Rich Ohrnberger, Chargers Eliminated from Playoffs

East Meadow High School graduate Rich Ohrnberger and his San Diego Chargers were eliminated from the playoffs by Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos Sunday, 24-17.

Just one week prior, Ohrnberger knew it was his turn to step up when San Diego Chargers' center Nick Hardwick went down with a neck injury, but the East Meadow native was up to the task in a 27-10 win versus the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wildcard Playoff round. 

Ohrnberger, 27, never expected to be taken in the NFL Draft in 2009. When his phone rang during the fourth round, the New England Patriots proved Ohrnberger’s expectations wrong. Coach Bill Belichick welcomed Ohrnberger to the NFL, and his dreams of becoming a professional football player had come true.

During his career, he's played with the Patriots, Arizona Cardinals and Chargers, mostly in a backup role. 

"The coaches are always working on fundamentals every single day, and it showed up on the field," he added. "You can go out there and have the same or different players doing the same thing, and it works. It takes all five or six or seven guys, depending on how many blockers are out there, but everybody did a really great job."

What did you think of Ohrnberger's performance? Tell us in the comments section below.