A chat with 'Bolts From The Blue'

by Ed Valentine on Nov 5, 2009 7:13 AM EST in News Comment 43 comments

via prod.static.chargers.clubs.nfl.com The Charger girls may be the NFL's most beautiful cheerleadering squad. See more of them here and here.

View full size photo »

Our New York Giants are desperately in need of a victory this weekend. It just so happens that the San Diego Chargers are the team standing in the way. So, I reached out to 'Bolts From The Blue,' SB Nation's Chargers blog or a little chat about Philip Rivers and his team.

Big Blue View: I will be honest. I have been mired in the mess the giants have been the past few weeks. I know some of the names on San Diego roster, but I really don't know much about the team. Give me some strengths, weaknesses and an assemssment at this point in the season?

Bolts From The Blue: Strengths - the passing game and the secondary. Weaknesses - running the ball and stopping the run. The pass rush is a mystery. it could be a strength or a weakness, but it's hard to tell because the team has grown, changed and called a different game against the Chiefs and Raiders. we'll see if it works against the Giants. A general assessment is hard. The Bolts have changed seemingly every week. Philip Rivers and Vincent Jackson have really been the only consistent threats on offense, although statistically Gates is having a good year. This is a team filled with spare parts and young guys trying to fill in holes left by big injuries. You can see talent, but it's inconsistent.

My question to you is the same, but I'd like to also know what has changed for the Giants from the beginning of the season (when they were one of the league's best) to now.

Big Blue View: Well ... none of that is easy to answer. Everything is all turned around from what the Giants were supposed to be, what they were the first five weeks, and what they are now. Right now they have no identity, and no one is sure if they are actually any good.

The Giants were built to be a dominant defensive team, only it has turned out in recent weeks that awful defensive play has been the biggest problem. The defensive line is not getting pressure, or playing the run well. The linebackers are so-so. The secondary, outside of Corey Webster, has been atrocious. The rookie defensive coordinator, Bill Sheridan, has looked overmatched.

Offensively, turnovers, missed opportunities and a propensity to forget about grinding it out and go for the home run have hurt the Giants.

Bolts From The Blue: The funny thing is that most Chargers fans would trade lines with the Giants in a second. Due to injuries, the Chargers are busy plugging holes on both offensive and defensive lines where the Giants have proven talent on both. What has happened to the D-line that there's no pass rush and no ability to stop the run anymore?

Big Blue View: Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck have not been dominant. Osi, I think, is not the same player he was a few years ago. Tuck tore his labrum in Week 2 and has been trying to play thru it, but he hasn't been dominant. Inside, Fred Robbins is coming off microcracture knee surgery and isn't what he used to be. The Giants might get Chris Canty back this week, and that has to help some. As for the run defense, here is my thought. robbins is not the player he used to be, same for Antonio Pierce. So, they aren't physically imposing in the middle any more. Also, there has been an astounding lack of discipline, with guys seemingly freelance and not handling their responsibilities. That is very un-Giants like, and very much on the head of the defensive coordinator.

Big Blue View: OK. here is a question. I suppose we have to debate Philip Rivers vs. Eli Manning. I hate the whole 'who is better?' thing because I think it is pointless. Would you agree, though, that both teams should be happy with the guy they ended up with?

Bolts From The Blue: Absolutely. While I'll argue all day that Philip Rivers is a better QB, I don't think Philip makes that play to escape the tackle and get the ball to Tyree. Each team got a young franchise QB to build around, and I honestly don't think Rivers would've liked the NYC spotlight very much.

Even the dim San Diego media spotlight seems too much for him. If the NFL could play the games without having them televised, I'm sure that'd be OK with Philip.

Bolts From The Blue: Here's a question. I like to look at matchups going into each game. Specifically, if I see small starting CBs I can usually predict a huge game for Vincent Jackson. In the same light, I always like to ask how good the team is at covering opposing TEs. Antonio Gates doesn't really have huge statistical games anymore, but if he's able to get open on third downs it usually turns into a good offensive day for the Chargers.

Big Blue View: I will answer that by saying this. Forget the matchups, outside of Corey Webster the Giants secondary has not been good at covering anyone lately. All your game plan needs to be is this -- find 'Bad, Bad C.C. Brown' at safety and throw the ball to whoever he should be responsible for. Should work every time. As for covering tight ends, if Boley plays he can do that.

OK, question for you. I love to ask this one. If you could take one player off the Giants' roster and put him in your lineup, who would it be?

Bolts From The Blue: Probably Justin Tuck. I think he'd be a very effective 3-4 DE. Same question to you.

Big Blue View: Well, considering the Giants defensive needs I would go one of two ways. I know Shawne Merriman may not be the player he used to be, but he is probably still better than Pierce or the other Giants LBs. As bad as our safeties have been if you want to lend us Eric Weddle for the rest of the season we would like that, too.

0 recs | Comment 43 comments | Add comment | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Tongue in cheek

Was picking Merriman a tongue in cheek comment given he was one of the players selected by the Chargers from the draft picks included in the Manning trade.

Other players would include LB S Cooper or LB S Phillips or indeed K Kaeding (you might as well name him as he was the other draft pick!).

by G Fan in England on Nov 5, 2009 7:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm scared of that cheerleader's adam's apple. It's larger than mine.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 5, 2009 8:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That ain't an Adams Apple!!!

She has something stuck in her throat Simms!!..but I’ll keep it clean!!..One hint though, think “Bobbit”…lol

by Bobbiblue on Nov 5, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No, no, no!!

I am going to tell everyone right now. If these are the kind of comments the cheerleader pictures are going to generate THERE WON’T BE ANY MORE CHEERLEADER PICTURES! Enjoy them people, but have some class.

by Ed Valentine on Nov 5, 2009 8:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I apologize Ed..Should not have said that..I am as I write this scolding myself..Sorry!!

by Bobbiblue on Nov 5, 2009 8:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We all say things

we wish we hadn’t, Bobbi.

by blue gonz on Nov 5, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Blue..

Sometimes my sense of humor gets me in hot water..I hope I didn’t offend anyone with that comment..I tend to see a funny comment and react in kind without thinking first about how a joke I attempt to make impacts others..the way the Giants have been playing I try or tend to try to throw some humor out here..to melt the ice..but I do not condone myself for hurting somebody elses feelings..Thanks for the response….Bob

by Bobbiblue on Nov 5, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

She has a face?

… Well look at that. So she does.

by RolloT on Nov 5, 2009 8:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that comparisons between Rivers and Eli

are meaningless, but find it interesting that Bolts affirms the opinion expressed by more than one BBVer that Eli has the kind of personality that fits comfortably playing in NYC and Rivers doesn’t. Some BBVers have drawn the same conclusion in comparing Eli to Rothlesberger (SP?) Certainly, Eli has held up well in the NYC media pressure cooker. It’s difficult to predict how R&R might have managed had they been in the same situation, but the arguments put forward by BBVers for believing that it would have been too much for them are persuasive.

by blue gonz on Nov 5, 2009 8:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think Rivers would crack or anything like that. I just think he wouldn’t want to resign with the Giants.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Nov 5, 2009 9:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he wouldn't want to quit?

just kidding. I agree.

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 5, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I loved the question he asked about VIncent Jackson and Gates

I guess he has not watched much of the Giants this year. Even if C.Webster does a nice job on Jackson I can’t imagine how open gates will be all day on Sunday. Even if Boley plays he won’t be in good football shape and as good as Boley is on TE’s Gates is a different Beast you need a Ed Reed type of Saftey to cover that guy, no LB can cover him consistantley.

by Landeta on Nov 5, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I usually watch a lot of the Giants, but haven’t seen much this year.

You’re right that Gates absolutely cannot be covered by an LB. It’s worth noting that he’s nursing a foot injury and was held in check last week by rookie Tyvon Branch.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Nov 5, 2009 9:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you were smiling when you wrote that lol

Gates is ONLY, on pace for 75 receptions, 1050 yards and probably half dozen TD’s. Oh, and he’s averaging a pedestrian 75 yards a game! It’s good to know he’s nursing a foot injury, or his on pace stat line, could be an actual game stat line! lol

by Hootman on Nov 5, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s been quietly racking up huge stats this season. He’s good for 1 or 2 big plays a game. I have no idea what the foot injury is about, because he didn’t have it last week, but apparently it’s limiting him in practice this week.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Nov 5, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He'll have

about 4 or 5 big catches on third downs this Sunday and probabbly one for a TD in the Red Zone. Giants best shot is to run the ball and control the clock and keep the SD O off the field.

by Landeta on Nov 5, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really hope Boley's back....

Antonio Gates is gonna eat anyone else alive.

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 5, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Second that bradshaw

Boley is our only hope right now.. when i originally looked at the schedule i felt good knowing Boley was gonna be covering shock, gates, and be on the field against a pass happy team in the feagles and cards, but the injury has proven to be as big, or close to, the kp one. If brown and rouse dont play better, a change WILL come in the bye week. at least i hope so

by semsemma on Nov 5, 2009 8:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

help me

michael boley, you’re our only hope.

by cntrlalt on Nov 5, 2009 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope he charged his light saber!

by Hootman on Nov 5, 2009 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting that the Bolts

are having issues running the ball. Neither starting back is really a power rusher and relies more on speed and quickness. I don’t think our defense has seen a lot of that this year, so I wonder how the defense will match up against that. Perhaps if the defense can hold Rivers to under 300 yards, there is a chance to outscore them here, but yeah, the Gates issue will be a problem. TEs have been killing the Giants for years now.

by rzor on Nov 5, 2009 9:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

From what i understand

They’re having OL issues too, so that can probably be attributed to a poorer than expected run game. Perhaps John could enlighten us with further details? Interesting enough, i only recognized 2/5 of their line, not counting Hardwick. I was wondering if this could be a game that perhaps the Giants could finally generate and sustain a decent pass rush. This could go along way with helping our pass D if we could!

by Hootman on Nov 5, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Injuries

LT Marcus McNeill has been healthy and consistent. He’s been standout for several years.

LG Kris Dielman is for some reason very inconsistent this year. When he’s good, he’s a monster. But if he has a bad day, he looks lost out there.

C Scott Mruczkowski is a backup for a reason. He’s a versatile veteran C/G backup but without Hardwick making line calls, our line has had trouble picking up blitzes and making line assignments. Hardwick has been practicing starting this week but I wouldn’t expect him to play this game.

RG Louis Vasquez is a rookie from Texas Tech. He was out injured for the first part of the year he has come back and helped strengthen our line. His pass blocking is superb but his run blocking is still unpolished. He looks like a guy that’ll be an anchor in the line for years to come and we’re really excited about him.

RT Jeromy Clary is very solid (contrary to what most of the rest of the fanbase will tell you). Chargers fans have been calling for his head for several years but he’s stepped up his play this year. He struggles against speed rushers at times and I wouldn’t call him a franchise RT but he’s been a pleasant surprise.

All in all, our tackles have been rather stout and most of the pressure comes from the interior of the line. We struggle with blitz pickup and have trouble run blocking up the middle too. That said, getting Vasquez back at RG has been huge and we finally have four of the five starters back in. They’ve looked good the last couple games but since we’re just coming off of a Chiefs game and a Raiders game, I’d say that the Giants D-line is a big test for them.

by cowbell on Nov 5, 2009 10:23 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Thanks for the breakdown

A rookie and a back-up on the line? I can see why the Chargers are having some problems there. If Canty is ready to play, this could be the ideal game for him to have an impact, since he’ll be in the interior as well.

by rzor on Nov 5, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nicely done, thanks for the info

Lets hope that Tuck can do his best Strahan impersonation and gets to introduce himself to Phil. This goes without saying that we need our DT’s to show up. I actually don’t care who. Backups are backups for a reason just like rookies are just that, rookies with limited experience at this level and they should treated as such!

by Hootman on Nov 5, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clary Sucks

Clary is by far the worst linemen we have. And that includes Mooch backing up Hardwick. The only pleasant surprise Clary has been is for the opposing defense.

by philiprules on Nov 5, 2009 11:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Uh oh, our first fan of the Chargers that comes from the contrary majority lol

But, not to start a ruckus amongst Chargers fans, i’ll simply conclude or interpret that Clary can be solid on occasion, or borderline horrible on others. Which fairly could put him in the area as average?

Speaking of impersonations, how about Tuck having an Osi/Justice day? That’ll work!

by Hootman on Nov 5, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There’s nobody on the line as bad as Winston Justice was on that night.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Nov 5, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There’s nobody on ~~the line~~Earth as bad as Winston Justice was on that night.

- Fixed that for ya

"[The Giants] beat us down. We were beat by a grown-man team, a team we want to be like one day. They came in here and took it to us. Out-manned us, out-gunned us. ... It wasn't even close." - Raheem Morris, 9/27/09

by cjmulrain on Nov 5, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clary average? More like a mixed bag.

Powerful, but slow. You can’t go through him, but speedy guys will get around him, which is one among several reasons good 3-4 defenses have given us trouble. The real problem, though, is the Center.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Nov 5, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great breakdown. Dead on.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Nov 5, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

considering we let the Eagles FULLBACK thrash us

let’s just say I’m not optimistic that Tomlinson won’t have a 2006 throwback type of game

by cjmulrain on Nov 5, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and they better tackle Sproles....

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 5, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How about a big kudos to Ed

For doing BBV stuff right after the Yanks win. It’s hard to focus on football today!

by potroast on Nov 5, 2009 11:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

CHAMPS IS HERE!

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 5, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes huge kudos to Ed

YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..What a game..they did it!!..How about that Andy Pettite..and Hideki Matsui..Unreal..Our Giants could take a page out of their book for perseverence!!

by Bobbiblue on Nov 5, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

as in stay healthy?

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 5, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

kudos

and Congrats to the Yankees and their fans. I know you guys have waited forever for this (sarcastic eyeroll). No, but seriously, thanks for taking care of the Phillies. This World Series was like the Soviet Union beating Nazi Germany – both outcomes sucked, but one sucked just a little bit less.

Anyway, I hope you guys have to suffer through another Mets-Red Sox World Series sometime soon. Karma, baby.

by cjmulrain on Nov 5, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

meh....

the Mets aren’t evil…just sort of that red-headed step child.

Sometimes…ginger kids are alright…….especially if they beat the ESPN Red Sox.

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 5, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the real Phil Simms says I'm stupid

NFL radio this afternoon… I said don’t blame it on injuries… Simms says blame it on injuries… I said Canty’s return wouldn’t magically fix the line… SImms sez the undermanned line is causing undersized ends to play too many snaps and ruining their effectiveness …. Simms is under the impression that the return of these players WILL be a big boost. He had no criticism directly of the coaching but did sort of say the defense looked “lost.”

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 5, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

the real Simms is right.

tho, the Giants DE’s are far from undersized….I don’t know where he gets that.

I say the same. Canty will help…he’s large. Boley will fly all over the field..be it blitzes or covering Gates.

The Giants signed these guys for a reason…to prevent THIS from happeneing……

DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Nov 6, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

right about me being stupid?

just kidding. Brisulph, no need to warn me!

You play to win the game!

by Simms-McConkey on Nov 6, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One or Two Guys Make a Difference

A couple of returning players can make a difference, if they make plays. It will energize the others and give them confidence that everyone’s job is being done so everyone can just worry about doing their own job well…Eli vs Philip? I know Rivers has the statistical advantage, but he gets to play in sunny San Diego 8 times a year and in Oakland for another. I’ll take the ring…

by Aceholioo on Nov 5, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs