Continuing to Get Better

Sunday’s victory for the Chargers was arguably the best all-around football game that the Bolts have played in quite some time and there are plenty of reasons behind that. Headlined by some high class efforts by some guys that aren’t necessarily on the tip of your tongue when you think about this San Diego team, the Bolts have to feel good about their role players playing well in addition to the usual suspects on both sides of the ball. Head Coach Norv Turner is particularly pleased with the flexibility of the team in utilizing all of its available resources saying: “We’re getting such great team contributions. You see Antonio Gates go do what he does, you expect that. But I think the strength of our team right now is we’re getting great contributions from a lot of different areas.”

A lot of different areas would be an understatement. Anyone who says that they foresaw such outstanding production at linebacker from Brandon Siler this year or the ball hawking ability shown by both Steve Gregory and Paul Oliver would be lying. These guys have really stepped up outside of their expected roles and turned into quality players in their own right. Siler has been spectacular with the Chargers laundry list of injuries at inside linebacker leading the team in tackles for the past three weeks and looking like a veteran tackling machine for the Bolts linebacking corps. Of Siler’s solid play at the linebacker position Turner said: “Brandon Siler has brought great focus and energy to our defense.” Both safeties Oliver and Gregory have just been in position to make plays with Gregory following up his dynamic game in Denver with another 6 tackle performance this week and Oliver making the heads up 40 yards fumble return for a touchdown against the Chiefs this week. The Chargers have really controlled their opponents on third down recently as a result of the fantastic safety play allowing just 10 of 33 third down attempts to be converted in the last three weeks. Turner offered comment on these guys as well saying: “They’re really changing the way we play on third down.”

With all of the credit for the defense there is still enough to make its way to the other side of the ball as Sunday was the second straight game that the big fellas up front did not allow a sack. The Chargers have also been dominating their opponents in time of possession by nearly a two to one margin over the last two weeks. Brandyn Dombrowski filled in for the recently injured and placed onto injured reserve tackle Jeromey Clary and did an admirable job in his first full game of work. Scott Mruczkowski has been steady at center anchor this line quite well in the still ongoing absence of center Nick Hardwick who remains on the mend for the time being. The Chargers two fullbacks on the roster, Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert, again saw some significant game action making key blocks as well as grinding out the clock for the Bolts to seal the victory.

The final group that deserves some significant credit for this ongoing run of success is the special teams unit headlined by James Holt who has really brought some energy to this group. Turner addressed the big impact that special teams has played in the Chargers good fortune saying: “It’s a great group because most of those guys are young or are getting their first chance to play. think that energy, that excitement, shows up more than with some other guys. That always is good to me because I think that excitement spreads out throughout everyone.” In addition to the superb kick coverage that the Bolts have received, both kicker Nate Kaeding and punter Mike Scifres have been playing really well of late also. Kaeding kicked a career long 55 yard field goal in the Chargers win over the Chiefs Sunday increasing his season accuracy to 22 made out of 25 attempts. Scifres has been booming the punts for the Chargers this season and has only had one lone touchback to date. His season average is 45.8 yards with 17 out of his 40 kicks pinning opponents inside of their own 20 yard line.

Amid all of this good news is some additional news on the injury front both good and not so good. Safety Eric Weddle left in the first half of Sunday’s game and will miss this week’s game with as sprained knee. The injury could sideline him for a couple of weeks and his presence will be missed in a secondary that is really coming together. Shawne Merriman didn’t practice last week and only played a bit on Sunday with a sore foot. It may be in the Bolts best interest to give the linebacker a week off to rest up and Turner said that the team was looking at its options. Turner said: “That’s something we’re going to consider and look at. We’ll see how he is. If he’s a lot better Wednesday/Thursday and can do some and then practice Friday, I’d like to see him play. If he can’t practice (resting him) is certainly something we’ll consider.” Defensive end Luis Castillo missed the Kansas City game but it looks like he will be ready to go for this week after having a strong showing in practice on Monday.

Perhaps the most positive injury news in weeks has finally arrived and that means Nick Hardwick is getting ready to make his return to the field. The injury that Hardwick suffered was expected to sideline him until December and the calendars have been flipped so Hardwick wants to give it a go. He probably will only be used in a limited role on Sunday, but he will eventually be reinserted into the starting lineup for the stretch run and heading into the playoffs. Of what he expects from Hardwick this weekend and in the future, Turner said: “He will take over as the starter when he’s ready to do it. I envision him going in this game and maybe getting him 20-25 snaps if he’s ready to go.” This news is music to the ears of Chargers fans as Hardwick is the linch pin of the running game and his return could signal more good things for LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles toting the football.

Tags: Brandon Siler, Brandyn Dombrowski, Darren Sproles, Denver Broncos, Eric Weddle, Jacob Hester, James Holt, Jeromey Clary, Kansas City Chiefs, LaDainian Tomlinson, Luis Castillo, Mike Scifres, Mike Tolbert, Nate Kaeding, Nick Hardwick, Norv Turner, Paul Oliver, Scott Mruczkowski, Shawne Merriman, Steve Gregory