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From the White House – New Federal Approach to Hiring
By Barry Wilner
Associated Press
Published on Monday, Jan 14, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS: After handing the New England Patriots a huge gift, the San Diego Chargers believe it's time to give the unbeaten Patriots something else: a challenge.
And, oh, yeah, a loss.
By stunning Peyton Manning and the defending champion Indianapolis Colts 28-24 on Sunday, the undermanned Chargers removed the Patriots' biggest road block to the Super Bowl. Not that the Chargers are intimidated by facing the 17-0 Patriots in the AFC title game next weekend.
Despite having star running back LaDainaian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers on the sideline, the Chargers won their eighth consecutive game. Of course, that's not even half of what the Patriots have achieved.
''Seventeen have tried and it hasn't happened,'' Rivers said of the Patriots' perfect record. ''We think it can happen.''
But the Chargers must avoid a repeat of their last performance at New England, when they were routed 38-14 in Week 2. That was the beginning of a slide to 5-5 for San Diego, but the Chargers (13-5) are rolling now.
''A lot has happened since then,'' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. ''We'll definitely start all over on the preparations. It's like it's a new team.''
Also an undermanned team. Tomlinson departed in the first half with a bruised left knee, and Rivers went out in the third quarter with a damaged right knee. Both said they hoped to be ready for the Patriots; Chargers coach Norv Turner said they are ''questionable.''
''That's the true measure of a team,'' Tomlinson said. ''Guys stepped up and got it done.''
Those guys included Billy Volek at quarterback and Michael Turner as the main runner. Led by those subs, the Chargers went 78 yards on eight plays, with Volek sneaking in from the 1-yard line for the lead with 4:50 left. The Chargers' defense then held on downs at its 7 and stopped the Colts again in the final moments.
The Chargers will need all that resourcefulness again.
''I'm pretty sure we'll be huge underdogs, but it's still going to be fun, just to get the opportunity,'' Tomlinson said. ''All the rest of the teams have had their opportunity to play New England, and we'll get another opportunity to do so in the AFC Championship Game. What a better way to go back there.''
For the Colts (13-4), it was a bitterly quick elimination.
A year ago, they won three playoff games, then beat the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl.
''What happened last year doesn't make it any easier this year,'' Manning said. ''When you come back and commit yourself to the '07 season and you don't finish it like you want to, it hurts.''
A defense that allowed the fewest points during the season wore down against the equally physical Chargers. Still, the Colts went ahead 24-21 when Anthony Gonzalez slipped past Marlon McCree down the left sideline to complete a 55-yard scoring play with 10:07 to go. The Chargers challenged that Gonzalez stepped out of bounds at about the 25, but the play stood.
So the Chargers' backups then won it, helped by a 27-yard screen pass to rookie Legedu Naanee and a 15-yard face-mask penalty against Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson.
''When you have so many weapons, you don't have to do anything special,'' Volek said. ''It was not like the game was out of reach. I had to go out there and fill my role.''
Manning did throw for 402 yards, completing 33 of his 48 throws, but both interceptions killed deep scoring threats.
With All-Pro cornerback Antonio Cromartie getting an interception and fumble recovery, and linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips plaguing Manning, the Chargers showed they have the ability to throw off any offense.
It was a gutsy showing by Rivers, who threw for three touchdowns — he banged his right knee on a 56-yard screen pass touchdown by Darren Sproles to end the third quarter. And Turner rushed for 71 yards.
The Chargers' opportunistic defense, which led the league in takeaways (48) and turnover margin (plus-24), grabbed two interceptions — both on tipped balls — and a fumble. The Chargers' defense couldn't stop Manning's offense from steadily marching downfield most of the game, but it made the key plays.
Still, if Tomlinson is limited or sidelined, how much chance do the Chargers have against the perfect Patriots? Not to mention perhaps missing Rivers or tight end Antonio Gates, who played much of the day with a dislocated toe.
Belichick dismissed the injuries.
''We're prepared for everybody,'' he said. ''As we saw today, any number of players could be in the game.''
Rivers went 14-of-19 for 264 yards, and Volek went 3-of-4 for 48 yards in his clutch relief role. Vincent Jackson became Rivers' top target with Gates struggling, and had seven catches for 93 yards and a score.
The Colts lost only six fumbles all season, but Harrison was stripped on his first reception by Cromartie. McCree recovered at the Chargers' 22, stymieing a lengthy drive begun with Kelvin Hayden's interception.
The Chargers capitalized with a 78-yard march, including three third-down conversions. Jackson beat double-coverage for his 14-yard score on third down, making it 7-7.
The first Colts scoring series was vintage Manning. He picked apart the Chargers with short timing throws to Joseph Addai and Reggie Wayne, who picked up 8 yards on a fourth-and-2 at the Chargers' 37. Two plays later, tight end Dallas Clark caught a 25-yard touchdown pass.
The Colts went ahead 10-7 on Adam Vinatieri's season-best 47-yard field goal, then the Chargers got to the Colts' 31 behind Turner, who gained 25 yards on the march. But Nate Kaeding's 48-yard field goal try bounced off the right upright.
In the final seconds of the half, Manning's pass was tipped by Wayne and intercepted by Cromartie. He got several blocks, including one on Manning, in running it back to the end zone, but a block by Eric Weddle was ruled holding, negating the long touchdown.
INDIANAPOLIS: After handing the New England Patriots a huge gift, the San Diego Chargers believe it's time to give the unbeaten Patriots something else: a challenge.
Get the full article here.
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