Learning under pressure in San Diego

By Robert Rousseau  |   Tuesday, October 24, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers' 30-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday was a stark contrast to the majority of games they've played this season. In short, they got a taste of their own medicine. Not Triaminic, nor Tylenol.

Pressure.

Though the team adjusted in the second half and almost came through, some learning needed to take place first. Here's what happened early on to cause that learning to occur.

For starters, the Chiefs took away the Bolts' vaunted screen passes. Their plethora of complex screens had, in the past, served to accomplish two things. First, they oftentimes got the ball in the hands of LaDainian Tomlinson (always a good thing). Second, like draw plays, they tended to reduce the opposition's ability to pressure the quarterback.

Unfortunately, their first play of the game - a screen to Tomlinson - netted them a loss of one yard. The next play they tried another screen to him; this time they gained three yards.

In other words, the Chiefs were ready.

This and a less-than-stellar running day (Tomlinson only had 66 yards on the ground), led to an inability to keep KC honest. Translation: KC's speed rushers were coming on all cylinders.

Which was exactly the problem, particularly as it relates to rookie left tackle Marcus McNeill.

McNeill's had a very good season thus far; it's just not easy starting as a rookie. But on Sunday, he was exposed. KC's Jared Allen, unafraid of screens and the running game, consistently beat him around the corner to the point that former NFL quarterback Rich Gannon said the following.

"Marcus McNeill has his hands full right now with Jared Allen, and he's losing that battle."

However, there was a silver lining in this loss. Yes, there were problems, but the Chargers were able to deal with most of them by the second half. Did they stop the pressure? Not entirely. Allen had a banner game against McNeill, and in total the Chiefs accumulated four sacks. But the Bolts did manage to get Tomlinson involved in the passing game a little farther downfield (he ended the day with 72 yards receiving). Further, they found a way to score 21 points in the second half.

The Chargers have some new talent on offense. Their success thus far has been real, but games like this past Sunday's will only serve to help them grow before the playoffs.

Growth out in San Diego is the last thing the rest of the AFC needs.

Original San Diego Chargers commentary, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or...
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