joelbolt
11-01-2006, 11:57 PM
Schottenheimer has shot at championship (http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1162374014275390.xml&coll=2)
Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter
Now in his 21st NFL season, Marty Schottenheimer is the active head coach with the most overall wins, but also the most losses in the postseason. The latter record could be Schottenheimer's career epitaph.
In the era of the Super Bowl, only Chuck Knox coached more games (352) than Schottenheimer (335) without reaching the league's championship game.
It's no secret in San Diego that Schottenheimer and General Manager A.J. Smith have a strained relationship and one, or both, could be ousted if the Chargers don't delve deep into the playoffs this year.
This may be the best team of Schottenheimer's career. The Chargers shine in some of the sport's key measures of strength, such as scoring differential (plus-107), sack differential (plus-16) and turnover differential (plus-7).
Smith, for one, would argue there are no excuses for this Chargers team to fall short of at least the AFC championship.
SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
What: Browns vs. San Diego Chargers.
When: Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego.
Record: 5-2.
Last game: Beat St. Louis, 38-24, in San Diego.
Coach: Marty Schottenheimer, fifth year, 38-34; 196-138-1 overall.
Series record: Chargers lead, 12-7-1.
Last meeting: Chargers won, 21-0, Dec. 19, 2004, in Cleveland. The Chargers toyed with a Browns team in disarray, throwing only six times while limiting the Luke McCown-led Cleveland offense to 231 total yards.
League rankings: Offense is third (second rush, 15th pass), defense is second (sixth rush, sixth pass) and turnover differential is plus-7.
Offensive overview
Coordinator Cam Cameron achieves the kind of offensive balance most coaches seek but rarely realize. They’ve run 244 times and thrown 212. They can win solely by running LaDainian Tomlinson or can beat you with the passing game. First-year starter Philip Rivers clearly has won the confidence of Cameron to execute the offense in entirety, as former veteran quarterback Drew Brees did. Rivers is now changing plays at the line of scrimmage. If anything, Rivers is more cognizant and distributes the ball more evenly. Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates are the leading targets. Neither starting wideout has a touchdown catch. This unit also has depth at key spots. Backup running back Michael Turner could start for many teams and Billy Volek might be the league’s best backup quarterback.
Defensive overview
Coordinator Wade Phillips operates the 3-4 scheme at its most unpredictable best. This unit co-leads the NFL with 26 sacks, and they are spread among 10 players. Outside linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are the best pass rushers. Phillips is not shy about blitzing anyone to the quarterback. But every thing the defense does starts with nose tackle Jamal Williams, a 348-pound beast who frequently beats double teams and can also get to the passer. The Chargers can mount a decent rush just with their three linemen, and when they are able to do that, turnovers frequently happen. Phillips is a master at disguising rush schemes and mixing up cover ages, making for a frustrating game for most quarterbacks.
Special teams overview
Punter Mike Scifres leads the NFL with a 43-yard net average. That would shatter the NFL record of 39.3. Kicker Nate Kaeding is 16-of-18 this year on field goals and is 4-of-6 in his career from 50 yards and longer. Punt returner Eric Parker (10.0-yard average) is more of a threat to go the distance than kick returner Michael Turner (21.4). The coverage units are solid.
Players to watch
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson: One of the NFL's top five players, his rushing total (656 yards) is down from previous years because backup Michael Turner is hard to keep off the field.
Linebacker Shawne Merriman: With 18˝ sacks in 22 career games, his absence should be welcomed by Charlie Frye; Merriman will miss Sunday's game to begin a four-game suspension for violating the league steroids policy.
Quarterback Philip Rivers: The son of a coach, he studied for two years behind Drew Brees; now he's the triggerman of perhaps the league's most balanced offense.
Injury report
LB Shawne Merriman (league suspension) is out. LB Shaun Phillips (calf) and DE Igor Olshansky (knee) are doubtful. S Clinton Hart (hip) is probable.
Small world
Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer was Browns defensive coordinator from 1980 until he was promoted to head coach after eight games in 1984. He left after 1988. . . . Chargers special-teams coach Steve Crosby was Browns running backs coach from 1991-94 and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in '95. . . . Chargers strength and conditioning coach Dave Redding was the Browns' first-ever strength coach from 1982-88. . . . Chargers tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski had the same job with Browns in 2004. . . . Chargers players formerly with the Browns: receiver Keenan McCardell (1992-95), offensive tackle Roman Oben (2000-01). . . . Chargers coaching administrator John Wuehrmann was Browns director of video operations from 1985-95.
Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter
Now in his 21st NFL season, Marty Schottenheimer is the active head coach with the most overall wins, but also the most losses in the postseason. The latter record could be Schottenheimer's career epitaph.
In the era of the Super Bowl, only Chuck Knox coached more games (352) than Schottenheimer (335) without reaching the league's championship game.
It's no secret in San Diego that Schottenheimer and General Manager A.J. Smith have a strained relationship and one, or both, could be ousted if the Chargers don't delve deep into the playoffs this year.
This may be the best team of Schottenheimer's career. The Chargers shine in some of the sport's key measures of strength, such as scoring differential (plus-107), sack differential (plus-16) and turnover differential (plus-7).
Smith, for one, would argue there are no excuses for this Chargers team to fall short of at least the AFC championship.
SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
What: Browns vs. San Diego Chargers.
When: Sunday, 4:15 p.m.
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego.
Record: 5-2.
Last game: Beat St. Louis, 38-24, in San Diego.
Coach: Marty Schottenheimer, fifth year, 38-34; 196-138-1 overall.
Series record: Chargers lead, 12-7-1.
Last meeting: Chargers won, 21-0, Dec. 19, 2004, in Cleveland. The Chargers toyed with a Browns team in disarray, throwing only six times while limiting the Luke McCown-led Cleveland offense to 231 total yards.
League rankings: Offense is third (second rush, 15th pass), defense is second (sixth rush, sixth pass) and turnover differential is plus-7.
Offensive overview
Coordinator Cam Cameron achieves the kind of offensive balance most coaches seek but rarely realize. They’ve run 244 times and thrown 212. They can win solely by running LaDainian Tomlinson or can beat you with the passing game. First-year starter Philip Rivers clearly has won the confidence of Cameron to execute the offense in entirety, as former veteran quarterback Drew Brees did. Rivers is now changing plays at the line of scrimmage. If anything, Rivers is more cognizant and distributes the ball more evenly. Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates are the leading targets. Neither starting wideout has a touchdown catch. This unit also has depth at key spots. Backup running back Michael Turner could start for many teams and Billy Volek might be the league’s best backup quarterback.
Defensive overview
Coordinator Wade Phillips operates the 3-4 scheme at its most unpredictable best. This unit co-leads the NFL with 26 sacks, and they are spread among 10 players. Outside linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are the best pass rushers. Phillips is not shy about blitzing anyone to the quarterback. But every thing the defense does starts with nose tackle Jamal Williams, a 348-pound beast who frequently beats double teams and can also get to the passer. The Chargers can mount a decent rush just with their three linemen, and when they are able to do that, turnovers frequently happen. Phillips is a master at disguising rush schemes and mixing up cover ages, making for a frustrating game for most quarterbacks.
Special teams overview
Punter Mike Scifres leads the NFL with a 43-yard net average. That would shatter the NFL record of 39.3. Kicker Nate Kaeding is 16-of-18 this year on field goals and is 4-of-6 in his career from 50 yards and longer. Punt returner Eric Parker (10.0-yard average) is more of a threat to go the distance than kick returner Michael Turner (21.4). The coverage units are solid.
Players to watch
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson: One of the NFL's top five players, his rushing total (656 yards) is down from previous years because backup Michael Turner is hard to keep off the field.
Linebacker Shawne Merriman: With 18˝ sacks in 22 career games, his absence should be welcomed by Charlie Frye; Merriman will miss Sunday's game to begin a four-game suspension for violating the league steroids policy.
Quarterback Philip Rivers: The son of a coach, he studied for two years behind Drew Brees; now he's the triggerman of perhaps the league's most balanced offense.
Injury report
LB Shawne Merriman (league suspension) is out. LB Shaun Phillips (calf) and DE Igor Olshansky (knee) are doubtful. S Clinton Hart (hip) is probable.
Small world
Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer was Browns defensive coordinator from 1980 until he was promoted to head coach after eight games in 1984. He left after 1988. . . . Chargers special-teams coach Steve Crosby was Browns running backs coach from 1991-94 and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in '95. . . . Chargers strength and conditioning coach Dave Redding was the Browns' first-ever strength coach from 1982-88. . . . Chargers tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski had the same job with Browns in 2004. . . . Chargers players formerly with the Browns: receiver Keenan McCardell (1992-95), offensive tackle Roman Oben (2000-01). . . . Chargers coaching administrator John Wuehrmann was Browns director of video operations from 1985-95.