Too much responsibility?
That would be Philip Rivers, who has given the ball away at a much faster rate in 2007 than he did in his first year as a starter.
In 2006, Rivers lost two fumbles and threw nine interceptions for a team that gave away 15 turnovers all year. In 2007, the Chargers have already coughed the ball up 10 times in four games and Rivers has accounted for nine of them -- six interceptions and three lost fumbles.
The difference? LaDainian Tomlinson said he thought an increased level of responsibility might have a lot to do with it.
“You know, I think Philip is definitely trying to make plays," he said. "And if you think about it last year, for the most part we protected him a lot. We ran the ball, and we played a lot more conservative at times running the football, whereas this year we’re taking chances.
"And that’s all about having Norv Turner as your head coach. You’re going to take more chances. And so you may have a little more interceptions than you did the previous year.”
Turner's view:
“The biggest thing is Philip has to control the things he can control in terms of protecting the football. … He’s had a couple on interceptions where I think he’s sped up and tried to get through the progression too fast and he can control those.”
Did he give Rivers too much responsibility?
“I think the biggest thing – I wasn’t here last year – I know his development, we’re doing more things that he did in the middle of the year, most of them are very similar," he said. "There are some things that are a little different.
“He played a number of games ahead last year. These games have been close. Again, we’re seeing some defenses that are a little different. We’re seeing tighter coverage. We’ve played against very good corners in our last three games. Each game you look out there, there are corners who are outstanding players.”
As you might imagine, this was not a line of questioning Rivers appreciated. Asked if he thought Tomlinson's theory had some truth, he snapped: "Nah."
Asked again, "So you don't think that has anything to do with it," Rivers again said, "Nah." Then he backpedaled quickly from the interview podium.