SAN DIEGO — The punts looked better on the stat sheet.
Re-signed last week, Paul Ernster kicked five punts Monday night for the Broncos, none of which were returned, for a 35.6-yard net average. There was even a 59-yard punt to the 1-yard line.
To the naked eye, however, there was nothing to behold. Ernster mis-hit every punt. The 59-yard punt rolled a good 20 yards. The others shanked low and outside.
Ernster knows his performance Monday night was so rough, his job might be on the line.
“Hopefully, I’ll be here this week and get a chance to prove myself,” Ernster said. “Everybody knows I can punt. They know that’s not like me. I’ll come back and work hard and show them it was a fluke.”
Chippy Chargers.
There were several shoving matches in the game, and several times it appeared the Chargers, particularly while on defense, were verbally attacking Broncos offensive players, including quarterback Jay Cutler.
“They were really talking out there, especially (linebacker) Shaun Phillips,” tight end Tony Scheffler said. “They were talking all night long. It just didn’t seem like they handled their victory with much class.”
Added left tackle Matt Lepsis: “They always are like that. It’s not a big deal, really. But they do talk a lot.”
Late in the game, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers got after Cutler from the sideline.
Elam breaks record.
Kicker Jason Elam set the Broncos’ team record for games played — barely.
“I was starting to wonder,” Elam said. “I thought I was going to break it at home next week.”
Elam didn’t get onto the field until 2:47 remained in the third quarter when he kicked a 23-yard field goal to make it a 23-3 game. It was his 235th game, breaking the record of John Elway.
Fired up Lynch.
Middle linebacker D.J. Williams credited safety John Lynch for a strong effort by the beleaguered Broncos defense.
“Before the game, Lynch came to the guys and said it’s about competing,” Williams said. “No matter what the circumstances are, what the score is, you’ve got to come out there and compete. They beat us pretty bad the last time and he challenged all the guys in the huddle, and I think a lot of guys stood up.”
A little too fired up.
On the Chargers’ first series, Lynch ripped off the helmet of Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, then tossed it away. A few plays later, Lynch apologized to Tomlinson.
“He said, ‘I apologize, I lost my head,’ ” Tomlinson said. “Knowing John, I accepted his apology and didn’t feel any ill feelings toward him.”
Graham and Stokley hobbling.
Broncos tight end Daniel Graham was a surprise starter after missing the entire week of practice because of a high ankle sprain. However, Graham quickly aggravated the ankle and didn’t play in the second half.
“It never felt right from the beginning,” he said.
Receiver Brandon Stokley didn’t play for a second consecutive game because of a sprained knee.
Missing Gold.
Not dressing as expected was outside linebacker Ian Gold (knee).
Big tackle day for D.J.
Williams had a game-high 12 tackles. Williams has 133 tackles on the season, which is second in the NFL behind San Francisco rookie middle linebacker Patrick Willis, who has 162 stops.
Lepsis poked in the eye.
Lepsis had to leave the game in the third quarter after being poked in the eye. He returned. After the game, his left eye was visibly swollen. Lynch left the game late because of cramping. Denver didn’t report any other injuries.
Rookie ahead of Henry.
It is clear the Broncos consider undrafted rookie Selvin Young their top tailback. Young once again started ahead of veteran Travis Henry on Monday night.
2008 schedule set.
With second place in the AFC West wrapped up, the Broncos’ 2008 schedule is set. Denver’s non-AFC West home games will be against Buffalo, Jacksonville, Miami, New Orleans and Tampa Bay. Its non-AFC West road games will be against Cleveland, New England, the New York Jets, Atlanta and Carolina.
Footnotes.
Denver receiver Brandon Marshall had six catches and now has 92 receptions this season. Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil had half a sack and now has 12 sacks this season. San Diego Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jamal Williams did not play because of an ankle injury.
Mike Klis, Bill Williamson
