All's well after first quarter
By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers hit the quarter turn and now turn north, heading for San Francisco. It's a confident Chargers bunch aiming for Candlestick Point and their date Sunday afternoon with the 49ers.
A share of the AFC West lead, thanks to a spiffy 3-1 mark, is among the Chargers' property; ditto a dose of feel-good after an impressive spanking of the world champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night before a national TV audience.
Not since 2002 have the Chargers finished the season's initial quarter with at least three triumphs. But those steeped in Chargers history know what the rest of that '02 ride had in store.
That squad reached 4-1 before its axle went wobbly and disaster struck.
The Chargers won but four more games and ended the campaign dropping five of six, which included a curtain-falling four-game losing streak that kept them from the playoffs.
Ugh.
So what's in store for the remainder of this year? Can the Chargers sustain their early-season romp through the league? Or is there a pothole ahead that won't allow them to stay the course?
"In our business, it's not what you've done for me lately it's what are you going to do next,'' coach Marty Schottenheimer said.
Before flipping open the map and cruising down the NFL highway with 12 remaining exits, let's look at what was promised, what's transpired and what's ahead before the leaves start to change colors.
OFFENSE
+ The sizzle: The Chargers would present one of the league's most versatile offenses, led by RB LaDainian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates ---- arguably the two best players at their positions. The mix at receiver looked diverse and, despite breaking in a first-year starter in QB Philip Rivers, the scoreboard operators wouldn't die of boredom.
+ The steak: Save their dinosaur approach to winning the game in Baltimore ---- is that Schottenheimer or Fred Flintstone on the sidelines? ---- the offense has been fun to watch and productive to boot. Rivers doesn't look old enough to have his face meet a razor, but he has sliced up two defenses ---- Tennessee and Pittsburgh ---- when given the chance. He has the NFL's eighth-highest rating and is No. 1 in the fourth quarter. Rivers has thrown five TDs and two INTs while completing nearly 67 percent of his passes. While Tomlinson's per-carry average of 3.8 yards is off a tick from his 4.3 career mark before the year, he is having another sensational season. He has collected 336 yards and three TDs rushing, with a team-high 19 receptions for 110 yards. Gates has been slow to get in the mix, but he still has 13 snags for two touchdowns. Among the surprises are RB Michael Turner (a 6.8-yard average on 41 carries) and WR Malcom Floyd (ties Gates for the team-lead in TD receptions). And all of this has been conducted with a rookie left tackle in Marcus McNeill.
+ The gristle: While Rivers has passed every test to date, there are still some milestones he has to click off his list ---- holding the lead in a tight game on the road, winning a game with a two-minute drive, etc. The biggest concern could be an offensive line that at times looks dynamite and at other times gets blown up. Consistency from the big uglies could make or break what has been a pretty ---- save Baltimore ---- and diverse offense to witness.
DEFENSE
+ The sizzle: The run defense, which finished No. 1 last year, would be anchored by Pro Bowler Jamal Williams and be even better. The linebackers, which included Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman and savvy veteran Steve Foley, would be lights out. The secondary, which was picked on like an undersized nerd by a bully, would see improvement with the addition of free-agent S Marlon McCree.
+ The steak: Williams has been stellar, playing the best ball of his nine NFL seasons. Merriman's 4 1/2 sacks are tied for eighth in the league ---- that said, he should have wrapped up the Ravens' Todd Heap on that game-winning reception. Foley was wounded by an off-duty police officer before the regular season and never played a snap. Donnie Edwards, who remains on the trading block, remains the team's top tackler ---- just like he's been in each of his previous four seasons in San Diego. The back end has upheld its end of the bargain and has the No. 1-ranked pass defense, which bookends nicely with the No. 1-ranked run defense.
+ The gristle: Hard to find fat to chew on here. There is no reason the run defense can't keep pace: Since 1997 the Chargers are tied with the Ravens for allowing but 59 teams to rush for 100 yards. There are some tests awaiting in S.F.'s Frank Gore, K.C.'s Larry Johnson and St. Louis' Steven Jackson in the next month of games. The pass defense might not have to see K.C.'s Trent Green (concussion) and really won't have a true challenge until Nov. 12 against the Bengals' Carson Palmer. And regardless of the quarterback, the pass rush is such (16 sacks, 28 QB hits) that anyone taking to the air does so at their own risk. And in the secondary, rookie CB Antonio Cromartie should only get better with additional NFL sun ups and sun downs.
SPECIAL TEAMS
+ The sizzle: Two of the best legs this side of Radio City Music Hall in K Nate Kaeding and P Mike Scifres would deliver points and field position with regularity. KR Darren Sproles, who was a shoestring tackle away from numerous TDs last year, would be among the league leaders. PR Eric Parker would provide the reliable hands and shifty moves to allow the Chargers to set up shop in a good location. The coverage teams would be solid, led by Pro Bowler Hanik Milligan.
+ The steak: Kaeding has missed but one of 12 attempts, and set a career-high with his 54-yard missile in Maryland. Scifres has the touch of Phil Mickelson, by angling efforts in a way that his 43.3-yard net average is tops in the league by more than 2 yards. Sproles broke his leg in the preseason, but Turner has filled in well (25-yard average) and his 51-yard return Sunday night sparked the Chargers to their second-half rally. Parker has been OK on returns (8.7-yard average) although he does have a long of 25 yards. Tim Dobbins, Clinton Hart, Carlos Polk and Matt Wilhelm have shined on special teams as the Chargers are ranked No. 3 defending punts. But that No. 21 showing covering kickoffs brings a frown to assistant coach Steve Crosby's mug.
+ The gristle: Kaeding and Scifres should continue their success, which can land them in the Pro Bowl. Turner has been a find, but one wonders if his role switch from being Tomlinson's caddie to a viable running back early in the games will hamper his returns. Don't overlook the possibility of Cromartie bringing back some kicks. Parker will remain the punt-returner, but that's a scary proposition as he flings his slight 6-foot, 180-pound body around with no fear. Crosby should be able to right those kickoff coverage return woes. Awaiting, if healthy, is K.C.'s Dante Hall a week from Sunday.
CHARGERS NOTES ---- S Bhawoh Jue (knee) was again restricted in the amount of work he did in Friday's light practice. He won't go this week, hoping to supply some depth against the Chiefs on Oct. 22. ... A Chargers win Sunday in San Francisco would tie coach Marty Schottenheimer with Dan Reeves for sixth place on the all-time list with 190 victories. Schottenheimer, who has never competed against 49ers coachƯ Mike Nolan, is 3-3 lifetime against San Francisco. ... Up for a road trip? Hundreds of Chargers fans will descend on Monster Park on Sunday, with among the bigger tailgate bashes planned for the stadium parking lot, between the H and I sections.
Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
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