San Diego is a BIG LIE!

[Gordon]

Thanks! It was nice having a non-hostile conversation with opposing fans last night. Most opposing fans are pretty shrill.

BTW, welcome.. Sweet username too. My 2nd favorite song by my favorite band

 

[Thunderstruck]

Gates out
Merriman - Is he out?
You were drafting top 3 in 2004 for a reason
That was a pansy schedule
Brees had a career year

Don't for a second think you have a 6-10 team on the plate. Dallas is going to give you all you can handle and then some.

I never look at a team's record. Even when we played the Browns last year I was nervous. It was in their yard and it was a blizzard. When the Buccaneers came to play us last year I felt like the team relaxed a bit because their record sucked, and they ended up pushing us a little harder than they should have. I don't underestimate anyone.

But I'm confident the Bolts record last year was real enough. Every team in the NFL had two or three games that could have easily gone the other way. We could have very easily gone 14-2. And just as easily 10-6. I look at fundamentals, and I know my team is fundamentally sound, can win many different ways, doesn't turn the ball over, and plays physical. To me, that gives us a realistic chance to beat anybody.

 

[DipChit]

Well I dont think SD are world beaters either. I could easily see them dropping back to .500. Not because of who they are but because in so many cases thats the nature of the league these days.

But I'll give them credit for one thing.. cake schedule or otherwise, they did know how to put points on the board last year. They scored over 30 like 7 times. Something we've only done like 4 times total in the last 4 years combined. So until the trend of settling for field goals stops and transforms into some TD's we're gonna be hard pressed to win alot of games. Hey there was people around here suggesting we were gonna go up and hang 30 on Minny last year in week one also.

And even if Brees was a one year wonder, that one year was far better than say a QC's was when "*he* lead us to 10-6" (against a cake schedule), right Nors?

 

[Thunderstruck]

BTW, welcome.. Sweet username too. My 2nd favorite song by my favorite band

I've always thought it would be the perfect song to play for player intros at the stadium. Instead they play rap. I don't mind rap, but the stuff they play isn't exactly...dramatic.

 

[kmd24]

Can SD recreate their +21 turnover margin from 2004? It's as big a factor as any in their 12-4 record. In their 4 losses, they were a combined -4 in turnover ratio. They did not win a single game where they had a negative turnover margin, although they did lose one game with a positive turnover margin.

In 2003, the Chargers were -19 in turnover margin.

Breaking down the huge turnaround, about half of it came from an unusually high number of interceptions (with 9! by LB's) coupled with a drastic reduction in interceptions thrown (from 19-8).

I think if Dallas can manage +1 in the TO margin, they have a good chance to win the game. Neither offense looks like it will dominate the opposing defense, though I might have a different opinion if Gates were playing.

 

[Thunderstruck]

So until the trend of settling for field goals stops and transforms into some TD's we're gonna be hard pressed to win alot of games.

See, that right there is a huge point. Last year, we were awesome at scoring TD's in the red-zone. If the absence of Gates comes into play Sunday, it will be in the red-zone, because he was a TD machine down there. Where Brees becomes a very good QB is within scoring range. He doesn't have a rocket arm, but he throws quick, accurate darts, and excellent touch passes which is perfect for working in the red-zone.

That's what I mean when I say we're fundamentally sound. The absence of Gates will hurt, no doubt, but LT is also a TD machine in the red-zone, and I'm sure Cam Cameron will have a few tricks up his sleeve to score at least one in lieu of Gates.

But again, it all remains to be seen. Who knows? We run a very timing-oriented passing offense, and if that timing's off in game one, it could look ugly. I'm not taking anything for granted.

 

[Nors]

I mentioned their huge turnover margin in 04. Brees in particular. I'd be shocked if they can replicate that.

-19 and 3 wins to plus 21 and 12 wins.

They settle back to the middle we are talking about a .500 team

 

[Eskimo]

I mentioned their huge turnover margin in 04. Brees in particular. I'd be shocked if they can replicate that.

-19 and 3 wins to plus 21 and 12 wins.

They settle back to the middle we are talking about a .500 team

Nonsense, 3-4 creates TOs. It has got little to do with talent on the field. Since they still play 3-4 the TOs will come in bunches for them just as it will for us.

 

[Thunderstruck]

I mentioned their huge turnover margin in 04. Brees in particular. I'd be shocked if they can replicate that.

-19 and 3 wins to plus 21 and 12 wins.

They settle back to the middle we are talking about a .500 team

It's a staple of Schottenheimer teams. They practice ball awareness on defense and swarm for loose balls. Our linebackers got a lot of interceptions off tipped balls because our linemen get their arms up. And our offense preaches ball security every practice. They don't give up the ball until they hand it to the ref. And Wade works to confuse the QB on offense, especially in the red zone. There's some luck involved in turnovers, but it's also a mindset. Even Manning turned it over against us.

 

[Nors]

Nors' quality post quota has been met. I hope everyone enjoyed it!

I'm still waiting for yours :laugh1:

 

[Nors]

It's a staple of Schottenheimer teams. They practice ball awareness on defense and swarm for loose balls. Our linebackers got a lot of interceptions off tipped balls because our linemen get their arms up. And our offense preaches ball security every practice. They don't give up the ball until they hand it to the ref. And Wade works to confuse the QB on offense, especially in the red zone. There's some luck involved in turnovers, but it's also a mindset. Even Manning turned it over against us.

I agree - kudo's. I'm just not sold that you can continue at a +20 turnover margin team. Any deterioration of that drastically pulls you back from a 12 win team. Raiders, Chiefs are improved. You go 12-4 this season I'll be real impressed and tip my cap.

 

[Bcburns]

they never beat the jets

oops. My apologies.

 

[Gent]

I think there's no doubt San Diego is a good team. Maybe not 12-4 good, probably more like 10-6 good. Either way, they will be an excellent measuring stick for us. With so many new players, we really don't know where we are on the map.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but Foley -- their only pass rushing threat -- has an eye injury. And it's not clear if Merriman will play at all. If they don't have at least one of these guys on the field, we should get a good look at what Bledsoe can do when given time. If he can't be effective in this situation, we are sunk.

-Gent

 

[Thunderstruck]

I agree - kudo's. I'm just not sold that you can continue at a +20 turnover margin team. Any deterioration of that drastically pulls you back from a 12 win team. Raiders, Chiefs are improved. You go 12-4 this season I'll be real impressed and tip my cap.

I don't know if we'll go 12-4 again, simply because we got all of our toughest games on the road, it seems. If we go 12-4 again this year, I'll be impressed. It's possible, though, especially if our defense elevates its play when we have the lead. That was out biggest problem in games we lost last season. Huge fourth quarter lead vs. Colts... one special teams breakdown and the defense ran out of gas and we lost it. Huge fourth quarter lead vs. the Falcon, and we started committing stupid penalties and let the Falcons right back into it. We were destroying the Titans and the Jaguars in the most dominating fashion, and the defense gave them some easy fourth-quarter TDs way too quick. We even let the Buccaneeers stage a second-half comeback, but the D remembered to play in the fourth quarter in that game.

Those are the times our lack of pass-rush hurt the most, but Bum's boy likes to play a bend-but-don't-break defense when he has a lead, and its frustrating to watch. If we learn to close this year, 12-4 will not be out of reach.

 

[Thunderstruck]

I think there's no doubt San Diego is a good team. Maybe not 12-4 good, probably more like 10-6 good. Either way, they will be an excellent measuring stick for us. With so many new players, we really don't know where we are on the map.

I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet, but Foley -- their only pass rushing threat -- has an eye injury. And it's not clear if Merriman will play at all. If they don't have at least one of these guys on the field, we should get a good look at what Bledsoe can do when given time. If he can't be effective in this situation, we are sunk.

-Gent

We have a kid named Shaun Phillips, #95, who plays that LB/DE role for us on passing downs. Last year he was a rookie, and a bench guy and special teamer for most of the first eight games, but he started playing more as he learned how to cover when it was needed. He's got very good natural pass-rushing skills, but he needed to get stronger, which he did in the offseason. We're looking for him to fill the void and possibly keep Merriman on the bench for awhile. He's a fast linebacker who has a knack for leaning into tackles and using his leverage to get by them, and he always seemed to get pressure when he was in the game last year. Phillips is one of those guys who always seems to be part of big plays, either with a sack, or a hit on the QB to force an int, or forcing the game-altering fumble, and he looked real good again in preseason, for what that's worth. He's a playmaker and a guy we're counting on to help us.

 

[LeonDixson]

I don't know if we'll go 12-4 again, simply because we got all of our toughest games on the road, it seems. If we go 12-4 again this year, I'll be impressed. It's possible, though, especially if our defense elevates its play when we have the lead. That was out biggest problem in games we lost last season. Huge fourth quarter lead vs. Colts... one special teams breakdown and the defense ran out of gas and we lost it. Huge fourth quarter lead vs. the Falcon, and we started committing stupid penalties and let the Falcons right back into it. We were destroying the Titans and the Jaguars in the most dominating fashion, and the defense gave them some easy fourth-quarter TDs way too quick. We even let the Buccaneeers stage a second-half comeback, but the D remembered to play in the fourth quarter in that game.

Those are the times our lack of pass-rush hurt the most, but Bum's boy likes to play a bend-but-don't-break defense when he has a lead, and its frustrating to watch. If we learn to close this year, 12-4 will not be out of reach.

Tell us about it. That was the trademark of the Campo regime in Dallas too. Both as a Def. Coord. and as head coach. Except he would play it all game long and we rarely had any big leads to protect.

 

[Silverstar]

It's going to be a close game IMO. We scored quickly against Jacksonville but remember, they didn't have Stroud and Henderson starting at DT. Whether we like it or not, the Cowboys are still a run-first team and that takes time to get going. You can bet the house, that SD will be going deep early and try to make us come from behind and Parcells will naturally counter by working the clock with the running game. I just hope that by adding Peerless Price, Parcells will be confident enough to open up the passing game and show, that the Cowboys do have a balanced offensive attack.


Cowboys win 21-20




:starspin

 

[kmd24]

It's a staple of Schottenheimer teams. They practice ball awareness on defense and swarm for loose balls.

The -19 TO margin 2003 team was a Schottenheimer team, wasn't it?

Our linebackers got a lot of interceptions off tipped balls because our linemen get their arms up.

Which is undoubtedly why SD LB's recorded only 3 INT's in 2003.

And our offense preaches ball security every practice. They don't give up the ball until they hand it to the ref.

Empty rhetoric. Every team preaches ball security.

27 SD fumbles lost in 2003, BTW.

And Wade works to confuse the QB on offense, especially in the red zone. There's some luck involved in turnovers, but it's also a mindset. Even Manning turned it over against us.

I'd be more convinced if there were a trend. Could easily be a one-year abberation.

 

[Bizwah]

It's going to be a close game IMO. We scored quickly against Jacksonville but remember, they didn't have Stroud and Henderson starting at DT. Whether we like it or not, the Cowboys are still a run-first team and that takes time to get going.

Too true.....It will take a while for us to get going. I do think that we'll pass early in the game though. I think SD will be ready for JJ. We'll take what's given to us.

You can bet the house, that SD will be going deep early and try to make us come from behind and Parcells will naturally counter by working the clock with the running game.

I disagree...respectfully of course. I think SD will establish LT early and often. He's their best player by far. I think you'll see plenty of PA passing. I guess that's probably what you meant.....that they'll take shots off of PA early. I can see that....

Nothing to see with that part of my post....move along.

I just hope that by adding Peerless Price, Parcells will be confident enough to open up the passing game and show, that the Cowboys do have a balanced offensive attack.

Oh, I think he will. Parcells isn't afraid to air it out. Remember the last time he had Bledsoe? BP loves play-action. We'll take a couple of shots early.

Cowboys win 21-20




:starspin

Wish I could agree.......I think our youth and lack of STs accumen will be our downfall this game. We'll play hard.......just not smart.

Chargers win 23-17.....Cortez misses two inside 40.

 

[Thunderstruck]

The -19 TO margin 2003 team was a Schottenheimer team, wasn't it?



Which is undoubtedly why SD LB's recorded only 3 INT's in 2003.



Empty rhetoric. Every team preaches ball security.

27 SD fumbles lost in 2003, BTW.



I'd be more convinced if there were a trend. Could easily be a one-year abberation.

Ahh yes...2003. What a glorious season that was. If '04 could be a one-year abberation, why not '03 just as easily? After all, we did go 8-8 in '02, which was Drew's first year as a starter, and looked to be on the rise, but we made the mistake of signing David Boston. Boston was like a stink-grenade in our clubhouse. He is the worst football player I've ever seen, and I've seen a few. Gifted and with all the talent in the world, the guy only caught passes that were in his bread-basket, never stretched, pulled up on deep passes that he might have caught if he was willing to leave his feet, never blocked in the running game...a true team leader, that one.

We also had possibly the single-most incompetent defensive mind in the history of sports, Dale Lindsey, as our DC, not to mention we unloaded Junior Seau, John Parella, and Rodney Harrison in the offseason. (After firing Lindsey and hiring Wade Phillips, Marty said Dale simply was overmatched in the NFL.) We also had a raw rookie at CB and SS, a rookie nickelback, and a bunch of seond-year players elsewhere. Toniu Fonoti, our best LG, went AWOL in camp and got placed on IR as punishment, Jamal Williams, our only really good D-Lineman, got cut-blocked in Denver and missed most of the season. (Marcellus Wiley was our best defensive-lineman for most of '03. Oh, the pain!) The young defensive players we'd been counting on to step up in '03 couldn't do so amidst the turmoil of that lockerroom, and they finally started to earn their keep last year.

Yes, '03 was a transition year on defense and a major gaffe on offense. A true abberation.