Actually Bilichick and Charger GM AJ Smith spend time together in the off season. Bilichick and Norv are friends. But having watched that game what they both said was accurate. Being a Charger fan I know this team very well. But unlike most I'm not blind to weaknesses they have.
I'm telling you with no BS this is the best roster top to bottom that I have seen in a long time. If they have a weakness offensively it's the right side of the offensive line. RT Clary is very vulnerable to very fast powerful rushers. as a consequence he is the most flagged olineman due to false starts. RG Vasquez occasionally will miss a blocking assignment and isn't strong on the run. Because of that the Chargers primarily run to the left. I don't know enough about the Patriots to know what the dline strength is like.
LG Dielman, is generally solid in his overall play. But his weakness is poor lateral quickness. He has problems adjusting laterally and at times will give up penetration to a delayed rush where he has to come off a block to re-engage.
LT McNiell is very good overall. Center Hardwick is a ProBowl center. If the Patriots have any chance of getting to Rivers its on that right side. That said, Rivers is very good at getting the ball out quickly. The Chargers are very good at exploiting blitzes. Blitz too much and you will get burned badly.
Rivers is every bit as good as Brady when it comes to presnap reads. Both these guys pretty much know where their throw is going before the snap. Both are very good at making adjustments and changing the play.
Look for Norv to get the ball to Mathews on short quick passes. He is a potential homerun hitter each time he gets the ball in the open field. To control Mathews on the ground the Patriots will need to keep him bottled up behind the LOS. If he gets to the second level watch out. I have to wonder how well the Patriots will be able to control the LOS when Haynesworth is out.
Defensively, OLB Phillips is the key man. He plays the pass and run equally well. If there is an irreplaceable man on defense it's him. While Merriman was getting all the press, Phillips was putting up similar numbers. Now with the addition of OLB Antwan Barnes the Chargers can bring heavy pressure from the corners. Don't be misled by Miami. These two Chargers are much better. With you starting center out I hope his replacement is good. Garay the starting NT for the Chargers is perhaps the most underrated player on the team outside of San Diego. He can beat most centers one on one and does a great job at getting penetration in the middle.
They have two really good DEs. Martin is a physical freak, big and strong, and most of you know about Liuget. Liuget is the real thing, fast, powerful, relentless. Make no mistake this is not Miami's front 7.
The hurdle that the Chargers need to overcome is beating themselves. I think they hold the record for self destruction. That is the Patriots biggest advantage. But on occasion they do play a clean game and when they do they generally blow the other team out.
This is a very good game from an historical perspective. You have two QBs who both very well could end up in the HOF playing against each other. Now add in TE Gates and you have another potential HOF player in the same game.
All said and done the biggest advantage the Patriots have might be the Chargers history of self destruction. But if they don't self destruct the Patriots are in for a very long and physical game.
Good luck to both teams in that may no one get seriously hurt. This will be a great game. I got a feeling these teams will meet again in January. Hopefully it will be in San Diego next time.
