Chargers 23, Colts 17: Darren Sproles Reminds Us That Size Doesn't Matter -- NFL FanHouse

Chargers 23, Colts 17: Darren Sproles Reminds Us That Size Doesn't Matter

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There's going to be puh-lenty of analysis about Saturday night's game between the Colts and Chargers. Most of it will center around two things: Darren Sproles and the eliminated league MVP, Peyton Manning. Sproles, of course, was beyond magnificent, piling up an absolutely insane 328 total yards (receiving + rushing + returning) as LaDanian Tomlinson was forced to the sidelines after the first quarter with a torn groin muscle (no one, by the by, should begrudge him this).

Philip Rivers was not all that spectacular, but neither was Manning; in fact, it was a game that really focused on some impressive defense and some odd choices re: coaches' challenges. Tony Dungy really had no business trying to get Reggie Wayne's catch back and, as a result, he couldn't try and flip Chris Chambers' probably-not-a-grab a few plays later.

Additionally, there was a whole bunch of bizarre business regarding a phantom "restored timeout" with 16 seconds left in regulation after Nate Kaeding finally didn't shank an important postseason kick.

But back to Sproles -- the kid was awesome from the start, and it was easily apparent at halftime that he deserves more credit for being an all-around back rather than just a kick returner. That type of flash continued throughout the second half -- one shoddy fumble near the goal line with the Chargers trailing aside -- and rolled right into overtime, when, following two crucial penalties by the Colts, Sproles ripped off a large touchdown run that quashed the Colts Super Bowl hopes and locked him in for some serious money later on.

It's probably worth noting, too, that the Bolts were considered a horrible matchup for Peyton and Co. (note: they were). Obviously it looks like anyone who thought so, myself included, was right, and it appears Dungy and the Indy defense will be headed back to the drawing board. San Diego will be headed to face -- if you believe the "experts" -- the Steelers, in a game that is instantly intriguing, if only because it features two quarterbacks from the same draft class in Ben and Phil.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-04-2009 @ 2:55AM

YouFaceTheTick said...

When will people admit that LT is done? He was ridden hard for 7 years and the start of the playoffs last year were a clear indicator of where LT is going. As 30 edges closer the injuries are becoming more frequent but the SD fans and the SD owners refuse to admit their star should have been traded at the end of 2007's season. Had they shipping him off, they could have retained Turner for less money and received some nice compensation in the draft. Now...

Now the Chargers have a busted up running back with a fat contract, a bunch of fans (and media) still in love with this washed up has-been and no hope of getting anything for him should they want to unload his worthless, busted old body.

What the fans and media fail to recognize: good teams let RBs (and other players go) when their usefulness has passed. It's a business. LT has no business still taking featured-back millions from a team if he's not going to be around for multiple games throughout the season or playoffs. All of 2008 he's been worthless (until the Denver game where he was healthy until his old, broken body let him down again). Sadly, now the whole league can see what was obvious last year in New England - LT is done.

The Chargers are almost stuck with him now. They're not gonna get much in a trade - maybe a really desperate team? so they have a salary cap drag, no replacement (Sproles is good but not-good for a 19-20 game season) and a roster spot taken up.

Do you think the Pats would retain a featured back with skills obviously on the decline? No. Colts? No way. Ravens? Not a chance. Steelers? Maybe...

1-04-2009 @ 3:16AM

locs said...

U face The thick....male chicken in your mouth.
LT is the best running back in history and will always be. Despite his injuries, Chargers will win the Super Bowl,Colts who? Titans Who? Steelers who?
Take that male chicken outta your mouth and talk like a man.

1-04-2009 @ 3:42AM

LT WAS a great back. WAS. He is done. This was obvious in January of 2008.

Sit back and think about what the Chargers might have had this year had they traded LT:

1. Turner - he was 100% all season, unlike LT who was ankle tackled all season.
2. A first round pick to use on a desperately needed inside linebacker. The Chargers are still surviving with Cooper, Wilhem and Dobbins/Applewhite. That's a really lousy bunch of characters. imagine Jared Mayo on that defense, not that roid-rager Cooper.
3. an effective run game all season.
4. People paying attention to the fact the Chargers have a QB who is darn good.

LT doesn't play defense but sending him to Siberia or some other crap team would have sent another defensive player to the chargers and the Chargers D would have been better. Obviously with LT gone, Turner would have been the featured back and provided more pop per touch than LT.

Oh well, what's done is done.

1-04-2009 @ 11:03AM

chris said...

Tom Brady have and LDT have a quite a lot in common. Both are the darling of their entire fan base, both are in serious injury trouble, and both dissappointed at the end of the 2007 season.

So now that the Pats are in a similar boat with Matt Cassel ready to demand some big bucks and is obviously poised to be a great starting QB should the Pats trade Tom Brady???

1-04-2009 @ 3:37AM

RedsKINZ89 said...

Ladanian Tomilson is the best RB in history???????!!!!!!!!

Get off your knees.

1-04-2009 @ 11:05AM

kevin said...

U Face ,,, Did u watch the game? Did you see the final score. How about the season. do they let U watch that from your cell? youve got to be in some remote part of the world or just locked up... stupid comments really have to be validated,,,, sorry you dont see what everyone else has.... dumb ass...

1-04-2009 @ 12:03PM

Did you watch this game? LT had 5 touches and was done. Like all year he was barely a factor. One out of the last 20 games LT has been effective (Broncos game last week). In that time he's raked in over 10 million bucks from just the Chargers and given them nothing.

He was really, really good once. His body is broken down and he is done as a major factor in this league. He is now another Shaun Alexander. Touch him and he breaks. Watch him hesitate and run for the sidelines more when he's "healthy" again next season. I predicted a 1000 yard season for him in 2008 and LT delivered with a 1100 yards - golly less than 70 yards per week - what a stud!

He will be in the HoF. He will be canonized but the truth is, his usefulness to the Chargers has passed. If the Chargers are one of the elite teams, then they must make a decision the elite teams make - cut the franchise RB post haste.

1-04-2009 @ 11:34AM

Scot said...

Putting all of the other things aside, I think that the Chargers should present a game ball to Archie Manning!

He said that Eli could not, and would not play for the Chargers and that same team has "ruined" Payton's undefeated season, and now ended the Colt's playoff hopes. Seems as if Archie was a bit too vocal.

I respect Payton, can understand Eli's talent sometimes but Archie is a bit much.

You respect "Payton" so much that you can't spell his name correctly?

1-04-2009 @ 12:15PM

PacoGerte said...

LdT had injuries this year that have ended other RBs' careers (Eric Dickerson, etc.), and it's been a tough season. But if you're trying to tell me that at the end of last year you would have signed Turner and traded LdT, you're insane or lying.
Yes, Michael Turner had a better year, but the Falcons knew how to use him and blocked well (mostly) for him. Burner would have had a far worse year as the featured running back for the Bolts.
LdT showed us what we've been missing last week, albeit against a JV defense, but how fast he got under Rivers' second td pass to Manumaleuna was incredible.
I think he's got a lot left to give, and I hope he proves you wrong.

1-04-2009 @ 2:04PM

He's got a bunch more 1000 yard seasons in him. You can get that from a rookie on a cheap contract for 4-5 years. What LT has left is not worth his salary cap hit. He will go to another team and give them 2-3 more years of 1000 yards rushing and 300-400 receiving. That's fine. Let him end in AZ like emmitt. He's done and it was clear last year in the playoffs he was done.

And yes, nobody outside of friends and family, who heard me say it repeatedly, believe I was pushing hard for an LT trade, Michael Turner signing. Turner and Sproles create a good combo. LT was obviously out of gas last year and from that point the injuries will just mount.

He will be 30 next year. He will probably be hurt off and on all next season. The facts of NFL lifespan clearly point to this and LT's 2008 performance (playoffs and reg season) point to it too.

Trade him and if nobody bites (likely) then drop him. In the draft get a RB to back up/start for Sproles. Any serviceable back will do with an on-fire QB and a solid line. Of course, the Chargers need to spend their first pick on an inside linebacker - as they don't have an ILB worthy of starting anywhere else.

1-04-2009 @ 2:38PM

One more thing about LT - 3 leg/below the waist injuries in 2008 - knee, toe and now groin. Hmmm. What could that have to do with LT's career?

The man's made a living with his legs. All season long he hasn't had any cut or speed. He gets ankle tackled.

Yes, some desperate team may want a 1000 yard back but it's become clear just about any young back can produce yards week in and week out and for less money.

1-04-2009 @ 1:31PM

inlandvalleywild said...

I have been a Charger fan since the first season in Los Angeles. I still have that old T-Shirt, but in a boy's sizs medium that I will likely pass on to a grandson.

I have gone to as many as six games a season since that time and have always appreciated the chargers letting me come through the gates to watch pr-season practices. I have even shagged balls for their kickers a few times.

I love this team. They are different that the past teams, not nearly the talent, but they do have a lot of heart.

My suggestion would be to rest LT for the next game and let the opponents worry if he is going to play or not and plan their defense around him and Sproles. Hester and Bennett are good enough to back up Sproles and Manumaleuna and Hester can play the fullback spot.

The ral work this week needs to be in the defensive secondary, granted they won't be facing Manning again, but they need to resolve some issues in their "cover two" scheme. As an old fart high school coach, I can tell you that the issues are obvious. They try to disguise the cover two by being out of position and cannot react quickly eough to get into position to make the play. Stop trying to be so tricky and just play good coverage. If it exposes the open slants, thats OK , you just need to get the backers there quicker. We need a big game from Jamal. If it's against the titans, I hope he squishes White.

As for LT, I believe he has some good years ahead of him, but the staff will need to reevaluate his role and the manner in which he is used. I could see using as many as four runners alternating in a game next season, LT and Sproles on first down in a split backs formation and Manumaleuna and either Hester or Bennett for short yardage.

Go Chargers.

1-05-2009 @ 3:43AM

Erin said...

Wow, I cannot believe that the CHargers made it... all these Chargers fans do not need to waste their time trying to defend being fans. You do not have to be a full fledged fan to be happy for them. San Diego is transient anyways, people from Indianapolis, New England, they all come here bagging on San DIegans, but you are all arguing amongst yourselves basically. Get over it, the Chargers won!!!! I just wish I could get pictures of all the disappointed faces when we make it to the Superbowl!