Playing Soldier

The Chargers beat the Cleveland Browns 32-25 Sunday, but it was much more of a struggle than it should've been against one of the worst teams in football.
And it's pretty obvious what happened.
The Bolts were simply starstruck to be in the presence of the best tight end in the NFL, Kellen Winslow Jr.
How else can you account for the Chargers trailing the Browns 12-10 late in the third quarter?
And it's easy to see why the Bolts were in awe of Winslow. The Scripps Ranch High graduate, playing in the stadium where his Hall of Fame father revolutionized the tight end position as a Charger, had a big game in his San Diego homecoming.
Winslow, the former student-athlete-soldier at the University of Miami, caught a career-high 11 passes for 78 yards -- an average of more than 7 yards per reception.
We haven't looked it up, but we're pretty sure this is the greatest performance by a tight end in the history of pro football.
Winslow didn't score any touchdowns, but you know, it's not his fault his quarterback is named Charlie Frye.
For the record, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates had two receptions for 22 yards and no touchdowns.
And there's little doubt this epic battle will be replayed for decades to come by NFL Films.
But a funny thing happened as the Browns were holding their shaky two-point lead as the third quarter was expiring Sunday. The Chargers set aside their awe of Winslow, perhaps remembering that he puts on his combat fatigues one leg at a time just like everyone else.
Led by LaDainian Tomlinson's 172 yards rushing and three touchdowns, the Bolts took charge the rest of the way. And it's a good thing L.T. came through when he did because Philip Rivers somehow pulled off the impossible by making Charlie Frye look like the best quarterback on the field.
But the Chargers couldn't let Cleveland escape without allowing another big day by one of the Browns -- well, the kicker, anyway. Phil Dawson kicked a club-record six field goals and Browns fans must be dancing in the streets of Cleveland over this because, well, they're Browns fans.
But Dawson's record might not be that impressive. We're sure Kellen Winslow Jr. could've kicked six field goals if given the opportunity.