The San Diego Chargers lost a close game to the New England Patriots, 21-35.  The offensive line knew before the game that they would have their work cut out for them with the two big defensive tackles from New England.  For the most part the San Diego o-line did ... okay.

Kris Dielman had a big chore trying to take on Albert Haynesworth all night.  And sometimes Kris would get a rest from Haynesworth and get Vince Wilfork (not much of a rest).  The offensive lineman with the best score this week was Louis Vasquez who ended the day with a run blocking percentage of 88% and a dominance score of +3.

Let's take a look at all the other line scores...

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	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
Percent Scale

Run Blocking Grades

	Percent	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100		Power	2/Level	Pull
	Grade												Blocking	Blocking	Blocks
McNeill	64%												0	-1	0
Dielman	82%												0	+2	+2
Hardwick	76%												0	+2	0
Vasquez	88%												+3	+3	+1
Clary	88%												+2	+1	0

Run Blocking Notes:

• Keeping in mind who Kris Dielman was blocking...he did pretty good by getting a 82% and a power score of 0 in the run game.
• Marcus McNeill  had a bad day in the run game.  He wasn't ever really dominated at the point of attack.  But many, many times he would engage the defender and the defender would get off for a tackle or cause problems.  McNeill really didn't have any better luck on the second level as you can see with his -1 score.
• In the intro I mentioned that Vasquez had a good day run blocking.  The other player for the Chargers with a decent run blocking percentage was Jeromy Clary.  Clary had an 88% on assignments and end with a +2 power score.
• At 4:11 in the 1st Louis Vasquez and Jeromy Clary doubled Vince Wilfork and drove him 5 yards.  Nice!
• On the TD run in the 1st quarter, 2:26, San Diego pulled a guard to the right side of the formation as the back cut it back to the left of the formation.  All the 2nd level flow was going to the right and with a couple of good blocks...TD.
• Kris Dielman drives his defender at 13:07 in the 2nd quarter.  On another play, 12:30 in the 2nd quarter, Kris twists the upper body of a defender and throws him to the ground after contact.
• Nick Hardwick get physical with a run blitz that allows the back to have time to find a hole and spring for some yards.
• Marcus McNeill has a false start at :27 left in the 2nd quarter.  Chargers are trying to score before half and they get a mental mistake.  Big!
  
• Dielman engages in a double with the center and then catches a run blitz out of the corner of his eye.  And the last moment he picks up the blitz.  3rd and short turns into a big play as the back squirts through the hole.
• Jeromy Clary get into the power game and puts his defender on his back at 6:34 in the 3rd.
• And not to left out...Louis Vasquez pulls and then drives his defender to the ground at 14:11 in the 4th quarter.
  

Pass Blocking Grades

	Percent	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100		Power	Pressures	Sacks	Combo
	Grade												Blocking	Allowed	Allowed	Help
McNeill	92%												+1	8	0	12
Dielman	90%												+1	2	0	16
Hardwick	95%												0	0	0	25
Vasquez	88%												+4	4	0	15
Clary	88%												+2	10	1	8

Pass Blocking Notes:

• The Patriots really didn't bring more than 4 rushing defenders when the Chargers passed the ball.
• Jeromy Clary was hot one play and average the next.  But he was never bad.  Clary ended with an 88% assignment score and a +2 power score.  But he dominated the pass rusher a lot more times than 2.  The problem was that the defender would get a 1/2 step on him and then he would have to ride the guy deep.  Not a problem.  Rivers just had to step up...but it is still a pressure.  As soon as Clary gets more consistent in pass protection he will be very good.  Here's hoping he takes those steps.
• There where a lot of help blocks in this game.  All of the offensive lineman received their share.
• At 1:08 in the 2nd, Nick Hardwick and Kris Dielman pick up a defensive line loop stunt.  But at 2:57 in the 3rd quarter Louis Vasquez fails to see a loop stunt and the man gets pressure on Philip Rivers.  It was the second of the day that Vasquez was late getting to.
• Check out how the offensive lineman did in previous games then check out the O-Line season page here.  At Pro Football Spotlight.
• Overall, not a bad day pass blocking.
• On the sack at the end of the game.  Philip Rivers had over 5 seconds to get rid of the ball.  I hate giving lineman sacks if they give a quarterback that much time.

Chargers TEs and Running Backs Film Breakdown

If you liked this analysis, I've also posted the TEs and Running Backs Film Breakdown and you can check it out over at Pro Football Spotlight.