Chargers Passing Offense

by TrueSteelerForLife on Jan 6, 2009 4:24 PM EST Comment 23 comments

Hey, i figured we start talking about the actual dangers that the chargers present. It's good to just discuss the opponent, but it's better to know them. Here are some stats i saw at another site. Hope it puts some things in perspective. Philip Rivers Passing Breakdown Wide Receivers Jackson - 59 catches for 1098 yards, 7 TD; targeted 102 times Chambers - 37 catches for 519 yards, 5 TD in 12 games; targeted 71 times Floyd - 27 catches for 465 yards, 4 TD; targeted 37 times Davis - 4 catches for 59 yards, 0 TD; targeted 7 times Tight End Gates - 68 catches for 791 yards, 8 TD; targeted 101 times Manumaleuna - 15 catches for 127 yards, 2 TD; targeted 20 times Naanee - 9 catches for 79 yards, 0 TD; targeted 13 times Running Backs Tomlinson - 52 catches for 426 yards, 1 TD; targeted 78 times Sproles - 34 catches for 387 yards, 5 TD; targeted 44 times Tolbert - 13 catches for 171 yards, 1 ID; targeted 15 times Hester - 13 catches for 97 yards, 1 TD; targeted 15 times That's 217 passes thrown to WR, 134 thrown to TE, and 152 thrown to RB.

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You should try to find the 2nd half of the season if you want to know the real story. For some reason Rivers seemed to be forcing it to Chambers against Indy though, and I don’t know why. He’s been a ghost in our passing game. Jackson, who’s been the main target the past 5 or 6 games of the regular season, didn’t even get a look from Rivers in the Indy game. I’m not going to lie, I have NO IDEA what to expect.

"When Bellotti attempted to shake the hand of Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson after the game, Robinson offered his left hand. His right was swollen and battered from the Ducks' defense."

by MarineCorpsDuck on Jan 6, 2009 4:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting stats

These stats reinforce the obvious – Jackson is the deep threat, Gates is the chain-mover. Gates was surprisingly quiet last game, but I still think he’s the main threat. He exploits the biggest weakness on our defense – LB’s in coverage – and, correct me if I’m wrong, but Rivers has more accuracy than arm strength, doesn’t he? Sproles is another guy who’s a mismatch for our LB’s in coverage.

For the most part, we don’t give up plays downfield, and I’m sure Ike will stick with Jackson pretty well. Chambers stats are awful, barely catching half the balls and not have very good YPA either.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jan 6, 2009 5:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I just hope

we don’t give rivers the option of checking down but rather holding onto the ball and folding under the pressure of the pass rush. I want to see Sproles covered even if it’s a play action. That guy cannot get 5 steps on our LB’s or we’re burned by 181lbs of fury

by SoCalSteelerFan on Jan 6, 2009 6:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Our fastest LB is Timmons. Maybe he can shadow him out of the backfield

by qwikdoc on Jan 6, 2009 7:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rivers

I have to say, I do like Rivers. I know coming from NC State, Cowher was high on him, and I hoped we would draft him. However, I’ve come to love our Big Ben and realize he was meant to be a Steeler, our franchise QB, and the face of the organization.

But, as in our first game with SD (Harrison’s pick), and in SD’s game with the Colts last week (his endzone pick was a BAD throw and Colts dropped other potential picks), Rivers seems to really force it sometimes or just make bad throws…

I like you Phillip Rivers…but…not this week…how about some nice throws to the boys in Black and Gold…

Btw, the key to limiting Sproles (similar to MJ Drew) is not allowing him to have too much space and having multiple tacklers around him. If he gets the ball with space….aghh…forget about it…he’ll make Timmons look like he has cement shoes on…gang tackle boys…everyone to the ball…

by SteelerMike on Jan 6, 2009 9:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Old Man Rivers

I also preferred Rivers coming out of college (obviously, I was wrong). I am glad we didn’t go that route every time I see him screaming at the top of his lungs with those veins popping out of his head. Act like you’ve won a game or thrown a TD before. There’s a reason a lot of players outside of SD don’t like Rivers.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 6, 2009 10:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah i am one of them.

He acts like he has done something. That whole thing with Cutler made him look cocky. Plus he has that Tony Romo side arm girly throwing motion. I like his game for the most part, and think he is one of the better QB`s in the league, but i would`t trade Ben for him.

by SteelerDomination on Jan 7, 2009 3:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ben has a ring. Rivers does not. I don’t blame you one bit for not preferring him over Ben. As a Charger fan though, I’d rather have Rivers. I think that’s fair.

"When Bellotti attempted to shake the hand of Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson after the game, Robinson offered his left hand. His right was swollen and battered from the Ducks' defense."

by MarineCorpsDuck on Jan 7, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You’re totally wrong for wanting Rivers more. Fool.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jan 7, 2009 9:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can we all agree

That we’re glad we don’t have Cutler?

by Chicago Steeler on Jan 7, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lest we forget

After Week 4 3/4 of the supposed experts were picking Cutler as the MVP for the season and heralding him as the best young QB. Frankly, I’d take Leftwich over Cutler, for one season at least.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 7, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What’s wrong with Cutler? He threw for 4500+ yards with no defense and an average running game in his 3rd year. I’d take him over Rivers, who has a lot more to work with.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jan 7, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, if you’re talking purely stats you go with Rivers, who has the highest QB rating in the league. If you don’t go with stats, you would know that Denver fans are getting highly irritated with the back-breaking turnovers in the worst possible situations. Or we could go with head-to-head win/loss, where Rivers is 5-1 as a starter against the Cutler-led Broncos (the only loss being the Hochuli game)…or I guess you could just take Cutler cuz he has a stonger arm than Elway and he can predict the future (er – maybe not).

"When Bellotti attempted to shake the hand of Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson after the game, Robinson offered his left hand. His right was swollen and battered from the Ducks' defense."

by MarineCorpsDuck on Jan 7, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course, we could always bring in Stegasaraus off the practice squad. He was highly recruited after all.

"When Bellotti attempted to shake the hand of Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson after the game, Robinson offered his left hand. His right was swollen and battered from the Ducks' defense."

by MarineCorpsDuck on Jan 7, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't tell what your level of seriousness is

but there’s plenty of a case for Cutler, and I don’t see how one could think Rivers was head and shoulders better, especially in the long term. Culter and Rivers put up incredibly similar numbers their first full year starting – Rivers had fewer turnovers, but Cutler had a little better % and YPA. Rivers had a great year in 2008, but he wasn’t very good in 2007. Rivers has always had a better supporting cast with a HOF RB and TE, and even if the Chargers’ defense isn’t great, it’s always been better than the Broncos’. Culter attempted 616 passes this year, putting behind only Drew Brees, and he actually improved his int% from last year.

Also, Culter is 2 years younger, and has shown the potential to be the center of a good offense. He may never fully live up to that hope, but he has looked more like Peyton did in his first few years in terms of efficiency, yards, and attempts than Eli, Rivers, or Ben. He has upside that very few other QB’s have. Obviously the turnovers are an issue, but Manning threw 28 ints his first year. It wasn’t until year 5 or 6 that he really got the int’s under control. That’s what being the best player on a terrible team gets you.

I will give this caveat: Rivers, Cutler, and Roethlisberger might all fit their teams better than another combination. The Steelers (before this year) and Chargers don’t need Peyton Manning. They need Tom Brady (curse my fingers!!). They don’t need upside, they need clutch, because the rest of the team is already there. Rivers worked out well for the Chargers because he’s a pretty steady guy; Cutler could have killed your team in key situations. On the other hand, I have a hard time seeing Rivers excelling if he had to throw 600+ passes without LT or Gates helping him out.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jan 7, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You said “you’re totally wrong for wanting Rivers more. Fool.” So, I was telling you why I wanted Rivers more. I agree with your statement that “there’s plenty of a case for Cutler”. I was simply sticking up for Rivers, who I can honestly say I’d rather have than Cutler.

Also, your caveat is so true. The 3 QB’s fit their team perfectly. I think if Cutler was in Pittsburgh you guys wouldn’t put up with the turnovers. Etc for the other QBs.

"When Bellotti attempted to shake the hand of Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson after the game, Robinson offered his left hand. His right was swollen and battered from the Ducks' defense."

by MarineCorpsDuck on Jan 7, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think BM was joking.

by steelguy99 on Jan 7, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oh yeah, the internet

Sorry. We were joking around earlier, then we couldn’t tell if the other was joking, so we went to fisticuffs. Happens all the time in my wife’s middle school classroom.

Anyway, my earlier comment was meant to absurdly say your opinion is wrong, like “How dare you like blue more than red. Fool.” Or “How dare you like your football players more than mine. Fool.” I debated putting it in all caps to make it more obviously sarcastic, but I went the subtle route to my demise.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Jan 8, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah. My bad.

"When Bellotti attempted to shake the hand of Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson after the game, Robinson offered his left hand. His right was swollen and battered from the Ducks' defense."

by MarineCorpsDuck on Jan 8, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

my bad

I don’t think Cutler’s bad. I was mostly just throwing fuel on the fire knowing that San Diego folks probably have heated opinions of him. I really dislike Cutler’s attitude though. Talking about having a better arm then John Elway puts you in my naughty list. I think Ben makes dumb comments sometimes, but he’s never one to tell you how awesome he is.

I think Cutler has all of Favre’s good traits and bad traits. He’ll win and lose games for you. You could say the same of Ben, but his percentages are better.

by Chicago Steeler on Jan 7, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cutler

He is a great thrower of the football. Don’t know if he is a leader or good game tactician. I do love his throwing motion, his bounce and his arm. He does appear to be a cocky prick though…

"Franz" in NoCal

by franz on Jan 7, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cutler's fine

But he can’t do it in the clutch. And this won’t change. Can you imagine a team led by Manning, Brady, Montana, Young, Roethlisberger, or any other QB or repute blowing four straight games, some to subpar teams, and losing a division they had sewn up.

The reason most Pittsburgh fans love Ben is the same reason I don’t want Cutler on my team: just win, baby. Stats are for fantasy geeks.

by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 7, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs