Different Rivers flows toward Raiders

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Saturday, November 25, 2006 10:22 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Philip Rivers, loosen up. The Oakland Raiders are in town today and your training wheels have been ditched.

The last time these AFC West rivals met Rivers threw just 11 passes.

Asked if he will surpass that number today, Rivers said "I would bet on it."

"But nothing is guaranteed."

Same goes when gauging a first-year starting quarterback. The Chargers thought they knew Rivers would be good when they pulled the curtain back on Sept. 11.

Did they know for certain that Monday night in Oakland? Of course not.

Are they thrilled with his play? Of course.

"I think he's obviously still a work in progress, but we've been very, very pleased overall with his production; and he's a good decision-maker," coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "He's got a very, very good understanding of not only what he's doing, but what everybody around him does. It's kind of interesting to watch him orchestrating every thing out there because that's basically what he does."

Rivers has the baton, directing the NFL's top scoring offense. His 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions tell the story. So does his 67.0 completion percentage and 1.7 interception percentage, both of which would be single-season franchise records, minimum 14 attempts per team game.

At the minimum, it has been a heck of a 10-game thrill ride for Rivers, who has helped the Chargers (8-2) settle into the AFC West nest. In some ways his trek comes full circle this afternoon when he eyes the squad with the eye-patch.

"That first game I was stirred up and speeded up ---- that first one was more built up with the hype," he said. "Obviously, I go into this one with more confidence and I'm more comfortable.

"But the Raiders are better than they were the opening week. They line up their defense and play it well and they are giving themselves a chance to win the game."

Rivers' opportunity finally arrived this season. He emerged from Drew Brees' shadow and has the Chargers humming along on one of the NFL's great offensive seasons.

And Rivers is doing it with a cool demeanor ---- rallying the team from steep road deficits in consecutive weeks ---- that isn't going unnoticed.

"His confidence level is sky-high," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "He is managing the game. He's managing that football team. You can see he has the command of the huddle. He is playing outstanding for them. He is not hurting them with ball security and things like that. He's just doing a wonderful job."

Rivers' occupation requires him to absorb what the offense is not only doing, but why. It is that area, Rivers said, where he has made his biggest stride since stepping into the Black Hole.

"It's just a whole understanding of every situation, understanding the plan and what we are trying to accomplish," said Rivers, the NFL's top fourth-quarter passer.

"That, and managing every situation and how this play helps the next play and trying to get it done and not get too excited about a play and not too down on a play. You just keep playing, which is good especially in the situations we have been in the last two weeks."

Every week, he has had the record-busting LaDainian Tomlinson by his side. And that can't be overlooked in this emerging star's development.

"Of course, when you've got a stud like that in the backfield in LaDainian, it makes the job a lot easier as a quarterback, but still Philip has done what he's asked to do," Shell said. " I don't think the Chargers can ask any more of him."

Since that low pitch count in Oakland, the Chargers have asked for more each week.

He has averaged 32 passes a game and rallied the team from two massive road deficits.

"He's just made the right decisions most of the time," Schottenheimer said, "and he's done a good job of orchestrating the offense."

And unlike that opening night in Oakland, Rivers hasn't done it with one hand tied behind his back.

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.