NFL FanHouse

Slumping Broncos Search for Answers

Nancy Gay — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Chargers, Cowboys, Giants, NFL Coaching, NFL Analysis

The five stages of grief are being played out in NFL-mad Denver, where Broncos fans -- teased into believing a stunning 6-0 start had canceled out the challenges of a first-year head coach, new quarterback and assorted volatile team personalities -- are well into the process of re-evaluating a season gone horribly wrong.

Broncos players, many of whom came away from Sunday's disheartening 32-3 AFC West home loss to the San Diego Chargers embarrassed, confused and bickering, know they have to regroup in a hurry.

This was a short week, and a Thanksgiving Day game at Invesco Field looms against the revitalized New York Giants (8:20 p.m. ET). Both teams are 6-4, a game behind their division leaders, the Cowboys and the Chargers, respectively.

Both have been subjected to pride-swallowing four-game losing streaks.

Unfortunately for Denver, the run of futility is ongoing (New York broke its losing streak with a Week 11 overtime win over Atlanta). And unforgiving fans, many of whom streamed out of last Sunday's rout in the third quarter, don't figure to be empathetic if the Broncos lose control of another contest.

Or lose control among themselves.

Flashback to Sunday night: Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, not renowned for his self-control, went facemask-to-facemask with rookie Knowshon Moreno after the running back fumbled at the Chargers' goal line. Moreno responded with a two-handed shove and near-bedlam broke out.

Before kickoff of that game, rookie head coach Josh McDaniels, 33, got chippy with a Chargers defensive player who engaged him in some pre-game smack. McDaniels responded by saying that the Broncos "owned" the Chargers.

Sure they did, a month ago in San Diego, when the Broncos established themselves as a second-half power, outscoring opponents 76-10 in the final two quarters during their six-game winning streak.

"It's all fun and games. We didn't look much into it," said Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips, who got his revenge by forcing a fumble when Broncos backup quarterback Chris Simms dropped back on his first pass attempt. "As a coach, I hope he has that [confident] mindset.

"But to say you own us? You beat us one time. How much has he really done in this league? He had a team 6-0, and how he's looking up at us, in second place."

Did the Broncos grow arrogant and complacent during the 6-0 run? Is McDaniels in over his head? Denver fans are certainly wondering those things. The coach, for instance, tried and failed with a curious onside kick attempt midway through the third quarter. That bit of cunning gave San Diego the ball at midfield and allowed Chargers coach Norv Turner to perform some trickery of his own: a flea-flicker from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates was tossed to LaDainian Tomlinson for the running back's 147th career touchdown.

It's hard to believe the Broncos once maintained a 3 1/2 game division lead, for so much has changed. The Broncos' once top-ranked run defense is now 18th in rushing yards allowed per game (115.3) and no longer dominates opponents up front -- the Chargers ran for more than 200 yards against them. Quarterback Kyle Orton, battling a severely sprained left ankle that took more abuse when he took over for a struggling Simms in the second quarter, is likely one sack and pileup away from being sidelined indefinitely.

And there is this bit of ignominy hanging over McDaniels -- if the Broncos lose, he will have eclipsed longtime Denver coach Mike Shanahan, and not in a good way. In his 14 seasons as Broncos head coach, Shanahan never lost five consecutive games.

In Denver, where the Broncos are playing host to their first Thanksgiving Day game since 1963, it's Mile High time to regain some footing on the NFL season, and composure within the city's favorite team.

"We have to check it now," defensive end Vonnie Holliday said. "We have to come down fierce with it and with a hard fist. We're a blue-collar team. We're not filled with 10 or 12 Pro Bowl guys. The first six games of the season, we won games together, guys going out and putting it on the line. It wasn't always pretty and it's not going to be pretty.

"We have to find a way to claw back and get back into the game. Defensively, we have to do that. Guys are passionate. I understand. But you have to be smart about it."

Slumping Broncos Search for Answers originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reports: Antonio Cromartie Suspect in San Diego Bar Incident

Chris Burke — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, NFL Police Blotter

Chargers star cornerback Antonio Cromartie is being investigated by police for his role in an altercation at a San Diego bar, according to multiple reports.

TMZ.com first reported that Cromartie was under investigation for assault with a deadly weapon, citing law enforcement sources who stated that Cromartie was out celebrating the Chargers' win "when somebody threw a champage bottle which hit a bystander in the head." Apparently, no arrests were made and no charges have yet been filed.

Cromartie issued a statement on Twitter (@crimetime31): "I want to apologize to charger nation and my fans. There's sum stuff out abt me that's not true. It will come out. God Bless."

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the fight occurred at Bar West and was reported to police around 1:30 AM PT Monday. Police detective Gary Hassen told the Union-Tribune that the "person suspected of throwing the bottle told police that it 'slipped out his hand,' and that Cromartie is listed as the suspect.

Cromartie's agent, Gary Wichard, told TMZ that, "This is absolutely not a story. Antonio didn't throw the bottle. There were actually three other players involved. Antonio is at a complex working out. Again, this is not a story." Wichard then later said, according to TMZ, that Cromartie was at the bar with two other players, none of whom was involved in the altercation.

Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune backed Wichard's support of Cromartie on Twitter: "Before everyone jumps on Cromartie, several sources telling me it wasn't him who threw bottle. Just saying we need to let facts come out."

The alleged victim talked to TMZ -- though he asked that his name not be released -- and said he does not remember any of what happened. His friends told TMZ that Cromartie was at the bar with fellow Chargers Shaun Phillips and Stephen Cooper, and that Cromartie smashed a champagne bottle on the victim's head "out of the blue."

Cromartie had four tackles and an interception Sunday in San Diego's critical 32-3 win over Denver, a victory that gave the Chargers sole possession of first place in the AFC West.

Reports: Antonio Cromartie Suspect in San Diego Bar Incident originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chargers Nearly Drive Broncos to Blows

Nancy Gay — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:24:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Chargers, AFC West, NFL Injuries, NFL Quarterbacks

DENVER -- Four consecutive losses have dropped the once impressive Denver Broncos into the middle of the AFC pack.

The San Diego Chargers (7-3) all but ensured they will win the AFC West with a 32-3 rout Sunday at Denver's Invesco Field, and only the second-quarter emergence of injured Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton off the bench sparked any life in the disillusioned home team.

Hobbling on a badly sprained left ankle, Orton was a better option than struggling backup Chris Simms, who started the game but almost immediately lost the ball on a sack and fumble and ultimately failed to move Denver's offense effectively.

With 4:10 left before halftime, Broncos first-year coach Josh McDaniels gave Simms the hook and called on Orton. The Invesco Field crowd roared its approval. Orton, who finished with 171 yards and an interception on 15 of 29 passing, fired off back-to-back long completions to Brandon Marshall and Jabar Gaffney, setting up a Denver 1st-and-goal at the 4-yard line.

Then ... disaster. And a potential rift to the once-chummy Broncos' team chemistry came out of the ensuing goal line pileup.

With the Broncos trailing 13-0, rookie running back Knowshon Moreno took a handoff from Orton and gained three yards before losing the football in a collision with Chargers defensive end Jacques Cesaire.

The turnover, which came just ahead of the two-minute warning, was reviewed and upheld. With that, Marshall -- the Broncos' volatile playmaker -- put his facemask directly into Moreno's facemask and let the rookie have it verbally.

Moreno physically pushed back, and two of the Broncos' most explosive players nearly came to blows. Afterward, both of them called it a momentary exchange of heated emotion. But neither offered an apology.

"I don't regret anything. This is a playoff game," said Marshall, who approached this contest that would break a first-place tie between the two division rivals as such. "This is probably the most frustrating game I've ever played in. I approached it like it was a playoff game. I'm frustrated that we lost.

"I think everybody needs to look at themselves first. I'm going back and looking at film from last year, see if I've changed anything, and go from there."

The Moreno fumble? "Those are plays that kill drives," Marshall said.

And what did Marshall tell Moreno when the two were facemask-to-faceask?

"That we need to pick it up."

Said Moreno, "Nothing big. But everyone was heated. Nothing long-term. Just heat of the moment."

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But Marshall, Denver's leading receiver who caught only three passes for 26 yards Sunday, admitted he was disappointed with what he felt was a lack of fire and passion from many of his Broncos teammates as San Diego got four field goals from Nate Kaeding and took further command in the second half.

"There were guys on the sideline that weren't angry, who didn't have a lot of emotion. And they need to look at themselves in the mirror," Marshall said. "This is a game where you've got to have it. And none of us can make any terrible plays."

The Broncos (6-4) would go on to make a bunch of them - three turnovers (two fumbles and the Orton interception) and countless offside and false start penalties that gave the surging Chargers, winners of five in a row, more momentum in an already lopsided affair.

Orton, who didn't practice all week after injuring his left ankle in Week 10's loss to the Redskins, came in Sunday listed as the No. 2 quarterback. Simms had replaced Orton at Washington but looked absolutely lousy doing it.

Simms, who got his first NFL start since rupturing his spleen in a 2006 game during his Tampa Bay Buccaneers' days, didn't fare much better Sunday, completing 2 of 4 passes for 10 yards and losing that first-quarter fumble at the Chargers 17-yard line on the Broncos' opening drive, following an 11-yard sack. San Diego then drove 69 yards to set up a 2-yard Philip Rivers touchdown pass to wide receiver Legedu Naanee.

Despite not being able to ignite the Broncos' offense, Simms admitted he was surprised to be yanked so soon.

"I was looking forward to [the start] and I felt comfortable out there," Simms said. "I know it was a little rocky start, but it's the NFL -- sometimes it does go rocky for a little bit. But I'll be OK and I'll continue to make myself better."

With Denver facing a short week before a Thanksgiving home game against the New York Giants, McDaniels said he had no regrets going with Simms as the starter -- and pulling him out as early as he did to go back to an injured Orton. Sensing a need to move out of the pocket-passing scheme with Simms and going to a shotgun offense with Orton went into McDaniels' decision making.

"We did a lot of decent things there early," said McDaniels, whose skidding team beat the Chargers 34-23 in San Diego on Oct. 19 and once held a 3 1/2-game lead in the AFC West. "Any time you get down there in the red zone four times and come away with three points ... I think we turned over the ball twice down there.

"Those are plays that if you make them, then you know you end up with points, maybe touchdowns and if you don't, obviously you have no momentum and you give away an opportunity."

So is Orton a Superman, or just a guy doing what the coach told him to do?

Adrenaline was a hell of a painkiller, Orton said.

"It helps. You forget about [the pain]," he said. "Guys did a good job of protecting me. I'm just thankful I didn't have to have anything set me back even more."

Others on the field could only admire Orton for his toughness, and respect his ability to make plays despite being in obvious pain at times.

"Kyle, he's very intelligent. He's really talented," Marshall said. "And he's our quarterback."

"I thought he played really well -- he obviously gave them a boost there for awhile," said Rivers, who completed 17 of 22 passes for a season-low 145 yards and one touchdown. "I told him, 'Hey, get healthy and get your guys going.' "

Chargers Nearly Drive Broncos to Blows originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bozo the Coach, Andy Reid and the Belichick Precedent

Dave Goldberg — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, Patriots, AFC East, AFC South, NFC East, NFC North, NFL Coaching, NFL Analysis

What Bill Belichick did Sunday night has happened before. It justifiably earned Barry Switzer the nickname "Bozo The Coach'' for failing TWICE on fourth down in the late stages of a tie game. And the Eagles' Andy Reid did the opposite of the New England coach on Sunday, eschewing fourth-and-short twice to kick field goals in what turned out to be an eight-point loss.

Switzer's mistake didn't prevent Dallas from winning its third Super Bowl in four seasons in the early '90s, but it left Switzer at the top of the oft-debated list of worst coaches to win a title.

On Nov. 15, 1995, the Cowboys were playing in Philadelphia and faced a fourth down and 1 on their own 29 with the game tied 17-17 and just over two minutes left. Switzer decided to go for it and sent Emmitt Smith left over the massive Nate Newton.

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He was stopped but it didn't count. The officials blew the whistle for the two-minute warning. No problem. The Cowboys tried again. Same play. Stuffed again. Three plays later, Gary Anderson kicked a 42-yard field goal that gave the Eagles a 20-17 win.

Headline in the New York Post the next day: "Bozo The Coach.''

The result brought the Eagles to within a game of the Cowboys in the NFC East with two games to play. But Dallas won its next two games, won the division, won both its playoff games and beat Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl -- the one in which Larry Brown ended up as the MVP on a team that featured Smith, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders.

But it was the end of an era. The Cowboys beat the Vikings in a wild-card game the next season, then lost next week to second-year expansion team Carolina. That win over Minnesota was the last postseason victory they've had.

Reid?

In Sunday's 31-23 loss in San Diego, the Philadelphia coach decided to kick a field goal trailing 14-0 in the second quarter with the ball perhaps six inches away from the Chargers' goal. In the third quarter, trailing 21-6, he had fourth and one at the San Diego 7 and had David Akers kick again. The Eagles lost, 31-23.

"There was too much time," Reid said of his decision on the first, the most obvious. "I thought it was important to come out of there with points."

That was four points. The second fourth-and-one kick was four points.

The Eagles lost by eight.

Bozo the Coach, Andy Reid and the Belichick Precedent originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Unexpected Gift Rejuvenates Tomlinson

Nancy Gay — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Chargers, Eagles, AFC West

SAN DIEGO -- LaDainian Tomlinson's blessings simply flowed on Sunday. Two hours before his San Diego Chargers claimed a share of first place in the AFC West with a 31-23 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL's No. 3 all-time touchdown king received a gift from his wife, LaTorsha.

Tomlinson found it in front of his locker at Qualcomm Stadium, a decorative purple bag -- "TCU colors," he explained later -- tied with a bow. The attached note implored "Please Open Immediately - LaTorsha." Inside was a box, and what it contained was a pregnancy test. A positive test.

"My wife is pregnant," an emotional Tomlinson announced on a day when one of the NFL's greatest running backs reached two significant milestones: His season-high 96 yards on 24 carries pushed him past Thurman Thomas and Franco Harris for 12th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 12,145 yards.

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And Tomlinson's two rushing touchdowns gave him 146 for his career, surpassing Marcus Allen for sole possession of third place on the all-time list.

Tomlinson was humbled by and appreciative of his football achievements Sunday -- not to mention the 6-3 Chargers' return to relevancy thanks to a four-game winning streak and quarterback Philip Rivers' career-best 80 percent completion percentage. Rivers was 20 of 25 for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

Tomlinson was also thankful San Diego will get a chance to break that division deadlock with the Denver Broncos -- losers of three in a row -- next Sunday at Invesco Field, and gratified that he was a key part of a victory that confirmed Rivers wasn't out of his mind a month ago when he proclaimed his San Diego team would erase Denver's seemingly insurmountable 3 1/2-game lead in the AFC West.

But that purple bag ...

"It was weird. I thought it was going to be a necklace or something," said Tomlinson, grinning widely. "But it was a pregnancy test in there. It was pretty special.

"Years ago, we lost a child so we've been trying again. God works in mysterious ways, and it's a blessing we're pregnant again."

Tomlinson and his wife, who were college sweethearts, already had a name for that baby. She was a girl, due in June 2005. Mckiah Renee's ultrasound picture was so special, L.T. carried it around with him everywhere. The couple eagerly decorated her baby room.

But when Tomlinson returned home from Hawaii following the '05 Pro Bowl, complications with the pregnancy stole Mckiah away from LaDainian and LaTorsha, who had wanted her so badly.

Sunday's news that another baby is coming, after so much heartbreak, was more than motivation for Tomlinson's milestone day. It was like a guiding hand lifting him past Eagles tacklers, and erasing the doubts of anyone who thought the 30-year-old former NFL rushing champion was past his prime.

"It absolutely was," he said, "because there is a special thing about having a child and your wife being pregnant. I can't explain it, but it was."

Tomlinson called LaTorsha as soon as he left the field, just after San Diego's defense held off a fourth-quarter charge by Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who threw a pair of touchdown passes in the final period to pull Philadelphia (6-4) to within a score of the Chargers, 28-23, with 7:18 remaining.

"I said 'You're amazing,' " Tomlinson told his wife, who had held back the news for five days. "I actually cried for about five minutes."

How will Tomlinson process everything that happened to him Sunday -- the baby news, the career achievements, the important Chargers victory in which he played such a significant role?

"I don't know. I'm thankful. I'm thankful," he said. "I'm just so excited."

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Baby Boom in Sports

NFL star LaDainian Tomlinson is ready to be a father. Tomlinson's wife, LaTorsha, surprised him with a positive pregnancy test result before he carried the Chargers to a 31-23 victory over the Eagles. Click through to see photos of sports stars with their children.

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

Baby Boom in Sports

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

Roger Federer and his wife Mirka Vavrinec released a photo of their twin daughters Charlene Riva and Myla Rose. The twins were born July 23.

Federer Family/AP

Lindsay Davenport, pictured here with her son Jagger during the ASB Classic tournament in January 2008, recently gave birth to daughter Andrus Davenport Leach.

Michael Bradley, AFP/Getty Images

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong shared a picture of his new son, Max, on Twitter in early June.

Armstrong Family / AP

NBA star Kobe Bryant with his wife Vanessa and daughters Natalie and Gianna

Andrew D. Bernstein, NBAE via Getty Images

Tiger Woods poses with daughter Sam, wife Elin and new son, Charlie.

Dom Furore, Woods Family

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward with his son Jaden

Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images

NBA star LeBron James with his son LeBron Jr.

David Liam Kyle, NBAE via Getty Images

Olympic swimmer Dara Torres and daughter Tessa

Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

Softball superstar Jennie Finch with her son Ace

Christian Petersen, Getty Images

Unexpected Gift Rejuvenates Tomlinson originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zebra Report: Know Your Surroundings

Matt Snyder — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Panthers, Raiders, Redskins, Saints, Texans, NFL Referees

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

This past week of NFL play was relatively quiet in terms of complaints about the officiating. Note I said "relatively," because there are always a bevy of complaints -- many warranted and many ridiculously unwarranted. We know that. Regardless, we're still here to sift through some of the more intriguing rules-type interpretations, so let's dive in.

- A loyal reader (Dave B.) submitted this question on a play that caused a bit of a scrap on the Falcons' sideline:

"I was hoping you might take a look at the late hit by LaRon Landry in the 'Skins-Falcons game. I've tried to look at it, and it seems that Matt Ryan hadn't stepped out of bounds yet (his body was over the line, but neither of his feet had touched) when Landry made contact with him. If that were true, isn't Ryan still technically in bounds? The hit did seem pretty unnecessary, but wasn't against the rules if Ryan's foot hadn't touched yet."

Watch the play in this highlight package, it starts at the 1:09 mark.

This is one of the tougher judgment calls officials have to make, especially in full-speed and in a split-second. Here is the portion of the rule (12-2-8, p. 82) which applies here.

"(Unnecessary roughness includes ... ) contacting a runner out of bounds. Defensive players must make an effort to avoid contact. Players on defense are responsible for knowing when a runner has crossed the boundary line, except in doubtful cases where he might step on a boundary line and continue parallel with it."

This is a part of the rules constantly taught to lower-level officials in clinics by the NFL guys. At every level, it is the responsibility of the defender to avoid contact on a player entering the end zone is clearly going out of bounds. In the case of Ryan, there was no danger of him cutting back into the field of play. When someone is slowing down and clearly looking straight out of bounds and heading that way, the defenders need to avoid contact. He's not cutting back and staying in bounds, so just let him run out. It harms no one.

This call becomes extremely tough when a player isn't necessarily showing signs of wanting to go out and may still make a cut up-field. It's all discretionary, but the rules of football are very clear in that the burden is on the defensive player to know his surroundings.

In this specific case, I don't even think there's a question that Ryan was clearly headed straight out of bounds -- and was already there -- by the time Landry hit him.

- In the Colts-Texans game, Ryan Moats is tackled just shy of the end zone and the ball comes loose. Upon further review the officials rule that it was a fumble and the ball was never out of bounds. You can watch the play by clicking here and watching at the 35-second mark and beyond. There are several elements here that must be reviewed.

First of all, was it a fumble? It does appear the ball is coming loose before a knee hits the ground. Was it conclusive? I think so, but others may have a different opinion.

Secondly, was any player out of bounds when touching the ball -- even if he doesn't have possession? If so, the ball is dead. You might think the ball was definitely touching Moats when he was out of bounds, but was he legally out of bounds? I point you to the definition of being out of bounds (rule 3-21, p. 11), where it says that someone -- or the ball -- is out of bounds when touching "anything other than a player, an official or a pylon on or outside the boundary line." That means that, since Moats was laying on top of Antoine Bethea, he was not out of bounds when he crossed the sideline.

From the Texans' point of view, they don't seem to be questioning the part about Moats being out (though that's the main complaint of fans). They have offered up that they believe Bethea -- who was definitely on the ground and out of bounds -- touched the ball. There are some still photos and an argument that Bethea touched the ball when he was out of bounds contained in this linked article. We've included a poll to let us know what you think, and feel free to drop comments. This was a very close one.

- As I've said before, you can't exactly trust announcers to know the rules. We can add former-Super-Bowl-champion-coaches-turned-announcers to that list. During the fourth quarter, the Saints punted the ball near their own end zone. A member of the Saints' coverage team accidentally ran into the end zone, but got himself back out before touching the ball. It was downed on the one. "He can't be the first one to touch that!" Brian Billick screamed. Um, Brian, yes he can. It's not the sideline. Here is the only stipulation involving coverage team contact with the goal line on a punt (rule 9-2-2, p. 63):

Item 2: If a player of the kicking team touches the goal line with any part of his body while touching the ball, the ball is dead, and the result of the play is a touchback.

He doesn't even have to get both feet established, as play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman tried to tell Billick. Just don't be touching the goal line with anything.

- Reader James G. submitted this question. In the Raiders-Chargers Week 8 game, there was a questionable play followed by a false start. After the five-yard penalty was marked off, there ended up being a challenge. The simple answer to the question, "how can you challenge the previous play after a false start" is precisely that a false start doesn't constitute an actual play. It's not a play. So there still hasn't been a play run since the questionable (and still reviewable) play. Of course, James didn't make it easy on me. He asked a legitimate question as a follow up. What if the play is reversed and the spot is changed? Would the false start still be assessed? I searched through the entire enforcement and instant replay sections of the rulebook and found absolutely nothing resembling direction on this question. I have no idea. I would guess that the penalty is not assessed and is simply ignored because they altered the previous result, but that's just an educated guess. Well, as educated as you consider me, at least.

- Vikings fans/Steelers haters, there was a tripping call on Arizona in the Bears-Cardinals game for the exact same action as was called on Minnesota in Pittsburgh a few weeks back. Seriously, it was like the lineman was trying to emulate Jeff Dugan by whipping both legs back up at the leaping defender. What happened there? Was this game fixed, too? Are the Bears "stealers," too?

- Finally, in that same game, Tommie Harris was ejected for punching a Cardinals lineman in the first quarter. This was an absolute no-brainer. Good decision by Ed Hochuli.

Got a rules-related question? Whether it's elementary, high school or NFL, email TZR and he'll see what he can do.

Zebra Report: Know Your Surroundings originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philip Rivers Redeems Self in 'Eli Bowl'

Matt Snyder — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:15:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Giants, AFC West, NFC East, NFL Quarterbacks

With 3:30 left in the game and his team trailing by three points, Philip Rivers had a chance.

He had a chance to win in New York with much of the nation watching. He had a chance to best Eli Manning, a man who refused to play for the Chargers and was eventually swapped for Rivers and another draft pick (which turned into Shawne Merriman). He had a chance to prove he was a winner, despite the fact that his team hasn't helped him win a ring yet. He had a chance to prove he belonged in the same conversation as the game's elite, and that he's just as qualified a quarterback as Eli.

And on the first play of the series, Rivers threw an interception. What happened next, though, rallied San Diego to a 21-20 win and defined the essence of Rivers as a player.

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Tom Coughlin, apparently deciding Rivers couldn't get the job done, played for a field goal by running up the middle on second-and-14 and third-and-9. The Chargers would get the ball back with just over two minutes to play and trailing by six. You didn't even have to see Rivers to know about the fire in his belly. They don't think I can do it, he surely thought.

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You see, Rivers doesn't take care of the ball like Kyle Orton. He's not a student of the game like Peyton Manning. He doesn't have a rocket for an arm or excessive mobility. He doesn't rack up Drew Brees-like stat-lines. He doesn't have the quiet leadership of Ben Roethlisberger or the postseason resume of Tom Brady. One thing about Rivers, though, is that he's a fighter.

And when he gets angry, he fights even harder. Judging from his career 37-18 record entering Sunday's game, he's also a winner.

The Giants' decision to give Rivers another chance was tantamount to a slap in the face of Rivers. Just like when the Chargers had to "settle" for Rivers. Just like when no one thought the Chargers could win a playoff game in Indianapolis. Just like countless other times when people told Rivers he wasn't good enough.

As usual, he responded.

Rivers took the Chargers 80 yards in 1:36, and he didn't even need a timeout -- finding Vincent Jackson in the corner of the end zone for the game-winner with just 21 seconds remaining.

"It's a big emotional win," Rivers said. "The link between me and Eli is always going to be there. So yeah, it's a little special. Any time you play against a team that won the Super Bowl, it's fun. [The trade] didn't weigh into my mind and my thinking, but I bet it was there."

After the pass, Rivers sprinted upwards of 50 yards backward on the field, facing the Giants sideline, screaming in joy (and probably some lingering anger). Whether you consider it fire or foolishness, it's Rivers. That's what he does. He uses his emotion on the field and lets it come out when he's conquered his opposition. In this case, he beat Coughlin, the Giants and -- from a certain point of view -- Manning.

"We had a chance and you can't leave that team in the game,'' said Manning, who was 25 of 33 for 215 yards and two touchdowns. "You can't leave that team an opening. They are good and talented and if you have a chance to end it, you have to end it.''

The Chargers are now 5-3 and trail the Broncos by a game and a half in the AFC West, but they came out of New York with plenty of swagger and momentum. Just like their quarterback.

Philip Rivers Redeems Self in 'Eli Bowl' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chris Chambers Released by Chargers

Tom Herrera — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers

Update (11/3/09): Chris Chambers has found a new home. The Kansas City Chiefs announced Tuesday they have been awarded Chambers via waiver claim.

San Diego decided to cut ties with Chambers on Monday, just one day after he had a 20-yard grab in a 24-16 victory over the Raiders. Even with the big catch his receiving total for the season was only 122 yards, and considering his base salary is $4.55 million, it didn't quite make sense for the Chargers to keep him.

However, Norv Turner stated it was also about the emergence of Malcom Floyd, who had recently overtaken Chambers' starting spot, and the need for roster flexibility on the defensive end.

"There are a number of things that went into the decision," coach Norv Turner said in a team-issued release. "The reason we're able to do this is the play of Malcom [Floyd] and the way Legedu Naanee is performing. Certainly there are a number of other things in terms of our football team that we need to address. Defensively and in the kicking game . . . we need to get some help."

In an article that ran in the San Diego Union-Tribune, however, Chambers said he felt the team released him over reasons that didn't have to do with football.

But, in a phone conversation after he was released, Chambers (who is recently divorced) said he believes some off-field issues played into his release - specifically a relationship with a woman sources on the team believed may have had a negative impact on his performance. Chambers thinks any such determination would be unjust.

"I thought the team gave up on me a little quick -- for factors that don't have to deal with football," (Chambers) said. "I guess it created a distraction upstairs. I kept my head on straight. We all go through things. I did my best to not have my personal life and football clash. They know a little too much of my life, and they used it against me."

On the field, San Diego could look to fill Chambers' roster spot with a linebacker. Tim Dobbins suffered a knee injury in Sunday's victory and was taken to the locker room on a cart. Dobbins had been starting in place of right-inside linebacker Kevin Burnett, who missed his second straight game with a sprained ankle.

Chambers was obtained at the trading deadline in 2007 for a second-round draft pick and played a big role in the Chargers' march to the AFC championship game that year. But his production had fallen off over the past couple of years, as he totaled 462 yards receiving last season and had hauled in only nine catches through seven games in 2009. That's a long way down from his impressive 82 catches, 1,118 yards, and 11 TDs just a few years ago.

As Pro Football Talk mentions, any team that lands Chambers on waivers will have to pick up the balance of his hefty salary, and if he clears waivers by late Tuesday afternoon, he'll be entitled to collect the remaining $2.4 million as termination pay.

There are a few teams that could be interested in picking up Chambers, such as the Ravens, Dolphins and even the Patriots, since they recently cut Joey Galloway and lost Julian Edelman to a broken arm.

And if the receiving thing doesn't quite work out, at least a Redskins cornerback job may be in his future, according to mischievous Wikipedia page pranksters.

Fantasy Football Spin:
Malcom Floyd was plugged in our waiver-wire post and for good reason. He's a tall deep threat and should carve out a bigger role moving forward. He caught a 53-yard pass against Oakland and scored his first TD a week prior at Kansas City. In deep leagues I think he's worth a pickup, especially with some appealing matchups down the stretch. Over Weeks 12-14, the Chargers play Kansas City, Cleveland, and Dallas, while a Week 16 fantasy championship game with Tennessee also looks very appealing.

Chris Chambers Released by Chargers originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chargers Staff Member Dies After Fall

Chris Burke — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:52:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers

Walt Daniels, a 66-year-old member of the San Diego Chargers staff, died Tuesday from injuries sustained when he fell out of a Qualcomm Stadium booth prior to Monday night's Denver-San Diego game.

""The San Diego Chargers' family is greatly saddened by the loss of Walt Daniels," the team said in a statement. "Walt loved the team and loved working in the press box on game days for more than 20 years. Our prayers are with his family and friends during this most difficult time."

Approximately three hours prior to kickoff of the game between San Diego and Denver on Monday, Daniels appeared to to sustain a head injury after falling about 25 to 30 feet out of a booth that was to be used by Broncos assistant coaches, and landing on the loge level. He was administered CPR before being taken to the hospital.

The stadium gates were closed -- including to the media -- for nearly an hour as workers cleaned up blood from the area where Daniels landed.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said that Daniels died at 2:30 AM at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Chargers Staff Member Dies After Fall originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zebra Report: A Good Ejection, Bad Reviews and Seeing the Whole Play

Matt Snyder — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Buccaneers, Chargers, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, NFL Referees

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

I'll agree with the defenders of Dante Wesley on one front, but just one: he hasn't made a career out of being a dirty player. Sunday, though, he was. What Wesley did, whether intentional or not, was one of the most egregious things I've ever seen done on a football field. Honestly, I didn't even think I'd have to cover it for Zebra Report, but I've seen so many absolutely appalling arguments in defense of Wesley on comment boards across the internet, that I feel I have to. It's simply mind-boggling (and, as a football fan, a bit embarrassing) that some people seriously think his hit was, or should have been, legal.

The kick-catching interference call by the officials was a no-brainer. They'll never have to make an easier call. I want to give them kudos for ejecting him. That's a total judgment call and I believe it to be the right one. I don't care if he "didn't mean to" hit Clifton Smith before the ball arrived or not. That's like saying you didn't mean to punch someone in the face. He still did it.

Anyway, on to the rules. I can't believe I have to do this, but the fact that Smith didn't call a fair catch is irrelevant. I keep seeing Wesley defenders post some derivative of "he should have called fair catch" or "the referees called fair catch infraction" Um ... he has protection anyway and no they didn't. If that's what the official said, he misspoke. The penalty is called "kick-catching interference." Here:

Rule 10-1: Article 1 During a scrimmage kick that crosses the line of scrimmage, or during a free kick, members of the kicking team are prohibited from interfering with any receiver making an attempt to catch the airborne kick, or from obstructing or hindering his path to the airborne kick, and regardless of whether any signal was given.

Item 1: Contact with Receiver. It is interference if a player of the kicking team contacts the receiver, or causes a passive player of either team to contact the receiver, before or simultaneous to his touching the ball.

As far as the ejection, you can use these two items:

Rule 12-2-8 (it is unnecessary roughness for ... ) (e) unnecessarily running, diving into, cutting, or throwing the body against or on a player who (i) is out of the play or (ii) should not have reasonably anticipated such contact by an opponent, before or after the ball is dead; or throwing the runner to the ground after the ball is dead;

Rule 3-6 (players can be disqualified for ... ) (b) flagrant roughing of a kicker, passer, or any other opponent (12-2-6 and 12-2-12);

I know this is technically a judgment call and I've said I won't be making these statements this year, but this play was so flagrant I feel compelled to break my own rule and say it was the correct judgment.

Finally, the worst argument in the history of arguments is the whole "this is football, not soccer" one. Punt returners have always had protection against a hit like this. Go whine about how "real men" played football back in the 1970s if you want, but you need to ask punt returners from the '70s if they were protected against hits like this: because they were. This isn't an opinion, it is a fact. Thus, if you disagree, you are wrong. There are no two ways about it. Period. Are we clear?

There, now that I've got that off my chest, we can move on.

- Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch posted this paragraph on the Rams-Jags game's officiating in his post-game thoughts.

* The officiating was incoherent Sunday. They got it wrong on a couple of pass interference calls against the Rams. Even when referee Jeff Triplette had a chance to review an onfield mistake - the sideline catch by Holt - he still got it wrong and didn't reverse the ruling on the field. NFL officials, for the most part, are frontrunners. (I apologize to the many good officials out there, including my friend Joe Larrew, because I know it isn't true of all officials.) They know who is good, they know who is bad, and they know who the "name" players are. It may not be something that they're even aware of outwardly, but it's always been my belief that the zebras give the benefit of the doubt to good teams and name players. Look, the Rams didn't lose the game because of the officials. But it's hard to imagine a more poorly officiated game than the one I saw Sunday.

First of all, I'm not going to dispute or reinforce his opinion about officials subconsciously favoring the better teams. I know it doesn't happen for me in high school games, but those aren't famous players. Of the two NFL officials I've met, I don't know either one well enough to say if they do this -- especially if it is subconscious -- so we'll just leave that part alone.

I will dispute his argument on the pass interference calls -- at least the one I saw. First, remember the seven principles of pass interference, which were covered in the third incident in a past Zebra Report. The first one (a) says that it is interference when contact by a player "who is not playing the ball restricts the opponent's opportunity to catch the ball." In the fourth quarter, James Laurinaitis was called for interference. He was running toward the receiver. Without turning his head back around toward the ball, he held up his hands. The receiver tried to get back to the pass and ran into Laurinaitis. Like it or not, he restricted the receiver's ability to catch the football while he wasn't playing the ball. It's a simple call. This is the only interference call I saw, so I'll apologize in advance to good ol' Bernie (whose writing I really enjoy) if he wasn't disputing this particular call.

Of course, the replay review Miklasz mentions was egregious. It was very clear for anyone who had a television set that Torry Holt's second foot was out of bounds. It wasn't a toe, either, it was half of his foot. I'm not sure if the referee, Triplette, didn't see the same replay the fans did or what. If not, this was a mistake by the replay system as a whole. This wasn't even a judgment call, in my opinion. It was an absolute fact that half of Holt's foot was out of bounds. I'm usually a defender, of sorts, of the officials, but this is unacceptable. I would hope Triplette himself would agree with me after seeing further replays.

- Speaking of botched replays, I'm not sure how the officials could change the Brandon Stokley touchdown late Monday night and still give him a touchdown (watch it on youtube by clicking here). The initial call was clearly that Stokley didn't get into the end-zone until after he was on the ground and rolled in. That much was evident because the line judge waited to throw his hands in the air until after Stokley rolled in from the ground. If the call on the field was that he caught the ball in the end-zone, we would have seen an immediate signal.

The replay clearly showed Stokley was touched by Antonio Cromartie when on the ground and not in the end-zone. If you need conclusive evidence to overturn a call, they had it there. However, the officials then awarded the touchdown on the grounds that he caught the ball when it was breaking the plane of the end-zone. It seems as though they found conclusive evidence to call it a touchdown in a different manner than the on-field call awarded one. You can't find a single angle where the ball was conclusively breaking the plane of the end-zone on the catch, at least as far as I could tell. It seems to me the only conclusive part of the replay was the touch, thus, they should have placed the ball on the half yard line. That's my judgment, though, so I guess I shouldn't say it (damn these self-imposed rules).

- In that same game, the officials got together and got a tricky enforcement correct. There was a pass interference call in favor of Brandon Marshall, but Marshall -- being the lovable, level-headed guy he is -- went ballistic because he didn't see the flag. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Since one foul was during the play and the other was after, how could the penalties offset and mean the down should be replayed? Here you go:

Rule 14-9: If there has been a foul by either team during a down and there is a dead ball foul by the other team in the action immediately after the end of the down, it is a double foul, and all rules for enforcement of double fouls apply (see 14-3-1). Exception: If the scoring team commits a dead ball foul after a score, the score counts,
and the penalty is enforced on the kickoff.

And 14-3-1: If there is a double foul (3-11-2-c) without a change of possession, the penalties are offset and the down is replayed at the previous spot. If it was a scrimmage down, the number of the next down and the necessary line is the same as for the down for which the new one is substituted.

Say what you will about judgment calls, but it's pretty amazing how the officials rarely mis-enforce tricky stuff like this. With a 136-page rule book, that's good work to go from memory out there and always get it right.

- Finally, we don't usually cover college plays, but this was submitted to me and I thought it was a good time to talk about a general guideline for officials of all levels. In order to make a call, you have to see the entire act. You cannot get into assuming things.

For example, if you are behind a player and see his head turn to the side really fast, you cannot throw a flag for facemask. It might have happened, but it may not have. You can't just assume penalties. People in the crowd, by the way, do this with alarming frequency. It's actually a running joke among officials. If you see someone sprawling out like superman and landing on his stomach, he must have gotten blocked in the back, right? But what if he just tripped? Do you want to flag the offense for a clumsy defender?

Anyway, the reason I bring this up is that it appears in a college game this past weekend, an official violated this premise. Watch this play:

I think it pretty well speaks for itself. No. 96 for Arkansas got blocked and got flagged for unnecessary roughness -- basically for shedding a block. It's obvious the official who made the call didn't see the entire play. Thanks to reader Robin for the submission. A final note: the SEC did admit the call was incorrect -- not that it helps the Razorbacks in coping with the egregious call.

Got a rules-related question? Whether it's elementary, high school or NFL, email TZR and he'll see what he can do.

Zebra Report: A Good Ejection, Bad Reviews and Seeing the Whole Play originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Broncos Take Total Control of AFC West

Nancy Gay — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Chargers, NFL Analysis

SAN DIEGO -- Monday night featured perhaps the NFL's best quarterback battle this season, the duel between Philip Rivers and Kyle Orton, and it all but determined the balance of power in the AFC West, despite the fact that it's only mid-October.

Seriously -- who would have thought that Orton, once mistake-prone and reviled and probably still being burned in effigy by Bears fans, would now sit among the league's elite passers while guiding a 6-0 Denver Broncos team?

Make that the utterly dominant, AFC West-leading Broncos, who rode the franchise record-setting momentum of Eddie Royal returning both a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the first half to preserve a 34-23 victory over the foundering San Diego Chargers (2-3).

Royal busted through San Diego's coverage teams for a 93-yard kickoff return in the first quarter -- "I think someone may have touched me on that one," he said -- and then went completely unmolested into the end zone on the 71-yard punt return with 5:53 remaining before halftime.

"This was just a total team effort. The guys just did a great job of blocking; I have to give them a lot of credit. They opened up the seams and it was a home run," Royal said. Twice. That made him the 11th player in NFL history -- and first in Broncos history -- to perform the dual-return touchdown feat, and the sixth since the merger.

But Royal said it best: This was a total team effort for Denver, which secured what amounts to an insurmountable 3 1/2 game lead over San Diego at a very angry Qualcomm Stadium.

"We were fortunate to have two big returns there by Eddie in the first half and that kind of kept us in it," said rookie coach Josh McDaniels, whose team still trailed 20-17 at halftime despite Royal's heroics. "Our guys fought and made a few adjustments in the second half and played better football."

Orton was unflappable and almost perfect behind his superb pass protection, completing 20 of 29 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns -- one, a 19-yard tiptoe catch in the corner of the end zone by tight end Tony Scheffler late in the third quarter; the other, a 5-yard scoring strike to receiver Brandon Stokley in the waning minutes.

The Chargers' once-feared pass rush led by Shawne Merriman no longer exists, and that's a big problem. Merriman played like someone who is still injured, and San Diego got no pressure on the quarterback. Orton had ample time to make his checkdowns and find open receivers.

"It's nice to go into the bye 6-0," said Orton, who concedes he's a better player in Denver than he was in Chicago. That offseason trade, which sent Jay Cutler and a fifth-round pick to the Bears for Orton and first-round picks in 2009 and '10, along with an '09 third-round selection, seemed to guarantee a playoff berth for Chicago.

Instead, it's made Cutler mortal (10 touchdowns, seven interceptions) and completely transformed Orton (nine touchdowns, one interception) into a playmaker.

"It's a spread passing game that gets people into space," Orton said of McDaniels' scheme. "It puts a premium of being accurate and making the right decisions."

Orton got the ball to seven receivers. "He never throws that ball to me," said Stokley, who rolled into the end zone with 2:55 left for the final Broncos' score. "But that just shows you how great Kyle has been this season. He finds us, and he puts the ball in the right place for us to make the catch."

Defensively, the Broncos' fortified pass rush and blitz sacked Rivers five times, forcing a fumble that Denver converted into one of two Matt Prater field goals. NFL sacks leader Elvis Dumervil got to Rivers twice to push his season total to 10, on the second occasion using an overhand right to drop the powerful Rivers to the turf

The Chargers' quarterback and emotional leader avoided the pressure through much of the first half, but finally succumbed to the rush in the second.

"It occasionally had an impact," said Rivers, who completed 20 of 33 passes for 274 yards, including a 3-yard scoring pass to Vincent Jackson in the first quarter. "There were times when we held it really well and we were able to get good gains on them."

The Chargers also got a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown from Darren Sproles in the second quarter to give them their halftime lead. But there was an uneasy feeling throughout the stadium in San Diego, where people have come to expect the worst.

And seriously -- who would have thought the Chargers would disappoint again? The locals, apparently. It's becoming a national pastime, calling for coach Norv Turner's scalp wherever he runs the shop. In San Diego, boozed and bitter Chargers fans let the embattled Turner -- who's getting little support from his porous offensive and defensive lines -- have it with all their might as he ran into the locker room tunnel after the final gun.

"NORV'S GOTTA GO!" a group of angry customers screamed in unison from the concourse above the locker room entrance.

Said Turner, whose team was coming off a bye: "It's disappointing. We talked a lot with our football team and talked about it this week a great deal -- you can't take anything for granted."

The vitriol is swirling in a frustrated Chargers' locker room, directed toward Turner and general manager A.J. Smith for not addressing needs in the trenches during the offseason. Guys like Merriman are furious with Smith for saying the defense has been "soft and bewildered" at times.

There is outrage everywhere, and it's overshadowing the efforts of Rivers, who continues to play at a high level each week.

"Denver came out and played well," Chargers tight end Antonio Gates said, "but there are things we could have done to enhance our chance of winning. Obviously on offense, we have to score touchdowns. We got down there and kicked three field goals. That is just not who we are offensively."

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Denver Broncos Photos

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 19: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 and the rest of the offense of the Denver Broncos in huddle against the San Diego Chargers during Monday Night Football on October 19, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Orton

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Denver Broncos Photos

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers losses the ball while being sacked during the fourth quarter of the Chargers 34-23 loss to the Denver Broncos in an NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. The Broncos recovered. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is wrapped up and sacked by Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams during the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. Rivers fumbled and Williams recovered the ball. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Denver Broncos tight end Tony Scheffler dances through the end zone after his 19-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. Scheffler had six receptions for 101 yards. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Chris Park)

Denver Broncos linebacker Andra Davis points to the San Diego fans as walks off the field while the San Diego Chargers offensive line leaves the field during the fourth quarter quarter of the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. The Broncos won 34-23 over the Chargers. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

The San Diego Chargers players hang their head during the fourth quarter of their 34-23 loss to the Denver Broncos in the NFL football game Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers gets ready to walk on the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Philip rivers

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Andra Davis #54 of the Denver Broncos walks of the field after defeating the San Diego Chargers 34-23 at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andra Davis

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers congratulates Champ Bailey #24 of the Denver Broncos after the game at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** philip Rivers;Champ Bailey

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Ronald Feilds #91 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a victory against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ronald Feilds

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 19: Tony Scheffler #88 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jacob de Golish/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tony Scheffler

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Broncos Take Total Control of AFC West originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm Stadium Worker Hurt in Fall

FanHouse Newswire — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:35:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers

SAN DIEGO (Oct. 19) -- A worker at Qualcomm Stadium has been taken to a hospital after falling out of the press box about three hours before the Denver Broncos played the San Diego Chargers.

The man was identified as Walt Daniels, a member of the Chargers' game-day staff.

Daniels appeared to sustain a head injury after falling about 25 to 30 feet out of a booth that was to be used by Broncos assistant coaches, and landing on the loge level. He was administered CPR before being taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital.

The accident delayed the opening of the gates by about 40 minutes. Members of the press were also kept out of Qualcomm until approximately 90 minutes prior to Monday's kickoff.

There has not been any update of Daniels' condition yet.

- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Qualcomm Stadium Worker Hurt in Fall originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday Night Football Live Chat: Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers

Adam Gretz — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Broncos, Chargers

Before the season started, the San Diego Chargers were a sexy pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, while the Denver Broncos were a sexy pick to have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The two teams meet on Monday night in San Diego, and the Broncos are 5-0 -- shocking everyone, except for Rod Smith -- while the Chargers are toiling along at a 2-2 pace.

Join us at 8:30 PM ET for our weekly Monday night football live chat as we discuss all of the action.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;altcast_code=a25d0bcf0a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Monday Night Football Live Chat&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Monday Night Football Live Chat: Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rashard Mendenhall: One-Week Wonder, or Sign of Things to Come?

Dan Graziano — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Steelers, NFL Analysis

PITTSBURGH -- Mike Tomlin wouldn't play along. Oh, it sounded like a good story. Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers' young backup running back, was benched in Week 3 because Tomlin didn't think he was paying close enough attention to his playbook. Mendenhall was contrite, and spent the week telling folks he hoped he'd get a second chance because he knew what he'd done wrong and was determined to make up for it. Willie Parker, the starting running back, went down with a toe injury, and Mendenhall stepped in and shredded the Chargers on national TV. Great story, but Tomlin says he isn't buying.

"I'm not going to take any credit for that," the Steelers' coach said when asked if he felt he'd motivated Mendenhall. "I didn't rush for a yard tonight."

More Coverage: For at Least One Night, Pittsburgh Offensive Line Dominant

That put Tomlin 165 yards behind Mendenhall, who had more rushing yards than anybody else in the NFL on Sunday. He posted the highest rushing total by a Steeler since Parker had 223 on Dec. 7, 2006, and he became the first Steeler not named Ben Roethlisberger to run for a touchdown this year. And while all anybody wanted to talk about Sunday was the big night the kid had and the crucial victory that moved the defending champs back to .500, those 165 yards could mean a lot more to the Steelers than one early-October win.

"I was able to be me and be comfortable," Mendenhall said. "All I wanted was a chance to be out there and for people to see me and who I am, because people haven't seen me play too much to this point."

Rashard Mendenhall, you may or may not remember, is supposed to be a star. He was a first-round draft pick. The Steelers selected him 23rd overall in 2008. With the very next pick after that, the Tennessee Titans took a guy of whom you may have heard. Guy by the name of Chris Johnson . Coming out of the University of Illinois, Mendenhall struck the Steelers as a back around whom they could build the future of their running game.

But "future" doesn't have to mean "distant future," and in the NFL the smart teams know that. The Steelers are 2-2, looking up at both the Bengals and the Ravens (one of whom will be 4-1 this time next week) in the AFC North. If Parker's toe injury is going to linger, or if Parker has simply lost a step, and if Mendenhall is healthy and with the program, there's nothing that's going to stop the Steelers from giving him the ball. Maybe he and Parker split touches when and if Parker comes back. Maybe he leaves Parker in the dust and finishes the season as the feature back. Anything's possible, and the fact that Mendenhall played the way he did Sunday night against the Chargers shows you that he's capable of handling the job.

"Rashard definitely proved himself tonight," Pittsburgh tackle Max Starks said. "He was toting the rock with authority."

Which is what the Steelers and their fans have been waiting to see for the past year and a half. For one night, he showed everybody a glimpse of what he was supposed to be. He made the much-maligned Steelers offensive line look all-world. He led an offense that couldn't be stopped when the other team was desperate to stop it. He backed up a confidence his coach claims has not wavered.

"I don't lack confidence in Rashard, even prior to tonight," Tomlin said. "He's a very talented young man, a good guy. He went through what some guys go through. He addressed it and moved forward, and tonight he showed what he's capable of doing. He needs to continue to do that and build off of that as we move forward. I'm sure that's his mindset, but we're going to make sure that our actions match our mentality."

Translation: Mendenhall is still young, and he's still learning. But he's also very, very good. And if he's going to be that, then he can help the Steelers, this year, right now. And the Steelers aren't going to be afraid to let him.

Rashard Mendenhall: One-Week Wonder, or Sign of Things to Come? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Still Not Tough Enough: Chargers Pushed Around by Champs

Dan Graziano — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:22:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Steelers, NFL Analysis

PITTSBURGH -- They watched, and they kicked at the grass and thought about how it all could have been different. The players on the San Diego Chargers defense watched their brilliant, tough, never-say-die quarterback, Philip Rivers, move the ball with ease on the Steelers late in the game, making a game interesting when it had no business being such. They watched, and they thought, "If only."

If only they hadn't put Rivers in that 28-0 hole. If only they'd been able to get a first-half stop on third down -- on fourth down, for that matter.

"One stop!" Chargers safety Eric Weddle said after Pittsburgh's 38-28 win. "If we could have just got one stop. Our offense is going to keep us in games, and for us not to be able to get stops, it hurts. I mean, they're converting third down after third down after third down. That's hard to handle."

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The Chargers do care. It did hurt their pride that the Steelers held the ball for 77 percent of the first half -- that midway through the third quarter the score was 28-0 and everybody in the building was wondering why the Chargers had even made the 2,100-mile trip if they weren't going to actually play the game.

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"It was turning into something of an embarrassment," Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson said.

So yeah, in case you were wondering, the Chargers do feel shame. They feel the sting of their own underachievement. They don't like being the butt of jokes -- the team that chokes in December and January, the ultra-talented roster that never puts it together. It bothers them that they can fly all the way out here and play an NFL football game on national TV and, when it's over, have to answer questions about why Rashard Mendenhall, a second-string running back who spent last week's game on the bench because his coach didn't think he could learn the playbook, barely even noticed that they had a defensive line.

The problem is, they don't do anything to make the jokes stop.

The Chargers were a popular preseason Super Bowl pick this year. You looked at their roster and you thought, yeah, maybe they were the best team in terms of overall talent, quite possibly in the whole league. You looked at their division (before you knew Denver was a juggernaut) and you figured they'd roll up a bunch of wins, coast into the playoffs and have a real shot to hold up that Lombardi trophy in early February.

But you forgot something. Namely, that these are the Chargers, who have proven nothing. The Chargers, who have always let you down. The Chargers, who got punched in the mouth by one AFC North team at home in Week 2 and then got bludgeoned by another on Sunday night at the confluence of the Ohio, the Allegheny and the Monongahela.

"We've played some very physical football teams over this first couple of weeks," Chargers coach Norv Turner said. "But I don't think you ever want to get into a situation where people are able to run the ball the way they were able to tonight."

Holy Understatement, Batman. The Steelers don't run the ball this easily in practice. With starting running back Willie Parker out, Mendenhall rolled up 165 rushing yards on 29 carries. Pittsburgh ran 36 rushing plays to the Chargers' 8. They had 32 first downs to San Diego's 17, and they got 11 of those 32 by running the ball.

"That's any defense," Chargers linebacker Kevin Burnett said. "The first thing you do, any defense, any day, you stop the run. You have to."

But the Chargers couldn't, and the Steelers knew it. In the ultimate indignity, the Steelers had a 4th-and-1 on their own 30 yard line, up 14-0, with six minutes left in the first half, and they went for it.

"Wouldn't you?" Burnett asked. "I think the stats speak for themselves. They ran for about 400 yards on offense. We couldn't stop them. They couldn't be stopped. They went for it on 4th and 1."

And they got it, of course. Ben Roethlisberger blew through San Diego's tissue-paper defensive front for three yards and a cloud of humiliation, and the Steelers rolled along. Ten plays and five minutes later, Mendenhall rambled into the end zone for his second touchdown and a 21-0 Steelers lead.

"We have to play better to beat the top teams in the AFC," said Rivers, who threw for 169 yards and three touchdowns in the final 23 minutes of the game to help fantasy leaguers everywhere win the week and NBC hold its audience. "We played two in the last couple of weeks, in Baltimore and Pittsburgh, that we didn't win either of."

And so they're 2-2, and two games back of Josh McDaniels' Told-You-So Broncos in the AFC West. And their veteran defensive tackle, Jamal Williams, is out for the year and appears to have been replaced with some sort of cardboard cutout. The Chargers have issues, and a bye week, and so now they're going to spend two weeks waking up in a cold sweat from Rashard Mendenhall nightmares.

"We've just got to, collectively, man for man, as a whole, everybody in this room, play better on defense," Burnett said.

If they don't, they're not going to be able to stand toe-to-toe with the Rust Belt beasts of the AFC. And somebody like the Steelers or the Ravens or Bill Belichick is going to go the Super Bowl while the Chargers watch on TV. And everybody's going to make those same old jokes about the Chargers being California soft, even though their quarterback is tougher than calculus and their offense has a chance to be as good as any in the league.

And their defense knows it. Which is why they were kicking themselves late Sunday night.

"It just kills you, is all," Weddle said. "I mean, you get down 21-0, 28-0, this is the NFL. You're not going to be able to come back from that."

The Chargers, along with the rest of us, have identified the problem. Now, the question is: Can they fix it?

Still Not Tough Enough: Chargers Pushed Around by Champs originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sunday Night Football Live Chat

Bruce Ciskie — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Steelers, NFL Fans, NFL Live Blogging

The defending Super Bowl champions may be facing a must-win situation Sunday night. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the San Diego Chargers in a rematch of last year's AFC Divisional Playoffs. This game, which is likely to be played in warmer weather than the last meeting, means a lot to the homestanding Steelers.

Pittsburgh is 1-2, thanks to back-to-back fourth quarter meltdowns. The heat is on with a Charger team that is trying to keep pace with unbeaten Denver atop the AFC West. Join us starting at 8:15 P.M. Eastern for a live chat, as we follow the events in Pittsburgh tonight.

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=108074ebb4" >Sunday Night Football Live Chat</a>

Sunday Night Football Live Chat originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Live Chat: Week 4 Preview

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Bears, Bengals, Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers, Jets, Lions, Packers, Redskins, Saints, Steelers, Vikings, NFL Fans, NFL Live Blogging

It's a week headlined by some old guy facing his former team, but there are other storylines in Week 4. The Browns and Buccaneers start new quarterbacks, the Lions try for their second straight win, unbeatens clash in New Orleans, and the defending Super Bowl champions arguably face a must-win Sunday night. We'll talk about all these topics and more in our weekly get-together. Read the recap.

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FanHouse Live Chat: Week 4 Preview originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brady Quinn Pulled at QB for Browns

Bruce Ciskie — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Ravens, AFC North, NFL Quarterbacks

Trailing 20-0 at halftime, and seeing that his offense had done virtually nothing productive, Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini decided he'd had enough.

Quarterback Brady Quinn, who has struggled mightily over the season's first two weeks, was pulled from Sunday's 34-3 loss to Baltimore in favor of Derek Anderson. The two staged a battle throughout training camp for the starting job, which was eventually won by Quinn.

More Coverage: Browns-Ravens Recap | Full Scoreboard

Quinn has not been effective throwing the ball downfield, and he didn't get off to a good start Sunday. He threw an interception on the Browns' first drive, and threw for just 34 yards in the first half.

Anderson came on to start the third quarter for Cleveland, and that didn't do work out better. Flushed out of the pocket, he threw a pass into coverage along the sideline, and it was intercepted. It was one of those plays where Anderson needed to throw the ball away, instead of trying to make a play -- and the first of three Anderson interceptions on the day. He finished 11 of 19.

"Nothing ever comes easy here in Cleveland," said linebacker D'Qwell Jackson. "I've learned that the last few years. This is as low as we can get right now. We're 0-3 and we can't be any worse than that."

Looks like it's going to be a long season in Cleveland, one wrought with quarterback questions.

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Cleveland Browns Photos

BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball into the endzone for his first career touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Rice

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Cleveland Browns Photos

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Dawan Landry #26 of the Baltimore Ravens laterals the ball after an interception against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. The lay was called back because of a penalty but the Ravens kept the ball. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dawan Landry

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Dawan Landry #26 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball after an interception against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. The lay was called back because of a penalty but the Ravens kept the ball. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dawan Landry

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens speaks to the referree during the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Harbaugh

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his first career touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Rice

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens comes off the field after an interception against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ed Reed

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Antwan Barnes #50 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a play against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Antwan Barnes

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BALTIMORE - SEPTEMBER 27: Todd Heap #86 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Browns 34-3. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Todd Heap

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Brady Quinn Pulled at QB for Browns originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philip Rivers Keeping Fiery Attitude in Check, Stabilizing San Diego

Nancy Gay — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, FanHouse Exclusive, NFL Quarterbacks

SAN DIEGO -- It's Week 3 in the NFL, and already the anger is spewing across San Diego over the Chargers' inglorious 1-1 start. Whether it is frustration over coach Norv Turner's play calling, uneasiness over the team's myriad injuries or overall disappointment with a franchise expected to dominate a weak AFC West, there is one player who is holding it all together.

The glue is no longer running back LaDainian Tomlinson's team -- the one-time NFL Most Valuable Player is sidelined a second consecutive week because of a sprained ankle.

Now, the burden of leading this locker room, this franchise, has fallen to quarterback Philip Rivers.

And Rivers appears perfectly comfortable shouldering that load and being the bedrock for his teammates, doing just that in during and after a crushing Week 2 loss at Qualcomm Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens, one that left a sour taste in the Chargers locker room.

Twice against Baltimore, Rivers tossed interceptions. Three times, Rivers and his offense were flagged for delay of game penalties. Five times, the Chargers ventured into Baltimore's red zone, trips that only generated four field goals.

Then there was the signature stamp of frustration that overshadowed an otherwise stellar day personally for Rivers, who passed for 436 yards and two touchdowns: Turner decided to ignore his tight ends and send running back Darren Sproles up the gut on a fourth-and-2 call at the Ravens' 15-yard line. Sproles was laid out for a loss by linebacker Ray Lewis, who shot the gap untouched for a game-saving stop in a 31-26 Baltimore victory.

In years past, such a finish might have sent the emotionally charged Rivers into a post-game rant. In the heat of the game, he likely would have engaged in a regretful mouthy exchange with Lewis, just as Rivers famously did in his often contentious exchanges with former Denver quarterback Jay Cutler during the years in annual meetings against the Broncos.

But a seemingly matured Rivers has remained resolute and calm during a rough week for his team, taking on the role as rock for his franchise.

"In one sense, I think it's the natural progression of a quarterback and a leader," Rivers told FanHouse during an interview at the Chargers' practice facility in Kearny Mesa. "I'm in year six [of my NFL career] now and it just grows, each and every year. And you just understand, when you are faced with some adversity and injuries, that you have to step up and keep the guys going, rally the guys and try to will some wins."

He's still got it in him to let loose verbally -- in Week 1, Rivers got into it with Raiders defensive tackle Gerard Warren, which resulted in the quarterback being penalized and later fined $7,500.

"I do have those two sides," Rivers admitted. "Certainly there is that passionate, fiery side. But I've learned over the last five years that, if you take all these games so hard and you're so wound up all the time, you just won't make it. You won't make it through a season.

"I'm trying to find that happy medium, to push forward in games where I had some critical errors or the team didn't come through. I've figured out how to manage those better."

As a result, Rivers said he's learned to cope with adversity. And the Chargers certainly are facing plenty of that Sunday when they play host to the Miami Dolphins.

Tomlinson, 30, is starting to buckle to the wear-and-tear: Sunday's game will mark the third time he's sat out in the Chargers' last four games, following eight regular seasons without missing a game due to injury. A groin strain kept Tomlinson out of San Diego' 2008 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Chargers also will face the Dolphins without center Nick Hardwick (ankle surgery, out eight weeks) and backup defensive end Travis Johnson (groin). Assorted other regulars are badly nicked -- rookie right guard Louis Vasquez (knee) and reserve outside linebacker Antwan Applewhite (hamstring) are listed as doubtful.

On Thursday, seven Chargers missed practice, including linebacker Shawne Merriman.

"It's hard, because you'd like to have all your guys," Turner said Friday. "It's crazy, because on Sept. 1, when people were asking me what I thought about camp, I said it was great that we were healthy and had all our guys, because that's something we haven't had in awhile."

This is where the quarterback projects his role of steely leader. Rivers' fiery nature, which once defined him as an obnoxious young player prone to taunting, has matured and mellowed, like a Beaujolais nouveau eventually gives way to a fine Cabernet. And it's given his teammates an anchor in rough seas.

"I still think the overall feel with this team is very positive," Rivers said of his 1-1 Chargers. "The odds are we aren't going to win all 16 games, and the way we react is going to be important."

The 2008 Chargers were all over the map, losing five of their first eight games before storming back to win all four games in December to salvage a playoff berth. That experience helps put this year's rocky start into perspective, Rivers said.

"I think it also drives us to not let that happen again, so we can say we can overcome a bad start, but let's not let that happen," Rivers said. "We have another game this week against a playoff opponent [Miami], so let's get us to 2-1 before we head off to Pittsburgh."

Philip Rivers Keeping Fiery Attitude in Check, Stabilizing San Diego originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battered Chargers Will Be Without Starting Center Until December

Chris Burke — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:20:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, NFL Injuries

San Diego came into the 2009 season as one of the heavy favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Those expectations relied heavily on the ability of the Chargers' running-back tandem of LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles to dominate.

But two games into the season, Tomlinson's already dealing with injury, and San Diego is 30th in the league in yards rushing at 60.5 per game.

The situation doesn't appear to be on the verge of getting better, either -- Wednesday, the Chargers announced that starting center Nick Hardwick, a first-teamer on the San Diego offensive line since 2004, will be out for up to eight weeks after left ankle surgery.

Hardwick was injured in San Diego's 24-20 Week 1 win over Oakland when his left leg was rolled up on during a pass play. He spent several minutes on the ground before being carted off. Scott Mruczkowski, who's been with the Chargers since 2004 -- and started in Week 2 against Baltimore -- will likely stay in the lineup with Hardwick out.

The sudden loss of offensive clout is a major change for the Chargers. San Diego's finished in the top eight in points scored for every season since 2004, with Tomlinson leading the way. The 1,110 yards he rushed for last season were the lowest total of his career -- though he's well of that pace with 55 yards through two weeks this year.

Even with no semblance of a rushing attack, San Diego's managed to average 25 points per game thus far. With Philip Rivers at QB and a healthy complement of weapons, it's not unthinkable that the Chargers could keep up that pace. On the other hand, Rivers has been sacked five times already this season. And the lack of a ground threat cost San Diego at the end of its loss to Baltimore when, on a critical fourth-and-one, the Ravens stuffed Sproles for a five-yard loss to clinch a win.

San Diego signed Dennis Norman last week to backup Mruczkowski, and he'll likely hold that spot for the time being.

Battered Chargers Will Be Without Starting Center Until December originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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