joelbolt
11-11-2006, 11:29 AM
Rivers rolling in his first season (http://www.dispatch.com/bengals/bengals.php?story=dispatch/2006/11/11/20061111-E5-02.html)
Chargers QB playing like a savvy veteran
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
For two years, while Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and the New York Giants’ Eli Manning were asserting themselves as elite young quarterbacks, Philip Rivers waited.
The San Diego Chargers had a capable quarterback in Drew Brees and no need to rush Rivers. Their faith in Rivers as their longterm quarterback never wavered, and they were willing to part with Brees after he suffered a serious shoulder injury.
Even with a two-year apprenticeship, Rivers was expected to suffer the growing pains of a first-year starter. But Rivers has played like a veteran. Heading into the game Sunday against the Bengals, Rivers has completed 66.4 percent of his passes and has thrown 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
"He’s gotten an opportunity to drive the car now," coach Marvin Lewis said. "He likes those keys, and he’s got some pretty set of tires around him that make things go pretty good."
Certainly, it helps to be able to play behind a superb offensive line and hand off to LaDainian Tomlinson and throw to tight end Antonio Gates, both All-Pros.
But no offense flourishes without good quarterback play.
"Our quarterback has really done a terrific job," coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "The thing that stands out about him is that nothing bothers him. I’m not going to compare him to (Joe) Montana, certainly this early in his career. But in the ability to put plays behind him and move forward to the next play, that ... was the thing that set Joe apart. When a play is over, this young man forgets about it and moves to the next one."
Rivers’ fourth-quarter performance is testament to that. At a time in the game when many young quarterbacks are beaten down, Rivers has been outstanding. His passer rating in the fourth quarter is 124.9.
Time for possession
The Chargers lead the NFL by holding the ball for 33 minutes, 21 seconds per game. The Bengals have won the time-of-possession battle only twice this season. The past two weeks, they’ve had the ball less than 23 minutes per game.
The biggest problem is failure to convert on third down. In their four losses, Cincinnati has converted 10 of 45 third downs. Last week against Baltimore, the Bengals were 1 of 10.
"If we even get three more first downs and are 4 for 10, that’s maybe 15 more plays we have an opportunity to run," Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "That’s what’s slowing us down, I think – our efficiency on third down."
Injury update
Right tackle Willie Anderson (shoulder/probable) practiced yesterday for the first time this week. Running back Rudi Johnson (thigh/probable) also practiced after sitting out Thursday.
brabinowitz@dispatch.com
Chargers QB playing like a savvy veteran
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Bill Rabinowitz
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
For two years, while Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and the New York Giants’ Eli Manning were asserting themselves as elite young quarterbacks, Philip Rivers waited.
The San Diego Chargers had a capable quarterback in Drew Brees and no need to rush Rivers. Their faith in Rivers as their longterm quarterback never wavered, and they were willing to part with Brees after he suffered a serious shoulder injury.
Even with a two-year apprenticeship, Rivers was expected to suffer the growing pains of a first-year starter. But Rivers has played like a veteran. Heading into the game Sunday against the Bengals, Rivers has completed 66.4 percent of his passes and has thrown 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
"He’s gotten an opportunity to drive the car now," coach Marvin Lewis said. "He likes those keys, and he’s got some pretty set of tires around him that make things go pretty good."
Certainly, it helps to be able to play behind a superb offensive line and hand off to LaDainian Tomlinson and throw to tight end Antonio Gates, both All-Pros.
But no offense flourishes without good quarterback play.
"Our quarterback has really done a terrific job," coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "The thing that stands out about him is that nothing bothers him. I’m not going to compare him to (Joe) Montana, certainly this early in his career. But in the ability to put plays behind him and move forward to the next play, that ... was the thing that set Joe apart. When a play is over, this young man forgets about it and moves to the next one."
Rivers’ fourth-quarter performance is testament to that. At a time in the game when many young quarterbacks are beaten down, Rivers has been outstanding. His passer rating in the fourth quarter is 124.9.
Time for possession
The Chargers lead the NFL by holding the ball for 33 minutes, 21 seconds per game. The Bengals have won the time-of-possession battle only twice this season. The past two weeks, they’ve had the ball less than 23 minutes per game.
The biggest problem is failure to convert on third down. In their four losses, Cincinnati has converted 10 of 45 third downs. Last week against Baltimore, the Bengals were 1 of 10.
"If we even get three more first downs and are 4 for 10, that’s maybe 15 more plays we have an opportunity to run," Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "That’s what’s slowing us down, I think – our efficiency on third down."
Injury update
Right tackle Willie Anderson (shoulder/probable) practiced yesterday for the first time this week. Running back Rudi Johnson (thigh/probable) also practiced after sitting out Thursday.
brabinowitz@dispatch.com