Offense in Good Hands with Floyd, Jackson

Mamba · Oct 20, 2008

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. ---- No Chris Chambers, no problem.

Chambers, the Chargers' top receiver, missed his second consecutive game with a sprained left ankle and his absence was hardly noticed.

Malcom Floyd started for Chambers and caught four passes for 65 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown pass. Vincent Jackson also had a touchdown catch (a 12-yarder) while catching four passes for 42 yards.

But neither player was happy after the contest, not after the Chargers dropped to 3-4 because of the 23-14 loss to Buffalo.

"We just didn't execute as well as we should have," Floyd said. "That goes for me too. I'll take the blame for this loss."

Floyd was then asked why the loss should fall on his shoulders.

"Because I'm part of the team," Floyd said. "It's a team effort and we didn't come out with the win."

Floyd certainly has been part of the team the past two weeks with seven receptions after not catching a pass the first five games.

Jackson, meanwhile, has been solid all season long. In addition to his touchdown catch, he also registered the longest offensive play of this game, taking a reverse 31 yards to the Buffalo 21. Six plays later, he beat Buffalo rookie Leodis McKelvin to score his third touchdown of the campaign and give the Chargers a 14-13 lead.

But the Chargers wouldn't score again and suffered their second loss in three weeks.

"It's a long season," said Jackson, who leads the Chargers with 26 receptions and 478 receiving yards. "There are still a lot of games to be played yet. We're going to try to win our division and get into the playoffs."

Running in reverse

The Chargers struggled to run the ball with running backs.

They had 72 yards rushing but nearly half of that total came on Jackson's reverse run.

LaDainian Tomlinson, once viewed as the NFL's top all-around player, had just 41 yards on 14 carries. He averaged only 2.9 yards per carry with a long of 9.

He was both disappointed and frustrated with the lack of running success against Buffalo, which entered the game with just the NFL's 18th-ranked run defense.

"I am, but you have to have opportunities too," Tomlinson said. "The run game comes with opportunities and gaining some momentum and obviously we don't have any momentum in the run game and that's why we're suffering."

Left tackle Marcus McNeill had no explanation for why the Chargers aren't running the ball well.

"It is what it is," McNeill said. "We're going to run the ball; we're going to throw the ball. We're trying to be a well-balanced offense. You can't just do one thing so that's what we're going to continue to do to be a well-balanced offense."

No sacks, little pressure

The Chargers didn't sack Buffalo QB Trent Edwards, who had plenty of time while completing 25-of-30 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown.

"From a defensive standpoint, our job is to get to the quarterback and we weren't able to do that," outside linebacker Marques Harris said.

Chargers coach Norv Turner said the lack of a pressure was an issue and one of the things that was discussed at halftime.

"We did a lot of different things, but ultimately, someone has to beat someone," Turner said. "And that's what we're trying to get done."

Injury report

The Chargers reported three injuries after Sunday's game, all minor ankle injuries. The three injured players were McNeill, backup OG Scott Mruczkowski and FS Eric Weddle.

McNeill left for a few plays in favor of veteran L.J. Shelton before returning.

"It was nothing serious at all," McNeill said. "I came back and finished out the series and wasn't having too many problems with it."

Also, OLB Jyles Tucker (hamstring) was sidelined for the third consecutive contest, while WR Craig Davis (groin) was inactive for the second straight game.

For Buffalo, Pro Bowl DE Aaron Schobel (foot) and CB Terrence McGee (knee) missed the game.

KEY STAT: 3

Turnovers by Philip Rivers.

TURNING POINT

The Chargers were driving toward a go-ahead touchdown until Rivers was intercepted on first-and-goal from the Buffalo 9-yard line by Bills linebacker Kawika Mitchell with just more than six minutes left to play.

QUOTABLE
"If we win there, the quarterback gets a lot of the credit, and again, that's part of the position and that's why it's such a fun one to play. Rightfully so, I should shoulder a lot of blame this game. I was playing pretty good and then you have the three turnovers." QB Philip Rivers, taking responsibility for his turnovers leading to the loss.

NEXT GAME

Chargers vs. New Orleans in London, Sunday at 10 a.m.

WHO'S HOT

Trent Edwards

Buffalo quarterback didn't look like a player coming off a concussion as he made the Chargers' heads hurt with a 25-of-30 passing performance.

WHO'S NOT

LaDainian Tomlinson and his line

It has to be a group effort to run the ball this poor for this long. Tomlinson has now averaged under 3 yards per carry in four of seven games.
Click to expand...

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/10/20/sports/chargers/zc2793c39d5c201b6882574e7008367e6.txt

Mamba · Oct 20, 2008

I'm glad our fucking offense works, now what about the fucking defense?

Looking at the positives though, Jackson has become Rivers' favorite targets and is easily one of the best young receivers in the NFL. He's big, strong, and quick. He can go over the middle, go deep, or can be a possession guy. Give it two-three years and he'll be mentioned as one of the best in the league.

Floyd is working out very well, as well. When Chambers comes back healthy, this receiving core is scary.

Log in or Sign up

Offense in Good Hands with Floyd, Jackson

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

Offense in Good Hands with Floyd, Jackson

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Share This Page

Useful Searches