Eric D. Williams 9y

Execution, not effort, lacking for Chargers

DENVER -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the San Diego Chargers' 35-21 loss to the Denver Broncos:

  • San Diego players indicated that the team played hard against the Broncos but just did not execute during the critical moments of the game. The Chargers forced two fumbles but could not recover them. A potential recovery by Kavell Conner on a fumbled kick return by Andre Caldwell was overturned by the replay official. Eric Weddle's interception at the goal line that would have prevented a Denver touchdown was negated because of a defensive holding call on fellow safety Marcus Gilchrist.

  • The Chargers had three turnovers all season, but Philip Rivers threw two interceptions on Thursday. San Diego finished with seven penalties for 77 yards. "That's a very good football team," Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. "And we gave them too many opportunities with a team like that. So, we've got to do a better job coaching and playing. It comes down to execution."

  • Rivers was asked about where the Chargers stand at 5-3 at the midpoint of the season, with San Diego suffering its first two-game losing streak of the year. "This is a 16-round fight," Rivers said. "And we've won five and lost three. It's one big game, that's the way I see it. And we've had a couple rounds where we've got knocked around a little bit. And we're going to regroup and try to go get a win in Round 9 in Miami."

  • Safety Jahleel Addae suffered a shoulder stinger, not a concussion, on a second-half play where he slammed into the line of scrimmage to stop Denver running back Ronnie Hillman. Addae was observed shaking the left side of his body, which appeared to go numb after the hit. He stayed in the game for another play after the hit but eventually was replaced by Darrell Stuckey to start the fourth quarter.

  • Cornerback Jason Verrett reinjured his shoulder in the first half and did not return. He was seen wearing a sling on his left shoulder on the sideline in the second half. Receiver Malcom Floyd suffered a shoulder injury but returned to the game.

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