Bad Religion Sanity » San Diego Chargers

‘Slant Scissors’ play helps L.T. slice and dice Raiders defense

Jason — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:34:07 +0000

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson runs by Oakland’s Ricky Brown in the fourth quarter Sunday.
K.C. Alfred/Union-Tribune

OAKLAND – In the end, inevitably, it got back down to child’s play. LT vs. the Raiders. Rock? Paper? Scissors?

Scissors, it is.

In the Chargers’ vernacular, actually, the play that LaDainian Tomlinson used this time to continue his personal vexation of the Oakland Raiders was called “Slant Scissors.”

Twin tight ends Antonio Gates and Brandon Manumaleuna did the pinching, turning their blocked victims inward on the right side, and Tomlinson did the cutting with a precise turn outside for a 41-yard touchdown.

“Big hole,” said Tomlinson, who was untouched until he was well inside the 10-yard line and still cruised in. “If you can’t get through that hole, you don’t need to be playing football.”

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Tomlinson thrives against Raiders

Jason — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:00:09 +0000

By Steve Corkran
Staff writer

ALAMEDA — For the record, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is listed as probable for Sunday’s game against the Raiders because of a sore toe.

Probable? Yeah, right. Tomlinson’s status is about as questionable as the sun rising this morning.

Tomlinson looks forward to games against the Raiders like none other. The Raiders bring out his best, which is saying something for a player who has carved out a career worthy of inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“I enjoy playing there,” Tomlinson said of Oakland. “It’s one of the better places in the NFL to play, just because they have a great fan base. The field is always in good shape. The sun is always shining. It’s a great place to play.”

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CHARGERS: Castillo is fine with no fine on Jets’ Jones

Jason — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:36:55 +0000

By MIKE SULLIVAN – Staff Writer | Saturday, September 27, 2008 6:34 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO —- New York Jets running back Thomas Jones wasn’t fined for his low block on Luis Castillo during Monday night’s game, and Castillo has no problem with the NFL office’s decision.

“It’s part of the game,” Castillo said Friday. “Even if I had been engaged with the (offensive) tackle, it would have been completely accidental.”

The play drew lots of attention because it occurred on “Monday Night Football” and was replayed over and over. That meant that millions of people saw Castillo’s left knee buckle after being hit by Jones’ helmet, and feared that the Chargers’ defensive end had suffered a major injury.

But Castillo returned later in the game. Four days later, he emphasized that he’s thankful to have avoided a major injury.

“I’ve never been mad about this,” he said. “I’ve been relieved.”

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S.D.’s potent offense searches for balance

Jason — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:34:32 +0000

Kevin Acee (Contact)

Saturday, September 27, 2008

OAKLAND – Less is more for the Chargers offense, so far.

Only four teams in the league are taking fewer offensive snaps per game than the Chargers. Yet only four teams are gaining more yards per game.

There is good and bad to be seen in that. No team – especially not one with Super Bowl aspirations – is happy with its offense not being on the field enough.

Big plays are exciting, but it’s a dangerous way to live and impossible to count on.

“Obviously, we are doing a lot of things good,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “We need to continue to keep the running game going. We busted a couple, but we really have to bust some really long ones. That takes time and patience.”

Rivers swears the day is coming when the Chargers will run the ball 40 times a game, by necessity or logic.

That day has not yet arrived and does not appear to be at hand.

Not with this offense, not with a quarterback dealing like he is, not with a tailback’s toe not quite right and defenses still playing to stop him.

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