The Broncos arrived at their Downtown San Diego hotel just before 4:00 Pacific time on Saturday. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning leads the AFC in Pro Bowl balloting. That's not a surprise.
What is a surprise is a certain Charger is not getting more Pro Bowl buzz. That would be safety Darrell Stuckey. Who has a high-profile team-mate stumping for him.
"He's so consistent," said quarterback Philip Rivers. "His energy, his effort, you just know you can count on him."
Since being drafted in the 4th round in 2010, Stuckey has appeared in 57 NFL games, yet never started any of them. Still, he finds a way to get on the field and make an impact.
"His role in defense, I know, has increased," said Rivers, who during the week leading up to San Diego's showdown with Denver was kind of turned in to Stuckey's publicist. "The tackles, the blocked field goal, the things he does, it doesn't surprise you. It's just like of like, 'That's the Stuckey we see every day.'"
Stuckey is third in the NFL, and first in the AFC, with 14 special teams tackles. He also leads the conference in solo special teams tackles. I'll bet you didn't know that. But folks inside the game sure do.
"He's one of those that doesn't get a lot of recognition on the outside. I know he has respect around the league for his special teams play. He's a guy who's had a big impact on our team. We remember how awesome Kassim Osgood was here those years and he made a handful of Pro Bowls in a row as a special teams guy. I think Stuckey is that impactful. Guys, they double-team him, they triple-team him, they do everything they can to keep him from making tackles and he still makes them."
Yet, Darrell Stuckey, the Chargers Special Teams Captain, is not even on the Pro Bowl ballot. Seyi Ajirotutu, another fantastic special teamer who is one tackle behind Stuckey, is. New England Patriots wide receiver Matthew Slater leads the special teams balloting. But the Bolts would not trade their special specialist for anybody else.
"I'm sure there's a lot of other great special teams players," said Rivers, "but I can't imagine one being more valuable to his team than what (Stuckey) is to us."
And that brings us to this week's players to watch:
Darrell Stuckey, S
It’s Stuckey who usually camps underneath one of Mike Scifres’ punts and downs it inside the 10 yard line. Now that Scifres is being replaced by veteran Mat McBriar, and a game against the Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium usually comes down to some detail like field position, Stuckey’s ability to help a punter flip the field could very well come in to play in a big spot.
Mike Windt, LS
Yes, the long snapper. Let’s keep it on the special teams kick. Windt has worked with Scifres his entire 5-year career. Last week he didn’t miss a beat with Nick Novak set deep, but that’s something they practice each week. All of a sudden, having a new face to snap to can be make things interesting. Every punter likes the ball delivered in a particular spot. Windt’s ability to put the ball on target will help avoid any more major punt game disasters that change games (well, as long as Donald Brown blocks his guy and keeps anyone else from getting mauled).
Jahleel Addae, S
Seven weeks ago in Denver, Addae sustained a concussion in the Chargers’ loss. He was allowed to stay in the game, putting the Chargers in a bit of hot water. Jahleel is now healthy, and having his physical presence in the middle of the defense will be an asset against Peyton Manning. The vast majority of Manning’s pass attempts (better than 50-percent) are within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. That means you have to either cover them well, or tackle them well to avoid big plays. Addae’s ability to hit and bring down ball carriers can help get the Chargers defense off the field on 3rd downs, an absolute MUST against the Broncos offense.
Derek’s Prediction
Manning has been held to less than 200 yards passing in two straight games. Of course, they still won both of said games because he’s been content to hand the ball off to his running backs, who have been sensational gouging opposing defenses that were geared up to stop the aerial assault. This week, Manning will not have Montee Ball, and Ronnie Hillman is battling an injury and might not play.
So, it appears Manning will have to get back to throwing the ball again. That was a bad thing last time these teams met. But, in that game Jason Verrett was playing with one arm, Brandon Flowers and Melvin Ingram were out with injuries, and Richard Marshall was still on the roster.
This time around, the Chargers are in a much better position to deal with Peyton’s passing. Much like they did last week with Tom Brady, the Bolts will get in to the backfield enough to disrupt the Broncos’ offense while San Diego’s offensive line cleans up the communication errors that plagued them against the Pats.
Final score: Chargers 23, Broncos 20
