| The Chargers have lost three in a row, and Philip Rivers' QB rating has slipped to 82.4. Last year, it was 88.7, and it was above 100 from 2008 to 2010. (US Presswire) |
San Diego typically works out and attends a few meetings before getting the rest of the day off on a Monday after a Sunday game. On this Monday, however, the team conducted a walk-through practice in the late afternoon because the Chargers (3-4) play again Thursday night when they host the Chiefs (1-6).
The Chargers lost their third straight game Sunday, this time 7-6 to the Browns (2-6). It was their fourth ugly loss in five games.
Coach Norv Turner has repeatedly promised the play of his team would improve, but he has never talked about specific changes being made to achieve improvement. According to QB Philip Rivers, San Diego is a stubborn team that opposes the idea that change is necessary.
“There doesn’t need to be dramatic changes other than to go win,” Rivers said. “So, maybe it is dramatic. Winning is definitely dramatically different than losing. But as far as what it takes to go win, it is not going to take anything dramatic.”
Rivers had a passer rating of above 100 from 2008-10. Last season, it dropped to 88.7 with 20 interceptions. Rivers' passer rating has fallen even further to 82.4 this season with nine interceptions in seven games. Rivers did not throw a pick in Sunday’s loss, but he made multiple questionable throws and now many people are starting to wonder if Rivers is at the root of San Diego's problems.
The NFL’s website questioned Rivers’ arm strength. “Rivers is a puzzle,” Marc Sessler of NFL.com wrote. “At age 30, his play should be peaking, but his production has tailed off in recent seasons despite a talented roster. Dwindling arm strength was a hot topic last season and it has come back to haunt the veteran.”
Rivers refused to respond to the league’s article. “I don’t know,” Rivers said. “I am not going to react to that. Uh, I don’t know.”
Full article: Chargers QB Philip Rivers' arm strength suspect
Rivers does need to produce consistently at a higher level, but San Diego's problems probably lie more with general manager A.J. Smith and Turner. Turner said he considers his job to be week-to-week.
Change is certainly needed. It’s a lot easier to start with the GM and head coach than it is to find another marquee quarterback.
Roster move: WR-KR Richard Goodman (hamstring) was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list because of an injury suffered in the game’s opening kickoff Sunday.
WR Seyi Ajirotutu was signed to replace Goodman on the 53-man roster. Ajirotutu originally entered the NFL with the Chargers in 2010 as an undrafted free agent from Fresno State.
In 10 games as a rookie, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver caught 13 balls for 262 yards and two TDs.
In his third game at Houston’s Reliant Stadium, Ajirotutu caught two touchdown passes, including a 28-yard game-winner, and finished the game with a career-high 111 yards on four catches.
Ajirotutu spent the 2011 campaign with the Carolina Panthers, playing in 14 games and recording one catch for four yards. He was released before the start of this season.
Ajirotutu is good friends with RB Ryan Mathews and moved back to San Diego to train and has been attending San Diego home games. Ajirotutu received a call from his agent about 11:30 a.m. and made it to the Chargers complex by noon for a team meeting.
Tweet correction: During Turner’s press conference Monday morning, CBSChargers mistakenly tweeted: Chargers Turner: “I really think we have played at a real high level.”
Turner said: “I really think we have practiced at a real high level.”
Practice report: WR Eddie Royal (hamstring) did not practice. CB Chris Carr (quad) was limited. LT Jared Gaither (groin), C Nick Hardwick (abdomen), DE Vaughn Martin (neck), ILB Jonas Mouton (hip), ILB Takeo Spikes (arm) and CB Shareece Wright (foot) fully participated. Carr and Spikes were new additions to the injury list after Sunday’s game.
What’s next: On Tuesday, the Chargers will practice out of pads as if it were a normal Wednesday practice.
Follow the Chargers and Dan McLellan on Twitter @CBSChargers and @sandiegosports.