5 Bad Things: Chargers at Seahawks

by John Gennaro on Sep 27, 2010 3:52 PM PDT

1. Special Teams

Do I ever have to say it? Kick and punt coverage has been atrocious and has now cost the Chargers two close games. The Chargers were excellent at winning close games last year because they didn't get stupid penalties called on them, they didn't turn the ball over and they played well on special teams. All three of those things have now changed, at least in the early part of this season, and need to be addressed if this team wants to make the playoffs again.

2. Pass Rush, or lack there of

Let's face facts, the pass rush looked good when Shawne Merriman was in there to start the game and disappeared after that. Shaun Philips got a nice sack during "garbage time", when Matt Hasselbeck was more concerned with not turning the ball over than getting the first down. Brandon Siler got a sack on a blitz that the Seahawks weren't expecting. Antwan Applewhite played solid, and ran into a sack, but wasn't....and sadly isn't....Shawne Merriman.

Things should be a little different against the Arizona Cardinals next week, even if Merriman doesn't play, because Ron Rivera should be daring Derek Anderson to throw deep and therefore will probably be using more blitzes from the Safeties and Donald Strickland than he did against the Seahawks.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2010 - Shaun Phillips	3	2	12	0	0	0	10	1	11

3. Big Plays

When people would bash on Ron Rivera's zone-heavy defensive play-calling last year I was always quick to point out that the Chargers ranked amongst the best teams in the league at not giving up big plays, be it on the ground or through the air. Maybe it's because Brandon Siler is in there instead of Stephen Cooper, but the D has a different look this year. They seem to be more the type of team that will shut you down 90% of the time, but the other 10% you will be able to gash them for big plays.

For instance:

Justin Forsett had a run for 28 yards.
John Carlson had a catch for 37 yards.
Deion Branch had a catch for 41 yards.
Mike Williams had a catch for 22 yards.

4. Hands

I don't know what it is about the Chargers receivers this year, but Philip Rivers' higher-than-normal interception total has a lot to do with them popping balls in the air or letting them slide off of their fingertips instead of catching them. Antonio Gates has at least one instance, Legedu Naanee has at least one, and I feel like there has been at least 1 more.

There has been an abnormal amount of interceptions off of uncaught balls for Rivers this season, and working on the hands of our receivers could only help to lower than turnover number.

		Passing									Rushing					Sacks
	G	Rating	Comp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/G	Y/A	TD	INT	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	TD	Sack	YdsL
2010 - Philip Rivers	3	95.3	73	121	60.3	1087	362.3	9	7	4	4	7	2.3	1.8	0	7	52

5. Rookies

During preseason I pointed out that every great team these days has at least 1, sometimes 2, rookies that step up and play at a high level right away. I had hopes that was going to happen with the Chargers this year. Let's check in with what the 2010 draft class did on Sunday:

Ryan Mathews - Inactive
Donald Butler - Injured Reserve
Darrell Stuckey - HE PLAYED! He got no tackles, but he played. Want to know how I know he played?

Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Elaine Thompson

Cam Thomas - Inactive
Jonathan Crompton - Practice Squad
Dedrick Epps - Did nothing....for the Miami Dolphins....which is the team he's on now.

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Lang is a rookie

He was active. I guess you saved yourself by referring to the 2010 draft class, but still.

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Sep 27, 2010 4:09 PM PDT reply actions

Nobody has ever doubted AJ’s ability to sign UDFAs, but his drafting ability has been questioned.

Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.

by John Gennaro on Sep 27, 2010 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Really?

Maybe its because I’m an outsider but I’ve always admired AJ Smith’s ability to draft players. He’s came up with some big-time players.

FIRE CASEY "GUS" BRADLEY!

by Fearless Frog on Sep 27, 2010 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Some say he's in a bit of a slump lately.

Although this year could turn that around depending on the performances of Mathews, Cason, Davis, Naanee, and company.

by jkvandal on Sep 27, 2010 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions

His first-round success rate is slightly above average

His UDFA success rate is legendary

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 28, 2010 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting Fact

Wes Welker after college was first signed by the Chargers in 2004, after going undrafted. Wes Welker wasn’t even invited to the NFL Combine

by LetsGo44 on Sep 28, 2010 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Pass rush, pass rush, pass rush

The Chargers will never be able to consider their defense an asset until they have this.

John and I were talking the other day about how when Merriman was in against Jacksonville it freed up Cesaire to make plays. And this was after an awful week by Cesaire previously.

We don’t necessarily need Merriman, but we need somebody. I blame A.J. for not making sure we have a pass rush 10 times more than I’ll ever blame him for the VJ and McNeil things.

No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.

Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't

by Wonko on Sep 27, 2010 4:11 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Yup.

I sure wish we had Clay Matthews instead of Larry English.

My name is Guybrush Threepwood, and I'm a mighty pirate.
"How appropriate! You fight like a cow!"
Faceless slider-tossing goofs FTW.

by Zach (maestro876) on Sep 27, 2010 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

When I saw the Chiefs take Jackson, I said to myself...

… “Yes! Clay Matthews!”

… but no.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 27, 2010 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Crazy,

I screamed at my TV. The Chargers select, Larry English . I was like…. WHO?!?!?!?!?!?!?
CLAY MATTHEWS IS ON THE BOARD!!!!! DAMMMIT AJ!!!
then I cried.

Need a hand? Call for help! Superduperboltman is here!

by Superduperboltman on Sep 27, 2010 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I

Looked up Larry English first. After finding out, I then asked WHO?!!??!!?!?eleven?!?!

6/10/2010 - Tra Thomas signs with the Chargers
8/21/2010 - Tra Thomas retires.

That was fast.

by SD FTW on Sep 27, 2010 6:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought Clay Matthews wasn't considered a great prospect.

In fact, wasn’t he considered the 3rd best USC LB prospect after Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing? And he was supposed to be a 2nd rounder at best? I thought Matthews wasn’t that impressive in college and certainly not the pass-rushing terror he is in the pros.

FIRE CASEY "GUS" BRADLEY!

by Fearless Frog on Sep 27, 2010 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

He wasn't used the same way he is being used now

He got less pass rushing opportunities at USC than he has in the scheme at GB, and he wasn’t picked as one of the highest touted pass rushers in the draft, but neither was English. Both were gambles in the first round, and time will tell but thus far Matthews looks like the better pick.

by jkvandal on Sep 27, 2010 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey John, I have a complaint for the SBNation overlords, ever since last week’s facelift, my login (which is through yahoo) never sticks. It’s really annoying.

by Orz on Sep 27, 2010 4:41 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

It’s not the losing I mind, it’s the losing to vastly inferior teams while racking up 3 or 4 times the offensive stats that is driving me nuts.

Bring back Ray Lewis blowing up Sproles at the LoS please. This…this is garbage.

by Orz on Sep 27, 2010 4:43 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Holding on to the football!

I can’t point at one guy, but the Chargers as a team have been putting the ball on the ground way too many times. Maybe they are trying too hard to make that sensational play.

by Trendsearcher on Sep 27, 2010 5:19 PM PDT reply actions

Gates has had 2 passes bounce off his hands so far this year. Naanee 1

Floyd 3. Tolbert 3. Mathews 1. Sproles 1. They need to practice catching with no gloves, then wear the gloves for last practice. My coach used to tell me that to improve my catching. It works.
And John, Special Teams doesn’t belong on this list. It wasn’t a bad thing this game, it should be in its own category, for bad things this season. scratch that. Horrible things. Bad would be giving up one TD per game. 2?? and nearly a 3rd? unacceptable.

Need a hand? Call for help! Superduperboltman is here!

by Superduperboltman on Sep 27, 2010 6:39 PM PDT reply actions

they def need to do something

3 of 4 of Rivers’ int’s bounced off receivers hands. the only “real” int came at the end of the Seahawks game which was basically a prayer.

by boltsgamedayfootball on Sep 28, 2010 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Have to agree that PR has had only one real INT

Rivers had a few poorly thrown balls in the KC monsoon but all of his first three picks were due to receivers dropping balls or having balls clang off their hands. His accuracy and touch have been pretty remarkable, especially compared to some of these other “franchise” QBs like Favre, Ryan, Romo, and Cutler. Those guys have actually been throwing BAD passes that shouldn’t be thrown. The real worry are fumbles, although Mathews second fumble was a ground-based steal reminiscent of the Patriots’ take away from a downed Gates four years ago in the playoffs. I hope the defense works with the first-time starters Mathews, Tolbert, and Legedu to help help them defend the ball with two hands when being tackled.

by norcalboltfan on Sep 30, 2010 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions

+5 points for the photo's caption

“What’s going on out here?” I can smile about it now but at the time it was terrible…

by agonist on Sep 27, 2010 7:21 PM PDT reply actions

right now, they stink

Not blaming the refs for the loss, but a better officiated game might have turned out differently. But, what little I saw of the game ( last half of fourth quarter) it looked like a replay of the kc game. drive down the field and self destruct. Give up td returns on kicks. different day, but s.o.s.

by irishlad on Sep 27, 2010 9:11 PM PDT reply actions