Sad Day for Chargers Fans, Chargers release L.T.
After nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers, the Chargers released the best running in Chargers history, LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson was going to get a $2 million roster bonus in March. However, due to Tomlinson injuries and age, it was time for the San Diego Chargers to move on. Too bad for Chargers fans who did not get to see L.T. win a Super Bowl championship with the Chargers.
Under the LaDainian Tomlinson era, the San Diego Chargers had their chances to get the Super Bowl with playoff runs in 2004 and 2006-09. But, it was not meant to be. And now, for L.T., he will never get that chance as a San Diego Chargers.
However, as Chargers fans look back at
greatness as a San Diego Chargers, his best moment was probably when he broke the NFL touchdown record against the Denver Broncos in 2006. L.T. scored 28 touchdowns that year. Another milestone for L.T., was on December 2, 2007. Tomlinson passed Walter Payton on the all time rushing touchdown list, with his 111th career rushing touchdown, against the Kansas City Chiefs. But, of course for Chargers fans, the best moments of Tomlinson career is the Chargers 13th straight victories over their rivals, the Oakland Raiders.
It will be sad to see L.T. in another uniform next year, but that is the business of the NFL. Hopefully, for LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers it will all work out in the end. We shall see L.T. in the NFL Hall of Fame someday, but not yet.
(Sources: Fox Sports, ESPN)
Chargers Beat Broncos and take 1st place in the AFC West
Sunday’s football game between the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos was suppose to be a battle for 1st place for the AFC West division. Instead, the game turn into a rout, as the Chargers defeated the Broncos 32-3. The Chargers have now won five straight games.
Coming into this game, the big question for the Denver Broncos was to see if quarterback, Kyle Orton, was going to play. Kyle Orton did not start the game due to his ankle injury that he suffered during last week game. But, when backup QB, Chris Simms, struggled from the beginning of the game, he was later taken out and was replaced with Orton. However, Kyle Orton also struggled against the Chargers defense and was a non-factor as the game progressed.
Unlike their previous match up, where Broncos offense was able to move the ball effectively, the Chargers defense step up in this game. The Denver Broncos could not get into a rhythm and did not scored a touchdown throughout whole game. The Chargers defense set the tone. Chargers linebacker, Kevin Burnett, cornerback, Antonio Cromartie, and safety, Eric Weddle played big in this game. The Chargers defense sacked the quarterback three times and intercepted the ball stopping any momentum for the Broncos.
For the Denver Broncos, this was a tough loss. The Broncos had home field advantage and had a chance to take control of the AFC West. Instead, they are now looking up at the Chargers. The Broncos need to stop the bleeding soon because if not, they are going to find themselves out of playoffs, which we be devastating since they started off 6-0.
As for the San Diego Chargers, this was a great victory and are now 7-3. If the Chargers can continue to play great defense and can improve on their running game, they are going to be dangerous team as the season goes along. Next up will be another tough division game against Kansas City. But, if the San Diego Chargers can beat the Chiefs next week, they will have full control of their division.
(Sources: ESPN)
Chargers Beat Eagles 31-23 and Win their Fourth Straight Game
After winning their third straight game, the San Diego Chargers were looking to get a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles to keep up with Denver in the AFC West division. The Chargers got off to a big 28-9 lead, at the end of the 3rd quarter. However, the Eagles were able to comeback, but it was a little too late as the Chargers beat the Eagles, 31-23.
LaDainian Tomlinson had a great game for the Chargers. L.T. ran for 96-yards and had two touchdowns. Philip Rivers also had a great game too. Rivers threw for 231-yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers offense were able to get into a good rhythm despite the tough Eagles defense and giving up two sacks.
But, what won the game for the San Diego Chargers, was the play of the Chargers defense. Even though the Chargers defense gave up 450-yards and two late touchdowns to Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb, it was the Chargers defense holding the Eagles to three early field goals instead of letting the them score touchdowns that was the deciding factor.
For the Philadelphia Eagles, kicking field goals instead of scoring touchdowns, will not win you games. When you get close to the goal line, you got to score touchdowns. One other problem for the Eagles is the inability to run the ball. If the Eagles were able to run the ball maybe they could have run the ball in for a touchdown rather than trying to throw the ball for a touchdown all the time. The Eagles are going to need to overcome this issue if they expect to go deep into the playoffs.
As for the San Diego Chargers, they need to put more pressure on the opposing team’s quarterback. You cannot have a quarterback throw all over your defense. The Chargers defense played good enough to beat the Eagles, but they need to play better if they are going to beat the Broncos next week. The good news for the Chargers is that they find themselves in a first place tie with the Denver Broncos. Credit to the Chargers for coming back from being 2-3 to 6-3. Now, the Chargers have a big game next Sunday. Lets see who will take control of the AFC West division next week when the Chargers go to Denver.
Bad Week for the Bears and Cutler
For Chicago Bears quarterback, Jay Cutler, this has not been a good week. Last Sunday, the Chicago Bears lost to the Arizona Cardinals, 41-21. And then, on Thursday night, the Chicago Bears lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 10-6. In that game against the 49ers, despite his first four interceptions, the Bears still had a chance to win the game at the end. However, Jay Cutler last interception was a costly one.
The Bears were at the 12-yard line of the 49ers, but Jay Cutler threw his fifth interception in the end zone to 49ers safety, Michael Lewis, at the end the game, which ended any chances of a Bears victory. If that was not bad enough for Jay Cutler, on Friday, the NFL fined him $20,000 for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game against the Arizona Cardinals. From being traded from the first place Denver Broncos, at the beginning of season, to the struggling Chicago Bears, what else could go wrong for Jay Cutler?
Well, there is nothing like a win to turn things around. The Chicago Bears will play the Philadelphia Eagles next week. Hopefully for the Chicago Bears and Jay Cutler, they can get a win to get into the playoff race. Though, it will be tough going against the Eagles defense. We shall see if Jay Cutler and the Bears can recover, so stay tuned.
(Sources: ESPN)
Chargers Winning Streak Continues Against the Raiders
The San Diego Chargers got their 13 straight victory over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, but it wasn’t easy. The Chargers got off to a fast start leading the 21-7 at one point, but struggled all game long to put the Raiders away. Turnovers kept the Raiders in the game and the Raiders were able to capitalize. However, in the end, the Raiders were stopped on their last drive and the Chargers beat the Raiders, 24-16.
One reason for the Chargers success was the return of “Lights Out,” Shawne Merriman, who seemed to be back to his old form. Merriman sacked Raiders quarterback, JaMarcus Russell. This was Shawne Merriman’s first sack since 2007. The Chargers pass rush was effective throughout the game. However, the Chargers defense struggled against the Raiders running game. This is something the Chargers need to work on. Without Jamal Williams, the Chargers best run stopper, the Chargers defense will need to find a way to stop the run or this will become a bigger problem down the road.
Another Chargers player who seemed to be back to his own ways was LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson played well against the Raiders and finally scored not one, but two rushing touchdowns near the goal line, unlike the Chargers game against Kansas City. L.T. scored the first touchdown on a “Wild Cat” play, early in the game and later scored on a 10-yard touchdown run.
For the Oakland Raiders, their problem is still the play of quarterback. The Raiders have a good defense, but they cannot do it all themselves. If the Raiders are going to be a factor in the NFL, they need to be efficient on both sides of the ball. As for the San Diego Chargers, this was a good victory against another division opponent. Now, the Chargers are only two games behind the AFC West division leader, Denver Broncos. Only time will tell how the rest of the season plays out, so stay tuned.
(Sources: ESPN)
There is a New Shift in the AFC West
On Monday night, the San Diego Chargers had a chance to send a message to the Denver Broncos and the rest of the league that the Chargers were still one of the elite teams in the NFL. But, that was not the case. The undefeated, 6-0 Denver Broncos are the team to beat in the AFC. The Denver Broncos beat the Chargers 34-23 on Monday night to prove to the rest of the league that the Broncos are for real.
The Broncos were coming into this game looking to make a statement and they made their point. Now, the Broncos go into the bye week, undefeated, and are ready to make their move to become the best team in the NFL. For the San Diego Chargers, again, Philip Rivers cannot do it by himself. Chargers defense needed to step up and could not do it for 4-quarters. Chargers special teams also did not come to play. Denver Broncos wide-receiver, Eddie Royal, scored two touchdowns on special teams. Eddie Royal, scored on a 93-yard kickoff return and a 71-yard punt return.
Now, the San Diego Chargers have to regroup. The Chargers have to asked themselves, is the season over? At this point, it looks like they are not going to catch the Broncos. And, if that is the case, then the Chargers need to look at the Wild Card, but that is not looking good either. One way or another, the San Diego Chargers need to do something or this is going to be a long season.
(Sources: ESPN)
NFL Week 1: Great Debuts and Some Things Never Change
Brett Favre is back. Minnesota Vikings new leader, Brett Favre, had an great debut for the Vikings. With the help of Adrian Peterson, who had 180-yards rushing and scored 3-touchdowns, the Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 34-20. Favre threw for 110-yards and one touchdown. Also, New York Jets new rookie QB, Mark Sanchez, was another player who had a impressive debut as well. Mark Sanchez through for 272-yards and had one touchdown to lead the Jets to a victory over the Houston Texans, 24-7.
One player that did not have a great debut was Chicago Bears QB, Jay Cutler. Even though the Bears had a chance to win the game, Jay Cutler’s 4-interceptions, including his last interception with 58-seconds left, would doomed the Bears and helped the Green Bay Packers get the victory, 21-15. And for the Detroit Lions, it was not a good day as well.
The Detroit Lions continued their regular-season losing streak to 18 games. The Lions lost to the New Orleans Saints, 45-27. Drew Brees looked awesome, throwing for 358-yards and 6 TDs. And for the Cincinnati Bengals, lady luck was not on their side. With 11 seconds left in the game, Denver Broncos wide-receiver, Brandon Stokley, caught a deflected pass and scored a 87-yard touchdown to help the Broncos beat the Bengals, 12-7 on an amazing and unbelievable play.
With great debuts from Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez, it was another great weekend of NFL football. But, for teams like the Lions, hopefully they can end their losing streak. But, only time will tell.
What’s Wrong with the AFC West and How can it Approve in the Draft?
Well, when the AFC West division’s champion is 8-8, there’s something wrong. The San Diego Chargers did win the division, but struggled on defense without Shawne Merriman. The Chargers should look to draft a defensive player to help put pressure on the quarterback. For the Oakland Raiders, they do have a good defense, but need help on offense. The Raiders should draft an offensive-line player to help protect the quarterback. Even though the Raiders picked up QB Jeff Garcia, if there is no one to there to protect him or JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders offense will continue to struggle.
As for the Kansas City Chiefs, when you are 2-14, there are many needs. However, the Chiefs should help to build on their defense. The Chiefs brought in a new coaching staff and will need players to help them move towards the future. The Chiefs added a talented QB in Matt Cassel, but the Chiefs need to get the defense off the field and keep their offense on the field. And by adding a very good defensive player, the Chiefs could be on their way.
The Denver Broncos have had a crazy off-season. First, they fired coach Mike Shanahan and then they trade to their starting QB, Jay Cutler. Despite these losses, the Broncos are capable of putting up big numbers on offense. However, the Broncos need help on defense. Even with all the points the Broncos scored, the defense could not stop the opposition from scoring as well. For a football team to be a dominate team in the NFL, they need to stop the run and run the ball. Every team in the AFC West struggled to do this constantly last season. But, with the right draft picks the AFC West could be back to be one of the toughest division in football. We shall see.