Chargers Press Conference Week 5

[Tigam]

*Tigam walks in and sits down*

Ok, well this was a exciting week for us with a loss of a big player, and the addition of two more. I obviously expected some immediate results from the two FA's we brought in, Garcia and Keyshawn, but they both exceeded my expectations given the short time they had to learn our offense.

Garcia was 11 for 17 with four touch downs, Keyshawn was the leading reciever with almost half of those throws and 93 yards. We turned the ball over once with Jeff giving up a INT, but with a 115.9 QB rating I more than forgive him. We sent Rivers in twice, and both times he threw a completions to Harrel and LT.

As always... My basic break downs before I take questions...

Offense:

We did everything I wanted to do. We controlled the clock, made some nice sharp timing plays, and ran the ball reasonably well the 2nd half. With the addition of a new QB the recievers up'd their game and dropped less balls than they normaly do, and Osgood really put on a good show with 2 touch down catchs. He just might win back the second reciever position if he keeps it up.

Defense:

It's amazing what these guys can do when they get some time to rest on the side lines. Let me just throw some numbers at you...

Four INT's, two of which Donnie took to the endzone.
Four forsed fumbles, three of which we recovered.
And four Sacks.

It's nice to see some of the defense smiling coming off the field and talking about plays, rather than running to get some oxygen before they have to go back out. < contemplates > They might get a little out of shape now that the offense stays on the field longer, I might run them a couple extra laps a week to make sure they don't get lazy. < grins >

Special Teams:

Keading was 1 for two... Both were a yard or two over 50, nothing to be ashamed of. Still wish he would have made it. Simon is averageing 18.8 on punt returns. Not too bad.

We forsed a fumble on a punt, but also inevertantly kicked it out of bounds. I'll have to ask special teams coach wich one did that... He's going to have some drills to work on come Monday.

Overall, I'm very happy with our play. I told the media in week 3 if we figured out how to play a game without throwing a lot of INT's, teams were going to be in trouble.

Well, here comes T-R-O-U-B-L-E

[ItalianStallion]

Coach, how much of this victory do you credit to the addition of Garcia and Keyshawn? And I know that this is based on little info, but if Rivers gets stronger when he gets on the field like he did this week, do you think your team will go to a split QB type offense like New Orleans did for the last few games last year?

Do you think having a QB that threw the ball somewhat more effective made the opposing defense watch him a bit more and not be 100% on LT? LT was actually able to break some good runs for you, I bet he is relieved to have a qb that can throw the ball.

[Tigam]

Originally Posted by ItalianStallion

Coach, how much of this victory do you credit to the addition of Garcia and Keyshawn? And I know that this is based on little info, but if Rivers gets stronger when he gets on the field like he did this week, do you think your team will go to a split QB type offense like New Orleans did for the last few games last year?

I put alot of it on not just Garcia and Keyshawn, but the whole offense and their ability to stay on the field and make plays. They both have big roles in our scheme to do that, but naturally it's always a team effort. For example our whole offensive line played a great game.

As for Rivers I'd hardly call throwing two passes for two completions as something to real excited about. He will take some snaps in games, but likely not to the degree New Orleans took it.

-----------------------------madden 2006--------------------------------

Originally Posted by holyjabroni73

Do you think having a QB that threw the ball somewhat more effective made the opposing defense watch him a bit more and not be 100% on LT? LT was actually able to break some good runs for you, I bet he is relieved to have a qb that can throw the ball.

Yes, LT is thrilled with some of the moves we have made this year.

LT was pretty frustrated during that last game the first half, as he just couldn't get into a nice grove. The Boys ran some good blitz schemes and was taking him down at or behind the line of scrimmage. Of course that did open up some great opportunities for the pass. And we took it.

If our opponents decide to sell out to stopping LT, I have a feeling we are going to have a great year from here on out. Then again, if they don't sell out to stop LT I think we are going to have a good year from here on out.

Is Rivers still considered the "future" at QB or will you look for someone else to step in once Garcia is gone?

What dimension does Garcia bring to your offense that you lacked last year with Brees and Rivers as QB's?

[Tigam]

Originally Posted by Disturbed

Is Rivers still considered the "future" at QB or will you look for someone else to step in once Garcia is gone?

That would be determined by Rivers himself.

-----------------------------madden 2006--------------------------------

Originally Posted by SlickRick1382

What dimension does Garcia bring to your offense that you lacked last year with Brees and Rivers as QB's?

The ability to read a defense. Every good defensive coordinator tries to confuse the quarterback, with Garcia running the show he's not going to fall for some of those 'rookie' mistakes of throwing to someone who 'looks' open.

He knows when to throw, he knows when not to. That's the most important thing. He'll take the sack when it's the better decision.

Do you consider Rivers to be the answer in the long run? If that is the case then wouldn't it be ideal to allow him to make these so called rookie mistakes early so he can gain Garcia's understanding to the game in order to allow the team to compete in future years?

[Tigam]

Originally Posted by SlickRick1382

Do you consider Rivers to be the answer in the long run? If that is the case then wouldn't it be ideal to allow him to make these so called rookie mistakes early so he can gain Garcia's understanding to the game in order to allow the team to compete in future years?

First, it's in Rivers hands if he is our future. Completely in his hands. He has to learn when to throw the ball away, when to take sacks, and obviously how to read defenses. He's got the talent, now he has to have the drive, leadership, and mental skills of a QB. Talent isn't, and hasn't been, enough in over a decade in our sport. Todays players must have smarts to go with the physical demands.

And these so called 'rookie' mistakes average 3 INT's a game. I don't care if my own mother was out there throwing them, they are getting pulled until they prove they can handle the pressure physically and mentally.

How important has Donnie's play been to this team and his leadership? How impressed are you about the way he has continued this season at the same pace he did in 2004?

[Tigam]

Originally Posted by SlickRick1382

How important has Donnie's play been to this team and his leadership? How impressed are you about the way he has continued this season at the same pace he did in 2004?

Donnie is beyond words in both. I can't say enough about the guy. And it's not like he's a "whoo rah, rah" guy off the field. He's the quiet guy that screems with his play on the field.

He's a true asset to this team, and a credit to his family in general with his attitude and leadership skills to not only his team mates for football, but life in general.