WS 09: Phillies vs Yankees

Game 1 of the World Series fires up tonight and it should be a pretty good World Series, in my opinion....

The Phillies have proven that they are solid team from the National League and defending World Champs. The Yanks are always the team to beat and the odds in their favor...maybe never more so then this year. The Yanks, with the highest payroll in all of baseball, have managed to produce and win relative to the salaries these guys are getting paid... the Yankees always sign the best free agents in the offseason and the last few years that hasn't panned out so well...but they are definitely getting their money's worth this year... C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira have all pulled their weight ... which was added to A-Rod, Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, Rivera, a stout squad to say the least.

I think both clubs can slug it out if it has too, but I think the Yanks might have the arms to go the distance. I think Yanks in 6 with most of the games having more than 4 total runs being scored and that's why the Yanks will win... they will win the low scoring close games ... if the game turns into a homerun derby, Phils will probably win half of those...

Chargers: Best Of The Lousy

The Chargers, after being thoroughly beaten down the previous 2 weeks on national television do what most expected them to do...beat the Kansas City Chiefs.

It is quite clear that the Chargers represent the best of the lousiest teams in the NFL. They haven't beaten any team with a winning record and when they do win, they destroy their inferior opponent. But when a quality opponent is on the other side of the ball a person gets a glimpse at what this team is really made of...

Against the Chiefs, a person saw Shawne Merriman put pressure on the Chiefs quarterback, Shaun Phillips get two sacks and the Charger defense look respectable...intercepting Matt Cassel three times, a qb that had not been intercepted in over 150 attempts prior... Against the Chiefs the Charger offense looked unstoppable... LaDainian Tomlinson cracked off a 36 yard run in the first quarter and a person saw flashes of his past, Phillip Rivers was virtually untouched for most of the game, giving him plenty of time to sit in the pocket and throw deep bombs to Vincent Jackson.

Yes, these are the games which give the illusion that the Chargers are a good team because against lousy teams the Chargers look like an all-star team able to look like the above...but the fact remains the same...the Chargers have yet to beat any team that matters, all they have done is proven that they can beat another lousy team...something you would hope from "The most talented team in the NFL." And even against the Chiefs and even in a 37-7 rout, the Chargers still made sure to display some of their inadequacies...red zone scoring. Against a better team the Chargers would have paid dearly for their several attempts inside the red zone that ended in little, but against the Chiefs ... all is good.

I also don't want to fall into the trap...again. The Chargers make the playoffs, win one game and then lose and Norv Turner is back again and next season by week 8 the Chargers look like shit and need to scramble, only to salvage the season and repeat...but at the end of the day the Chargers continue to beat only the weak of the NFL and until the Chargers can prove otherwise, they are only the best of the lousy....

Raiders are next ... after upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles 2 weeks ago the Jets pounded the Raiders. The Chargers lucked out in week 1 to escape with a win, but the team should be in full season mode now and the Raiders have seemingly regressed ... it won't surprise me if the Chargers lose...but they should be able to run away with this game as well...

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...

Broncos Control AFC West, Chargers Descend

Most NFL pundits have officially removed the 'over-rated' label from the Chargers and have firmly applied the "not a good team" label to this Charger team.

The Chargers got beaten soundly last night in what the team and many others felt would be a statement game for the Chargers...if the Chargers wanted to continue to lay claim as the best team in the AFC West they needed to beat the Broncos last night. Not only did the Chargers lose but the Broncos remain undefeated and the Chargers are fighting for the cellar with Oakland and Kansas City...and with the way the Chargers, Raiders and Chiefs have been playing, they all three will likely tie for 2nd and last place in the AFC West with the Broncos running away with it.

The reason the Chargers lost last night is easy to finger... oh sure, there were 2 special team scores by the Broncos, something the Chargers don't typically give up, but the reality is the same... The Chargers defense is awful with no pass rush, the Chargers can't stop the pass or the run when needed, the Chargers have zero running game and both their offensive and defensive lines get owned every game. It is so obvious every week and every week a person can see it not getting any better.

Is the season over and are the Chargers out of the playoffs...not yet. But this Charger team has remained consistent so far this season...consistently bad. Chargers go to Kansas City this weekend and then play the Raiders ... both games the Chargers could either win or lose but no one is certainly banking on a Charger victory... Chiefs have confidence and the Chargers don't ... the other AFC West rivals can smell the Charger blood in the water and finally can really unload on a soft Charger team. In less then 3 weeks the Chargers could be firmly entrenched in last place in the AFC West... all alone...and when folks thought the AFC West was weak no one figured the Chargers would be the weakest team in the division but the Chargers most certainly can contend for that title this year....

Seau Unretires

I 'tweeted' about the Seau unretirement but I think it deserves some more space...but not too much more...

Not sure why Junior wants to continue on but I've never questioned this guy's desire to play. One more chance at a Super Bowl ring. I'm really wondering why New England hasn't found a more viable solution other than bringing back Junior.

A great Charger during his day but has lost his credibility a long time ago so this announcement really is not that surprising.

Good luck Junior, I still wish you the best...

Game Five Preview: Chargers vs Broncos

The San Diego Chargers enter week 6 with an extended break...fresh off their bye week and a Monday night game against the undefeated, division rival, most hated team in the NFL, Denver Broncos.

The Chargers may be well rested but after getting their asses kicked by Pittsburgh it is probably welcomed. Last season the Chargers went into their bye week with an awful defense and fired coordinator Ted Cottrill. This year the Chargers defense seems to be about the same...extremely weak...and this season they cut the starting safety Clinton Hart. Clinton Hart was the partner in crime with Cromartie in week 1 when the Raider receiver, on 4th and 16, scored a touchdown as Hart and Cromartie pointed at each other as the Raider player strolled on down the field unguarded by either. After the bye week newly promoted defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, took a few games to retool the defense but eventually got it playing marginally better...but never near a quality NFL defense.

The game against the Broncos will certainly be a statement game for both teams... The Chargers, with the inferior record, will want to prove that they are not ready to relinquish the AFC West title this season. The Broncos will certainly remember last season when they had the AFC West all but won and after pissing away their 4 game cusion still had a chance to win the title by simply beating the Chargers in the last game of the season last year...instead, they were thoroughly pounded and left out of the playoffs.

The Chargers play each of their AFC West foes in the next 3 weeks but there is no bigger game then the one against the Broncos this Monday night. If the Chargers lose they will be 4 games out in the division, under .500 and essentially in the same position as the Chiefs and Raiders when they will meeting up in the following weeks...all in a virtual dead-heat for 2nd and last place for the AFC West...

The 2 biggest, glaring issues that, most everyone can agree on, are hindering the Chargers...both about equal in terms of being a concerning factor to the Chargers lack of success. The first, and is a broken record now, is the defense. The Chargers can not stop the run or the pass. The Charger defense can not get any pressure on the opposing quarterbacks and the Charger defense can simply not stop a team from driving down the field at will. The second glaring concern for the Chargers is the lack of a running game...and that is an understatement...the running game is actually non-existant as of this time. Tomlinson has been hurt since week 1 and hasn't done anything on the ground. Sproles, his fill-in, has been spectacular but primarily as a receiving back out of the backfield. You combine both of these factors in and you can see why the Chargers are playing the way they have been... teams have been able to control the tempo of the game, maintain ball control, move the ball and score. The Chargers are unable to mount any threat of the running game even though they consistently convert on long plays...but unfortunately the red zone efficiency for the Chargers is pathetic...likely due to the lack of a power running game. The Chargers simply can not ram the ball down anyone's throats. The offensive line has been pushed around all season long and the Chargers use spread and shotgun formations as any means to give Rivers any time to set up...running out of the pro form would have defenders meeting Rivers in the backfield immediately after the snap.

The Chargers have a chance to at least to be seen as somewhat legitimate if they beat the Broncos. A loss will only further implant the impression that many media types are already forming about this team... a soft, defenseless team with a formidable offense but unable to beat any quality team. A win will likely hurt the national impression of the Broncos more than it will boost the Chargers. The facts remain the same... the Chargers still haven't beaten a legitimate, quality team (except the Colts) during the regular season since '06...beating the Broncos will likely just prove that the Broncos are not a legitimate, quality team. A loss by the Chargers does the same for them...proven the Chargers are not a legitimate, quality team.

Steelers Destroy Chargers

With the exception of me thinking the game might be close at half, this past week's game between the Chargers and Steelers went exactly as I had previewed.

The Charger defense is so awful that the Steelers had zero resistance on any of their possessions and drove the entire length of the field at their leisure this past Sunday night. Antonio Cromartie is not near the DB he was 3 years ago. Merriman, who again was sidelined for most of the game, remains a non-factor even when on the field. There is little to no pass rush from the Chargers and a good blocking offensive line easily paved the way for their back-up running back to run for 165 yards...gaining 4-5 yards with ease per carry. On the other side of the ball, the Chargers rushed for a pathetic 16 yards and had to struggle to get that. The passing game remained formidable but unless the Charger offense can score on every possession there was no way they will win a game because the opponent's of the Chargers can, and do, score on virtually every possession.

The Chargers go into their bye week with a similar dilemma they had last season...a defense that is horrendous...one of the worst in the NFL. Last season they fired Ted Cottrell and put Ron Rivera in charge...many thought he would have enough time to 'fix' the Charger defense and it would be at least respectable for this season but that is not the case. Any deficiencies on this Charger team are greatly overshadowed by the defensive woes.

The Chargers remain a team that is unable to win a 'quality' game. The Chargers do well against other mediocre teams but playing the NFL elite they are exposed for what they are... a defensively poor team with an offense that is unable to establish the run game. Sure the Chargers may upset a team here or there, but as this team is and looks right now, going into the bye, any post-season aspirations will be short lived against any sound team.

Game 4: Chargers vs Steelers

Game 4 for the Chargers this season will be a Sunday night clash with the defending Super Bowl Champs, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This will totally be a 'benchmark' game for the Chargers...in my opinion... and this is what I mean by a benchmark game...

First, let's be realistic, the Chargers haven't beaten a playoff team (except the Colts), during the regular season, in a long time. The Chargers rank next to last in rushing yards per game and tied for last for average yards per carry (less than 3 yards)...in fact the Chargers longest run from scrimmage, thus far, is 13 yards...13 yards??? Are you kidding me?

The Steelers, defending Super Bowl champs, coming off a second straight loss...at home and in prime time. The Steelers have a top 10 defense and their game plan will be similar to what they did last season to the Chargers in the playoffs and what other teams are doing to the Chargers this season... that is dictate the game. Opponents' offenses are able to establish long, time consuming drives against the Chargers defense. It is usually the fault of the offense via penalties or mistakes when they fail to get into scoring position...rarely is it due to the Charger defense. You then factor in that the Chargers will likely not be able to run the ball at all, it will mean the Steelers will be able to control the clock and the Chargers will likely be playing from behind and have to score through air...leaving the margin of error for the Chargers that much smaller.

I can foresee the same game we witnessed in January against the Steelers... it might be a close, hard fought game in the first half and then in the 2nd half the Steelers will simply hang onto the ball for most of the half... methodically moving down the field, knowing that the Charger defense is unable to stop them.

So back to the whole 'benchmark game' premise I began with...what I have done is just detail every reason the Chargers SHOULD NOT be able to win this Sunday and I would guess no one expects them too either. So the game could be used as a barometer to see just how far away the Chargers are from beating a solid squad this season...something they have yet to do.

Do the Chargers have any chance of winning this game? Absolutely...but both the offensive and defensive lines need to play at a level we have yet to see from them this season. Tomlinson was practicing yesterday so that may be an indication he plays on Sunday...will that improve the Charger run game...it will have to if the Chargers want to have a legitimate chance at winning.

Is it the end of the world if the Chargers lose? No...but it is just another disturbing trend from the Chargers...unable to beat quality teams during the regular season...to beat Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh on national television this week would be a good first step to getting some respectability...but a loss will just validate any need to start giving the Chargers respectability, something the media certainly has yet to lavish the Chargers with this season and with proper cause not too...the Chargers have yet to do anything to command respectability this season.