Turner calls Sunday “one of the best wins” of his tenure

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

On Sunday, the Chargers were forced to go on the road on a short week, play a physical opponent and overcome a slow start offensively.

The result was a 28-18 victory over Oakland, one that Head Coach Norv Turner said on Monday was “one of the best wins we’ve had as a football team since I’ve been here over the last year and a half.”

While there were the typical miscues that occur in nearly any game, Turner was proud of the way his team prepared for Oakland’s size and power on both sides of the ball.

“I thought our defense stepped up,” Turner said. “That team was running the ball awfully well, one of the better rushing teams in the league. (We held) them to 72 yards rushing, and then coming up with critical turnovers that gave us great field position. Obviously their defensive front … how big and how massive and how well they had played, I think our guys did a good job getting ready for the game.”

Quarterback Philip Rivers, who led the club to 25 points in the fourth quarter after the offense mustered just 85 total yards in the first half, used the word “fought” several times Monday. The fact that it didn’t come easy seemed to make the victory even more satisfying.

“Those are very gratifying and rewarding games,” Rivers said. “Things don’t go well but your guys stick together and they fight and you find a way to win as a team; special teams has the big return and some big plays, the defense obviously was outstanding and offensively we were able to do enough late to help us win.”

Sunday’s defensive performance was sparked by a couple players who missed time this summer but appear to be finding their groove. Defensive tackle Jamal Williams’ contributions can hardly be measured statistically, other than the fact that Oakland entered the game ranked third in the NFL in rushing and finished with a miniscule 3.1 yards per carry average.

Williams was limited in training camp as he recovered from offseason knee surgery, as was defensive end Luis Castillo. Their play was crucial.

“We’re getting better and the reason you get better is because individuals are playing better,” Turner said. “Jamal had his best game; Luis had his best game and that’s not by coincidence. Luis missed most of training camp with a back injury, Jamal missed most of training camp so every week they play they have a chance of going out and playing better. I thought Shaun Philips had his best game. Obviously Marques Harris came up and made big plays, the big sack/fumble. We got contributions from a lot of guys.”

The Chargers will in a sense have another short week, considering they’ll leave Friday to travel to Miami. The Dolphins enjoyed a bye Sunday after their dominating win over the defending AFC Champion Patriots in Week 3. The Bolts will be tested again, but Turner likes how his team is improving.

“I think we’re getting better as a football team in all three phases,” Turner said. “That’s certainly what we need to do and that’s what every team needs to do at this time of year.”

Injury update

Linebacker Jyles Tucker left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury and didn’t return. He will likely miss at least some practice time this week, as will guard Mike Goff, who underwent tests on his strained knee Monday.

Tucker and Goff were the only two players Turner mentioned Monday, but the coach also said that several of his guys were sore after the typical bumps and bruises that go along with a physical game like the one his team played Sunday.

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson said his right toe felt good Monday and he expects a full week of practice this week. He’s missed at least one day in each of the last three weeks.

Don’t be so hard

Center Nick Hardwick, who started Sunday for the first time this season, was a bit hard on himself in postgame interviews, calling his performance “average.” Turner gave a better review of his Pro Bowl snapper Monday.

“I thought Nick did a lot of good things,” Turner said. “Certainly not having played, he will get better. I give the credit to their defensive front and those guys.”

Turner also pointed out that the man Hardwick was regularly locked up against, Terdell Sands, is 6-7 and weighs 335 pounds; a load for anyone, especially a player who hasn’t suited up in nine months.

Welcome back

The Chargers defense played their best game of the season Sunday and will get a boost this week as linebacker Stephen Cooper returns from his four-game suspension. Turner said he’s yet to determine whether or not Cooper will immediately regain his starting job, and that’s fine with the six-year veteran.

“I’m going to compete,” Cooper said. “Who knows? The coaches know what they’re going to do. I’m going to go out there and play the best I can play and hopefully I do get to go in there Sunday and play.”

Cooper said that the last four weeks have been emotionally tough and even admitted that he broke into tears just before watching the season opener against Carolina from his living room. He believes he’s prepared to contribute right away.

“Mentally I’m definitely ready,” Cooper said. “I know this defense inside and out. Physically I’ve been working out hard, but no matter how hard you work you’re still going to go out there and get winded. At the end of the day I’m going to do what I’ve got to do on the (practice) field Wednesday and Thursday to try to get myself ready for Sunday.”

Nice dive

Rivers generally receives a razzing from his teammates any time he has to tuck the ball and run, and Sunday was no exception. During a fourth-quarter scramble, Rivers fell to the ground after picking up a first down, but instead of doing a baseball-style slide, he tumbled and rolled a couple times.

“Some of the guys have said it looks like my knee brace got caught so I’ll go with that story,” Rivers joked. “Dielman even told me right afterwards, ‘That was one of the ugliest things I think I’ve ever seen.’ Oh well.”

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images North America

Norv Turner was fired up Sunday but more than happy on Monday.

	Monday: Norv Turner Mondays press conference with Head Coach Norv Turner. Play
	Monday: Philip Rivers Mondays press conference with QB Philip Rivers. Play
	Monday: LaDainian Tomlinson Mondays press conference with RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Play
	Monday: Shaun Phillips Mondays press conference with LB Shaun Phillips. Play