LT, Chargers ready to take on Seahawks
LT, Chargers ready to take on Seahawks
Will he or won't he? Only head coach Norv Turner knows for sure, but all signs point to LaDainian Tomlinson suiting up and at least making a cameo appearance tonight when the Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks. It's the preseason opener for both clubs, so if LT does play don't expect him to be in for more than a couple of series. The game airs on the NFL Network from Qualcomm Stadium at 10:00 p.m. (ET).
They wouldn’t really let LaDainian Tomlinson play on Saturday night – would they?
Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that it’s “95 percent“ certain he’ll suit up for the San Diego Chargers in their preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. This would be the first exhibition game Tomlinson has played in four years. But will it happen? Coach Norv Turner was neither confirming nor denying at press time.
If LT does play with the first unit, he would presumably be out there for just a series or two. But the domino effect would make life easier for San Diego’s reserves. Darren Sproles would get more snaps with back-up quarterback Billy Volek against Seattle’s second-string defense.
Then No. 3 QB Charlie Whitehurst would have the benefit of handing off to either or both of Michael Bennett and intriguing fourth-round draft pick Gartrell Johnson, as they continue their battle for a job. Jacob Hester is also in the mix, although according to the Union-Tribune, he’ll be used more as a lead blocker this season.
That’s all if and would at this point. The betting odds suggest the public isn’t gushing over the possibility of Turner actually risking Tomlinson’s health; the market consensus was 78 percent on Seattle at press time, dragging the line down from San Diego -4 at the open to San Diego -3.5. The under was pulling in 58 percent support on the total of 36 points.
While we wait with bated breath on LT’s status, we do know that the Seahawks will be thin on the offensive line. Coach Jim L. Mora confirmed with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer website that Walter Jones, Mansfield Wrotto and Grey Ruegamer are all out for Saturday, along with cornerback Marcus Trufant. Defensive end Patrick Kerney (strained calf) will be a game-time decision.
Since this is a preseason game, there’s no sense of panic for the Seahawks as they sail into Qualcomm Stadium (10:00 p.m. Eastern, NFL Network) without their full complement up front. Mora’s game plan is to have No. 2 QB Seneca Wallace get some snaps behind the first-unit offensive line once he takes over for starter Matt Hasselbeck – again, after the requisite one or two series. That means rookie Max Unger will get an extended look starting at right guard in Wrotto’s place. Unger was a star center at Oregon, but is capable of playing anywhere on the line.
Wallace is one of the better backup QBs in the NFL. He’s one of the busiest, too, making four starts in relief of Hasselbeck in 2006 and another eight in 2008. Injuries were a big factor in the Seahawks falling from grace in the NFC West at 4-12 (7-8-1 ATS); however, Wallace was one of the bright spots with 11 touchdown throws and just three interceptions for an 87.0 passer rating.
Quarterback depth led Seattle to four straight paydays in the 2008 preseason. But one of the heroes was No. 3 QB Charlie Frye, who is now a member of the Oakland Raiders and helped them cash in Thursday night against the New England Patriots. The new third-string pivot in Seattle is going to be either rookie Mike Teel from Rutgers or former Cincinnati Bengals clipboard holder Jeff Rowe, who was 42-for-73 (57.5 percent) with one TD and two INTs in seven preseason appearances.
Neither man has Frye’s track record in these situations. He played nearly the entire game when these two clubs met last year in Week 3 of the preseason, also at Qualcomm Stadium, and led Seattle (+5.5) to paydirt with a pair of TD passes in a narrow 18-17 loss. That being a Week 3 matchup, only the first and second units were in action. It’ll be a healthy diet of Rowe and Teel instead for the second half of Saturday’s rematch.
Seahawks supporters will miss Frye’s contributions, but if history is on their side, Seattle is 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS in the last six preseason games with the Chargers dating back to 2002. The over was also 4-2.
Will he or won't he? Only head coach Norv Turner knows for sure, but all signs point to LaDainian Tomlinson suiting up and at least making a cameo appearance tonight when the Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks. It's the preseason opener for both clubs, so if LT does play don't expect him to be in for more than a couple of series. The game airs on the NFL Network from Qualcomm Stadium at 10:00 p.m. (ET).
They wouldn’t really let LaDainian Tomlinson play on Saturday night – would they?
Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that it’s “95 percent“ certain he’ll suit up for the San Diego Chargers in their preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. This would be the first exhibition game Tomlinson has played in four years. But will it happen? Coach Norv Turner was neither confirming nor denying at press time.
If LT does play with the first unit, he would presumably be out there for just a series or two. But the domino effect would make life easier for San Diego’s reserves. Darren Sproles would get more snaps with back-up quarterback Billy Volek against Seattle’s second-string defense.
Then No. 3 QB Charlie Whitehurst would have the benefit of handing off to either or both of Michael Bennett and intriguing fourth-round draft pick Gartrell Johnson, as they continue their battle for a job. Jacob Hester is also in the mix, although according to the Union-Tribune, he’ll be used more as a lead blocker this season.
That’s all if and would at this point. The betting odds suggest the public isn’t gushing over the possibility of Turner actually risking Tomlinson’s health; the market consensus was 78 percent on Seattle at press time, dragging the line down from San Diego -4 at the open to San Diego -3.5. The under was pulling in 58 percent support on the total of 36 points.
While we wait with bated breath on LT’s status, we do know that the Seahawks will be thin on the offensive line. Coach Jim L. Mora confirmed with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer website that Walter Jones, Mansfield Wrotto and Grey Ruegamer are all out for Saturday, along with cornerback Marcus Trufant. Defensive end Patrick Kerney (strained calf) will be a game-time decision.
Since this is a preseason game, there’s no sense of panic for the Seahawks as they sail into Qualcomm Stadium (10:00 p.m. Eastern, NFL Network) without their full complement up front. Mora’s game plan is to have No. 2 QB Seneca Wallace get some snaps behind the first-unit offensive line once he takes over for starter Matt Hasselbeck – again, after the requisite one or two series. That means rookie Max Unger will get an extended look starting at right guard in Wrotto’s place. Unger was a star center at Oregon, but is capable of playing anywhere on the line.
Wallace is one of the better backup QBs in the NFL. He’s one of the busiest, too, making four starts in relief of Hasselbeck in 2006 and another eight in 2008. Injuries were a big factor in the Seahawks falling from grace in the NFC West at 4-12 (7-8-1 ATS); however, Wallace was one of the bright spots with 11 touchdown throws and just three interceptions for an 87.0 passer rating.
Quarterback depth led Seattle to four straight paydays in the 2008 preseason. But one of the heroes was No. 3 QB Charlie Frye, who is now a member of the Oakland Raiders and helped them cash in Thursday night against the New England Patriots. The new third-string pivot in Seattle is going to be either rookie Mike Teel from Rutgers or former Cincinnati Bengals clipboard holder Jeff Rowe, who was 42-for-73 (57.5 percent) with one TD and two INTs in seven preseason appearances.
Neither man has Frye’s track record in these situations. He played nearly the entire game when these two clubs met last year in Week 3 of the preseason, also at Qualcomm Stadium, and led Seattle (+5.5) to paydirt with a pair of TD passes in a narrow 18-17 loss. That being a Week 3 matchup, only the first and second units were in action. It’ll be a healthy diet of Rowe and Teel instead for the second half of Saturday’s rematch.
Seahawks supporters will miss Frye’s contributions, but if history is on their side, Seattle is 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS in the last six preseason games with the Chargers dating back to 2002. The over was also 4-2.