Third-down plays hurt Chargers
Adjust font size
Monday, Nov 19, 2007
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com
Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner gathered his staff in the wake of Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars to study tape, crunch numbers and seek answers.
They looked for reasons for the Jaguars' win that dropped the Chargers to 5-5. A couple of stats that seemed obvious were the Jaguars' running game and time of possession.
But they sought answers deeper than obvious. Where were the hidden yards that coaches talk about in football games?
Turner's conclusion: The Chargers were better against the run than fans and even the players might have thought once the game tape is reviewed.
"(Jacksonville) was a team that came into the game averaging five yards a carry, and they averaged 3.3 against us," Turner said. "Our issues were third downs."
Turner pointed out the Jaguars were 5-of-8 at converting third downs, but he added the stat was really 7-of-8.
"They made enough yards on two third downs that it was fourth-and-1 and they went for it (and converted)," Turner said. "That's why they were able to keep the ball and the time of possession was way, way in their favor."
In the first quarter, the Jaguars controlled the ball for 11:07 to the Chargers' 3:53. By halftime, the Chargers narrowed the gap from to 17:26 to 12:34. The game finished with 32:57 for the Jaguars to the Chargers' 27:03.
"We held them to three-and-out four times in their six possessions in the second half," Turner said. "When you break it down and look at the physical part of the game and the effort, we were competitive against the run. Our guys were flying around. We were not as good as we need to be on third down and were not as good as we need to be against the pass."
Running back Fred Taylor finished with 20 carries for 85 yards and 4.3 yards per carry, but he was only 8-for-28 (3.5) in the second half. Maurice Jones-Drew was 12-for-33 for the game and 9-for-30 (3.3) in the second half. But Turner said the Chargers left the Jaguars with too many short third-down situations that allowed them to run on third-and-2 or pass on third-and-6.
"We need to improve at getting a team in third and long," he said. "We have not done that well. A lot of their third downs have been manageable."
Similarly, Turner said Chargers Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shawne Merriman finishing with one tackle by press box scoring was a misleading statistic. The Jaguars kept two tight ends on the field, with one assigned to slow down Merriman.
"(Jacksonville) is a good running team that is well coached, and they lined up two tight ends," Turner said. "They got a tight end on him so he couldn't catch things from behind and they ran at him very little. That's tough duty. He competed hard and has worked hard."
Merriman also tipped a pass that was nearly intercepted and had a quarterback hit.
"I've noted to him that I love the way he's playing," he said. "I think he's having an outstanding year, but he's not getting the opportunities because if you're playing us, you're saying, 'Hey, let's not let Merriman hit our quarterback.' "
The Chargers face another run-oriented team this week when the Baltimore Ravens (4-6) play Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium. Turner said the Chargers will need another strong game against the run and a better game at preventing third-down conversions.
"The team in our division (AFC West) that is mentally toughest, that is going to fight and scratch and claw their way through adversity, is the team that is going to win the division," Turner said. "My approach is that team is going to be us."
MikeNowak, Chargers.com
Unlike last week against Indianapolis, the Chargers couldn't keep Jacksonville in 3rd-and-long situations.
|
Monday: Philip RiversQB Philip Rivers on Monday tells reporters "We can be as scary as any group in the league." |
|
Monday: Norv TurnerAt Mondays press conference Norv Turner talks with reporters about Sundays loss to the Jaguars and gives an update on the injured players. |
|
Monday: LaDainian TomlinsonRB LaDainian Tomlinson on Monday gives his insight of Sundays loss to the Jaguars and since it's Thanksgiving week he mentions to the media about what he is thankful for. |
Play
Play
Have an opinion on this story? Share it on the team's official message boards.
Find out what others are saying about the Chargers. Visit Daily Clips.
Already registered? Login here.
