NFL Nation: Raiders-Chargers 110109
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| AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi | |
| San Diego's Shawne Merriman had two sacks in the Chargers' 24-16 win over Oakland Sunday, his first of the year. |
SAN DIEGO -- Shawne Merriman admits it. He loves sacks as much as the next guy.
But he has tried not to get consumed by the almighty quarterback takedown, especially this year, when the goal is about becoming a forceful star linebacker again.
Still, Merriman expressed relief that he is now among those NFL players who have registered a sack in 2009. Merriman got on the board with two sacks Sunday in San Diego’s not-as-close-as-the-score-indicates 24-16 victory over Oakland.
Merriman didn’t have a sack in San Diego’s first six games as he continued his recovery from major knee surgery last September that sidelined him for all but one game last season. Merriman's sack-less start was startling because in his first three NFL seasons he was the premier sack artist in the league. He had 40.5 sacks in his first 39 games.
“I love sacks, but they come in bunches and you can’t worry about that. Bruce Smith told me that a long time ago," Merriman said of the all-time sack leader. “But it’s nice to get the sacks out of the way.”
But Merriman made it clear that just because he had two sacks doesn’t signify he’s back to form. He thinks he already was there. For the past two weeks, San Diego coaches were quietly saying that Merriman was getting close to full strength.
“I’m there [at full strength],” Merriman said. “The sacks don’t prove it. My play the past couple of weeks proves it. I’ve been hitting the quarterback and moving around and making a lot of plays …. I play my damn heart out every play. I’m giving it everything I have and I feel like I’m showing the results.”
Merriman is proud that he has played very well against the run as he has fought to regain his form. Merriman was very active Sunday and had seven tackles. But of course the highlights were the two sacks.
“Everyone questions his knee and his ability,” San Diego cornerback Quentin Jammer said of Merriman. “It just shows that he is out there playing tenacious defense like he always does, getting after he quarterback and making plays. That’s what [No.] 56 does.”
Merriman’s emergence in the pass rush has coincided with the improvement of the entire San Diego pass rush. The Chargers had five sacks Sunday and now have 10 in the past two games. Linebacker Shaun Phillips has four sacks in the past two games.
San Diego harassed Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell all game and produced a huge rush against Russell as the Raiders scrambled to try to tie the score in the final two minutes of the game. Oakland’s last-ditch attempt died on its 46-yard line with exactly a minute to go.
“We’re really coming together,” Phillips said. “We’re creating pressure and that results in sacks and that’s a great thing for the team.”
And it’s a great thing for the Chargers to see Merriman providing the fireworks, even though he’s trying to downplay it.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
SAN DIEGO -- The Raiders actually had a chance to send this game to overtime despite being badly outplayed.
It was all in JaMarcus Russell's hands and he couldn’t come through. The Raiders’ last drive was a disaster as they faced second and 28 and fourth and 20 situations. A Russell fumble and a false start sabotaged Oakland’s last chance.
The Raiders appeared doomed by having to rely on Russell, who was relegated to handing off for much of the game. This is how much the Raiders don’t trust him: They opted for a 48-yard field goal attempt near the end of the first half on third down instead of risking a Russell miscue.
In the end, it was another empty loss for Oakland, which limps into the bye at 2-6.
The Chargers continued to repair their season as they are now 4-3 after wins over the Chiefs and Raiders the past two weeks. The Chargers, who trail Denver by two games in the AFC West, now travel to face the New York on Sunday.
This wins wasn't a perfect game for San Diego. It was sloppy at times and the Chargers couldn’t finish drives again. But San Diego did just enough and Russell did the rest.
SAN DIEGO -- The Raiders actually had a chance to send this game to overtime despite being badly outplayed.
It was all in JaMarcus Russell's hands and he couldn’t come through. The Raiders’ last drive was a disaster as they faced second and 28 and fourth and 20 situations. A Russell fumble and a false start sabotaged Oakland’s last chance.
The Raiders appeared doomed by having to rely on Russell, who was relegated to handing off for much of the game. This is how much the Raiders don’t trust him: They opted for a 48-yard field goal attempt near the end of the first half on third down instead of risking a Russell miscue.
In the end, it was another empty loss for Oakland, which limps into the bye at 2-6.
The Chargers continued to repair their season as they are now 4-3 after wins over the Chiefs and Raiders the past two weeks. The Chargers, who trail Denver by two games in the AFC West, now travel to face the New York on Sunday.
This wins wasn't a perfect game for San Diego. It was sloppy at times and the Chargers couldn’t finish drives again. But San Diego did just enough and Russell did the rest.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
SAN DIEGO -- Chris Chambers may have been benched, but he is still finding a way to help his team.
On third down and 10 from their own 8, the Chargers called Chambers’ number and he made a beautiful catch for a first down. He made the play over Oakland star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
The big play sparked San Diego which marched down for a field goal. San Diego now leads Oakland, 24-16, with about four minutes to go.
Chambers was benched this week in favor of Malcolm Floyd.
SAN DIEGO -- Chris Chambers may have been benched, but he is still finding a way to help his team.
On third down and 10 from their own 8, the Chargers called Chambers’ number and he made a beautiful catch for a first down. He made the play over Oakland star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.
The big play sparked San Diego which marched down for a field goal. San Diego now leads Oakland, 24-16, with about four minutes to go.
Chambers was benched this week in favor of Malcolm Floyd.
Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson
SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers lead Oakland 21-10 in a game that is not as close as he score indicates. Here are some notes:
LaDainian Tomlinson just surpassed the 12,000-yard plateau. He now has 12,004 career yards. Tomlinson has two touchdown runs Sunday, of 6 and 10 yards. Tomlinson has 33 yards on 12 carries.
San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman registered his first sack of the season. Merriman seems to be playing better in recent weeks.
San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers has completed 12 of 15 passes for 189 yards.
San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding had a nice stop on a kickoff return by Jonathan Holland that may have saved a touchdown late in the first half. Oakland had to settle for a field goal.
If the Raiders are going to get back in this game, JaMarcus Russell may have to throw. He has thrown just eight times. He is 4-of-8 for 24 yards. Oakland has run the ball 15 times for 59 yards.
SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers lead Oakland 21-10 in a game that is not as close as he score indicates. Here are some notes:
LaDainian Tomlinson just surpassed the 12,000-yard plateau. He now has 12,004 career yards. Tomlinson has two touchdown runs Sunday, of 6 and 10 yards. Tomlinson has 33 yards on 12 carries.
San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman registered his first sack of the season. Merriman seems to be playing better in recent weeks.
San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers has completed 12 of 15 passes for 189 yards.
San Diego kicker Nate Kaeding had a nice stop on a kickoff return by Jonathan Holland that may have saved a touchdown late in the first half. Oakland had to settle for a field goal.
If the Raiders are going to get back in this game, JaMarcus Russell may have to throw. He has thrown just eight times. He is 4-of-8 for 24 yards. Oakland has run the ball 15 times for 59 yards.
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