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Missing Te'o? Versus Raiders, yes
By Tom Krasovic5 P.M.OCT. 13, 2014
The Chargers were ready for life without Manti Te'o.
Kavell Conner, a 36-game starter with violence to his game, is a reliable run defender who meshed with Donald Butler in the preseason. Rangier Andrew Gachkar knows John Pagano's system.
With Te'o sidelined by injury, Conner (43 snaps total) and Gachkar (89 snaps) held up in wins against the Jaguars and Jets.
But I think Te'o's absence was felt in San Diego's 31-28 victory Sunday over Oakland.
It wasn't a big deal. Te'o is still learning the NFL game. The sophomore's work, I thought, was ordinary in Games 1-3.
The Raiders stressed Chargers inside linebackers, though, more than either the Jaguars or Jets did.
Conner worked only 18 snaps. He was helpful in run support and brave, taking on massive guard Gabe Jackson on the pull and still making the tackle. His east-west limitations showed up other plays.
Gachkar played 36 snaps in part because speedy running back Darren McFadden is a two-way threat. Gachkar followed him to split end, for example, and survived a go route.
But with McFadden on the field, Oakland's also had its season-best rushing performance. Don't pin that on Gachkar, though he had two missed tackles. But I think Te'o is the better run defender.
A tying touchdown against Gachkar owed mostly to Oakland's competence.
When receiver James Jones motioned on third-and-4 at San Diego's 6, Marcus Gilchrist handed him off to Gachkar. Most inside linebackers, Te'o included, probably would've lost that duel (after all, Jones led the NFL in receiving TDs two years ago). Gachkar lost when Derek Carr pinpointed a laser to Jones as the receiver came out of his inside break.
The Jets weren't capable of such a play in Week 5, and the Jaguars weren't that slick either.
The Chiefs, who'll be the opponent Sunday, are capable of attacking inside linebackers in the pass and run game without substituting, though their receiving corps isn't as deep as Oakland's.
Since the win Sept. 21 at Buffalo, Te'o hasn't practiced due to injury, reported by the U-T's Michael Gehlken to be a fractured right foot. It was believed that he would miss four to six weeks, as Gehlken also reported exclusively.
The Chargers are to face the Chiefs on Oct. 19. Four days later, they'll be in Denver against the Broncos.
By Tom Krasovic5 P.M.OCT. 13, 2014
The Chargers were ready for life without Manti Te'o.
Kavell Conner, a 36-game starter with violence to his game, is a reliable run defender who meshed with Donald Butler in the preseason. Rangier Andrew Gachkar knows John Pagano's system.
With Te'o sidelined by injury, Conner (43 snaps total) and Gachkar (89 snaps) held up in wins against the Jaguars and Jets.
But I think Te'o's absence was felt in San Diego's 31-28 victory Sunday over Oakland.
It wasn't a big deal. Te'o is still learning the NFL game. The sophomore's work, I thought, was ordinary in Games 1-3.
The Raiders stressed Chargers inside linebackers, though, more than either the Jaguars or Jets did.
Conner worked only 18 snaps. He was helpful in run support and brave, taking on massive guard Gabe Jackson on the pull and still making the tackle. His east-west limitations showed up other plays.
Gachkar played 36 snaps in part because speedy running back Darren McFadden is a two-way threat. Gachkar followed him to split end, for example, and survived a go route.
But with McFadden on the field, Oakland's also had its season-best rushing performance. Don't pin that on Gachkar, though he had two missed tackles. But I think Te'o is the better run defender.
A tying touchdown against Gachkar owed mostly to Oakland's competence.
When receiver James Jones motioned on third-and-4 at San Diego's 6, Marcus Gilchrist handed him off to Gachkar. Most inside linebackers, Te'o included, probably would've lost that duel (after all, Jones led the NFL in receiving TDs two years ago). Gachkar lost when Derek Carr pinpointed a laser to Jones as the receiver came out of his inside break.
The Jets weren't capable of such a play in Week 5, and the Jaguars weren't that slick either.
The Chiefs, who'll be the opponent Sunday, are capable of attacking inside linebackers in the pass and run game without substituting, though their receiving corps isn't as deep as Oakland's.
Since the win Sept. 21 at Buffalo, Te'o hasn't practiced due to injury, reported by the U-T's Michael Gehlken to be a fractured right foot. It was believed that he would miss four to six weeks, as Gehlken also reported exclusively.
The Chargers are to face the Chiefs on Oct. 19. Four days later, they'll be in Denver against the Broncos.
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