Chargers Make Patriots Their Bitch

Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd catches a touchdown pass against the defense of cornerback Deltha O'Neal during the first half of San Diego's 30-10 win. Getty Photo.

The Result Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I’ve just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story.  The San Diego Chargers came out firing from the very first play which was a 48 yard pass completion right through out the game as they routed the New England Patriots 30-10 Sunday Night at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. It was if San Diego said we’re gonna straight-up murder your ass and they did it.  It was a straight shot.  Right to the baby maker. San Diego Chargers' Vincent Jackson pulls in a 48-yard pass completion as he beats New England Patriots' Deltha O'Neal. AP Photo. The Chargers were just dominant all night in all three phases of the game and were clearly the better team. Offensive San Diego just took it to New England they had pass completions of 48 yards, 10 yards, 14 yards, 49 yards (TD to Malcom Floyd), 14 yards, 18 yards, 59 yards and a 32 yard pass interference penalty that gave them 1st and goal at the Patriots 1. Plus shorter TD catches of 4 yards to Vincent Jackson and 1 yard to Antonio Gates.  Nate Kaeding also had 3 field goals of 25, 35 and 23 yards.  It escalated quickly and got outta hand really fast and before you knew it the game was out of reach. Defensively the Chargers played very aggressively getting after Matt Cassel with blitzes which forced him to hurry or resulted in sacks. They also forced Cassel into fumbling once which New England recovered and one bad interception in deep in his own territory that led to a Chargers field goal. On special teams New England was only average not generating good kick off returns and giving up too many yards on punt returns to Darren Sproles and then adding to one return with a 15 yard face masking penalty. Maybe the Patriots were distracted by the Charger Girls pointing to their boobies.  Anyway, In the end the Chargers were the ones who went to Pleasure Town. Scoring Plays

PATRIOTS 0 3 0 7 10
CHARGERS 10 7 10 3 30

1st Quarter

  • SD – Kaeding 25 yard FG
  • SD – Rivers 49 yard pass to Floyd – Kaeding PAT

2nd Quarter

  • NE – Gostkowski 47 yard FG
  • SD – RIvers 4 yard pass to Jackson – Kaeding PAT

3rd Quarter

  • SD – Rivers 1 yard pass to Gates – Kaeding PAT
  • SD – Kaeding 35 yard FG

4th Quarter

  • SD – Kaeding 23 yard FG
  • NE – Morris 2 yard run – Gostkowski PAT

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws a pass against the New England Patriots. AP Photo. Offensive Player of the Game Chargers QB Philip Rivers was 18 for 27 for 306 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs Defensive Player of the Game Patriots CB Deltha O’Neal who was burned for pass plays of 48, 49 (TD) and 18 yards as well as an illegal contact penalty that gave San Diego another first down. (/sarcasm) Turning Point(s) of the Game There were several key plays but the biggest was the series that saw San Diego stop New England on 4 tries at the end zone from the one yard line and then went 98 yards the other way and scored and turned what could have been a one possesion game into a blow out. Continue reading →

Fire Destroys Voodoo Supply Shop in San Diego

You have to love the RSS reader.  I have some simple searches set up based on single keywords and yep that was the actual headline in my RSS reader.

There isn’t alot of information on it other than investigators are looking for someone allegedly wearing Patriots gear because all the Bill Belichick dolls in the store were burnt beyond recognition just hours before the game against the Chargers.

Patriots Tailgating Tidbits – Week 6

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick can usually find a way to outsmart Chargers coach Norv Turner.

The Patriots are back in San Diego for the first time since they crushed the Chargers playoff hopes in the 2006 playoffs with a late come from behind win in the AFC Divisional Playoff game.  It will forever be remembered for Troy Brown stripping the ball after an interception that would have pretty much sealed the game for the Bolts.  But in the end Tom Brady & Co. stuck it to them, a few guys mimicked steriod tester Shawne Merriman’s “Light’s Out Dance” on the lightning bolt at centerfield and we got to hear LaDainian Tomlinson whine and cry.  By the way what’s sweeter for Patriots fans?  The Peyton Manning face or  Tomlinson sitting on the bench watching instead of playing?

Kick off is at 8:15 p.m. on NBC for the nationally televised game and in case you missed it don’t forget to check out the official Sox & Dawgs Week 6 Patriots-Chargers game preview.  It has everything you need to prepare for the game including the rosters for both teams, the line on the game, series history, news and notes and the radio and tv broadcast information for the matchup.

Patriots RB Laurence Maroney has “issues” but he isn’t saying what they are.

The Oakland Raiders got a warning letter from the NFL regarding Crazy Al’s charges of the Patriots tampering with Randy Moss.

Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels spoke to media this week.

New England could be thin in the backfield on Sunday night with LaMont Jordan listed as doubtful with a calf injury and Maroney listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. So with that in mind the Patriots promoted rookie RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. To make room for him they released WR Maurice Price.

Patriots S Rodney Harrison and Tampa Bay Rays OF/DH Cliff Floyd were friends growing up in Chicago.

Getting to know…Rookie LB Gary Guyton, who signed as a rookie free agent and improves each and everyday.

San Diego Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson says he doesn’t think the Patriots are a rivalry team for the Chargers because San Diego hasn’t beaten them in a while. Make sure you read some of the comments from the Chargers fans. It seems Tomlinson is wearing on them.

It took until Wednesday to do it but the Chargers sold enough tickets to lift to local blackout of the game. You’d think with all the success and the great players they have selling out, especially against New England, wouldn’t be an issue.

When it comes down to it the San Diego offense just isn’t on the field enough.

San Diego based Pony Footwear will be passing out posters Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium to tailgating Chargers fans…of Patriots WR Randy Moss.

Former UConn QB Dan Orlovsky To Make 1st Career NFL Start

Dan Orlovsky makes his 1st career NFL start this afternoon.

Dan Orlovsky makes his 1st career NFL start this afternoon.

When the Detroit Lions take their first offensive snap at the Metrodome this afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings, there will be a familiar face for UConn Huskies fans behind center in Dan Orlovsky. The former UConn quarterback makes his first NFL start today due to a back injury to Lions starter Jon Kitna.

Orlovsky’s last start at UConn came at Ford Field, home of the Lions,  back in 2004 when he led the Huskies to a 39-10 win over Toledo in the Motor City Bowl. In that game, he was 20-of-41 for 2 touchdowns with 1 interception and earned MVP honors for the game.

Orlovsky, a 5th round pick of the Lions in 2005, saw action in two games back in 2005. He was 7-of-17 for 63 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He has played in 3 games this season for the Lions and is 15-of-29 for 103 yards with 2 interceptions thrown. He took over last week when Kitna got hurt and was 13-of-23 for 97 yards and an interception in the 34-7 loss to the Chicago Bears.

He has the UConn school record for most pass completions (916), attempts (1,567), yards passing (10,706) touchdown passes (84), interceptions thrown (51), total yards (10,401), yards per game (232.7) and plays (1,710).

Orlovsky has spent his career in the NFL as the backup or #3 QB

Orlovsky has spent his career in the NFL as the backup or #3 QB.

Orlovsky took most of the repetitions this week at the QB1 spot and should be well prepared for today’s game. He has spent his NFL career as either the backup or third QB in Detroit.

“I don’t have any superstitions. Saturday morning, I look at every play versus every defense. I do this every day. This won’t be anything out of the ordinary.

“I just go into every game like I’m going to play. I’ve done that all my life.”

Orlovsky is a free agent after this season and with Drew Stanton kicking at his heels for playing time as well, he will need a good outing this afternoon. Plus a good game today and a few others down the line could help him garner another NFL contract at the end of the season.

And who knows, maybe he’ll lead the Lions to their first win of the 2008 season.

Paw Prints – The Daily Roundup – 10/12

Paw Prints Daily Roundup

As you would expect with the UConn Huskies football team off this weekend, the news coming out of Storrs will be very light.

Defensive lineman Rob Lunn was almost left speechless after going apple picking on Saturday. He deleted the original post at Thoughts From a Fat White Guy but if you click here, it will show the RSS feed from my email.

Update: The post over at Thoughts From a Fat White Guy has magically reappeared plus there’s a post about his night in Boston and his day apple picking.

Donald Brown has been the Huskies’ iron man this season.

Kendall Reyes’ nutrition plan has helped become stronger and faster. Here is a look at his nutritional chart for September 4th.

David Gillett has video of former Husky Josh Boone and his New Jersey Nets teammates taking a quiz about London before they headed over there to play exhibition games.

The UConn men’s soccer team played to a scoreless tie with the Georgetown Hoyas.

Boston Red Sox ALCS News & Notes – 10/12

Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays 2008 ALCS

After 5 hours and 27 minutes and 11 innings of baseball, the Tampa Bay Rays emerged victorious to even up of their best-of-7 ALCS at 1-1 with the Boston Red Sox. It was a game that was not dominated by the starting pitchers for both teams but rather the bats, the Red Sox bullpen and Dan Wheeler.

Yesterday I wrote that if Josh Beckett could morph into October Josh Beckett things would be looking much better for the Red Sox heading back to Fenway Park. And if you didn’t see the game last night, Beckett was once again not October Beckett on the mound.  While I don’t think he’s healthy because his velocity is down, Beckett says he’s healthy and it was poor execution and pitch selection that did him in last night.

“I’m fine,” Beckett said as he packed for an early-morning flight home. “It’s very frustrating when you get eight runs in the game (and can’t win). That’s the frustrating thing.”

“That would be a good question for Tito. I don’t have an answer for that. I wanted to go back out there. I still felt good – given the circumstances, I guess, as good as you can feel.

“I would have had to understand some reason if I wouldn’t have been sent back out there . . . You blow a (expletive) lead every time you get one . . . it makes it hard on the manager.”

Even pitching coach John Farrell agreed with Beckett’s assessment of himself.

I still don’t buy it that he’s fully healthy but I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t risk an injury to him.

You have to be happy with the bat of Dustin Pedroia and the same could be said for Jason Bay. Pedroia struggled in the ALDS and had a hit in Game 1. But last night he broke out of whatever slump he was in with 2 solo home runs and 3 hits on the night. Bay had a big night as well as he had another 3 hits and knocked in 4 runs. Not too shabby for a guy who’s never played in the postseason.

Continue reading →

Did We Really Need To Know About Terry Francona’s Gum Chewing Habits?

I don’t know about you but when I’m watching a baseball game and one of those sideline reporters comes on, I’m expecting something with a little substance. I wasn’t expecting that substance to be chewing gum and the gum chewing habits of Boston Red Sox skipper Terry Francona during the game last night.

So sit back and let Craig Sager of TBS Sports tell you all about Francona’s gum chewing habits during the game. And don’t forget to put your sunglasses on to tone down the brightness of Sager’s blue suit.

I guess Dan over at Red Sox Monster was on to something with this dumb Rays fan and his sign.

Rays Walk-Off With 9-8 Win In 11 Innings To Take Game 2 Of The ALCS

The Rays celebrate their 9-8 win over the Red Sox in Game 2 of the ALCS.

B.J. Upton’s sacrifice fly scored pinch-runner Fernando Perez in the bottom of the 11th inning gave the Tampa Bay Rays a 9-8 walk-off win over the Boston Red Sox in front of 34,904 fans at Tropicana Field. The win for the Rays evens the best-of-7 ALCS at 1-1.

Mike Timlin started the bottom of the 11th for the Red Sox and walked Dioner Navarro. Perez came into pinch-run for Navarro and then Timlin walked Ben Zobrist. He did get Jason Bartlett to ground out to third but both runners were on the move on the pitch and moved up 90 feet each. He then intentionally walked Akinori Iwamura to load up the bases for B.J. Upton. Timlin got ahead of Upton 0-2 and after a foul ball, Upton hit one to right field that was caught by J.D. Drew but his throw was offline as the speedy Perez scored to send the Rays and their fans home happy.

It was another rough October outing for Josh Beckett.

It was another rough October outing for Josh Beckett.

Josh Beckett was once again awful on the mound for the Red Sox. He lasted 4 1/3 innings, his shortest postseason start ever, allowing 8 runs on 9 hits and a walk while fanning 5. He just clearly didn’t have anything to offer the Red Sox during the game.

Javier Lopez gave up a hit to the only batter he faced. Manny Delcarmen worked 1 2/3 innings allowing a hit while striking out 1. Hideki Okajima struck out 1 in two perfect innings of work while Justin Masterson allowed a hit and a walk in 2/3 of an inning. Jonathan Papelbon worked 1 1/3 innings with a strikeout. Timlin worked 2/3 of an inning, walking 3 and allowing the winning run.

Jason Bay had a big night for the Red Sox as he was 3-for-5 with a home run and 4 RBI. Dustin Pedroia added 3 hits, including 2 solo home runs while Kevin Youkilis had 3 hits with a solo home run as well. Coco Crisp was the only other player with a hit for the Red Sox and he had 3 hits as well. Jed Lowrie and David Ortiz did reach base 3 times each via the walk.

Rays starter Scott Kazmir wasn’t at his best either as the Red Sox touched him up for 2 runs in the top of the 1st.

Kazmir started the inning by getting the first two outs before he issued a walk to Big Papi. Youk moved him over to second with a single and both of them came around to score on Bay’s double to deep left to put the Red Sox up 2-0. Kazmir then walked Jed Lowrie but he struck out Jason Varitek to end the inning.

Similar troubles for Beckett in the bottom half as he got the first two outs before Carlos Peña smoked a double. Longoria then brought him home as he crushed a Beckett pitch into the stands to tie the game up at 2. The inning would end as Carl Crawford grounded out to shortstop.

Kazmir sent down the Red Sox in order in the 2nd and Beckett worked around a 1-out single by Navarro to keep the score tied at 2.

Pedroia put the Red Sox up 3-2 with the first of his two home runs to leadoff the 3rd. Kazmir then walked Big Papi again but this time he got three straight fly ball outs off the bats of Youk, Bay and Lowrie.

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