Chargers: Low Expectations

The NFL season has yet to even reach the half-way point and, like last season, many are writing off the Chargers. Unfortunately, unlike last season, the likelihood of the Chargers able to 'rally' the troops, salvage the season and make a playoff run seem all too remote. Even if the playoffs are somehow achieved this season, it is hard to imagine the Chargers doing much more then they have in the past...maybe a first round win and then be soundly beaten on the road in the second round.

Many thought the Chargers would have a walk in the park in retaining their AFC West title...even if they were unable to be successful in their non-divisional games the Chargers should easily outmatch the rest of the lowly AFC West. But not any more... the AFC West may still be regarded as 'lowly' but the Chargers have now joined the ranks of the bottom-feeders. A person can not look at the Chargers schedule and point to any one game that the Chargers can and would win...without a doubt. Instead, for the rest of this season, any win the Chargers get will be a surprise...and that also does include games against the Raiders and the Chiefs...once taken for granted the Chargers are no longer even remotely dominate in any phase of the game to clearly outmatch any opponent regardless of how bad they may be.

What this latest loss for the Chargers has done to its fan base is set them up for the remainder of the season...to know that the Chargers are likely to put on a good game but will not be able to be competitive against most teams. The problems for the Chargers are all too glaring...as a person watched the game last night it had me wondering... Why do the Broncos only rush 4 players and sack Phillip Rivers all the time? Why does Kyle Orton have enough time in the backfield to take a nap, wake up, have a snack, look around and then pass the ball? Why does Norv Turner take out LaDainian Tomlinson on 3rd down and goal on the 2 yard line to hand off to Darren Sproles who promptly gets tackled for no-gain? Other teams ram the ball down the Chargers throats and score at will but the Chargers need to resort to trickery and deception and then still are unable to score...oh they get close but can never punch it in.

After the Steeler's loss Charger GM AJ Smith had said that the Chargers are "soft," especially on defense...some Chargers (ie: Merriman) took offense to those comments but they are more truth than fiction. Merriman has yet to do much this year except talk...the trade deadline is today and there is a rumor that the Patriots might be making a play for him... I think Merriman was likely going to be let go after this season anyways and by doing so now would hopefully garner a respectable outcome for the Chargers....but it would really say something if the trade does happen and Merriman performs at a higher level then he currently is...maybe highlighting issues with the coaching staff more than issues with the players...

I have never liked Norv Turner and I think he has successfully all but destroyed what was once a 14-2 team. Norv went 11-5 in 2007 and then 8-8 last season with the Chargers and currently is sitting at 2-3 this season. Norv was the losingest head coach in NFL history and was handed the keys to one of the most dominant and talented teams in the league. Norv lucked out last season and because making the playoffs seemed like a miracle in its on right was back on the sideline this season. 3 years ago the Charger team looked like a young team with only one direction to go...up. Instead, for three years the Chargers have struggled and struggled to the point of regression rather then progression. Obviously all the blame can not be put on Norv Turner, but after he was named head coach of the Chargers in 2007, I don't think anyone would doubt any of this could have happened with him as head coach. In fact, my direct quote from the day of the hirings: "Hiring Norv Turner to be the head coach, is just plain retarded." I have stuck by the Chargers and it is sad to see that it has taken three lack-luster years but hopefully this will be the last one with Norv Turner as head coach of the Chargers...