The Morning Report
Get the news and information you need to take on the day.
It was a game that San Diego should have won, and luckily they did. The Chargers crushed the Niners in a 48-19 rout, with Phillip Rivers and company throwing all day on the hapless San Francisco defense. Though the offensive production slowed in the second half, coach Marty Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron stayed aggressive in their play calling.
For all you http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2006/10/14/columnists/michael_grant/79grantball.txt” target= “new”>Martyball naysayers, the Chargers threw for 334 yards while gaining 87 yards on the ground.
The defense clamped down in the second half, but the one weakness I see in this team remains the defensive secondary. Alex Smith completed too many passes in the first half, and San Diego allowed a weak San Fran team to stick around way too long.
Marlon McCree is a nice addition at cornerback, but it still seems like the secondary is the weak link in an overall impressive defense. But they did come away with a win. Schottenheimer said after the game: “All-in all, we achieved our objective.”
Rivers had a career day, completing 29 of 39 passes for two touchdowns and zero interceptions. At one point during the game, Rivers completed 13 passes (two short of Dan Fouts’ franchise record).
Brees who? Rookie QB Charlie Whitehurst took his first NFL snap, taking a knee to end the blowout. LaDainian Tomlinson scored four touchdowns on the ground Sunday (first time in his career), rushing for 71 yards on 21 carries.
The Padres release Bellhorn, Williamson, extend Leitner
The San Diego Padres announced Sunday that the club has claimed left-handed pitcher Justin Hampson from the Colorado Rockies and requested waivers on infielders Manny Alexander and Mark Bellhorn, and right-handed pitcher Scott Williamson for the purpose of their unconditional release.
In other Padres news, the team announced Friday that San Diego has extended the contract of radio broadcaster Ted Leitner through the 2008 baseball season. The 2007 season will mark Leitner’s 28th of play-by-play as the Padres’ voice and 27th consecutive season working alongside Jerry Coleman. XX Sports Radio (1090 AM/105.7 FM) will again serve as the Padres English-language flagship in 2007.
– CHRIS NIXON