The San Diego sports world is abuzz after the Chargers’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday.
The Eagles, who were expected to be one of the better teams in the league, were carved up by Philip Rivers and the rest of the Chargers passing attack. Rivers was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance, which included throwing for over 400 yards and three touchdowns without turning the ball over. Kyle Posey looked through the film and saw the QB who played for the Chargers from 2006-2010, not the impostor who’s been under center for the last two years.
The scariest moment of the game didn’t come on Nick Novak’s game-winning field goal, but rather on a hit that left wide receiver Malcom Floyd motionless on the turf. Floyd ended up being taken off the field on a stretcher, but he was healthy enough to fly home with the team that night and it looks like he’ll be back on the field in a week or two.
You’re reading the Sports Report, our weekly compilation of news and information for the San Diego sports fan.
Previewing Chargers-Titans This Sunday
• As per usual, I previewed this week’s Chargers game by listing three reasons the team could lose and three reasons the team could win their match-up against the Tennessee Titans.
• One big factor in this game for San Diego will be injuries. Rookie D.J. Fluker sustained a concussion in practice Wednesday and is “questionable.” Floyd is out with a sprained neck. Rookie Manti Te’o is finally practicing with the team after injuring his foot in the first preseason game, but he’s doubtful to play on Sunday.
• I spent almost an hour chatting with Tom Gower from Football Outsiders about the Chargers-Titans match-up.
‘Trader Josh’ Has Already Left His Mark on the Padres
When Josh Byrnes took over as the Padres’ general manager, many looked at his history with the Diamondbacks and saw a history of big trades. It didn’t take long for him to live up to that reputation: He traded starting pitcher Mat Latos to the Cincinnati Reds for a collection of players that hasn’t quite worked . I looked back at that trade, and the one that immediately followed it, and think that it’s not quite as lopsided and many believe.
As another disappointing season winds down for the Friars, don’t be surprised if I’m using this space next week to call for manager Bud Black to be fired and for Dick Enberg to go with him.
Stories You May Have Missed
• Rick Reilly, one of sports’ most notable columnists, wrote the worst thing I’ve ever read this week, in which he defends Washington’s football team being called the “Redskins.” What’s (maybe) worse is that it completely and totally contradicts an article Reilly wrote for Sports Illustrated in 1991.
• The NFL’s concussion settlement with former players and their families, which was labeled a joke when it was announced two weeks ago, is even more of a sham than we thought.
• The outcry for college players to be paid continues to get louder, and now the players have an intelligent voice to stand behind. As part of a documentary, San Diego native and Houston Texans running back Arian Foster admitted that he received money on the side and food from his coaches while attending the University of Tennessee.
• GIF of the Week: Johnny Manziel, who will probably be in the NFL draft next year, continues to impress fans and scouts alike. Perhaps nothing was more impressive than this one play, which would never work in the NFL but is still fun.
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I’m John Gennaro, contributor to Active Voice and managing editor of Bolts from the Blue. You can tweet me @john_gennaro or e-mail me directly at boltsfromtheblue@gmail.com.