San Diego Chargers

Seems like only yesterday the Chargers last played in the biting cold and snow of Pittsburgh, yet it seems like an entirely different team this time.
Union-Tribune Chargers video archive

VIEW FROM PITTSBURGH: The Steelers are committing the most turnovers of any team left in the NFL playoffs and are scoring the fewest points.

The Chargers receiver was booked on a misdemeanor charge before being released early Tuesday morning. But he will play Sunday.

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinsons status for Sundays Divisional Playoff game in Pittsburgh is uncertain due to his sore groin, but Darren Sproles and Michael Bennett will be prepared to carry the load if needed.

The Chargers will travel to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers in a Divisional Playoff game next Sunday at Heinz Field.

The Chargers will have a chance to vindicate a Week 11 loss in Pittsburgh as they head back to Heinz Stadium to face the Steelers next Sunday at 1:45 Pacific Time.

Scifres and His Old Pal Funny that two guys from Destrehan, La., -- pop. 12,166 -- would play such a role in determining the next round of the AFC playoffs. Rivera Suddenly in Demand Half-season ago -- if you...

Chargers did the Steelers a favor At the risk of violating Mike Tomlin's most sacred rule – sorry, Coach – let's look ahead and ponder a couple of delicious questions Bolts will try to make history in Pittsburgh It...

Sproles' big day lifts Chargers over Colts in overtime Speedy little Darren Sproles scooted 22 yards for the winning score 6:20 into overtime and the Chargers beat the Colts 23-17 in an AFC wild-card game Saturday night....

LaDainian Tomlinson's might have to sit out the San Diego Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

The California Highway Patrol says San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Jackson, in a brief statement released through the team, said he didn't think charges would be filed against him.

The Chargers and Ravens triumphed thanks to their tough defenses, but awaiting in the divisional round are two other teams with tough-to-crack defenses.

Darren Sproles and Mike Scifres won’t need to buy a drink in San Diego. Ever. The Bolts gave the ball to Sproles, all 5’6” of him, and the guy ran past the Colts and led the way right to either Nashville or Pittsburgh. 328 total yards in a variety of roles. Fitting he took the rock [...]

Reports exploded today about the groin injury to LaDainian Tomlinson. ESPN.com had the following: …Tomlinson had a detached tendon that connects one of his adductor (groin) muscles to his pubic bone… We’ll see how long he can last on the field. Darren Sproles could have a big day.

When destiny is under control for weeks, tragedy can be averted. When the improbable must be done, greatness can come to fruition. In the end determination wins out. With a 52-21 win the Chargers left no doubt. A mile-high collapse on a brisk San Diego night was witnessed, the effects of which are still soaking in for fans [...]

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Breaking News via AP:

SAN DIEGO (AP)—San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of drunken driving.

Jackson failed sobriety tests shortly after 2 a.m. on state Route 52 in San Diego, said California Highway Patrol Officer Ray Scheidnes. He said he didn’t know Jackson’s blood alcohol level.

Jackson was on probation for a previous DUI arrest, Highway Patrol Officer Brad Baehr said. The player was taken to the San Diego County jail and released.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said he was aware of Jackson’s “off-the-field issue.”

“Obviously we’re disappointed,” Smith said. “We take these issues very seriously. Moving forward, we will monitor the situation and have no further comment.”

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Sports Illustrated has a special regional cover of the San Diego Chargers in this week's publication. In his cover package feature story, Road to Redemption, SI senior writer Lee Jenkins writes of the San Diego Chargers, a team left for dead during the season but forged past the Indianapolis Colts in the wildcard game and on to a divisional-round matchup with mighty Pittsburgh (page 30).

Jenkins writes: “The Chargers made that choice [not to give up] as a group on Nov. 30, after they'd lost to the Atlanta Falcons at home to fall to 4–8. When coach Norv Turner finished addressing the team, running back LaDainian Tomlinson stepped to the middle of the locker room. ‘We’re not going to quit,’ he said. ‘We’re not the Raiders.’ San Diego became the first 4-8 team in NFL history to go on to make the playoffs and, on Saturday night at Qualcomm, the first 8–8 team to win an AFC playoff game. ‘It’s amazing how quickly people forget you were 8–8,’ said [Chargers QB Philip] Rivers.”

With Sproles on the cover, I might have to pick up a copy for myself and try to get it signed!

Yes, loyal Legionnaires.  At least one person in section 517 of Heinz Field will be wearing the Powder Blue and screaming for the Bolts.

And it actually looks like it will be even colder than last time.  Hopefully, there will be less wind and the temp being well below freezing will keep it from being wet.  Dry and cold is much preferred over wet and cold.

The Steeler fansites are already talking blowout.  I won't pretend that I don't think they are being dumb, but I expect there are plenty of Boltheads back home sounding equally as foolish.

I'd be shocked to see a blowout.  This will be a defensive struggle, gang.  The Steelers don't have nearly as much as the Colts or Broncos do offensively, but they have a defense clearly capable of limiting our opportunities.

If it comes down to field position, be glad we have The Weapon.  Seriously, Mr. Scifres... are you ready for your jersey to become a top seller?

The Baltimore Ravens just defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-9, earning them a ticket to Nashville and sending the Bolts to face the number one defense in the NFL, The Pittsburgh Steelers.

As some of you may remember, I was at the game in Pittsburgh on November 16th.  It was a game I felt the Chargers should have won and did not, largely due to what I consider to be the low point of an exciting but inconsistent year from Philip Rivers.

I feel that San Diego can be effective on defense against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense.  We held them to a season low last game and I feel that a similar performance is very possible. 

L.T. may not improve. If his injury really is a detached tendon, another week isn't going to do it...he'll need surgery.  Obviously, Darren Sproles is effective, but I hope that Michael Bennet gets plenty of reps this week.  Antonio Gates will be better and whatever caused the blind spot Rivers had developed regarding his tight end, it seems to have healed.  That bodes well for San Diego.

But just like this week and most of this season, this game is going to be about how well Philip plays.  If Rivers plays well, we probably win.  If he plays poorly, we probably lose.  And if he just gets by, then other factors may determine the outcome.  But I think Rivers is the primary key.

According to Steelers.com, Big Ben is expected to start, his concussion vs. Cleveland notwithstanding.  If the San Diego defense is as well prepared for this game as they were for Indy, it may not matter.  Ron Rivera developed as good of a game plan as I have ever seen to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts and I look forward to seeing what he will come up with for Heinz Field.  Stopping the run and forcing the QB to move his feet are the basics of a Rivera defense, with game specific additional goals added on.

My personal suggestion?  Pay attention to Heath Miller.  The Iron City tight end was always open at precisely the wrong time for San Diego back in November.

I've already put in a bid on Stubhub and have every intention of bringing a personal report back on this one no matter the outcome.  I also just learned that we will be visiting the Steelers again on the 2009 schedule.  Somebody must be watching out for me. I'm very pleased that I will get to attend three Bolt games in my first 14 months in the Appalachian mountains.

"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat."

                                      - Malcolm S. Forbes

Has there been a sweeter victory?  After a mediocre season, having known more defeat than any other team in the playoffs, facing the league's MVP, the Chargers pull out a win in dramatic fashion.  Unbelievable. 

Darren Sproles, the mightiest little man in the business, came through huge when it mattered most, scoring the winning TD in overtime.  As each quarter passed Sproles earned himself another million-dollars in his upcoming free-agent contract negotiations. 

Mike Scifres, far-and-away the best punter in the league, played the greatest game ever played by a punter in the history of the league.  Without Scifres performance, the defense doesn't look nearly as good.  Check this out- Peyton Manning threw for over 300-yards, yet the Colts rarely threatened to score.  In fact, Peyton's only TD-pass was a surprise attack against a defense caught sleeping.  The Chargers' defense owes Scifres their postseason bonuses.

That's not to say that the defense didn't earn this victory.  Their aggressiveness, their fire, and more importantly their ability to keep the Colts' offensive line guessing left Peyton with a subpar completion percentage for an MVP QB and ultimately another playoff defeat.  While Sproles and Scifres were the game's MVP's, DC Ron Rivera and Stephen Cooper were the brains behind the operation.

Next up are either the Steelers or the Titans.  I think I'd prefer the Steelers if I had a choice- we are already fairly familiar with them (because of our previous week-11 matchup) and their QB has been banged-up all season long.  The Chargers could have beaten them in week-11- this improved Chargers team could definitely beat them now.  But the Colts were the team that scared me the most, so with them out of the way I think we'll be OK against anyone.

The victories only get better from here, Chargers fans!  Let the thunder roll on!

From: Pro Fotball Talk.com We’ve been hearing rumblings all afternoon regarding rumors of Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson being arrested for suspicion of DUI. Now, XTRA 1360 in San Diego is reporting, with confirmation from the authorties, that Jackson has indeed been arrested. Jackson’s status for Sunday’s playoff game at Pittsburgh currently is unknown.

From: ProFootballCentral.com In a statement released by the Chargers, defensive coordinator Ron Rivera says that he won’t be interviewing for any available head-coaching jobs while his current team is still competing in the playoffs. Rivera “has declined overtures from several NFL teams to interview for their open head coaching position,” the team declared in its release.  [...]