Final: Chargers 34, Raiders 7

Nothing like a little Raider blow-out to make a Chargers fan feel a little better about an otherwise disappointing season.  I can’t exactly explain the phenomenon, but I can say that it can take any Chargers fan frown and turn it upside down.  Remember when the Chargers went 1-15, with that single win coming against the Raiders…  View the entire column at Chargers Confidential at MVN.com. 

Preview: Chargers vs. Raiders

Well, Chargers football isn’t exactly fun anymore.  Here’s a few jokes to help lighten the mood-

-What do you call 53 millionaires sitting around a TV watching the Super Bowl?

The Chargers

-What’s the difference between the Chargers and a dollar Bill?

You can get four quarters out of a dollar bill

Feel better?… View this entire column at Chargers Confidential at MVN.com.

AFC West: The New NL Worst

It’s tough living on the west coast.  When the rest of the country get’s to enjoy the season transform into fall, with a brisk chill (or even snow) filling the air, the west coast remains mired in perfect 85-degree weather.  I guess it’s only fair then that the sporting world’s worst sports-division is located on the west coast, that being the NL West.  As a life-long San Diego resident, I’ve come to expect mediocrity from our sports franchises.  And occasionally that mediocrity finds a way to win, as demonstrated by the San Diego Padres in 2005-2006.  Even the most loyal fans knew the Padres only contended because they played in the worst division in sports…at least until now.

I’m sad to admit that the NL West has been replaced by a new division with a similar geographic location and a similar lack of talent, that being the AFC West.  Or as most headlines are already mocking, the “AFC Worst”.  The AFC Worst is led by the 4-3 Denver Broncos, a team with such contrasting offenses and defenses that they are both 2nd in the conference in points scored while being 2nd-worst in the league in points given-up.  They are followed by the top-scoring team in the conference yet the worst team against the pass, the San Diego Chargers.  The preseason Super Bowl favorites have suffered from a combination of poor coaching and deplorable execution to quickly become a very average football team.  They are followed by two teams barely worth mentioning, the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City.  The Raiders change coaches more often than they change their socks, while the Chiefs are just about the worst in every statistical category in the NFL.

I write this all to say that there’s hope, San Diego!  The Chargers, who play each game like it’s still the preseason, can probably afford to lose six or seven games and still win this sorry division.  Now I’m not suggesting that the Chargers will have it easy, oh no.  Only an overhaul of the defensive gameplan and some “fire” from their coach would make this thing easy.  But unfortunately we aren’t going to get that this season, allowing the Chargers to play on with their preseason-mentality until the playoffs.  Add to that a much tougher schedule than the Broncos face, and they are still fighting an uphill battle.  But the season is far from lost.  Here’s a few solutions that the Chargers could implement now that would help them in their playoff push at the end of this season:

• Fire Ted Cottrell and promote Ron Rivera- The Chargers’ defensive coordinator calls a passive game, and the players respond with passive play.  Last year Cottrell was able to fix this problem.  This year he seems unwilling to address it.  I guarantee you that Rivera will.
• Sit LT- Not permanently, but for 2-3 weeks, long enough to get him off his injured toe for a little while.  I don’t think the toe is fully responsible for their inability to run the ball, but it’s affecting LT now and the rest will help them all later.
• Pull Igor in passing situations- He’s just not cutting it anymore, so why not use Jacque Cesaire more, or even throw in an extra LB like Waters or Harris?
• Use Jacob Hester at FB- He can’t be any worse at blocking then Mike Tolbert, and he may even be better.  Hester was AJ’s big move in the last draft, let’s see what he can do.
• Do whatever you have to do to block for Philip Rivers- Hold eight-guys back to block if you have to, just give him time to throw ball…Rivers will take care of the rest.

This is my “Fix-it” list for the San Diego Chargers, but this is likely not a comprehensive list.  What have I missed?  Comment and let me know.

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Click here to read my previous post, Final: Buffalo 23, Chargers 14

Final: Chargers 28, Raiders 18

The Chargers beat the Raiders today by scoring 25 points in the 4th quarter.  With the Chiefs’ win over the Broncos, the Chargers now find themselves one game out of first place in the AFC West.

That’s all good news, right?  Then why am I so annoyed by the way the Chargers played today?  I mean, a win is a win is a win, and you’ll take all you can get, right?

Perhaps it was the poor defensive schemes called throughout the game that have me a little perturbed.  Maybe it was the poor blocking of the offensive line.  Most likely, it was the lack of fire and focus that the Chargers played with the entire first half.  You can point to any number of things we did wrong.  The fact is that it seemed as though the Chargers offense played this game as if the game was already won, and you can’t do that against many teams in the NFL.  Even worse, it seems as if the Chargers defensive players are constantly trying to overcome a poorly planned defensive scheme, which is very reminiscent of a lot of our games last year.

I’m not a coach but I do play one on the internet, and it seems like the defense is being held back.  I know you can’t blitz all the time, but do you have to play soft in the secondary all the time?  That’s an exaggeration, but you get my point.  The Raiders had a lot of wide-wide-open receptions on downs where we rushed the usual four guys.  It’s like you’re daring the opposition to throw the ball and doing your best to let them complete the pass.  Against the Raiders you can overcome that.  Against the Saints, Colts, and Broncos…I’m not so sure.  If the Chargers don’t bring some consistency to their game, they’re going to have more close games than not.  And I know these guys are better than that.  If you disagree, let me know.

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Click here for my previous post, Preview: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

Preview: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

What do you call a bunch of Raider fans running down the street?  Prison Break

Ah yes, it’s that time again.  Raider week is upon us, and with it comes stories of decades of hatred toward the Raiders and many of their “fans”, as well as countless calls to local sports talk radio about how the Raiders are ummm, really good, and uhhhhh, you guys just wait cuz the Chargers don’t have a Super Bowl ring, and uh, so we’re gonna shove it up their *&%#$ mother *^&%@#!.

In reality it’s that time of year when Philip Rivers and LT fight over who’s going to get to score more this week.  You can’t count out LT because he eats the Raiders defense for lunch, but with the year Rivers is having he is likely to end up being the hero in week 4.

This could very well be a tougher game than you would think.  For all their ownership problems, the Raiders aren’t half bad.  They also aren’t half good, so I don’t where that gets you, but it’s probably not a .500 record.  But that doesn’t mean you can take these guys lightly.  The Chargers defense that infamously gave up  296-yards to a stud-of-a-rookie running back last year could easily get run over by a stud-of-a-rookie running back this year if they suffer from the same tackling amnesia that has afflicted them at random points throughout their last 19 regular season games.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Ted Cottrell did his job this week and has these guys prepared to defend the run against a talent like the Raiders’ Darren McFadden.

There’s a rumor that Al Davis has lined up a new corporate sponsor for the Raiders – Tampax. He thought it was appropriate since the team is going through a very bad period.

Chargers on offense:  The Raiders have an average defense that has only faced one significant running threat this year (the Buffalo Bills) and gave up 116 yards and two TD’s on the ground.  So do you feature LT as the primary weapon in Sunday’s offensive package, or do you let Rivers do what he’s been doing so well by scoring three (or more) TD’s through the air?  Here’s some news to keep in mind:  First, LT is still not 100%, although he’s getting closer to it each week.  Second, Chargers C Nick Hardwick should start his first game after recovering from major foot surgery.  Both headlines lead me to believe that the offense will continue to revolve around Rivers.

Chargers on defense:  Hey, Cottrell and Company remembered what a Chargers blitz looks like!  And they learned (again) what it can do for you after using the blitz to beat up Brett Favre and the Jets last week with three sacks and four turnovers.  Oakland has a weak offensive line, so expect the Raiders to get blitzed hard, fast, and continuously.  With the sporadic play of the Chargers middle linebackers, expect to see Clinton Hart and Eric Weddle sneaking up to the line for run support.  Keep the pressure on JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders offensive line and we should be able to do enough to limit any damage they try to inflict by running the ball.

What is the difference between a dead Raiders fan lying in the road and a dead Chargers fan lying in the road?   There are skid marks in front of the Chargers fan.

Prediction:  LT goes for 100+ with a score or two…and then takes most of the 2nd half off.  Rivers extends his streak of 3-TD games to four…and then adds a couple more.  And Antonio Cromartie wonders why people are complaining about JaMarcus Russell’s quarterbacking skills- he seemed to catch all of Russell’s errant throws just fine!  Chargers 54, Raiders 6 (McFadden gets one, and Janikowsky shanks the extra point).

Have you heard the best joke of all time?

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It’s the Oakland Raiders

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Click here for my previous post, Final: Chargers 48, Jets 29

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Final: Chargers 48, Jets 29

Win number one is in the books, and let me say that it’s about freaking time!  Not only did the Chargers beat the Jets handily, but their defense looked like a new defense, LT got a couple of scores, and Rivers continued his domination against what was supposed to be a tougher defensive matchup. 

What is most encouraging was the play of the Chargers defense, which had been called out by fans for lacking heart, skill, and a solid gameplan.  And I don’t think one game is enough to take Ted Cottrell off the hotseat, but I’ll allow the temperature to be dialed down to medium.  His guys were far from perfect, but keep in mind that only 22 points were given up on defense, and 12 of those points were the result of great field position after special teams lapses.  Throw in four turnovers and it’s hard to complain.  Now if they can continue the aggressive play, which is largely predicated on the play calling of Cottrell, I think we will again have a defense that we can be proud of.

LT still doesn’t look like he’s healthy, and that concerns me.  There will come a day when we need the running game to step up, and we will need a healthy LT to do it.  Darren Sproles is a great weapon, but believe me, if our opposition ever starts to key on him like they do LT, he will be an entirely different player.  That’s not a knock on the guy, that’s just recognition of the special player that LT is…when he’s healthy.  So let’s do what we gotta do to fix his bum toe.  When he goes over 200 yards against the lameness that is the Raiders, let’s try sitting him down and saving him for a more pressing game.  Fantasy football owners might complain, but I’d rather have him in December and January than in September.

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Click here to read my previous post:  Preview:  San Diego Chargers vs New York Jets

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Lightning Bolts

News and notes about the Chargers and the AFC West…

• LT is still listed as questionable for today’s game, but all signs point to him playing.  He typically dominates AFC West competition, so look for him to have a big game today.

 

• Today’s game is all about the defense…which leaves me less confidant than I was before I wrote that statement.  It’s not so much the loss of Merriman that I’m worried about- Jyles Tucker will prove to be an above-average replacement.  It’s the middle linebackers that have me most concerned.  When Wilhelm eventually gets pulled who will replace him?  Waters has yet to prove he’s any better.

 

• The poor play of Wilhelm last week was obvious to everyone.  Check out this statement from BroncoTalk.net:  “these LBs are beatable – especially ILB Matt Wilhelm, who got torched last week.”  Ouch!

 

• Check out this article from ESPN regarding the imminent firing of Raiders coach Lane Kiffin.  Poor guy knew it was going to happen and still took the job.  Can anyone outside of Oakland even remember who was coaching the Raiders before Kiffin?  Will anyone remember Kiffin when the next scapegoat is hired?

 

• Did you catch the “Lights Out” report with Shawne Merriman last Monday on XTRA Sports 1360?  Then you didn’t hear Merriman’s new nickname for the rest of the season- Coach Lights.  Merriman is always a great interview, so catch the “Lights Out” Report every Monday at 6pm on XTRA Sports 1360. 

 

• Reports say that Kansas City is worried that injured QB Brodie Croyle may not be ready for at least four weeks.  I would worried that he might be back at all.  The lack of QB talent in KC reminds me of the Billy Joe Tolliver and Craig Whelihan days of the Chargers.  Thank God what we brought in Doug Flutie, Drew Brees, and now Philip Rivers to put those days behind us (and forgive me for even bringing them up!).

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Click here to see my previous post: Preview: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

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Preview: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Last week, one team looked slow, rusty, and uninspired, while the other looked like the best of the best within the NFL.  But what did last week’s games really tell us about the Chargers and the Broncos?

The Chargers truly were rusty, with about half of the starters on offense and defense getting their first significant playing time since last January or with some starters out completely.  After getting some work in, the Chargers offense improved dramatically racking up over 100 yards and scoring two TD’s in their final two drives of the game.  On the opposite side, the defense remained uncoordinated and passive for pretty much four quarters.

Last week the Broncos played in their final regular season tune-up versus an amateur football team known as the Oakland Raiders.  Based on that one performance, you can’t say a single bad thing about the Broncos, although they did give up 150 yards on the ground to a one dimensional offense with no offensive line.  But as I said, you can’t say a single bad thing about the Broncos.  Believe it or not, that win over the Raiders counted in their regular season record, so right now the Broncos are in the lead in the AFC West.  And props to them, because their high-powered offense thoroughly dismantled a defense with only one cornerback and one linebacker worth mentioning, and practically no one else who could start on any other NFL team. 

Obviously the Broncos are the cream of the NFL crop.

All kidding aside, it’s never easy to go into Denver and beat the home team.  Sure, we swept the Broncos the last two years, but everyone knows that doesn’t make any difference in this Sunday’s game.  Just like a 1980’s Super Bowl trophy doesn’t automatically make the Oakland Raiders an NFL level football team today.  I’m just saying…

The Chargers on Offense:  Philip Rivers, seven-months removed from reconstructive ACL surgery, looked great Sunday, especially with the game on the line.  Working behind a patched-up offensive line, he avoided the almost constant pressure to make good throws and work the Carolina defense.  What doesn’t help are the injuries to LT and Antonio Gates, although both expect to play Sunday.  C Nick Hardwick and T Marcus McNeill are both out this week, but I don’t think the Broncos can generate the kind of pass rush that Julius Peppers and the Carolina Panthers can.  If they take what Bronco CB’s Champ Bailey and Dre Bly give them, they should be alright. 

The Chargers on Defense:  Bronco QB Jay Cutler is a stud.  If you underestimate him, he will beat you- it’s just that simple.  Cutler has yet to face any serious pass rush and you have to get in his face to eliminate the verticle passing attack.  Unfortunately we didn’t see much of that from the Chargers defense last week.  To prevent this from turning into a high-scoring offensive onslaught reminiscent of the early 1980’s Chargers teams (all offense…what defense?), you have to blitz from any position and every position- something the Chargers used to do well. 

Prediction:  Overconfident?  Who’s overconfident?  Not the Chargers, not anymore.  Maybe the Broncos?  After a 41-14 embarrassment delivered to the Raiders last Sunday, it’s possible.  I expect this week’s game to be hard-fought and sometimes downright dirty.  In the end, if the Chargers revert back to the team that won eight in a row at the end of last season, they’ll pull out the win in week two.  Chargers 30, Broncos 20

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Click here read my previous post:  After A Valient Effort, Merriman Opts For Surgery

Tuesday Morning QB

I’ll admit it, that loss to the Panthers was like a kick to the gut.  After watching the defense play bad football, Rivers and company come back to take the lead.  And then the ‘D’ blows it.  You can blame the scheme, the lack of a pass rush, the lack of talent at middle linebacker…all that matters as that we had a game we didn’t deserve to win in our grasp and we blew it. 

Next up, the Broncos.  How good did those guys look last night?  I tell you what, if they played the Raiders every week they would break every record in the book.  But I venture to say you could say the same thing about any team playing the Raiders.  So with the Broncos coming off their 5th exhibition game last night, we’ll see how they do against real competition on a short-week.

Other thoughts from Week One:

• The loss to the Panthers in week one reminded me of the 2001 Panthers team.  That team actually won their first game of the season, then lost their next 15 games in a row.  Maybe we can do just the opposite?
• Lights Out- OK, I didn’t think Shawne Merriman looked that bad.  He was double teamed a lot, and the Panthers ran the ball away from him a lot.  Admittedly, I’m a huge Merriman fan, so you tell me:  Did he look good enough to keep playing or is he a shell of his old self?
• Of the obvious AFC Champ contenders, only the Patriots and Steelers won yesterday.  With Tom Brady out, the Patriots are not the same team that they were.  But the Steelers…I think the Steelers are legit.  I didn’t pick them to win their division, but I’m starting to rethink that.
• Are the Bears, Falcons, and Eagles really as good as they looked?  I think the Bears and Eagles could continue to play solid football, but I can’t see the Falcons keeping this up forever.  Now that they have Turner and Ryan on film, it won’t take long for defensive coordinators to find their weaknesses and exploit them.
• I’m 2-1 in fantasy football this season, winning some very close games.  My only loss was a direct result of Michael Turner’s Madden-esque performance.  Joseph Addai and Ryan Grant both turn in poor performances?  Come on now.
• Why does it look like Panthers TE Dante Rosario is wearing Mickey Mouse gloves in this picture?  Cheater!

Stay tuned for this week’s Chargers/Broncos preview!

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Click here for my previous post.