Releasing Chambers was the Right Decision for the Chargers
On Monday, the San Diego Chargers released wide-receiver, Chris Chambers. According Chris Chambers, the Chargers released him due to personal reasons. Chris Chambers was quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune saying,
“I thought the team gave up on me a little quick – for factors that don’t have to deal with football. I guess it created a distraction upstairs. I kept my head on straight. We all go through things. I did my best to not have my personal life and football clash. They know a little too much of my life, and they used it against me.”
However, that was not the reason why Chambers was released. When Chris Chambers played for the Miami Dolphins, Chambers was a great and reliable receiver for the Dolphins. When Chambers was than traded to the Chargers in 2007, he continued to be a productive player for the Chargers.
However, this year, Chambers performance on the field has not lived up to expectations. Chambers became less reliable and his production when down. Also, with the emergence and exciting play of both Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson, Chambers became expendable. The Chargers have injuries on defense and need to find a way to fill that void.
Now, the San Diego Chargers and Chris Chambers will have move forward from here. The Chargers are getting ready to play against the N.Y. Giants and Chambers was claimed off wavier by the Kansas City Chiefs. We’ll see what happens when the Chargers play against the Chiefs on November 29, so stay tuned.
(Sources: Chargers.com, San Diego Union-Tribune)
Weddle’s Interception Seals Chargers Victory
After a disappointing loss last week, the San Diego Chargers were looking to rebound against the Miami Dolphins. This was a very important game for the Chargers as they were looking to be play better than they did last week and snap the Dolphins 7-game winning streak against the Chargers. However, after losing the first two games of the season, the Dolphins were also looking for a victory. But, it was not meant to be for the Dolphins, as the Chargers won 23-13.
Both teams moved ball up and down the field, but no one could score a touchdown in the first half. The Dolphins had their chance to score a touchdown, but the Dolphins fumble the ball in the end zone and the Chargers took over at the 20-yard line. The Dolphins’ “Wild Cat” offense had success against the Chargers defense. The Dolphins were able to rush for 149-yards. However, their passing offense was not as effective, especially, once Dolphins quarterback, Chad Pennington, went out of the game due to a should injury. Chad Pennington would not return.
In the 3rd quarter, after the Dolphins kicked a field goal, the Dolphins were winning 6-3. However, the Chargers did response. The Chargers offense was able to score a touchdown when Philip Rivers ran up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown run. The Chargers took the lead, 13-6. The Chargers seemed to take the momentum away from the Miami Dolphins after that. The Chargers would scored two more field goals and were winning 16-6. Soon after, the Miami Dolphins got the ball back.
Dolphins backup QB, Chad Henne, tried to throw a ball to his outside wide-receiver, Davone Bess, but Chargers safety, Eric Weddle, step in his way and intercepted the ball. Eric Weddle ran it in for a Chargers touchdown. The Chargers took the lead 23-6. The Dolphins scored a late touchdown, but it was a little too late as the Chargers got the win.
This was a good victory for the Chargers. The needed to get some momentum going into next week game against Pittsburgh. One thing the Chargers need to do is score touchdowns rather than kicking field goal inside the red zone. The Miami Dolphins offense was a good test for the Chargers, but Pittsburgh defense will be a bigger test for the Chargers. We shall see how the Chargers response. Stay tuned.
(Sources: Chargers.com, ESPN)
Will the Chargers Get Off to a Fast Start or Struggle from the Beginning?
The start of the 2009 season will be tough for the San Diego Chargers. During last two seasons, the Chargers have struggled to get off to a fast start. And, this year, it does not get any easier. The Chargers will begin their season at the Oakland Raiders and then come home to play the Baltimore Ravens and their tough defense.
In week 3, the Chargers will play against the Miami Dolphins. The Chargers lost to the Dolphins last season, so this will be a very hard test for the Chargers. And finally, before the bye week, the Chargers will go on the road to play against the Super Bowl defending champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers eliminated the Chargers from the playoffs last year. This could be an opportunity for the Chargers to get their revenge against the Pittsburgh Steelers or will the Steelers get another victory, we shall see.
But, for the San Diego Chargers, they need to get off to a good start. Even though, the Chargers were able to get into the playoffs last season, you do not want to rely on another team to struggle to make the playoffs. Hopefully for the Chargers, they will not struggle from the beginning, but stay tuned to find out.
Too Many Turnovers by Dolphins, Ravens Win
The main key to this game was whether or not the Miami Dolphins were going to be able to handle the Baltimore Ravens defense. The Dolphins played the Ravens earlier in the season and lost 27-13, so the Dolphins knew what they were in for. The Dolphins did have their chance to stay in this game, but it was the Dolphins turnovers that would doomed them. The Ravens were able to gain control of this game by converting those turnovers into points. The Baltimore Raven would win this game 27-9.
In the beginning of the game, the Dolphins recovered a fumble and drove the ball down the field. However, the Dolphins could not scored a touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. After the Ravens tied the game at 3-3, the Ravens intercepted the ball and cornerback Ed Reed, who returned the ball for a 64-yard touchdown. The Raven would take the lead into halftime 13-3. In the 2nd half, the Raven were able capitalized on the Dolphins turnovers. The Ravens took a 20-3 lead late in the 3rd quarter on a 8-yard touchdown run by Le’Ron McClain.
Early in the 4th quarter, the Dolphins scored a touchdown when Chad Pennington threw a 2-yard pass to Ronnie Brown to get back into this game. Later in the 4th quarter, however, Ray Lewis broke up a reverse play that the Dolphins tried to do, which would helped force the Dolphins to punt the ball after they could not get the 1st down. This missed reverse play probably ruined the chances for a Dolphins comeback. The Ravens were able to get the ball back and drove the ball down the field. Joe Flacco scored by running up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown. The Ravens were finally able to put the Dolphins away.
Now, the Baltimore Ravens will move on and play against the Tennessee Titans. For the Miami Dolphins, this was one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. Last year, the Dolphins were 1-15 and this year, they won the AFC East title. As for the Ravens, this was a great victory and are ready for the next round. The game between the Ravens and Titans will be another defensive struggle and we’ll see if turnovers play a big role in that game.
Junior Seau Comes Out of Retirement Again
Former San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and now once again, New England Patriots linebacker, Junior Seau is coming back to the football field. Seau signed with the Patriots on Friday and will play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The Patriots have a shot a winning their AFC East division or getting a Wild-Card playoff spot.
The New England Patriots could use Seau help with the injuries they have on at the linebacker spot. Seau will bring leadership to the Patriots defense. How affective can Seau be? Junior Seau, the 12-time Pro Bowl player, hopes he will get a shot of becoming a Super Bowl Champion. Without Tom Brady, will this New England Patriots give Seau what he wants, we shall see.
(Sources: ESPN)
Miami “Wildcat” Dolphins Controlling the Clock and Winning
Well, everyone was shocked when the Dolphins broke out the “Wildcat” offense against the New England Patriots. But, the Dolphins did win. Coming off a bye week, the Miami Dolphins were able to add in some new wrinkles into the “Wildcat” offense to help the Dolphins beat the San Diego Chargers, 17-10.
The Chargers did stop “Wildcat” plays a couple of times early, however, throughout the whole the game, the Chargers defense struggled to stop the Miami Dolphins on 3rd downs. The Dolphins were able to control the clock. Chad Pennington played a great for the Dolphins and Ronnie Brown was unstoppable.
Again, the Chargers struggled in the 1st half and tried to comeback. But, this time, it did not happened. Now the San Diego Chargers got to regroup against the New England Patriots. The Chargers got to start playing great football in the first half. Whether its the coaching or the players, the San Diego Chargers need to step it up.