Chargers Dismissed Ted Cottrell as Defensive Coordinator
After eight games into the NFL season, the struggling San Diego Chargers at 3-5 decided to make a coaching change to try to spark the Chargers defense. The Chargers fired Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator. Inside linebackers coach Ron Rivera is now the new defensive coordinator for the Chargers.
Why was Ted Cottrell dismissed? Well, since the New England Patriots game, the Chargers defense has not sacked the quarterback in two games and the Chargers have lost both games. Even though the Chargers don’t have Shawne Merriman in their line-up due to an injury, the Chargers have good players on defense. With players like Luis Castillo, Jamal Williams, and Shaun Phillips, the Chargers should be able to put pressure or gets sacks on the quarterback. This will help the secondary to make plays. Instead, players like Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie and others on the secondary have to stay longer with the receivers, which allows the opposing quarterbacks to pick apart the Chargers Defense.
So, what’s the problem? The coach needs to create the right schemes and put players in the right position to make plays and the Chargers Defense has not been doing that. You could say that it’s the other teams, however, when every opponent is not getting pressure, then it more on the what Chargers are doing or not doing. The Chargers needed to do something to spark the defense, enter Ron Rivera.
Ron Rivera was the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears during their Super Bowl run in 2006 and a Super Bowl winner as a player for the Chicago Bears in 1985. Rivera did apply for the Chargers head coaching job, but was later hired as inside linebackers coach instead. Now Rivera has to find a way to bring back the pass rush and get the defense back in gear. If Rivera can figure out how to get to the defense rolling and with the Chargers high-powered offense, the Chargers could be posied to make their run. We shall see what happens.
Why are the Chargers Struggling?
Revenge is Sweet for Breeze, Chargers Lose Two Straight
The San Diego Chargers find new ways to lose games. This week it was penalties and their lack of pass rush that would help the New Orleans Saints win 37-32. In front of over 80,000 people at Wembley Stadium in London, this was an exciting game from beginning to end. For Saints quarterback Drew Breeze, this was a victory was sweet and is something he can be very proud of. Breeze was able to get a victory over his former team, the San Diego Chargers. However, for the Chargers, despite being behind in this game, they still had their chances, but fell short.
Drew Breeze had a great game and throwing for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, when the Chargers had the ball, they were able to move the ball on the Saints defense. Questions about LaDainian Tomlinson’s toe have been answered. LT is back and was able to rush for 105 yards and had one touchdown. Even Antonio Gates played a great game and scoring one touchdown as well. Philip Rivers was also able to throw over 300 yards, but was not even in the end.
The Chargers had missed opportunities in this game. Rivers had Vincent Jackson open, which should have been a touchdown, but Jackson let the ball slip out of his hands. Also, Chargers Safety Eric Weddle had a interception, but was overturned by a coaches challenged. A fumble by Darren Sproles in the 2nd quarter would lead to Saints touchdown. And, a crucial interception by Philip Rivers towards the end of the game would doom the Chargers.
The penalties in this game was terrible for the Chargers. Committing 14 penalties for 134 yards is unacceptable. But, the biggest issue for the Chargers was the lack of pass rush once again. Drew Breeze did not get sack in this game. It’s obvious that the Chargers defense is missing Shawne Merriman. His impact and intensity on this team and defense is no longer there and Chargers defense do not have any answers. Teams are doubling Shaun Phillips and the other guys are struggling to get to the quarterback.
During the bye-week, the Chargers need to change the way they play defense because what they are doing is not working. The San Diego Chargers are now 3-5. The numbers don’t lie. The Chargers are struggling and need to fix it fast or this team could miss the playoffs. The San Diego Chargers have the potenials to be great, but they need to prove it on the field. Hopefully the bye-week came at the right time and the Chargers will go into the second half of the season ready to make their playoff run. We shall see.
Chargers vs. Saints Preview: Rivers vs. Breeze
Well, this has been 3 years in the making. Philip Rivers and San Diego Chargers will face former Chargers quarterback and now New Orleans Saints QB, Drew Breeze. Does this game mean more to Philip Rivers, Drew Breeze or San Diego Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith?
A quick look back at Chargers history: Drew Breeze was injured in the last game in 2005 season. The following year, the Chargers decided to go with their 2004 No. 1 draft pick, Philip Rivers. The Chargers would release Drew Breeze. Breeze would move on and to play for the New Orleans Saints. Since then, both Rivers and Breeze have had success with their respective teams.
But, now is the long awaited meeting between the Chargers and Saints starts this Sunday. Of course, this game was suppose to be played in New Orleans, however, the NFL moved this game to Wembley Stadium in London. Both teams are coming off loses, but this is an important game for both teams.
For the Saints, playing in a tough division, this is a critical game for them. The Saints need to win to stay within playoff race. Of course, for Drew Breeze, this game is personal. By winning, Breeze can prove to the Chargers that they made the wrong decision. Well, at least for one game.
But, for the Chargers, this is an important game because they are trying to keep up with the Denver Broncos in the division. For Philip Rivers, this game is more of a competition between both players. For GM A.J. Smith, he believes that he made the right football decision for the Chargers organization. After Rivers and Breeze careers are over then we’ll all know who made the right choice.
Now, the time for the discussion of who should have been the Chargers quarterback is over. Rivers is the leader of the San Diego Chargers and Drew Breeze is the leader of the New Orleans Saints.
Game time starts 10:00 A.M. from London. Find out who wins! CHARGERS vs. SAINTS! Bring it on!
Favre Denies Informing Lions on Insights into Packers Playbook
Bret Favre was accused of contacting former Detroit Lions president Matt Millen and giving him insights into give the Packers playbook. However, Favre denies the reports and saying the accusations were ridiculous. Bret Farve also denies calling Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo. Jay Glazer wrote the story for Foxsports.com and defends what he wrote.
Whether or not Bret Farve gave the insight information to the Detroit Lions, it did not work. Green Packers beat the Detroit Lions 48-25. Although all this insider information sounds like a great soap opera, the players on the field determine the outcome in the game. Well, the Packers play the Detroit Lions at the end of the season, so we’ll see what happen as their rivalries continues.
(Sources: ESPN)
Kansas City Chiefs Bench Larry Johnson and Lose Quarterbacks
It’s been a tough season for the Kansas City Chiefs. The 1-5 Chiefs will play Bret Farve and the New York Jets without their two-time Pro Bowl running back Larry Johnson. Larry Johnson was suspended last week for violating team rules and now the NFL is investigating reports that Johnson was involved in an assault with a women at a Kansas City nightclub. Larry Johnson apologized to the Kansas City Chiefs organization, players, fans, coaches alike for his actions. Hopefully for Larry Johnson sake, he doesn’t go down a wrong path like some talented players have done in the past.
What’s wrong with the Kansas City Chiefs? Well, if things couldn’t get worse for the Chiefs, head coach Herm Edwards announced that both quarterbacks Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard, suffered injures that will end their 2008 campaign. Hopefully for the Chiefs they can get on track against the Jets, because if they don’t, here comes the Buccaneers, Chargers, Saints and Bills. How will the Chiefs respond? Stay tuned.
(Sources: ESPN)
Kellen Winslow Suspended by Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns tight end Kellow Wilsow was suspended by the team for comments he made, in regards to the teams handling of the situation with his staph infection. The Browns were also going to suspend Wilson without pay. Wilson decided to appeal the decision to NFL Players Association.
The Cleveland Browns have to face the Jacksonville Jaguars this week and the last thing the Browns need is a distraction going into this game. This situation with Winslow, no matter what is the outcome, should have been handled in house. Pointing fingers against each other won’t help the Browns in preparing for the Jaguars. Can the Browns pull together as a team and can this situation be resolved between everyone involved? It will depends on how things are handled from here. Hopefully for the Cleveland Browns, this situation will movatate the team to get a victory against the Jaguars or will it be too late for the Browns?
(Sources: ESPN)
San Francisco 49ers fire Nolan, Singletary New Head Coach
With just seven game into the season and after four straight losses, the San Francisco 49ers fire head coach Mike Nolan. Mike Nolan was the third NFL coach to be fired this the season, joining the Oakland Raiders and St. Louis Rams. Under Mike Nolan, the San Francisco 49ers had several offensive coordinators and No. 1 2005 draft pick, Alex Smith did not succeed or produce to way the 49ers was hoping he would. It was more the inconsistency that was wrong with the 49ers under Mike Nolan. There were many factors that lead to the firing, but consistently, chemistry and winning are important elements in football and for some reason it did not happen for the 49ers. Now, it’s time for the San Francisco 49ers to move forward.
Mike Singletary was named new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Mike Singletary did interview for several other head coaching jobs, however, this could be a great opportunity for Singletary. Mike Singletary should be bring intensity and fire that the 49ers need. But, was firing the head coach in the middle of the season a good idea? And will the 49ers step it up with Singletary at the helm? Mike Singletary might be the right man for the job as the San Francisco 49ers head coach. The Mike Singletary era begins this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks.
(Sources: ESPN)