San Diego Chargers Links 9/15: Injuries, WRs, Norv's Job Security

by John Gennaro on Sep 15, 2009 1:17 PM PDT in San Diego Chargers News Comment 17 comments

WRs Jackson, Naanee prove they're game - SignOnSanDiego.com
Jackson made a twisting, 15-yard touchdown catch to give the Chargers the lead with 7:22 left, and after the Raiders stormed back to regain the lead, Naanee, by the length of his fingertips, caught a pass at his ankles. He raced 23 yards to the Oakland 32 – the biggest play leading up to Darren Sproles'5-yard touchdown run that sealed the win.

The final two drives by the Chargers marked a stunning turnaround by an offense that sputtered through much of the first three quarters. In those final two possessions, Rivers completed 10-of-12 passes for 144 yards and a 144.4 quarterback rating. Before that, Rivers was 14-of-24 for 108 yards and a 52.1 rating.

Bolts look sick, Raiders sicker - SignOnSanDiego.com
The Chargers lost rookie starting guard Louis Vasquez (knee) in the third quarter and that soon was followed by center Nick Hardwick being taken off in a cart, his left leg damaged. With rookie Tyronne Green inactive, that left them without another available offensive lineman.

Far be it for me to see the glass half-empty, but if these two guys are gone for the season – or a considerable length of time – that could be it for this team. These guys weren't blocking anybody when they were healthy. To lose both starters would be catastrophic.

It would take some terribly creative work by General Manager A.J. Smith to make up for their loss. This isn't March, and offensive lines don't hatch in 24 hours.

Tweet, tweet: Chargers fail to live up to hype - SignOnSanDiego.com
The final score will camouflage some of this. It made it easier for Chargers fans to rationalize some rough patches, to cling to excitement rather than yield to exasperation, to trust that a road opener is not always indicative of the path a team will follow. It means Chargers coach Norv Turner might make it through lunch today without some talk-show type wondering if his job is in jeopardy.

Norv Turner: Not Much To Say On Injuries
After a physical game in Oakland, Chargers head coach Norv Turner was playing coy during his Tuesday press conference about a series of injuries that ripped through his squad.

0 recs | Comment 17 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

What ever happened with that press conference?

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 15, 2009 1:30 PM PDT reply actions

It happened? It wasn’t really a press conference, just a meeting with Norv and the media.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Sep 15, 2009 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe somebody can help me out here

I’m not a Charger fan, but I’m a pretty big Antonio Cromartie fan and of some of the other players… Obviously I’m not following closely enough, I live on the east coast so I even missed most of the game last night… I saw Cason got the start over him last night. Is he just in the doghouse temporarily for his Tweeting or whatever they call it? Or Is this based on last years performance? Do you feel this move is permanent as long as Cason keeps getting Ints? Congrats on 1-0, and good luck on the rest of the season…

by Big Bad Bulluck on Sep 15, 2009 3:14 PM PDT reply actions

Not sure why they didn't list Cro as the starter

He lined up the entire game as if he was the starter with Cason as the nickel back, so I’m not sure what the bookkeeping trickery was about.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Sep 15, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank you

by Big Bad Bulluck on Sep 16, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Acce's article on SOSD

Doesn’t sound like any of the injuries are all that bad.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 15, 2009 7:30 PM PDT reply actions

Sounds like LT, Hardwick, and Vasquez

will all miss at least one game.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Sep 15, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I have a hope.

My hope is that the injuries to the offensive line will force Turner to stop the power-running and deep routes, instead turning to spreading people out and using quick, short passes.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Sep 15, 2009 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

These dreams seem similar to my dreams of orgies with supermodels

Fun, pleasing to the eye and NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Sep 15, 2009 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Certainly not with that attitude.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Sep 15, 2009 8:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Great.

Now I’m going to have nightmares about power-orgies with Norv Turner.

by Dalton on Sep 15, 2009 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Get your mind out of the gutter.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Sep 15, 2009 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Never!

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 15, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Has anyone re-watched the game

with an eye towards our pass-rush and blitzes?

I haven’t, but to my recollection, we didn’t run any secondary blitzes. That’s odd, seeing as last year Rivera was a huge fan of the corner and safety blitz. I’m starting to wonder if we really were exotic at all in our blitzes, stunts, and schemes.

Could it be that Rivera’s gameplan was to drop guys into coverage and force Russell to beat us that way?

I realize that wins in the NFL are precious and you generally can’t afford to hold things back. But I want to look at the film and really see how creative we were.

If anyone else has thoughts about this, please elaborate.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by Zach (maestro876) on Sep 15, 2009 8:29 PM PDT reply actions

Guys That was a Dam good game

I was there Amazing comeback but, I’m surprised by my Raiders Fight much better than Thursday night game 34-7. Sproles should be banned from the NFL and so should Vincent Jackson, Phillip Rivers, Shawn Merriman, Antonio Gates the list goes on so it gives other teams a chance ha. Where was Merrieman didn’t see much out of him.

Amazing, Jamarcus Russell hands off to McFadden who pitches it back to Russell who finds Darrius Heyward Bey in the Middle of the Field wide open 30, 20,10,5 Touchdown Raiders! Amazing. This telecast is Brought to you by Cable.

by nishal26 on Sep 15, 2009 8:55 PM PDT reply actions

They had to keep in the ILBs to stop the run

That pretty much eliminated our pressure and any big plays from Merriman.

As side from that big "L", Raider fan has a whole lot to be pleased about. They did run us over. They did play big and controlled the line of scrimmage on both O & D. With even a tad better QB play the Raiders win that game.

Now can you persuade MR Davis to Kick Jamarcus to the curb? Lane Kiffen couldn’t do it.

by Trendsearcher on Sep 16, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Jamarcus

Had his ups and downs like the first drive of the game picked off but then he has his highlights TD to Louis Murphy on 4th and 15 He did however overthrow a lot(I was at the game he was missing by 5 or 6 yards). I thought we both played a great game though usually you guys kick our ass by halftime but, glad to say we gave you a fight with help from Richard Seymour

by nishal26 on Sep 16, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions