Chargers Vs. Colts

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 1, 2009 2:47 AM EST Comment 26 comments

Hi Colts fans; we have played so often the last few years this almost seems like a divisional game. Big Blue Shoe and Shake & Bake have been taking questions over at Bolts from the Blue; I thought I'd see if you folks had any about the Chargers. It has been a roller coaster season for the Bolts this year; at 4-8 it was extremely hard to see a way clear to the playoffs. Some are going to say that at 8-8 the Chargers don't belong, from my biased perspective the Chargers look better than the average 8-8; but the Colts will certainly put that to the test.

With that said; if you have any questions, fire away.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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LT and Gates

I would imagine both of these guys will play, but do you think they are banged up after the game against Denver? Also what do you think is the biggest weakness on your team right now?

An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...

by bluegirl on Jan 1, 2009 6:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

About LT and gates

just to be more specific… do you think they are banged up enough to affect their game since they both came out of the denver game with injuries.

An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...

by bluegirl on Jan 1, 2009 6:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Both Will be Affected

They have missed today’s and yesterday’s practice. Right now Gates injury appears somewhat worse; it sounds like LT will get on the field one way or another; although Michael Bennett will be active for the first time. The biggest weakness is still the pass defense; it has gotten better but there have also been some big drops by opposing teams on blown coverage. Covering tight ends in particular has been awful this year. I somehow don’t see the Colts receivers making a lot of drops.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 1, 2009 8:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Question

What kinds of new things has Ron Rivera done to improve SD’s defense that Ted Cottrell wasn’t doing?

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by BigBlueShoe on Jan 1, 2009 9:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mostly Simplify

He has taken a lot of the reads out of the defense so players have to think less and can just play. He has also moved S. Phillips back to his more natural weak side position; they tried to have him replace Merriman but he was just not comfortable there. I’m not sure he is blitzing more, but they absolutely seem to get more pressure. There is a bit more man to man; and he adjusts well. In the game against the Chiefs the Chargers never came out of nickel in the second half and really shut down Kansas City in that half. Some of it is just players doing well too; S. Cooper has been playing out of his mind in the middle for the last four games.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 1, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are they going to replace the turf at Qualcomm before Saturday night?

To put it kindly, it looked bad on Tuesday night, being the 3rd game within a week there. Add to that Dez Bryant messing up his knee slipping, and it doesn’t make me feel very good that some freak injury is not going to happen.

On the flip side, if the winner ends up in Pittsburgh next weekend, it will be a good warmup. That field is the worst ever.

by mgrex03 on Jan 1, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good Question

Not that I have heard. It is absolutely chewed up and I expect that will be a factor on Saturday. I heard that they did limit practice on it; but it is going to be rough.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 1, 2009 8:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We’ve seen teams like Jacksonville that get so amped up to play the Colts that they either commit dumb penalties, or get horribly depressed once the Colts start winning and can’t recover. The Chargers have just come off a huge win over a divisional rival to win the division in the final week. Any chance they come out over-excited?

Also, how comfortable are you guys with Nate Kaeding? He’s never struck me as particularly clutch. If it’s 4th and 3 at the edge of his range with the Chargers down 2 and very little time left, do the Chargers go for the FG or try to convert?

What would be a warning sign for you that the game could turn into an “Anchorman” Game (i.e. “Wow, that got out of hand quickly”)? We’ve seen the Colts consistently come back from double digit deficits, even late into the 4th quarter, with big plays from offense and defense. Have the Chargers shown the ability to rally and pull out the win against a good opponent?

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by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 2, 2009 3:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chargers vs. Colts

I don’t see the Chargers getting over excited, they have played the Colts a number of times over the past few years and have matched up well. This team was down by 11 points at the two minute warning (admittedly against the Chiefs) and managed to pull out the win so they have performed well under pressure. Kaeding has blown some crunch time kicks, but he also made a number of them in last years playoffs; Turner won’t hesitate to kick in my opinion.

Our record against teams in the playoffs is 0-5 I believe so, no we haven’t really shown the ability to beat first tier teams. What leaves us fans with hope is we also have not been blown out by top tier teams, there is a sense that the Chargers can play at a high level and are playing better now than they have all year. The Colts look like one of the top teams to me so Saturday is a real acid test.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 2, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Other then Manning...

which Colt are you most worried about and why?

It's a bird, it's a plane... no it's Supermathis!!!

by AussieColtsFan on Jan 2, 2009 4:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dallas Clark

Our coverage of tight ends has been inexcusably bad and Dallas Clark has Pro Bowl talent.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 2, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What happened to Norv Turner's face?

Was he the victim of an acid attack at some point?

by peterbones on Jan 2, 2009 10:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Last question: Why is Phillip Rivers such a total creep?

Phillip reminds me of the kind of guy that would rape my gf if she passed out at a party? Is that your impression too?

by peterbones on Jan 2, 2009 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Come on Man!

Cant you keep the question about the game? Keep it classy!

Dun nuh nuh nuhhhh!!!! Super Mathis

by hoosier in sodak on Jan 2, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rivers isn't a creep

And he isn’t into balloon animals so your ‘girlfriend’ is safe.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 2, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

good one.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Jan 2, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tight Ends

with gates struggling with injuries has manumaleuna (sp?) proven to be a more valuable player for the chargers the last two seasons as a blocking tight end?
is gates even a good blocker?

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by torontocoltsfan on Jan 2, 2009 11:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gates is an Average Blocker

Manu does much better with the run blocking; he even filled in as fullback against Miami if I remember correctly. Manumaleuna will come down with the occasional catch and is quite a load in the secondary. The receivers and passes to running backs and fullbacks offer enough threats now that the offense can do well even when Gates isn’t 100%. That may be less true against the Colts style of defense.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 2, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Creep Rivers

Not a classy question, but it did make me spit coffee on my monitor.

by tim55 on Jan 2, 2009 12:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Inquiring minds want to know!

Phillip Rivers = Andrew Luster?

by peterbones on Jan 2, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What a relief.....

I was only joking DaBolts. Everyone here knows he’s into guys. Young guys…..

Have you ever seen his pedi-smile? Really creepy.

by peterbones on Jan 2, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You sure you aren't confusing him with your avatar?

I’m just sayin…

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 2, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Any word on LT and Gates other than they didn't practice all week and are questionable?

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by shake n bake on Jan 2, 2009 6:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Most I've Heard

Is that Gates has a high ankle sprain and is more tenuous. Both did walk throughs, but didn’t practice beyond that. This from the UT blog here.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jan 2, 2009 8:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Question for BBS and Shakenbake:

Do you guys really feel that the Chargers don’t belong to be in the playoffs? From what I’ve read on a few other sites, you guys seem to think the Patriots “deserve” to be in, instead of us (if it were possible to do so). Is it purely record?, or do you really think that we dont have the talent to compete against you in the playoffs? I just don’t understand how you people can claim the Patriots are better than us, after that ass whooping we gave them in Week 6.

It seems to be a common consensus amongst football fans nationwide and im just looking to gain some insight. Thanks!

We're gonna dazzle you with our super play.

by soulSD on Jan 3, 2009 3:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs