Know Your Enemy: San Diego Chargers

In their defense, they’ve played in the 2 loudest stadiums in the league. However, there is that fear that suddenly the team can’t win on the road.

We’re not even sure who is playing SS anymore. It could be Weddle (with Paul Oliver playing FS), it could be Oliver, it could be rookie Darrell Stuckey. They all bring something different to the table. Knowing Ron Rivera, I’d say he’ll stick in whatever guy he thinks is the most ready and play the D exactly the same way.

All three guys have the potential to play at the same level Gregory has been playing at. However, if the front 7 play as well as they have been playing the Safety really shouldn’t come into effect that often.

The Chargers have plenty of healthy LBs, they’ve just had an issue with OLBs going down (Merriman, English, Tucker). They still have Phillips, Applewhite, Lang, Wilson, Burnett, Cooper, Siler and Holt. Also, they run a 3-4….not a 4-3.

Shawne Merriman’s health will effect the game the same way it did against the Cardinals. The team is better when he’s in there and he might play. If he doesn’t, Antwan Applewhite and Brandon Lang will have to hold down the fort.

why is it that your offense is still doing well without VJ?
Because taking the #2 receiver off of a team with a great QB isn’t going to effect much. Also, the bigger reason is because the team has bolstered the running game and become more balanced.

how is mathews doing?
Great when he’s actually on the field. His 4.7 yards per carry is higher than Charger fans have seen in a few years. However, he was pulled in the game against the Chiefs after fumbling the ball, was injured against the Jaguars and missed the Seahawks game. Because of that, and Mike Tolbert’s success running the ball, they’re taking it easy with him and almost easing him back into the starter’s role.

biggest concern for your guys? im assuming special teams play
You are assuming correctly, even though it looked better against Arizona.

how strong is the pass rush?
Surprisingly strong. Shaun Phillips has been an animal, and the entire defense gets about twice as good when Merriman is in there. 9 sacks against the Cardinals was not a fluke, the defensive line eats up blockers and Ron Rivera sends lots of perfectly-timed blitzes. Expect pressure.

Will Tolbert be starting again this week? He has stepped it up in the absence of Matthews and to my knowledge has not fumbled. Do you believe he will eventually beat out Matthews at some point, or share the work load?
Tolbert’s first start was against Seattle and he looked pretty bad in the first half, and actually did fumble. I think he was trying too hard. Ever since he’s been fantastic. With Mathews nursing a bad ankle and elbow, I think the plan is to go with a 60/40 split of Tolbert/Mathews on the ground. Once Mathews gets healthier and gets more confidence (fumbles were an issue for him in his first 2 games), that should turn into a 70/30 split with Mathews taking 70% of the carries.

I read on ESPN that there were only three healthy linebackers as of now. Do you pick someone up seeing as you’re a 3-4 defense? And do you think that this is going to hurt you in anyway (of course it will to an extent, I’m just wondering how?)
Goodness, that’d be scary playing a 3-4 with only 3 LBs. As per usual, ESPN is wrong. I believe what they were trying to say is that the Chargers only have 3 healthy OLBs, and they’re still wrong. Phillips, Applewhite and Lang are probably who they’re thinking of, but they’re discounting James Holt (who played some at OLB last season) because he’s listed as a ILB. They’re also ignoring the fact that Merriman might be playing in this game after missing the Cardinals game with a calf injury. The team added more depth today by signing OLB Cyril Obiozor from their practice squad, as well.

The lack of health and depth at OLB could obviously have an effect on the pass-rush, but guys like Applewhite and Lang have talent and could really impress some people now that they’re getting on the field. Phillips and the defensive line have been doing enough to be an above-average pass rushing team already, and Ron Rivera has been using his ILBs and Safeties as blitzers up the middle as well.

San Diego is coming off of a monster game vs. The Cardinals. Do you think San Diego takes the Raiders lightly seeing as we’re 1-3, and the Chargers have won the last 13 games?
They’re not stupid and they don’t have short memories. They know better than to take the Raiders lightly after what happened last season.

San Diego has lost every away game so far. Crowds and special teams have been a big factor in their losses. I didn’t watch the game Sunday (as it was blacked out) .. Obviously the Chargers fixed the special teams play, but are they having their starters do special teams still?
Yes. A lot of people are concerned by this. Jammer, Tolbert, Cason, Naanee and Gregory were all a part of the coverage unit.

I watched the Cardinals game again last night. Tolbert isn’t just a guy who can fill in for an injured starter, the guy is a BEAST. He isn’t the fastest guy on he field, but he’s quick, nimble, and has good hands. He’s physical and… he’s HUGE! I think, overall, Ryan Mathews will be a better running back, but he’s definitely not as complete as Tolbert is yet. I just love Tolbert. The guy just looks like he can’t be a RB in the NFL. And when you watch him run, you just can’t deny the fact that the 250lb bowling ball is legit RB.
The Raiders always play the Chargers tough, especially at home. So I don’t think anyone in the organization will take them lightly. You can pretty much throw the records out at this point. It’s a divisional game, and I’m sure it’s personal, too. No one has forgotten the beating the Chargers took on the first game of the season in 2009, even though we eeked out a W.
I’ll let John handle the rest of the questions.

Don’t go bringing the Padres into it.

The majority want a trade because they know he’s NOT coming back at any point. Not unless he gets new agents and comes in groveling.

Depending on who you’re talking to, the Chargers will be getting back a 3rd round pick as compensation for losing VJax as a free agent….unless a new CBA agreement changes that rule. Either way, Jackson seems content to spend a year or two sitting out and waiting for someone to talk themselves into giving a big contract to a guy with only one or two great seasons and a long record off the field.

The fans aren’t too upset at the team. They understand why they’re doing the things they’re doing, and in general the smart Chargers fans know what the team is doing is right (even if it hurts the 2010 team). The real culprits in this dumb situation seem to be VJ’s agents, who are using him (along with Revis) to get as much money as they can before a potential lockout.

Of course, I think you and I both know that how well they play when unhappy greatly varies.

was his first back. He has to be out for three because they made him ‘roster exempt,’ so you won’t see him this week. I think Vasquez our right guard, will also be out. The subs have done reasonably well, but the Raiders might see some success rushing Rivers.

The season will look very different if we win here.

That was not a question.

Please keep the trash talk to a minimum. I’m not here to start fights, and I won’t be responding to any attempts at trolling.

What didn’t you understand about that?

Chargers defense is shit to begin with

Yes, one of the top defenses in the league this year IS shit. You’re absolutely correct.

We can run on them

Top 10 run defense vs. Top 10 run offense. Not really a guaranteed thing.

Wouldn’t know. Have never had either one, but that will change soon as they’re building a Hodad’s near my place downtown.

Haha. Yeah, Philip Rivers played great, it’s hard to talk shit on him when he plays like he did today. But, we pulled out an amazing win. Let’s hope we put 2 together now.