Robin Miller
10-09-2008, 01:47 AM
Last modified Tuesday, October 7, 2008 6:09 PM PDT
CHARGERS: Scouting report ---- vs. New England Patriots
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer
Kickoff: 5:15 p.m. Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.
Series: New England leads 20-14-2. The Patriots defeated the Chargers twice
last season in Foxborough, Mass. New England routed the Chargers 38-14 in
the regular season and defeated the Chargers 21-12 in the AFC Championship
Game.
Player to watch: WR Randy Moss
Fully established as one of the NFL's top receivers, Moss is adjusting to a
season without QB Tom Brady. He has 17 receptions for 274 yards and two
touchdowns, modest numbers for him, and that's after a 111-yard day against
San Francisco on Sunday. His 66-yard touchdown reception against the 49ers
was the 126th of his 11-year career. The 100-yard performance was the 57th
of his career; he's third all-time in that category behind Jerry Rice (76)
and Marvin Harrison (59). Moss also has played for Minnesota (1998-2004) and
Oakland (2005-06). The six-time Pro Bowler has caught 791 career passes for
12,467 yards. He had a superb season in 2007 after the Patriots acquired him
from the Raiders, setting an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions while
catching 98 passes for a team-record 1,493 yards. He topped 100 yards in
nine games.
Offense
With Brady sidelined for the season with a knee injury, the Patriots aren't
close to being the offensive juggernaut they were last season when they set
an NFL record by scoring 589 points in the regular season ---- an average of
36.8 points per contest. Through four games this season, New England has
scored 79 points, an average of 19.8 points. QB Matt Cassel has replaced
Brady and has completed a high percentage (67.3) of passes, but has the same
number of touchdown passes (three) as interceptions. WR Wes Welker, waived
by the Chargers in 2004, has a team-best 27 receptions, but is averaging
just 9.3 yards per reception. Welker set a franchise record last season with
112 receptions. New England's running game has sputtered (only a 3.7 average
per carry) behind the three-back committee of Sammy Morris (143 yards, 3.3
average), LaMont Jordan (106 yards, 4.4) and Laurence Maroney (93 yards,
3.3), and its pass protection has been shaky despite having three Pro
Bowlers on its offensive line ---- LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins and C Dan
Koppen. After allowing just 21 sacks in the regular season a year ago, the
Patriots have already allowed 16 in four games.
Defense
Veteran S Rodney Harrison continues to thrive in his sixth season with the
Patriots and is the only player in NFL history with at least 30 career
interceptions (he got No. 34 last Sunday against San Francisco) and 30
career sacks (he has 30 1/2). The Chargers thought the future Hall of Famer
was running out of gas in 2002, so they released him after nine seasons with
the club. Second-year S Brandon Meriweather has two of the Patriots' five
interceptions this season. The Patriots lost top cover corner Asante Samuel
to free agency after last season. Former Oceanside High and Chargers
standout Junior Seau is no longer with the team, but the Patriots still
employ exceptional LBs Mike Vrabel (two sacks this season after a
career-high 12 1/2 in 2007); Adalius Thomas (three sacks in '08) and Tedy
Bruschi (averaged 112 tackles per season from 2003-07). Thomas had a 65-yard
interception return for a touchdown against the Chargers in last season's
regular season contest. DE Richard Seymour, a five-time Pro Bowler, is one
of the NFL's top defensive linemen, while DT Vince Wilfork regularly plugs
the inside of the line.
Noteworthy
QB Kevin O'Connell, formerly of La Costa Canyon High and San Diego State, is
the backup quarterback. He has completed 3-of-4 passes for 25 yards during
his rookie season. ... K Stephen Gostkowski is a perfect 10-of-10 on field
goals this season and has made 17 straight regular season attempts, dating
to last December. ... Ellis Hobbs is averaging 34.2 yards on kickoff
returns. ... New England has won 17 postseason games since 1994; the
Chargers have won four during that span. ... The Patriots have won 12
consecutive road games, the second best streak in NFL history behind San
Francisco (18 from 1988-90). ... New England didn't return to the East Coast
after Sunday's victory in San Francisco. The Patriots are spending this week
practicing at San Jose State. ... CB Antwain Spann (El Camino) is on the
practice squad.
---- Mike Sullivan
CHARGERS: Scouting report ---- vs. New England Patriots
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer
Kickoff: 5:15 p.m. Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.
Series: New England leads 20-14-2. The Patriots defeated the Chargers twice
last season in Foxborough, Mass. New England routed the Chargers 38-14 in
the regular season and defeated the Chargers 21-12 in the AFC Championship
Game.
Player to watch: WR Randy Moss
Fully established as one of the NFL's top receivers, Moss is adjusting to a
season without QB Tom Brady. He has 17 receptions for 274 yards and two
touchdowns, modest numbers for him, and that's after a 111-yard day against
San Francisco on Sunday. His 66-yard touchdown reception against the 49ers
was the 126th of his 11-year career. The 100-yard performance was the 57th
of his career; he's third all-time in that category behind Jerry Rice (76)
and Marvin Harrison (59). Moss also has played for Minnesota (1998-2004) and
Oakland (2005-06). The six-time Pro Bowler has caught 791 career passes for
12,467 yards. He had a superb season in 2007 after the Patriots acquired him
from the Raiders, setting an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions while
catching 98 passes for a team-record 1,493 yards. He topped 100 yards in
nine games.
Offense
With Brady sidelined for the season with a knee injury, the Patriots aren't
close to being the offensive juggernaut they were last season when they set
an NFL record by scoring 589 points in the regular season ---- an average of
36.8 points per contest. Through four games this season, New England has
scored 79 points, an average of 19.8 points. QB Matt Cassel has replaced
Brady and has completed a high percentage (67.3) of passes, but has the same
number of touchdown passes (three) as interceptions. WR Wes Welker, waived
by the Chargers in 2004, has a team-best 27 receptions, but is averaging
just 9.3 yards per reception. Welker set a franchise record last season with
112 receptions. New England's running game has sputtered (only a 3.7 average
per carry) behind the three-back committee of Sammy Morris (143 yards, 3.3
average), LaMont Jordan (106 yards, 4.4) and Laurence Maroney (93 yards,
3.3), and its pass protection has been shaky despite having three Pro
Bowlers on its offensive line ---- LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins and C Dan
Koppen. After allowing just 21 sacks in the regular season a year ago, the
Patriots have already allowed 16 in four games.
Defense
Veteran S Rodney Harrison continues to thrive in his sixth season with the
Patriots and is the only player in NFL history with at least 30 career
interceptions (he got No. 34 last Sunday against San Francisco) and 30
career sacks (he has 30 1/2). The Chargers thought the future Hall of Famer
was running out of gas in 2002, so they released him after nine seasons with
the club. Second-year S Brandon Meriweather has two of the Patriots' five
interceptions this season. The Patriots lost top cover corner Asante Samuel
to free agency after last season. Former Oceanside High and Chargers
standout Junior Seau is no longer with the team, but the Patriots still
employ exceptional LBs Mike Vrabel (two sacks this season after a
career-high 12 1/2 in 2007); Adalius Thomas (three sacks in '08) and Tedy
Bruschi (averaged 112 tackles per season from 2003-07). Thomas had a 65-yard
interception return for a touchdown against the Chargers in last season's
regular season contest. DE Richard Seymour, a five-time Pro Bowler, is one
of the NFL's top defensive linemen, while DT Vince Wilfork regularly plugs
the inside of the line.
Noteworthy
QB Kevin O'Connell, formerly of La Costa Canyon High and San Diego State, is
the backup quarterback. He has completed 3-of-4 passes for 25 yards during
his rookie season. ... K Stephen Gostkowski is a perfect 10-of-10 on field
goals this season and has made 17 straight regular season attempts, dating
to last December. ... Ellis Hobbs is averaging 34.2 yards on kickoff
returns. ... New England has won 17 postseason games since 1994; the
Chargers have won four during that span. ... The Patriots have won 12
consecutive road games, the second best streak in NFL history behind San
Francisco (18 from 1988-90). ... New England didn't return to the East Coast
after Sunday's victory in San Francisco. The Patriots are spending this week
practicing at San Jose State. ... CB Antwain Spann (El Camino) is on the
practice squad.
---- Mike Sullivan