| If Philip Rivers is able to connect on a back-shoulder fade route with Malcom Floyd often on Sunday, it could be a long afternoon for the Titans' secondary. (Getty Images) |
Facing a second-and-13 from their 38-yard line in the second quarter of Monday’s opener, San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers and WR Malcom Floyd flawlessly executed a play the duo has spent the past nine years perfecting.
Pressed at the line by Raiders CB Ron Bartell, Floyd gained separation along the right sideline and came back to a Rivers’ pass thrown slightly behind to his outside shoulder. On the Monday Night Football broadcast, analyst Trent Dilfer gushed “there’s no defense for a perfect throw.”
On Sunday afternoon when the Tennessee Titans travel to San Diego, the Tennessee secondary must be constantly aware of the back-shoulder fade from Rivers to Floyd. It’s a play that Rivers indicated has become fashionable throughout the league for its low-risk, high-reward potential. Floyd’s ranginess and Rivers’ comfort-level with the 6-foot-5 receiver creates a lethal combination.
“He usually comes down with it, or nobody does,” Rivers said. “There’s obviously a trust factor there that he and I have.”
Titans CB Alterraun Verner said cornerbacks are taught to play over the top of receivers, especially against ones with top-end speed who provide a threat downfield. A receiver who has established perfect timing with his quarterback can counter by improvising and stopping on a dime.
“When you’re over the top, you’re susceptible to the back shoulder,” Verner said. “If you have a good receiver that waits until the last minute when the ball is played it’s almost impossible to defend.”
Rivers is among a host of quarterbacks Titans secondary coach Brett Maxie highlighted as the most adept throughout the league at making the throw. Maxie also lauded Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Eli Manning and Drew Brees for their ability to defeat press coverage with the play. Although the throw is typically made along the sidelines, Maxie said Brees is phenomenal at delivering a back shoulder pass on a seam route to WR Marques Colston. Verner and his teammates could prepare for Floyd by watching film on how the Titans defended Colston in last season’s 22-17 loss to the Saints.
As offenses have improved their sophistication over the past two decades, Maxie has seen the back-shoulder fade become more prevalent. In 1994, the former defensive back faced Jeff George in practice as a member of the Falcons. George, a bullet passer, had the arm strength to unleash the back shoulder pass to receivers Andre Rison and Terance Mathis before a defensive back could blink. Since the Giants’ offense compares favorably with former Falcons’ coach June Jones’ run-and-shoot attack, Maxie is not surprised that the throw is an integral part of Manning’s arsenal.
“It’s part of their system,” Maxie said. “On a first-and-10, that’s a quick way to get six or seven yards. It’s better than a screen.”
Although Rivers has a tendency to hold on to the ball to allow receivers like Floyd to open up downfield, the Titans can rattle him with pressure from DE Kamerion Wimbley. Last November, Wimbley sacked Rivers’ four times in the Raiders 24-17 win. All four of Wimbley’s sacks came against former Chargers’ reserve tackle Brandyn Dombrowski.
With San Diego starting tackle Jared Gaither dealing with a back injury, Wimbley will likely face Chargers’ rookie lineman Mike Harris. The Chargers were hesitant to use a running back or tight end to chip Wimbley in the defeat.
“I’ll go into that game knowing that could be a possibility,” Wimbley said. “You still have to go fast, you can’t slow down your rush. There are a couple things you can do -- you can basically run a counter off the chip.”
CJ looks to bounce back: All-Pro RB Chris Johnson hopes to rebound from a sub-par performance in the opener when he rushed for a career-low four yards on 11 carries.
Since signing a six-year, $55.26 million extension last summer, Johnson has rushed for just 1,051 yards (3.84 yards per carry).
“Of course you’re angry, it makes you upset,” Johnson said. “When things don’t go right I know everything’s going to get pointed at me because I’m the main focal point. I got a big contract.”
The Chargers held Oakland to 45 rushing yards in Monday’s win. Raiders RB Darren McFadden had 32 yards on 15 carries.
Injury update: It's unlikely that starting MLB Colin McCarthy (ankle) will play vs. San Diego, coach Mike Munchak said. Munchak is optimistic McCarthy can return in Week 3 vs. Detroit.
RB Javon Ringer (elbow), OTMike Otto (finger/knee) and OG Steve Hutchinson (rest) missed practice Thursday. Otto will likely be out vs. the Chargers.
WR Nate Washington (calf) took part in individual running, but didn’t practice with the team. Washington could practice Friday, Munchak said. G Leroy Harris (knee) and DT Sen'Derrick Marks (knee) practiced despite the injuries.
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