That Did Not Look Athletic: Week 5, Chargers at Saints

That Did Not Look Athletic is a weekly series where we look at some of the least athletic plays during the previous week's Chargers game. This series is meant to give us a few laughs by showing that even the best athletes in the world have their moments of shame. It's also a reminder that you aren't a complete loser just because you punched at a tether-ball and fell down in front of a bunch of 3rd graders.

Last weekend I met up with my old college pals to play in a rugby tournament. Over the course of a long Saturday we flashed very brief glimpses of the glory days gone past. Those brief glimpses were generally followed by extended periods of walking. It wasn't very athletic.

During one of our tragic, but mostly emphatic losses during the day, I took the ball in hand and decided that it was high time to make someone else look bad. As I began to run with the ball the oldest player on the field attempted to tackle me, in textbook fashion. He got low. I got lower. Smash! And the elderly chap was on his back. For good measure I stepped on him as I passed on through.

I looked him in the eyes and said, "You're making my TDNLA post this week, pal!"

He looked at me in a manner of confusion as the unintelligible comment left my lips. I guess wearing a mouth-guard ruins the effect of such moments.

On to this week's TDNLA. I'm going to apologize before hand for the following:

1. The Week 5 edition of TDNLA is late.
2. There are only 6 GIFs.
3. The majority of the GIFs cast the Chargers in more negative light than the Saints.

Sorry. Let's get to it.

Jimmy Graham is a large, powerful man but Marcus Gilchrist needs to do a better job of not looking like I do when I play softball on Monday nights.

This play was bad. It wasn't a great throw but it also wasn't a poor throw. Mathews got a little bit flat-footed and then couldn't make the grab as he began back-pedaling. Had he made the catch he'd probably still be running. I think those were Al Michaels' words after the no-catch.

Many times I fail to point out that what makes a particular player look un-athletic is the extreme athleticism of the player on the other side of the ball. This play by Ryan Mathews was ridiculously awesome. My issue is with this Saints player, and many defensive backs in general, who try to tackle this way. It's not even an attempt to tackle. It's pathetic is what it is. Quentin Jammer is not impressed. Nor is Pat Fisher.

Based on the vote earlier in the week you folks appreciate a good stiff-arm and so do I. Ryan Mathews performs the violent and emasculating act better than just about anybody in the game right now. He palmed Roman Harper right to the ground. Unfortunately RM24 lost his balance as he tried to bounce it outside. I blame that crappy turf.

Is there anything worse than committing pass interference AND getting burned for a touchdown? The answer is yes. There are many things far worse than this and I expect that you'll deposit your answers in the comments section. Colston is a beast. Cason is . . . Cason. But this GIF is really more of a reflection of how much I love seeing the two flags simultaneously come flying in. Those refs should be synchronized swimmers. Athletic!

And now for the very last play on Sunday of Week 5 . . .

In fairness to Jared Gaither he's clearly injured just as he was on the previous play. The coaches sitting in the box should have seen this lack of athleticism and piped themselves into Norv's ear.

'Twas a terrible ending to Week 5. Here's to better times in Week 6.

The "That Did Not Look Athletic" Archives

Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4

First Quarter of Season Playoffs