joelbolt
11-04-2006, 01:49 PM
Chargers getting it done up front (http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/chargers-getting-it.htm)
Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
When looking at reasons why the Chargers are 5-2 entering Sunday’s contest against the Cleveland Browns, there are plenty of numbers that tell the story.
The Bolts lead the league in time of possession, averaging 34:14 minutes per game. They’re putting up 30.9 points per game, second in the NFL, and have suffered only five turnovers, second fewest in the league.
But the statistic that Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer believes isn’t getting enough play is the 10 sacks his team has allowed.
“That’s kind of gone unnoticed,” Schottenheimer said. “I’ve been pleased with the way they’ve protected. They’ve done a nice job of giving our playmakers opportunities.”
The Chargers are coming off a week in which they allowed only one sack to St. Louis. In three of their seven games this season, the Bolts have held their opponents without a sack.
“We’ve done a great job with communication, getting the calls out,” guard Mike Goff said. “We’re all on the same page. It also helps when your quarterback makes good, quick decisions and gets the ball out quickly.”
Goff, like Philip Rivers and Schottenheimer have done throughout the season, also mentioned the work of LaDainian Tomlinson and Brandon Manumaleuna.
“The backfield with Brandon and LT have done a great job helping,” Goff said. “They can pick up blitzes with the best of them. That really helps us out.”
The Chargers have also been proficient on third down this season. Their 47.5 conversion rate on third down is the second best percentage in the NFL. Despite regularly facing predictable passing situations, the Bolts have allowed just four sacks on third down.
“People know you’re going to pass,” offensive tackle Marcus McNeill said. “Unless you’re up by a lot, they’re not thinking run. They know you’re going to throw the ball. That lets them pin their ears back and come after you, but we’ve done a good job.”
What might have been
With the third pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, the Browns had to make a difficult decision by choosing between a run stuffing tackle that they felt could anchor their defensive line and a playmaking running back who could diversify their offense.
Cleveland, under a different personnel regime than the one currently in place, chose defensive tackle Gerard Warren from Florida, leaving LaDainian Tomlinson on the board for the Chargers to thankfully pluck with the fifth pick.
"My agent was telling me that Cleveland was a team I could go to," Tomlinson said earlier this week when speaking with Cleveland reporters. "I was prepared for the situation. I knew they needed a running back badly. I thought with me being available, there was a good chance of me coming to Cleveland."
Warren has battled injuries throughout his career and is now with the Denver Broncos. Tomlinson has rushed for 8,017 yards, caught 377 passes for 2,695 yards and scored 91 touchdowns.
Olshansky works
Defensive end Igor Olshansky (knee) practiced Friday and was upgraded to probable. Safeties Bhawoh Jue (knee) and Clinton Hart (hip) also worked Friday and are questionable. Linebacker Shaun Phillips (calf) was the only Chargers to miss practice. He remains probable.
The Browns added quarterback Charlie Frye to the injury report Saturday. He's probable with a thumb injury. Cleveland starting right tackle Ryan Tucker (illness) will not play Sunday.
Quite a load
Two weeks ago, it was 230-pound Larry Johnson, last Sunday it was 230-pound Steven Jackson, and Sunday the Chargers will see another big, physical running back in Cleveland’s Reuben Droughns.
Jackson gained 84 yards on 18 carries last week, but the Chargers were able to keep him from busting a long run on them, which Schottenheimer believes is critical when dealing with big backs.
“My experience has been the only way to stop those guys is you get them before they get rolling,” Schottenheimer said. “Once you get them in space, the momentum all of the sudden becomes an issue for you. We’ve got to continue to improve our tackling. If you can get a big guy hemmed in before he gets to a crease, you’ve got a chance to slow him down.”
The Chargers enter the week with the league’s sixth-ranked rushing defense. Droughns has been key to Cleveland’s success. It’s hardly a coincidence that the Browns have two wins this season, the two games in which Droughns has rushed for more than 100 yards.
Show your blue
The Chargers will wear their “Power Blue” Throwback uniforms Sunday as they celebrate Alumni Weekend against the Browns. The Bolts look to make it three in a row in the popular jerseys.
Don’t forget
If you’re planning to attend Sunday’s game, don’t forget to bring a couple non-perishable food items to the stadium gates to support Operation Homefront, Partners for Hunger Relief and Homefront San Diego. The fan donating the most food will receive an autographed football by LaDainian Tomlinson.
Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
When looking at reasons why the Chargers are 5-2 entering Sunday’s contest against the Cleveland Browns, there are plenty of numbers that tell the story.
The Bolts lead the league in time of possession, averaging 34:14 minutes per game. They’re putting up 30.9 points per game, second in the NFL, and have suffered only five turnovers, second fewest in the league.
But the statistic that Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer believes isn’t getting enough play is the 10 sacks his team has allowed.
“That’s kind of gone unnoticed,” Schottenheimer said. “I’ve been pleased with the way they’ve protected. They’ve done a nice job of giving our playmakers opportunities.”
The Chargers are coming off a week in which they allowed only one sack to St. Louis. In three of their seven games this season, the Bolts have held their opponents without a sack.
“We’ve done a great job with communication, getting the calls out,” guard Mike Goff said. “We’re all on the same page. It also helps when your quarterback makes good, quick decisions and gets the ball out quickly.”
Goff, like Philip Rivers and Schottenheimer have done throughout the season, also mentioned the work of LaDainian Tomlinson and Brandon Manumaleuna.
“The backfield with Brandon and LT have done a great job helping,” Goff said. “They can pick up blitzes with the best of them. That really helps us out.”
The Chargers have also been proficient on third down this season. Their 47.5 conversion rate on third down is the second best percentage in the NFL. Despite regularly facing predictable passing situations, the Bolts have allowed just four sacks on third down.
“People know you’re going to pass,” offensive tackle Marcus McNeill said. “Unless you’re up by a lot, they’re not thinking run. They know you’re going to throw the ball. That lets them pin their ears back and come after you, but we’ve done a good job.”
What might have been
With the third pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, the Browns had to make a difficult decision by choosing between a run stuffing tackle that they felt could anchor their defensive line and a playmaking running back who could diversify their offense.
Cleveland, under a different personnel regime than the one currently in place, chose defensive tackle Gerard Warren from Florida, leaving LaDainian Tomlinson on the board for the Chargers to thankfully pluck with the fifth pick.
"My agent was telling me that Cleveland was a team I could go to," Tomlinson said earlier this week when speaking with Cleveland reporters. "I was prepared for the situation. I knew they needed a running back badly. I thought with me being available, there was a good chance of me coming to Cleveland."
Warren has battled injuries throughout his career and is now with the Denver Broncos. Tomlinson has rushed for 8,017 yards, caught 377 passes for 2,695 yards and scored 91 touchdowns.
Olshansky works
Defensive end Igor Olshansky (knee) practiced Friday and was upgraded to probable. Safeties Bhawoh Jue (knee) and Clinton Hart (hip) also worked Friday and are questionable. Linebacker Shaun Phillips (calf) was the only Chargers to miss practice. He remains probable.
The Browns added quarterback Charlie Frye to the injury report Saturday. He's probable with a thumb injury. Cleveland starting right tackle Ryan Tucker (illness) will not play Sunday.
Quite a load
Two weeks ago, it was 230-pound Larry Johnson, last Sunday it was 230-pound Steven Jackson, and Sunday the Chargers will see another big, physical running back in Cleveland’s Reuben Droughns.
Jackson gained 84 yards on 18 carries last week, but the Chargers were able to keep him from busting a long run on them, which Schottenheimer believes is critical when dealing with big backs.
“My experience has been the only way to stop those guys is you get them before they get rolling,” Schottenheimer said. “Once you get them in space, the momentum all of the sudden becomes an issue for you. We’ve got to continue to improve our tackling. If you can get a big guy hemmed in before he gets to a crease, you’ve got a chance to slow him down.”
The Chargers enter the week with the league’s sixth-ranked rushing defense. Droughns has been key to Cleveland’s success. It’s hardly a coincidence that the Browns have two wins this season, the two games in which Droughns has rushed for more than 100 yards.
Show your blue
The Chargers will wear their “Power Blue” Throwback uniforms Sunday as they celebrate Alumni Weekend against the Browns. The Bolts look to make it three in a row in the popular jerseys.
Don’t forget
If you’re planning to attend Sunday’s game, don’t forget to bring a couple non-perishable food items to the stadium gates to support Operation Homefront, Partners for Hunger Relief and Homefront San Diego. The fan donating the most food will receive an autographed football by LaDainian Tomlinson.