joelbolt
11-06-2006, 10:20 PM
Beat-up Chargers ready for road test (http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/beat-up-chargers.htm)
Monday, Nov 06, 2006
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
The Chargers are 4-0 at home, 6-2 on the season and are about to embark on a crucial part of their schedule as they try to make it three in a row this week when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the 4-4 Bengals.
“We got what we needed to get done as far as the two home games,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “We’re kind of in a stage where we’re getting on that roll and we need to keep it going. We need to win a tough game on the road. We’ll get ready.”
Not only are the Bolts going on the road to play a defending division champion, they’re facing a team desperately in need of a big win to pull them out of a slide. The Bengals, a popular playoff pick during the preseason, have lost four of their last five games. Their last four games have been decided by a total of 10 points, and their last three losses have been by one, two and six points.
“It’s going to be a test for us, no question,” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “It’s going to be tough going into their place. They’re going to be ready. We have to match their intensity and be ready to go from the jumpstart. They’re going to try to jump on us fast and get the crowd behind ‘em. “
The Chargers will look to keep their hot streak alive despite being a little banged up physically. There’s a good chance they’ll have linebacker Shaun Phillips back from a calf injury that has cost him the last two games, but Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer joked about tapping some unique resources in order to fill out his linebacker corps.
“I don’t think (linebackers coach Greg) Manusky can play like he used to,” Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “I certainly can’t. Maybe Wade (Phillips) can, I don’t know. Hopefully (Shaun) will be available. Right now, we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
In addition to Phillips, defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle sprain), safety Marlon McCree (calf strain) and defensive end Derreck Robinson (foot sprain) could all miss practice time this week. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson (leg) and linebacker Donnie Edwards (hip flexor) were included on the post-game injury report but are expected to be ready to practice Wednesday.
“We’ve got a tough, tough second half,” Schottenheimer said. “Right now, we’re banged up. We’ve got a bunch of guys that are not going to be available at full speed through the beginning of the week. You looked out there yesterday and our guys, particularly on the defensive side, played their tails off. At the end, we were kind of spent.”
The Bengals don’t appear to be in much better shape. Starting center Rich Braham and left tackle Levi Jones will not play against the Chargers. Neither will wide receiver Kelley Washington. Starting right tackle Willie Anderson, a perennial Pro Bowler, is questionable with a shoulder injury, as is cornerback Tory James and linebacker Brian Simmons.
“The medical part of this business is something that is difficult to overcome,” Schottenheimer said.
As was evident Sunday, the Chargers have an extensive amount of depth, which they’ll most likely have to count on again this week.
“We’ve been able to develop good players that can step in and play,” Schottenheimer said. “They work as hard as the starters. Their approach on the practice field as well as the meeting room is no different. They understand that they’re one play away from being in the ballgame. We’re going to have to find a way to patch ourselves together and know that it’s going to be a tough go back there. We’ll just have to find a way to get it done like we did yesterday.”
Monday, Nov 06, 2006
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
The Chargers are 4-0 at home, 6-2 on the season and are about to embark on a crucial part of their schedule as they try to make it three in a row this week when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the 4-4 Bengals.
“We got what we needed to get done as far as the two home games,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “We’re kind of in a stage where we’re getting on that roll and we need to keep it going. We need to win a tough game on the road. We’ll get ready.”
Not only are the Bolts going on the road to play a defending division champion, they’re facing a team desperately in need of a big win to pull them out of a slide. The Bengals, a popular playoff pick during the preseason, have lost four of their last five games. Their last four games have been decided by a total of 10 points, and their last three losses have been by one, two and six points.
“It’s going to be a test for us, no question,” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “It’s going to be tough going into their place. They’re going to be ready. We have to match their intensity and be ready to go from the jumpstart. They’re going to try to jump on us fast and get the crowd behind ‘em. “
The Chargers will look to keep their hot streak alive despite being a little banged up physically. There’s a good chance they’ll have linebacker Shaun Phillips back from a calf injury that has cost him the last two games, but Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer joked about tapping some unique resources in order to fill out his linebacker corps.
“I don’t think (linebackers coach Greg) Manusky can play like he used to,” Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “I certainly can’t. Maybe Wade (Phillips) can, I don’t know. Hopefully (Shaun) will be available. Right now, we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
In addition to Phillips, defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle sprain), safety Marlon McCree (calf strain) and defensive end Derreck Robinson (foot sprain) could all miss practice time this week. Wide receiver Vincent Jackson (leg) and linebacker Donnie Edwards (hip flexor) were included on the post-game injury report but are expected to be ready to practice Wednesday.
“We’ve got a tough, tough second half,” Schottenheimer said. “Right now, we’re banged up. We’ve got a bunch of guys that are not going to be available at full speed through the beginning of the week. You looked out there yesterday and our guys, particularly on the defensive side, played their tails off. At the end, we were kind of spent.”
The Bengals don’t appear to be in much better shape. Starting center Rich Braham and left tackle Levi Jones will not play against the Chargers. Neither will wide receiver Kelley Washington. Starting right tackle Willie Anderson, a perennial Pro Bowler, is questionable with a shoulder injury, as is cornerback Tory James and linebacker Brian Simmons.
“The medical part of this business is something that is difficult to overcome,” Schottenheimer said.
As was evident Sunday, the Chargers have an extensive amount of depth, which they’ll most likely have to count on again this week.
“We’ve been able to develop good players that can step in and play,” Schottenheimer said. “They work as hard as the starters. Their approach on the practice field as well as the meeting room is no different. They understand that they’re one play away from being in the ballgame. We’re going to have to find a way to patch ourselves together and know that it’s going to be a tough go back there. We’ll just have to find a way to get it done like we did yesterday.”