5 Good Things: Chargers at Broncos

by John Gennaro on Jan 3, 2011 10:53 AM PST

1. Ryan Mathews

Well, at least Mathews was able to end his season strong with his first career 100 yard game and his first career multiple-TD game. Although he missed some time due to injury, his 4.3 Yards Per Carry average is still impressive. As is the fact that he scored a TD every 22.5 carries. I am very pleased with the game he had, it helped turned a lost season into a building season for him and should help his confidence heading into 2011.

vs DEN / 1.2.11	Rushing				Receiving
	Rush	Yards	Avg	TD	Rec	Yards	Avg	TD
Ryan Mathews	26	120	4.6	3	3	19	6.3	0

2. Free Agents

Many of the due-to-be-FAs on this Chargers roster were able to flash their talent during this game. Darren Sproles had a nice kick return, Vincent Jackson had a great catch before getting injured, Malcom Floyd made maybe the catch of the season and Kevin Burnett lead the team in tackles. Those are just a few of the guys that the Chargers may need to bring back in 2011, and guys that increased their value with strong 2010 seasons. More names to add to that list include Eric Weddle and Mike Tolbert.

3. Victory!

I don't know that I've ever seen the Chargers players hyped up to be making plays as they were against the Broncos. Make a tackle? Get in a fight! Catch a pass? Do a dance! They were so excited to be putting the beat down on their division rivals and finishing the season about .500.

That's all I say about that for now. We're going to come back to this subject in 5 Bad Things later.

4. No Fumbles/Good Special Teams

Seriously, whenever this happens it should be seen as a good thing. Considering the final score, this is another game that could've been lost had the Chargers made their usual mistakes of allowing big returns and handing the ball over to the other team. However, the only turnovers of the game were an interception by Philip Rivers and two by Tim Tebow.

The Special Teams game looked strong, outside of one play where the ball seemed to slip through Mike Scifres hands after a higher-than-normal punt (anyone else think David Binn's coming back next year?). Nate Kaeding had a successful, if imperfect, day of kicking the football while Antoine Cason and Darren Sproles showed that they should be feared on punt and kick returns, respectively.

5. Good Performances from No-Names

The following list is guys that had good games against the Broncos that I didn't know existed before this season:

-Brandon Lang
-Seyi Ajirotutu
-Antwan Barnes
-Brandon Lang
-Antonio Garay

Thank you, Mr. A.J. Smith.

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Comments

Brandon Lang, he was flagged for a punching foul! And Mathews fumbled TWICE! I think we should be concerned going into a season where we won’t have a 3rd down back. Mathews is going to get Rivers killed.

by SJO on Jan 3, 2011 10:57 AM PST reply actions

I think the Chargers will address this 3rd down back issue

Although, in fairness, Sproles almost got Rivers killed in the 1st quarter.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well Tolbert did as a 3rd down back the game Sproles went down.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

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

by Wonko on Jan 3, 2011 1:19 PM PST up reply actions

Tolbert can block

If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, then you will be fired with enthusiasm. Vince Lombardi

by Bolt Brother on Jan 4, 2011 11:47 AM PST up reply actions

Exactly.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

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

by Wonko on Jan 4, 2011 4:21 PM PST up reply actions

Do you think it will be Brinkley?

by SJO on Jan 5, 2011 10:57 AM PST up reply actions

Good S/T???

Minus the near muffed punt and another KO returned for a TD…..ya I guess they weren’t bad.

by BigRed61 on Jan 3, 2011 11:06 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Agreed ST was NOT a good thing at all

Any time Teams gives up seven…. That isn’t good. And we missed a very long FG too. In Mile high that was a makeable FG and it had the distance.

Just more indication that the 2010 Chargers Special Teams were the NFL ALL-TIME WORST (like we needed any more proof). The single biggest reason why the most talented team in the league could not even make the post-season.

by Trendsearcher on Jan 3, 2011 12:21 PM PST up reply actions

I was willing to give Crosby the benefit of the doubt

until this game. He will be gone, and he should be gone. KO return for TD, punter missed the snap, hands teams for on-side kick failed.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 3, 2011 12:24 PM PST up reply actions

Ya know on the hands team ...

…. I think they can use the wedge. Since they aren’t actually blocking for a return. interesting rule question.

by Trendsearcher on Jan 3, 2011 12:40 PM PST up reply actions

Even on Sproles' good return

He muffed catching the ball. Dude has issues.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

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

by Wonko on Jan 3, 2011 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

Listed Lang twice at the end.

by Its Mikey!! on Jan 3, 2011 11:10 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Disagree on four

Bad STs, KO return for TD, high snap/bungled snap on punt, bungled onside kick, two fumbles by Mathews that could have gone either way. It almost turned a blowout into another blown game.

The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 3, 2011 11:18 AM PST reply actions

Yeah don't see how four is in there

Mathews two fumbles easily could have cost us the game

by jkvandal on Jan 3, 2011 12:11 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe the good thing should be

Players actually diving for fumbles and getting the recovery.

formerly riversformvp

by Alex Bourque on Jan 3, 2011 2:14 PM PST up reply actions

no names guys?

With the exception of Garay, the other guys were near non-factors in yesterdays game.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Jan 3, 2011 12:10 PM PST reply actions

one thing i liked

Was when Mathews fumbled the second time and Dielman picked it up Dielman looked at Mathews with a stare that said “Hold onto the f**king ball!” and Mathews held on tight from then on. Love seeing Dielman being a leader out there.

by cameronm on Jan 3, 2011 12:12 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

agreed.

that was priceless.

The peanut gallery has spoken!!!

by gatesoftds on Jan 3, 2011 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

Barnes

I thought Antwan Barnes looked real good at OLB. While I would bet we go OLB with our first round pick, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Barnes around for a while.

I also liked Kory Sperry.

Not fumbling is a learned skill. AP averaged about one fumble every 50 carries for the first three years of his career. This year: 1 fumble in 283 carries.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 3, 2011 12:21 PM PST reply actions

Agree with all this

New England manages to integrate rookies and still not turn the ball over. I liked Barnes, Sperry, Watkins, and even Washington, though he needs to tone down the celebrations.

The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 3, 2011 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

Asking Washington to tone down celebrations

Is like asking Favre not to dither on retirement. It’s a good idea in principle, but it’s just not in the guy’s makeup. He can’t seem to help himself.

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Jan 3, 2011 5:02 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

With Mathews there were concerns that he could have fumble issues

The lack of practices due to injuries, plus maybe a perception that he wouldn’t fumble because he never did in college perhaps caused the coaching staff to not spend the time needed to adjust his style/preparation for dealing with fumbles.

If everyone does their job next year I’m pretty confident it gets cleaned up.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

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

by Wonko on Jan 3, 2011 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

what? the style of holding the ball Mathews has in the image at the top isn’t sufficient?

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 3, 2011 1:55 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

What scouts actually were referring to

Was how he runs upright a lot (like Adrian Peterson) and there is large area to stick a helmet or shoulder in and knock the ball lose, which is something that is done less in college (especially in a lesser conference like the WAC).

However, that image doesn’t look good either.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

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

by Wonko on Jan 3, 2011 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

I think this was his first game back w/o the arm pad

Maybe that had something to do with it?

by Trendsearcher on Jan 3, 2011 2:21 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

Ap has had issues also but If mathews turned out to be half the back he is I would take it.

by TioTheo on Jan 3, 2011 1:59 PM PST up reply actions

I have two words

Akeem Ayers

If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, then you will be fired with enthusiasm. Vince Lombardi

by Bolt Brother on Jan 4, 2011 11:48 AM PST up reply actions

I like him as well

Saw this on one of our sister (brother?) SBN site’s Mocking the Draft: Akeem Ayers enters 2011 NFL Draft. Mocking Dan seems to think that he needs time to develop pass rushing skills. Not exactly ideal for our situation, but at least he wouldn’t be a liability in coverage. Usually they come in the other way around.

The National League West title was all but a lock,
Then they lost 10 in a row, ‘twas like a punch in the jock!

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

by Wonko on Jan 4, 2011 4:24 PM PST up reply actions

Chargers were T-2 in sacks

Do we need another OLB with Barnes, English, Applewhite, Philips?

We will need to replace at least one ILB (Cooper/Burnett) and possible FS (Weddle). I think OLB would be a luxury in this draft. Maybe they use a later round pick on a guy just like Shaun Philips.

by SJO on Jan 5, 2011 10:56 AM PST up reply actions