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Jonathan Cooper broke his leg. Thank heavens the Bolts suffered no big injuries.
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Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
The Wasted Decade is done.
Build Back Better. -
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Acee:
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Most starters played at least a half, some more. And the Chargers got their first victory of the preseason (and of the Mike McCoy era). The grades reflect the improvement and promise exhibited in a 24-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Quarterback: B+. Philip Rivers feeling, looking at times like he was back at North Carolina State, even though his passer rating was paltry (41.7). Please stop talking about Charlie Whitehurst being in trouble. Only thing he has to fear is being traded to Buffalo.
Running back: C. Ryan Mathews bounced, remained strong … and lost a fumble. Danny Woodhead made a couple nice catches. Ronnie Brown sighting: two carries for nie yards. But Fozzy Whittaker can’t be stopped.
Receivers: B+. Seyi Ajirotutu was in on the first series. Enough said about the depth and Robert Meachem's standing. But clearly Ajirotutu is a favorite of Rivers. When rookie Keenan Allen figures this game out, watch out. Going to have to find a way to get Ladarius Green on the field.
Offensive line: B. The right side of this line (D.J. Fluker, Jeromey Clary) can block for the run almost as well as the left side used to. Ongoing leaks will prove costly. The upside of a turnover? Opportunity to see Fluker tackle.
Defensive line: B. Kendall Reyes and Cam Thomas made plays early. But it shows that they miss Corey Liuget. Appears Kwame Geathers, Damik Scafe make team.
Linebackers: A-. Dwight Freeney has answered our question already. Yes, he can still play. Jarret Johnson, who has two sacks this preseason, can be more than a tough run stopper. Bront Bird plays hard, but he’s not Manti Te’o – and we don’t even know what Te’o is.
Secondary: B. Chargers were in nickel or dime most of Arizona’s first four possessions. There were some plays made, but the Cardinals punted four times. Derek Cox knows how to play -- if only he can stay healthy.
Special teams: A. Darrell Stuckey blocked a punt, and Kwame Geathers blocked a field goal. Man, you hate to see Weddle on the kickoff team. Allen can be a little shaky catching punts, but when he does he could have a few more of those 44-yard returns.
Coaching: A. Congratulations are in order for finally deciding on King Dunlap as the starting left tackle. And you have to love the way Mike McCoy liberally mixes and matches personnel to get everyone ready. And way to go, Kevin Spencer, getting the special teams to rebound.Comment
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Gehlkin:
The Chargers, playing the Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., dominated the NFC West team Saturday night en route to their first win of the preseason, 24-7.
A grimacing King Dunlap walked to the sideline.
He was escorted to a white table where he laid on his back. His right shoe was removed, and an athletic trainer taped his ankle.
Minutes later, he was back on the field.
If the Chargers have their way, a brief injury break during the first half Saturday will be the last time this year a left tackle other than Dunlap protects quarterback Philip Rivers' blind side.
At last, it appears decided. There was no more rotating, no more mixing and matching. Dunlap received the starter reps he's earned this offseason, the end of a position battle with Max Starks in a 24-7 Chargers win.
The third preseason game is usually the most revealing of the four.
As the Chargers roster sorted itself out, that proved true here.
Starks started the second exhibition on Aug. 15 but did not appear Saturday until the third quarter. Even as Dunlap received treatment on the sideline, Michael Harris was the one to relieve him.
For the line, the results were positive.
Rivers had strong pass protection all night, the Chargers first-team offense sustaining balance in the first half. The run game yielded 74 yards on 18 attempts. The pass game gained 71 yards on 18 throws.
San Diego subbed most of its offensive starters, including Rivers, at halftime. Wide receiver Robert Meachem was not among them.
Despite the Chargers having Danario Alexander, Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal sidelined with injuries, Meachem didn't see the field until the third quarter. Seyi Ajirotutu, who signed and began learning coach Mike McCoy's offense just eight days earlier, started opposite Vincent Brown with Keenan Allen in the slot.
It gets worse for the high-priced 2012 free agency signing.
Ajirotutu left the game briefly in the second quarter with a hip pointer. Dan DePalma — not Meachem — filled in, working in the slot and moving Allen outside.
Meachem signed a four-year, $24.5 million contract last year that fully guaranteed him $14 million, including his $5 million base salary this season. As difficult to conceive financially and with all the injuries, Meachem may still be on the outside looking in.
If the Chargers were looking for signs of life, maybe they saw it in the second half. He had 2 catches for 18 yards, although that came against Arizona's reserves.
Meanwhile, two undrafted rookies continued to cement their roster spots.
Strong safety Jahleel Addae saw reps on special teams, including on kickoff, and played in the first-team dime unit as a third safety. Nose tackle Kwame Geathers blocked a second-quarter field goal and is expected to be the Chargers' primary reserve nose tackle come Saturday's 53-man roster cut.
Much of the preseason focus has been on San Diego's offense.
That is a credit to the work of its defense.
It followed a strong showing in Chicago with another one in Glendale. Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney was a force off the right edge in the nickel defense, registering one hurry and a quarterback hit in the first two series. He ended the half with a spin move and a sack.
The Cardinals converted only two of seven third downs against the Chargers starters. Defensive end Corey Liuget missed the game with a shoulder strain, but he is expected to be ready come the Sept. 9 season opener.Comment
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Krasovic:
Ryan Mathews looks ready for the season. He is making defenders miss. The fourth-year running back is more decisive than last year, when two broken collarbones sidetracked him. Nine pounds lighter, he nevertheless is powering through arm tackles, and when a draw play opened up Saturday night, he zoomed for 18 yards against the Cardinals.
But Mathews also fumbled near the goal line, and that's how it went for the Chargers starters. They got more than they gave. All three starting units -- offense, defense and special teams -- outplayed Arizona's first team while building a 14-point halftime lead at University of Phoenix Stadium.
But there were enough miscues to mar the film review.
Final score: Chargers 24, Cardinals 7.
Making it work:Absent three injured receivers who were to be starters, the Chargers still moved the ball throughout the first half. Philip Rivers directed touchdown drives of 92 and 80 yards. A faster tempo paid off on several plays. The run blocking remained a strength. Rivers hit Antonio Gates with three passes in the half. For the most part, Chargers starters made Arizona look a step slow.
Freeney is ready: Dwight Freeney pressured or hit Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer three times. In all three preseason games, the 33-year-old has beaten blockers.
Tutu injured: Rivers and Seyi Ajirotutu connected on a 13-yard crossing pattern, setting up the first touchdown. But, dealing the receiving corps yet another injury, Ajirotutu suffered a hip pointer later in the second quarter.
Special help: Chargers special teams, a liability in the first two exhibitions, received big plays from two veteran leaders in the opening minutes. Off the opening kickoff, Eric Weddle tackled the return man inside the 20. Darrell Stuckey blocked a Cardinals punt, setting up San Diego at Arizona's 34. Rookie nose tackle Kwame Geathers, who seems to have won a 53-man roster spot, broke through and deflected a field goal try. Another rookie, Keenan Allen, stepped out of a tackle and went 41 yards with a punt.
Chargers special teams coach Kevin Spencer held the same job with Arizona from 2007-12.
Red flag moments: Mike McCoy was correct to challenge a Cardinals incompletion that appeared to be a fumble. The replay official ruled that, in fact, it was a fumble -- but that the Cardinals recovered the ball.
A replay showed that Chargers receiver Dan DePalma made a catch that officials had ruled an incompletion. McCoy didn't challenge the ruling. Typically it's up to an assistant to alert the head coach to challenge a play call.
Next week: The Chargers will play their final exhibition of the preseason, Aug. 29 against the 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium.Comment
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Hey, I like this idea! Too bad Buddy Nix still isn't there...Originally posted by Bolt-O View PostComment
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Maybe trade the Jets will offer more Geno had three picks in the first half...Go Rivers!Comment
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I'll have what he's drinkingOriginally posted by Stinky Wizzleteats+ View PostHashtag thepowderbluesComment
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What are you talking about??? Don't you remember us being 4 plays away from The Tournament(TM) last year? If we'd brought back all that deadwood, we'd be pushing for a Super Bowl!!!Originally posted by Guy Lombardo View PostComment
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Bolts put a hurtin' on them.Cooper wasn't the only high-profile casualty for Arizona during its 24-7 defeat to the Chargers. Rob Housler, Dan Williams, Rashard Mendenhall, Andre Roberts, Matt Shaughnessy and D.C. Jefferson also suffered injuries of unknown severity.Now, if you excuse me, I have some Charger memories to suppress.
The Wasted Decade is done.
Build Back Better.Comment
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If we out physical teams that can win some games for us.Go Rivers!Comment
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