The State Of The Chargers...In My Mind

The NFL draft is this weekend and I think most every year I make sure to make an entry stating how I really am not that interested in the draft and how over hyped the draft is and this year is no exception.  As per usual...Let me know when the draft is over, who the Chargers have signed and are these new players going to be any good and help the team win a Super Bowl?

But this offseason is an offseason that reminds of what it is like to be a Charger fan...there really isn't much to look forward.  But what makes this offseason sting even just a little bit more for me is the fact that it has been validated that Dean Spanos is cheap (in the wrong areas) and not committed to winning a Super Bowl.  You see, this offseason is the aftermath of Dean's "gamble" and stay the course with two bozos that did nothing to earn their retention.  That move stunned and shocked me and when last season played out the way it did, most fans that share my sentiment simply sat back and could say that it should have been expected, because it was for me.  Norv Turner proved one thing and one thing only while he was the coach of the Chargers...and that was how inept he was at coaching.  Former GM AJ Smith, the "genuis" behind hiring Norv, followed Norv's inept coaching style with reckless draft picks, paying too much for unproven players and basically leaving the Chargers thin at almost every position and "hoping for the best".

So why is hope still very faint this offseason you ask?  While let's start at the top...again and as usual...and that means Dean Spanos.  It is clear that when he is hiring a GM and a coach, affordability is his number one criteria.  Going after anyone proven or "high dollar" (Parcells, Cowher, etc.) is not even an option in his personelle searches.  Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind grabbing some young "up and comer" but those people are usually already making some waves before they do ascend to those positions.  The Chargers hired, as their coach, someone who essentially held the clipboard for Peyton Manning last season.  Does anyone think that Mike McCoy was drawing up and calling the plays for the Broncos last season?  Of course not...when the Broncos got Manning they instantly sat him down and said what plays do you want to run Peyton?  And then during the game, Peyton essentially decides what play to run at the line of scrimmage...yep, the head coach of the Chargers is the guy that would pat Manning on the back and say good job after every score and that was about it.  I think hiring McCoy as the coach is Spanos' way of trying to get some cheap intel on the Broncos rather than improve his own team.

McCoy, along with new GM Tom Telesco, have a variety of interesting challenges coming up...the Chargers are essentially short a running back, the entire offensive line, 2 dlinemen, at least 2 db's, at least 3 lb's among other needs.  And, as per usual, the Chargers don't sign any high profile free agents to fill any of those needs so now its either up to trades or the draft to fill those spots.

Do I have much hope for the Chargers next season?  No, not really.  But like I tend to ALWAYS say...I hope to be proven wrong...unfortunately I went into last season expecting a 6-10 season and the Chargers surprised me (and everyone else) by winning a game in Pittsburgh - something they have never done in the regular season - and thus made it to 7 wins...but the signature of last season was the game against Denver when the Chargers were up 24-0 at halftime and then Phillip Rivers, and company, bumbled, fumbled and stumbled that game and the season away.  That was just one of several games the Chargers had a lead and then surrendered it in glorious, flame out fashion...proving that they were not a team made up of winners but quitters.

Every season, it seems, that a team that was horrible last season makes significant improvement and become relevant again.  The Chargers haven't been competitive in the NFL for the past 2 seasons...maybe Mike McCoy and Tom Telesco are just what this team needed and things begin to improve.  To their advantage, the Chargers are in one of the weakest divisions in football ... but not for much longer... the Broncos are a respectable team again, the Chiefs are young and I think they could be very good.  If the Chargers don't turn things around this season they could certainly be in contention, with the Raiders, for the doormat of the AFC West.

Rock Music And Today

As a public service to the kids of today, I am going to try and post/list/detail examples of what a "rock" concert was and should be...

For my first submission, I present exhibit A ... a band, when performing live, should have roughly the amount of energy and "power" displayed in the following video...Filter performing Under from way back in '07...



I know many will think shows like this are staged, but no kids, this is how a rock show should look and sound...

Chargers: Is It Just The Offensive Line?

It's been a good month since the San Diego Chargers ended a miserable season and since then they have "cleaned house" in regards to their coaching staff.  Most pundits and fans all agree that moves was long overdue...me included. Now is the next step for this franchise...is next year a "rebuilding" year or is it season that the Chargers, with a few personnel moves, could return to contention.  One point that many "knowledgeable" Charger fans continually vomit up is...Fix the oline, then everything else will come.  Well, there's where I am going to veer off of a bit...

Yes, the Chargers offensive line last year was horrible and does need some fresh faces.  But I also want to remind many of those same "knowledgeable" Charger fans that they were the very same people saying that signing Jared Gaither last season was a huge pickup and that would certainly solidify the line...forgetting that Jared Gaither has been a bum his entire career and proved to be such one all of last season.

No, in my opinion, the Chargers have more to look at than just the offensive line...but will stay on the offensive side for starters...let's start with Phillip Rivers, he needs to prove he is even worthy of being an NFL QB again and not the quarterback that over the past two seasons has the most turnovers. There were more than one game last season where the Chargers were in command of the game and all they needed to do is not turn the ball over to win and Rivers and Co. did just that.

Skill players, with the exception of Rosario and Gates, there isn't a back on the Chargers roster that did much of anything last season.  I know some fans have high hopes for Vincent Brown, but even that, at this point, is an unknown.  Mathews continues to disappoint with injuries and subpar play.  So many fans of Mathews continue to cling to hope that this guy can do something but the time might be just to let this guy go.  He doesn't break off any big runs and seems like he runs into traffic rather than away from it.  When you see a rookie like Doug Martin playing on a Tampa Bay  team reel off big runs in a losing cause I wonder why Mathews in three years has yet to be able too?  

The defense...I really didn't think the defensive line was all that bad, but overall the Chargers defense wasn't that good.  The linebackers are old and slow and the secondary is just bad.  Eric Weddle at safety is probably the only db worth retaining.  Some Charger fans would be quick to point out that the defense did "seem" too keep the team in games but you also need to remember that the Chargers' offense was likely going 3 and out on most of their possessions...so even if the Charger defense did make a stop or two, it was never when the game mattered or when it was meaningful.  The Charger defense is, as it almost always seems to be historically, decent until it really matters then it is really bad (see 4th & 29).  

Sadly, the only "improvement" I saw on the Chargers last season was their special teams...and it wasn't anything special...just not the epic failure it was in 2011.  Not sure if Novak is the man to be kicking...so that maybe a need as well.

This is the NFL and more than one team has been able rise up to contender status after having a fairly poor season the year before.  Of course with Peyton Manning bringing the Broncos back to life all the pressure (and media attention) is on the Broncos in the AFC West.  If the Chargers could at least become more disciplined and eliminate turnovers, they easily could become, at the very least, respectable...and that is something that could happen as soon as next season with the right people in the right places.

21st Century Children - I'm Not Walking!

My second installment of comparing my children's childhood experiences with my own was inspired by today's weather and subsequent "demands" needed from my daughter. It snowed last night a fair amount...probably a good 6 inches.  It's not cold and it's not windy. And for this installment I am actually going to do a broad age range for it deals with giving my daughter a ride to school...

First, I would like to detail my "transportation" to and from school...first, for kindergarten, I walked to and from school every day, it was 5 blocks.  My mother walked me to school on the first day of school and that was the last time any adult walked to or from school with me my entire school years.  For elementary school, it was sweet, about 1 block plus we had an alley that we could take to a catwalk...for some reason lots of stuff did happen on that short 1 block walk because rocks, debris, water, snow, mud, etc... all could be found on that walk.  But those were the "good ole days" once junior high hit, my parents felt the need to enroll us (my older sister and younger brother as well as myself) into parochial school and for 7th & 8th grade the catholic school they sent us too was all the way across town, as I Google map it today to get the distance, it measures 1.9 miles.  Here were my options for 7th and 8th grade, for a ride to school, I could get one but I would be there almost an hour before the school starts, at 7:00 AM, plus need to be ready to leave the house by 6:45 AM.  Or walk and leave the house at 7:15 AM.  I did usually take the ride, but after getting to school I remember some long, cold, boring mornings standing outside the school waiting for anyone to come...and I mean LONG, COLD and BORING mornings...I could have chosen to go to early mass, but I would rather stand outside in the cold then go to church. After school, if it wasn't basketball or football season, I would usually walk...and regardless of what the weather was.  Of course we all can remember junior high and this is the beginning of kids beginning to be conscience of what they are wearing and doing and are trying to "look cool" and of course one of the things you do to "look cool" in North Dakota (when your in junior high) is to wear light clothing, no hats, no gloves and certainly no boots during the winter time.  I recall having to walk home when the temps were subzero with no gloves, basically a sweatshirt and sneakers...I got frostbite on both of my earlobes and too this day they will sting when it gets extremely cold, always a reminder of that walk on that day.  During the sports season, after practice, I could wait an hour and get a ride from my father who got off work at 6 or walk...again, I usually walked.  Plus, for football, I would walk 6 (long) blocks to the practice field, practice for an hour and half, then walk back the school, change and then walk home.  Yes, for two years, 7th and 8th grade, were some tough hikes and a miserable time for me...I hated it every day.  Then high school came...my sister had her license by the time I started high school, so I got a ride to school with her for my first two years.  She would give me a ride, but she required me to go out and start her car and scrape any ice off of it before we could leave.  After school, I would usually walk, but the walk now was considerably shorter, just a mere 10 or so blocks...seemed like a pleasant stroll.  And of course by the time I was done with my sophomore year I had a job and was on my way to my first car to end the walks forever.  Throughout my school years, though, never did I ever think I was "entitled" to a ride nor could I just flat out and demand I get a ride when I want one..and when I say when, I mean EXACTLY when I want a ride...not 20 minutes later, not 5 minutes, NOW.

Now we can compare that with my daughter's experience...and as I've said before, I'm not here to judge and declare one was better than the other, just my observation of how the times have changed. First off, the schools my daughter attends are all relatively close, the elementary school is 3 blocks away, the junior high is 10 blocks and the high school 14 blocks.  My daughter has never had to walk to school and at least 50% of the time things work out where she has gotten a ride home from school.  But today is one of those days where she likely will not be able to get a ride.  As I mentioned to begin this post we had a bit of snow last night, but the temperatures are mild and there isn't even a breeze.  After telling my daughter that I would not be able to give her a ride home today she replied "But some people won't even have their sidewalks shoveled when I get done with school." and that's why she is DEMANDING a ride home from school...because some sidewalks might not be shoveled off for her.  Now of course, if she would be willing to wait at school for a half hour, she could get a ride...but no, not the 21st children.  I am done with school at 2:52 and if I can't get a ride at 2:52 I will walk home and let you know how you ruined my life, my shoes, my coat and now I'm sick and you have to pay, pay, pay, and pay!

Manti Te'o's Fake Girlfriend Exposes Lazy Journalism

By now most everyone has either read or heard about the Deadspin article exposing Notre Dame's star linebacker, Manti Te'o and now we are in the "aftermath" period of that story.  Here's are the points that I find the most interesting in this entire story, for I am not a big Notre Dame or Manti Te'o fan, I was unaware of how "big" this story was at the time and now how big it has become.

The first is the lazy journalism.  Sure, people are quick to say, are you really going to fact check every time someone says they are in remorse because someone died?  No, you don't have to do that...but when you look at the circumstances of this entire episode, you would think that the impact this "girlfriend" had on Te'o's life - he broke down and cried more than once - you would think at one point someone that was putting together their "feature" on Te'o they would have tried to contact someone that knew the deceased girlfriend to get some comments from them...a family member, neighbor, co-worker, friend, etc... but no, neither ESPN nor Sports Illustrated nor did any of the other media outlets that were quick to pick up Te'o's story and run with it.  What likely happened, is the journalist made a half-hearted effort to contact someone but because of deadlines and what not if that part of the story fell through, oh well, the "meat" of the story, Manti Te'o, is still there for ya.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg for shoddy reporting...we can go on and on about how the major media, once again, didn't let facts get in the way of a good story.

So let's move to the phase this story is in now, namely that Te'o is saying he was "duped".  Notre Dame, ESPN and other media outlets are going along with that angle and even making up excuses as to why it could be plausible that this happened.  To that I say HA HA!  The only reason Notre Dame, ESPN and the others are trying to stick up for this liar is because they don't want to admit that they were swindled...but EVERYONE knows that Te'o and his pal were doing this knowingly and for personal gain.  All ESPN, Notre Dame and the others that are defending this guy's excuse is to simply put a plea to their viewers...that buy into everything they say..."is hey, we were swindled just like you!"  But the reality is, if ESPN and the others don't like it when they dictate the story...ESPN likes to manipulate the story to their liking and here they were manipulated...but they can't be wrong, so they side with Te'o and say that he is just an idiot...which is still true...but he is also ranked as one of the biggest lying scumbags of all time as well.

Chargers New GM and Coach, First Thoughts

So the Chargers have finally shed themselves of AJ Smith and Norv Turner to the delight of many Charger fans, me included.  Of course there is always the fear that the team may get someone worse but for the Chargers getting "worse" was more than likely if they continued with those two bozos.

So who do the Chargers get to replace them...a couple of "new" guys to the mix.  GM Tom Telesco and coach Mike McCoy.  I really don't know too much about either one of them so they will get the benefit of the doubt from me until I see more of what they do to the team.  I will say that I am a little apprehensive about Mike McCoy who was the offensive coordinator for the Broncos.  I typically don't like coaches that were once a coordinator on a team that had some success ... and the Chargers should know that much of the "success" the Broncos have had is because they play in one of the easiest, softest divisions in the NFL for the past couple seasons...the AFC West.

I will say that I would rather start with two guys that haven't already been in the NFL and have failed with the likes of Norv Turner, Wade Phillips, Josh McDaniels, Ken Whisenhunt, etc.  I think having a "fresh face, fresh approach" around the Chargers in both these positions is already a positive change.  Hope can hopefully reenter the locker room and the players return to playing with a purpose...something that Norv Turner could not get the Chargers to do.

So with that, my final statement on these hirings is that I will reserve judgement until further notice.

21st Century Children - I'm Staying Home

It was 3 and half years ago when I had an entry detailing some of the observations I had about the children of today and had some general observations about the differences between them and my experience as a child.  Well, on New Year's eve it hit me as my wife mentioned to my 15 year old daughter, who was sitting on the chair stalking us as she does most days, that when she was 15 she was totally doing something different than what my daughter was.  That's when it hit me... I am going to put my daughter's teen age life up against my own.  I am not going to judge either because we both chose the path we did...I just shake my head at the path she chose.  The best way, that I could think of, was to try and recall what I was doing on particular events at her age and then compare them to what she is doing.  I was certainly not the most popular kid but I also wasn't a complete loser either...like most, probably somewhere in the middle...just like I think she would be as well....

So for this first installment of "21st Century Children" I thought the idea that spurred it all should be the starting "event' and that is my daughter, a 15 year old sophomore in high school.  For New Year's Eve she sat at home in a chair while her parents watched Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve.  Probably did some facebooking and texting as well to add to her new year's excitement.

When I was 15 and it was New Year's Eve I remember what I was doing.  I, like her, did not have a license or car of my own yet...but I knew someone else that did (as does she).  Even without a car, staying home was rarely even considered, especially on a party night like New Year's Eve.  We ended up at the (old) Holiday Inn in Bismarck which has been a haven for New Year's parties for many years and every minor within 50 miles would be there.  By this time (age wise) we knew people that had rooms but it didn't matter.  By midnight the Holiday Inn was packed wall-to-wall top to bottom with people, with many if not most of us being minors.  I didn't get arrested, didn't hurt anyone...had some beer and a fun time.

After telling my daughter that story the first words out of her mouth were "What did your parents think of that?" I smiled and said "They never knew about it and still probably don't."  She kind of laughed but also got this devious look on her face and I knew right then that she totally plans on telling my mother about that evening...that's what my daughter would rather do...tell on people and be a narc...that's a good time in her world.  The funny thing is, is that event happened almost 30 years ago...I think my mother no longer gives a shit at something I did when I was 15 and back then, if you weren't arrested and got home alive...everything was good.

So there you go, my first "event" of comparison...my teenage daughter versus my own teenage experience...

Chargers Win And Then Fire Turner, Smith, Season Wrap Up

Yes, the San Diego Chargers did their best once again to end the season on a "high" note and did so again this year by beating the Oakland Raiders in the final, meaningless game of the season and finish the year at 7-9.  And the 7-9 record is actually an inflated record, imo.  The Chargers did not beat any team in the playoffs this season or any team with a winning record.  The Chargers did post two of the most humiliating, embarrassing losses in franchise history...the game against Denver when the Chargers were up 24-0 at halftime and go on to lose by double digits and the biggest choke of them all...4th down and 29 yards to go against Baltimore.  Just stop Ray Rice from running 29 yards down the field and the Chargers would win against the Ravens but failed to do that and go on to lose.  There were other loses for the Chargers, most in the fourth quarter, that for "good" teams would be gut wrenching but under head coach Norv Turner those loses are taken as "business as usual" for the Chargers.

The Chargers' owner, Dean Spanos, finally fired Norv Turner and GM AJ Smith...something he should have done 2 years ago, but instead decided to save some money and stick with these losers for this past season and the outcome was exactly about what I expected.  Sure 7-9 is a game or two more than I thought they would win but let's put this into perspective...the Chargers won 3 out of their last four games, all four games were against non-playoff contenders.  The Steelers, Jets and Raiders are all teams that have "packed it in" and the one team that beat the Chargers, at home was Carolina and they just didn't beat the Chargers, they DESTROYED them.  Sure the stat sheet says the Chargers are 7-9 but in reality their season ended after 12 games and are 4-8, the last four games were equal to the preseason.  Then let's look at the "quality" of their four real wins, when the Chargers were playing when it mattered...2 against Kansas City, the worst team in the league, 1 against Oakland close to the worst team in the league and 1 win against Tennessee...again, another team that is towards the bottom of the league.

I am really upset about how this season went?  No I am not....I was prepared, just like I was last season.  For anyone that read my preseason predictions, it should be no surprise how this season transpired.  The only "curveballs" the Chargers threw my way this season were the epic second half collapses this team went through.  It seemed as if the team would play well in the first half but then wouldn't show up at all in the second half.  If anyone was going to point a finger at poor coaching, I think that says it right there.  Other teams (and their coaches) were able to make adjustments during the game...the Chargers, not so much so.

So now the Chargers are in the process of interviewing a new GM and then will likely turn their focus towards a new coach.  I don't think the Chargers are in that bad of shape...with the exception of their offensive line...and other coaches have gone to a team and made an immediate impact, so why couldn't it be with the Chargers?  Kansas City appears to be hiring Andy Reid and most "pundits" think that will greatly improve that franchise that has been down for many years now.  The Broncos breezed through the AFC West and unless the Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders do something to improve, the Broncos will continue to benefit from their ineptness.

Norv Turner: Winning When It Doesn't Matter

In typical San Diego Charger fashion, under head coach Norv Turner, the Chargers win...almost looking impressive doing it, against a team that cares less than the Chargers do.  That's the inspiration Norv Turner does bring to the table.  When your team is eliminated and the games no longer, he can somehow inspire these players who, seemingly, haven't cared about winning a football game in some time to finally pull together and win a game.  The Chargers last two wins have been on the road against teams that normally beat the Chargers when they come to their house...the Steelers and the Jets.  But the Jets are in total disarray with a multi-quarterback drama and that has trickled down throughout the team as a whole where no one on the Jets really seemed to take much interest in beating the lowly Chargers.

As I have said in the past, I don't really "cheer" for the Chargers to lose and am glad they are at least showing some pride.  But let's be honest here...winning the final two games is just dropping the Chargers further down the draft board...not that the draft is that big of a guarantee of future success either.  The point is really, that like previous two years, under Turner, and now this year, the Chargers seem to "finish strong" ... albeit meaningless.

This is just one more reason that there should not be even in full second of time elapsed from the conclusion of this weekend's game against the Raiders, regardless of the outcome, and word should ring out that Norv Turner is FIRED.  Any additional time only makes me more apprehensive.  In fact to help the play-by-play guy, he should have something similar to his prepared: "And the final from Qualcomm is Oakland 15, San Diego 38 and I've just been told that Norv Turner has been fired..."

Chargers Completely Give Up

Not really much to say about the Chargers and this last week's game against the Carolina Panthers because the Chargers didn't show up.

It's fairly clear that for some reason the team decided the road game against Pittsburgh would be their "last effort" because the team barely even went through the motions this past weekend as the Carolina Panthers, a team that if you look at their record you would think the Chargers at home would have at least a chance against, but no, the Chargers are coached by a man who they have quit on 3 years ago.

Ryan Mathews, got hurt and is likely out for the season.  No surprise, that has been the report every year since he joined the league...a fine replacement for LaDainian Tomlinson...not.  Mathews, I am fairly certain, won't have a 100 yard game this season nor a rush of longer than...oh, just guessing... 20 yards...and of course not 1,000 yards.

Rivers, on pace to lead the league in turnovers as he continues to turn the ball over...this past game his choice of turnover to treat everyone to...the fumble... he treated us all with multiple fumbles as he was getting sacked within seconds of getting the snap.  Thanks offensive line and Phil for your less then even caring effort...it would have been easier just to leave the ball on the ground so the Panthers could pick it up rather than actually pretend to snap the ball and block...

Does anything more need to be said about how awful Norv Turner is?  Offensive genius?  The Charger defense, which I have ZERO faith in and is horrible in its own right, has been the better squad for the Chargers...the offense is a complete joke and laughable in almost every regard... no run game, no pass game, no big plays... 3 and out...that's the Charger offense.  And all against the Carolina Panthers.

At least the Jets will have something to smile about for Christmas because even though they suck too, the Chargers will most likely put forth below  minimum effort in this weekend's game and the Jets should be able to rebound from their disgraceful Monday night loss.  Heck, they'll probably give Tebow the start and then you'll really get some "buzz" because he'll look like an all-pro, all-star and not have to do much of anything other than not turn the ball over...Rivers, the veteran QB for the Chargers will show him how to do that and probably multiple times!

Jesus God do the Chargers suck.

ESPN: Lazy Documentary

As most know I try and avoid ESPN as much as possible, but being a sports fan there are times when ESPN lures me into their web and I usually regret it.  This is just another example of that.

I have had people tell me how wonderful ESPN's 30 for 30 series is and I have occasionally watched one but it wasn't until I watched the Bo Jackson episode that I noticed that the "analysts" raving about Bo Jackson and commenting on his past were all ESPN employees.  That just goes to show you how lazy ESPN has gotten..."Let's do a show on Joe Montana...send the intern up the third floor and get all the tv personalities to come down and talk about Joe Montana, then we'll just throw some highlights together, dramatic music and bam...new show."

But here's the funny part...that during that Bo Jackson episode their "analysts" were never labeled as an ESPN employee!  It's like they knew they would get spotted on their laziness because Mike Greenberg was a "Radio Host", Marcellius Wiley "Former NFL Player", Chuck Klosterman "Author".... and all of them are actually all ESPN employees.

ESPN is horrible and this is just another example of how they are ruining sports. 

Chargers Beat Steelers, Meaningless Late Season Wins

The San Diego Chargers went into Pittsburgh, a place they have never won in the regular season, and beat the Steelers...handedly.  This is something the Chargers haven't done to a team with a winning record at all this season and surprised most everyone.  But of course does this victory do the team any good?  Well, other than giving some of the players some confidence, it really doesn't.  It also began to send panic amongst the Charger fan base that it could be the beginning of the "retaining" of Norv Turner.  If the Chargers somehow win their remaining games against some of the worst teams in the NFL (Carolina, NY Jets & Oakland) they would inch to .500 and fans begin to worry that Dean Spanos will employ the same logic he did last season when he said he would fire Turner if the team didn't make the playoffs and then went on to not do so because of a "solid finish" to the season...which could be replicated this season.  If that should happen, I would have to think that a revolt amongst the fan base would then happen.  I essentially wrote off the past two seasons and if the unthinkable should happen again, Turner is retained as head coach, next season is already over before it began...again. 

I am not a fan to "cheer" for my favorite team to lose to improve their draft pick or for much of any other reason...but if I have to "cheer" for the Chargers to lose just to get rid of Norv Turner, I am seriously considering doing that.

Chargers Have Given Up...Duh

There really aren't many Charger fans that were even remotely surprised by the latest Charger loss.  Sure, it was another 4th quarter collapse that "good" teams would be gnashing their teeth over and contemplating what minor adjustments need to be made that would have turned that loss into a win. But not the 2012 San Diego Chargers.  I think the Bronco 24-0 debacle is what broke the will of this team and the 4th and 29 play of last week showed that this team has truly given up.

Sure, the Chargers will go through the motions of showing up to appear as if they are playing football, but it is quite clear that they don't care about winning or even trying.  Phillip Rivers continues to look like one of the most hapless and worthless quarterbacks in the league as he turns the ball over twice in the last five minutes...which the Chargers had a 3 point lead at that point.  Bengals go onto win in a very dull, lack luster game.

Is it all Rivers fault?  No.  It's a total team effort on sucking but it does start in the trenches and it is has been well noted that the Chargers front five is worthless.  Rivers has but a micro second upon the snap to get rid of the ball, flee or get flattened.  The Chargers are one of only a few teams that have yet to have a 100 yard rusher...not because they don't have someone that can rush, just that they don't have anyone to block for him.

The Chargers have all but packed it in for this season and so I am close to doing the same.  I was watching the game this past Sunday but was having more fun playing pool and hanging with my pals then watching the Chargers stink it up again.

Pittsburgh is next up on the docket for the Chargers and the Steelers could just as likely treat the game as a practice because if one thing is certain, the Chargers have no interest in winning any more football games this year and with it being in Pittsburgh, it will be a beat down.

Chargers Post Another Epic Choke; Chargers Stink

In what has become a theme of the 2012 season, the San Diego Chargers found an epic way to lose another football game.  Like blowing a 24 point lead and losing by double digits isn't epic enough way to lose and be the laughingstock of the NFL, the Chargers continue to find ways to display their full suckitude.

All the Charger defense had to do was to stop the Baltimore Ravens from converting on a fourth and 29 and the game would be over.  And fourth and 29 you would think a team would try a deep pass or something down the field...not the Ravens for they know how deficient the Chargers are...they simply dump the ball off to Ray Rice who then proceeds to make the Charger defense look like an episode from the three stooges...as Charger defenders collide into each other and glance off of Ray Rice which thus leads to the Ravens to tying the game.  Sure the game goes to overtime and the Chargers had a chance to save some face...but like much of this year the Chargers stop scoring in the second half and going into the fourth quarter up by 10 points couldn't even muster another field goal to either put the game away or win it in overtime.  The Chargers were able to make 2 first downs on their first possession in ot but didn't cross midfield and went three and out on their next.  The Ravens, meanwhile, seemed to know they controlled the game.  After failing to convert on many third downs throughout the game the Ravens found new life in the latter stages of the game and converted on many third downs and on 3 and 10 in overtime, they completed a 31 yard pass that set up the game winning field goal.

There is little doubt in my mind that the Chargers have now descended into being one of the two worst teams in the NFL.  The Chiefs maybe the only team lower than the Chargers, because Jacksonville seems to be playing better these days.

And here we are Monday morning...and so far no sign or hint that Norv Turner is going to get canned anytime soon even after the embarrassment that is becoming the 2012 season.  I, like many other Charger fans, are simply stunned that Turner continues to be the head coach despite the mind-numbing way this team loses under him.  There is little hope in Chargerland and even a 6-10 season has become "hopeful", something that some other Charger fans were certain to rip into me when I made that assessment prior to the season starting...funny thing is, really can't find too many of those Charger fans anymore.

Rivers Continues To Suck, So Do The Chargers; All But Eliminated

The Chargers showed off why they are one of the worst teams in the NFL by losing to the Broncos for the second time this season yesterday...mainly because of Rivers but another special teams gaffe and the game was never in doubt despite the final score.

Sure, the Chargers jumped out to a 7-0 lead after intercepting Manning and running it in, but that would be the only time the Chargers were even remotely in this game.  The Charger defense was not to blame for this lose...they actually held the Broncos and Peyton Manning down for most of the game...but you have Phillip Rivers throwing interceptions and fumbling the ball, like he has for the past two seasons and a team really can't overcome the obstacles he continues to put up for the team.  The Charger offense was completely inept yesterday with maybe only a couple of first downs during the game, the rest were during garbage time when the Broncos had most of their B squad in.

Most Charger fans have begun to put their "wish list" of coaches together, but I doubt the Spanos family is going to spring for anyone good.  Heck, they are too cheap to can Norv even now...after seeing how this team has sucked this entire season they are still satisfied with "status quo"...it's a complete embarrassment, if you ask me.

What sucks for the Chargers is that they might eek out another win or two which would drop them in the draft but not gain them even a sniff at the playoffs this year.  So unless the Dean Spanos does something out of character, I think a cheap head coach and a mid round draft pick are what is in store for us Charger fans next season...but at least it's more hopeful than the past 3 seasons...

Chargers Lose, Rivers Continues To Stink

The San Diego Chargers traveled to Tampa Bay to try and get a rare east coast win under Norv Turner but the Chargers and, more specifically, Phillip Rivers continue to stink.

Right when you thought Rivers would be snapping out of a "funk" that has had him making poor decisions and turning the ball over...as he had 3 touchdowns and over 200 yards in passing against the Bucs as the Chargers had a 21-17 lead...but then Rivers and the Chargers quickly converted themselves into the team we have seen for the past 3 seasons.  A team that turns the ball over, the defense can't stop the other team and even more distressing these days is the fact that Phillip Rivers just plain stinks.  With the lead and the Chargers inside the 30 of Tampa Bay, Rivers throws a pick six and the Chargers wouldn't see the lead again.

The Chargers scored a measly three points in the second half and end up losing 34-24.  That's a 17-4 run to close out the game. 

Is there really anything left to say?  There doesn't need to be any more examples to anyone to see that he is a bad coach and is getting out coached in EVERY GAME!  After halftime the Chargers are thoroughly trounced by any capable team (sorry KC you are horrible!) and even if the Chargers have the lead at halftime, no lead is safe with them...and really even if the Chargers had any lead going into the 4th quarter, they would be more likely to lose than win because their defense is so paper thin it is pathetic.  Even with the Chargers unable to mount any offense in the second half the defense had it's chances to simply stop Tampa Bay from driving the entire length of the field...but couldn't do that.

Norv Turner is horrible.  Phillip Rivers is awful. And the Charger defense is bad.  I think that about sums up this season and I don't see much hope on the horizon...Denver won't let the Chargers go up by 24 next week and are going to totally put the boots to this Charger team...it will be over by halftime and Peyton Manning will be doing interviews from the sideline halfway through the third quarter...probably won't have much to do other than watch the defense return Rivers' interceptions.