If San Diego is going to get anywhere this season, Philip Rivers has to step up. After three straight years of missing out on postseason play, 2013 as become a make-or-break year for the quarterback. The Chargers are desperate to see Rivers have a real return to form season, after spending years as the thorn in Peyton Mannings side. Head coach Mike McCoy is confident the quarterback makes a leap this year with basics being the focus of training camp.
Both Rivers and McCoy have been vocal that their best playing days are ahead of them. McCoy really believes that Rivers can complete up to 70 percent of his passes while the quarterback is confident that fans have yet to see the best of him. However, in order to achieve all of this, McCoy believes getting back to the basics of the quarterback position will be key.
"We have to get him going back to basics; take what the defense is giving you," McCoy said to the NFL Network. "Don't be afraid to check it down. You don't have to make that big play every play. We are going to do some different things in the passing game with him, raise the completion percentage, get the ball out of his hand a little bit quicker, help the offense line, run the football."
Rivers had his worst season in 2012. While he did compete 64 percent of his passes, his overall yardage was a five-year low, along with his touchdowns and yards per attempt. Rivers simply tried to do too much last season. McCoy is working on building up Rivers' confidence in the entire team so he does not try and force players anymore.
"You don't have to do it by yourself. Everyone in the organization-offense, defense, special teams- we all have to play better. That is the way we are going to approach it," McCoy said.
The Chargers certainly made offseason moves to help surround Rivers with a better supporting cast. They beefed up the offensive line to help protect the quarterback. Wide receivers like Keenan Allen and Danario Alexander will take the pressure off in the pass game, while Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead will run the ground game. McCoy recently gave his vote of confidence in Mathews, despite two veteran backs being brought in around him.
McCoy stressed the moves at the position had nothing to do with Mathews' standing with the team. The Chargers just wanted to build depth. Rivers has the weapons to be successful this season as McCoy will accept no excuses this year.
