New general manager, new head coach, new offensive coordinator...same old problems. After a very late night in the O.co Coliseum in Oakland where the Chargers dropped a very winnable game to the Raiders 27-17, our worst fears were confirmed. This team is a lot closer to being the worst team in the AFC West than being a playoff contender. Sure, injuries aren't helping, but the problems with this Chargers team are far more mental than they are physical. Here are a few key mental mistakes from last night.
Danny Woodhead being used as the feature running back
Now, don't get me wrong, I freaking love Danny Woodhead. He brings back memories of Darren Sproles. That being said, you have to use Woodhead in roles that allow him to be successful in the same way you use Sproles in roles that allow him to be successful. Running the ball up the middle on 4th and short is NOT one of those situations. It didn't work for Sproles against the Ravens in 2009 and it didn't work for Woodhead last night. Why you don't use Ronnie Brown or LeRon McClain in that situation is beyond me. I'm just a guy sitting in a recliner typing a blog, so what the hell do I know? What I do know with all certainty is that Danny Woodhead, as dangerous as he is in the Chargers' offense, is NOT a feature running back and should not be used as such. If Ryan Mathews isn't going to be available, you have to use Ronnie Brown as your RB1. The Chargers can't risk running Woodhead and his 5'8", 200 lb frame into the ground and potentially losing him to an injury.
Eddie Royal fumbles punt
I won't go too much into this one. Eddie Royal is now in his 6th season as an NFL player and has been returning kicks for his entire career. There is no excuse for muffing punt returns. None.
Kendall Reyes tries to pick up loose ball
This was a mental mistake that just had me absolutely dumbfounded. In the 4th quarter, Jarret Johnson and Larry English corralled Terrell Pryor at the Oakland 12 yard line with Johnson popping the ball loose. Kendall Reyes was in perfect position to simply pounce on the football and set up the Chargers within the red zone. That's what you're taught to do from the first day you put on a helmet and shoulder pads. Instead, Reyes, while on the ground, tried to pick up the football, apparently thinking that he was somehow going to take it to the house. Reyes' attempt failed and the Raiders jumped on top of the football to set up 4th down. The Chargers would eventually score 2:28 later on Keenan Allen's first NFL touchdown, but every second matters, and to score right away off a fumble recovery could have played a huge part in the mental aspect of the game.
In summary...
Terrific nights by Vincent Brown and Keenan Allen were overshadowed by awful defense, poor clock management, fumbles by Danny Woodhead and Eddie Royal, and three picks thrown by Philip Rivers. The Chargers will give it another go next Monday night when Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts (4-1) come to town. Now, we'll just have to see which Chargers team decides to show up.
No comments:
Post a Comment