San Diego Chargers Lose 20-17 to San Francisco 49ers in Final Preseason Game

by Wonko on Sep 1, 2011 10:20 PM PDT in San Diego Chargers News

Running back Ryan Mathews #24 of the San Diego Chargers busted out for the game's biggest play. A 56 yard touchdown run. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Chargers again got off to another slow start in a preseason game. This time it was against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers played most of their defensive first teamers to start the game, but they were not sharp. The 49ers easily moved down the field and went up 7-0. Much of the offensive first team was out besides Ryan Mathews and the offensive line. That offense gave up a turnover in their own territory, which led to a 14-0 deficit once the San Francisco offense had their way again.

With many starting players now out of the game, the Chargers showed a little life. Ryan Mathews had a 56 yard touchdown run that got the Chargers on the board. The defense got 2 interceptions as Gilchrist picked off one in the end zone and tipped another to teammate Dante Hughes. 1st round draft pick Corey Liuget picked up a coverage sack, which was their only sack of the game.

Those defensive efforts didn't keep didn't keep the 49ers off the board though as they tacked on two field goals to Kaedings one. That made it a two score game at 20-10 late in the 4th quarter. Scott Tolzien rallied the troops with a drive that culminated in a TD pass to Seyi Ajirotutu and number of passes to Laurent Robinson who finish with a game high 120 yards. Tolzien finished 16 for 23 with 226 yards, 1 TD and 1 int. After that, the onside kick failed and the Chargers fell to 2-2 on the preseason.

However, that's a wrap on the preseason and slates are wiped cleaned. All that's left is some trimming of the roster and some game planning for the Vikings at Qualcomm on September 11.

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I was looking on the main page and

our confidence poll is lacking confidence

by Lmbs2slaghtr on Sep 1, 2011 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

It's curvy

Like a fine lady.

"Beating the Red Sox feels SO GOOD.! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!" -jbox

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

by Wonko on Sep 1, 2011 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

The event that led to the 14-0 deficit was actually a fumble by Volek in Chargers territory

not an interception

by jkvandal on Sep 1, 2011 11:46 PM PDT reply actions

Feel good about the roster and the off season moves

but the starters on De got their asses handed to them last week vs the Cards and it wasn’t too pretty this week either. Its pre-season, but damn step it up boys.

by JeromeB on Sep 2, 2011 12:00 AM PDT reply actions

First string D

I know it’s pre-season, but the defense looks terrible.Same old stuff we’ve seen for years. They can’t tackle. And, they get blown off the line of scrimmage. You can’t allow them to average 4 to 5 yards per carry. Especially when the offense waits untill they are down by at least 10 points before they find their “rythem”. O line still looks like swiss cheese. Looks like we’re still the afc worst. Looks like the offense is going to have to carry the team. Which means if we do reach the playoffs, we’ll get beat early when we face a good defense that doesn’t allow us to get out to an early lead.
The San iego chargers, there ain’t no D.

by irishlad on Sep 2, 2011 4:42 AM PDT reply actions

Come on now, don't get all doom and gloom.

I dare say, Packers looked terrible for a while last year, I know we’re not the Packers but they barely made it into the playoffs. There’s no curse, just the average chances of you winning a Superbowl.

I am the anti-analyst.

by Madcat5 on Sep 2, 2011 7:04 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

The Chargers "average chances" are overdue

and it would appear that there are a few teams in the NFL who are playing with loaded dice.

by JeromeB on Sep 2, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

So now it's about luck?

instead of tackling better? taking better angles. cleaning up sloppy technique, and vanilla play calling?

The peanut gallery has spoken!!!

by gatesoftds on Sep 2, 2011 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

I am with you

I was trying to point out that I am not a big fan of placing to heavy a portion of success or failure on luck. Maybe I didn’t do a good job of it.

by JeromeB on Sep 2, 2011 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Did Tolzein make the 53 after last night?

He looked good. I don’t know if he makes it through to the practice squad after that performance.

Very accurate, even under constant pressure (I’m really glad none of those second half OL are going to make the team)

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2011 8:23 AM PDT reply actions

So many teams are shallow at QB

I just don’t know

A If the guy can clear wavers
B If the guy is safe on the practice squad. Basically it is open season on practice squads these days.

Volek has played well this preseason. I am not as dissatisfied with Volek as I was a year ago. I do know that Volek IS NOT the long term back up QB solution. I do know that Volek IS NOT the heir apparent to Philip Rivers. The Chargers basically lost a development year for a young QB last year. If they don’t get a young guy in here this year… It is gonna be Dan Foutes all over again. Great QB, long rich history of success leaves a void at QB for years after his departure.

by Trendsearcher on Sep 2, 2011 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions

we don’t really need an heir apparant at QB for 6-7 more years. Rivers should be good until his mid-30s at least.

We may not even need an heir apparent to Volek for a few more years. Timing is the issue. You really need to pick up a guy and have him mature into his role in 2-3 years. If you pick him up too early he leaves for FA after year 4, too late and he isn’t ready to take over when you need him. Volek is on a two year contract. Tolzien got the standard 3 year UDFA contract (with one more year as a restricted FA after that). Now feels about right to start grooming the backup QB of the future. I think Tolzien makes the 53 man at this point.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2011 9:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Thats the QB challenge

You always need to be planning for your next QB. Sure PR17 can and probably will go for many more years. And then again he might go down for good next week.

QB is so influential for the entire Offense. Developing a QB is a long process. Bringing a new QB up to speed is also a slow process (Volek’s biggest redeeming value!). You really need a starter caliber back up QB, preferably the heir apparent.

by Trendsearcher on Sep 2, 2011 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions

I disagree that you can develop a QB too early.

If you have the enviable problem of having a young stud QB on the roster that you have need for, then you have a seller’s market in this QB-drought of an NFL.

by PNSter on Sep 2, 2011 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions

The Chargers have just enjoyed the fruits of QB depth

It doesn’t suck to have Drew Brees followed by Philip Rivers. The Chargers have been very fortunate. Just like the 49ers when they had Joe Montana followed by Steve Young. They were perpetually good to great teams. Niners actually got championship rings behind that continuity, sadly the Chargers have not.

by Trendsearcher on Sep 2, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

Whitehurst was the exception

getting a couple high draft picks for a #3 QB almost never happens.

Our Charger #3 will probably never be in the position of a Kolb or a Schaub who were well regarded #2s and got very good value in return.

Plus, it may make the most sense to pick up the “last third of their career” guys like we did with Volek and have them be the back ups. Guys like Carson Palmer or a Matt Hasselback will always be available and can serve as a very good #2. And they let you avoid using up a spot on the 53 man roster for a developmental guy who will never benefit your franchise (because he will either not pan out or leave for free agency with little/no compensation)

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2011 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I think a few guys down graded their stock last night

Korey Sperry was that guy Norv was yelling at while leaving the feild at the half. I think for not checking back with the QB on the second to last play. He must have been the hot route because Tolzien was looking right at him and then pulled it down and took the sack. Sperry was looking at the sideline the whole time. The sack lost field position burned a timeout and killed the drive.

Then later Sperry was lined up in the wrong place and burned a time out. Sperry may have had a good camp, but he had a bad game last night.

Mathews messed up too. Completely whiffed on the Volek sack. Pretty bad when a DT sashes’ around a running back. It looked like Mathews didn’t even touch him!

To me the pre-season is all about mistakes. You make a big play and they can always say the other team wasn’t going 100%. You mess up? That is ALL ON YOU.

by Trendsearcher on Sep 2, 2011 9:11 AM PDT reply actions