Arrowhead factor from Bolts perspective...

[ChargerMike]

Chargers hope to tackle Arrowhead's challenges

Friday, Oct 20, 2006

By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Last week when the Chargers traveled to San Francisco, they were accompanied by a host of Bolts fans who made enough noise to make their presence felt in the opponent’s stadium.. There’s certain to be plenty of noise during Sunday’s Week 7 contest at Arrowhead Stadium, but it’s unlikely that much of it will be in support of the 4-1 Chargers.

“I personally think it’s the hardest place to play in the National Football League – indoor, outdoor, it doesn’t matter,” Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “They’ve got almost 80,000 (fans) there. They bring a lot of sound into that place. It’s a tough place to play and it’s going to be a challenge for us.”

Arrowhead has not been a kind venue to the Chargers in recent years. The Bolts are just 3-9 in their last dozen visits to Kansas City, but coming off a pair of emotional wins, the Chargers have reason to believe things might be different this time.

“We’re playing really good football right now,” said tight end Antonio Gates, who has seven touchdown receptions in four career games against the Chiefs. “They’re crazy in Kansas City. They’re passionate fans who really make it hard on you, but the way to take the crowd out of the game is to score. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

The Chargers believe they’re getting a bit of a break by heading to Kansas City in the first half of the season. In the last five seasons, only once have they gone to Arrowhead earlier in the season.

“I’d rather play there this time of year than in December,” wide receiver Eric Parker said. “We’re not going to make excuses, but we’ve made some trips there when it was soggy and cold. You have to play through those things, but we haven’t been successful. I think it’s a good thing that we’ve got this trip now.”

The Chargers have a couple tools that they’ll use to combat the crowd. Like he does every week when preparing for a road game, Schottenheimer has blasted white noise through a speaker system that surrounds the practice field.

“To me, you can’t get much louder than our practice,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “You get to a certain point where loud is loud. We prepare for it.”

The Bolts are also proficient in the no huddle offense, which allows the players to communicate more through hand signals and avoid the difficulty of verbal calls.

“We went into Indianapolis a year ago and 90 percent of the snaps were no huddle calls,” Schottenheimer said. “With the no huddle, you get your football team to focus and concentrate or they know they’re not going to be able to execute.”

“Regardless of where you go, it’s hard to win on the road in this league. You just have to prepare and not let the factors get to you. We’re a focused football team right now, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Doubling up

A day after being recognized as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week, Rivers received word from the NFL that fans voted him the FedEx Air Player of the Week. Thanks to his four-touchdown effort at San Francisco, running back LaDainian Tomlinson won the FedEx Ground Player of the Week as well. FedEx will donate two $5,000 checks to Rady Children’s Hospital in honor of Rivers and Tomlinson.

Tomlinson, not to be one-upped by his quarterback, took home two player-of-the-week awards this week. The Chargers alumni recognized LT as their Player of the Week following Thursday’s practice.

McNeill, Olivea return to practice

After missing Wednesday’s practice, offensive tackles Shane Olivea (knee) and Marcus McNeill (hand) were back on the field with their teammates Thursday. Safety Bhawoh Jue (knee) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (adductor strain) did not work. Wide receiver Greg Camarillo suffered a knee injury during practice and left the field. All are listed as questionable.

Safety Clinton Hart was excused from practice Thursday due to the birth of his daughter.

The Chiefs had no changes to their injury report. Quarterback Trent Green (head), cornerback Benny Sapp (knee), linebacker Rich Scanlon (knee) and tackle Will Svitek (knee) are all out. Running back Michael Bennett (hamstring) is questionable but practiced.

Close connection

Schottenheimer isn’t the only Charger with close ties to the Chiefs. Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna’s father Frank was a linebacker for the Chiefs from 1979-81.

[Mississippi Neck]

Typical NFL pregame speak.

Even the Jaguars are saying "gee, those Texans are sure going to play hard and give us all they have".

Think they mean that too?