Chargers postgame: Cromartie ties franchise record

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - North County Times | Monday, December 10, 2007 12:12 AM PST ∞

Antonio Cromartie's sensational second season hit another high note Sunday when he intercepted his ninth pass of the season, tying a franchise mark that was set in 1961.

Cromartie's interception of Tennessee's Vince Young in the first quarter knotted him with Charlie McNeal atop the single-season pickoff list. McNeal set the mark in the franchise's second season.

"For me, it means a lot," Cromartie said. "But also, it's not a big concern to me. I just go out every day and just try to play football the right way. That's my biggest thing."

One of the biggest things to arise this season has been Cromartie's standout play. The NFL leader in interceptions could find himself playing in the Pro Bowl after his breakout season.

But he's not one to look at nine as fine. He reminded reporters of the personal goal he set before the season.

"I'm looking for 10, definitely," Cromartie said.

Cromartie wasn't the only defender to intercept a pass. ILB Matt Wilhelm nabbed his second of the campaign.

Under further review

One of the most crucial plays in Sunday's contest involved receiver Chris Chambers' apparent catch of a 19-yard pass on fourth-and-five with 1 minute, 33 seconds remaining in the game.

The replay crew upstairs called for a review of the play, and the on-field call that Chambers caught the ball was upheld. If the call had been reversed, the Titans would have had the opportunity to run out the clock. Instead, the Chargers went on to score the game-tying touchdown and force overtime.

"I felt confident that I had the ball," said Chambers, who caught four passes for 90 yards. "We were able to keep that drive alive and make some plays. There was still a lot of football left, so it didn't come down to one play."

TE Antonio Gates was in the vicinity of the play and he said he could see from his angle that Chambers' hand was underneath the ball, which never hit the ground.

"I was right there," Gates said. "I thought he caught it, so I figured the review was worthless."

Coach Norv Turner had a similar opinion even though he was on the sideline.

"I had a great view of it, and it was as good a catch as you're going to see," Turner said.

Late turnaround

The Chargers allowed five sacks, three to Tennessee DE Kyle Vanden Bosch.

But in the late stages of the game, LT Marcus McNeill did a much better job on Vanden Bosch than he did early in the contest.

"We grabbed Marcus on the sideline and said 'If you don't block this sucker, we ain't going to have a chance to win,' " Turner said. "We can't help everybody. He struggled early, and then he did a great job."

Sproles misses game

Returner Darren Sproles missed the game with a knee injury that he suffered during last Sunday's game at Kansas City.

Michael Turner began the game as the kickoff returner and returned his lone effort for 26 yards. Cromartie ran back two kickoffs for 45 yards. Rookie Craig Davis replaced Sproles on punt returns and averaged 14.7 yards on three attempts.

Bonus time

The overtime contest was the 31st in Chargers' history and the first since a 2005 victory over Washington. The Chargers are 13-18 in overtime games.

Injury report

The Chargers reported five injuries, all to key players.

FB Lorenzo Neal likely suffered the most serious injury. The soon-to-be 37-year-old broke his right fibula in the fourth quarter. Neal's blocking is a prime reason for LaDainian Tomlinson's success.

"I know he's a little bit older, but hopefully he can recover like a young man," Tomlinson joked.

OLB Shawne Merriman sprained his left knee in the second quarter and sat out the second half, and QB Philip Rivers sprained his left knee four minutes into the second quarter but returned in the second half. Both players will be re-evaluated today.

Gates bruised his lower back early in the second quarter and returned in the next series.

Also, P Mike Scifres suffered bruised ribs.

Who's hot

Shawne Merriman

Five tackles, two sacks and two "Lights Out" dances, and he didn't even play in the second half because of an injury.

Who's not

Jeff Fisher

If Tennessee fails to make the playoffs, this game will haunt the Titans' head coach all offseason.

Key stat

20

Philip Rivers and the Chargers finished the game by scoring 20 unanswered points to pull out the victory.

Turning point

The Chargers stuffed LenDale White on first down and ultimately forced Tennessee to go three-plays-and-out after the Titans took the ball leading by 14 points with 10:37 remaining. The Chargers rebounded with back-to-back touchdowns to force overtime.

Quotable

"We haven't been winning on the road, and we've been struggling and inconsistent, and you come in here and you meet this challenge. Victories are nice, but I think it's a little bit extra, the way it went down. All wins are great but when you win like this, I think it's kind of a win-plus."

- Chargers general manager A.J. Smith on rallying from a two-touchdown deficit in the final quarter on the road to win.

Next game

Chargers vs. Detroit

1:15 p.m. Sunday

Jon Kitna ripped the Dallas defense last week, then didn't throw a touchdown pass in a loss to the Cowboys. Think he'll rip a Charger this week?

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