Chargers looking to get healthy
By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- Even before the Chargers beat Detroit to clinch an NFL playoff spot, coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith were already discussing how to deal with the delicate balance of winning games and getting players healthy for the playoffs.
Those discussions should increase later this week now that the Chargers (9-5) have wrapped up the AFC West title. Before leaving Monday for league meetings in Dallas, Smith said the issue is of great concern.
"I think so," Smith said. "Coach and I have talked about that a lot in the last couple of days because we have so many people banged up in the last couple of weeks.
"It's tough. You go by the medical people. Doctors are a very, very important part of this process and the trainers. We'll just see where we are at the end of the week as to who can play or not play and always keep that in mind.
"It will be the coach's decision. He will make the call on that with his instincts as we progress."
The Chargers host Denver on Christmas Eve and wrap up the regular season against Oakland on Dec. 30. They will host a playoff game the following weekend.
Because the Denver game comes eight days after Sunday's 51-14 win over the Lions instead of the usual seven days, Turner said there will be a heavy focus this week on allowing players time to get healthy.
Among the key players ailing are linebacker Shawne Merriman (knee), defensive end Luis Castillo (ankle) and defensive tackle Jamal Williams (ankle). Merriman missed the Detroit contest, Castillo hasn't played since being injured against Minnesota on Nov. 4 and Williams has battled numerous ailments all season long.
Quarterback Philip Rivers (knee) emerged from the game without further injury, according to Turner.
"We're going to be smart with Shawne, and we're going to be smart with Luis and anybody who has something that is iffy," Turner said. "The thing we've said all along, we want to be playing our best and we want to be healthy when we get into the playoffs, so that will weigh on my mind."
If the Chargers win their last two games, they will claim the No. 3 seed. Smith, though, doesn't care about the seeding. He's just glad the Chargers will be playing in the postseason for the third time in four seasons.
"I'm really pleased that we're a playoff team," Smith said. "We proved it because we're in. So somebody is going to come to our stadium. We don't know who it is, but it will be pretty exciting to see what we can do to meet that challenge and then whatever happens after that."
Sunday's victory was the team's eighth in 10 games following a 1-3 start. The slow start prompted intense criticism of Turner, who was tabbed to replace 14-win coach Marty Schottenheimer in February.
But while the public fumed, the power brokers in the Chargers' organization never lost faith in Turner. And Smith credits Turner for handling the situation well and getting the team headed in the right direction.
"He stays the course," Smith said. "He's been in this thing a long time, and so have I. Part of the business is you make a plan, and you work together and do the very best we can.
"This is not a one-year operation here. This isn't a flavor of the year. We're in this together, and we'll do the very best we can, putting both of our heads together with some good people in the organization.
"You stay the course and hope your players buy into the program, and when you start winning, they start feeling good about themselves and they start believing in the plan you have in place. If they don't, you have a chance to fracture.
"I give a lot of credit to Norv for that and the leaders on our team. We were vulnerable. We were 1-3. Things were not pleasant."
Things are much more enjoyable now with two games left in the regular season and the division crown wrapped up. The recent four-game winning streak has players believing a strong playoff run is about to commence.
"We've been kind of up-and-down and we've gotten hot at the right time," running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. "At some point, it has to happen. That's just how it is. For us not to be doing it, it's happening now. It's just coming at a later time. And for us, it's great, because if we can be hot going into the playoffs, whoa, Nellie! Whoa, Nellie!"
Chargers notes: RB LaDainian Tomlinson said he would like to make a run at winning his second consecutive rushing title. "I would want to because that's something a lot of guys take pride in, not only myself, but the offensive line group and the tight ends and fullbacks," Tomlinson said. Tomlinson has 1,311 rushing yards this season, second to Pittsburgh's Willie Parker (1,317). He joined Eric Dickerson as the only players to gain 1,200 or more rushing yards in each of their first seven NFL seasons. "I've been pretty consistent the first seven years of my career," Tomlinson said. "I think that's what it states. I think it's probably safe to say you now know that's an average year for me as a running back. You're going to get at least 1,200 yards." ... RB Michael Turner and RT Jeromey Clary both suffered shoulder injuries and could miss a day or two of practice, according to coach Norv Turner. ... The 37-point margin of victory ties for eighth best in Chargers history, but is only the second largest this season. The Chargers beat Denver by 38 points (41-3) in early October.
Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com. C
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Bobby wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:02 AM:"Smith doesn't care about the seeding"? The seeding is what determines home field. Seeding makes it two wins to get to the Super Bowl, not three! Seeding gives the players a week off to get healthy. Seeding gives coaching and players two weeks to prepare their first game! I bet Smith, IS, "just glad to be in the postseason". After his subbatical last off season and his coaching choices. If it were not for great team leaders and players to disguise poor GM leadership our team would be average at best. I just don't get how the SD media buys into Smiths BS. For those in the media who still can not count the Chargers will have to get to the AFC championship game to "get deeper into the playoffs" than last years team.
To Bobby wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:43 AM:THe remaining seeding doesn't matter. We can't get the 2 seed and a first round by, so we are 4 or 3. That only determines WHO we play at home in the first round. Personally I would like to avoid jacksonville, they are as hot as we are so I would like to give them to Pittsburgh or Cleveland or whoever takes the other seed. If Jacksonville takes the 5th seed, we want to be 3 so we play 6. If Jacksonville takes the 6th seed we want to be 4, but that leaves us going to New England instead of Indy for round 2.
Bricktop wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:47 AM:I agree with Norv and AJ about not caring what seed we are. As it stands right now, #3 is the best we could do if we win out. The players should just focus on who they're playing next and winning that game, not worrying about playoff scenarios. That's how you lose focus. Plus, last year proved that it doesn't really matter if you're the 1 or 2 seed. In face, 2005 did as well...
BOLTZ wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:52 AM:Calm down, the Chargers are either the 3rd or 4th seed. NE and Indy have clinched the 1rst and 2nd seeds (they get the first round bye). Get healthy and make noise in the playoffs.
BOLTZ wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:56 AM:Calm down, the Chargers are either the 3rd or 4th seed. NE and Indy have clinched the 1rst and 2nd seeds (they get the first round bye). Get healthy and make noise in the playoffs.
BOLTZ wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:57 AM:Calm down, the Chargers are either the 3rd or 4th seed. NE and Indy have clinched the 1rst and 2nd seeds (they get the first round bye). Get healthy and make noise in the playoffs.
J wrote on Dec 18, 2007 10:59 AM:This is clearly a case where Smith feels it would be better to be PC and say he doesn't care about seeding-he is more worried about players health obviously he does care but has to think about his players also
BOLTZ wrote on Dec 18, 2007 11:01 AM:Calm down, the Chargers are either the 3rd or 4th seed. NE and Indy have clinched the 1rst and 2nd seeds (they get the first round bye). Get healthy and make noise in the playoffs.
Northernmost Bolthead wrote on Dec 18, 2007 11:13 AM:Sorry, Bobby, but your complaints fall on deaf ears. Exaggerated criticism when they were losing is ignored, so what hope is there for you when they are winning? I suggest you get your GM resume out there to other NFL teams, who will be sure to appreciate that you are smarter than AJ Smith, and everyone else, apparently. PS, you aren't the "Bobby" from King of the Hill, are you? Because he's fictional, too.
hungster-in-Esc wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:42 PM:I agree with AJ, last year's top seed did not help much. The mission now is to win at least the first game of the playoff, then go from there.
BoltDan wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:45 PM:True we can't get 1 or 2 seed but AJ should be concerned who we play for the first game... 3 seed and we get probably Cleveland and send Jacksonville to Pitt. So imagine this: WE beat (Ihope) Cleveland and Jacksonville beats Pitt...Then we go to Indy (no piece of cake) and Jackson goes to Patsie land... I can see them beating the Patsies at there own game (What they did to us last year..week off and bam out) so if we somehow pull it out over the Colts (Don't know if Norv could beat them twice in one year) Jackson would come here for the championship game...WOW... I can dream can't I... So lets go one game at a time (Marty Mantra) and get to where we need to be... beat the Donkeys on monday night...
DoonMan wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:48 PM:I think it's paramount that the Bolts maintain the #3 seed in the AFC and not rest their star players. The way I see it, and I'm taking a VERY large drink of the Kool-Aid, things should unfold in this manner: I see the Chargers hosting either CLE or PIT in the first round while JAX goes to PIT or CLE. SD and JAX will advance, with SD going to IND where they've had success and will again. JAX will go to NE and, in inclement weather, will stun the Pats with their running game and defense. The Bolts will then host the AFC Championship game against JAX who will have nothing left in their tank after their emotional win in NE. SD will then advance to their second Super Bowl to face an inferior opponent. That's why the #3 seed is so important.
NostraBoltus wrote on Dec 18, 2007 3:09 PM:I see the same scenario as DoonMan
BoltDan wrote on Dec 18, 2007 5:02 PM:Hey I said it first... Doonman was 3 minutes behind me. But let's hope and dream... 8 BOLTS in hawaii...wow who would have thought that after 1-3 start...
Bobby wrote on Dec 18, 2007 5:03 PM: Seeding is what it is all about guys. In football or any sport. The # 1 seed has the easiest and shortest path to the championship game. For a GM or any of his yes guys to say it does not matter, need only go look at the Vegas odd's! Smith did not say he did not care about #3 or #4 seed? He said, "he doesn't care about seeding,,,,just glad the Chargers will be playing...." A statement like that just shows his ignorance
Hmmm wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:18 PM:It's hard to believe they don't care about seeding. Others have noted that Jacksonville would not be the ideal first round matchup (not that anyone is going to roll over). The Chargers would have to prefer meeting Cleveland. But they have to do what they can to win the last two games. The point, here, is not necessarily to gain (or hold) ground in the playoff picture; it is to keep the players and coaches in the practice of winning. It's a good habit.
ECBF wrote on Dec 19, 2007 5:52 AM:What AJ says publicly and what he says in house are most probably very different. Why would anyone within the Charger organization say publicly that they prefer to play one team over another in the playoff's, or any other time for that matter? The only thing the Chargers can control is what they do and the seeding will take care of itself. The only thing that is certain is that they will be playing very good teams in the post season, and if they hope to advance they will need to be playing their best regardless of the opponent. Go Bolts!
Coverman wrote on Dec 19, 2007 8:50 AM:We have to live an die with what AJ says and does...the big differences down the stretch will be, our secondary maintaining the level they are at now, with this level theres no way Payton or Brady comeback on us, an Philip getting a little more loose and not careless, getting back some accuracy....AJ drafted Cromartie and probabaly got in the face of Norv to go back to LT, so we have the same team from last year and He fixed some of the problmes that got us out of the playoffs, I hope he hits it, but we match up well now against everybody....theres is no clear hole now....
ecdon wrote on Dec 19, 2007 2:05 PM:I guess I see it differently. Makes no sense to be the 3 seed, yet have LT running on a bad hammy, Rivers limping around, Merriman not being able to get that good pash rush. Plus, the Bolts owe both Jax and the Pats some revenge. Of course I think the # 3 seed will be the "easier" road, but not at the expense of player health
ADEE wrote on Dec 19, 2007 7:58 PM: HEY BOBBY, MAYBE AJ DOESN'T CARE ABOUT SEEDING BECAUSE HE HAS CONFIDENCE IN HIS TEAM! THIS IS FOOTBALL BOBBY, NOT PING PONG. YOU GOTTA BEAT THE BEST TO BE THE BEST, AND HOWEVER YOU DRAW IT UP THE BOLTS ARE GONNA HAVE TO GO ON THE ROAD AND PLAY SOME TOUGH GAMES IN ORDER TO GET TO THE SB. SO BE IT, IF THEY PLAY LIKE EVERYBODY KNOWS THEY CAN THEY SHOULD BE JUST FINE. GO BOLTS!
Bolthead45 wrote on Dec 20, 2007 8:35 AM:ADEE has it right sd IS THE BEST IN THE AFC!!!! (WHOS AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD PATS???) NOT US so bolts fans put your big boy drawers on and get some!!!!
JMH wrote on Dec 20, 2007 9:52 AM:ecdon, is so right! If we go into the playoffs having to win three games to make it to the super bowl lets go in fully loaded. The Chargers match up with any team when we have our first string. I just hope the Charges have matured and learned from the playoff loss last year.
Chargerson wrote on Dec 23, 2007 10:44 PM:We have to leave it all on the field everygame to go to the sb. We can get the players healthy and still beat denver and the raiders. Make no mistake there is no easy win in the playoffs. Gonna need to get mad fight hard hit hard ( see Tennesee ) physical Games and we take the superbowl GO Chargers!
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