Lightning Strikes Twice and Other Charger Musings

Last weekend, before the Chargers took the field, they were 5-8 and watching a door close on their season. Their AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos, were 8-5 and looking to win the division.

Then, lightning struck. The Chargers won an impossible victory (read "Lightning Split," below) and the Broncos lost to the Carolina Panthers.

This weekend, before the Chargers took the field, they were 6-8 and shoving their foot in that door. The Denver Broncos were 8-6, and wondering where the draft was coming from.

And lightning struck twice. The Chargers creamed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Broncos lost a heartbreaker to the Buffalo Bills.

Now, the Chargers are 7-8, the Broncos 8-7, and the two teams meet for the regular season finale next Sunday night. Should the Chargers win, knotting their records up at 8-8, they receive the tie-breaker for having a better division record and proceed to the playoffs.

Not exactly how it was supposed to happen, but I'll take it. The Chargers will, too, I'm sure.

Charger Musings

Nate Kaeding kicked a 57-yard field goal in their victory against the Buccaneers: a Chargers record.

Philip Rivers threw four touchdown passes, putting him one away from tying the Chargers record for TD passes in a season, currently held by the great Dan Fouts.

For the first time since 2001, a Chargers wide receiver (Vincent Jackson) has over 1000 yards receiving. Of course, that's still short of my personal 1140-yard benchmark.

LaDainian Tomlinson became just the third player in the history of the NFL to rush for 1000 yards in each of his first eight seasons.

Antonio Gates became the fastest tight end to 50 touchdowns in NFL history. It took him 92 games... the next fastest tight end took 100 games.

Norv Turner still should go bye-bye, and A.J. Smith's ego still needs to be put in its place.

Go Chargers.

Norv Turner and the Hypocrisy of Chargers Management

The Chargers made history today: they lost the first 11-10 scoring game ever in the annals of the NFL. 11-10? Needless to say, the defense under Ron Rivera played superbly, even recording multiple sacks for the first time in far-too long.

But that vaunted San Diego offense decided not to show up. I am utterly convinced now that Norv Turner must, without question, be kicked to the curb.

For the first time since Dan Fouts flew Air Coryell, the Charger offense is absolutely stacked with frequent fliers.

There is LaDainian Tomlinson, who, despite an injury, remains an All-Pro running back. There is absolutely no reason he should be in danger of not reaching the 1140-yard benchmark. But, at the rate San Diego is pounding the ball, Tomlinson will be lucky to reach 1000 yards rushing. Yes, Michael Turner and Lorenzo Neal are gone and are sorely missed, but the dynamic Darren Sproles and the "more than a blocker" Mike Tolbert should theoretically offer enough upside to alleviate the loss of Turner and Neal.

There is Antonio Gates, arguably the best tight end in football since, well, Kellen Winslow.

There is, for the first time in decades, more than one competent wide receiver. Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, and even Legedu Naanee. Simply put, Rivers can throw anywhere with confidence.

Oh, yeah, and then there's Rivers. Competent, and possibly great, though prone to stupid interceptions when attempting to channel his inner Favre.

Regardless, the offense should rock. And Norv Turner is supposedly an offensive genius, no? Sure, I'll admit that he is, but a head coach he is not. Marty Schottenheimer was better for this team. He provided discipline. Norv couldn't discipline a morgue.

And poor Marty. Unjustly fired (albeit likely on purpose) for taking a team that was absolute garbage and fielding them into an elite unit. And all he wanted to do was hire his brother as defensive coordinator. Given what we saw with Ted Cottrell, can anybody honestly say that would've been worse?

But, no, A.J. Smith, in all his supposed wisdom, didn't want another Schottenheimer to deal with. Two Schottenheimers would have threatened his dictatorial desires he has for the team. Turner, Smith knew, is a pushover.

So, wait? Nepotism is the reason Marty is no longer in San Diego? Is this the same team owned by Alex Spanos? The same team whose President/CEO is Alex's son, Dean Spanos? Whose "Executive Officer" is A.G. Spanos? Whose Executive VP is Michael Spanos? Whose Director of College Scouting is John Spanos?

Yeah, sure looks like they take a hard line against nepotism, doesn't it?

Worse, Marty's original quarterbacks coach was Brian Schottenheimer, under whom Drew Brees enjoyed his resurgence. Accident? Maybe, but the New York Jets thought enough of Brian to give him a job as offensive coordinator.

A.J. Smith's "genius" is in question. The Chargers front office is full of hypocrites.

They need to fess up and admit their mistakes before it's too late. Unless, of course, this is all part of the plan to move the Chargers back to Los Angeles.

Idiots.

Chargers Season Opener: Damn Those Panthers

Well, the 2008 NFL Season is officially underway. And the Chargers are 0-1. Go figure, right?

Not that I'm too disappointed, mind you. Unlike last year's season opener (a game the Chargers won), the Chargers actually played very well against the Carolina Panthers. In fact, they played well enough. It just so happens that the Panthers played just a tiny bit better.

Still, I'm not as worried as I was last year.

Case in point: Philip Rivers was 17 of 27 for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Not overly fantastic, but definitely competent. And it doesn't hurt that one touchdown each went to each of his primary receivers: Chris Chambers, Antonio Gates, and Vincent Jackson. While not Air Coryell, it's certainly evidence that San Diego's vertical game is as good as its been in a long, long time.

LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 97 yards on 21 carries, which was good enough for a 4.6-yard average. Again, not overly fantastic, but still quite good.

In addition to his TD pass, Gates caught three other passes for an overall total of 61 yards, and four other Chargers (Tomlinson, Jackson, Brandon Manumaleuna, and rookie fullback Mike Tolbert) caught three passes each.

So, I guess it's safe to say the offense is running on schedule. Yes, it sucks that they lost, but at least our injury worries are gone with the wind.

But, in a rare case, the Chargers defense let us down. Only one sack. No interceptions. The only real highlight was rookie Antoine Cason's forced fumble. Oh, and Quentin Jammer's outstanding sustained play.

It was a good game; truly exciting. And it's hard to not smile a little for Jake Delhomme, who didn't know how he would play after getting jacked up last season.

Can't wait for next week. And it better put the Chargers in the win column.

Oh, and just as last year, anything short of 12-4 will be a failure in my eyes. Not that anyone cares.

Random Charger Musings

I still think Norv Turner is an overrated coach. In fact, he's going to have to have another two winning seasons before I even consider him otherwise.

Philip Rivers is getting better, but I'd still take Drew Brees any day of the week. Brees is better at reading, better at staying calm, and better at leading. I could be wrong, but time will tell.

I love Shawne Merriman (what San Diego fan doesn't?), but he's a fool not to take care of his knee.

Here's hoping the Chargers work out a stadium deal before this year is out. I'd really have a problem rooting for a Los Angeles Chargers. I'd rather root for a San Antonio Chargers, but I won't even do that.

Antoine Cason looks like this year's Antonio Cromartie. I guess this means the Chargers are loaded at cornerback.

Michael Turner, you are already missed. Nice game for the Falcons, by the way.