2011 San Diego Chargers season

2011 San Diego Chargers season
Head coach Norv Turner
General manager A.J. Smith
Owner Alex Spanos
Home field Qualcomm Stadium
Results
Record 8–8
Division place 2nd AFC West
Playoff finish did not qualify
Pro Bowlers
AP All-Pros Eric Weddle, S

The 2011 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League and the 52nd overall. The team failed to improve on its 9–7 record from 2010, and finished in a three-way tie with the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders for the AFC West division title, with an 8–8 record, but lost the tiebreaker to the Broncos and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. For Norv Turner, this was his fifth season as the head coach of the Chargers. The Chargers had the 18th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Offseason

Coaching changes

On January 11, defensive coordinator Ron Rivera became the new head coach of the Carolina Panthers.[1] That same day, Rich Bisacchia was named the team's new special teams' coach, replacing Steve Crosby, whose contract was not renewed.[2][3] Three days later (January 14), the team hired former San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator Greg Manusky to replace Rivera. Manusky previously served as the Chargers' linebackers coach from 2002–2006.[4]

Arrivals

Departures

2011 draft board

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeSignedNotes
118 Corey LiugetDTIllinois–
250 Marcus GilchristCBClemson–
261 Jonas MoutonLBMichigan–[dr 1]
382 Vincent BrownWRSan Diego State–
389 Shareece WrightCBUSC–[dr 2]
4– –[dr 3]
5– –[dr 4]
6183 Jordan TodmanRBConnecticut–
6201 Stephen SchillingGMichigan–[dr 5]
7234 Andrew GachkarLBMissouri–[dr 6]

Draft notes

  1. ↑ The team acquired this second-round selection in a March 2010 trade that sent CB Antonio Cromartie to the New York Jets.
  2. ↑ The team acquired this third-round selection as part of a March 2010 trade that sent QB Charlie Whitehurst to the Seattle Seahawks.
  3. ↑ The team traded its fourth-round selection (#115 overall), a 2010 third-round selection and a 2010 sixth-round selection to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for its 2010 third-round selection (#79 overall; used to select LB Donald Butler).
  4. ↑ The team traded its fifth-round selection (#149 overall) and a 2010 fifth-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for its 2010 fifth-round selection (#146 overall; used to select DT Cam Thomas).
  5. ↑ Compensatory selection.
  6. ↑ In September 2010, the team traded its seventh-round selection (#220 overall) to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for WR Patrick Crayton.

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateKickoffOpponentResultsGame siteTVNFL.com
recap
Final scoreTeam record
1 August 11 5:00 p.m. PDT Seattle Seahawks L 17–24 0–1 Qualcomm Stadium ESPN Recap
2 August 21 5:00 p.m. PDT at Dallas Cowboys W 20–7 1–1 Cowboys Stadium NBC Recap
3 August 27 7:00 p.m. PDT at Arizona Cardinals W 34–31 2–1 University of Phoenix Stadium Recap
4 September 1 7:00 p.m. PDT San Francisco 49ers L 17–20 2–2 Qualcomm Stadium Recap

Regular season

Kicker Nate Kaeding suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the year. He was replaced by Nick Novak, who set a Charger record making 11 kicks from 40 yards or longer.[5]

Schedule

WeekDateKickoffOpponentResultsGame siteTVNFL.com
recap
Final scoreTeam record
1 September 11 1:15 p.m. PDT Minnesota Vikings W 24–17 1–0 Qualcomm Stadium Fox Recap
2 September 18 1:15 p.m. PDT at New England Patriots L 21–35 1–1 Gillette Stadium CBS Recap
3 September 25 1:05 p.m. PDT Kansas City Chiefs W 20–17 2–1 Qualcomm Stadium CBS Recap
4 October 2 1:15 p.m. PDT Miami Dolphins W 26–16 3–1 Qualcomm Stadium CBS Recap
5 October 9 1:15 p.m. PDT at Denver Broncos W 29–24 4–1 Sports Authority Field at Mile High CBS Recap
6 Bye
7 October 23 10:00 a.m. PDT at New York Jets L 21–27 4–2 MetLife Stadium CBS Recap
8 October 31 5:30 p.m. PDT at Kansas City Chiefs L 20–23 (OT) 4–3 Arrowhead Stadium ESPN Recap
9 November 6 1:15 p.m. PST Green Bay Packers L 38–45 4–4 Qualcomm Stadium Fox Recap
10 November 10 5:20 p.m. PST Oakland Raiders L 17–24 4–5 Qualcomm Stadium NFLN Recap
11 November 20 1:15 p.m. PST at Chicago Bears L 20–31 4–6 Soldier Field CBS Recap
12 November 27 1:15 p.m. PST Denver Broncos L 13–16 (OT) 4–7 Qualcomm Stadium CBS Recap
13 December 5 5:30 p.m. PST at Jacksonville Jaguars W 38–14 5–7 EverBank Field ESPN Recap
14 December 11 1:15 p.m. PST Buffalo Bills W 37–10 6–7 Qualcomm Stadium CBS Recap
15 December 18 5:20 p.m. PST Baltimore Ravens W 34–14 7–7 Qualcomm Stadium NBC Recap
16 December 24 1:05 p.m. PST at Detroit Lions L 10–38 7–8 Ford Field CBS Recap
17 January 1 1:15. p.m. PST at Oakland Raiders W 38–26 8–8 O.co Coliseum CBS Recap
     Indicates that the game was blacked out locally due to low ticket sales.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week One: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 10 0017
Chargers 7 0 71024

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Coming off their special teams woes in 2010, the Chargers allowed a 103-yard opening kickoff return to Percy Harvin to start the season. Kicker Nate Kaeding suffered a season-ending injury on the play, and punter Mike Scifres assumed place kicking responsibilities for the game.[6][7] The Chargers outscored the Vikings 10–0 in the fourth quarter to come back and win the game, 24–17. Fullback Mike Tolbert scored three touchdowns, and Philip Rivers completed 33 of 48 passes for 335 yards and two touchdowns. He was also intercepted twice. Scifres kicked a 40-yard field goal, the first of his NFL career, and kicked three PATs. With the win, the Chargers started their season out 1–0.[7]

Week 2: at New England Patriots

Week Two: San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 0 01421
Patriots 7 13 01535

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Game information

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 1–1.

Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week Three: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 71017
Chargers 0 10 7320

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 25
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 67°F (Partly Cloudy)
  • Game attendance: 62,236
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

With the win, the Chargers improved to 2–1.

Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins

Week Four: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 7 3 3316
Chargers 7 6 10326

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 1:15 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 84°F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 63,002
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts (blacked out locally)
Game information

With the win, the Chargers improved to 3–1.

Week 5: at Denver Broncos

Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 6 17 0629
Broncos 7 3 01424

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

With the win, the Chargers went into their bye week at 4–1. The team also managed to get their best start after 5 games under head coach Norv Turner.

Week 7: at New York Jets

Week Seven: San Diego Chargers at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 14 0021
Jets 3 7 71027

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 58°F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 79,088
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Game information

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 4–2.

Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Eight: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Chargers 0 3 98020
Chiefs 10 3 07323

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Game information

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 4–3.

Week 9: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Nine: Green Bay Packers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Packers 21 7 31445
Chargers 7 10 71438

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 4–4.

Week 10: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Ten: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Raiders 7 10 7024
Chargers 3 0 14017

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

Trying to snap a three-game losing streak, the Chargers stayed at home for a Week 10 AFC West duel with the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night. San Diego struck first in the opening quarter with a 20-yard field goal from kicker Nick Novak, but the Raiders answered with running back Michael Bush getting a 2-yard touchdown run. Oakland added onto their lead in the second quarter with kicker Sebastian Janikowski getting a 23-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Carson Palmer completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Denarius Moore.

The Chargers began the third quarter with quarterback Philip Rivers finding rookie wide receiver Vincent Brown on a 30-yard touchdown pass, but the Raiders struck back with Palmer completing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Moore. Afterwards, San Diego closed out the quarter with Rivers hooking up with fullback Jacob Hester on a 7-yard touchdown pass. The Chargers tried to rally in the fourth quarter, but Oakland's defense held on to preserve the win.

Win the loss, not only did San Diego fall to 4–5, but it marked the first time since 2003 that the Chargers had lost four-straight.

Week 11: at Chicago Bears

Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 7 7320
Bears 3 14 14031

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 3:15 p.m. CST/1:15 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 42°F (Cloudy, winds gusting to 20 mph)
  • Game attendance: 62,344
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Game information

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 4–6 and lost 5 in a row for the first time since 2003.

Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Twelve: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Broncos 0 7 33316
Chargers 3 7 30013

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 1:15 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 84°F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 64,436
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

The loss was the sixth consecutive for the Chargers, their longest such streak in 10 years which took their record down to 4–7.[8]

Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Thirteen: San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 10 14 7738
Jaguars 0 14 0014

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: December 5
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 67°F (Clear)
  • Game attendance: 62,743
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden and Sal Paolantonio
Game information

Hoping to snap a six-game losing streak, the Chargers flew to EverBank Field for a Week 13 Monday night duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. San Diego delivered the game's opening punch with a 13-yard touchdown run from running back Mike Tolbert, followed by a 29-yard field goal from kicker Nick Novak. The Jaguars would answer in the second quarter with quarterback Blaine Gabbert completing a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Maurice Jones-Drew and a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cecil Shorts, yet the Chargers replied with quarterback Philip Rivers connecting with rookie wide receiver Vincent Brown on a 22-yard touchdown pass and a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Vincent Jackson.

San Diego added onto its lead in the third quarter with Rivers hooking up with wide receiver Malcom Floyd on a 52-yard touchdown pass. Afterwards, the 'Bolts would pull away in the fourth quarter with a 31-yard touchdown run from running back Ryan Matthews.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 5–7.

Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Fourteen: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 10010
Chargers 7 9 14737

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

With the win, the Chargers improved to 6–7.

Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Fifteen: Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Ravens 0 7 0714
Chargers 7 10 14334

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

Game information

With the win, the Chargers improved to 7–7.

Week 16: at Detroit Lions

Week Sixteen: San Diego Chargers at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 10010
Lions 10 14 7738

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

With the loss, the Chargers fell to 7–8.

Week 17: at Oakland Raiders

Week Seventeen: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 17 7738
Raiders 7 6 6726

at O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

With the win, the Chargers wrapped up their season at 8–8 and snapped their 3-game losing streak against the Raiders.

Standings

AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Denver Broncos 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 309 390 L3
San Diego Chargers 8 8 0 .500 3–3 7–5 406 377 W1
Oakland Raiders 8 8 0 .500 3–3 6–6 333 395 L1
Kansas City Chiefs 7 9 0 .438 3–3 4–8 212 338 W1

Staff

San Diego Chargers 2011 staff
Front Office
  • Owner – Alex Spanos
  • Chairman/President – Dean Spanos
  • Executive Vice President – Michael Spanos
  • Executive Vice President/CEO – A. G. Spanos
  • Executive Vice President/General Manager – A. J. Smith
  • Executive Vice President of Football Operations/Assistant General Manager – Ed McGuire
  • Senior Executive – Randy Mueller
  • Director of Player Personnel – Jimmy Raye
  • Director of Pro Scouting – Dennis Abraham
  • Director of College Scouting – John Spanos
  • Assistant Director of Pro Scouting – Bryan Cox
  • Assistant Director of College Scouting – Mike Biehl

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

  

Defensive Coaches

Special Teams Coaches

Strength and Conditioning

  • Strength and Conditioning – Jeff Hurd
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Vernon Stephens

Final roster

2011 San Diego Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 52 Active, 12 Inactive, 8 Practice squad

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Turner, Chargers begin search for new defensive coordinator
  2. ↑ Crosby's contract not renewed for 2011
  3. ↑ Bisaccia agrees to become special teams coach
  4. ↑ Manusky named defensive coordinator
  5. ↑ Heilbrunn, Annie; Krasovic, Tom (September 28, 2012). "Chargers sign Novak". U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Chargers kicker Kaeding out for season with likely torn ACL". Nfl.com. September 11, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Chargers complete comeback victory on Tolbert's third TD". Nfl.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  8. ↑ Williamson, Bill (December 3, 2011). "San Diego no longer an elite program". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 8, 2012. The Chargers – widely considered as a Super Bowl contender going into this season – stagger into a Monday night game at Jacksonville on a six-game losing skid. It is the Chargers’ longest such streak in 10 years.
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