Perhaps the best number the Chargers earned last year was the number 6, the amount of games they won in a row to close out the regular season. They then won two more in the playoffs, before putting up a valiant effort versus the then-perfect Pats. If we had to chose a favorite number, 6 would be it.
On offense, LaDainian was a one-stud wrecking crew, accounting for 15 of the team’s 19 total rushing touchdowns (those stats were the most for a single player and the second most as a team, respectively). The Chargers were also above the curve in total rushing yards (2,039) and yards per attempt (4.2). However, through the air the Chargers were a little less fantastic, though they didn’t try as hard to pass the ball as other teams. The Chargers were middle-of-the-pack in team passing touchdowns (22), interceptions (16) and yards per catch (6.1), so the air attack was at least pulling its own weight.
On defense the best stat available from the 2007 season is 30, the number of interceptions that the Chargers caught, ranking them first in the league in that statistic. You can probably thank Antonio Cromartie and his 10 picks for that nice season highlight. Considering how young Antonio is (24), it’s nice to know that in only his sophomore year in the league he’s the NFL leader in interceptions. He also can run with the ball well when he has it in his hands. He earned 144 yards and a couple of touchdowns off of takeaways.
One statistical area to note: Shawne Merriman had a slightly off year. He was sixth in the league in sacks with 12.5 on the season, which was a big slide from his fabulous 17-sack season in 2006. We have a feeling that he will come up with a few more this year, though. He’s hungry for the Chargers to get to the big one, and he will probably have plenty of fresh meat to sack in the AFC West this year. When you purchase San Diego Chargers tickets, make sure to cheer on "Lights Out" while he’s trying to get into the pocket.
Written by Brent Warnken, sponsored by StubHub. StubHub.com sells San Diego Chargers tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and more to just about any event in the world.
