Boltaholic

LT against the Browns. Week 9 2006 (via Chargers.com pic by Lisa Blumenfeld)

I don’t do predictions, but I like Ladanian Tomlinson passing Jim Brown to claim 8th in all-time rushing yard Sunday in the first half. LT only needs 56 more yards to pass Brown.  The Charger offensive linemen are going to have some extra motivation opening holes against a team whose only motivation now, seemingly, would come on the 1st and 15th of the month (or whenever Browns players receive their checks).

Cromatie's having a good second half (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

I agree that Cromartie has played much better in the last stretch of games. It’s amazing (I’m being ironic) how much better a DB can play when the defense gets someone behind the opposing teams line of scrimmage.

The one person who is not mentioned in relation to the Chargers resurgence this season is AJ Smith, which is probably fine with him. But here we have a defense without three starters (Weddle, Merriman, Castillo – four if you include Jamal Williams) and nobody seems too concerned. I realize it’s the Browns, but that’s an interesting non-story and speaks to the depth, either through the draft (Larry English/Paul Oliver) or scrambling, that the Chargers/AJ have emphasized.

Via Chargers.com

I only mention because AJ was taking some heat earlier in the year when one of the tires on the bandwagon developed a slow leak. It’s easy to criticize when things aren’t going well, it’s really the backbone of commenting, and yes AJ has had hits and misses, but many aren’t so quick to give credit.

The season still has a long way to go, but Smith’s performance dealing with personnel problems, whether it’s injury or non-performance issues has been pretty solid this year. (This post was originally a comment on this story on the SDUT, but this Boltaholic or Boltsfanatic if you prefer).