Chambers opens up offense
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Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com
The Chargers have attempted numerous methods to find running room for LaDainian Tomlinson in his seven NFL seasons and have enjoyed plenty of success.
Tomlinson is in position this season to repeat as the NFL rushing champion as a follow up his 2006 NFL MVP season.
But no matter what wrinkles are added to the scheme or plays are called by the Bolts’ brain trust, nothing has worked better than the acquisition of Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Chambers from the Miami Dolphins in a mid-season trade.
So say both Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner and Tomlinson.
“Chris Chambers has come in here and had a major effect on the way people defend us,” Turner said Wednesday at Chargers Park. “It took a little while to have that effect, but the game that got us going in the right direction was the Baltimore game.”
Turner was referring to a 32-14 win on Nov. 25 at Qualcomm Stadium that started the Chargers’ five-game winning streak, wrapping up a second-straight AFC West title with a 10-5 record heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale at the Oakland Raiders.
Against Baltimore, Turner noted that Tomlinson had 10 carries for eight yards against a Ravens defense with eight men in the box.
But that opened up the passing game, and by halftime the Chargers led 22-7 with quarterback Philip Rivers hitting 20-of-28 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns with no interception.
Rivers finished the game 25-of-35 for 249 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Tomlinson ended with 24 carries for 77 yards and six catches for 45 yards.
Rivers spread the ball around as tight end Antonio Gates caught six balls for 105 yards and two touchdowns, wide receiver Vincent Jackson caught five for 65 yards and Chambers five for 22 yards.
“We’re getting a lot better looks against the run and people are more concerned about our wide receivers,” Turner said. “That helps you run the ball.”
In the next four wins, Tomlinson topped 100 yards rushing in each game, even though he saw limited playing time in the second half of routes against the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos.
He ran 23 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City, 26 for 146 and one touchdown against Tennessee, 15 for 116 and two touchdowns against Detroit and 19 for 107 and one touchdown against Denver.
Tomlinson said defenses are backed off the line scrimmage more now than at anytime in his pro career.
“Teams have had to chooses a little more how to play us, and when they do back off, it really feels good,” he said. “I notice it a little bit more now than I ever have before. That’s good when you’ve got weapons around you and any one of us can make the big play down the field.
“They can back off with seven men in the box or Antonio is going down the middle or you got Chris Chambers on a deep ball. It really adds more explosion to the offense. People have to really pick and choose.”
Chambers’ presence also has eased up the double coverage on third-year wide receiver Vincent Jackson. He was slowed by a shoulder injury early in the season, but in the last five games he has caught 15 balls for 226 yards, averaging 15.7 yards a reception.
“He’s healthy now,” Turner said. “We have Gatesy in the middle and Chris on one side and that has helped Vincent and even Buster (Davis), who made some plays Monday. It adds to our options and now Vincent is getting single coverage.”
Tomlinson said he felt the Chargers got a steal when they made the trade for Chambers on Oct. 16 for a second-round draft pick in 2008, and he thinks Chambers will continue to have an increased impact on the offense.
“He’s had a good career and he’s still in the prime of his career,” Tomlinson said. “His best years are ahead of him. For us to get him for a second-round pick, (General Manager) A.J. (Smith) really does a good job of sneaking guys away from teams. He does a great job of that.”
Denis Poroy, AP
The acquisition of Chris Chambers has opened things up for the Chargers' offense.
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