CHARGERS NOTES: Sproles is all around excellent for Chargers
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
The Chargers' Darren Sproles scores a touchdown against the Broncos on Sunday. Photo by Jamie Schwaberow - For the North County Times. SAN DIEGO ---- The little guy is ready for the big stage after putting together one of the best all-around games in Chargers history.
Multipurpose phenom Darren Sproles has a tough act to follow ---- his own, not superstar LaDainian Tomlinson's ---- on Monday night against the New York Jets after producing the third-best all-purpose yardage output (317) in team history during last Sunday's 39-38 loss to Denver.
The 5-foot-6 Sproles had 53 yards rushing, 72 receiving and 192 on kickoff returns against the Broncos. The only higher totals belong to Lionel "Little Train" James (345 in 1985 against the Los Angeles Raiders) and Keith Lincoln (329 in the 1963 AFL Championship Game against the Boston Patriots).
Sproles got an extended workload against Denver because Tomlinson was hampered by a toe injury.
"I just play hard," Sproles said earlier this week. "If they give me opportunities, I just try to make a difference. My limited reps, I try to make them count."
One of his big plays didn't fully count, preventing him from surpassing James' team mark.
Sproles broke loose on a 47-yard run to the Denver 1-yard line, but the gain was shortened to 15 yards because of a questionable downfield holding call on receiver Chris Chambers. The 32-yard difference would have put Sproles' total at 349 yards.
Sproles did tie Lincoln's franchise record for longest kickoff return (set in 1962) when he ran back a second-quarter kickoff 103 yards for a score. He cited wedge blockers Jacques Cesaire, Brandon Manumaleuna and Mike Tolbert for synchronized blocks that created a huge hole.
"They have to do it at the same time to open that hole up," Sproles said.
Sproles has silenced any concern about whether he's up to the task of being Tomlinson's main backup. The position opened when highly productive reserve Michael Turner left as a free agent after last season.
Sproles has plenty of supporters in the locker room, perhaps none bigger than Tomlinson.
"I'm happy for him because that was the whole talk when we lost Michael Turner ---- 'Who was going to be able to step up?' and 'Could Sproles get the job done?' " Tomlinson said. "I think he accepted that as a challenge for him. So when he did come through, I was so happy for him because it proves to people that he can get the job done. Any time that happens, you have to be happy for a guy."
Chargers coach Norv Turner has been impressed with Sproles nearly from the outset of his stint as coach ---- which began 19 months ago ---- even though Sproles' playing time was limited until the latter part of the 2007 season.
"He's an explosive player," Turner said. "It's not that we discovered something. You had L.T. and Michael Turner ---- there's a reason he didn't get a lot of opportunities."
While Tomlinson's health will determine how much action Sproles receives during Monday night's nationally televised game, the Jets are preparing to see a lot of him.
"He's so dangerous, not just with the ball in his hands on running plays, but they threw that little swing pass to him," said New York coach Eric Mangini, referring to the short pass that Sproles took 66 yards for a touchdown. "It was a pretty impressive run there. He has great quickness and he has an excellent burst."
Tomlinson progressing
Tomlinson returned to practice Friday in a limited role after missing the previous two days due to his injured right big toe.
"It went OK," Tomlinson said. "I did what I wanted to do. I didn't expect to do full participation, but I wanted to get out and do some stuff running the football. It definitely is a lot better than last week. That's the exciting part about it.
"But at that same time, I'm going to be realistic about it. I'm pretty sure on Monday, I'll probably still have a little problem with it, but it will be a week better."
The Chargers listed Tomlinson as questionable for Monday's game on Friday's injury report.
Et cetera
LT Marcus McNeill (neck) is listed as questionable on the injury report. Chargers coach Norv Turner said he wants to see how McNeill feels on Sunday before making a decision on his status. ... DT Jamal Williams (knees) is listed as probable for Monday's game. ... C Nick Hardwick (foot) will miss his third consecutive game.
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Toilet Duck wrote on Sep 19, 2008 11:37 PM:As long as he does that every week, they are fine.
However, he wont!
Teams will prepare for him and contain him.
If he was as good as LT, he would be starting over LT.
Jaque wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:45 AM:BoltBeliever, see you at the game on Monday. Chargers 38-17
to Jaque wrote on Sep 20, 2008 10:30 AM:If the Charger D can hold Favre to 17, they will definitely deserve the win. Not likely. Chargers 38-31
James wrote on Sep 20, 2008 11:56 AM:It's hard to prepare for his type of speed. The nightmare in preparing for him is really his power and height. It's hard to get lower than him and it's hard to grab him up top cause he'll go under...the biggest thing is his power...it's not like Devin Hester where if you hit him he's down...If you've ever played before the hardest guys to tackle are the short guys with serious power...BARRY SANDERS...Sproles is like a friggin' cannonball. His power makes him an everydown back.
That's fine Toilet Duck let them key on him...woops there goes Chambers....woops there goes Jackson...woops Gates and Tolbert....
Toilet Duck wrote on Sep 20, 2008 3:39 PM:I know you cant prepare for speed.
However, he wont be double teamed despite his speed. Hes a liability in pass protection too. Hes not going to all of a sudden become a game breaker that spreads fear into defenses. Hes a threat catching the ball coming out of the backfield but that will be spied.
Hes far more of an asset on ST but lets not exaggerate his effect on offense.
As a RB, hes limited and wont provide the ground pounding effect that LT brings to the table. You wont be able to ride that horse like you would LT (Or Michael Turner) so it puts more of the game on Rivers.
That hasnt been the formula for success the past few years.
I think the Bolts have problems.
Chargers will rebound wrote on Sep 20, 2008 3:49 PM:Where is he ? I don`t know...oh there he goes for another big gain The human pinball. Rest LT`s toe this week,so he can open up a can of whoopass on the Raiders
Toilet Duck wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:09 PM:Uh huh!
Hes not the big threat you think he is.
You make him sound like hes LT and hes not. Hes a good player but hes not the impact player your making him out to be or he would have seen time before this.
Hes a downgrade over a healthy LT in so many ways.
I would much rather face him than LT.
Im sure the Jets feel the same way.
Toilet Duck wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:10 PM:I would worry about winning a game first.
James wrote on Sep 20, 2008 7:47 PM:Do you actually follow the Chargers Toilet Duck or are you a fan of another team that just likes to come on here and hate on the Chargers. Because if you follow the Chargers you would know that he's not a liability in pass protection. He's a good blocker. I'm guessing you're just a passive follower who's assuming because of his size that he's a liability, when in actuality the running back coach himself says he's a good blocker. The only reason he hasn't been able to showcase it is because he's been behind Turner..What's this about double teaming....IF YOU'VE PLAYED BEFORE YOU KNOW THAT YOU DON'T DOUBLE TEAM RUNNING BACKS you bring the safety down....Well guess what, as LT mentioned himself if you don't bring the safety down...well, then Sproles will kill you like he did the Broncos on Sunday...Problems on offense you say? Really?...Yeah, they've had huge problems so far...This ain't Madden dude...
Toilet Duck wrote on Sep 20, 2008 9:52 PM:When did I say they had problems on offense?
I never said that.
They have problems period.
Actually, I was responding to a poster who implied that Sproles would draw away defenders to create matchups for your WRs and TE. Since they spread him wide sometimes, I meant double teamed in the passing game as I was responding in context. He will be matched up one on one with a WSLB. I do not consider him a threat between the tackles. Thats what would warrant a team to drop a safety man under. However, thats not his strength. His strength is getting the ball in spaces and if you try to pound it with him, you are in for a long night.
As for his pass blocking?
That depends on who is coming doesnt it?
His blocking is averaqe at best.
He isnt LT so your rushing attack is hampered with LTs abscence. Theres no way to spin that since hes the leagues premier back.
Anything short of LT is a downgrade.
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