Chargers' receivers open because of L.T.
By Jim Armstrong
Denver Post Staff Columnist
Article Last Updated:12/11/2006 11:38:25 PM MST
Rudolph the red-notes reindeer ...
It isn't just all those touchdowns and rushing yards. Those are merely the obvious things LaDainian Tomlinson gives the Chargers every Sunday.
Now for the subtle side of L.T.: His presence in the backfield opens up the passing game, a huge factor in the emergence of quarterback Philip Rivers.
"I don't think there's any limit to what I can do with L.T. bringing eight guys in the box and (Antonio) Gates collecting those safeties," Chargers wideout Vincent Jackson said. "It leaves things wide open for us wide receivers. I'm trying to take advantage of that." ...
Jackson, an alum of Widefield High School and UNC, on the state of the Bolts: "It's so fun to be a part of. We're so stacked offensively and defensively. On any given day, any guy can have a big game for us." ...
How the West was lost wasn't just a tale of the Broncos collapsing. It's about the Chargers emerging into arguably the NFL's best team. How good are these guys? Consider this: The Bolts have scored 163 points in the fourth quarter. The Raiders have scored 156 all season. ...
Just the fax: The Broncos allowed 44 points in their first six games, 7.3 per. Since then, they've allowed 192 in seven games, 27.4 per. And no, it isn't all on the defense. Their offense's inability to move the chains, combined with wretched special-teams play, has given opposing teams short fields week after week. ...
Take the Chargers, for instance. Six of their eight scoring drives Sunday measured 7, 20, 29, 44, 53 and 54 yards. Forget the Broncos. The 1975 Steelers couldn't overcome that kind of field position. ...
You can take the boy out of Detroit, but you can't take ...: The Rangers' Brendan Shanahan, tied for the NHL lead with 22 goals. ...
Page 1 of the Baseball 101 syllabus says you have to be strong up the middle. And the Rockies, as we speak, would open next season with Chris Iannetta behind the plate, Kaz Matsui at second base, Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop and Cory Sullivan in center field. Say it ain't so, Danny O'. ...
Two great reasons to pick up Post hockey maven Adrian Dater's book, "Blood Feud, Detroit Red Wings v. Colorado Avalanche, The Inside Story Of Pro Sports' Nastiest And Best Rivalry Of Its Era." First, it's a must read for local puck fans. Second, if you buy it, he'll quit bugging me for a plug. ...
As if the Front Range college football teams' issues weren't depressing enough, the Nuggets could be the only team in Our Town to make the playoffs in the next calendar year. ...
The bottom line on the White Sox making bold moves barely a year removed from a World Series title, courtesy of Ozzie Guillen: "The Sox fans, if you lose, they don't show. The Cubs fans, if their team loses, they still go." ...
Just a thought, but you might want to pull for new U of Miami football coach Randy Shannon. He reportedly has dealt with his father being murdered, a brother being sent to prison and three siblings dying of AIDS. ...
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em: Dodgers free-agent signee Jason Schmidt held his new team to a .187 batting average in 14 starts over the past three seasons. ...
Not that things are outta control in baseball, but two years ago Johan Santana re-upped with the Twins for four years and $40 million. That's the same deal Ted Lilly, 59-58 in eight big-league seasons, got last week. ...
Why are they howling for Brian Griese in Chicago? Because Rex Grossman, going into the Monday nighter, had seen his weekly passer rating drop from 105.7 to 81.4 to 23.6 to 1.3 in the previous month.
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during "The Press Box" on ESPN radio 560 AM. He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or
jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
