The Charger Dress Rehearsal

The Bolts were back in business last night, downing the Seahawks 18-17 in the 3rd preseason game. This is generally considered the "important" preseason game, as the starters for both teams play about 3 quarters of the game. Some thoughts:

The O-line is looking pretty good. Sproles ran all over the Hawks, which is saying something because he needs a good hole to run through in order to make big gains. Rivers was not sacked once and had plenty of time to throw, which he usually took advantage of.

Speaking of Sproles, I can only hope he continues his high level of play during the season. He's been great running, catching, and he even layed out a blitzing backer yesterday with a great block. Go little man!

Rivers is back from knee surgery 100%, and he's still a big goofy hick. Dude has chicken legs, a funky throwing motion, and does a little hop step after releasing the ball. He threw a few balls which he shouldn't have, but overall he was good. His numbers were ok, but his mobility in the pocket was what really impressed me. With Gates, LT, and the full O-line this could be a great year for him.

Thank God for Tony Kornheiser's hernia, which kept him out of the booth last night.

Please, god, send him another in 4 weeks, so he won't be back for the Jets at Chargers on MNF. Brett Farve+ESPN+TK = shoot me.

All the recievers were looking good, especially Jackson. But VJ, you gotta score on a deep ball like that!

Speaking of scoring, Hester has to get better at the goal line plunge. It would seem to be his specialty, and maybe he was having a bad night, but he's gotta be more productive when they take out Sproles and hand it to him. On the same thought: Norv, stop with the overload on the goal line. Spread them out and those short runs get a lot easier.

Statistically Volek had a night to forget, but he did take care of business in the end. He blew a wide open Chandler with a terrible overthrow, and then came back and threw the prettiest fade route imaginable to Floyd on the 2 pt conversion.

Special teams looked solid as always, and I think its clear that Mark Jones has only a few days left with the Chargers.

Defense... I got a question... HOW YA'LL FEEL?!?!!?

Whats that? You feel like tackling is for chumps? And that run defense is overrated. And that third string QBS without their top 2 recievers should be able to hang 200 yards on you in just 3 series? Interesting.

The Defense has to play better and tackle better, and they know it. Weddle did his best Marlon McCree imitation yesterday on that long pass where he failed to wrap up properly. Tackling was terrible for most of the game, and it has to get better or Carolina is gonna come to the Q and run it down their throats. Larry Johson, the Raiders, the Broncos, all these teams are run first, so we better be able to stop it.

Coverage was pretty good, and Jammer looked especially strong all around. Only two turnovers, and both came late. Of course, all this defensive criticism comes with a few huge caveats.

First, the defense was plain vanilla all night, with few blitzes and little variety. Second, Jamal Williams wisely sat out. Finally, Merriman was not playing either.

On the Merriman situation, I'm not sure what to say. I'm a Charger fan and a Shawne Merriman fan, so I'd like to have my cake and eat it too, but I doubt its going to happen. I believe that Shawne wants to play with every fiber of his being, but I would also understand if he took the safe route and shut it down right now in favor of full blown surgery. A big injury could cost him $20-60 million dollars when it comes time for his big payday contract in two years. That't nothing to sneeze at, especially when that may be the last contract he ever signs. At the same time I feel the Chargers have a two year window to win the Super Bowl, and losing Shawne for 1 of those two years would be a huge blow.

I heard something about a middle ground, where Shawne could get a minor surgery but would be able to play later in this season. If this is possible thats what I vote for. We can manage without Shawne for 4-8 weeks, and then add him back at closer to full strength for a stretch and playoff run. This really would be having the cake and eating it, and I hope its possible and becomes a reality.

Just one more preseason game before the season starts. Time to start planning for Carolina.