Chargers Training Camp 2010 - Videos From Qualcomm Stadium

We've got a couple of quick videos from the San Diego Chargers night practice at Qualcomm Stadium, take a look!

UPDATE: Due to NFL policy, we won't be able to make the videos viewable any longer.

Chargers RBs Ryan Mathews & Darren Sproles


Chargers Philip Rivers & Malcom Floyd

Philip Rivers Football Camp - 2010

The 2010 Philip Rivers Football Camp takes place in San Diego this July, and BOLTHYPE readers are entitled to an exclusive discount! Read on to find out more...

PHILIP RIVERS YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP

LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA – San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers is hosting his inaugural Old Spice Philip Rivers Football Camp. This two-day event will be held Saturday, July 10th and Sunday, July 11th at UC San Diego from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Camp proceeds will benefit the Rivers of Hope Foundation.

Philip will be on site to direct the camp activities and provide instruction. The camp will also feature a selection of the top prep and collegiate coaches from the San Diego area. The camp is open to all boys and girls ages 7 to 14.

Each day, the campers will experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills and the team concept of football. Individual groups will be small to assure that each camper gets maximum personalized instruction.

In addition to 7 hours of football instruction, all campers will receive an autographed camp-team photo with Philip, a camp T-shirt, and the opportunity to win additional contests and prizes. Cost of the camp is $199.

In addition to Old Spice, current camp partners include Bridgestone Tires, Marriott San Diego La Jolla, and San Diego Sports Photography.

Campers are encouraged to register early, as spots are limited.

Additional information and registration is available at www.PhilipRiversCamp.com or call 513-793-CAMP.

www.procamps.com

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT

To receive $20 off the registration fee, use the coupon code BOLTHYPE

GIVEAWAYS

We'll be giving away some signed items from the event - to enter, leave a comment below with your email address and a prediction for how many yards and touchdowns you think Philip Rivers will throw for in 2010!

Rivers vs. Manning: The Great Debate

Rivers over Manning, or Manning over Rivers? It’s a question that will be asked for the rest of their respective careers. Chargers fans who hold a grudge don’t think twice before they side with Philip Rivers. Giants fans who hold a recent Super Bowl championship side with Eli Manning. At this point in time, who would you rather have leading your team? Never fear, BOLTHYPE breaks it down for you...


INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Because Manning has been starting longer than Rivers, it’s tough to simply compare career stats. What we will look at here is a break down of their performance since 2006, Rivers’ first year as a starter. Even though Manning was a more experienced QB at that point, the stats still measure out in Rivers’ favor.

(Reg. Season) Wins Yards TD’s Comp. % Int. QB Rating

Rivers 37 12585 88 62% 39 93.95

Manning 35 11673 81 51% 56 80.92

Rivers clearly holds a statistical advantage over Manning. Over that time period he has more yards, more wins, and a much better QB rating. It’s worth pointing out that River’s growth has come with the decline of the Chargers running game. Once, defenders had to focus on stopping the Chargers rushing attack, but that’s no longer the case. Now it’s Rivers (and his more than capable receivers) against the world, and he has responded like a champ.

TEAM PERFORMANCE

What isn’t talked about enough in the Rivers vs. Manning debate is the overall performance of their respective teams. To think that Rivers can be the statistical elite that he has become without quality receivers around him is absurd, just as it is absurd to think that the Giants Super Bowl XLII championship was solely due to the performance of Eli Manning. But with that being said, I still think Manning is getting way too much credit for that win. Anyone who watched the game knows it was largely a defensive battle until the end, and that Manning had a pretty average day (although David Tyree had one of the best receptions in Super Bowl history).

The Chargers are not the New York Giants. They have been plagued by injuries, and their defense went from intimidating to soft in very short amount of time. I would argue that the Giants win games regardless of Manning (although his recent poor performance might change that opinion), but the Chargers, lacking a complete supporting cast, have won because of Rivers. If the roles were reversed, I think Rivers could win with the Giants, but I don’t know if the Chargers would be just as good with Manning- maybe, maybe not.

It is unfortunate that the 2007 Chargers fell apart the way that they did. Sure, they won their last 8-games, but the players that they relied on to get to the post-season broke down when it counted most. If the Chargers had a healthy Rivers, LT, Gates, Hardwick, Merriman, etc., it would have been a much different post-season in 07-08. The Chargers very well could have represented the AFC in the Super Bowl. And in my opinion, they would have went on to end the Rivers vs. Manning debate, because not only would Philip have the statistical edge over Eli, he would also have a ring.

Chargers' Pro Bowl Picture Is Offensive

The ballots have opened and voting has commenced for the 2010 Pro Bowl. While the Chargers might be at .500 right now, they do have a few players more than worthy for trips to Miami, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

VINCENT JACKSON

Vincent Jackson's 561 receiving yards currently slots him at fifth place among AFC wide outs, just behind household names like Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco, Hines Ware, and Andre Johnson. His 19.3 yard average catch, however, puts up at the top of the league among WRs (with at least twenty catches). Jackson also averages more yards per game than any of the NFL top 10 receiving yards leaders, at a gawdy 93.5 per game. The AFC is home to some of the best QB-reciever tadems in the NFL, so Jackson will have to continue to open eyes around the league. But if he continues on his current pace, he not only with earn All-Pro and Pro Bowl accolades, but he'd also potentially place himself in the Chargers record books for most receiving yards in a season. (Alworth 1602, Alworth 1383, 1340 Jefferson)

ANTONIO GATES

Much like Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates is enjoying early success and will likely build upon it, health permitting. But just as Jackson faces stiff competition among AFC receivers, Gates has conference rivals of his own. Prolific AFC offenses are allowing Tight Ends to put up huge numbers, with Houston's Owen Daniels (497 yds, 5 TD) and Indianapolis's Dallas Clark (485 yds, 3 TD) both edging Gates out in receiving yards and touchdowns. But Gates (474 yds, 2 TD) is neck-and-neck with those two, and his recognizably and consistency should make him both a popular as well as deserving choice for Pro Bowl votes.


PHILIP RIVERS

But the San Diego Charger who is perhaps the most deserving of a Pro Bowl bid also faces the stiffest competition; Philip Rivers' 1787 passing yards is only good for fifth place in a conference which boosts some of the best AFC quarterbacks in the entire league. The AFC is loaded with great Quarterbacks, three of which have Super Bowl victories. Names like Brady, Manning, and Roethlisberger are always in the Pro Bowl converstation, but up-and-comers like Matt Schaub and Joe Flacco are making their marks as well. Philip Rivers, right in that top 5 mix, is a guy who garners mixed reaction among NFL fans. He's a love him or hate him type guy. While some love his leadership, intensity, and bravado, others find him brash and big-mouthed. However there is no doubt that he has been the Chargers' MVP both last season and this, and his proven track record of leading his team to fourth quarter victories proves that Rivers is among the elite in the league.

Why he doesn't get more media attention is a bit confusing, but it may have something to do with his laid-back, family-man demeanor off the field. After all, while we've all seen Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger in national ad spots, when is the last time you saw a Philip Rivers commercial?

Chargers Extend Philip Rivers Through 2015 Season

The San Diego Chargers moved today to secure their franchise quarterback's services for six more years. Philip Rivers signed a six year contract extension that will keep him in San Diego through the 2015 season.

According to both ESPN.com and the San Diego Union-Tribune, Rivers and the Chargers agreed to a $92 million dollar contract extension, with about $38 million guaranteed.

“This is a good day for the Chargers and Chargers fans,” said team President Dean Spanos. “Philip has proven he has all of the necessary qualities to be a successful quarterback in the NFL. He’s a proven winner and an unquestioned leader for this football team.”

General Manager A.J. Smith: “We feel Philip is an outstanding player with a very bright future. It’s a great feeling knowing he will be with us for many years to come.”

Source: Chargers.com

The Greatest Chargers Of All Time: Quarterbacks

In case you haven't noticed, this year the NFL is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the AFL. As one of those original AFL teams, the Chargers are celebrating their own 50-year history by inviting fans to vote for the 50 Greatest Chargers and the 20 Greatest Charger Moments. What better time than now to break down the candidates for Greatest Chargers?

At the position of quarterback, I think there is at least one obvious choice: Dan Fouts, the one and only MFIC*. The director of "Air Coryell" and the unquestioned leader of the team during his time with the Chargers, he ended his career with over 40,000 yards passing and 254 passing touchdowns, leading to his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1993. It's tough to argue against a Hall of Fame QB.

Other quarterbacks nominated by the team for Greatest Chargers include:

JOHN HADL

Played 11 season for the AFL Chargers, throwing for over 33,000 yards in his career with almost 27,000 coming as a Charger. He was a 4-time AFL All-Star who led the league in passing yards 3-times and in passing TD's twice as a Charger.

STAN HUMPHRIES

The 6-year starter for the Chargers took the team to their lone Super Bowl appearance. He threw for just over 16,000 yards with the Chargers while earning a reputation for his strong arm and gutty performances. Stan "The Man" was quarterback during some of the biggest wins in Chargers history in the 1994 playoffs.

JACK KEMP

A Charger from 1960-1962, he led the team to consecutive Western Division Championships before injuring his finger. Apparently in an effort to open a roster spot while his finger healed, Kemp was placed on waivers, allowing the Buffalo Bills to snatch him out from under the Chargers. Kemp later led the Bills to consecutive AFL championships in 1964 and 1965 against our own Chargers. I love Kemp, but I can't imagine voting for him as one of the Greatest Chargers for that reason alone.

PHILIP RIVERS

Is there a Chargers fan alive who doesn't like Philip Rivers? In just his 3rd season as a starter he set team records for passing touchdowns (34) and passer rating (105.5). But as is usually the case, the stats don't tell the whole story. My favorite Rivers moment that really defined his toughness and determination involves a cold AFC Championship game against the presumed Super Bowl champs (not), where Rivers played the game on a torn ACL...if you are a regular reader of BOLTHYPE, I imagine you remember the moment well. Still, can you vote a 3-year starter as one of the Greatest Chargers?

TOBIN ROTE

Great quarterback and MVP of the AFL in 1963 when the he led the Chargers to an AFL Championship win over the Boston Patriots. He played two season for the Chargers, replacing Hadl in the 1963-1964 seasons. But again, with only two seasons on the team is he really one of the greatest?


In my book this is a race between four quarterbacks for three spots, but all of the names listed here do stand out in Chargers history (especially when you compare them to names like Whelihan, Tolliver, Friesz, Malone...and Leaf). But don't forget guys like Drew Brees and Doug Flutie, who were fan favorites to some extent and will always hold a place in the history of the Chargers and in jersey collections of the fans (I swear, I have seen both a Brees and Flutie jersey in just the last week).

Feel free to chime in with you thoughts and opinions!

Next up, the Greatest Chargers Wide Receivers.

*Mo-Fo In Charge. If you still need help figuring that out...well, this just isn't that kind of site.

Versatile Chargers Offense Will Be Difficult To Defend

Every team is looking to create a spark on offensive side of the football; some teams build around a quarterback, while other teams build around a featured runner. Very few teams can legitimately say they've successfully built around both. The San Diego Chargers are one of the rare teams in the NFL with almost perfect balance between the ground game and the passing game.

With weapons all over the field, and without a featured player to key on, defenses are going to be forced to spread out and defend the entire field when they face the Bolts. This in turn creates match-up problems, resulting in opportunities for big plays. Whether its Antonio Gates' presence that frees up Vincent Jackson down field, or its Chris Chambers drawing the safety out of the box so that Ladainian Tomlinson can get to the second level, the Chargers should continue to be a dynamic offensive machine capable of scoring at any time.

The key component to the Chargers' offensive success has been and will continue to be the play of their quarterback, Philip Rivers. Rivers came out of a system at NC State where we was asked to distribute the ball around, and that experience has directly translated to his game on the pro level. He's still spreading the ball to his many weapons, but he limits his mistakes because he knows he doesn't need to force the ball to one specific guy.

"In this offense, with this group of guys that we have, it's hard to pin-point a go-to guy," say Rivers. "I kind of like to think that goes from week to week."

Up in Minnesota, you can be guaranteed that the Vikings are going to try to score points and win games by establishing the run with Adrian Peterson getting lots of touches. In Indianapolis, Peyton Manning is going to throw the ball forty to fifty times a game. The Colts have struggled to run the ball with consistency, instead placing tremendous pressure on Manning to win games through the air. In San Diego, however, the Chargers no longer need to wear Ladainain Tomlinson out in order to generate enough positive yardage. They've got a variety of options, which makes them a nightmare for opposing defenses to prepare for.

"You never know. Vincent could have eight catches one game, and [Antonio] Gates the next. LT could lead in receptions one week. Sproles, Chambers, Malcom... I could go on and on. Legedu has made some big plays and continues to, out here [in training camp]. You never know who it's going to be any given week. I think the key is to have a group as unselfish as we have. You want them to be a little selfish, because you want every receiver to want the ball, and to be hungry for it. But they all have a way to really encourage and pull for one another. They really enjoy the success each other has."

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Madden NFL 10 Ratings (Madden 2010)

Experience first-hand what it's like to Fight for Every Yard in Madden NFL 10. With the all-new Pro-Tak™ animation technology, players have more control over the outcome of each play. Whether driving a receiver towards the first down, or battling for a fumble at the bottom of a pile, the play won't end until the whistle blows.

Add to that the most immersive broadcast presentation and online innovation to date, and Madden NFL 10 captures the authenticity and emotion of the NFL like never before.

The Madden video game has taken on a life of it's own. Madden video tournaments are held all over the nation on Xbox 360, Playstation 2, and Playstation 3. EA Sports is constantly pushing the bar for innovation in a football video game.

Always controversial, the Madden ratings and rankings are a somewhat accurate description of where professional football players and teams rank among their peers.

In terms of Chargers player ratings, this is what we know so far. Note: Shawne Merriman is not one of the top 10 defensive players in the game. Also, Jason Witten is rated 2 points higher than Antonio Gates.

Philip Rivers, #7 QB
Overall = 88
TP = 81
TAS = 96
TAM = 94
TAD = 79
AW = 91
SP = 63

TP: Throw Power; TAS: Throw Accuracy Short; TAM: Throw Accuracy Mid; TAD: Throw Accuracy Deep; AW: Awareness; SP: Speed

LaDainian Tomlinson, #3 RB
Overall = 94
SP = 90
AG = 92
TR = 87
EL = 90
BCV = 95
CA = 87

SP: Speed; AG: Agility; TR: Trucking; EL: Elusiveness; BCV: Ball Carrier Vision; CA: Carrying

Antonio Gates, #3 TE
Overall = 95
SP = 85
CA = 88
RR = 94
ST = 77
CIT = 94
AW = 88

SP: Speed; CA: Catching; RR: Route Running; ST: Strength; CIT: Catch in Traffic; AW: Awareness

So football fans, do you plan on purchasing Madden football video game this year? If so, what system will you buy it for? Also, do you generally agree with the rankings/ratings or do you find issues with the way EA grades the NFL teams and players?

You can see the full San Diego Chargers Madden NFL 10 Ratings here:

http://espn.go.com/videogames/features/madden/madden10?teamId=8

Breaking Down The Chargers - Part 1

In the weeks leading up to the draft (April 25 will be here before you know it), I hope to break down the Chargers' roster, position by position, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses, the good and the bad, the deepest positions and the roster holes. For the first part of the series, we'll review the Quarterback position.

You could say that Quarterback was the position in which the Chargers shined the brightest in 2008. Philip Rivers, following offseason knee surgery, had a year that set team records for TD's in a season (34) and Passer Rating (105.5). As the running game stalled with an injured RB and a weak offensive line, Rivers was forced to throw early and often and ended up with Pro Bowl caliber numbers.

2008 may be remembered as the year that the Chargers' offense became Rivers'. I certainly hope that the Chargers can regain the ball-control mentality that vanished for a number of reasons last season, but with the ball in River's hands I feel confidant that the offense will remain a potent one for years to come, assuming that a contract extension for Rivers is signed. Why an extension has taken this long is only due to some of the team's other offseason distractions.

Backing up Rivers in 2008 and returning in 2009 is Billy Volek. The man who led the 2007 Chargers on a game winning drive against Indy in the playoffs continues to provide big-game experience and performance off the bench. We only hope that we never have to use him.

One intriguing offseason move could involve third string QB Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst has impressed enough people to be thought of as a potential starting QB. It's believed that the Chargers could be outbid in contract negotiations when he becomes a free agent in 2010, thus there is a good chance he'll be traded this offseason. Don't be surprised to see him in a draft day package to help the Chargers obtain a second or high third round draft pick.

Kris Dielman Says Jay Cutler Is "A Good Dude"

Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers might not be best of friends, but that wont stop Kris Dielman from buddying up with the Broncos QB. Dielman spent some time with Cutler over at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and he came away fairly impressed. Turning a blind eye towards the on-field and off-field bitterness between the rival gunslingers, Dielman instead chose to point out the similarities Rivers and Cutler share:

"We're all out here in Hawaii having a good time. We'll deal with that during the season. Jay's a good dude. Philip's a good dude. They're two competitors. That's what happens when you have two competitors going at each other."

And as for Cutler, he admitted that he didn't know what to expect from Dielman at first but he appreciated the big offensive lineman's candor.

"He's like a lot of us, (we) play it up a little bit. I wasn't sure how he was going to be because he's Philip's boy, but he's been great."

Having heard about Dielman's and Cutler's newly-formed friendship, Philip Rivers plans to give his teammate a bit of a hard time. Rivers jokingly questions Dielman's loyalty, but acknowledges that he'd like the so-called rivalry between Cutler and Rivers to be a friendly one.

"I thought if I went over (to the Pro Bowl) me and Jay would have been laughing about (the rivalry). I think it got way too much hype and attention, but its also good for the (Chargers-Broncos) rivalry. It's probably a good thing I didn't go over there because it would've taken a little hype out of that rivalry. It's always fun playing those guys."

Philip Rivers' New Contract Expected To Be Worth 100 Million+

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Philip Rivers is going to be a very rich man. The former #4 overall pick in the 2004 draft is approaching the end of his original contract with the San Diego Chargers. With just one year left on a six year deal, it is expected that the Chargers will do whatever it takes to retain their rising superstar QB. Rivers has played well in San Diego, and he'll command top dollar as a free agent. Of course, the San Diego Chargers would much rather sign Rivers to a long-term deal before he actually hits the market, and that deal could be worth upwards of 100 million dollars.

NFL.com's Adam Schefter speculates that Philip Rivers will sign a deal similar to what Ben Roethlisberger signed in Pittsburgh; Roethlisberger signed an 8 year deal worth $102 million, 36 of which is guaranteed.

It's important to note however, that NFL contracts are basically numbers on a piece of paper. The guaranteed money is paid upfront and the franchise can terminate their players' contract at any time. 100 million dollars certainly sounds like an astounding number, but only a portion of it is actually guaranteed.

Source: NFL.com

LT Win FedEx Ground Award, Rivers AFC Player Of The Month, Neither Will Win MVP

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In the final week of the regular season, Ladainain Tomlinson was voted by the fans as the FedEx Ground player of the week. LT has won the crap out of this award over the past few years, but he only won it once this year. Scoring three touchdowns to help your team win the division on the national stage will certainly help garner votes from fantasy football fans across the country.

The NFL also announced that Philip Rivers is the AFC's Player Of The Month:

OFFENSE: QB PHILIP RIVERS, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Rivers led the Chargers to a 4-0 record in December as San Diego captured its third consecutive AFC West title and became the first team to reach the playoffs after a 4-8 start. For the month, Rivers completed 80 of 121 passes (66.1 percent) for 1,054 yards with a NFL-high 11 touchdowns versus one interception and a 120.3 passer rating. In Week 15 against Kansas City (12/14), Rivers was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week after directing a Chargers’ fourth quarter-rally for a 22-21 win. In the fourth quarter against the Chiefs, Rivers completed 18 of 24 passes (75.0 percent) for 190 yards with two touchdowns and a 125.3 passer rating. Two weeks later against Denver in a must-win scenario to reach the playoffs, Rivers posted a 141.0 passer rating and registered two or more touchdown passes for the fourth time in December as the Chargers defeated the Broncos 52-21. The veteran signal caller recorded a NFL-high 105.5 passer rating this season and tied for a league-best 34 touchdowns (Saints, DREW BREES).

In his fifth season from North Carolina State, this is Rivers’ first career Player of the Month Award. He is the first Chargers player to win Offensive Player of the Month since LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON in 2006 (November). Rivers joins STAN HUMPHRIES (October of 1992 and September of 1994) as the second San Diego quarterback to win the award.

Unfortunately for Rivers, no one outside of San Diego is seriously considering him an MVP candidate. Obviously I've been making my case for him for weeks, but almost the entire staff of writers at NFL.com has their votes in for Peyton Manning. While Manning is certainly deserving of another MVP award, I wouldn't go as far as to say that he is head and shoulders above Philip Rivers.

The Colts defense is generally acknowledged as being very good, and they have not had to overcome such drastic coaching changes like those in San Diego. But don't tell that to the mainstream media; Peyton Manning is the poster boy for the National Football league, appearing in more TV commercials than any other player in the league. Rivers on the other hand has gained a reputation of being cocky, abrasive, whiny, and a bit of a loudmouth. Rivers has my vote for MVP because without him, the Chargers would not be in the position they are in right now. He's made the people around him better, especially Vincent Jackson. And with the defense struggling and without a solid running game, Rivers had to carry the Chargers on his back just to get them to 8-8. Rivers has better numbers than anyone in the league and if he doesn't win the MVP this year it'll be a real shame because these types of numbers are going to be hard to reproduce in future seasons...

With A Win On Sunday, Is Philip Rivers Back In The MVP Discussion?

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This Sunday, the final game of the 2008 regular season, Philip Rivers could break Dan Fouts' record for most touchdown passes thrown in a season by a San Diego Chargers quarterback. Rivers has 32 touchdown passes through 15 games, and Fouts' 1981 record stands at 33. If Philip Rivers leads his team into the playoffs, while at the same time setting a new Chargers record, does he propel himself into the MVP discussion?

The NFL's highest rated passer (and biggest Pro Bowl snub) has also thrown more touchdown passes than anyone else in the league. Rivers has certainly done his part to keep his team in playoff contention, especially considering the Chargers' struggles with running the ball consistently. The team has leaned on Rivers and he has responded with one of the best seasons by a Chargers quarterback ever.

Philip Rivers Nominated For FedEx Air Player Of The Week

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Quarterbacks Matt Cassel of the New England Patriots, Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts and Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers are the finalists for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on Dec. 18-22, while running backs Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Derrick Ward of the New York Giants and fullback Le'Ron McClain of the Baltimore Ravens are the finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week honors.

Matt Cassel, New England Patriots
Cassel completed 20 of 36 passes for 345 yards and three touchdowns in the Patriots' 47-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Manning posted a 140.7 passer rating and finished 29-of-34 for 364 yards and three touchdowns in the Colts' 31-24 victory over the Jaguars on NFL Network's Thursday Night Football.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers completed 21 of 31 passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns in the Chargers' 41-24 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Go vote at NFL.com/FedEx

Philip Rivers Is The Most Obvious Pro Bowl Snub In 2009

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The league's highest rated passer is also leading the AFC in touchdown passes, but those numbers apparently don't matter all that much when your team's record is 6-8. With the San Diego Chargers currently holding a losing record, its not entirely surprising that Philip Rivers missed the cut. But even so, Rivers is widely regarded as this years biggest Pro Bowl omission:

"He had the stats but not enough wins. The Chargers were a popular pick to contend for the Super Bowl, and the fact that they're 6-8 and likely will miss the playoffs was clearly held against Rivers. He also probably missed out because Brett Favre, one of the three quarterbacks chosen, became a sentimental favorite after being traded from the Packers to the Jets, who are in contention for the AFC East title (even if Favre hasn't had as much to do with that as his running game and defense)." - Vic Carucci of NFL.com

"I think the biggest snub is Chargers QB Phillip Rivers. His numbers across the board are top of the line, and he should have gone in ahead of Brett Favre." - Steve Wyche of NFL.com

"Quarterback Philip Rivers was snubbed. However, expect rivers to end up in Hawaii. He is the No. 1 alternate in the AFC. Brett Favre was voted in but he rarely goes to the game, so expect Rivers to get the nod. He needs to be there. He is leading the NFL in passer rating and he has been outstanding much of the season." - Bill Williamson of ESPN.com

The AFC is deep with quality Quarterbacks, but Rivers deserved more votes. I wonder how well liked Philip Rivers is among non-Chargers fans? Because we certainly know how Jay Cutler feels about him...

It's The Coaches, Stupid?

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In the beginning of 2007, most Charger fans were screaming for Marty Schottenheimer's head after the debacle against the New England Patriots. Fans had enough of "Martyball" and wanted a change of guard. Sure, Marty was somewhat an inspirational coach, with his "One play at a time" mantra. But that can only take a team so far. So, we saw that the team was capable of execution, but poor coaching decisions in the playoffs showed Schottenheimer the exit. But like many will argue, exactly how much responsibility should fall on the coaching staff?

Enter Norv Turner. Last season, the team sputtered at the start, no doubt the regime change contributed to this. And if one made a case to argue that coaching was to blame, they would be hard pressed to find someone to counter them. But they eventually found their stride with good offensive plays called which lead to a respectable playoff run. The defense, anchored by Shawne Merriman, was stalwart through most of the season. Forced turnovers were aplenty, interceptions were bountiful and sacks were volumenous. And the offense (when everyone was healthy) was banging on all twelve (eleven?) cylinders.

But something about this season is appallingly different. The most glaring being the absense of Merriman. The D has lost it swagger, its tenacity. To me, some players are going through the motions. It looks like new defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is trying to right the ship, and he did to some degree by keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the endzone and calling some plays to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. But every single team we've played this year has thrown for over 200 yards, with many over 250 and 300. Completely unacceptable and thus prompting the departure of Ted Cottrell. But now that Cottrell is gone, the last 2 games showed more of the same pass defense. So, while a coaching change might have been necessary, what about the players? When are some of these guys going to be held accountable? If Chargers GM AJ Smith says the players are "On Notice", then its time to act and call these players out. And they know who they are.

Offensively, execution is the sticking point. I think Turner is calling the right plays, though I would like to see him mix it up a bit more. We are at times too predictable and when a defense knows exactly what you're going to do, its nearly impossible to execute a play to the best of your abilities. To Phillip Rivers: Like it or not, you are the leader of this offense. So when you have a bad day, the O has a bad day. LT has become relegated to a support role. And while teams still respect him, its apparent he's not the #1 priority anymore as simply containment is the key to defending him. Bottom line is you can't turn the ball over deep into an opponent's territory, or anywhere on the field for that matter. So until Rivers can manage the game like he has in seasons past, the offense will continue to struggle.

All of the players need to ask themselves "Am I doing everything I can on each and every play to help this team win?". I'm tired of seeing such a talented team underachieve.

Without It's Centerpiece, Chargers Defense Is Sub Par

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What happens to a team when it losses the most dominant defensive player in the game? How effective can a 3-4 defense be without a feared pass rusher? Clearly we are seeing the answer to those questions just about every week from the sans-Merriman San Diego Chargers.

Not only was Shawne Merriman a schematic nightmare for offensive coordinators, he was also the emotional leader for his team. Bill Williamson of ESPN asked an AFC scout to quantify the effect losing #56 had on the Bolts. The personnel man's response? "I can't believe the Chargers miss one player so much. But not having Merriman is killing them. They aren't the same defense without him."

This isn't a revelation to Charger fans, but what it does do is provide a glimpse into what the Chargers could regress to if they fail to resign Shawne Merriman after the 2009 season. The prevailing thought is that the team will have all its money tied up in extending Philip Rivers. But if the team was smart, they'd sit Rivers and Shawne down and ask them if there is a way to keep them both. Try to foster some sort of good will and open dialog between the parties involved. I think I know guys want to make as much money as they possibly can. And I'll never put a guy down for trying to get all the money he can. But a Super Bowl is a rare, rare thing and the fans here in San Diego deserve to call a Championship team their own. So all I'm asking for is for everybody involved try to get together and work this thing out. I see no reason why everyone can't win in this situation..

Philip Rivers On Pace To Shatter Chargers Record

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There is no question Philip Rivers is playing excellent football right now. He is at or near the top of the list in almost all QB statistical categories. Not only is he the NFL's highest rated passer, he also has the most touchdown passes in the league.

Through 8 games in 2008, San Diego Chargers Quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown 19 touchdown passes and is on pace to throw a total of 38 TDs. He would become the first Chargers QB since Dan Fouts to score 30 touchdowns in a season.

Fouts threw 33 touchdown passes in 1981. Fouts followed it up in 1982 throwing another 30 touchdown passes and rushing for another 2. Drew Brees' final year (2004) in San Diego saw him go off for 27 touchdown passes and 2 rushing touchdowns. In 2006, Ladainain Tomlinson scored 31 times en route to an MVP season.

Rivers has scored 22 total touchdowns in each of his two years starting in the NFL, and could set a new career best this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. Rivers is playing at an MVP level right now, and if he can somehow manage to carry his team to the playoffs then he could wind up holding the Joe F. Carr Trophy.

Drew Brees vs. Philip Rivers Through Week 8

London will play host to quite a headliner on Sunday. Drew Brees and Philip Rivers enter into this week eight match up playing excellent football and leading high powered offenses. Of course, beyond the simple fact that these two QBs are two of the league's best, how can we forget the history:



New Orleans' Drew Brees has the most pass attempts and the most yards in the NFL. San Diego's Philip Rivers is the highest rated quarterback and has the most touchdown passes in the league. Both players are charismatic leaders, are smart with the football, and make a lot of big plays down the field. Simply put, we're going to be watching two of the best QBs the NFL has to offer and one of these guys could wind up being the MVP of the league.

Its impossible to say that the San Diego Chargers made a mistake in letting Drew Brees leave via free agency. With the player that Philip Rivers has developed into, it's clear that he was worthy of his lofty draft status. And considering that both the Chargers and the New Orleans Saints have gone on to have great success behind their marquee signal callers, it would stand to reason that both teams have benefited from what was at one point in time a very rocky and controversial situation.

Link: NFL.com - Brees vs. Rivers

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Rivers And Jammer Playing Like Pro Bowlers

The fourth and fifth overall picks of their respective draft classes, Philip Rivers and Quentin Jammer are demonstrating why they were so highly touted coming out of college. Rivers and Jammer have found success in the NFL and are making it look easy:

Philip Rivers is the highest rated QB in the league (109.4). He has 14 touchdown passes (tied for first place) and has 9 plays of over 40 yards (tied for first place). Simply put, Philip Rivers is the best Quarterback in the AFC right now and continuing his high level of play will earn him a second trip to the Pro Bowl.

Quentin Jammer is looking to earn his first trip to Honolulu. A seven-year veteran, Jammer has always been a consistently good player, but it hasn't been until this season that the media has really acknowledged his abilities. I've long been a fan of #23, and his teammates are more than ever campaigning for Jam.

"He's playing like a Pro Bowler every single week. He's a consistent corner playing the way he's supposed to play. You never get anything different from Jammer every single week. To me, he's the most consistent corner I've ever seen since I've been playing (football)." - Antonio Cromartie

"He's one of the best corners in the league, and a lot of people around the league and the country don't really think that about him. But he shows it every time he gets out there. I think this year he's proven that he's playing like one of the best corners in the league." - Eric Weddle

Jammer is second in the NFL with 12 passes defended, (this stat is significant considering opposing quarterbacks rarely challenge him) and his 30 tackles are second among AFC cornerbacks (behind only Marlin Jackson's 32). It's going to be tough to get the fan votes without impressive interception numbers, but Jammer's peers and coaches know what type of player he is, and their votes can help him finally earn a Pro Bowl berth.

VOTE: 2009 NFL PRO BOWL BALLOT

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