Serious Business: 5/19 Chargers Links

by Richard Wade on May 19, 2010 12:00 AM PDT in San Diego Chargers Daily Links

The San Diego switch: Mathews must only eclipse faded L.T. - Clark Judge - CBS Sportsline
In fact, the way I see it, there's more pressure on Mathews' predecessor to make an impression than there is on Matthews, and, yes, I'm talking about LaDainian Tomlinson.

Breaking down Russell at a new spot - Bill Williamson - ESPN
A report that NFL teams are considering moving JaMarcus Russell from quarterback to another position has caused quite a stir.

Chiefs go north of the border for LB - Bill Williamson - ESPN
The Kansas City Chiefs signed Canadian college star linebacker Cory Greenwood.

Inside the playbook: Cover 3 - Matt Bowen
Today, let’s look at the classic version of the 3-deep, 4-under defense that is played at all levels of football, but still has a home in the NFL: Cover 3. Three defenders split the top of the defense into deep thirds, while the four underneath players take care of the flat, the curl and the middle hook.

New England Patriots release veteran CB Shawn Springs - ESPN Boston
The team hasn't ruled out re-signing the 35-year-old, but for now the sides are going their own ways, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

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Clark Judge

I think Clark is making an invalid argument. McKnight is replacing Leon Washington with the Jets. Shone Greene is the man inheriting TJ’s role. Accordingly Shone is the man under pressure here. LT, as far as I see it, will push Greene and McKnight for their jobs but in reality will be their back-up unless Greene gets injured or if McKnight can’t get up to speed quickly enough. If McKnight falters then LT will fill that role till McKnight is ready for the position.

I will be surprised if LT gets over 1/3 the HB touches over the season and think 1/4 is more likely. This is all just my opinion though.

On the topic of Cory Greenwood, I am just glad he is south of the border instead of playing for a rival of my hometown team. I don’t think he is quite as unpolished as V.Martin was but he will still need a lot of work to get up to NFL standards I suspect.

How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on May 19, 2010 7:18 AM PDT reply actions

I agree 25% of the reps would be very optimistic for LT in NYC

LT has very little long term up side, so even if he lights it up next season the Jets need to give some reps to younger backs to find their guy for the future.

LT needs to find a way to produce situationally and with limited reps. LT’s pass blocking and receiving really dropped off last year. He can’t get a away with poor fundamentals in his new situation. With average performance I could imagin him being cut or asked not to suit up on game day.

by Trendsearcher on May 19, 2010 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions

hey , if LT was the problem then the run game should get out of the cellar with mathews leading the way. i’m cool with that, because LT is no longer a charger and as a “charger” fan i’m hoping the running game improves.

But, on the flip side, if mathews gets pounded, and LT returns to form, then who’s to blame in charger land? Clarence Shelmon?

The peanut gallery has spoken!!!

by gatesoftds on May 19, 2010 7:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree and disagree

I agree that LT will not have the pressure of being the primary back in NY, and delivering as such.

But at least part of Clark’s argument was that LT was making the case that it was the Chargers line, scheme and ‘commitment’ to the run game that was primarily responsible for his putrid 3.3 YPC in 2009. If Mathews can do better than 4 YPC over the season, than that will undermine LT’s contention. Furthermore, if LT comes well under 4 YPC with a superior line and ‘commitment’ , then he has lost all credibility. There is at least some pressure on LT in this respect.

by HuangDi on May 19, 2010 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions

ok

I will buy that.

How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on May 20, 2010 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions

4 YPC seems like a good cut-off for me too

With Sanchez rehabbing, the Jets are probably going need to focus a bit more on rushing. So it is unlikely that LT will be able point at scheme or blocking if he can’t put up the YPC.

And if he can do better than 4 YPC, I think they should hand LT the ball all day long. I know Marty would have.

by Trendsearcher on May 20, 2010 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm curious if he plays at the level of '09 how will he deal?

My personal opinion is that he gets 40% early in the season and he gets reduced to basically nothing by the end. And unlike San Diego, he not a sacred cow in New York, he never really been seriously critized before, this might be a train wreck of epic proportions. He was so talented he was never put in the microscope, with the exception of Deion Sanders calling him soft in the ’07 playoffs.

As New Yorker told me, “if you haven’t done it in New York we don’t care, and if you suck there is no doubt we will beat you down for it, and take joy in doing so”. Ask Trevor Hoffman he sucks today, and he’s getting benched, he has no credit from the Brewers or their media and this is Milwaukee, New York + a fading star is a bad combo.

by TJBOLT on May 19, 2010 10:50 AM PDT reply actions

ed whitson is

the first person to come to mind, he was ripped unmercifully up there

by $#%@ eli and his daddy on May 19, 2010 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Perhaps you were going to put it in tomorrow's links Richard ...

but just a blurb from Peter King’s response to criticism of ranking the Chargers No 2 in this week’s MMQB.

I think this is the year Philip Rivers plays great in January, and he has the weapons to win it all. I worry most about Nate Kaeding, quite frankly. If he continues to be a head case in big games, the Chargers have to change kickers.

by HuangDi on May 19, 2010 7:17 PM PDT reply actions