Rivers rolls again, remains cautious about playing
By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Injured Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers spent about 10 minutes talking with coach Norv Turner after Friday's practice.
And not once did Rivers' nose grow.
"I can't believe what Philip tells me, so I have to watch what he does,'' Turner said.
Rivers, who is dragging around a sprained left knee, was able to work for the second consecutive day as the Chargers continued prepping for Sunday's visit by the Detroit Lions.
Coach, hear my roar?
"I don't want to do that,'' Rivers said, about talking his way into the lineup. "I want to play if I'm right and it's best for the team. I don't want to play if it's selfish of me just wanting to play. We'll do what's best for the team."
Rivers, who is wearing a sleeve and brace on his knee, divided the snaps with backup Billy Volek. If Rivers suffers a setback, Volek would get his 11th NFL start and first with the Chargers; he's 3-7 as a starter.
"We wouldn't be as optimistic if I hadn't practiced any at this point,'' said Rivers, listed as questionable for the game in Friday's injury report. "I've got enough practice and feel good about being out there, mentally, and I think Billy is the same thing. He has gotten enough he can fell good about it."
Spirits are high all around Chargers Park.
With the Broncos' loss to Houston on Thursday night, the Chargers can clinch their second consecutive AFC West title by handing the Lions their sixth straight loss. After a 1-3 start, few speculated the Chargers ---- who have won seven of their last nine games ---- could earn a playoff invitation with two weeks remaining.
"It is crazy,'' Rivers said. "But I tell you what, I felt like a lot of people saw early on that was just the way this division was going to be this year. Whoever could hang in that pack, then get on a roll, was going to separate itself. That is just the way it went."
It didn't go so well this week for linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee), defensive end Luis Castillo (foot) and fullback Lorenzo Neal (leg). All three will miss Sunday's game.
Those working a portion of the practice were tight end Antonio Gates (back) and defensive tackle Jamal Williams (ankle). Gates looks like a go. But if Williams plays, it will be sparingly.
It appears 6-foot-2, 324-pound defensive tackle Brandon McKinney will get his first start, or at least play a significant part of the game. Ryon Bingham, who is getting work at defensive end, would also be part of the interior line's rotation.
"I'm ready for it,'' said McKinney, an undrafted player in his second NFL season. "I've been waiting for my time until my number was called; I had a pretty good game last week. (Williams) will probably play a couple of snaps, but when they call my number, my goal is to step up. I never want to be the weakest link.''
Added Turner: "He's physical at the point and getting better and better using his hands. He is a big, physical guy in there."
Wide receiver Craig Davis (Achilles') and right guard Mike Goff (foot) practiced and will play on Sunday.
Rivers knows how big Sunday is, with the chance to secure the AFC West crown and possibly improve the team's seeding for the AFC playoffs.
"That doesn't change my desire of getting ready to go, but it's matter-of-fact now: If you win, you are going to play at least one game in January,'' Rivers said. "That is all we have to worry about ---- get that one win and there will be more to play for the next two weeks, you hope. But the bottom line is this one. You don't want that to string on.''
Even Turner would agree Rivers, in this case, was speaking the truth.
Notes: Titans OT David Stewart was fined $12,500 by the NFL on Friday for two unnecessary roughness infractions in Sunday's loss to the Chargers. OLB Shawne Merriman sprained his knee on one of the plays for which Stewart was fined. ... Coach Norv Turner said Darren Sproles, not Craig Davis, will return punts Sunday. Turner wouldn't name his kick returner; it's believed Sproles will handle kicks, too. ... Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to Sunday's game for the Chargers wives' 18th Toys for Tots drive.
Contact staff writer at Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
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Tx-Bolt wrote on Dec 15, 2007 5:00 AM:Where are the Donkey fans now.....Did I not read that the chargers have a few stars but they were the talented team and they were coming on? (direct quote from one of their talented player)..Did I not hear from the talking heads that Denver was the team to beat after their showing on Monday night? Despite the fact that the Charges had soundly beaten them in their house and was currently 1 game ahead of them at that time... Well hell where are they? They came to TX and got beaten by a weak a$$ TX Team... It is obvious to all now that the donkeys are not true contenders; their young QB has a lot of upside however...After we beat Detroit..my best wishes to them for next year... I usually do not do this but I am going to look up a Denver blog and call them out for being pretenders....Later and Go Chargers---get healthy and put in on whoever comes our way....As a Charger fan when we hit the playoffs this is the time to judge if Norv was a good hire or not......Do not get me wrong he stunk his way through the regular season but facts are facts if he wins one game in the post season it will be eqaul to or better than what Marty had accomplished with us last season.
Santa Bolt wrote on Dec 15, 2007 5:50 AM:A bag of Silver and Black coal is in order for that Titans OT David Stewart,the NFL and the head roach for hitman gate. ps-I'm giving alot of this away and running low, I'll increase production by feeding the BoltDeer EXTRA DONKA BRONK BITS. eere more.
Joe wrote on Dec 15, 2007 10:04 AM:The league fines 3 of "Hitman" Fishers' thugs for late and cheap shots on the Chargers resulting in injuries. The Titans may have won the battle but the Chargers won the war. Great read by Rivers to throw the quick pass to Jackson with the defender playing 10 yards off (that defender must have taken a page out of Jammer's playbook with the same results) which was a crucial play in the win. The Chargers showed great determination to win that tough game on the road which has now put them in position to win the AFC Worst if they can win Sunday which seemed so improbable when they were 1-3. It remains to be seen if indeed Norval can "make some noise" in the "tournament" but now that he has OBVIOUSLY (anybody else sick of that word yet) learned the teams' strenghts and weaknesses maybe he can become the "genius" he is purported to be -hey Norv, fake LT up the gut on first down and throw the bomb to Chambers to loosen up the defense. Let Pinnock (younger and fresher legs than LoNeal)be the battering ram up the gut and save LT from having to do that for a change which would also beat up the defense. Get the ball to LT in space and play Naanee more. I am looking for McKinney to dominate at nose tackle as a prelude to possibly being the heir apparent to Jamal the Wall. Time for "Too many TACOS" McNeil to play 60 minutes of quality football and help once again to dominate the left side of the O line. Unsung hero has been Clary at right tackle in place of "Alligator arms" Olivia. My game plan: Dominate and get early lead and rest Rivers and Geoff in the 2nd half. O line must protect Rivers so he doesn't take another hit on his bad knee. Draw plays could work well. They get the linebackers moving backwards plus give LT a little more time to see the blocking develop than a dive, blast or quick opener. Geoff excells at pulling to the left, which creates an excellent angle to block a defender to open the hole, plus he has momentum running 3 yards to get to the hole) so use that play more. Remember the Miami game 2 years ago and don't allow any possibility of a trap game-dominate from start to finish. Go Chargers!
TX-Bolt wrote on Dec 15, 2007 11:25 AM:Jammer is a very good corner. He is not the best but he would be a pretty solid number 2 corner on most teams in this league. Now do not get me wrong he is not a Dieon like corner but he is steady and a majority of the teams in this league will pick him up in a two seconds if he is ever on the market as a FA. In contrast Cro is a special player that only a few teams have in this league when he gains experience he should be a shut down corner...much better than Champ in Denver who in my opinion is not really a shut down corner..He is a really good gambler of when to take chances. In contrast Dieon was a shut down corner who on almost every pass to his side had just as good a chance as catching the ball as the receiver..That is why team stayed away. I guess what I am saying is Jammer is a very valuable piece of this defence so dogging him is not really justified.
Jaque wrote on Dec 15, 2007 1:16 PM:RE JOE: """My game plan: Dominate and get early lead """ You are talking about the San Diego Stupid Chargers right?
Girl don`t go away mad girl just go away wrote on Dec 15, 2007 4:45 PM:oooh oooh Jaque Jaque Blue hard to smile when your wearing a Raider frown ooh Jaque when the Chargers win you leave town?
Joe wrote on Dec 15, 2007 6:31 PM:Jammer is a good overall corner who is an exceptionally strong tackler. He is playing much better this year in coverage and even made a great play to break up a paass in the end zone in one of the last 2 games. His strong suit will never be having a high level of ball skils (anybody rememeber the devastating pass to Caldwell for the Pats in the playoff game) thus his need to play so far off of receivers which makes for,unfortunately, many easy completions for first downs sustaining drives for the opposition. A truthful and accurate analysis of his strengths and weaknesses is justified and should not be considered dogging him. I am glad he is a Charger but remember, 5 years ago he was a NUMBER 1 pick and I do not feel that in his first 3 or 4 years he lived up to that draft status. Cromartie probably has more interceptions in just his 2nd year starting and only in half the games than Jammer has in 5 FULL YEARS starting every game although he will probably never be as strong a tackler as Jammer-more of a Dion Sanders clone-so it's good to have them both. Poor Jaque-the Charger hater. If I were playing against the Chargers I would run to Cro's side and pass to Jammer's side. Yes, I am talking about the team that is SMART enough to be 8-5 and on the verge of winning the divison yet again and getting into the playoffs where anything can happen including winning, and yes, losing. The definition of stupid is calling winning millionarie professional athletes with good character "stupid". Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. Go eat some sour grapes and leave this board to the real Charger fans.
Flat Top Bolt Pop wrote on Dec 15, 2007 8:40 PM:Jaque....You are flip floppin bad, you just have to keep the faith buddy I've been at this stuff alonnnnnnnng time, tomorrow is going to be a great day for football in sandiego!! We need you to rev up your section, LETS GO CHARGERS!!!
Boltgal wrote on Dec 15, 2007 8:55 PM:Santa that broadcast team that should not be named needs some of that silver and black coal, you would think the network would send them off to do prison ball or something! "Bolts Win West".
TX-Bolt wrote on Dec 16, 2007 5:27 PM:Joe you claim you are not dogging Jammer but in you first discussion you stated " (that defender must have taken a page out of Jammer's playbook with the same results)" ...You stated this without mentioning any of Jammer's strengths as a CB. In you second response you did mention some of his strengths along with some of his negatives as a player. Which by the way I agree with....... but I do disagree with the claim that your first post was a complete and truthfull analysis of Jammer's strengths and weaknesses as stated in your second post..and that you were not dogging Jammer.... Good win today..Sproles showed flashes of what to expect when he moves into backing up LT after Turner leaves...Man I love what I see from Pinnock. Fast, Power and Soft hands...Go Chargers...LoNeal's days may be winding down with the Chargers to early to tell but....
Joe wrote on Dec 16, 2007 7:36 PM:My first post merely included an accurate observation of Jammer's playing way off the receivers which any Chargers' film will prove. My post OBVIOUSLY (God forbid Norv even has ME using his favorite word now) was not about Jammer's strengths and weaknesses. Then, after being accused of "dogging" him, I then offered a complete assesment about his play to date with which few would disagree. TX-Bolt, would you please be so kind as to tell us exactly HOW MANY INTERCEPTIONS Jammer has THIS year? We are waiting for your answer.....
Joe wrote on Dec 17, 2007 11:35 AM:I see Tx-Bolt has not answered the question, must be too painful for him, so I will answer it for him. Jammer has exactly ZERO, ZIP, NADA, CERRO, GOOSE EGG interceptions after 14 full games this season and Cromartie has a whopping 10 in just 6 starts. That stat speaks volumes and proves, without a shadow of a doubt, my point that Jammer does not have good ball skills. Case closed!
Tx-Bolt wrote on Dec 17, 2007 6:13 PM:Sorry dude I was working..Did anyone contest that it was not an accurate statement? What a lot of Chargers fan should note is this..... while he is not a spectacular corner he is a solid corner that most teams will Love to have alongside thir shut down corner. Now you keep mentioning the fact that he has no interceptions..How about looking up the stats on how many passes have been completed against him?...and how may TDs have been scored agains him this season?...and while you are at it how may times he came up in run support?.. and while you are at that how many tackles he had in run support?.......and by the way who was it that left his man and came over and laid a hit to the Raiders wide Receiver who was about to tie the game up just before half time? I do remember also that he had several plays just in this seasom where he came of his receiver and stuck either the running back and or the wide receiver---one time even causing the wide receiver to fumble...Do you also remember this about the sub par Jammer...O I fogot it is all about interceptions...Well lets take a look at the interception machine Cro.....I as a Charger fan love his ability but just like Jammer he can and is taken advantage of by the opposing team. Did you note that since he came in as a starter our run support is not that good..not all his fault but with him on the field we are not as stout againts the run.....Also... do you also remember the interception machine tried and failed agains Green Bay and basically lost the game for us. Just to refresh your memory he tried a weak ass move to either catch the ball or deflect it...the end result however was he did not achive either and the problem was further compounded by the fact that he did not tackle his man........and there went the Green Bay game...Now I as a Charger fan could dwell on the negatives about Cro just as you do about Jammer and refuse to see or acknowledge that despite his weakness he is still an assest to this team...Same as Jammer...What should be pointed out here also is this..If Jammer do not improve he will be eventually replaced with a rookie with more upside...In a few years also if Cro does not improve his tackling he to will fall victim to being replaced...Later ..Go Chargers and always beware of saying case is closed ...It can give people who listen and respond with equal intensity the wrong idea.
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