Into The West: A San Diego Chargers Franchise (Madden 25)

[bjb2445]

INTO THE WEST
A San Diego Chargers Franchise

Game: Madden 25
System: PS3
Difficulty: All-Madden
Sliders: Jaymee13
Quarter Length: 14min
Draft Class: Default

** This is my first trek into doing a Franchise with OS. I've read a few others, and it inspired me to try my own. I'll be going with Jaymee13's Sliders and House rules. Playing some offline seasons, I've found this set to be challenging and fun. I wanted to choose one of the lower tier teams and work my way up; hence why I landed on San Diego. I'll be using pretty generic OS tables and such, until I can get the hang of things. Thanks and I hope you guys enjoy.

Upcoming:
Pre-Season Results (I've already skipped through)
Chargers Team Preview
Week 1 Matchup

[bjb2445]

2013 Chargers Schedule

San Diego Chargers 2013 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Sep 9	vs Texans	W 23-20 OT
Sep 15	at Eagles	W 20-18
Sep 22	at Titans	W 37-10
Sep 29	vs Cowboys
Oct 6	at Raiders
Oct 14	vs Colts
Oct 20	at Jaguars
Nov 3	at Redskins
Nov 10	vs Broncos
Nov 17	at Dolphins
Nov 24	at Chiefs
Dec 1	vs Bengals
Dec 8	vs Giants
Dec 15	at Broncos
Dec 22	vs Raiders
Dec 29	vs Chiefs

Chargers Stat Leaders

San Diego Chargers Offensive Leaders Stats - 2013
Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	YDS/G	LONG	TD	INT	RAT
Philip Rivers	18/30	232	7.7	232.0	30	2	1
Rushing	ATT	YDS	AVG	LONG	20+	TD	YDS/G	FUM
Ryan Mathews	37	137	3.7	11	0	0	137	1
Danny Woodhead	5	16	3.2	7	0	0	16	0
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG	20+	YDS/G	YAC
Kennan Allen	4	65	16.2	1	22	1	65
Ryan Mathews	5	58	11.6	0	30	1	58
Antonio Gates	3	39	13.0	1	29	1	39
Malcom Floyd	3	35	11.6	0	16	0	35

[bjb2445]

2013 Chargers Team Preview

Playoffs; That’s the mantra being spoken around the San Diego Chargers front office. “Our goal is to make it back to the playoffs,” said team owner Alex Spanos. “It’s something we haven’t done since 2009, but we feel that we have the pieces in place to make it there.” Whether the Chargers have the pieces in place remains to be seen. The 2012 Chargers finished 7-9 and never really played inspired football. This 2013 team baffles many pro-football analysts. No one can say for sure if this team will put it all together and make a playoff run, or stumble out of the gate and limp to a sub .500 season. It’s up to first year Coach Mike McCoy to give Chargers fans something to be excited about. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to coach in such a fine organization” said McCoy. “I can promise Charger fans one thing; this team will play 60 minutes of football each and every week.”

Let’s take a look at the 2013 Chargers

Draft Class

San Diego 2013 Draft Class
Pick	Player	College	Pos	Ht	Wt
11	DJ Fluker	Alabama	RT
38	Manti Te'o	Notre Dame	MLB
76	Keenan Allen	California	WR
145	Steve Wililams	California	WR
179	Tourek Williams	Florida International	DE
221	Brad Sorensen	Southern Utah	QB

OFFENSE
QB
The success of the offense starts and stops with Quarterback Philip Rivers. Since 2008, Rivers has put up at least 3500 yards and 25 touchdowns per year. Problem is he’s thrown a ton of interceptions also. Rivers QBR has declined in each season since 2009, hitting a career low 88.6 in 2012. He doesn’t have the most talented receivers around him this season, nor the most reliable running back. If he doesn’t show the patience and poise of a veteran NFL quarterback this season, the Chargers may be doomed. Backing up Rivers will be Rookie Brad Sorensen and veteran Charlie Whitehurst.

RB
While the success of the offense revolves around Rivers, Chargers fans know the consistency of Ryan Matthews is equally as important. The former first round pick has been less than stellar in his three seasons. Plagued by injuries, Matthews has never really shown the consistency needed at the Pro level. Chargers fans hope to see him return to 2010 form, where he rushed from 1091 yards. Backing up Matthews will be Ronnie Brown and Danny Woodhead.

WR/TE
The Chargers lack of depth at the WR position is a concern for Coach McCoy. The projected starters are Malcom Floyd, Denario Alexander, and Eddie Royal in the slot. None of the three really possess game changing speed or receiving ability. The best way they can help the offense is to make timely catches and don't drop the football. Third round draft pick Kennan Allen is also expected to see some action. On the TE front, Antonio Gates will once again be Philip Rivers security blanket. Fans and coaches are hoping that Gates can return to Pro-Bowl form. The 11th year Pro is showing signs of wear and tear, appearing in only 4 games last season while grabbing 25 balls. However, Gates has looked great in preseason, and Chargers coaches expect him to be back to full strength by week 1.

OL
The offensive line gets a bolster with First Round draft pick DJ Fluker out of Alabama. Fluker will anchor the right side of the line along with Jerome Clary at RG. The Chargers don't have much depth on the OL, and analysts consider this unit in the bottom half of the AFC.

Defense
LB
This may be the strongest unit on the team, and one of the strongest in the AFC. MLB Donald Butler started 12 games in 2012, recording 77 tackles and 3 sacks. OLB Jarret Johnson will be joined by newly acquired Dwight Freeney. Backing up Butler will be Second Round pick Manti Teo out of Notre Dame. Teo has impressed coaches and fans with his preseason work ethic and commitment to the team.

DB
Eric Weddle anchors a Chargers secondary that gave up only 230 passing yards per game last season. Starting on the outside will be CB Derek Cox and Richard Marshall. Also expected to see significant playing time is Fourth round draft pick Steve Williams out of Cal.

Schedule
The Chargers open the season at home against the AFC South champion Texans. They follow with tough road games at Tennessee and Philadelphia. The rest of the schedule balances out in difficulty, with the Chargers getting the Raiders, Colts, and Jaguars in October, but finishing with at tough second half schedule where they play the Broncos and Chiefs twice each, along with road games at the Giants and Dolphins.

2013 Prediction
7-9

[bjb2445]

Week 1

Matchup Preview | September 9, 2013
	@
Houston Texans (0-0, Away)		San Diego Chargers (0-0, Home)
Injury Report S. Montgomery Ruptured Disk (8 Weeks) RT D. Fluker Quad Tear (3 Weeks) LT N. Mondek Dislocated Knee (3 Weeks) WR D. Alexander Dislocated Ankle (3 Weeks) RE S. Lissmore Dislocated Elbow (3 Weeks) LT K. Dunlap Knee Cartilage Tear (4 Weeks)

San Diego Keys to the Game
- Slow the game down by keeping Arian Foster and Andre Johnson off the field.
- Establish the run early. This will be difficult, as both of San Diego's starting Tackles are out. But the Chargers can't abandon the run.
- Limit turnovers. The Texans are too good of a team to be giving them extra chances.

Houston Keys to the Game
- Get Arian Foster 20-25 touches. He will make plays if given enough chances.
- Eliminate Antonio Gates. Stop Gates, and you stop San Diego's passing attack.
- Play Action. Passing yards will be hard to come by against San Diego's secondary. Use play action to keep them off balance.

Prediction
Houston's offense will be too much, and San Diego will struggle to move the ball.
Houston 27-14

[bjb2445]

Anyone is welcome to comment now. Thanks!

[bjb2445]

Chargers down Texans in OT 23-20

San Diego CA - Philip Rivers had been in this situation several times throughout his career. Trailing by 7 with less than a minute to go, Rivers knew he had to be just about perfect on the final drive. Good thing for Chargers fans, he was perfect. Rivers led the Chargers on a 70 yard game tying drive with less than a minute to go, hitting Antonio Gates for a 29 yard TD to tie the game and send it into overtime. "I saw Antonio had beat the linebacker on a seam route, so I figured I could squeeze it over the top before the safety rolled over. It worked out this time" said Rivers. The Chargers would go on to win it in overtime on Nick Novak's 29-yard FG.

The Chargers came into the game 12 point underdogs, but were able to do enough things right to escape with their first victory of the season. After a scoreless first quarter, the Texans jumped out to a 13-3 halftime lead. San Diego's offense couldn't get much going in the first half, managing only 105 yards of offense. Rivers took the Chargers down the field on the opening drive of the second half, hitting rookie Kennan Allen for a 22 yard touchdown, bringing the Chargers within 3. With the game tied with 2:00 remaining, Matt Schaub marched the Texans down the field, capping the drive off with a 7 yard Arian Foster touchdown run, seemingly sealing the victory. That's when Rivers took over, running a flawless two minute offense in which he completed 5 passes for 70 yards and the touchdown to Gates.

After trading possessions in overtime, San Diego took over at their 20 yard line with 8:00 remaining in the period. They leaned on Ryan Mathews, who carried 8 times for 53 yards on the final drive. The Texans defense was exhausted and unable to make a much needed stop. The Chargers got well within range of Nick Novak, and he nailed the 22 yarder for the victory.

"I'm just really proud of the guts our guys showed tonight" said Charger Coach Mike McCoy. "They didn't quit and were able to claw out a win." San Diego knew that coming in they would have to establish a run game. They also knew this would be difficult, since starting Tackles DJ Fluker and King Dunlap were out. They were determined to run however, and the offensive line opened enough holes for San Diego to churn out 155 yards on the ground. Ryan Mathews was the work horse, grinding for 139 yards on a career high 37 carries. Rivers started slow in the first half, but finished the strong throwing for 182 yards and 2 TDs in the second half and overtime. He completed 18-30 for 232 yards and the 2 scores with 1 interception.

The Chargers defense was equally impressive. They limited All Pro running back Arian Foster to 107 yards on 27 carries. Donald Butler led the defense with 8 tackles, and the Chargers secondary was able to pick Schaub off twice. Overall, it was a solid performance.

Next week the Chargers travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles, two point winners over the Redskins this week. Should be an exciting game and another stiff test for the Chargers defense.

Houston Texans at San Diego Chargers
Sep 9, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	OT	SCORE
Houston Texans (0-1)	0	13	0	7	0	20
San Diego Chargers (1-0)	0	3	7	10	3	23

Team Stats Comparison
	HOU	SDG
Total Offense	392	387
Rushing Yards	116	155
Passing Yards	276	232
First Downs	18	20
Punt Return Yards	56	63
Kick Return Yards	0	58
Total Yards	448	508
Turnovers	2	2
3rd Down Converstion	38%	43%
4th Down Conversion	0%	100%
2-Point Conversion	0	0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	1/2	1/0
Penalties	2	3
Posession Time	28:13	33:47

Houston Texans PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Matt Schaub 23/33 282 1 2 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Arian Foster 27 107 3.9 1 Ben Tate 3 9 3.0 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Arian Foster 6 62 10.3 0 Owen Daniels 6 85 14.1 0 Andre Johnson 4 65 16.25 0 Lestar Jean 3 37 12.3 1 DeAndre Hopkins 3 28 9.3 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Brooks Reed 6 0 0 0 Ed Reed 8 0 0 0 Brian Cushing 8 0 0 0 Johnathan Joseph 5 0 1 0 Antonio Smith 6 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Shayne Graham 2/2 2/2 8 32 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Shane Lechler 5 210 42 1

San Diego Chargers PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Philip Rivers 18/30 232 2 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Ryan Mathews 37 139 3.7 0 Danny Woodhead 5 16 3.2 0 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Kennan Allen 4 65 16.2 1 Ryan Mathews 5 58 11.6 0 Antonio Gates 3 39 13.0 1 Malcom Floyd 3 35 11.6 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Manti Teo 3 0 0 0 Cam Thomas 3 0 0 0 Donald Butler 8 0 0 0 Corey Liuget 4 1 0 0 Shareece Wright 2 0 1 0 Brandon Taylor 7 0 0 0 Dwight Freeney 2 0 0 0 Jarret Johnson 6 0 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Nick Novak 3/3 2/2 11 45 PUNTING NO YDS AVG IN20 Mike Scifres 5 185 37 2

[Deuce2223]

Wow losing Fluker hurts.. However looks like the backups came through and opened up some holes for Mathews.

Congrats on pulling out the victory..

By the way any chance you will move the Chargers north to L.A. or are you thinking maybe just rebuild a new stadium and stay in San Diego.

[bjb2445]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deuce2223

Wow losing Fluker hurts.. However looks like the backups came through and opened up some holes for Mathews. Congrats on pulling out the victory.. By the way any chance you will move the Chargers north to L.A. or are you thinking maybe just rebuild a new stadium and stay in San Diego.

Ya having both my Tackles out is hurting. My YPC is very low. They'll both be back in a few weeks so I'm hoping they can get some push up front.

I am leaning towards staying in San Diego, although a new stadium wouldn't be bad. Qualcomm is aging.