November 1, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) reacts after getting a first down during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Today will mark what is another must-win game for the Bolts. After suffering through a three game losing streak, the Chargers put a whooping on the hapless Chiefs.

The team has had ample time to prepare for the scoring machine that is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs are an extremely formidable opponent and are favored to win this game. On offense they feature the likes of Doug “The Muscle Hamster” Martin, Mike Williams, Dallas Clark, and Josh Freeman.

They have one other key piece to their offensive puzzle but his name slips my mind. Oh, that’s right, Vincent Jackson. I think I subconsciously downplayed the impact of VJax leaving during the offseason.

At the time I was very pleased to see the team turn around and sign Robert Meachem. Within a couple days the Bolts also wrangled former Bronco Eddie Royal away from the Redskins during free agency. The Chargers also picked up Michael Spurlock and Roscoe Parrish to help solidify the receiving corps.

Spurlock and Parrish are no longer here and it would seem that neither Meachem or Royal are present either. So much for replacing Jackson.

On defense the Bucs are an interesting beast. Although they are number one in the league against the run, they are last in the NFL at stopping the pass.

The Chargers must win this game and they must do so on the arm of Philip Rivers. Sounds a bit scary considering that Jared Gaither will most likely not play today. Rivers must find a way to exploit that porous Bucs’ pass defense.

I can’t say it enough how crucial a win is needed prior to our rematch with division rival Denver. The Broncos already have a one game lead. They also happen to face off with the Panthers here in Charlotte at Bank of America stadium today. If I had to guess, I’d say that the Broncos easily come away with a victory against a downtrodden Carolina squad.

Let’s hope the Bolts have prepared well enough to grab a much needed win against the Bucs.

Thanks a lot for reading.

BoltUp!!!

BoogaP

September 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick (61) during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

Now that the Presidential Election is over, it’s time to turn our focus to another important election: that of the NFL Pro Bowl.  Over the last decade, the Chargers had several players who were a lock to earn that coveted trip to Hawaii.  Players such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, Philip Rivers and others.  However, those days are over for this struggling team.  We have to look a little deeper to find those players who deserve the Pro Bowl recognition.

Punter – 5 Mike Scifres

One of the best punters in the league, this season has been no exception.  He is 3rd in the AFC with a 48.3avg which would also be a career high.  Thanks to his ability to directional kick, and drop punt (and a S/O to great special teams coverage, especially guy below) only 2 of his 32 punts have been touchbacks!

He is a 6-time Pro Bowl alternate but has a great chance to be the starter this year.

Special Teams – 25 Darrell Stuckey

The 3rd year pro has had a breakout season on special teams this year. Through 8 games, DSII has recorded 10 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble.  He also has made a few incredible plays, most recently last Thursday night against Kansas City with a diving catch on a punt that pinned the Chiefs on the 5 yard line.

DSII is making the most of his opportunity on Special Teams and his results reflect the hustle and hard work he has put in. He deserves to go to Hawaii.

Linebacker – 56 Donald Butler

One of the most exciting young defensive players on the Chargers, Butler made a name for himself last year posting 96 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 8 tackles for loss.  The 3rd year pro is picking right up where he left off, with 55 tackles through the first 8 games (2nd on team), 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT and 1 defensive touchdown.  He is very active and constantly is around the ball, leading to one of the great sayings for Boltheads “The Butler Did It!”

While he is not a league leader in the top of any 1 category, his all-around play has been great and should definitely be looked at as a possible alternate.

Center – 61 Nick Hardwick

A stabalizing force in an otherwise very weak offensive line.  Hardwick has finally shaken the injury bug that plagued him early in his career and has now started 42 straight games.  He may not get the recognition from the rest of the league due to the amount of times Rivers has been sacked, but if Hardwick was not there, those numbers wouldbe MUCH higher.

Those are the 4 Bolts that I believe are the most deserving on a talented but underperforming Chargers team this year.  We are only at the halway mark with plenty of season left for guys to make a case. Of course, I would rather have ZERO Chargers in the Pro Bowl….because that would mean we’re in the SUPER BOWL!!!

Please feel free to comment and let me know if you think somebody else should have been included. And please go here to vote for who you think should represent! www.nfl.com/probowl

Boltup!

Dan Locke

October 21, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) huddles up with the offensive against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Now that the Chargers have completed the first half of the season, I figured this would be a good time to look ahead and see what the third quarter of the year looks like for the team. The next four games will most likely decide our season.  They will also give the team a chance to show that they can perform against a higher level of competition.  The Chargers will be tested and must prove that they can play a complete game for all four quarters.

Our next game is on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The defense will have the task of covering former Bolt Vincent Jackson. 

Jackson is up to his old tricks and averaging 21.6 yards a catch while snagging 5 touchdowns with his new team.  It goes without saying that the secondary will have their hands full with VJax.

Despite Jackson’s impact on the Bucs’ offense, I am even more concerned with the presence of rookie running back Doug Martin.  The first year running back had a coming out party of sorts against the Minnesota Vikings last week.  Martin racked up 214 total yards.  He also had a run of 41 yards coupled with a 64 yard screen pass that he took to the house for his second touchdown of the game.    Martin is a gamebreaker and will definitely provide a tough test for the defense. 

One more note about the offense of Tampa Bay.  Josh Freeman is having a pretty good year of his own.  Freeman boasts a 93.3 quarterback rating while throwing for 14 touchdowns.  Freeman has done a good job of distributing the rock amongst the likes of Jackson, Mike Williams, and Martin. 

The key to stopping Tampa Bay is forcing the team into obvious passing situations by containing Martin in the running game.  If the defense is able to do that and pressure Freeman, the Chargers will be able to rely on the Bolts’ offense to build a lead and hopefully keep it until the clock reads zeros.

On defense the Bucs are rather young with the exception of 146 year old Ronde Barber.  Barber helped invent the game of football…. ok, enough joking. 

The young trio of Mason Foster, Lavonte David, and Mark Barron pace the team in tackles by ranking one through three respectively.  Both David and Barron are rookies.

The player to watch on the Tampa’s defense is the unheralded Michael Bennett.  Bennett has five sacks and three forced fumbles in seven games.  The defensive line of the Bucs is pretty solid and keeping them out of the backfield will be a chore for the Chargers’ offensive line. 

Tampa Bay’s secondary has taken two interceptions back to the house for six.  Both Eric Wright and Ronde “Father time” Barber have one a piece.  I expect Rivers to have a strong performance against the Bucs’ defensive backs.

If the Chargers were to string together back to back wins going into the Denver game, the team would be riding the ever so important momentum needed in a rematch with Peyton and company.

Stay tuned for parts 2-4 previewing the following games: @Denver, vs. Baltimore, and vs. Cincinnati.  The other three portions of the prevew will be out tomorrow.

Thanks a lot for reading.

BoltUp!!!

BoogaP