Write On Sports LLC - "Positive Charge" by Mack Rosenberg

Positive Charge

2006-11-21 00:37:20 | By: Mack Rosenberg

Or how the San Diego Chargers became one of the hottest young teams in the NFL.

I am a big NFL fan. I like to watch every season for that one team that shoots out at you and makes a big run into the playoffs and does not get extremely far but most certainly makes some noise and shows people they'll be back next year. But that team is NOT the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers are flying high at 8-2 going into week 12, on top of the AFC Western Division. Almost no one predicted them to win the Super Bowl coming into this year. After seeing a comeback performance on November 19th, against the Denver Broncos, their division rival, it's fair to say that this team could very well be headed for Super Bowl 41.

With players like 26-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers who, heading into week 11, had not thrown an interception in 122 straight passes, there is a sense of fun and playfulness around this team. Rivers, the number four pick in the 2004 NFL draft, was quickly traded to the Chargers after being picked by the New York Giants. The Chargers picked Eli Manning, brother of Peyton, who did not want to play in San Diego, and was traded for Rivers. Philip then took a nice long vacation on the bench for his first two seasons behind then San Diego QB Drew Brees.

Times have changed, with Brees being traded to the Saints last offseason, and paving the way for Rivers to start in his first NFL game. Rivers was not expected to throw the ball a lot being a first year full time starter, and having the best rusher in football in LaDanian Tomlinson right behind him. In 2006, Rivers has thrown the ball 274 times. 182 of those passes have been caught. More then forty by the team's leading reciever, Tomlinson. Rivers is adjusting nicely, and seems to be fitting in very well with the squad as a full-time starter.

Tomlinson, among others on the team, are feeling the great effects of Rivers as the starter. "He's young but he makes so many smart decisions that you don't expect a young guy to make," L. T. said. "Every week he continues to really amaze us. Every week it's like he grows more and more. It's like he's been in the league six or seven years. The guy is playing terrific for us."

Look who's talking, LaDanian. Tomlinson has been the best running back in the NFL in 2006. L.T. has 1037 yards rushing in only 211 attempts. He has clearly been the Chargers savior, along with Rivers. Watching him on TV, many are reminded of the fast moving, tackle breaking Barry Sanders who played for the Detroit Lions in the 90s and retired at a young age. He takes the hard way out when he runs with the football, able to bust through people with strenght and using the fastest feet in football to get by. He's caught 47 balls for over 450 yards for the Bolts so far this season, and has taken over the team's best receiver label, having to compete with the league's best tight end, also on the Chargers, Antonio Gates, with 43 catches.

Not far behind are a group of silent talents at the wide receiver position. Keenan McCardell is among the oldest wideouts in the league and he is still very effective out there, especially for such a young talent at QB in Rivers. It's also nice to see young guys who can fit in with Rivers because they are going through the same kind of things as he is. This is a young offense that is already making a lot of noise. Among the young wideouts are Eric Parker, Vincent Jackson, and Malcolm Floyd. Brandon Manumaleuna is another tight end, used by head coach Marty Shottenheimer as an extra blocker on passing downs and running plays as well.

The defense on this squad is powered by second-year-players Shaun Marriman and Luis Castillo. With Merriman serving a suspension for steroid abuse, the team will have to focus more on the offensive side of the ball where the real action has been taking place.

San Diego has had a great season, and you can definitely look for them to be there in the end when its all over in the AFC West. It will be a tough battle with the Broncos, and even the Chiefs who are not out of it. I did not pick the Chargers to win the AFC West at the beginning of the season but I might have to think about changing that prediction. The Chargers are one of those teams, yeah, one of those teams that will be in it all the way through. They're all youngsters just playing the game of football in the National Football League.

Making some noise before anyone thought they would.

Post a comment