Notes, Scribbles, and Things Jotted Down: Chargers Preseason Game 1

"Like most touchdowns you’ll see," Smith said, "the rush could have been a little bit better, the cornerback could have jammed the receiver a little bit better, and then the safety needs to get off the hash and make the play."

It seemed like there were three elements to the breakdown of this play. To me, the biggest one is Harris biting on the pump fake, cause I failed to see another receiver in his cover-2 zone. CBs are going to miss the jam occasionally, so it’s the FS’s job to get over there and not worry about another route that’s much shorter.

It’s obvious the Bears weren’t taking this one particularly seriously, and the Chargers kind of were.

I have a huge problem with this lackadiasical approach to the new season by Lovie. Why not gameplan? It’s not like they’ve had great success versus a 3-4 defense before. In addition to this, a new volatile high risk high reward offense was just installed 5 months ago.

Aroma and Wright should be starters game one. I’m starting to believe he’s a better fit on the outside than the other Devin. Have Hester play the slot the majority of the time. Btw- AA’s PI was garbage.

My biggest concern is the running game; how the in the heck can they not run well when the Chargers were blitzing almost every down? I’m going to watch the game in its entirety tonight, and will report if there’s anything I see differently.

Knox should be second, Earl Bennet third, and Hester strictly in the slot on occasion. They reaaly need to concentrate Hester on returns…ya knw, the ability that could not be matched by any other. CT should be the startin HB with Forte as his backup and Bell third. Both lines need work, no doubt. Like everyone else has stated…wtf happened to our return coverage? Lovie is gonna catch a lot of heat from me on here if they don’t produce..still can’t stand him!!

Not too much Peppers to be seen, but give it time

Is that because he was constantly doubled or because he only did one series like Cutler?

I also heard DJ Moore’s name a bit in the game threads..how was he playing?

was actually at the game as were alot of bears fans.. hard to really tell anything.. first series was solid on both sides of the ball excpet for a few mental errors.. the bears seemed energy wise that it was as it is pre season.. the chargers seemed a bit more into it… still way too early to tell…

Jamal Lewis – 2,000 yd rusher and Adrian Peterson (So sick of him that i’m not listing anything besides his fumbling problem!) so we could say that when he got the chance to play a full season as the strarter he produced and even in his backup role, Can you specify a better back up rb that had as much impact on the game as the starter (back ups who run or catch not like the dude in SD who can only play ST and/or screen passes) and not just one or two years cause he has been playing great since he got into Bal and then Minn. I hated that we stopped the vivkings so many times on the first two downs just so Mr. Taylor entered the game and gave them a fresh set of downs. I have no problem with who the strater is just because they’ll be sharing the load.

There is some ‘splainin’ to do! I understand that some of the players are in new positions and there is a new offensive philosophy, but that would mean the skill positions of the offense would have the farthest to go. Instead, they were the ones that looked sharp and well organized. The defense looked slow and ineffective as a whole. However, the team game is not the focus of the early pre-season. To me, the play of individuals is what is being established.
On the negative side, T Harris looked again like the useless slug he’s been for the last 3 years. Frankie O and Lance Louis have a very long way to go to be average starters on the right side. Beekman was tossed about like a rag doll. Hester runs better routes, but still gets rerouted and jammed too easily. C Harris is not 100% healthy and Bowman looked slow and outmatched. Anderson, Gilbert and Harrison didn’t seem to know what they were doing and couldn’t do it when they figured it out. G Wolfe, Alfalfa, and Matthews played like they wanted to be cut.
On the positive side, Peppers was quick but negated by the offensive game plan. Izzy, Adams and Melton should be rounding out the starting D-line, they all played well. Major Wright is the starter at FS, bar none! K Bell is the 3rd best RB and should make this team. R Davis (I cannot believe I’m saying this) availed himself well on O and ST, he’ll make the roster as the 5th WR. DJ Moore really stood out and was making plays; I had counted this kid out earlier this year. Graham, Jennings and J Moore played well if not spectacular; hell they are back-ups. Q Scott has some development needs but he outplayed Alfalfa and will challenge him for a roster spot. Pisa will start at SLB. Cutler, Knox and DA will be a force this season.
All in all my main disappointment is in the defense and o-line not being any improved from last season and possibly slipping a little. These were the areas of concern from last season and it looked like rearranged deck chairs on the Titanic. Not a promising start…but it’s still early. Tice, Marinelli, Lovie, were looking at you!

Steltz, Wright, Hillenmeyer, Hanie, and Mannelly? I would have to imagine all of them but Hanie’s (sandwiched and landed on top of) injury would’ve only kept them out for a quarter or two had it been a regular season game. Is that a fair statement or is there more severity to these injuries?

I had to wait until tonight to see the game, he looks freaking awesome, well the first half he did. Its half time now on NFLN but his play is def exciting.
O line looks worse then I thought it would, good thing its the 1st preseason game.

I hold my breath every time he throws the ball. He is going to get someone killed the way he is leading the receivers. I know he is a rook though.

He also had a solid scramble on a 3rd and long that I think would probably have been him forcing a pass last year.

I said to a friend before the play that that was the time last year where Cutler would have forced a throw. Him taking what the D gave him and settling for a chance at 3 pts was smart.

Just like last season, the interior of the O-line was terrible! Lance Louis at least has the potential to improve (I’ll keep my fingers crossed), but nobody else inside has any excuses. I’ve been a Beekman defender, but he sucked in that game.

• Tommie Harris & Peppers = exactly 0 good plays between them.

• Put Chris Harris at SS where he belongs, and let Major Wright start at FS. Just like the O-line, the secondary needs time to gel (before A. Rodgers destroys us in the regular season).

• Aromashado = our best WR, period.