Odds And Ends About The Chargers Game

by Douglas O'Connor
follow me on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     Not all interesting components of the Buccaneers, Chargers game can be generated into a full story. So I have put together some "oh really" tidbits and posted them all together for easy consumption.

Gerald McCoy pulled Chargers RB Melvin Gordon to the side after interviewing him on press row during Super Bowl week. Giving him a pep talk about his disappointing rookie season and telling him just to keep working. Things will get better. Gordon is 4th in the league in rushing and rushing touchdowns, after coming in 29th last year with zero TD's.

The Chargers run the ball over 55% of the time on 1st down.

Head Coach Mike McCoy has elected to receive the past two games, even though the Chargers have won the coin toss.

Phillip Rivers starts fast but steadily declines as the game goes on. 1st quarter QBR 108.4 then continuously drops till it bottoms out at 76.9 during the 4th.

Rivers hasn't thrown a touchdown pass on any San Diego drive that starts on or inside their own 20 yard line.

When trailing late in games, under 4 minutes. Rivers is throwing for less than a 50% rate with 4 interceptions and 0 touchdowns.

Buccaneers Head Coach Dirk Koetter said while talking to the San Diego media that you teach offense through the eyes of the quarterback. Koetter has been fielding questions about Jameis Winston for almost 2 years and this is the first time I've heard this.

Casey Hayward a free agent pick up from the Green Bay Packers. Where he played almost exclusively inside nickel corner, is tied for the lead league for interceptions. Hayward has moved to outside starting corner back this season and has shadowed some teams elite receiver. Mike Evans is expected to draw Hayward all day this Sunday.

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CB Brent Grimes Is Phillip Rivers Kryponite

by Douglas O'Connor
follow on Twitter @Ren_Daxt

     San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers has been taking apart NFL defense's for 13 years. Known for his big arm, big temper and the mentality that he can fit a football through a keyhole from 40 yards away.

     Given Rivers supreme confidence in his right arm, you would think his interception numbers would be higher. He has the least amount of turnovers through the air than any of his high profile counterparts that entered the league with him (2004). Eli Manning leads the way (209) followed by Carson Palmer (274) Ben Roethlisberger (154) and then Rivers (147). Seeing these numbers makes corner back Brent Grimes play against the San Diego gunslinger even more impressive.

     Grimes has faced Rivers once the past three years while patrolling the secondary for the Miami Dolphins. During those match ups Brent has 4 interceptions, getting at least one drive stopping turnover in each game. While Grimes was with the Atlanta Falcons they faced Rivers and the Chargers twice. Once in 2008, Grimes 2nd year in the league, where he didn't appear in the box score.  Brent only played in 12 games that year so it is unclear if Grimes even saw the field that game. The Falcons once again faced the Chargers in 2012 in week three, but Grimes had suffered a season ending Achilles injury during the opener against the Chiefs and missed the game.

    Vernon Hargreaves, whom I've given the nickname The Jackal do to his mic'd up performance, should be Brent Grimes shadow during this weeks preparation. Grimes track record against Rivers could be the edge that The Jackal needs to record his first NFL interception.

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