Pre-season Game Diary: Chargers/Packers

Since tonight kicks off the NFL preseason games, and the fact that I am currently staying with my parents during the week for work (long story), I thought tonight would be a good opportunity to break out another game diary.

My Dad is a life-long Packer fan, so I thought it would be fun to jot down what went on during the game.

Not in attendance tonight is my brother Chuck, who is also a Packers fanatic.  He is also a certified member of the "Mike McCarthy Haters Club".  I think McCarthy is a pretty solid coach, but then again my team is coached by Norv Turner, so I'm used to FB teams underachieving.  I'm expecting some texts from Chuck during the game... maybe I'll share a few.

The pregame show just confirmed that Keyshawn Johnson is the worst studio analyst on the network.  He mentioned that the Chargers let Mike Tolbert go (the didn't, he was a free agent who signed for less money in Carolina), and that Rivers likes to throw to tall WR's, and how are Robert Meachum and Eddie Royal going to fill the shoes of Vincent Jackson?  When everyone knows Antonio Gates is the primary target for San Diego's offense, and I'm pretty sure Rivers completed a few passes to Darren Sproles over the years, who isn't exactly very tall.

Breaking News:  espn reporting a Lakers trade for Dwight Howard is considered "imminent".  Very exciting news.

Also, the first female referee will work an NFL game tonight.

On a personal note, I'm looking forward for South Dakota State Jackrabbit Dale Moss to see his first NFL action tonight.  An undrafted free agent, Moss played 4 years of BB for SDSU before playing one year of FB.  I'll be pulling hard for him.

Also excited to see the Chargers first round draft pick Melvin Ingram.  Supposedly he's been playing great in camp.  Along with fellow rookie defensive player Kendall Reyes.  I'll be watching for those guys.

7:00 Welcome to Qualcomm stadium.

Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden are calling the game.  I like Gruden, but man, does that guy like him some quarterbacks.  He gushes about pretty much every one.  Wonder how much qb love he'll throw around tonight?

They mention the "replacement officials" due to the NFL officials lockout, and also mention the first female official, Shannon Eastin.  She is hoping she doesn't get noticed during the game.  That's probably the right mindset.

7:07 Mason Crosby kicks off, and preseason is underway!  Touchback.

Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense take the field. 
First play is a quick 6 yard pass to Antonio Gates.
The second play is a sack of Rivers by Packers Rookie Nick Perry.
Perry is flagged for "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" after the play.  On the replay, it didn't look like much, causing Gruden to say, "I'm not sure why the called that".  My Dad laughs at this.

Scifres punts, and the ball is downed inside the 5 yard line.
Dad:  "I can't See!"  (My Mom had walked into the room in front of him.)

7:16 MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers start on there own 3 yard line.
First play is a pass, Rodgers was flushed out of the pocket, and then James Starks drops an easy pass.
Gruden loves how Aaron Rodgers manipulates the snapcount.

3rd and long, and of course Green Bay converts.  The Chargers were the worst team in NFL history on 3rd down defense last season.  Ok, well not in history, but in 60 years.  It was bad.  Something they need to improve.

3rd and 5, and another conversion.

7:20 Starks fumbles the ball.  Looks like he didn't take the handoff cleanly.
Former Packer, and new Charger Atari Bigby recovers the fumble.
Dad:  He was an old Packer.  I don't remember much about him, but I remember he was a Packer.

7:23 Chargers take over on the GB 26 yard line

7:26 Rivers hits Antonio Gates down the seem for a pretty 23 yard Touchdown pass.  Kaeding kicks the extra point.

Chargers 7 Green Bay 0

7:30 Kaeding kicks off, and the Packers return man, Diondre Borel fumbles the return.  Chargers recover.

7:32 Philip Rivers throws a pass intended for Robert Meachum and is picked by Tremond Williams.  Terrible pass by Rivers.

This is ugly.  3 Turnovers with the starters playing.  6:31 to go in the first quarter.

The Head Referee in this game looks scared.

7:37 Packers go 3 and out, and have to punt.

7:39 Chargers rookie RB Michael Hayes loses a fumble, and the Packers AJ Hawk recovers.

4 Turnovers already.

Green Bay takes over at the San Diego 42 yard line.

On 3rd and 2, Rodgers just misses James Jones.
On 4th and 2, Rookie Linebacker Melvin Ingram gets pressure on Rodgers, forcing a bad pass that is intercepted by Antoine Cason.  Nice play by Ingram there.

5th Turnover.  We're still in the first quarter.

7:46  Jarrett Lee from LSU enters the game as the Chargers QB.  We'll see no Charlie Whitehurst tonight.  "Clipboard Jesus" has a slight knee injury and won't play.

Chargers have to punt and Packers punt returner, Shaky Smithson muffs the punt.  The Packers recover.  He lived up to his name on that play.  Shaky.

7:49 Graham Harrell enters the game as the QB for GB.
He promptly misses his first 2 throws.  3 and out, and the Packers punt.

7:53 1st Quarter ends.  7-0 Chargers up.

No texts from Chuck yet, but I gotta feeling they are coming.

This is when pre-season gets confusing, you don't know half the players.

The Chargers go 3 and out, and have to punt.

Dad:  Typical first game, it's a comedy of errors.

Packers go 3 and out, and have to punt.

This is pretty boring.

8:05 Jarrett Lee returns to lead the offense.
He makes a couple of first downs on passes.
Lee actually looks pretty good, better than Harrell anyway.

8:09 Time out called by Norv.

Drive stalls out on the 17 yard line.
Nick Novak promptly boinks the field goal of the left upright of the goalpost.  Somewhere, message boards are blowing up with the epic Kaeding/Novak debate.

Graham Harrell returns to the field and throws a couple inaccurate passes.  Then finally completes one, but for no gain.  He doesn't look very good to me.

Packers punt.

Curtis Brinkly gets a couple of runs for a first down.  He has a great story, I'm pulling for the him.

Lee throws a nice pass to WR Vincent Brown for a 36 yard gain, and then hits Brown for a 27 yard Touchdown.  Vincent Brown looks like a player.  Novak Makes the Extra Point! 

Chargers 14 Packers 0

Novak kicks off, and it's returned to the 30 yard line.

Graham Harrell actually completes a pass!  Of course it was on a 3rd down play.

2:00 warning

1st and goal, and Harrell is Sacked by Larry English.  Flag on the play however, as Melvin Ingram gets called for "Hands to the Face".  1st down again.

8:36  On second down Harrell completes a TD pass to Randall Cobb from 3 yards out.  Crosby kicks the extra point.

Chargers 14 Packers 7

8:39  Lee takes a knee, and its Halftime.  14-7 Chargers.

Text from Chuck:  Packers D still trying to prove who needs to know how to tackle?  We have a gimmick defense and a huge waste of talent.
(He hates the coaches)

Text from Chuck:  They were the worst defense in the league.  They had huge talent.  The gimmick wore out and that's all Capers had.  The Packers are in Trouble.
(He really hates the coaches)

Text from Chuck:  The pack has proven they can have success in spite of, not because of their $h!tty coaching staff.
(He really, really, hates the coaches)

Honestly, I think the Packers coaches are alright, but admittedly I don't watch all their games.  I just know they win alot.  And my team has Norval calling the shots.  And I will admit, Aaron Rodgers would make most Head Coaches look good.  He's phenomenal.

8:52 Tirico and Gruden return for a game of "Who's in that jersey?"

8:54 Harrell starts the 2nd half like he started the first, missing an open WR.
The Packers go 3 and out, and punt.

Jarrett Lee returns for the Chargers, he looks pretty good for a rookie in his first game action.

9:02 As I write that down, he fumbles a snap.
9:02 And then throws an interception.

9:06  Highlight reel on Melvin Ingram.  Showed college highlights, and clips from he first half.  I'm really excited about this kid. 
-fellow rookie Kendall Reyes gets a good pass rush, and forces another Packers punt.

9:14  Dale Moss is in the game!  Just went in motion.
Harrell misses Moss badly on 3rd down, and the Packers have to punt again.

9:19  Chargers take over.  Lee still at QB.  Thought that we might see Kevin O'Connell this drive.
On 3rd down and 10, Lee completes a short pass to Curtis Brinkley.

And the Puntfest continues...

9:22 Find myself hoping that Moss gets a reception.
9:24  And he does.
9:25 Harrell completes a 3rd down pass, and Gruden raves about him.  Guess he hasn't noticed all his other throws.
Thow the ball to Moss!

9:27 end of the 3rd quarter.  Chargers 14 Packers 7

9:31  Moss with a 7 yard catch

9:34 Moss with another catch, and gets some love from Tirico.

9:38 Green Bay running back Marc Tyler drives the ball in for a touchdown.
Green Bay goes for 2, and the pass attempt fails.  Should have thrown it to Moss.

9:53  Nothing of interest has happened on the field in the past 15 minutes.
-But, It sounds as if the Dwight Howard to the LA Lakers deal is official.  The Lakers will keep Pau Gasol.
-Nash, Kobe, Metta, Gasol, Howard = Wow!  This coming NBA season is going to be fun.

9:56 Lee completes a nice deep ball down the left sideline.  He doesn't look too bad.  He'll probably get plucked by another team if the Chargers try to sign him to the practice squad.

10:03 Curtis Brinkly jumps over the pile for a TD.  He's shown better than Hayes in this first pre-season game.  Still a longshot to make the roster though.
Chargers 21  Packers 13

10:07 QB change for the Packers, rookie BJ Coleman from UT Chattanooga.

10:13 Game Over

Thoughts?  Well, hard to tell.  Such a mixture of players and such, and with all the subbing, not a lot you can take away from a pre-season game.  Melvin Ingram does look promising though, and Jarrett Lee looked better than I thought he would.

For Green Bay, they better hope nothing happens to Aaron Rodgers.  Harrell wasn't getting it done tonight.  But again, it's just one game, and a preseason game at that, and the first one. 

These will definitely be two teams, I'l be keeping my eye on this season.

Fixing the Lakers at TV Fury.

Yesterday, New York author and blogger Shawn Fury and I did an e-mail exchange it which we attempted to fix the roster of the LA Lakers.

You can read the exchange here.

Thanks to Shawn and fellow site runner Terry Vandrovec for giving me the opportunity to contribute.

Draft Leftovers, and the NBA Playoffs start.

First of all, just a quick recap of the chargers, and their draft picks.  Why the chargers draft picks?  Because that's my team... and that's really the only team I look into in depth.

Round 1.  Melvin Ingram DE/OLB South Carolina
-I really like this pick.  In fact, I like it more today than I did on Thursday night.  Now, if in a year or two I still like it alot, that will mean something.

Round 2.  Kendall Reyes DT Connecticut
-Another solid pick.  He'll play a DE in the chargers 3-4.  As I went looking through the draft boards, and draft sites, and yes looking at the message boards of a few of their division rivals... teams were pretty unhappy that the Bolts ended up with him, so a good pick.

Round 3.  Brandon Taylor SS LSU
- Chargers had a need at safety, and tried to fill it with Taylor.  Not sure if he's ready to step on the field yet, and they need someone to do that.  But, they didn't reach for him in the 2nd round.  They held their ground, and he fell to them in the 3rd (although they had to move up to get him).  Most analysts felt he was the 3rd or 4th best safety in the draft, so it looks good on paper.  Now, can he play?

Round 4.  Ladarious Green  TE  Louisiana-Lafayette
-I actually had my eye on this guy as a possible draft pick not long after the season ended.  I liked his athleticism and speed.  However, then the chargers re-signed Randy Micmichael, Kory Sperry, and then signed FA TE Dante Rosario.... and then all TE's fell of my draft radar.

Round 5.  Johnnie Troutman OG Penn State
-The only real "head scratcher" of the Chargers draft.  Troutman is noted as being really talented, but unmotivated and overweight.  (He also had the slowest time of all players at this year's draft combine).  However, with all that said... He was a 3 year starter at Penn State, and according to their stats, never given up a sack.  That's pretty impressive in the Big 10.  He's a real wait and see kind of guy.

Round 6.  -traded away the rights to this pick to the dolphins to trade up and grab Brandon Taylor in Round 3.

Round 7.  David Molk C Michigan
-Outstanding pick.  Maybe the best pick in the draft, after Ingram.  In Molk you have a guy who, was the four year starter at Michigan.  All Big 10 First Team, All American First Team (depending on which award list you look at), and Rimington Award Winner (the award given annually to the nation's top center).  How did this guy last to the 7th round?  Well, he had an injury or two, and he's small for a center... he also put up the most reps of any offensive lineman at the combine.  And he has an attitude.  I love this kid.  Remember him in a year or two, when he takes over for Nick Hardwick as the starting Center.

Round 7. (Compensatory pick)  Edwin Baker RB Michigan State.
-To be honest, I could take or leave this pick.  He had a great Sophomore season, but last year, his junior year, he lost carries to a freshman who was a better prospect.  The chargers have a need at the back-up running back position, and 7th round picks rarely make the squad anyway... so it's a roll of the dice.  I got a feeling they'll pick up a FA running back, and Baker will get a year on the practice squad.

Also, just wanted to give a quick shout-out to my boys at TheNFLForum.com.  My favorite Chargers message board, and the place to go if you want to talk Chargers football.

NBA Playoffs - Kickoff

- Quick glance at each of the 8 first round playoff series.

Bulls Lead the Sixers 1-0
-to be honest, the real story here is Derrick Rose tearing his ACL late in game 1.  The Bulls won alot of games without Rose in the lineup this season.  But the playoffs aren't the regular season, and you have to think this put a serious dent in Chicago's playoff hopes.

Heat Lead the Knicks 1-0
-It's not like the Knicks had that much of a shot anyway.  But losing Iman Shumpert to and ACL injury in the first game of the series sounded the death knoll for the Knicks.  This went from possibly being a 6 game series, to a potential sweep.

Magic Lead the Pacers 1-0
-The Magic should not be leading the Pacers.  The Pacers are a team that is fun to watch, and fun to cheer for, however Stan Van Gundy is doing a great job of embellishing his resume just in case Orlando management decides to side with Dwight Howard and let him go at the end of the season.  I'm thinking this one could go 7 games.

Hawks Lead the Celtics 1-0.
-This wasn't that big of a story, until Rajon Rondo "accidentally" bumped into an official late in last night's game.  The NBA has pretty hard and fast rules that "if you bump into an official, you will sit a game".  They played without Ray Allen last game, who is nursing an ankle injury, and it's possible that game 2 may be played without Allen and Rondo, you've gotta think that leads to a 2-0 Atlanta lead before they head back to Boston.  And I don't care if the Celtics come back to win the series, the last thing this Aging and Undersized team is going to want to do is play more games than necessary... They can't be playing 7 game series each round and expect to make a run, they just can't.

Spurs Lead the Jazz 1-0
-I mentioned this yesterday to my brother, who was at my house.  If the Jazz are the 8th seed in the West, that says something about how tough the Western Conference is.  The Jazz have an advantage in the frontcourt... but their backcourt is going to have to do a much better job than they did in game one if they want to make this a series.... Tony Parker was running around like the fastest kid in school at recess yesterday.

Thunder Lead the Mavericks 1-0
-The Mavericks are 1 bouncing off the rim, Kevin Durant closing moments shot from taking away home court advantage from the Thunder.  Honestly, I could see this going either way.  1.  The Thunder have survived their game one scare, dominate in game two, Split in Dallas, and clinch at home in game 5.  OR... The Mavericks see how close they have come... decide, "we're the defending champs, we ain't going out like this", and stretch the series out over 7 games.  I still see the Thunder winning, but the Mavs have a big advantage in coaching...and adjustments are huge when it comes to the playoffs.

Lakers Lead the Nuggets 1-0
-I'll just come out and admit it early, I'm a Lakers fan, and so I'm biased.  But I really thought the Lakers win in game One was the most impressive game played by any team so far in the first round.  However, what does that mean?  Bupkiss.  I would not be totally shocked to see the Nuggets pull off a game 2 win.  I think game two is going to be close no matter who wins... I have no faith in this current Laker team to dominate a series.  I just don't.  They are good when they play good, but they can play awful.  I'm not sure what to think of Mike Brown yet, I think he's done a decent job managing all the egos he has to handle, but then again he hasn't blown me away either... I mean...you wait until the last week of the season to make Jordyn Hill your 3rd post?  Really?  I think he's been a good player, and I've enjoyed watching his work ethic on the court, but shouldn't he have gotten a shot a bit earlier?

Clippers Lead the Grizzlies 1-0
-I woke up this morning shocked to hear the final results of this game.  I thought for sure the Grizzlies would win.  The Clippers have Chris Paul, and Blake Griffen, and ???   I could see this one going 6-7 games easily, and I can still see either team win it.  I don't trust the Clippers.  I don't trust Vinny Del Negro (who Chris Paul had to beg to get put back into the game last night) over the course of a series to make the right moves.  However, anytime your main hopes for a team to win rely on the name, "Z-Bo"... well, let's just say that's anything but a lock.  Personally, I more inclined the Clippers falling behind by 27 points means more than the comeback win.

Welcome Back NBA

So, the NBA season has begun again, and I'm excited for it.  The NBA is coming off one of the greatest seasons in recent memory, with an abundance of young talent and many interesting story lines to keep our eyes on.

Such as:

• The continuing journey of the Miami Heat "Dream Team", who came up short in the finals last year.
• The Dallas Mavericks are the defending champions, but lost a few key pieces(JJ Barea, Tyson Chandler) from last season
• The "Lob City" tandem of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin for the LA Clippers
• The continuing maturation of the Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who both had great seasons a year ago, but failed to make the finals.
• The "Up and Coming" teams like the Indiana Pacers and the Memphis Grizzlies.
• The "Old and Grizzled" veteran teams like the Lakers and the Celtics.  Can they continue to stay competitive in a strike shortened, compressed, 66 game schedule?

I actually used to be a much bigger college basketball fan than I was of the NBA.  But that started to change a few years ago.  Having had numerous discussions with many of friends about this, I thought I'd lay down my case as to why I now prefer the professional game.

1.  The 24 second shot clock.  I know there's a shot clock in the college game, and it works fairly well, but the shorter shot clock in the NBA contributes in a couple of ways.  First, it puts a premium on offensive execution. When you only have 24 seconds per possession to get a shot up, you have to execute your options quickly and adroitly.  Secondly, it puts pressure on the defense.  You've got to be up and ready to play defense immediately, there's no backing off or dropping back into a lazy zone to take some time off.  

2.  The level of play is much higher.  How many times have we seen guys who were just dominant at the college level (Adam Morrison and Michael Beasley come to mind) who struggle to even play in the NBA.  Guys who own the court in college, just can't get their own shot off in the NBA.  You had better be able to defend one on one, and you had better be able to knock down an open jump shot (yes, even post players).

3.  The officiating is much better.  And yes, I know all about the Tim Donaghy scandal, and I know that there are quality officials working NCAA games.  I'm just saying consistently, game after game, night in and night out, the quality of the officiating is much higher in the NBA.  A personal complaint about the college game is that the coaches are the superstars.  Coach K gets upset and starts riding the refs, and Duke starts getting a bunch of calls.  And to be fair, as I'm a Carolina fan, Roy Williams gets away with the same thing.  It's common at the college level.  In the NBA there are very few officials who are swayed by coaches. 

4.  The deeper 3 point line.  It actually helps shooting.  How many times have you seen a big college post drift out and pick up a loose ball and throw up an ugly looking jump shot and knock down a 3 pointer?  In the NBA, the guys that are shooting 3's are the guys that should be shooting 3's.  It's simply better, and the college game should look into moving their line back to NBA range.  You have your better shooters shooting the tougher shot, and it spreads the floor out more leaving more space for posts and penetration.

5.  The Playoffs are better.  It's a much better way to choose your champion.  Anyone can beat anyone on a given night, especially when you are playing at a high level.  When you have to win a 7 game series, the better team is going to win a much higher percentage of the time.  One thing I would change about the NBA is to change the first series of the playoffs back to best of 5 games.  That was more efficient.

So, there are a few thoughts on why I enjoy NBA basketball more than NCAA hoops.  Not that I don't enjoy college hoops mind you, I still do, I just find the professional game more satisfying.