.

 

[cblesz]

The problem with looking at the Chargers last 8 games is that you should probably also look at the Patriots' last 17. Sure, people like to say "you barely beat teams like Baltimore and Philly (in my mind, the most talented team not to make the playoffs)" but forget that there were also very quality wins against opponents like Pitt and Jax in there as well.

My point is, if anyone's making the point that San Diego is hot coming into this game and that gives them any advantage, they're barking up the wrong tree.

Right, but we got the absolute MAXIMUM EFFORT and BEST game they could play from those teams...Baltimore and Philly. I think they were playing like it was their Super Bowl...

 

[Watson's IQ]

Interceptions isn't the only reason we led the league in turnovers though. Timely forced fumbles as well thanks to Rivera instilling strip in the minds of all the players which isn't beneficial at some points when the Chargers failed to stop forward momentum.

One other point you made I wanted to touch on. In my analysis I was focusing on INTs because they're easier to dissect and really discuss from a talent/gameplan perspective.

But you're right that fumbles really do come down to coaching. The Chargers did lead the league (18), that's true, but just as with INTs, the Pats only fumbled it away 6 times all year (only Indy fumbled less). In my mind, the Pats are just as well coached to secure the ball as the Chargers are to strip it (and I'm sure the other way around here), so if there's a fumble, it's more likely to have been a fluke play, and not really something we can anticipate or discuss beforehand.

 

[bolts_fan]

Even as a Pats fan, I can acknowledge Cromartie is one of the best young emerging CB in the league. I thought he would be coming out of college too, despite his injury. What I'm not sold on yet is his coverage. Right now, I think he's very similar to a taller Asante, in that a lot of his picks come from jumping routes. However, especially in the first Colts games he showed flashes of being a true shutdown corner (a term I don't think should be tossed around lightly). Still, we all know that Asante can still be beat 1-on-1 on the right route (though he's been better at this recently), and I feel the same way about Cromartie - especially on Moss. Which is why I found the Chargers fans advocating playing him 1-on-1 particularly insane. No one in the league could cover Moss 1-on-1 all game, not even Champ Bailey.

You're right on the money there. Cromartie is super scary crazy as an athlete and has all the potential to be a true shut down corner. But he's not there yet. He's still relying on his athletic ability to make plays rather than technique. This is his true downside (right now). He's been slowly working on the technique side all season long doing extra film work, etc. but we won't know if it will be enough for Sunday.

Cromartie 1-on-1 vs. Moss is a winning formula. Unfortunately, it will be a winning formula for New England. He will be fine vs. Moss 1-on-1 at times, but most times he will need safety help. Face it, as a corner, you can be good 7 out of 10 times whereas the receiver need only be good 3 out of 10 (i.e. score on those 3) and you'll still be a loser.

 

[Watson's IQ]

You're right on the money there. Cromartie is super scary crazy as an athlete and has all the potential to be a true shut down corner. But he's not there yet. He's still relying on his athletic ability to make plays rather than technique. This is his true downside (right now). He's been slowly working on the technique side all season long doing extra film work, etc. but we won't know if it will be enough for Sunday.

Cromartie 1-on-1 vs. Moss is a winning formula. Unfortunately, it will be a winning formula for New England. He will be fine vs. Moss 1-on-1 at times, but most times he will need safety help. Face it, as a corner, you can be good 7 out of 10 times whereas the receiver need only be good 3 out of 10 (i.e. score on those 3) and you'll still be a loser.

You hit the nail on the head, which is exactly why I hate the overuse of the term "shutdown corner". You wouldn't say a pitcher in baseball is good if batters hit .300 off of him, he'd be a scrub. I think Cromartie is awesome, and is exactly the type of young player I hope the Pats can pick up if Asante leaves, but leaving ANYONE on Randy Moss (or TO, Ocho Cinco, etc) is a formula for getting beat deep at least 2 or 3 times a game.

I highly doubt Norv's going to try that one, so it's rhetorical.

 

[Nordy]

--------------------

You know the reason the Chargers lost last year: Chargers beat themselves.

McCree still hasn't forgotten that INT in his mind. He wants redemption.

Oh wow a JAG like McCree still hasn't forgotten his fumble. The Patriots are in real trouble now I tell you!!!

 

[cblesz]

Oh wow a JAG like McCree still hasn't forgotten his fumble. The Patriots are in real trouble now I tell you!!!

No Shiiit...ohhhhh, I am sure Tom Brady is having trouble sleeping as McCree wants redemption. Unreal.

 

[slymer]

Cromartie is definitely not a shut down corner yet. He's an amazing playmaker though and is only going to get better. I'd say Jammer is a much better cover guy at this point, which is a huge reason Cromartie has all the picks. Jammer also has hands of stone unfortunately.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Cromartie is definitely not a shut down corner yet. He's an amazing playmaker though and is only going to get better. I'd say Jammer is a much better cover guy at this point, which is a huge reason Cromartie has all the picks. Jammer also has hands of stone unfortunately.

From scouting reports I've read on Jammer, he's better in zone and not as comfortable making plays on balls downfield (which is why it's a much better idea to put Cromartie on Moss). Question for any Chargers fan interested in continuing an intelligent discussion: Does Jammer have the speed to cover Stallworth down the field w/o safety help? My impression of him has always been he's at his weakest when his back is to the QB.

 

[bolts_fan]

From scouting reports I've read on Jammer, he's better in zone and not as comfortable making plays on balls downfield (which is why it's a much better idea to put Cromartie on Moss). Question for any Chargers fan interested in continuing an intelligent discussion: Does Jammer have the speed to cover Stallworth down the field w/o safety help? My impression of him has always been he's at his weakest when his back is to the QB.

He has the speed, sure. He's also a very hard hitter and good tackler. But that's different from being weak with his back to the QB, but I think that's more true in the past than it is now. I think most QB's are realizing this and thus more INT opportunities for Cromartie.

 

[Rocky Mountain Stampede]

Denver Broncos = awful

Denver is not awful.

 

[Watson's IQ]

He has the speed, sure. He's also a very hard hitter and good tackler. But that's different from being weak with his back to the QB, but I think that's more true in the past than it is now. I think most QB's are realizing this and thus more INT opportunities for Cromartie.

Thanks, I haven't really had the chance to look at who they've been covering this year. I knew that Jammer was a good tackler, and he definitely hits hard, I guess I was just hoping his deep coverage was still an issue.

How often would you say the Chargers go to a true Dime against spread formations, and how often do they play one of their LBs on one of the slot guys? I'm blanking on who their fourth corner after Florence is, sorry.

 

[cblesz]

Denver is not awful.

Sure. They are a solid, solid team. Had a nice season this year.:blahblah:

 

[PatsRule]

Denver is not awful.

Denver is a great franchise,but this year ya they are awful sorry.

 

[Satchboogie3]

Pats have won 17 straight. 17 > 8

 

[Rocky Mountain Stampede]

Denver is a great franchise,but this year ya they are awful sorry.

Denver's defense was awful. Their offense was not. They were fourth in the NFL in yards per play behind New England, Green Bay and Dallas.

 

[richpats]

Denver's defense was awful. Their offense was not. They were fourth in the NFL in yards per play behind New England, Green Bay and Dallas.

Their downfall was red zone offense. They are mediocre in yards per point scored.

 

[Watson's IQ]

Just when this was turning into a good discussion of the Chargers secondary, we're suddenly talking about the Broncos. I'm confused.

 

[PatsRule]

Denver's defense was awful. Their offense was not. They were fourth in the NFL in yards per play behind New England, Green Bay and Dallas.

Based on preseason expectations how would you describe the season they had ? What were they 7-9 in that division ? Ok not awful how about terrible ?

 

[Rocky Mountain Stampede]

Based on preseason expectations how would you describe the season they had ? What were they 7-9 in that division ? Ok not awful how about terrible ?

No, it was a great year as far as I am concerned. Denver fans knew it was going to be a transition year with a young quarterback behind center. He passed all the tests with flying colors. Next year they will take the next step.