I feel as if our coverage units have been pretty suspect as of late, and if SD has Sproles returning kicks we could be in some trouble there...
Absolutely. Sproles is a scary return guy. We're going to need to be at the top of our game covering these kicks. Something we've been lacking this season compared to recent past.
I am worried about special teams and our Def. If we play well on special teams and our def can get after Rivers without blitzing each down I think we can win.
Yeah, since Trusnik and Carroll left we haven't been the same in covering kicks. Plus, I LOVE Feely but he isn't the greatest kick off kicker in the NFL...
Why are you worried about our defense? And yes, the ST breakdowns of late are concerning. Field position is of the utmost importance in this game. If you give SD good field position to start a drive, Scifres will kill you even if you manage to hold the offense.
Feely is a VERY GOOD kick off kicker..lately his kicks haven't been the best due to the weather. He should kick nicely in the San Diego weather
I don't think so... they never go as high as the other teams kicker thus giving our gunners lees time to get to where the ball lands...
I know how you can worry about the defense, since it really does not get to the QB unless we send the blitz, however that is the same thing that forces teams to adjust their blocking packages, the fact that we are willing to send extra people it becomes a gamble for the offense. Do they audible or stick with the play they called and possibly get burned or do they burn us? If you think back to the Saints, Titans, Jaguars, Bills games, they kept extra blockers in the passing downs, that's why we are so good against the pass, I feel it will be the same against the Chargers, if we start getting pressure against Rivers, they will have to change the blocking schemes and go with shorter pass routes and extra blockers. It's really a chess game, at the end of the day I think turnovers are going to decide this game, I hope we come out on the winning side. I do think that our special teams need to make some plays because Sproles can be a difference maker.
Per the playoffs, the opening kick return in Cincy had me on the edge of my seat, more so than need be. I was proud of the defense bailing them out, though. However, our special teams is a primary cause for concern.
How has Sproles been as a kick returner this year? The numbers don't tell you much, except that he doesn't have a TD. Anyone know where to find the average field position stats?
http://www.nfl.com/stats/categoryst...rience=null&tabSeq=0&qualified=true&Submit=Go You'll find sproles at a mediocre 24.1. Hopefully the ST coverage team is a lot better this week.
I'm going to shit myself out of fear and anger if the first one to meet him down the field is Woodhead. San Diego delenda est.
As long as we don't fumble the kickoff I don't care where we start, as long as it's past the 15 yard line. We do have the hottest field goal kicker, though. He hit a game-winner from >50 against Cincy. And we do have the best punter, Mike Scifres, in the playoffs. Last year he had the best game ever for a playoff game, punting 6 times against the Colts. Their average starting point was the NINE YARD LINE. Yes, the nine. No touchbacks, every punt inside the 20, average punt distance 51 yards. That was the greatest punting performanc I've ever seen. Only one of the punts required a nifty play by coverage player to keep the ball out of the end zone. That is how we beat highly potent Colt offense. Field position may be important if we don't have the game in hand by the third quarter, and forcing Sanchez to march over 80 yards per posession following a punt may prove to be crucial. A solid running game can counteract that stat, and add time to your posession stats, but the bend-not-break defense will force your field goal kicker to make some from mid to long range.
Outside of that shitfest againt Ginn Jr. i think our Kick coverage has been good. I heard greenie bitching about it yesterday on Mike n Mike and i dont think its going to be much of a problem despite going against Sproles. An if it is its going to be a long day for us.
Not worried about specials any more than I am about the offense or defense. They have had their shares of ups and downs this season but are a good group nonetheless. Brad Smith was close to breaking another one last week.
