I hear that, which is why I'm even engaging in this discussion that would have been laughably stupid 4 hours ago. I dig your avatar by the way.
Something happend to Rivers the past two seasons. He went from Mr Clutch to Mr Norv. I get this feeling that Rivers doesn't care for Norv.
Look at the offensive lines for both teams. One of them gave their quarterback time to pass, the other did not. I wish my team had an offensive line to protect my quarterback.
There is a differece between a QB stepping back from pressure and designed 5-7 step drops. Also Ant, as a pod cast personality, you should realize that a 5 step drop IS NOT a deep pass play all the time. Most of our passes were within 10 yards, I am not sure what you refer to as a deep passs but that was not it.
River's was sacked at least four times last night, hurried, harassed and hit on many more occasions, not exactly signs of even an average O-line. Sad point is, when he did get a little time his receivers didn't get separation, tripped, ran the wrong route or simply never looked back for the ball. I can see why Meachem's and Royal's former teams let them go, other than lines in the dirt they can't perform at a high level. RM fought for every yard he gained last night, I don't think he ever got out of the backfield untouched. Yes, River's played poorly but he is a product of his environment, no QB can play well if the opposing defense are in on the hand off or looking for the hit on a pass play.
I didn't see alot of deep passes but I also didn't see as many designed short passes to work against a defense's aggressiveness and to give the obviously struggling OL some help. E.g. Slants, some screens etc. Same damn thing we've talked about for two weeks now. Admittedly we did run one at the end and Rivers was picked off because Royal stopped running his route.
Try watching a game not affected by mind altering substances and you just might see it more clearly, then again you may not.
The short middle of the field was open all night. I'd guess that Rivers made most of his completions between the hashes about 10-15 yards from the LOS. I refuse to rewatch this one out of fear I may throw something at my tv in a fit of rage to confirm though, lol. Dink and dunk was working along w/ Mathews running the ball, so naturally Norv completely went awy from it the entire 2nd half.
That is what really frustrated me. Mathews was no where to be seen in the second half. The Broncos took the mojo, took the crowd out of the game, then took our spirit...
Once the Broncos/Saints/Atl made their half-time adjustments they took over the game. Norv has no answer to their adjustments. And this has really made it obvious last night.
I cant believe that Rivers cant handle a snap count without wildy gesturing with his hands, or wildly bobbing his head! For petes sake Rivers! Look across the field, watch Manning! He never wildly motions with his hands, dances around pre-snap and bobs his head. Get with it! You are supposed to be a pro!
If I was going to defend Rivers for anything last night it would have been the bad "head bob" false start call. Replays, even in slow motion, showed that Rivers did not "bob" his head at all when that call was made... But that would be the only thing Rivers did that would be excusable in my book...the rest of his night was mostly an abomination.
maybe thats why we have only scored a grand total of 23 points in the second half for the last four games.
Mathews had quite a few touches up until the last two drives. By that point, we're down by 11 with only 3:24 left. Also he broke that one 13 yarder but other than that wasn't getting much. Guys, the real problem is the OL. They stink. That fucks up everything.
For those whining about the O line, you need to go watch the Steelers, Pats, Packers etc.. Their QB's know how to get rid of the ball in a timely manner. Phil has 0 pocket presence (hence all the fumbling) and makes flat out terrible decisions. Those are 2 of the best pass rushers in the NFL, if you aren't prepared to get the ball out quick, they WILL get to you. Clary didn't play good by any stretch, but this is all on phil.
I disagree. As sub par as our O line is, this game could have been won if Phil didn't have his head up his azz.
No doubt, though Norv is the play caller, Phil has all the ability in the world to audible to other plays. Again, I am putting this one (and the schitty season) on Phil.
Clearly he has to eat the ball instead of forcing passes. Not sure the Chargers would have won had he done that though. The D rolled over. If our tackles could block, the game also would have been won. Having to dedicate an extra player to help out Harris almost every down doesn't help. Sure the kid's an UDFA, so ultimately AJ gets the blame for that boondoggle. But the result is the same.
