Exhibition Game 2: They made people pay for that?

In what could be described as the worst exhibition since Team US gymnasts did their impression of a failed sobriety test in the summer olympics, the Chargers 2nd and 3rd stringers lost to the Rams’ 1st-but-should-be-2nd stringers by a score of 7-6.  Offensively, the Chargers played three of their regular starters, all on the offensive line, while we saw just a few more starters on the defensive side.  So with another meaningless game in the books, here are a few of my thoughts…

• I love our secondary.  Cason and Gordon looked good at CB and they aren’t even our starters.  Hart and Weddle are solid.
• Mike Scifres is the best punter in the NFL.  He is Darren Bennett-esque.
• Charlie Whitehurst is a good QB and could probably start for the Dolphins, Vikings, Raiders, and Chiefs, just to name a few.  Give him a few receivers who can catch and he would be a stud.
• Why is our tackling such an embarrassment?  Did we not learn anything from the AFC championship game?  Ted Cottrell, fix it and fix it NOW!  Our Super Bowl hopes depend on it.
• Matt Wilhelm is an average LB at best.  Don’t be surprised if he is not starting by midseason.
• We have a number of talented guys who are going to get cut.  Banks, Bakhtiari, Applewhite, and the other LB and WR cuts are going to be tough.
• Stephen Jackson, the Rams don’t really seem to miss you.  Get your butt into camp!
• I really love Merriman’s bald/bearded look.  But I can’t figure out exactly why…

Most importantly, we have to fix the tackling and run defense before it hurts us when it counts.  Do you want home field advantage in the playoffs?  You have to fix it now.  Get to work Ted!