Fast Starter
Making his first NFL start on Monday night, Philip Rivers will face the Chargers’ longtime AFC West rival Oakland. Rivers played in five bowl games during his North Carolina State career, earning MVP honors in each, including the 2004 Senior Bowl. Rivers, who wears No. 17 for the Chargers as he did in college, had his jersey number retired at N.C. State prior to his final home game with the Wolfpack.
Even though he hasn’t started a game since his senior season at North Carolina State, Rivers has a reputation for being a fast starter. In four opening day starts for the Wolfpack, Rivers was 4-0 while averaging 309.0 yards passing and three touchdowns. Here’s a look at how the former NC State star fared in each of his four opening day starts.
The big questions, can his collegiate success carry over to the NFL? Time will tell.
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i live in pembroke nc and i want to say go go go philip rivers..thanks for helping mr sean locklear i hope you beat everone except the panthers. god bless you
nelson l dial (September 8, 2006 07:43 AM)
I have recently moved to the Bay area and still am a huge Charger fan. It is interesting to see that the Bay area papers here don't give the Chargers a chance with Rivers starting. They both pick the Raiders under Shell to win. Do the bay area writers keep their eyes closed to reality ... its the Faiders regardless of Shell. Aaron Brooks is a terrible QB under pressure and the Chargers front 4 will provide that. Their defence is still clueless with "All mouth" Sapp (done, useless and fat) leading the team. Chargers 28 - Raiders 3 (maybe)
Ron (September 8, 2006 08:57 AM)
i think it will be a closer game than everyone thinks... but in the end the pressure will get to the young qb, the raiders are going to be comming after him, at the end of the night raiders sack rivers 4 to 5 times the constant pressure will cause an int or two and oakland wins sold out season opener under the lights in art shells debut....
raiders-20/24
chargers-14/17
corey (September 8, 2006 11:28 AM)
I am so excited for Philip to be starting his first NFL game this Monday!! I loved watching him play for the Pack for 4 years! Go get 'em Philip!!!
Becca (September 8, 2006 01:10 PM)
Brooks has a strong arm but very inconsistent. Don't forget that Rivers is the one raiders need to stop,,,, It's that dude L.T. that's going to get the win. Raiders havn't stopped him yet.
Dushaun (September 8, 2006 01:31 PM)
Hey Corey... Buy a vowel. There is no way the Raiders sack Rivers 5 times. First of all you would actually need to HAVE a defense to do that. Second, you can't sack a guy that just put the ball in the hands of the best player in the NFL... LT. You forget that LT owns the Raiders more than Al Davis does.
Chargers win by 2-3 touchdowns in a game that gets turned off by half the country when the realize that its a BLOWOUT.
The Spindt (September 8, 2006 04:16 PM)
Best of luck on the upcoming season to the Chargers! It's weird to see more Chargers jerseys than Panthers jerseys here in Raleigh, NC. Give 'em hell Philip!!
Jim (September 8, 2006 04:59 PM)
Rivers, will have a strong performance. Remember a rookie named Ben. He has not lit-up the stats. He like Rivers has weapons and the Bolts have plenty more then the Raiders. With an upgraded DB core and our front 7, I can't see the Raiders doing much. Chargers 28 - Raiders 10
Victor (September 8, 2006 05:30 PM)
c'mon, what is this hype all about!!!??? The chargers are going to beat the raiders period. Didn't you guys see the raiders play last season???
Erick (September 8, 2006 11:33 PM)
Rivers is the last thing the raiders need to be worried about. They never have even slowed LT let alone stop him. That said, Rivers is definitely good enough to get the Bolts past the raiders...
Walter (September 9, 2006 07:18 AM)
i am so excited about philip starting! he finally gets his chance to shine like he did at state! .. GO PHILIP!
raines (September 9, 2006 01:20 PM)
This game has verry little to do with Phillip Rivers. The chargers defense is going to shut Oakland down. LT will get 100 - 150yds. Gates will get 80 - 100yds with two TD's. The Raiders have given up on this season they just traded Gabriel at the enth hour. The Raiders could possibly be the worst team in the NFL.
OUT-
Eby (September 9, 2006 01:57 PM)
The Chargers, under the hand of Smith, have put together a talented group with chemistry. Add to that a spicy QB from NC and Coach S gets a second shot at the big time. Couldn't push it over the top in KC, maybe here. They won't peak for a couple more years, but are only getting stronger. The Raiders are at the bottom of the cycle. Gratefully I've gotta go with the Chargers.
Kevin (September 9, 2006 03:05 PM)
monday nights are always special, even if your playing in oakland. p.rivers dosent need a huge game to beat the raiders when you have the best back and the best tight end in the league. i can not see a.brooks out playing our defense. SD 28-OAK 7
SAL (September 9, 2006 04:48 PM)
Goodluck to our new QB Phillip Rivers!
Remember the Chargers have incredible weapons to support him. No matter what Black hole they enter, this will be a blow out game!!!
christine torres (September 10, 2006 05:46 AM)
Maybe you are all forgetting an unknown guy named Kurt Warner that took SuperBowl MVP honors after his first year starting. Rivers has all the skills to get the job done. Backed up by that fierce Bolt run Defense, and the "repeating" Pro Bowlers; LT, Gates and Merriman, the afRaiders don't stand a chance.
Monty (September 10, 2006 08:59 AM)
Raiders have made adjustments on defense but I still pick L.T. and the chargers over that D. It's all about managing tha game for Rivers. Feeding the beast in the backfield and dinkin' and dunkin' to Gates. Chargers all dy in this one 24-10
Bridge_08 (September 10, 2006 09:21 AM)
What a nice way for Rivers to get his first NFL win, tuning up on a horrible Choakland team. Life is good! Go Bolts!!!
Bob (September 10, 2006 10:13 AM)
Phillip is going to have the game of his life. He has been waiting to prove to everyone that he has the tools to get it done.
GO PACK
Jones (September 10, 2006 01:14 PM)
Being a Chargers fan since the days of AirCoryell and an NC State alumna, I'm overjoyed to see Philip Rivers starting this week. It's also nice to not be alone when I wear Chargers' gear.
Barbara (September 10, 2006 06:45 PM)
Chargers and Rivers have the opportunity to be an easy 2-0 come week # 4. The Raiders will be improved but I think Rivers will be an upgrade over Brees for the Chargers and Merriman will spend most the night showing Brooks what the grass in the black hole smells like! A sweet victory by at least two touchdowns and on to the Titans next weekend at home. GO CHARGERS!
Kevin (September 10, 2006 08:38 PM)
I am also a hardcore Charger fan recently transplanted in the Bay Area. I love sporting my Chargers gear in Raiderland. Aaron Brooks and Jeff (I need a cane to walk) George as their QB's and Bay Area papers are talking smack about Rivers? Please! Raiders have no chance today. The Raiders will be lucky if they get 150 total yards. Chargers 27 Raiders 10
Rocky (September 11, 2006 12:33 PM)
NO LONGER THE KINGS OF MNF,
THE CHARGER DEFENSE WILL PUT A DRESS ON AARON BROOKS AND SEND HIM AND MOSS HOME CRYING AFTER GOOD SPANKING.
pbsufernvegas (September 11, 2006 01:13 PM)
i can't beleive people are picking the raiders to actually win the chargers def is top 5 in the leauge this year easy and as far as brooks having and advantage over rivers i laugh at that chargers 35 faiders 10
Trevor (September 11, 2006 02:00 PM)
Hey Corey...........Shawn merrimen knocks out lamont jordan, Warren Sapp is fat, and The Chokeland Raiders will NEVER stop L.T. P.S. Move to the bay area
Paul (September 11, 2006 03:01 PM)
L.T. dominates the faiders every single game. This year he will probably throw one, run for one, catch one, and kick his own extra point too.
Marshall (September 11, 2006 03:31 PM)