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Chargers say bye to early momentum?
By Jay Posner
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 19, 2006
It's tempting to say the Chargers already have had two byes on their schedule, so what harm could a third do?
But this one, of course, is different. For the first time this season, the Chargers won't be playing this weekend, which in theory could slow the momentum they've built while waxing Oakland and Tennessee by a combined 67-7.
Then again, the Chargers took winning streaks into their off week in each of the past two seasons and returned with a victory each time. What could be more important this year is that they won't have a week off around midseason, when a break from the pounding of an NFL season might be more welcome.
“Week 8 or Week 9, that's when your body needs a break,” tackle Shane Olivea said.
“I hate that we have a bye (now),” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “We have to go 14 straight and maybe more.”
But the Chargers also know it won't do them any good to complain. The NFL spreads its open dates over a span of seven weekends, meaning not every team can get a cherished spot. And San Diego has been fortunate the past four seasons with byes in Week 8 in 2002, Week 6 in 2003 and Week 10 the past two years.
“It really doesn't matter,” coach Marty Schottenheimer said yesterday. “I don't know how you subjectively make that judgment with any certainty. I don't think it makes any difference, frankly.
“There was a time where I used to think it mattered when you had it but I really don't think it does, the more I've been through it.”
Several players said the time off before the Oct. 1 game at Baltimore – their first true test of the season – would give them a chance to rest and also work on improving certain aspects of their game.
“It's unfortunate we have it this early but we're looking at it as a positive opportunity,” defensive end Luis Castillo said. “As good as we've done things so far, there's definitely things we could work on and get better.”
Said quarterback Philip Rivers: “I don't think our guys are caught up into when a good time or a bad time is. The fact of the matter is we've got it and we'll use it to our benefit. We can really focus on us this week . . . maybe give a little more attention to things you wouldn't have time for on a regular week.”
Schottenheimer said the same thing, that he plans to use the team's two remaining practices this week – tomorrow and Thursday – to do some fine-tuning on areas such as pass coverage and the running game. He also hopes the time off will help some of the team's injured players heal.
“We have a chance right now to maybe get a couple of our guys that have been injured, get them improved,” Schottenheimer said.
Added fullback Lorenzo Neal: “Your body's weird. If it's a bye week, everyone's sore now. It's like, 'OK, I'm sore now.' For me, I'm 14 (seasons) in, it doesn't matter to me. I've had byes the first week, the second week. . . . I just want to play ball. Just line me up and let me go hunt.”
When the Chargers return, they will do so on the road against a Baltimore team that is 2-0 with winless Cleveland coming up this weekend. There is no expectation that any “focus” will be lost.
“All they've got to do is go look at one reel of tape on Baltimore and I don't need to say a word,” Schottenheimer said. “I mean, with all the positive numbers we've posted defensively, Baltimore's ranked ahead of us in virtually every category on defense. They're something now. They're going to be a real test. There is no doubt.”
In the 11 major defensive categories listed in the official NFL statistics (not including last night's game), the Ravens ranked first in seven. The Chargers were first in two (net passing yards per play and per game) and second in five others. (San Diego also leads the league in point and yardage differential.)
“We're going out there to battle (to see) who's the best defense,” Castillo said. “We look forward to that challenge.”
Stat corner
The Chargers equaled a club “record” by winning consecutive games by 60 combined points. They have never won back-to-back games by more points. Twice previously they hit the 60 mark, in 1978 (40-7 over Chicago and 37-10 over Seattle) and in 1961 (26-10 over Dallas and 44-0 over Oakland).
Sunday's game marked the first time since 1969 that the Chargers had at least 235 yards passing and rushing in the same game. San Diego had 235 yards passing and 241 rushing.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Chargers were the first team since the 1977 Raiders to start a season with seven scoreless quarters on defense. And San Diego's streak of 60 unanswered points to start a season was the best since Detroit scored 78 straight to start the 1970 season.
Injury report
Linebacker Shawne Merriman was not at the Chargers' light practice yesterday. A club spokesman said Merriman suffered a broken nose during an exhibition game and it was decided to re-set it yesterday. Merriman is expected to practice tomorrow.
Several players figure to be excused from the two practices this week with the idea that rest will help them be ready to work next week when serious preparations begin for the Ravens game. Among those will be wide receiver Keenan McCardell (hamstring). Schottenheimer said he hoped defensive end Igor Olshansky, tight end Ryan Krause and tackle Leander Jordan would be able to play in Baltimore.
Staff writer Kevin Acee contributed to this report.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20060919-9999-2s19chargers.html
By Jay Posner
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 19, 2006
It's tempting to say the Chargers already have had two byes on their schedule, so what harm could a third do?
But this one, of course, is different. For the first time this season, the Chargers won't be playing this weekend, which in theory could slow the momentum they've built while waxing Oakland and Tennessee by a combined 67-7.
Then again, the Chargers took winning streaks into their off week in each of the past two seasons and returned with a victory each time. What could be more important this year is that they won't have a week off around midseason, when a break from the pounding of an NFL season might be more welcome.
“Week 8 or Week 9, that's when your body needs a break,” tackle Shane Olivea said.
“I hate that we have a bye (now),” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “We have to go 14 straight and maybe more.”
But the Chargers also know it won't do them any good to complain. The NFL spreads its open dates over a span of seven weekends, meaning not every team can get a cherished spot. And San Diego has been fortunate the past four seasons with byes in Week 8 in 2002, Week 6 in 2003 and Week 10 the past two years.
“It really doesn't matter,” coach Marty Schottenheimer said yesterday. “I don't know how you subjectively make that judgment with any certainty. I don't think it makes any difference, frankly.
“There was a time where I used to think it mattered when you had it but I really don't think it does, the more I've been through it.”
Several players said the time off before the Oct. 1 game at Baltimore – their first true test of the season – would give them a chance to rest and also work on improving certain aspects of their game.
“It's unfortunate we have it this early but we're looking at it as a positive opportunity,” defensive end Luis Castillo said. “As good as we've done things so far, there's definitely things we could work on and get better.”
Said quarterback Philip Rivers: “I don't think our guys are caught up into when a good time or a bad time is. The fact of the matter is we've got it and we'll use it to our benefit. We can really focus on us this week . . . maybe give a little more attention to things you wouldn't have time for on a regular week.”
Schottenheimer said the same thing, that he plans to use the team's two remaining practices this week – tomorrow and Thursday – to do some fine-tuning on areas such as pass coverage and the running game. He also hopes the time off will help some of the team's injured players heal.
“We have a chance right now to maybe get a couple of our guys that have been injured, get them improved,” Schottenheimer said.
Added fullback Lorenzo Neal: “Your body's weird. If it's a bye week, everyone's sore now. It's like, 'OK, I'm sore now.' For me, I'm 14 (seasons) in, it doesn't matter to me. I've had byes the first week, the second week. . . . I just want to play ball. Just line me up and let me go hunt.”
When the Chargers return, they will do so on the road against a Baltimore team that is 2-0 with winless Cleveland coming up this weekend. There is no expectation that any “focus” will be lost.
“All they've got to do is go look at one reel of tape on Baltimore and I don't need to say a word,” Schottenheimer said. “I mean, with all the positive numbers we've posted defensively, Baltimore's ranked ahead of us in virtually every category on defense. They're something now. They're going to be a real test. There is no doubt.”
In the 11 major defensive categories listed in the official NFL statistics (not including last night's game), the Ravens ranked first in seven. The Chargers were first in two (net passing yards per play and per game) and second in five others. (San Diego also leads the league in point and yardage differential.)
“We're going out there to battle (to see) who's the best defense,” Castillo said. “We look forward to that challenge.”
Stat corner
The Chargers equaled a club “record” by winning consecutive games by 60 combined points. They have never won back-to-back games by more points. Twice previously they hit the 60 mark, in 1978 (40-7 over Chicago and 37-10 over Seattle) and in 1961 (26-10 over Dallas and 44-0 over Oakland).
Sunday's game marked the first time since 1969 that the Chargers had at least 235 yards passing and rushing in the same game. San Diego had 235 yards passing and 241 rushing.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Chargers were the first team since the 1977 Raiders to start a season with seven scoreless quarters on defense. And San Diego's streak of 60 unanswered points to start a season was the best since Detroit scored 78 straight to start the 1970 season.
Injury report
Linebacker Shawne Merriman was not at the Chargers' light practice yesterday. A club spokesman said Merriman suffered a broken nose during an exhibition game and it was decided to re-set it yesterday. Merriman is expected to practice tomorrow.
Several players figure to be excused from the two practices this week with the idea that rest will help them be ready to work next week when serious preparations begin for the Ravens game. Among those will be wide receiver Keenan McCardell (hamstring). Schottenheimer said he hoped defensive end Igor Olshansky, tight end Ryan Krause and tackle Leander Jordan would be able to play in Baltimore.
Staff writer Kevin Acee contributed to this report.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20060919-9999-2s19chargers.html