Editor: Joe Bryant. Game Recap Contributors: Mike Anderson, Michael Brown, Chris Burtt, J.D. Caldwell, David Dodds, Jim Enochs, Joel Faulhaber, Michael Flynn, Kevin Goldblum, Clayton Gray, Bob Harris, Fred Hebert, Jesse Hilsenrad, Drew Kendall, Jeff Lewis, Joey Matusek, Justin Oliver, Steve Prosapio, David Shick, Cody Smith, Scott Smith, Jeffrey Stout. San Diego 34 at Cincinnati 6 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW San Diego Chargers: This game was an impressive debut for "Marty Ball" in San Diego. LaDainian Tomlinson showed he will carry the load of the offense. Drew Brees looked like a seasoned veteran as his confidence grew throughout the game. Brees did not have a primary receiving target and the tight ends were not a factor. However, Josh Norman, rookie backup tight end to Stephen Alexander, had a touchdown catch - the only catch by a Charger tight end in the game. Terrell Fletcher proved he is a fine backup to Tomlinson. San Diego defense shut down Corey Dillon holding him to 10 yards on 9 carries, and blanketed the Bengal receivers. Looked dominant. Cincinnati Bengals: The running game was nonexistent and the passing game anemic. Even Corey Dillon needs some blocking. The defense was steam rolled, giving up 401 yards. 241 of those yards were on the ground. Gus Frerotte, the fifth opening day Bengal quarterback in five years, did not solidify his starting position. Head coach Dick LeBeau did not have enough confidence in Frerotte to throw downfield. Several times in the first half, Cincinnati called a short dump or screen that fell way short of the line-to-gain on third and long. It does not appear Michael Westbrook or Peter Warrick give the Bengals a deep threat. WHAT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW San Diego Chargers QB: Drew Brees - Threw accurate quick-hitters to both sidelines and over the middle. Was sharp on the play action fakes. Brees spread the ball well and threw the ball away when needed. Did not need to throw deep. Kept mistakes to a minimum. Not afraid to get his nose dirty with a nice downfield block on a reverse, breaking a tackle on a scramble, and quarterback sneaks. WR: Curtis Conway - Led Charger receivers with five catches but only 39 yards. Had nice sideline catch, keeping the toes in for a first down. Ran sharp, short routes including a cutback that resulted in touchdown. Ran a reverse for 22 yards. Tim Dwight - Was the downfield target with catches of 17 and 24. Found the seams to get himself open for Brees. Ran a reverse for 20. Tamarick Vanover - Dropped a pass in the flat, Brees did not go back to him again. Returned punts but not the return man he used to be. Reche Caldwell - The rookie saw some action late but did not see the ball. RB: LaDainian Tomlinson - Got the first four touches from scrimmage to set the tone. Pounded the middle to gain yardage in chunks. Nice open field cut backs. Sat out the fourth quarter with the game in hand. Terrell Fletcher - Added change-of-pace quickness as he spelled Tomlinson in the first three quarters. Took the full load in the fourth quarter with 12 carries. Fred McCrary - Was another option for Brees by coming out of the backfield, caught a swing pass inside the five but couldn't get in. Nice catch and run on third and three for 25 yards. Chargers Pass Defense: Bengal receivers were blanketed as the Chargers deflected pass after pass. Alex Molden made a tough pick on a slant, stealing it from Peter Warrick. Linebacker Donnie Edwards added some nice coverage. Did not get to Frerotte until after erasing any sort of run threat from Dillon. Chargers Rush Defense: Stifling. The front four were stuffing Dillon in the backfield all day. Some of this can be attributed to the weak Bengal passing game but this was a team with Dillon that was supposed to be able to run the ball. VERY impressive performance by the defense and something to consider for future matchups. Chargers Special Teams: Steve Christie did not prove himself. First 28-yarder was solid, but he followed that with a weak 27-yarder and a blocked extra point that trickled through. /**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/**/** Cincinnati Bengals QB: Gus Frerotte - Led Warrick too much on the slant that Molden intercepted. No downfield threats. Received good pass protection while the Chargers were busy stuffing the run. Pressured and sacked while looking for deeper routes in the second half. Did not attempt a pass to a tight end. WR: Michael Westbrook - Did not start but caught Frerotte's first completion. No evident effects of broken wrist. Cost his team 15 yards as his frustration with Charger safety Rodney Harrison got the best of him and another five on a false start. Peter Warrick - Likes to celebrate his 8 yard catches. Ugly drop in the third quarter. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Started but not a factor. Ordinary on kick returns. Danny Farmer - The only receiver to get open deep. Was not a target in first half. Followed a nice catch in the fourth with a drop. RB: Corey Dillon - Had a long day. No run blocking and was strung out-of-bounds on off-tackle plays. Was not a factor after Bengals fell behind. Bengals Pass Defense: Gave a lot of cushion that Brees picked a part. The ends smelled the play action rollout well. Canute Curtis started at outside linebacker in place of injured Steve Foley. Linebacker Takeo Spikes started after missing all preseason. Spikes flattened Conway in the flat early. He came out of the game for a few plays in the second holding his shoulder. Then he left for an IV in the third, only to return to the 90 plus heat once again. Bengals Rush Defense: Stuffed Tomlinson on a third and a foot to force San Diego's first field goal. It was all downhill from there. Utilized a two-yard gap between tackles that the Chargers pounded again and again. Bengals did not adjust. Bengals Special Teams: Neil Rackers followed a 54-yard field goal by booming the kickoff out of the end zone.