Right now, among NFL circles the San Diego Chargers may be considered by some a pass-first team.
Through the Chargers’ 2-2 start, Philip Rivers has been arguably the team’s standout performer. He’s thrown for over 250 yards in each of San Diego’s first four games, including a 436-yard performance against Baltimore in Week 2. With his efforts, the Chargers rank second in the league with 295.5 passing yards per game.
The team’s rushing offense, meanwhile, has been at the opposite end of the spectrum. Through the first quarter of the team’s slate, the Chargers’ rushing attack ranks last among NFL squads, averaging 2.7 yards per carry and 53.8 yards per game.
Head Coach Josh McDaniels isn’t taking San Diego’s rushing offense for granted, though. Far from it. He said those statistics might be skewed because the Chargers have had to play catch up in a few games, causing the team to abandon the running game at times in favor of Rivers’ arm.
Featuring a backfield armed with the names LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles — and an all-around dangerous offensive attack to deal with — McDaniels said the Broncos have their work cut out for them.
“We are certainly very aware of their ability to run the football,” McDaniels said. “They have got people who can block well up front. Sproles and LT are very dangerous. We have talked a lot about we don’t want to be that team that they get it going against. They are going to be a great challenge for us because they have so many weapons other places, you can’t double team everybody and put a safety down (in the box) every play. You are going to have to pick your poison, and you are going to have to play sound defense.”
McDaniels said another factor possibly hindering San Diego’s rushing attack early in the season could have been the health of Tomlinson. The veteran back sat out the club’s last two games due to an ankle injury.
But with the Chargers coming off a bye Tomlinson is expected to return to the team’s lineup on Monday Night Football. With that rest, Champ Bailey expects the former MVP to be in San Diego’s lineup and at the top of his game.
“Coming off a bye week, he’s probably feeling as good as ever,” Bailey said. “So I’ve got a feeling that they’re probably going to feed him more than they ever have. That guy, he’s a special player.”
Two Broncos did not participate in Thursday’s practice session — LaMont Jordan (not injury related) and Spencer Larsen (shoulder). Correll Buckhalter (ankle) was listed as a full participant.
For the Chargers, C Nick Hardwick (ankle) was listed as out. Two other players — ILB Stephen Cooper (knee) and WR Kassim Osgood (back) did not partcipate in the session. OLB Antwan Applewhite (hamstring), DE Travis Johnson (groin), OLB Shawne Merriman (groin), OLB Shaun Phillips (calf) and P Mike Scifres (bilateral groin) participated in full.
– Zach Eisendrath, DenverBroncos.com
Here are some photos from the onset of Thursday afternoon’s practice session:
Tags: Champ Bailey, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, San Diego Chargers, Week 6
Hey the raider game I had us winning 27-3
Still wonder what Darrell Reid is doing in that pic..LOL!!!!
broncofan96, was that you’re 1st, 2nd or 3rd pick? LOL. Remember, I had discussions with you about being all over the map with your picks. I have noticed you have made an effort to put your house in order of late. Good luck with your 24-14 pick.
I mean 21-14 pick, sorry.
Um the only time I had two picks was week one and I was right about if we could take the ball away and preasure Carson then they would only score 7 the O just couldnt get going. all the other weeks I had just one pick and this week I have us winning 21-14 not 24-14.
lol but I had two picks that week because I didnt know what O we would get.
On top of that I do my best to catch them all, but I surely miss a couple now and then. Heck, you can probably give me a break for it, I don’t even get paid for it! LOL.
already corrected myself, 21-14, you got it.
I know lol that would be a nice job though working for the broncos. No worrys but I have took your advice and kept it to one I just think long and hard before posting lol.
Ya I didnt see that till after I posted it I was writting it before it was posted lol wasnt trying to seem like a Ahole about it.
brian scneider, by the way, you’re welcome for me spending the time to bring you up to speed. If you ask questions, blog ettiquette has it that you thank the answering dude in return, just a suggestion, no offense taken.
broncofan96, yeah these things post quicker than we can type, that’s for sure, no big deal, I knew what happened.
I’ll be interested to see what McDaniels puts together on offense this time around, I didn’t expect to see “wild horses” against New England, but it was awesome. I expect another hard fought battle with low scoring, that’s our winning combination so far. I’m thinking the running game is going to be key for both teams.
Stick it to ‘em.
so baylinorcrush what you got the score as for this week
baylinorcrush: Thank you for bringing me up to speed. I’ll make sure I work on my blong ettiqutette. Thanks again.
*blog*
*ettiquette*
brian, you’re welcome.
broncofan96, mine is fairly close to yours this time, I got us scoring two field goals on top of your 21, so I got 27-14.
A lot of people are saying Hillis is in the doghouse, while I agree he has peeved McDaniels a little bit, I think the biggest reason he isn’t getting carries is because of the injury to Larsen. With Larsen out, Hillis has to be the fulltime fullback and not receiving carries at tailback. Larsen’s recovery from his freak injury will definitely help us in goaline situations with him at FB and Hillis at TB. In addition, Larsen is a special teams stud as well
I think that Jordan could be converted to FB if we had to. Any news on when Spencer should be healed up. That one has kind of slipped under the radar, not a lot on that injury.
lol, i think i was a little “high” from the pats win on monday. I think it will be a close game. A 10 point spread i would say. (as you guys that bet on games call it) A 10 point game is realistic considering how tough we play eachother.
27-17 Broncos
I agree mad_orange_devil… the ground game will be key for us. If we get it going we can run over this team but if neither teams do they certainly have the upper hand with Rivers. Look for a lot of big hitting on those big recievers (V.Jackson,Floyd) I think our secondary will be able to contain these guys if and when we get pressure on Rivers.
I think also down in the trenches will be key (as always) but I think our offensive line is better than theirs and our DL is better than their OL.
I think in the end both offenses will find a way to get something together but the Broncos will win with their best O performance yet:
30-20
I’m in with that 10 point game, too. But tough game, anyway.
They are playing for their season (as some of them put it) in this game, but with a bye next week, it’s kind of a “final test” for us, too. So, I’m expecting our boys blowing their lungs out to get the 6-0, and then a very well earned rest.
Go Broncooos!
baylinorcrush… my prediction…. 24 – 13 denver. rivers only gets one TD!
Go Broncos
“DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS”
Atwater4Hof… That would be a sound theory except that i havent seen denver running a lot of 2 back sets. i could be wrong but i feel like McD is a fan of single back sets with 2 TE’s. anyone notice anything different would love to hear about it… never can get enough broncos knowledge you know!
Go Broncos
“DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS”
rayjr26, got it.
sorry bout all the posts in a row here, i just keep posting before finishing reading what everyone else is sayin. just wanted to say that i believe the broncos will win this one, but i am also nervous as well….. cant help it, ive been conditioned to expect the big let down over the last decade! but like i said earlier, i BELIEVE that denver wins this one. we are a better team IMO!
Go Broncos
“DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS”
baylinorcrush …. THANKS
The only time we run a two back set is in short yardage/goaline situations. I thought that maybe Hillis was in the dog house too but when you look at the situation, Buck’s doing well, Moreno’s doing well, so why take them out when they’re doing good.
Off topic…trade deadline, think we’ll make any moves for anyone or if anyone will make moves towards us?
brian_schneider… i dont see us making any moves before the deadline. i think we have good depth in all the right places and dont forsee us giving anyone away! but never say never i guess!
Go Broncos
“DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS”
I heard about Jeavon Kearse to Denver trade possibilty.
But i like the team we have.
On paper, we’re better than the Chargers. Better offensive stats and better defensive stats. But, the thing that really worries me is that if you look at the win/loss record of elite QBs (Despite his childish antics, Rivers is an elite QB.), there’s always one team the an elite QB totally dominates no matter which team (on paper) is the better team. For example, Elway totally dominated any team coached by Marty Schotenheimer. Look at the record, the Broncos are that team for Rivers. It’s time to change that, but………
What about getting a crazy good return specialist? Like Leon Washington or Justin Miller or Joshua Cribbs? I really think that one those types could complete a much improved special teams.
Orange Crush them on the kick off!!!!!!!!
A punter returner could be worth it. Concidering ho much we make other teams punt now. I mean, holy cow, the pars punted three times on one drive. lol If we can have a guy that could take it 20 yards or so. It could really open up our offense.
I will go with Broncos 27-17. Rivers gets 2 and they get a FG. Doom walks away with 2-sacks, and Champ comes out with 1-INT.
Cribbs would be nice… and the Browns are throwing everything valuable from their house. Winslow, Edwars… Cribbs?
And I guess we’d give draft picks, right? Or in the other case, who’d be the chosen one to go?
with the returns, as long as we are starting at the 30 or better, it doesnt matter how far the return is. What we need to start doing is returning and not fair catching everything.
amen to that.
I would say that we could give up a wr. Maybe Kenny McKinnley and a 3rd round pick for Cribbs.
I think we need better blocking so we can have a chance to return one.