Post Week 1 news and notes

Mamba · Sep 15, 2009

OAKLAND – The Chargers often are mentioned as a team with a deep well of talent. But they were suddenly looking awfully thin at offensive line in Monday night's 24-20 win over the Raiders, and possibly vulnerable as the season moves forward.

In the third quarter, the Chargers lost veteran center Nick Hardwick (leg) and rookie right guard Louis Vasquez (foot) to injuries, the severities of which were not announced. Defensive end Luis Castillo, safety Steve Gregory, linebacker Antwan Applewhite and running back LaDainian Tomlinson also departed early.

“I think we'll end up being better than it looked,” head coach Norv Turner said.

The losses of Vasquez and Hardwick meant the Chargers had to clear the bench with all of the offensive linemen they had active.

Fifth-year veteran Scott Mruczkowski initially replaced Vasquez but then had to move to center after Hardwick's injury. Second-year player Brandyn Dombrowski took over at right guard.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was heavily pressured for most of the game, suffering three sacks while constantly being forced out of the pocket.

The Chargers were largely ineffective on the ground for the first three quarters, gaining 56 yards.

Shoring up D-line

Ironically, before the game, the Chargers had enough concern about the depth of their defensive line that they cut their fourth-round draft pick from this year.

They promoted defensive end Andre Coleman from the practice squad and waived rookie running back Gartrell Johnson.

The move was needed because defensive end Jacques Cesaire was inactive Monday night with a calf injury that kept him out of all the exhibition games.

The Chargers had a total of six active defensive linemen, including rookie Vaughn Martin and first-year player Ogemdi Nwagbuo. Coleman was in uniform for the first time in his career. Signed in 2007 as a free agent out of Albany, he has spent the past two seasons on the practice squad.

Johnson was a favorite to make the team when training camp began, but when veteran Michael Bennett was retained after a strong preseason, it gave the Chargers four running backs and made Johnson expendable, at least for the time being. If Johnson clears waivers, he is likely to be re-signed for the practice squad.

The Chargers went not with their usual 3-4 defense to start the game, but also used a 4-3. They switched away from it when the Raiders ran for 35 yards on their first drive, only to be stopped by Quentin Jammer's interception.

Jammer's quick pick

It took Jammer six games last year to get his first pick. He got his first of 2009 four minutes into the season.

Jammer read quarterback JaMarcus Russell perfectly, stepping in front of rookie Louis Murphy on a sideline pass at the San Diego 8. Jammer snatched the ball cleanly and returned it 21 yards before running into traffic and being pulled down.

With teams throwing away from him, Jammer produced only three interceptions in the past two years after having four in 2006.

Russell was sporadic, at best, but the Chargers couldn't grab another interception, though linebacker Stephen Cooper dropped what looked to be a sure pick in the second quarter. That allowed the Raiders to kick a field goal to take a 10-7 lead.

Jammed by Janikowski
The speedy Darren Sproles vs. the lumbering Sebastian Janikowski? It would seem like a colossal mismatch. But the hefty Raiders kicker likely prevented two kickoff return touchdowns by Sproles in the first half.

On the kickoff after the Raiders' first score, Sproles found a seam, but with only Janikowski to beat the Charger had to take a wide cut. The kicker never touched Sproles but slowed him just enough to allow others to catch up and hold Sproles to a 66-yard return.

Late in the second quarter, after the Raiders moved ahead 10-7, Sproles got loose again, but it was Janikowski who forced him out of bounds at the Oakland 30 for a 59-yard return.

Playing dirty

The uniforms were old school Monday night, and so was the field. With the multipurpose Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum still hosting A's baseball, the dirt infield took up a large portion of the middle of the field, and the end zones were affected by the warning track.

Of course, the biggest concern was for the kickers. Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding took numerous attempts from the dirt in warm-ups and missed once by hitting the upright on a 40-yarder. But in his first chance in the game, Kaeding had no problem. He drilled a 47-yarder to tie the game at 10 just before halftime.

Kaeding did a lot of work on his long-distance kicking in training camp, choosing not to attempt kicks of less than 40 yards.

Friendly skies?

On a Southwest Airlines midday flight to Oakland Monday, passengers in Raiders garb outnumbered those in Chargers gear by about 8 to 1.

“Welcome, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, Chargers fans and Raiderettes,” said flight attendant Jen, who had a sense of humor and later delivered instructions in a cheerleader's cadence.

Because Raiders fans seem to talk louder than other people, much banter could be heard. There was talk of stuffing LT, the antics in the “Black Hole,” the throwing of batteries, and the fact they truly got a kick out of Oakland head coach Tom Cable allegedly punching out an assistant coach during training camp.

In obvious reference to the Shawne Merriman-Tila Tequila showdown, Raiders fan Tom, between bites of pizza, quipped, “At least our men fight men.”
Click to expand...

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/sep/15/n105898-injuries-leave-chargers/?chargers

Mamba · Sep 15, 2009

On the radio this morning, the home station for the Chargers said that there shouldn't be much cause for concern; that the injuries looked worse than they were.

Thank God.

Log in or Sign up

Post Week 1 news and notes

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Post Week 1 news and notes

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Share This Page

Useful Searches