A Nod to Adverse Lightning

What a jacked-up season: disappointing and satisfying; a failure and a success.

It all started with that last-second loss to the Carolina Panthers in the opening game of the season, which was made worse by marking the final appearance of Shawne Merriman on the gridiron in 2008.

It continued in the second game of the season with that bungled Ed Hochuli (the ref with the massive arms) call that cost the Chargers a clear victory against the rival Denver Broncos.

Then, in game 5, the Miami Dolphins confused the Hell out of the Chargers defense with that overrated "wildcat" formation, which was followed in game 7 by a semi-whooping by the Buffalo Bills (a team that did not deserve to win).

Game 8 brought a long-distance trip to London, where the Chargers lost to their old quarterback, Drew Brees. It's never okay to lose, but if it were ever okay, it'd be okay for the Chargers to lose to Brees (what can I say, I'm a fan).

Game 10: The first 11-10 scoring game in NFL history, which was a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Game 11: Last-minute loss to the Colts.

Game 12: Loss to the Atlanta Falcons, led by LaDanian Tomlinson's old backup, Michael Turner.

4-8 after 12 games. The Chargers were done. Out. Finished.

Well, maybe not.

After a typical ass-whooping of the Oakland Raiders, the Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs after being down by 11 points with less than a minute-and-a-half to play. Two more ass-whoopings, brought the team to 8-8. This, combined with Denver's history collapse, and the 8-8 Chargers went to the playoffs, where they beat the Indianapolis Colts in the Wild Card, but lost to the Steelers in the divisional round.

A season marred by Merriman's absence, performance-limiting injuries to LaDanian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, a big question mark surrounding Philip Rivers' bad knee, and the firing of inept defensive coordinator, Ted Cottrell.

A season marked by the stupefyingly outstanding emergence of Darren Sproles, a return to form for Jamal Williams, the maturation of a wide receiver corps that is feared down to its fourth receiver (just for the record: Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, Malcolm Floyd, and Legedu Naanee), and the promotion of Ron Rivera to defensive coordinator

Can't say I'm happy with the season, but I sure am proud of it (well, as proud as one can be to something one is only peripherally related to).

Charger Musings

Even considering trading LaDanian Tomlinson is stupid, at best; foolish, at worse, and downright disrespectful to both Tomlinson and Chargers fans. I'd almost go as far to say that such an idea is worse than letting Leslie O'Neal and Junior Seau go, and if Philip Rivers hadn't developed so well, the decision to let Drew Brees go would be up here, too.

Speaking of Tomlinson, I propose we start referring to him as LDT, instead of LT, out of respect for Lawrence Taylor. Anyone with me?

Norv Turner is NOT the coach for this team. Yeah, he's made it into the playoffs both years, but that's more from Marty leftovers than anything Turner has done. Congratulate him, shake his hand, but send him on his way.

A.J. Smith's true colors will start showing this offseason or next offseason, and he will be revealed to be an egotist with no sense of deference to the fans of the Chargers, or respect for his players. Mark my words.

Now that Seau looks to be done for good, what say the Chargers give him a one-year contract and let him "finish" his career back in the uniform he belongs in? Or, better yet, hire him as a linebackers coach, now that the Chargers are short one given Rivera's promotion.

Merriman's last season as a Charger is reputed to be the upcoming 2009 season. Don't let that happen, A.J. Smith. Prove me wrong about you, just once.

Don't let Rivera leave for the Lions! I know he might want to, particularly since the Lions play the Bears twice a year, but don't let him go! OVERPAY HIM!

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.