SB Nation User Blog: DaBolts

Grading the Bolts

DaBolts — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:11:48 -0000

In the Islamic empire of the Mughals, there was a leader by the name of Akbar. In a heated argument he threw his rival, Adham Kahn out of a window. Still not quite satisfied Akbar dragged Adham back up from the courtyard to the window and threw him out again. That sound you heard on Sunday were the hopes of San Diego fans hitting the courtyard for the second time this year. Both the Padres and Chargers started the season with lofty goals; but both produced seasons that ended in a thud. But we are San Diegans; we have lived through seasons where there wasn't even visions of playoffs at the beginning of the season; if nothing else we know how to hit the courtyard and bounce back for next season.

A lot of games this year I have felt like the ball really wasn't bouncing the Chargers way, not so this game. There were three turnovers; a fumble on a punt, a very close fumble on a catch that could have been called an incomplete and a fumble by Turner that might have been after he was down. All the breaks went San Diego's way; but the offense was totally stymied; this was a game dominated by Atlanta's defense.

Now on to the grades:

Quarterback - D-

Rivers was awful; his passes were wobbly and not crisp. The offense never showed up this game and as the leader he has to take the lion's share of the blame. Having Dielman out played a role; and his offensive line was letting heat get through otherwise it would have been an F.

Offensive line - F

They didn't open holes for the running game and they didn't pass block well; what else is there?

Tight End - D

Gates didn't get separation and just wasn't a factor in the game.

Wide Receivers - C

Hard to really give them a grade when most passes were throw aways. Floyd made a nice attempt near the end of the game but took a hard hit. VJ got pushed out of bounds twice with some sharp tackling by Atlanta.

Running Backs - C

LT caught some nice passes that he ran well on, he also had the short TD run. Hester had a beautiful run on the punt fake; but overall Atlanta shut down the run game; partly due to the offensive line.

Defensive Line - B

There were some longer runs and not enough pressure on the quarterback, but in short yardage situations the line came up big. Jamal continues to command the double team and still finds a way to dominate the middle. Olshansky came up with a nice play with two minutes left to get the ball back for the offense.

Linebackers - C

The linebackers also came up big in short yardage situation, but still let the tight end get free for too many yards. They are consistently a non factor when they drop into coverage.

Cornerbacks - C

Jammer had a bad day giving up some big gainers and just getting beat on some others. Cromartie also left a receiver wide open in the end zone on blown coverage; the C is for the forced fumble jammer caused and the other fumble he recovered.

Safeties - C

Hart went down a few times but came back. Weddle got the scoop on the fumble and ran it back for the TD; but he also struggled in coverage and gave up a big PI call.

Coaching - B

This game can't get hung on Turner. I thought he put together some good calls; the fake punt was fantastic. Turner can't pass block or throw the ball or run the ball; the offense just didn't execute. I still think he deserves one more season to make a go of it. The defense played reasonably well; you have to love the goal line stand and getting the ball back for the offense with two minutes left on the clock. On the other hand there were receivers overthrown at least twice; this could have been a route even with the +3 turnovers; hopefully once Rivera has a preseason those mistakes will be gone.

What can you say? At least the 'most talented team in football' comments will be done. This team clearly has a number of holes. To me it looks like they need an ILB who can cover; another Safety who can cover and hit; a nose tackle to back up Jamal; a backup running back who might evolve; an offensive tackle (and maybe a guard) and a defensive end that can bring pressure. That's a long list; at least it will be an interesting off season.

GameThread for Atlanta Falcons at San Diego Chargers

DaBolts — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:30:32 -0000

Grennan is gone to injured reserve already. The Bolts fill his roster spot with fullback Billy Latsko; that to help fill in for Tolbert along with Hester. It will be interesting to watch how Hester does for Tolbert again. No word on inactives yet.

This is the Chargers last best hope of the season:

Go Chargers!!!

Go Jets!!!

Static from around the Web

DaBolts — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:22:51 -0000

The final injury report is out; Grennan and Tolbert look questionable for the Bolts; Brent Grimes seems doubtful for the Falcons.

Kassim Osgood says Norv is a good offensive coordinator; he seems to question him as head coach. At 4-7 it's not surprising there is some grumbling in the ranks. Kyle Kraska seems to make too much of it.

The blackout is lifted.

Tra Battle is snaked off the practice squad by the Cowboys.

Chargers Questions

DaBolts — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:59:51 -0000

Hi all, Dave has been good enough to answer questions over at Bolts from the Blue. If you had any questions on the Chargers, I would be happy to answer them. This has been a frustrating season for Chargers fans thus far and this Sunday's game could be the end of our post season hopes.

LTs numbers have been down, both due to injuries, but also the offensive line has not created the holes for him. While his best statistical seasons may be behind him, he still looks like the same LT to me. There is no question that Turner is greatly missed in the running game; but it's nice to see him get the shot as the premier back with the Falcons. I've enjoyed seeing how the Falcons have rebounded after the whole Vick and coach debacle too.

As for the Bolts defense, the loss of Merriman and the pressure he brought on quarterbacks, plus the failure to adapt the defense, led opposing teams to pick our secondary apart. It has also exposed some players like ILB Matt Wilhelm and Safety Clinton Hart who have not been playing well. Our other OLB Shaun Phillips' production is also way down without Merriman being a focal point for the offensive schemes. In any event if you have questions, I'd be happy to answer.

Jamal's having fun

DaBolts — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:31:28 -0000

Jamal's having fun

Put Your Prediction Here

DaBolts — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:42:25 -0000

Vegas has us at +5. I think the Chargers defense shows up; LT breaks out and Chargers win 31-17.

Scouting the Falcons

DaBolts — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:03:10 -0000

As Chargers fans we know all to well about what Michael Turner brings to the Falcons running game. Thus far Turner has been having an outstanding year:

		Rushing						Receiving
	G	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Y/G	Avg	Lng	TD
2008 - Michael Turner	11	251	1088	98.9	4.3	66	13	4	11	1.0	2.8	6	0

via cache.daylife.com

Turner's backup J. Norwood also runs the ball well; but has been battling a rib injury and has seen limited practice this week. What has surprised me about these Falcons is the performance of their rookie quarterback, with 11 TDs and only 6 picks, he comes in with a healthy QB rating:

		Passing									Rushing					Sacks
	G	Rating	Comp	Att	Pct	Yds	Y/G	Y/A	TD	INT	Rush	Yds	Y/G	Avg	TD	Sack	YdsL
2008 - Matt Ryan	11	88.3	186	310	60.0	2418	219.8	7.8	11	6	34	74	6.7	2.2	0	13	80

This a much more balanced offense than the Chargers, they have run and passed the ball well and that could spell trouble this Sunday against what has been a generous Chargers defense. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are the wide receivers with White being the primary target. I would look for Jammer to be placed on White which should lead to an interesting matchup of Cromartie on 6'4" Michael Jenkins. The Falcons throw very little to their tight ends and their primary tight end Ben Hartsock will be out for the season with a dreaded toe injury. Justin Peelle is his backup; given the Bolts trouble covering tight ends we will have to wait and see if how much Peelle gets thrown to.

On defense the Falcons run a 4-3; the real pressure usually gets brought by John Abraham with 12 sacks on the season so far. He has been limited in practice with a neck injury; but it would be surprising if he didn't play. The rest of the line has chipped in with five sacks. The Atlanta line looks a little bit light with the exception of Right Tackle Grady Jackso who comes in at 345 pounds. The run defense has been a little suspect for Atlanta:

Team Stats - Game Averages

	Pts	Yrds	Pass	Rush
Off	25.1	364.1 (6th)	212.5 (14th)	151.5 (2nd)
Def	20.5	351.6 (24th)	230.7 (23rd)	120.9 (21st)

You can see they are giving up about 120 yards per game; it will be interesting to see if the Chargers can get a lead and run LT with some success. With Jackson at Right Tackle we may actually see the Bolts test runs to the right. Their defense has also given up yards through the air; but their corners are all bout 6', so there aren't any severe height mismatches that I see. Football Outsiders shows that their coverage of the secondary wide receiver and running back have been particularly spotty; so look for Floyd and LT to have big receiving days perhaps. Eric Coleman at free safety has picked up three interceptions. Overall this looks like two very good offenses against two defenses that have given up yards, it should be an exciting and high scoring contest.

Thanksgiving

DaBolts — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:38:19 -0000

It was 1863 and the country was in the midst of a great civil war when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving. With victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg it had become more a question of when rather than if the Union would prevail. These times are also not without their troubles; but today I have much to thankful for; including a bit of turkey and football. I am also thankful for this forum and all the folks who spend a little time here.

Please use this post for an open thread on the days games.

Buster goes under the knife

DaBolts — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:08:40 -0000

Buster goes under the knife

Hopefully he will be like VJ and break out next year...

Broncos pick up Pinnock

DaBolts — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:18:30 -0000

Broncos pick up Pinnock

This is a good move for Denver. Pinnock did well filling in for Neal last year; and he had better hands.