OK fans, time to get creative because those ‘‘cut that meat’’ chants won’t cut it for this AFC Championship game. With Peyton Manning and the Colts knocked out early, here are five things Patriots fans should know about the San Diego Chargers.
1. This is one banged-up bunch. San Diego’s three best offensive players are operating at less than full speed. Super back LaDainian Tomlinson (calf, knee), quarterback Philip Rivers (knee), and tight end Antonio Gates (toe) all will be on the injury report this week. If these three can’t give it a go in Foxborough, the Chargers face a Herculean task in order to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.
2. There’s plenty in reserve. As they proved yesterday, the Chargers’ backups are gamers. Second-string tailback Michael Turner runs strong and has good balance. He’s going to cash in and start for somebody next season. Quarterback Billy Volek is an experienced veteran with strong pre-snap recognition skills. He makes up for poor arm strength by making good decisions. Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (that’s Manu-ma-lee-oon-a to me and you) is a good blocker but has hands of stone.
3. The linebackers are nasty. The outside duo of Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips get all the ink, but the inside duo of Stephen Cooper and Matt Wilhelm are just as effective. Merriman (he delivers bone-jarring hits) and Phillips (he has impressive closing speed) collapse the pocket quickly and violently. Cooper (he’s smart and fast) and Wilhelm (he’s smart and tough) are versatile. They are equally effective stuffing the run or picking up a running back or tight end in coverage.
4. It’s a ball-hawking secondary. Led by Antonio Cromartie (right), this defensive backfield is loaded with playmakers. Cromartie is as close to a lockdown corner as there is in the league. He has good size and athleticism and when he gambles, he almost always wins. Quentin Jammer (is there a better name for a corner?) loves to get physical. Safety Marlon McCree has good size and speed and specializes in big hits. Rookie safety Eric Weddle is a wrap-up tackler with a knack for being around the ball.
5. The Bolts are a highly emotional group. The Chargers are perennially among the league leaders in embarrassing celebratory dances after routine plays. They also specialize in jawing — with their opponents and amongst themselves. For all their talent, Tomlinson and Rivers are easily thrown off their games by missed calls and assignments or hecklers. You’re just as likely to see them brooding on the sideline as you are to see them in the end zone.
