Sometimes when you are struggling or “off your game” so to speak, you need to get back to the basics.
Growing up for years we’ve heard about the KISS method. Those four letters stand for “Keep It Simple, Stupid.”
In the NFL, the simplest way to increase your winning percentage is to come up with more takeaways than turnovers.
Protect the ball and you're probably going to win.
The Chargers are minus-4 in turnovers. That's a big reason why they're 2-and-4.
And a big problem has been rookie running back Melvin Gordon putting the ball on the ground.
He has 3 fumbles in his last 2 games, and dropped a pair in Green Bay on Sunday. Gordon actually leads all running backs with 4 total fumbles through 6 contests.
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That's why he was benched for the entire second half against the Packers.
Melvin did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury but he said in the locker room that he will be healthy enough to play this weekend against the Raiders. How much Gordon plays against Oakland is the big question.
To his credit he is willing to speak at length about his recent struggles. He also admitted to being benched in the Packers game because of the fumbles (not the injury) and that he understands he must do a better job holding on to the pigskin.
“Coach was telling me that you can’t play here – or anywhere (in the NFL) – putting the ball on the ground,” said Gordon. “They’ll find someone else who can hold on to the ball. So he just let me know and you know he didn’t need to tell me that. You kind of know. If you can’t hold on to the ball, someone else will.”
“He seems to have the right approach,” added quarterback Philip Rivers. “He does not need more and more voices saying “On to the last play,” and “next game” and all that. He’ll be just fine. Again I think there’s been this expectation for him and I still think he can live up to all those (expectations).”
Even LaDainian Tomlinson fumbed 8 times as a rookie. We can all agree he turned out to be pretty good. Hall of Fame good.
Plus the guys who are supposed to block for Gordon have not been great.
The good news is Chargers left tackle King Dunlap and left guard Orlando Franklin were both back at practice on Wednesday. They could be in the starting lineup again for the Oakland game at Qualcomm Stadium.
Franklin has not played since injuring his right leg during the team’s week 3 loss at Minnesota.
Also included on the Chargers injury report but practicing in full were rookie linebacker Kyle Emanuel and safety Jahleel Addae. Offensive lineman Chris Watt and wide receiver Stevie Johnson were limited participants.
Offensive playmakers Antonio Gates (knee) and Keenan Allen (hip) did not suit up Wednesday. Lineman Chris Hairston and DJ Fluker are still battling ankle injuries and did not practice. Ditto safety Eric Weddle (groin), rookie cornerback Craig Mager (hamstring), and linebackers Manti Teo (ankle) and Tourek Williams (foot).
