Mid-2010-Season Charger Musings

Yeah, so I haven't written about the San Diego Chargers much this season. It's not because they're sucking, I swear (I am no fair-weather fan)... it's just that I've been doing a helluva lot of other things.

Anyway, I don't want to go all season without ranting and raving about the lightning bolts, so here's a quick musings post for those few football fans who bother to swing by.

Random Charger Musings

LaDainian Tomlinson seems keen to burn his bridges with the Chargers, to and including its fan base. I get why he's upset with the San Diego management (and he's certainly proving them wrong), and I understand why he felt slighted by some of the comments made by other Charger players (though LDT did sorta start the whining), but openly exhibiting glee concerning the Chargers' slow start? Seriously, dude, a lot of Chargers fans still love you, but you're making it hard for us to give a shit. Kellen Winslow got screwed over by Chargers management back in the 80s, but as far as I can remember, he had the class not to take it out on the fans. You're the self-professed "classy guy," LDT, so why the hell are you pissing on us?

Shawne Merriman's days as a terror in the San Diego defense are over. It's kinda sad, but like LDT's departure after last season, this one's not much of a surprise.

Vincent Jackson reported to camp before a deadline in which he would have lost credit for an accrued season. It remains to be seen if his presence is going to help the Chargers win any games. Besides, he's next off-season's LDT/Merriman. Does it really matter?

Maybe I was right about Norv Turner. Maybe he does suck. Nah... I already flipped once. Not going to do it again.

It's kinda sad that Ben Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings, Eli Manning has one, and Philip Rivers has zero.

The loss to the Patriots, even though by only 3 points, was worse than the embarrassing losses to the Chiefs, Seahawks, Raiders, and Rams, in which breakdowns in scheme were as much to blame as breakdowns in discipline. The Chargers owned the Patriots. Except... do Charger coaches not teach the rules of the game? Thank you, Richard Goodman and Jacob Hester for quite literally handing the ball to Patriot defenders. Learn what constitutes a fumble, if you don't mind.

All that aside, the Chargers defeated the Tennessee Titans yesterday, maintaining their position as the only team that Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has never defeated. It wasn't the prettiest of victories, but I'll take it. 3-5 is better than 2-6.

Bring on the Texans!

To the Chargers: Norv Turner, I'm Sorry

Norv Turner, your second and third-string players succeeded in defeating the first-string players of the Washington Redskins, thereby giving the Chargers their second-best season finish in history (13-3). And even though the Chargers might lose to whomever they play in the divisional round of the playoffs, the fact remains that you got them there. I mentioned a while back that I'd call myself out and apologize to you, so here it is:

All Apologies to Norv Turner

I'm sorry. I was wrong. You, sir, are a pretty good head coach.

I was wrong when I suggested that your 11-5 finish in your first year as coach of the Chargers was merely part of the hangover left by the 14-2 Chargers of Marty Schottenheimer.

I was wrong when I implied that you were not a disciplinarian and could not hold a team together for an entire season.

I was wrong when I hinted that, as a head coach, you were too far removed from the quarterback position to be able to turn Philip Rivers into a true bad-ass.

I was wrong when I theorized that your hire was based on being a false figurehead with which A.J. Smith could play the entire team as pawns.

I said at the beginning of the 2008 season, after the Chargers lost to the Panthers in the season opener, that I would consider you a good coach should you have two more winning seasons. And despite 2008's regular season record of 8-8, you won the AFC West and beat the Indianapolis Colts in the wild card game, so I count that a winning season (Chargers great Leslie O'Neal said it best: "No season's a winning season if you don't make the playoffs.")

On November 17, 2008, I wrote that you should be "kicked to the curb."

I'm sorry. I was wrong. Here's hoping you, Mr. Turner, get a kick-ass extension!

*I just have to mention that I also initially opposed the hiring of Marty Schottenheimer, who (say what you will) was responsible for the Chargers' elevation out of the NFL's basement. What's my point? I guess I should shut up about coaches.

... nah...

Charger Musings

In all likelihood, neither LaDainian Tomlinson nor Shawne Merriman will be Chargers next year. Let's face it... Philip Rivers notwithstanding, LDT is the face of the San Diego Chargers offense, if not the the Chargers as a whole. Merriman, on the flip side, is the face of the Chargers defense (despite being outperformed by other Charger defenders this past season). I get that A.J. Smith prefers business being cold and hard, and it does seem to have worked out for him so far, but part of the front office side of football is marketing... so is it really a good idea to let either (or worse, both) LDT or Merriman go?

Speaking of "cold" and "hard" (feel free to roll your eyes now), Vincent Jackson saved his job as a Charger this season... because you know A.J. was gunning for him after that second DUI. Funny how success makes bedfellows.

Ron Rivera, the Chargers defensive coordinator whose attitude (if not scheme) helped save the Chargers defense from Ted Cottrell's ineptitude, might be the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills. That would suck (for us), but I think he's shown that he deserves a shot at being the guy.

Can anyone imagine how devastating the Chargers defensive line will be if Jamal Williams makes a successful return to form? Holy cow.

And, in all my fearlessness, I will predict it now: The Chargers will win the Super Bowl. And while I would love for the Saints to be their opponent (Rivers vs. Brees... how cool would that be?), I don't think the Saints are going to make it. That stated, I shall reserve my NFC prediction until after Wild Card Weekend.

Speaking of predictions:

Wild Card Predictions for the 2009 Season Post-Season that actually plays in 2010:

New York Jets over Cincinnati Bengals, barely.

Dallas Cowboys over Philadelphia Eagles, barely.

New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens, strongly.

Green Bay packers over Arizona Cardinals, barely.

(yes, I'm thinking this upcoming weekend will be packed with close games)

Introducing the AFC West-Champion San Diego Chargers

Can a day be better for a football team? Well, sure, but not by much. Before the first quarter between the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals was even finished, the Chargers had already clinched a playoff spot (thanks to losses by the Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New York Jets). Once the Chargers defeated the Bengals (an extremely close 27-24), the Chargers had locked up the division. That the second place Denver Broncos lost to the Oakland Raiders in the final seconds of that game was just icing on the cake.

This marks the first time in team history that the Chargers have won the division four years in a row (they've won it three times in a row twice before: from 1963-1965 and from 1979-1981).

All that's left to do now is to lock up a first-round bye (homefield advantage has already been assumed by the Indianapolis Colts). Hopefully the Chargers can do that against the Tennessee Titans on Christmas Day.

I may not seem like it, but I'm ecstatic. Since becoming a true Chargers fan in 1987 (I was merely an "associated" Chargers fan prior to that), I've endured 13 .500-and-below seasons (not counting the 8-8 season in which they somehow won the division), including a dreadful 1-15 season in 2000. But, unlike some other fans I know (both of the Chargers and of other teams), I've never wavered in my loyalty to the lightning bolts. In fact, other than the Drew Brees-led New Orleans Saints, I don't think I've ever even rooted for another team.

Anyway, anyone who's interested can read about the game elsewhere... I'm just going to drop some kudos.

Charger Kudos

Quentin Jammer - that interception of Carson Palmer on a Cincinnati 1st-and-10 more than made up for that interception you should've had earlier in the game.

Vincent Jackson - five receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns? You rock. Also notable is that with those yards, you've given the Chargers their first tandem of 1000-yard receivers (along with Antonio Gates) in over two decades.

Philip Rivers - even though you threw two interceptions, you also three three touchdowns, and that made all the difference.

Kevin Ellison and Alfonso Boone - for sacking Carson Palmer. Extra kudos for Ellison, as it was his first sack ever.

Nate Kaeding - your first game-winning field goal ever (according to radio announcer... not sure if that's true, but will check on it) and a 52-yarder at that. I'm a fan, and I still find it odd that you're the most accurate field goal kicker in the history of the NFL.

Norv Turner - yes, I might be coming around.

Ron Rivera - keeping the defense together with a lot of pieces missing and/or injured.

That's all for now, though the entire team probably deserves kudos... Go Chargers!

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.

Lightning Split

Wow.

The San Diego Chargers just beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 22-21.

Wow.

Did I mention the Chiefs were ahead 21-10 with only 73 seconds left in the game?

Um, yeah... I don't care who you are, that should constitute a "wow" from anybody.

I must admit, by the time the Chiefs went up 21-3 in the third quarter, I quit paying very close attention to the game. I'm a ridiculously avid Chargers fan, and I couldn't stomach another heart-breaking loss... particularly a loss that would officially eliminate the Chargers from playoff contention (they're not likely to make it anyway, but when something negative becomes "official" from "probably," one still tends to feel that weakness in one's stomach).

But, somehow, some way, the Chargers pulled it off.

With 73 seconds left in the game, Philip Rivers threw a four-yard touchdown pass to underrated WR wonder Malcom Floyd. Naturally, the Chargers failed on the ensuing two-point conversion.

Still, the Chargers were then only down 21-16, and lined up for an onside kick. Which, naturally, was caught by a Kansas City Chief.

Only, wow, the Chargers managed to knock the ball loose and, wow, recovered it.

And then, wow, drove down the field and, wow, Philip Rivers connected with Vincent Jackson on a 10-yard pass for a touchdown. Naturally, the Chargers failed on the ensuing two-point conversion.

Still, wow, Chargers up, 22-21.

But then things turned typical and the Chiefs drove down the field, almost into field goal range. Naturally, a Charger (rookie CB Antoine Cason), caused a defensive delay-of-game penalty and gave the Chiefs another five yards, plus another two seconds on the game clock, with which to attempt a 50-yard field goal.

And the Chiefs missed.

Holy shit and wow.

Now all that needs to happen is for the Denver Broncos to lose to the Carolina Panthers.

Two wows in one day might be too much to ask for, but I've got my fingers crossed.

Go Chargers!

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.