Not yet a member?Join now!|Lost password
San Diego Chargers
08/19/2012 | News release
Chargers Win the Wright Way
distributed by noodls on 08/19/2012 07:19
The Chargers desperately needed a big play, and boy did ever deliver.
With the Cowboys up 13-7 early in the fourth quarter and driving in Chargers territory, the second-year cornerback came through with a dazzling 73-yard interception return to completely change the tide of the game.
The play came on a fourth down as DeAndre Presley tipped a Stephen McGee pass behind him in the air. Wright showed strong footwork to keep himself in bounds as he secured the ball. Turning up field, he raced up the right sideline before cutting in, dancing around defenders as he neared the end zone. Just as it appeared he would return it for a touchdown, he was tripped up from behind at the two-yard line.
"It was a good return," admitted Wright with a big smile on his face. "I was trying to get into the end zone. It was also a great play by Presley getting the ball in the air and giving me a chance to get the interception. I felt like I was running so fast, I didn't think I was going to get caught. But it gave us an opportunity to score on that drive."
And score they did as picked up where Wright left off with a two-yard touchdown dive, giving the Bolts a 14-13 lead.
Later, Wright came up with another big turnover as he blitzed off the left tackle. Sprinting in all alone, he absolutely leveled McGee. The Dallas quarterback fumbled the ball and Daryl Gamble eventually recovered it.
"It was a good call by the coach," said Wright. "I didn't leave my feet this time so it gave me the opportunity to get the sack. It's not very often that you get the opportunity where you're coming from the blind side and the quarterback doesn't see you coming. I'm just happy that I got there before he got the pass out."
It was the second strong game in a row for Wright, and understandably his confidence is sky-high.
"(These games) are doing a lot for me, and it's something that I needed," he said. "If you want to perform at this level you have to have confidence, and if you don't you can easily fall into a slump."
Head coach Norv Turner has praised Wright repeatedly during training camp and believes the young defensive back has a bright future in this league.
"Shareece Wright is a very aggressive and competitive player who's got great coverage skills and very good quickness," he said. "He's a guy that didn't have a lot of opportunities -was hurt - a lot of different things last year. I think he's just making strides on a daily basis. He's one of the young guys that really excite me."
That excitement is certainly understandable, especially since Wright was the difference maker in Saturday night's win.
