Pats/Chargers Articles before the game

[Ras]

This thread is to post any article on the Pats and Chargers, players, coaches and game, before the game. Just to keep everything in one place.


Monday, 14 January 2008

Witnessing Greatness
Daily Herald

History has a way of being generous. With the years there are those that somehow lose their respective faults and are lionized in the public eye.

Thomas Jefferson owned slaves and impregnated some but we refer more glowingly to his efforts with the Declaration of Independence.

Abraham Lincoln was known as The Great Emancipator but in fact, had a separatist mentality in desiring that Africans be given an island in the Caribbean to reside, away from 'his fellow Americans'.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was supposedly privy to the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor months in advance but his legacy is of resurrecting the country from it's economic depression.

This glorifying of the past occurs in all facets of life but seems to be the most pronounced in the sporting world.

The feats of those past seem to take on a life of their own as time has a way of adding to the lore beyond the numbers.

The result is that, collectively and individually, it becomes easier to pay homage to those not present while making the current crop of participants have to perform spectacular feats before they can even be invited into the conversation regarding all-time greats.

This thought came to me Saturday as I was watching the playoff game between New England and Jacksonville.

The Patriots winning was not unexpected nor was the 262 yards and three touchdowns thrown by Tom Brady extraordinary, particularly in light of the year that he has had and the "Play Station 3" statistics of contemporary passers.

But what did catch my attention was that he was 26-for-28 -- and the two passes that he did not complete were dropped!

That 93-percent completion rate was a record for playoff football. In the 25 years that I played organized football I do not recall that level of accuracy in practice, let alone a game.

This adds yet another chapter to his growing legend in this most magical of seasons for him as he became only the third quarterback in history to throw for over three hundred yards a game, not to mention his stellar record of 50 touchdowns.

Strangely enough, it may be his intangible qualities that separate him from the rest.

His arm strength, accuracy, and intelligence are a given but his leadership, toughness, resilience, and likeability are not.

In the midst of this perfect season many may not remember that back in the 2001 season, his second in the NFL, he took a team where the wide receivers were David Patten and Troy Brown, the tight end Rod Rutledge, and the running back a fellow named Antowain Smith to a title.

I mention these teammates because none of them will be mistaken for Canton residents, let alone stars. But his ability to make his teammates better than they are is part of his arsenal. Following the third Super Bowl triumph in 2005 his contract was up.

Could anybody have been in any better barqaining postion in the history of sports?! Instead, he took a contract nearly identical to Alex Smith of the 49ers so that the front office could sign other players under the salary cap.

If that did not ingratiate him to his colleagues then maybe leading the team in off-season conditioning attendance would. He is almost too good to be true.

I was too young to have seen Sammy Baugh or Otto Graham, but from Johnny Unitas to Joe Montana I have seen the rest of those that people consider to be the greatest signal-callers in history.

As Bum Phillips once said, "He may not be in a class by himself, but whatever class he is in, it does not take long to call roll". Two games from now, Tom Brady might be the sole member in the classroom.

• Todd Christensen is a former BYU and NFL football player and can be reached at dhsports@heraldextra.com.

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/251611/140/

 

[Jammer]

INDIANAPOLIS -- So, what do you think Mr. Stetson Cologne Boy and the rest of the New England Patriots were thinking as they watched Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game?


Dear God, anybody but Baltimore.



The San Diego Chargers? Didn't we already beat them by, like, 100?



We're going to the Super Bowl!



Nothing against the Chargers, who faced every adversity here Sunday except locusts, but beating the one-and-done Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts is several floors down from trying to beat Tom Brady and the undefeated Patriots in the AFC Championship Game ... at Gillette Stadium ... in late January, with forecasters calling for temperatures in the mid-teens, tops.



Still, if the Patriots are smart -- and they are -- they'll understand what happened at the RCA Dome. They'll understand because they know how difficult it is to beat a Tony Dungy-coached and Peyton Manning-quarterbacked team in a place so loud that your ears bleed. They'll also know this isn't the same Chargers team that lost to the Pats by 24 in Foxborough, Mass., nearly four months ago.



"The way we're playing now, nothing can stop us," Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky said. "The way we overcome adversity and everything else. I guarantee you that [Patriots coach Bill] Belichick and everybody else over there are scratching their heads saying, 'Man, we better get ready.'"



That's one possibility. Another possibility is that the Patriots could be thinking the same thing that Manning and the rest of the Colts are thinking after San Diego's 28-24 win: How?



Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, who arrived at the stadium wearing a protective boot to cover his dislocated left big toe, tried to play but was good for just 28 yards' worth of catches.



Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson injured his left knee midway through the second quarter, returned briefly, and then spent more time on a stationary bike than Lance Armstrong. He finished with 28 yards on seven carries.



Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers appeared to hurt his right knee on the final play of the third quarter and didn't play again. But before he left, he threw three touchdowns.



And those were just the injuries. The Chargers were also flagged for 10 penalties, including a phantom holding call during a San Diego interception return that cost the visitors a touchdown and the lead going into halftime. There was also an interesting pass interference call early in the fourth quarter that almost caused Chargers coach Norv Turner's head to explode.



Rivers threw an interception deep in Colts territory. Nate Kaeding doinked a Chargers field goal attempt off the right upright. Right guard Mike Goff had two false starts on the same drive -- a career first, he said.



And yet, the Chargers won. They overcame four Colts leads, three crucial injuries, Manning's 402-yard, three-touchdown day and a Colts crowd so overpoweringly loud that San Diego players said they couldn't hear themselves talk on the sidelines or on the field.



Afterward, Colts owner Jim Irsay found Chargers president Dean Spanos just outside the San Diego locker room.



"Congratulations, buddy," Irsay said. "Good luck to you ... It was a great victory for you guys."



He's right. The Chargers were supposed to lose to the Colts. Now they're supposed to lose to the Patriots.



"This is nothing new," Spanos said later. "Anybody can beat anybody on any given Sunday. Nobody gave us much of a chance today."



A year ago, the Patriots beat the Chargers at San Diego in these same AFC divisional playoffs. Then they beat them, 38-14, in the second game of this season. By the end of September the Chargers were 1-3 and fans were openly chanting, "Mar-ty," as a way to mock Turner and San Diego management for firing Marty Schottenheimer.



But now the Chargers have won eight consecutive games. And nobody is making fun of Turner anymore.



"I'm really happy for Norv," Spanos said. "It was tough the first month or so, for all of us."



FYI, Patriots: Turner said these Chargers are the best team he's had as a head coach. And he also said he's well aware of his team's underdog status.



"I saw one of these polls -- I don't know how accurate they are -- but 82 percent of America thought [we'd lose] this game," Turner said.



What will it be against the Patriots? Ninety percent? Close to 100?



"It's going to be a tough game, probably our toughest game we've ever played," Tomlinson said. "I'm pretty sure we'll be huge underdogs, and rightfully so."



But Chargers safety Eric Weddle, who intercepted a Manning pass just short of the San Diego goal line, offered a small bit of advice: "We are definitely a lot better team than the first time we faced [the Patriots]."

Better. Deeper. More experienced. Looser. Much looser.



With 12:38 left to play and San Diego leading by four, the Chargers offense waited to huddle during a TV commercial break. As they waited, several Chargers -- mostly 6-7, 336-pound offensive tackle Marcus McNeill -- started swaying and dancing to the music being played during the TV timeout.



"That's how it's supposed to be," McNeill said. "It doesn't make no sense to be at crunch time and your butthole is all tight."



Yes, well, that's one way to look at it.



The point is, the Chargers have suffered just about every indignity and here they are, a victory away from a Super Bowl appearance. From preseason favorites to football punch lines ... from a 5-5 record on Nov. 18 to a 13-5 record on Jan. 13 ... from injuries and penalties galore to an unlikely win against the defending Super Bowl champions on the Colts' field.



"Whatever happens, I think we can handle," said Rivers, who, like Tomlinson, is questionable for the AFC Championship Game. "This team can handle.''



All that stands in their way, Rivers said, is "arguably one of the best teams that ever played ... Seventeen have tried and it hasn't happened yet. We believe it can happen. All you can ask for is an opportunity."



Ask? No way. The Chargers earned it.



Gene Wojciechowski is the senior national columnist for ESPN.com. You can contact him at gene.wojciechowski@espn3.com. He co-authored Jerome Bettis' autobiography, "The Bus: My Life In and Out of a Helmet," which is available now.

 

[oldbagfan]

I have my doubts as to whether we can actually successfully corral all pregame Chargers/Pats articles on this thread, but in the spirit of cooperation, I'll play along. Here's one of what will doubtless be many "Chargers Can't Win" articles:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22641760/

Are we ready to absorb all the shameless sucking up? HECK YEAH!!! o

[PS - MODS - If the plan really is to post all pregame articles on this thread, it should probably be stickied...]

 

[Undertaker #59*]

[PS - MODS - If the plan really is to post all pregame articles on this thread, it should probably be stickied...]

Then everyone will really ignore it.

 

[oldbagfan]

Then everyone will really ignore it.

Stop with the large sigh already and remember when you were a HOPEFUL clown before age and cynicism set in . . .

 

[Tchok13]

I have my doubts as to whether we can actually successfully corral all pregame Chargers/Pats articles on this thread, but in the spirit of cooperation, I'll play along. Here's one of what will doubtless be many "Chargers Can't Win" articles:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22641760/

Are we ready to absorb all the shameless sucking up? HECK YEAH!!! o

[PS - MODS - If the plan really is to post all pregame articles on this thread, it should probably be stickied...]

Worst Karma article evers

 

[Tchok13]

First reaction: San Diego-New England
Cold, Hard Football Facts for January 13, 2008


Here's our first reaction to the surprising AFC title game showdown. Remember, this is just some immediate reaction, our chance to fill your fertile little mind with some juicy little thoughts in the aftermath of the divisional round. By next weekend, this game will be broken down so completely you'll confuse it with a typical Peyton Manning postseason performance.

San Diego at New England, Sunday, 3 p.m.
Can you say redemption time?

While the sporting world salivated over a rematch of the regular-season Game of the Century between the defending champion Colts and perfect Patriots, Norv Friggin’ Turner of all people spoiled the party.

Are you kiddin’ us?

San Diego-New England won’t have quite the same sparkle as Indy-New England, which probably would have challenged non-Super Bowl TV ratings records.

But it offers plenty of compelling storylines:

The two winningest QBs in football today
Yes, Philip Rivers was on the sideline in the critical fourth quarter of San Diego’s 28-24 win over Indy, but all indications are that he’ll be taking the snaps next Sunday in Foxboro.

Nobody considers a Rivers an elite quarterback, least of all the Cold, Hard Football Facts. But you can’t deny the only record, stat or Cold, Hard Football Fact that matters: wins and losses.

Rivers is 25-7 (.781) as an NFL starter, 27-8 if we can include the playoffs (.771).

In both instances, he’s second only to New England’s Tom Brady among starting QBs. Brady is just one-thousandth of a percentage point ahead of Rivers in the regular season, with a mark of 86-24 (.782). But the Best Big Game Quarterback of Our Generation also boasts a gaudy 99-26 (.792) mark if we include the postseason.

Sure, Rivers didn’t lead the game-winning drive against Indy on Sunday. But he certainly acquitted himself admirably while he did play, completing 14 of 19 (73.7%) for 264 yards, a phenomenal 13.9 YPA, 3 TD, 1 INT and a Brady-like 133.2 passer rating.

Knocking off the king in his own castle would spell instant legitimacy for Rivers.

San Diego's shot at redemption
The Chargers present a curious phenomenon. They clearly consider themselves an elite team, even if their accomplishments – at least until Sunday’s win over Indy – spelled “j-o-k-e-r.”

No more. You beat the champs in their backyard for your first postseason road win since before the internet age, and you climb up the ladder of legitimacy.

Now comes a chance for the Chargers to prove that they're as good as they think they are.

A grudge match
Indy’s 38-34 win over New England in the 2006-07 AFC title tilt was the NFL’s game of the year last season.

But New England’s 24-21 win in San Diego, over the top-seeded Chargers in the divisional round, wasn’t far behind. It certainly rates highly on New England’s lengthy “pulling wins out of your ass” list. LT was nearly in tears after the game, charging the Patriots with being "classless" after they (gasp!) celebrated their upset victory.

The Patriots then smoked the Chargers in Week 2 this year, 38-14, proving that they were ready to circle the wagons around their coach in the wake of "spy-gate." New England's Tedy Bruschi called it "one of the most satisfying wins" of a career that includes four Super Bowl appearances and three rings, and it gave the Turner Era in San Diego the appearance of a complete dud.

It’s been anything but. Turner has the Chargers in the conference title game for the first time since the 1994 season.

Turner’s shot at redemption
Dare we say it? Turner, the butt of countless jokes this year, many of them by the Cold, Hard Football Facts, out-smarted Indy’s Tony Dungy Sunday.

Hell, the Chargers knocked off the defending champs with their All-World running back and No. 1 QB sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter.

That’s no small feat. And Turner deserves credit for keeping it all together, overcoming the doubters (Hello, Cold, Hard Football Facts!) who haunted him all year and pulling out a once-every-decade road playoff win for the San Diego organization.

San Diego’s decision to fire Marty Schottenheimer last year after a 14-2 campaign and a one-and-done playoff performance was widely criticized. But Turner has helped guide the team to the AFC title game, a milestone it never reached under regular-season superhero Schotzy.

The Chargers had not won a playoff game since the 1994 AFC title game. Now they’ve won two this year. The win at Indy was just the organization's second road playoff victory since the incredible Kellen Winslow-led 41-38 win at Miami in the 1981 postseason classic.

Turner has already justified the organization’s decision fire Schotzy.

Outsmarting Bill Belichick and ending the Evil Empire’s Reign of Terror will change the way history judges Turner.

Duh! The perfect season
Lest we forget, the Patriots are 17-0 this year and, with a win over San Diego, will become the first team in history to win 18 straight games in the same season. They're 22-1 over their last 23 games. They're attempting to become just the third team to win four Super Bowls in the same decade and the first team in history to run the table in a 16-game season.

If that's not reason enough to tune in, we don't know what else to tell you.

 

[Tchok13]

By John (to hell with karma) Tomase

Now we know how the 1985 Bears felt.

They wanted revenge on the Dolphins for ending their perfect season and the stars appeared perfectly aligned when the underdog Patriots [team stats] headed south for the AFC title game.

But despite a 16-game Orange Bowl jinx, the Pats squished the Fish and took their plucky brand of overachievement to Super Bowl XX - where they were promptly humiliated.

They had no chance in hell.

Just like the San Diego Chargers this weekend.

The Chargers screwed up The Game of the Century yesterday by going into Indianapolis and rallying to win, ruining the rematch everyone from commissioner Roger Goodell on down wanted to see: Pats-Colts for the right to win Super Bowl XLII.

Instead, the Patriots get the Chargers, a team they’ve already throttled this season, and one that might have to play without the NFL’s leading rusher, their starting quarterback and the best tight end in football.

Start booking those Super Bowl packages while airfare is less than $2,000, because the Patriots are going to Arizona.

The prevailing wisdom since November has been that only the Colts could give the Patriots a game. Now that they’re gone, there’s no one standing between the Pats and their fourth Super Bowl title in seven years.

The Chargers do not match up well with the Patriots at any of the key positions, starting with quarterback. Philip Rivers threw two interceptions in their Sept. 16 meeting. Before that, he completed just 14-of-32 passes with no touchdowns and a pick in last year’s playoff game vs. the Pats.

His status is uncertain after he hurt his knee yesterday. If he can’t go, the task of beating the unbeaten Pats will fall on journeyman backup Billy Volek.

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson usually kills the Pats, though he was held to 43 yards on 18 carries in the first meeting this year. He tweaked his knee yesterday and if he can’t go, at least the Chargers field the NFL’s best backup in Michael Turner.

“They have outstanding depth,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said yesterday. “That’s why they’re in the AFC Championship Game.”

Then there’s Antonio Gates. The tight end dislocated his toe against the Titans in the wild card round and while he played yesterday, he was nowhere near 100 percent, catching just two passes.

“We’ll prepare for everybody,” Belichick said. “Any number of players could be in the game, so if they’re on the 53-man roster, we’ll prepare for all of them.”

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Patriots unveil a defensive game plan similar to the one they used against the Jaguars in Saturday’s 31-20 victory.

The Pats moved their safeties up to help in the running game dropped their corners back, daring the Jags to throw.

Jacksonville obliged and quarterback David Garrard had an excellent night. But the Jags still lost by nearly two touchdowns because Garrard committed two turnovers.

Rivers threw 15 interceptions and lost six fumbles this season. He has added a pair of interceptions in the playoffs. If he’s that flawed against the Patriots [team stats], it’s going to be a long afternoon for the Chargers.

On the defensive side, linebacker Shawne Merriman made his presence felt yesterday, but the Patriots owned him last January when All-Pro left tackle Matt Light [stats] dominated him.

The Chargers also lack discipline in the secondary, where corner Antonio Cromartie emerged as a ball-hawking Pro Bowler, but where safeties Marlon McCree and Clinton Hart are no better than average.

Then there’s the coaching matchup, which is the biggest mismatch of all.

Norv Turner coached for 10 years before he won his second playoff game. Belichick once went five seasons between postseason losses.

And with the only team capable of beating his Pats headed home for the winter, it’s safe to say Belichick’s current postseason streak will be at two following next Sunday’s game.

 

[#54]

Stop with the large sigh already and remember when you were a HOPEFUL clown before age and cynicism set in . . .

It had no need of being hopeful until a bunch of kids (without a dog) dealt It a major hurtin'. Years later, It returned, but so did the kids.

There are those that believe It has been completely and utterly vanquished, but having grown up in the area that It is trapped in, I have my doubts. Doubts that lay at the very core of my being (soul, Zen, Karma, Dogma, whatever).

 

[Jammer]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsess...d805fe9dd&template=without-video&confirm=true

Posted: 6 hours 4 minutes ago
Head-to-head: Chargers at Patriots
NFL.com




San Diego Chargers New England Patriots
QUARTERBACKS
Philip Rivers, in his second full season as a starter, passed for 3,152 yards and 21 touchdowns to lead the Chargers. Rivers became only the second quarterback in club history to pass for three touchdowns in a playoff game against the Colts, tying the club mark of Dan Fouts. Billy Volek attempted 10 passes this season, but led the Chargers on the winning touchdown drive over the Colts, culminating in his 1-yard touchdown plunge late in the fourth quarter. Volek replaced Rivers, who injured his right knee in the final play of the third quarter. Rivers' status is questionable. NFL MVP Tom Brady just completed what may be the greatest season a quarterback has ever produced, throwing an NFL-record 50 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. His 4,806 passing yards and 117.2 passer rating were also tops in the NFL, while his 68.9 completion percentage was a career high. Brady was nearly perfect against Jacksonville, completing 26-of-28 passes and three touchdowns. Despite the Patriots winning a number of games by landslide margins, backup Matt Cassel did not get many opportunities, throwing for 38 yards and one interception in seven pass attempts. Rookie Matt Gutierrez is the team's third-string QB.


RUNNING BACKS
Last year's MVP, LaDainian Tomlinson, won his second consecutive rushing title, becoming the first running back since Edgerrin James (1999-2000) to lead the league in rushing in back-to-back seasons. Tomlinson started the season slowly, but gained 602 yards in the month of December despite playing only six quarters in the final three games. Tomlinson left the game against the Colts with a knee bruise, but expects to play. Michael Turner backs up Tomlinson and will be an attractive free agent in the offseason, especially after he gained 71 yards on 17 attempts against the Colts. Darren Sproles rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns in his only extended work against the Lions in Week 15. Sproles had a key 56-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against Indianapolis. Fullback Andrew Pinnock has replaced injured starter Lorenzo Neal, who still hopes to return if the Chargers keep advancing in the playoffs. Some consider second-year back Laurence Maroney an afterthought in New England's pass-happy offense, but his 306 yards and four touchdowns over the season's final three games say otherwise. Kevin Faulk's numbers are by no means mind-blowing, but the nine-year veteran continues to be a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield and one of the more underrated players in this offense. FB Heath Evans is a powerful run blocker who recorded three touchdowns when he wasn't opening up holes. Kyle Eckel remains the team's fourth-string back. Before a season-ending injury in Week 6, Sammy Morris was averaging 4.5 yards per carry to go along with his three touchdowns.


RECEIVERS
The Chargers finally got the big-play receiver they have sought for years when they acquired Chris Chambers from the Dolphins. Chambers has started to hit his stride with Rivers, and finished the season with 66 receptions for 970 yards and four touchdowns. Vincent Jackson has become the Chargers' go-to guy in the postseason. Jackson had five receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown against the Titans. He followed that up with seven receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown against the Colts. The Chargers also have first-round pick Craig Davis and the versatile Legedu Naanee who can fill in at both the receiver and tight end position. Randy Moss rewrote the record books in his first year with the Patriots, recording a league-high 1,493 receiving yards and an NFL-record 23 touchdowns. Moss' 98 receptions, combined with Wes Welker's 112 (tied for the league lead) were far and away the best numbers for any receiving duo in the NFL this season. Welker had nine receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars. Donte' Stallworth provides a speedy and experienced option for Brady, with 46 receptions for 697 yards and three touchdowns. Jabar Gaffney was a late-season playmaker. Chad Jackson and Kelley Washington didn't make many receiving plays this season, but were valuable special teams members. And don't forget about Troy Brown. The 15-year Patriots veteran was activated off the PUP list in Week 13 and has a knack for making plays in the postseason.


TIGHT ENDS
Chargers tight end Antonio Gates has emerged as one of the top tight ends in the NFL, but his status for Sunday's game is uncertain after he suffered a toe injury in the Chargers' wild-card defeat of the Titans. Gates didn't start against the Colts, but was able to play in pain to record a pair of receptions. His presence is enough to open up space for Jackson and Chambers. Gates led the team with 75 receptions for 984 yards and nine touchdowns to earn his fourth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl. Brandon Manumaleuna would have to play a larger role if Gates can't go and Naanee would come in when San Diego employs two tight-end sets. Benjamin Watson got off to a fast start, recording five touchdowns in his first five games. He finished the season with 36 receptions, 389 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. Watson had a pair of touchdowns last week and had a touchdown in the Patriots game against the Chargers in Week 2. Kyle Brady has been a valuable run blocker and was even on the receiving end of a pair of Brady-to-Brady touchdown passes. Linebacker Mike Vrabel has been known to line up at tight end in goal-line situations, making two touchdown receptions this season.


OFFENSIVE LINE
Tomlinson gives credit for his consecutive rushing titles to his offensive line. The anchor of the offensive line is center Nick Hardwick who missed four games with an ankle injury. The Chargers went 2-2 during that stretch, but have not lost since his return. Guard Kris Dielman will start in his first Pro Bowl. Rounding out the offensive line are tackles Marcus McNeill, Jeromey Clary and guard Mike Goff. The Chargers did not allow a sack in the team's first two playoff games. Center Dan Koppen, guard Logan Mankins and tackle Matt Light comprise the left side of the Patriots' offensive line. All three are going to the Pro Bowl. Guard Stephen Neal and Nick Kaczur round out a front five that allowed only 21 sacks. Seventh-year guard Russ Hochstein, tackle Ryan O'Callaghan and tackle Wesley Britt are all versatile and capable backups.


DEFENSIVE LINE
The strength of the Chargers defensive line is defensive tackle Jamal Williams, who has been slowed by an ankle injury. Brandon McKinney is his backup. The Chargers do expect him to be healthy for the playoffs. Defensive end Luis Castillo returned in Week 16 after suffering an ankle injury and has provided a spark. Jacques Cesaire filled in adequately in Castillo's absence. Fourth-year defensive end Igor Olshansky also has become a force on the defensive line. At 6-2 and 325 pounds, DT Vince Wilfork is a dominant run-stuffer, leading the defensive line with 48 tackles. He is flanked by defensive ends Richard Seymour and Ty Warren, comprising one of the more powerful lines in all of football. DE Jarvis Green filled in on the right side before Seymour was activated off the PUP list in Week 8. With 39 tackles and 6½ sacks, Green continues to be a valuable member of the Patriots' defensive end rotation and could start on most teams. DE Mike Wright and DT Le Kevin Smith round out the reserves.


LINEBACKERS
Pro Bowl-bound Shawne Merriman suffered a knee injury against the Titans in Week 14, but still recorded 12½ sacks on the season -- the third year he has had double-digit sack totals. Shaun Phillips is more than just the "other guy" starting in the opposite outside linebacker spot. The Chargers have grown under defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who has turned his linebackers loose on opposing quarterbacks. Merriman did not have a sack against the Colts, but had a key quarterback pressure on fourth-and-goal with just over two minutes left that squelched a potential Colts scoring drive. Jyles Tucker is the backup behind Merriman, and finished his season with three sacks against the Raiders. Inside linebackers Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm have been solid and are key in stopping the run. Cooper had 16 tackles against the Colts. Next to trading for Moss, the signing of former Ravens LB Adalius Thomas was the biggest off-season acquisition for New England. While Thomas' numbers (78 tackles, 6½ sacks) may be down slightly from his days in Baltimore, his biggest contribution may have been beginning the season at ILB, allowing Mike Vrabel to move to the outside. Vrabel subsequently submitted the best season of his 11-year career, recording 77 tackles, five forced fumbles and a career-high 12½ sacks to earn his first Pro Bowl appearance. Before going down for the season in Week 12, OLB Rosevelt Colvin was having another fine season with 27 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception. With Colvin on IR, Thomas was moved back to his more familiar outside spot and 18-year veteran and team captain Junior Seau became the starter next to Tedy Bruschi (team-leading 92 tackles) on the inside.


DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Chargers led the NFL with 30 interceptions. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie started the season as the No. 5 cornerback, but set a club record and led the league with 10 interceptions to earn his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Cromartie wasn't a factor in the team's first meeting, but should have a bigger role on Sunday. Quentin Jammer, another former first-round pick, has been solid on the other corner. First-year starter at strong safety Clinton Hart set a goal of six interceptions this season. Hart intercepted five passes, but exceeded the team's expectations for him. Free safety Marlon McCree also has been an excellent defender for the team. Rookie Eric Weddle, who has proven to be quite a find in nickel situations and on special teams, had a key interception on the goal line against the Colts. CB Asante Samuel had another impressive year, providing an intimidating presence on the left side and leading the team with six interceptions to earn his first Pro Bowl appearance. If there is a weak link in this New England secondary, it is right cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who at 5-9 and 195 pounds is somewhat undersized. He and Samuel are backed up by 14-year veteran Rodney Harrison, who started every game after serving a four-game suspension to begin the season. Three-year veteran James Sanders proved to be a capable starter in Harrison's absence, while free safety Eugene Wilson is currently healthy after suffering his second consecutive injury-plagued season, missing five games with an ankle injury. Nickel back Randall Gay (three INTs), Willie Andrews, Mel Mitchell, and rookie Brandon Meriweather round out the secondary.


SPECIAL TEAMS
Nate Kaeding has converted on 24-of-27 field-goal tries but has had some struggles in the playoffs. Kaeding missed a potential 54-yard game-tying field goal against the Patriots in last year's playoffs. Punter Mike Scifres was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate and his unique punting style allows him to pin teams deep and is the reason why he leads the AFC with 36 punts downed inside the 20. Special teams ace Kassim Osgood also was selected as to the Pro Bowl for his kick coverage. Sproles became the first player since Dante Hall in 2002 to return both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in one game, which he did against the Colts in Week 10. Welker is the team's primary punt returner, averaging 10.0 yards per return. On kick returns Welker shares the duties with Hobbs, who made history in Week 1 with an NFL-record 108-yard return for a touchdown vs. the Jets. With the Patriots' offense so prolific, punter Chris Hanson had only 44 opportunities to kick, averaging 41.4 yards per punt. Kicker Stephen Gostkowski had no such issues, connecting on all 74 of his extra point opportunities and 21 of 24 field goal attempts.

 

[Claremonster]

With 12:38 left to play and San Diego leading by four, the Chargers offense waited to huddle during a TV commercial break. As they waited, several Chargers -- mostly 6-7, 336-pound offensive tackle Marcus McNeill -- started swaying and dancing to the music being played during the TV timeout.

What classless bastards. I bet it starts with their head coach.

 

[Tchok13]

From chargers.com

Sunday night following the Chargers’ win over the Colts to advance to the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, New England Head Coach Bill Belichick was asked how much the tape of his team’s Week 2 win over the Bolts would help him as he prepares for this week’s rematch.

“I don’t think that anything in the past has much bearing on that,” Belichick said. “A lot’s happened since then, almost as if it’s a new team.”

The team Belichick is game planning for this week is extremely different from the one that he faced four months ago, and here are four reasons why.

Buying in

The Chargers had just one game under their belts in the Norv Turner era when they traveled to Foxboro in September. Players and coaches were still getting a feel for each other as the Bolts were trying to find an identity.

“We weren’t clicking on all cylinders at that time offensively, defensively because things were new to us,” Tomlinson said. “Coaches and the things that we were trying to do on the field, it was new.”

The loss in New England was the first of three-consecutive defeats that led to a 1-3 start and a 5-5 mark in mid November. Once things clicked, the Chargers got hot and have reeled off eight-consecutive wins.

“Once the coaches and players got a better understand of what we’re trying to execute, we got our tempo going and everything came together,” wide receiver Vincent Jackson said.

Middle man

Moments into the September loss in New England, the Chargers lost a player who figured to play a key role in the Bolts’ attempt to slow the Patriots’ potent short passing attack when linebacker Matt Wilhelm went to the sideline with a calf injury.

“Matt’s probably one of the most athletic linebackers in the league,” linebacker Shawne Merriman said. “He has a lot of range and he’s probably one of the best in pass defense. Not having him there, we took a blow from that.”

In addition to his physical skills, Wilhelm is responsible for relaying defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell’s signals from the sideline. His absence also hurt the Chargers from a communication standpoint.

“Matt’s had a great season and having him out there Sunday is going to be huge,” said linebacker Stephen Cooper. “We’re playing confident as a defense right now and he’s a big part of that.”

Going deep

On September 16, the day the Chargers lost to the Patriots, Chris Chambers caught one pass for nine yards as his Miami Dolphins lost to the Dallas Cowboys. Vincent Jackson caught one pass for four yards in the Bolts’ defeat.

Chambers joined the Chargers via trade in late October and the Chargers’ passing game hasn’t been the same since. The two pass catchers have pushed each other and given the Bolts a new dynamic on offense.

“I think ever since Chris has been here, Vincent has picked it up just in the sense that they’ve really got to worry about sideline to sideline,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “You’ve got to cover us now. That’s not to say they didn’t have to in the past with Vincent, but I think now their eyes are looking around and saying, ‘there’s a lot of guys that can get up the field and make big plays.’”

In the Bolts’ two playoff victories, Chambers and Jackson have combined for 395 yards and three touchdowns. That’s with tight end Antonio Gates sidelined for half of the win over Tennessee and slowed by a dislocated toe at Indianapolis.

Crime Time

The emergence of cornerback Antonio Cromartie has brought a new dimension to the Bolts’ defense. Cromartie was on the field a significant amount of time in Week 2, but his role is much different and his game is at a higher level now that he’s an every-down player.

“You’ve seen what he’s done this year,” Merriman said. “Just having a guy with that playmaking ability just helps us out up front just that much more. You’ve got a guy back there covering a little bit longer.”

Cromartie led the NFL in interceptions this season with 10, although he didn’t record a pick in the first five games of the season. He added a forced fumble and another interception in Sunday’s win over the Colts.

 

[grog]

Chargers have one thing in their favor: revenge

From MSNBC

Chargers have one thing in their favor: revenge
Bitter memories of last season’s playoff loss to N.E. motivating San Diego
By Bill Williamson
MSNBC contributor
updated 8:18 p.m. ET, Tues., Jan. 15, 2008

The San Diego Chargers just may have something that they can tangibly use against the New England Patriots this week in a game in which the visitors desperately need something to hang onto.

They have the revenge factor. And it’s real.

Yes, San Diego is still smarting over the Patriots dancing on their home field last January after upsetting the No. 1 seeded Chargers in the AFC divisional playoffs. Who can forget an impassioned LaDainian Tomlinson yelling at the Patriots on the field, seconds after his team’s Super Bowl hopes were dashed?

It was 53 weeks ago, but it still burns.

No other team that has faced, and fallen, to New England in this 17-round massacre has anything this real to sink their teeth into like the Chargers. Sure, the Jets had “SpyGate.” But you got the feeling that the Jets players were sheepish about the whole ordeal. By the time the two teams met again in December, the Jets were counting their draft order and not exactly on the hunt for some sweet, sweet revenge.

Other teams have certainly tried to stir their own pot by directing some heat toward New England. But it was manufactured stuff like Steeler Anthony Smith’s lame guarantee or Jaguar Paul Spicer’s “SpyGate” cracks last week. These were just made-for-TV bear poking expeditions that didn’t have any steam ... and did not work.

What the Chargers have is real. They hate the Patriots with real cause. They are legitimately mad.

Continued...

 

[grog]

SN: Cromartie has chance to shut down Moss

SN: Cromartie has chance to shut down Moss
Chargers’ outstanding DB could be their best weapon against Patriots

By Matt Crossman

updated 10:47 p.m. ET, Tues., Jan. 15, 2008
Antonio Cromartie did not start until Week 10, but the Chargers cornerback apparently is trying to cram a season's full of big plays into his relatively limited playing time. In Sunday's divisional playoff game against Indianapolis, he forced a fumble to stop a drive in his own territory and later picked off a pass at his own 11.

Including the regular season and playoffs, that brings his interception total to 11, in just 10 starts, including a whopping four off of Peyton Manning. Cromartie so long and fast he gets to balls he has no business getting to. He's built like a small forward but runs like a scat back. He has great cover skills, a sharp football mind and impressive work ethic. "What you see on Sunday is a direct representation of how hard he works," Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm says.

Cromartie's interception and subsequent return Sunday highlighted all of his skills (Check out the 3:20 mark on that video, if you don't believe me). He was playing zone coverage with Colts receiver Reggie Wayne in front of him. Manning's pass deflected off of Wayne's hands, and Cromartie instinctively threw up his right hand. The ball hit and stayed. His return jaunt took him up the sideline, where a logjam of defenders slowed but did not stop him. He broke to his left across the field, found two blockers to lead him and cruised to the end zone. It was called back on one of numerous bad calls but was nonetheless a breathtaking display of athleticism

Continued...

 

[Oswlek]

Re: SN: Cromartie has chance to shut down Moss

SN: Cromartie has chance to shut down Moss
Chargers’ outstanding DB could be their best weapon against Patriots

By Matt Crossman

updated 10:47 p.m. ET, Tues., Jan. 15, 2008
Antonio Cromartie did not start until Week 10, but the Chargers cornerback apparently is trying to cram a season's full of big plays into his relatively limited playing time. In Sunday's divisional playoff game against Indianapolis, he forced a fumble to stop a drive in his own territory and later picked off a pass at his own 11.

Including the regular season and playoffs, that brings his interception total to 11, in just 10 starts, including a whopping four off of Peyton Manning. Cromartie so long and fast he gets to balls he has no business getting to. He's built like a small forward but runs like a scat back. He has great cover skills, a sharp football mind and impressive work ethic. "What you see on Sunday is a direct representation of how hard he works," Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm says.

Cromartie's interception and subsequent return Sunday highlighted all of his skills (Check out the 3:20 mark on that video, if you don't believe me). He was playing zone coverage with Colts receiver Reggie Wayne in front of him. Manning's pass deflected off of Wayne's hands, and Cromartie instinctively threw up his right hand. The ball hit and stayed. His return jaunt took him up the sideline, where a logjam of defenders slowed but did not stop him. He broke to his left across the field, found two blockers to lead him and cruised to the end zone. It was called back on one of numerous bad calls but was nonetheless a breathtaking display of athleticism

Continued...

How did he "force" the fumble again? He wasn't even trying for the ball.

And the int was a nice catch and return, but he had absolutely no chance to make a play if the throw was on target. I will gladly accept another team giving NE opportunities and taking advantage if NE makes unforced errors.

 

[grog]

Celebration time? LT says too early

Celebration time? LT says too early
By Jay Posner

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 15, 2008
The Chargers appreciated the show of support from the 8,000-plus fans who greeted them Sunday night at their Murphy Canyon complex – if not the traffic jam they caused – but there also was a feeling the celebration was premature.
“It was a great feeling, obviously,” LaDainian Tomlinson said, “but we would rather have a big celebration after the Super Bowl. I understand that our fans are excited because no one gave us a chance (to beat Indianapolis), but for us we felt like we haven't done anything and we talked about that.

“We won a divisional game. Our goal is to win a championship. Obviously it was great for the fans to be excited, but for the players, they have to excuse us if we didn't seem excited because we just kind of didn't expect it.

“We didn't think that was anything that we have done so far.”

At least one player couldn't resist when asked if he was amazed by the turnout.
“Yeah,” cornerback Antonio Cromartie said, “amazed how everybody jumped on the bandwagon. When we were 1-3, we didn't have 10,000 fans out there.”

Actually, they had more than 65,000 fans at the Kansas City loss that dropped them to 1-3. But many of them were booing and chanting Marty Schottenheimer's name.


Here we go
Well, that didn't take long. The “Boston Sports Blog” on Boston.com yesterday posted an item rehashing several quotes from the Chargers talking about the Patriots, including those from Tomlinson after Spygate (“If you're not cheating, you're not trying”), and Shaun Phillips after last year's playoff game between the two teams (“Shaun Phillips will have a grudge against them the rest of his career”).
Also included was Igor Olshansky's quote from Sunday in Indianapolis where he said the Patriots must be “scratching their heads saying, 'Man, we better get ready.' ”

But evidently that wasn't all Olshansky said. The Boston blog posted a clip from YouTube.com in which KFMB Channel 8 asked Olshansky about New England.

“Who? New England?” Olshansky said. “Seriously, they're more worried than we are, I promise you. Believe me, they know what's up.”

Coach Norv Turner said he was “disappointed” in Olshansky's comments and added, “It's been addressed.”

Asked if he doesn't want to see his team making outrageous comments, Turner laughed and said, “You got that right.”

Chargers players were off yesterday and today, so Olshansky was unavailable for comment.


Consider him 'probable'
General Manager A.J. Smith was the first man off the bus Sunday night, luggage in hand, but he tripped and fell in front of the front door and had to be helped up by a security guard.
“I haven't fallen since the eighth grade,” Smith said. “I was in such a hurry to get out of there. I waved to some fans, but I wanted Norv to handle it. I tripped and fell. Me, being the athlete that I am, I got up fast. I don't know if anyone saw me. With all those (TV) lights, you couldn't see. I'm glad I landed on my bag or I'd probably still be on the ground.

“I thought I may have sprained my MCL. Everybody's thinking about Philip Rivers. What about me? It was crazy out there.”


Nuts 'n' Bolts
A day later, the Chargers weren't any happier with the questionable holding call on Eric Weddle that nullified Cromartie's 89-yard interception return for a touchdown. Turner said he felt bad that Cromartie's “unbelievable run” would not be a highlight for the ages, but the coach didn't want to specifically discuss Sunday's officiating. “We get a little money for winning these playoff games, and I'm not giving it back (in fines),” Turner said.
Turner and his staff will make even more money regardless of Sunday's outcome. If the Chargers win, the staff obviously will coach in the Super Bowl, where winning shares (for coaches and players) are worth $78,000 and losing shares $40,000. If San Diego loses, the coaches will handle the AFC squad at the Pro Bowl, where the shares are worth $40,000 and $20,000. The Chargers already have guaranteed each player and coach an extra $79,500 by advancing to the AFC title game.

According to Weather.com, Sunday in Foxborough will now be warmer than the previous forecast. Instead of the high reaching 15, it now will be 16. “I hope it's freezing and Tom (Brady) can't feel his fingers to throw the ball,” Shawne Merriman said, laughing. “But if not, we have to prepare for whatever we're going to get.”

Cromartie plans to post a sign in his locker beginning tomorrow that says, “No interviews.” Asked why, Cromartie said, “It's that time.”

Staff writers Kevin Acee and Nick Canepa contributed to this report.

Source

 

[grog]

Ouch

Ouch
Beat-up Chargers hope to recover, rest before squaring up against the Patriots
By Kevin Acee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 15, 2008


One of the ways Norv Turner won over his players this season – besides the streak of victories that eventually came – was with his consistent straightforwardness.

The head coach sees no need to change now, with his team as beat up as it has been all season, about to square up against history in the biggest game many of the Chargers have ever played.

“I'm concerned,” Turner said yesterday. “I mean, I'm real concerned. . . . You can only withstand so many hits.”

The Chargers yesterday began to look toward Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the undefeated New England Patriots with the reality that practice for at least a portion of this week will likely be minus Antonio Gates, Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson, among others.

Tomlinson is almost certain to play Sunday but will rest his hyperextended left knee early in the week.

“I think I'll definitely be able to play,” said Tomlinson, hit on the knee at the end of a run in the second quarter. “ . . . I'm going to get as much treatment as I can. Obviously I'm going to do all I can in practice. I don't want to miss any time in practice.”

Rivers, too, likely will play against the Patriots, now on two injured knees, a strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee suffered Sunday added to the sprained left MCL he has played on since Dec. 9. Gates likely will follow the same path he did last week, rehabbing and keeping weight off his dislocated left big toe before testing it again on Sunday morning.

“You have to be concerned,” Turner said. “We've got guys who aren't going to practice all week that are going to play.”

The Chargers probably also will rest for at least a day nose tackle Jamal Williams, who aggravated an ankle injury that has bothered him much of the season, and defensive end Luis Castillo, who suffered bruised ribs in Sunday's 28-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie could also miss a day of practice with what Turner described as “soreness” in his knee.

While they are riding the momentum of eight straight victories, including two in the same postseason for the first time since going to the Super Bowl 13 years ago, the Chargers also are feeling the effect of two physical contests in successive weeks.

“We're beat up,” Turner said. “In (Sunday's) game, I asked them to give me everything they've got and a little more, and they did. So now we've got to be smart and use this week to get our energy level back but still get prepared.”

What they're readying for is a game in which they are two-touchdown underdogs.

And they don't want to face the league's fourth-ranked defense (in both points and scrimmage yards allowed) without their hot quarterback.

Rivers has put together the best two back-to-back playoff games by a quarterback in team history in leading the Chargers to their fourth AFC title game. He has completed 33 of his 49 passes for 556 yards and four touchdowns with just two interceptions. His 115.7 rating is better than any two-game stretch in his career.

“Billy (Volek) played great and went in and did the things he had to do,” Turner said. “But we're getting ready to play the best team in the National Football League. So we need to rally the troops and get everyone as healthy as we can be.”

Even at full strength, the Chargers would face a second straight week of being given little to no chance of winning.

The overwhelming love for the Patriots also discounts that since Nov. 25 (eight games for the Chargers, seven for New England) the Chargers have allowed 6½ fewer points a game and scored 1½ fewer points a game than New England while facing about the same level of competition. The Chargers' opponents during their winning streak had a combined winning percentage of .458, while the Patriots' opponents had a similarly unimpressive .486 winning percentage.

But besides the Patriots winning all 17 of their games, there also is the fact they beat the Chargers 38-14 in the season's second week.

That's cool with the Chargers, who prefer the underdog role. It's one they have embraced since falling off the mantel of elite teams early in the season.

“I like it,” Cromartie said yesterday. “It means . . . no one is counting on us to win. It's been that way since Week 2, to tell you the truth. I love it. It gives us a chance with the momentum of knowing we are underdogs just to show everybody in the world what we can do.”

Source

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Our old buddy Ross Tucker.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ross_tucker/01/15/linemen/

Walking the line
Ranking the playoffs' four remaining offensive lines

Posted: Wednesday January 16, 2008 1:11PM

Commonly held NFL wisdom states that a team will only go as far in the playoffs as its quarterback takes it. This theory isn't necessarily true. No one would argue the Chargers' Philip Rivers is a better quarterback than the Colts' Peyton Manning or that the Giants' Eli Manning has produced a better body of work this season than the Cowboys' Tony Romo. Upset wins by San Diego and New York prove it's not the QBs. Games are ultimately won and lost in the trenches.

The offensive lines for the Chargers and Giants clearly outplayed their counterparts on the Colts and Cowboys. The blocking units of the Patriots and Packers showed how vital the play of the most overlooked men on the field can be.

The best lines in the playoffs are those that possess the greatest mental and physical toughness. Ill-timed false starts and holding penalties can be the difference between wins and losses. With that in mind, I've ranked the four remaining offensive lines based on which group I think will play best under the intense pressure of the remaining games.

1. New England Patriots

The most playoff-tested group remaining, the Patriots have a host of advantages over the other offensive lines. They have played at least two playoff games every year since 2002 and know this situation well.

Even more important, they have maintained the same starting lineup, excluding injuries, for the past three seasons. Contrary to what some GMs and head coaches believe, continuity is integral to the success of the offensive line. The Patriots clearly realize that. All five starters are home-grown products. Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Nick Kaczur are all New England draft picks while Stephen Neal was signed as an undrafted free agent.

Mankins is the clear-cut star of this group and is already challenging Steve Hutchinson for the title of the best guard in football. He has great natural power and athleticism, but he's really getting his due this season because of his temperament. Mankins seems much more interested in mauling and punishing his defender than he does in simply blocking them.

The two most experienced and well-paid members of the unit, Light and Koppen get by primarily on quickness, technique and intelligence. Light does not have the prototypical body for an elite left tackle, but plays with a low center of gravity that allows him to play light on his feet yet maintain his power. Koppen is the brains of the unit but is fortunate to play in a system that does not lean heavily on line calls made from the center position.

The right side of the line is clearly the less-accomplished side of the Patriots unit. At times, right guard Neal suffers from poor technique, but is able to utilize his amazing recovery skills to get the job done even if he gets off balance during the course of the play. The weak link for the Pats, which the Chargers will attempt to expose, is right tackle Kaczur. He struggles against elite pass rushers without help. Bill Belichick will likely develop a game plan to aid Kaczur in obvious pass-rushing situations, lest he be exposed by Chargers rushers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips.

Veteran offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia deserves a ton of credit for bringing this unit together and getting the most out of the talent it has.

2. San Diego Chargers

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=338105

Keep this in mind: Pats linemen are brainy

Posted: January 16, 2008

New England Patriots offensive linemen are smart. Damn smart. And I've got the numbers to prove it.

Each year at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, prospective draft picks are timed and measured in the 40-yard dash, 225-pound bench press, vertical jump, broad jump and the 20-yard and 60-yard shuttles. Using those physical exercises, scouts, coaches and general managers can gauge a player's straight-line speed, strength, explosiveness and lateral quickness.

But as we all know, the mind is a terrible thing to waste. So intelligence also is measured.

Each player is required to take the Wonderlic Personnel Test, a 12-minute, 50-question exam that is administered to prospective employees in different fields for the purposes of recruitment (read: draft ranking), placement (position) and development (can he start immediately or will he be a backup who needs nurturing?).

The number of correct answers in the allotted time determines the score. A 20 is considered to indicate average intelligence, or an IQ of 100.

By Wonderlic standards, the Patriots have a bunch of Phi Betta Kappas protecting quarterback Tom Brady and opening holes for Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk.

Here are the five starters, the year they took the Wonderlic test at the Combine and their scores:

Player, position 	       year 	score 
Matt Light, left tackle 	2001 	29 
Logan Mankins, left guard 	2005 	25 
Dan Koppen, center 	       2003 	28 
Stephen Neal, right guard 	2001 	31 
Nick Kaczur, right tackle 	2005 	29

That's an average of 28.4, which is well above 24, the average score when the test was administered to miscellaneous people of various professions.

That also means Patriots offensive linemen are smarter than the average clerical worker (21), bank teller (22), sales person (24) and ... uh ... journalist (26).

The Patriots quintet has a higher average Wonderlic score than the offensive lines of the other three teams left in the playoffs. The Packers have a 26.8, the Chargers have a 26.6 and the Giants have a 25.6.

Obviously, playing on the offensive line is more than being able to throw hand punches, cut blocks and wrestle with defensive linemen who often are bigger (tackles) or faster and more athletic (ends). It also requires a large degree of smarts.

"A lot of things happen out there and they happen quick," Koppen said. "So guys have to know what they're doing, what people around them are doing, and react to it. That's a lot of mental stuff."

Bottom line: Patriots linemen are successful on the field. They'd probably do pretty well on Jeopardy, too.

Dennis Dillon is a senior writer for Sporting News.

Comments

WorcesterJack on Wed Jan 16, 2008 04:11 pm
Really devalues the Wonderlic...I've never met a journalist smarter than a brick, never mind a bank teller, a clerical worker or a sales person!

rickster0229 on Wed Jan 16, 2008 04:32 pm
The Pats linemen are freakin fantastic. If a QB on any level, I would want them because I would never get touched. I would hope that I would look like Tom Brady too so I could get all the girls. Man, Tom Brady is dreamy!!!

bveo12 on Wed Jan 16, 2008 09:01 pm
Key point missing from the article: NFL prospects endure a grueling full-day workout, then run wind sprints, then immediately take the Wonderlic while still sucking air. The idea is to judge a player's thinking ability when physically and emotionally drained and while under duress.

Somehow I doubt journalists take the test under similar conditions.

 

[Spentcartridge]

And for todays reading pleasure about the opposition:

By Bill Center
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 18, 2008
If the forecast is right, the AFC Championship Game could rank among the 10 coldest games in Chargers history.

The high Sunday in Foxborough, Mass., is expected to be 21 degrees, with winds peaking between 20 and 25 mph. There is only a 10 percent chance of rain, although snow showers are forecast for tomorrow.

Only six games in Chargers history have been played in temperatures of 20 or less, with the coldest being the 1982 AFC Championship Game in Cincinnati (minus-9 degrees, with a -59 wind-chill factor).

The Chargers have won their past three cold-weather games dating to Dec. 19, 2004, when they defeated Cleveland 21-0. The conditions in Ohio that day were 18 degrees, snow flurries and a minus-10 wind-chill factor.

Last Dec. 2, the Chargers defeated the Chiefs 24-10 in Kansas City, where the temperature was 34 with a wind-chill of 24 degrees. It was snowing Dec. 3, 2006, in Buffalo when the Chargers defeated the Bills 24-21.

Yesterday, the Chargers downplayed the effect of bad weather on Sunday's game.

“I don't think the weather will be a factor at all because of what is at stake,” linebacker Shaun Phillips said. “Both teams will be playing in the same weather.”

Coach Norv Turner said wind would be a bigger factor than cold.

“Wind more than anything has effect on the game,” Turner said. “That is the quarterback's biggest challenge. When wind becomes an issue, field position becomes an issue.”

“When it is windy and cold, field position becomes a big factor,” said quarterback Billy Volek.

Said Turner: “Even though we're out here in San Diego, most everyone has played in games where it's windy, rainy, wet, snowing, whatever. And the game changes. That's part of the experience of being through different situations.”

“If wind is an issue, you have to make decisions based on field position and be smart in terms of the kicking game and figure out what you can do in the passing game and don't try to do things that you're not capable of doing.”

Asked about the weather forecast, quarterback Philip Rivers said:

“Coach said he's thinking about trying to get a flight up to Anchorage, but he couldn't get that orchestrated. You can't necessarily prepare for the cold. When you get out there, it is what it is. I don't know that anybody really ever gets used to playing in that kind of weather. It's obviously not ideal.

“But it's what you see a lot at this time of the year if you're in the playoffs. You've got to be thankful that you're getting to play in that weather because that means you're where we are.”

Injury updates
LaDainian Tomlinson (hyperextended knee) practiced yesterday with a sleeve wrapping his left leg. Linebacker Shawne Merriman (flu) was limited in his participation. But Rivers (sprained knee) again missed practice, as did tight end Antonio Gates (dislocated big toe) and nose tackle Jamal Williams (ankle sprain).

Rivers, however, threw off to the side and said he intends to practice this morning before the Chargers depart for New England.

“It feels better today and I'm pretty optimistic,” said Rivers of the sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

“I did throw a little bit off to the side. I didn't want my first throw of the week to be on Sunday.”

Rivers did ask to practice yesterday.

“Phil wanted to go out and throw some today,” Turner said, “but James Collins (the Chargers' head trainer) didn't think that was appropriate.”

Asked about Rivers starting Sunday, Turner said: “If Phil can get through the pregame and handle the things he needs to handle, he will play.”

Tomlinson said he went through a normal Thursday practice and said his knee was “just fine.”

“I tested it,” Tomlinson said. “I wanted to see where I was. I was happy at where I was today.”

“LT looked good,” said Turner.

Merriman ailing
Last week Merriman kidded cornerback Antonio Cromartie for coming down with the flu days before the victory over the Colts. Now Merriman is feeling the pain.

“I've really been sick,” Merriman said. “I had a bad stomach virus, but I'm feeling better and getting over it. Cromartie had it first. I think it's karma because I was joking around with him, saying he had the Reggie Wayne flu, and I get sick a couple days later.”

Matt Light, the Patriots tackle Merriman will oppose much of Sunday, also missed practice yesterday with the flu. “Oh, really?” Merriman said. “We've got something in common already.”