Big Shows & No Shows
Big Show
1. Jerod Mayo — Hey, the rookie linebacker was just as inadequate as his 44 other active teammates, but at least he tried. The kid was schooled by LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates in pass coverage, but he put in some effort, which is more than you can say for the rest of his mates.
2. Brandon Meriweather — If he takes a seat because of James Sanders, Lewis Sanders or Colonel Sanders, Bill Belichick has some explaining to do. He was all over the field.
3. Mike Wright — Admirable job by the defensive line reserve, who stepped in for injured Jarvis Green.
No Shows
1. Matt Cassel — He waits and waits and waits in the pocket. Clearly, he's regressing. This is a bad experiment combusting in New England's face.
2. Randy Moss — Since when can Quentin Jammer play Moss one-on-one and come out smelling like a rose? Nope, this was one of those listless Moss efforts that earned him a ticket out of Oakland.
3. Name the defensive back — Other than Meriweather, the defensive backs were deplorable. This was Vince Jackson and Malcolm Floyd torching the Pats for eight catches, 209 yards and two TDs. Ellis Hobbs, Deltha O'Neal, Terrence Wheatley and the rest share in the blame.
The Post-Game
Big date ahead
Tuesday is the NFL's trading deadline, and the Pats could use some help in a major way. We all noticed Jeff Garcia re-taking his starting job over at Tampa. Now, he's out, with the Pats in desperate need of a quarterback.
Had to expect a loss
Really, New England had to expect an all-out effort from the Chargers, who desperately needed a win with two long road trips coming. The victory places San Diego right in the thick of things in the AFC West, while it places the Pats in a stalemate with the Jets for second in the AFC East.
Travel theory isn't working
Arizona came East for two games and got walloped on the back half. The Pats went West for two, staying in the same time zone like the Cards did, and get throttled on their back half. Clearly, the eight days for the players away from their wives and families is not helping.
Grading the Groups
Offense
Line (C) ... The stars of the night. Really, the four sacks were a product of Matt Cassel's tentative nature.
Backs (C-) ... No Laurence Maroney and no LaMont Jordan clearly cramped what this group could do.
Receivers (F) ... Even Wes Welker's weekly donation couldn't help this group. Ben Watson still plays for the Pats, right?
Quarterbacks (F) ... Matt Cassel is a disaster, locking on receivers and panicking in the pocket. The image of Watson standing alone in the end zone comes to mind here.
Defense
Line (F) ... No sacks on a night Philip Rivers spent dancing and prancing while he located a receiver.
Linebackers (D) ... Is Mike Vrabel hanging out with Watson?
Secondary (F) ... Deltha O'Neal set the tone for an absolutely horrendous night.
