Bonds Trial To Start

The NFL lockout is, by all appearances, all but inevitable, but us sports fans will have a little drama to keep us occupied for the next couple weeks and no, I don't mean exhibition mlb.  The Barry Bonds trial starts next week and I hope, once and for all, that he will be branded the cheater that he is.  Of course his trainer, Greg Anderson, who gave Bonds the roids as well as injected Bonds, will not testify against Bonds and will then be put into jail for the duration of the trial...which they figure should last about two weeks.  Anderson has already spent over a year in jail for not testifying against Bonds so a two week stint will be a walk in the park for him.

Like the Landis trial, I'll be keeping a close eye on this trial...but I would imagine that regardless of the outcome whichever side "loses" will appeal and this will go on for many years...but winning the first round is always good for the pr campaign.

State Of North Dakota Fighting For Fighting Sioux

It was just about a year ago when I thought the final chapter was written for the University Of North Dakota's athletic name and logo, the Fighting Sioux. But of course I was silly to think that the nickname backers were going to go quietly away...not when they have lots of dollars left, and when I say lots I mean millions of dollars courtesy of the Ralph Engelstad estate.

I was curious as to why the nickname supporters were fairly quiet over the past year...after losing the supreme court decision, I thought the supporters would continue to pressure the Indians to garner their support...but the Indians are not the least bit interested in this topic and have refused to embrace or reject the use of the Fighting Sioux name.  But the nickname supporters are way more clever than I am...they went to the North Dakota legislature and so far got the ND House to pass a bill that would make it illegal for UND to change it's name from the Fighting Sioux.  It even goes so far to state that if the NCAA takes any action to prohibit UND from competing in NCAA sanctioned events that an anti-trust lawsuit will be filed against the NCAA.

This was a totally brilliant move by the nickname supporters...politicians, last I checked, are more than happy to accept campaign contributions from entities that they support...I bet you won't have to look too hard to see who got a nice campaign contribution from the Sioux nickname lobby...again, filled to the brim with millions of dollars.

I am a supporter of the nickname.  I have not seen nor have heard of many Sioux Indians that dislike the use of their name and, in fact, the last Sioux Indian I talked to about this issue, she was really proud that the college was using Fighting Sioux...and she always said THE Fighting Sioux...never just the Sioux, always, The Fighting Sioux.  I could tell she was proud of that name.

Sure, the ND Senate now needs to pass the bill and then the ball would go back into the NCAA's court...are they going to back down or are they going to continue the pissing match?  They have to know that if they choose to sanction UND they will have a lawsuit coming there way backed by a lot of money...and it isn't just the money part of it.  I think the NCAA is one of the most hypocritical, non-nonsensical governing body in sports, I think if this case goes to court, lots of NCAA hypocrisy will be exposed that could potentially open up a lot more cans of worms and this would be just the tip of the iceberg - which would hopefully, inevitably destroy the NCAA, which would make me happy.

And North Dakota isn't like Wisconsin or Minnesota or California with massive state debt and budget shortages...In 2010, estimates are that North Dakota had a budget surplus of $1 Billion ... yes, a surplus of ONE BILLION DOLLARS.  So if the NCAA wants to get into a pissing match with the State Of North Dakota, the state is ready to start pissing money down the drain right alongside the NCAA all over the use of The Fighting Sioux name...again, not sure of the rationale of the NCAA, but they probably feel so superior to us hayseeds in the barren wasteland...yet have no idea who they are dealing with...very stubborn, determined Germans and Scandinavians descendants that are use to getting their way or die trying....is the NCAA gonna be able to match that intensity?  No way.


 

Clutch - Fargo - February, 13, 2011

I got to see Clutch this past weekend opening for the infamous Motorhead in Fargo at the Venue.  Overall it was a pretty good time.  Clutch played a solid set that once again included Spacegrass, which was awesome.  Clutch played for about an hour and got a solid list of songs in and they sounded really good.  Posted below will be video of Clutch playing Spacegrass, almost the entire song - although the audio clips frequently because I was on the floor and I was using a cell phone so didn't have much of a choice...the video looks pretty good if you ask me.  And then there are a few pics I took of the show as well.

The show was very well attended, but it was clearly a Motorhead show.  There were lots of bikers.  Clutch did have its fair share of fans though, but the Motorhead posse dominated.  Mosh pit started almost immediately when the opening band, Valiant Thor started...and I'll give credit to Valiant Thor, they got the crowd worked up nicely.  The place was fairly packed from start to finish.  Then when Motorhead came onto the stage...holy F@^K! were they loud!  I was on the second floor for most of their set and it wasn't too bad, but a couple of times I wandered downstairs for a minute or two and the music was so incredibly loud I couldn't believe it...and I've been to many a loud show.  Motorhead had a shitload of speakers and I noticed they didn't hang much, so most of the speakers were on the ground directed directly at the crowd...I think that is why it was so loud.

Overall, though, it was a good time...

(Click on the pictures to see the full size version)

Super Bowl Over, NFL On Track For Lockout

Super Bowl XLV is long been done with the Green Bay Packers becoming another true wild card that played on the road for the entire playoffs and won the Super Bowl.  This past year's playoffs proves a few things that I have adopted as "trends" and that is a good playoff team that is "hot" at the right time, like the Packers were, they can win the Super Bowl.  Arizona was that team a couple years ago but fell short. 

Also, having the #1 season and grinding out the regular season meant nothing this past playoff year as both #1 seeds lost their first game after clinching a bye.  The next time you hear a player, a coach or a media person try to explain the importance of securing that #1 seed so they can play in front of their fans and also have a first round bye, remember that hasn't been too helpful as of late...

This year's Super Bowl continues a trend for football's biggest game, that is the game itself, was pretty good.  Wasn't a blowout and, for the most part, entertaining.  Although the Steeler's turned the ball over 3 times they had a chance to win, just couldn't pull it out.

Now the off season is in full gear and despite all the flowery talk by the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell prior to the Super Bowl, it doesn't appear as if a deal is going to be hammered out by March 3rd...but of course things could change, but as it stands right now, it does look as if a lockout is still eminent...as many have forecasted for some time already.  I think everyone knows that it will only be a matter of time before a deal is reached but both sides have to do the "dance" to make it appear as if they are really serious about not making a penny when they each could be raking in millions and millions of dollars.  I think the owners have all the cards and the players don't seem united.  Once you have some of these "superstars" not getting their million dollar checks every month and they can't afford to keep one of their pools heated in their mansion, I think players will break ranks and essentially force a deal be made by their union just so they can get paid again.  And that is where I think the NFLPA is making a mistake ... they could most certainly get a more "fair" deal done now than later.  The owners are getting paid no matter if football is played or not next season and they are more than happy to sit back and collect million dollar checks for not having to spend a dime.  Once the players begin to exhibit dissension in the union, the union will have to go to the bargaining table to negotiate whatever deal they can in order to appease their members and once the owners know the union has cracked, they can then turn the screws to them.  That is why the NFLPA, if they were smart, imo, would figure out what they would "settle" for now and essentially negotiate to get at least that.  The longer there is no deal, the more it will hurt the NFLPA, imo.  What the NFLPA has incorrectly assumed, I think (again) is that fans would be on their side.  The fans are on neither the owners of the players side, we simply want to watch our teams play football on Sunday.  But, as usual, the players and the owners both take the fans for granted and the end result will likely be a work stoppage.

Super Bowl Set: Steelers-Packers

Here's another Super Bowl that I will have little interest in...Steelers vs the Packers ... two teams that I really couldn't care about less...I am thoroughly totally tired of the Steelers winning Super Bowls and the Packers...eh...the champion of the B league of the NFL, the NFC.  I will be watching the game, but won't care much about the outcome at all...

I am surprised that the early line on this game is the Packers by 2 and a half.  I think I would take that action because I think the Steelers are going to win outright.

I also have to pat myself on the back picking both Championship games correctly and also that many of the media talking heads had the Jets beating the Steelers and then they come back and literally were using the rationale that I laid out as to why the Jets lost...namely that they put too much emotional stock in the Patriots game and that was the Jets Super Bowl.  As I flipped through the radio/tv dial on Monday it was one talking head after another explaining to everyone how the Jets couldn't "get up" for the game against the Steelers, that they blew their wad against the Patriots...gee, too bad they didn't have the foresight to see that prior to picking the Jets to go to the Super Bowl...

2010 NFL Conference Championship Weekend

Well I may finally get a chance to do some predicting in the NFL playoffs...and what better time than now, when there are but 3 games left...I up the odds on making me "appear" prophetic.  This is not on purpose...I have been quite busy lately and just never had the opportunity to get my thoughts posted on the blog...

Let's start with the NFC Championship game, Bears-Packers.  A game between NFC North foes.  Prior to the playoffs starting I had stated that you could literally pick an NFC team out of a hat and make a case for them going to the Super Bowl and I think that is the same here...this game is literally a "pick'em" in my eyes.  The Packers were the fashionable pick before the playoffs started and some media folks even have them winning it all.  But when you play a rival in the playoffs I think the game is always a toss-up.  Sure, the Packers do look like they would be the better team but, to me, it looked like the Bears and the Packers each got to play a team that was greatly unprepared for their game this past weekend.  If I had to pick a team, I am going to pick the Packers ... just because they seem to be getting "hot" at just the right time, the playoffs and I would trust Rodgers over Cutler to win the game for your team if needed.

The AFC Champinship has the Jets going to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers.  The Steelers have been able to "fly under the radar" for most of this season and the playoffs.  With Rex Ryan and last weeks' Jets-Patriots game commanding almost all the headlines, the Steelers likely played a team that was tougher than either the Patriots or the Jets, the Ravens and they beat them.  I think the Steelers are going to beat the Jets and one reason is that the Jets played their "Super Bowl" last weekend against the Patriots.  The Jets put so much emotional stock in that game I don't think the Jets can get that "high" again for a game.  Whereas the Steelers, handled the Ravens and left the field with little fanfare, the Jets rejoiced loudly in their win and celebrated as if they had just won the Super Bowl.  I think the Steelers take care of the Jets and go on to win the Super Bowl.  Yes, another Steeler Championship...pick a decade, any decade and the Steelers will have more Super Bowl wins in any decade than the Chargers do combined...sad but true...

Bronco Fans: Shut Up, Elway Is Back

I am not a fan of the Denver Broncos...yes, that is true.  In fact I hate the Denver Broncos and frequently state how the Denver Broncos are "The Most Hated Team In The NFL" and that my two favorite teams are the San Diego Chargers and whoever is playing Denver.  I give Denver no credit for anything because... I hate them.

But I have never seen a team's fanbase so in love with a football player, namely John Elway, that anyone that sets foot on their football field donning Bronco colors will instantly be compared to John Elway.  In fact that is still used today by many of the major media morons who year after year state "...and the Broncos are still searching for who will be their next Elway."  The team's fan base has never gotten over it's love affair with John Elway.  There are Bronco fans who think that Elway could probably dress up and lead this team to a Super Bowl right now and all the Broncos have to do is offer him the check.

Well, Bronco fans will at least be pacified to the point that Elway has re-joined the Bronco organization as vice president of football operations.  I think this is a great move for the Broncos.

As a person who hates the Broncos and I thoroughly enjoy the Broncos being in last place in the AFC West, this move is great.  It is a sign of desperation and also appeasement.  Every Bronco home game was John Elway day anyways as they couldn't shower him with much more praise or honors, so now they give him the keys to the entire Bronco organization which, again, I think is great.  Why?  Because he will probably suck and the Broncos will continue to suck, that's why.

Let's run down the list of all the NFL team's that John Elway has coached, managed or in any way shape or form assisted an NFL team since his retirement: (sound of crickets chirping).  That's right, the great John Elway hasn't done jack-squat in the NFL since retiring...and please, don't tell me owning an arena team and getting a championship in a league that doesn't even exist anymore and the only reason it did was because Elway and Jon Bon Jovi were owners displays some positive attributes for job consideration.

The truth is, is that this is mostly a pr move.  Elway was cleverly given the title of "... vice president of..." so that his input will be considered, but not final.  Bronco fans love Elway and they will love this move...regardless of how the Broncos fare, Elway won't have to account for anything, heck he is only the vice president, the president of football operations is who has to answer the questions...Elway will just be a permanent glad-hander at all Bronco functions now...just as the Bronco fans would want it. 

2010 NFL Season Concludes, Review

The keyboard is barely cooled off from my blistering critique of the 2010 San Diego Chargers and I'm ready to start patting myself on the back...

I had two blog entries that I posted prior to the season that seemed to be prophetic, yet, against the grain from what the "mainstream" opinion was.

My quick Charger related post before the season started when I was braced for this year's demise, stating "I refuse to get my hopes up and make bold predictions...so my prediction for the 2010 Charger Team will be the same for every Charger team until further notice: I predict they will disappoint me...again. Now whether or not they disappoint me in the playoffs or not has yet to be seen...".  I guess if anything, the Chargers really didn't disappoint me...they are just becoming to predictable...predictably bad.

My other post, commenting on "mainstream" opinions of the NFL, I had stated how I thought the Cowboys were over rated when many had them as Super Bowl Contenders.  That looks to be spot on.  I also took a swipe at the Jets who seemed to have plenty on their bandwagon...they are in the playoffs so we'll have to see how that works out, but they certainly don't look as good as they did last year nor as good as many of the other teams in the AFC.  Tomlinson in New York started out with a bang and seemed to taper off as the season went on.  LT of course could shine in the playoffs...something he was unable to do as a Charger, which would prove doubters wrong.

And of course the season couldn't end without Brett Favre retiring...again.  I don't think anyone is foolish enough to think that this time he really means it because he has really meant it the last 4 times he has retired and came back to play.  This year more resembled how I thought the Vikes and Brett Favre would perform...poorly.  Last season the Vikes had an easy schedule and got some breaks.  This year they had a tougher schedule and didn't get any breaks and the results reflect that.  But just to further illustrate what a loser Brett Favre is, after yesterday's Vikings-Lions season ending game, Favre was literally sprinting off the field into the locker room...well ahead of anyone else on the team.  Shortly after the game concluded Favre came out and told everyone he was retired and I am sure he then hopped on his own private plane and flew back home...probably not even saying goodbye to his former team and in his own recliner before the rest of the Vikings even got out of Detroit.  Good or not, I have never liked Brett Favre.

Chargers 2010 Season Concludes, A Look Back

The San Diego Chargers played their last game of the 2010 season and beat the Denver Broncos in a meaningless game.  Even in the final game the Chargers displayed the characteristics that prevented them from making the playoffs and as to why the Chargers are not a good team.

Here's my analysis of the 2010 season for the Chargers...

I might as well start out with what will likely be the only bright spot of the season, that is Phillip Rivers.  I've said it more than once and will say it one more time...Phillip Rivers is a winner.  A team couldn't ask for a better quarterback in the NFL today.  He had a career season but like most quarterbacks that throw for record or near record numbers (Rivers set the Chargers single season passing record, passing Dan Fouts) it is likely because your team is behind and needing to pass.  The Chargers rarely fielded the same group of wide receivers in any 2 games of the season and Rivers was still able to pass fairly efficiently.

And to wrap up the "positives" of the 2010 Charger season, that would be Antonio Gates.  Gates was among the league leaders in many receiving categories until being injured and sidelined for most of the 2nd half of the season.  Gates, when healthy, is the premiere tight end in the NFL.  Unfortunately, Gates has had a toe injury that he seems to re-injure on an almost yearly basis that hinders his production.  It will be really unfortunate if Gates is never able to fully recover from the toe injury he suffered a couple of years ago that seems reoccur... I know Marshall Faulk and Shaun Alexander (as well as others that slip my mind at the time) that had suffered a "turf-toe" injury like Gates, all had their careers fade into oblivion after trying to make unsuccessful return attempt to play.  Gates is a warrior and has played through the pain but one would have to figure that the pain would certainly dampen his production as well as his enthusiasm to play.

And now to the "meat" of the 2010 Chargers...the negatives.  Before I begin to rip into the Chargers I want to first preface this with this, that I repeat often on my blog, that I am a fan of the Chargers and will continue to be one.  I am not a "homer" thinking that everything will be alright and things just didn't work out this last year because of the usual list of excuses which includes injuries and bad breaks.

I will begin with the blatantly obvious...the coaching.  I've pointed it out more than once, but I have never been a fan of the hiring of Norv Turner.  Norv Turner was hired after the 2006 season and the San Diego Chargers were a 14-2 regular season team.  Turner had Charger fans slowly warming to him when he took the Chargers to the AFC Championship game.  But that was Turner's best playoff performance with the Chargers.  In 2008, after beating a lowly Titan team at home, the Chargers are thoroughly outplayed by the Steelers and their playoffs ended in Pittsburgh in week 2 of the playoffs.  Last year the Chargers, going into the playoffs labeled as one of the "hottest" teams in the NFL, riding an 11 game win streak, get manhandled by the New York Jets and are one and done.  Now in 2010, the San Diego Chargers with one of the easiest schedules in the NFL fail to even make the playoffs.  Losing to bad teams all season and losing to a Bengals team that will win 4 games all season when the Charger season was in the balance is a complete embarrassment. I blame coaching and Norv Turner for the way this Charger team performs.  One week the Chargers look unbeatable against the Indianapolis Colts but then get blown out by a 4-12 Bengals team is inexcusable.

The 2010 Charger team reminded me of the Charger teams of the late 90's.  The Charger defense of the 90's was often cited as a good defense, not allowing 100 yard rushers...ever.  But if a person looks past that stat realizes that the Charger offense was completely inept and the pass defense was a complete joke.  Teams didn't even try to run because they could simply pass...the Charger defense made any opposing quarterback look like a hall of famer.  The 2010 Chargers are very much similar...the Chargers will finish #1 in overall offense and defense.  Yes, statistically speaking, the 2010 Chargers are probably the greatest team not to make the playoffs...but are they really?  No.

Special teams.  The 2010 San Diego Chargers special teams was historically the worst special teams squad ever in the NFL.  Whenever the Chargers had to kick the chance the other team would score was likely 33%.  The Chargers had multiple punts blocked and return touchdowns scored on them...in the meantime, the Chargers routinely missed field goals and fumbled kicks.  The special teams of the Chargers likely cost the Chargers 3 or 4 of their 7 losses and hindered a few of their wins.  As a Charger fan, I was perplexed as to why the Chargers didn't fire their special teams coach at the bye...instead, let him continue to do a poor coaching job for the entire season.

Defense.  Number one defense in the league, tied for 2nd in the league in sacks...but could the defense stop even a lowly opponent when needed?  No.

Offense.   Number one offense in the league and number 1 passing offense in the league.  It was feast or famine for the Chargers.  Against some teams the Chargers looked unstoppable, like the Colts, Jags and Cards.  But even against lowly teams the Charger offense often times struggled to get first downs.  Both the offense and defensive numbers have been skewed, for when the Chargers were beating a team, they were really beating a team...but when the Chargers were getting beaten, the other team really didn't have to do much to beat the Chargers.

A problem that I continue to harp on, year after year, is the fact that the Charger offensive and defensive lines are horrible.  Rivers was sacked a lot this past season against teams that had "figured" out the Chargers.  Even in the last game, the Broncos, who averaged a sack a game, had at least 4 yesterday.  As for the defensive lines, the Raiders ran all over the Chargers and other teams easily handled the Chargers defensive line.

Ryan Matthews, rookie runningback for the Chargers, was hyped to be "LT's replacement" and some Charger fans are still pretty high on him.  Me, not so much so.  Matthews essentially played one game...yesterday's game.  He fumbled a lot and was injured more.  Sure, if he improves and becomes a viable NFL player, I may grow to like him...but right now, he has done nothing to impress me.  The same goes with Malcolm Floyd, he was suppose to (I was told by Charger fans) step up and be the go to guy while Vincent Jackson was holding out...well, Floyd, Nannee, Goodman and whoever else had a chance to prove their mettle with the team seemed to get hurt faster than they could be replaced.  Even Vincent Jackson, who claimed that he was training and staying in game shape while he held out for most of the 2010 season, when he did report with the team was hurt within the first few plays of his first game and left the final game injured as well.  Clearly, he had no intention of playing hard for this team.

The Chargers are what their record shows them to be...a barely above .500 team in a bad division.  With Turner remaining as the head coach it is doubtful that the Chargers could acquire any player that will make this team a contender.  Again, looking at just the sheer numbers of the Chargers, all the Chargers should have to do is shore up their special teams...but the numbers are deceiving and the Chargers prove that being the #1 team in stats is a far cry from being the #1 team in the NFL.

Chargers Season Ends In Cincinatti

A few weeks ago there was plenty of talk about playoff scenarios for the Chargers and many thought the Chargers would have no problem making the playoffs...But the San Diego Chargers are a team that will end the season at .500 if they can somehow beat a lowly Denver team.  The Chargers have shown that they are not an elite team and only able to stay pace with the lower tiered teams...on occasion.  The Chargers, with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, are a team that can be beaten by the worst teams in the NFL and have been beaten by some of the worst teams in the NFL this past season so it seems only rightful that the Chargers are eliminated from the playoffs this season by the lowly Cincinnati Bengals.  A team that had a 10 game losing streak this past season and with backup wide receivers dominated the Chargers from the beginning of the game and the game was never in doubt.  The Charger team didn't appear like they realized they needed to win the game in order to make the playoffs.  If anything, I think the Charger team didn't want anything to do with the playoffs.

To the Chargers credit, the team they had in 2010 was filled with a bunch of backups due to injuries and holdouts.  Malcolm Floyd was suppose to break out and be a big time receiver... hurt almost all year.  Rookie Ryan Mathews was the runningback that was going to replace LaDainian Tomlinson...hurt all year.  Antonio Gates, after setting the pace for tight ends with touchdowns for the league, had feet and toe injuries that sidelined him for the 2nd half of the season.  

But it is always to make excuses and teams that win don't make excuses...

As it has been pointed out, and I've never been a Norv Turner fan, since Norv Turner took over as head coach in 2007 when he inherited a 14-2 team he made the AFC Championship Game, the following season the Chargers won 1 playoff game, last year the Chargers were beaten in the first round and now, in Norv's fourth season, he has the Chargers no longer in the playoffs... I thought Norv would ruin the team at a faster pace, but the past two seasons Norv has displayed why he is not a good head coach and the Chargers are likely not to win much with him as head coach.

I came into this season with tempered excitement and I am glad I did and until Norv Turner is no longer the head coach, I don't think there is any reason to "expect" the San Diego Chargers from doing much and you can look at this past season losses to see just how "good" the Chargers are....losses to Seattle, Cincinnati, Oakland (twice), St. Louis and the Charger "victories" are fairly unimpressive, beating mostly non-playoff teams...Houston, Tennessee, Denver, Arizona...

One last game against the Broncos and with little to play for, it won't surprise me if the Chargers lose because the Broncos have been "playing for pride" for much of the season now...whereas watching the Chargers this past weekend it appeared as if most of the Chargers have already called it quits on the year.

Chargers now look to "re-build" and with so many deficiencies it will be interesting to see where the Chargers start first.

Chargers Dominate Again, Crush 49'ers

The 49ers are probably wondering what it would take to get the Chargers on the schedule a little earlier in the year when the Chargers were more than inept and gladly lose to bad teams.  Now, towards the end of the season, the Chargers have remedied many of their problems and can crush any mediocre team in the NFL.

Vincent Jackson finally made a statement and left me with little doubt that this guy is by far one of the Chargers best wide receivers. Jackson's first touchdown was simply sick.  Matched up 1 on 1 on a deep bomb that was essentially a "jump ball" ... VJ went up and got the ball and scored a 58 yard touchdown.  From that point on, the 49ers should have known to pay some extra attention to VJ but Jackson ended up scoring 3 touchdowns total and was seemingly open most of the game.  With all the off season drama, holdout, suspensions and roster exempt tactics played on both sides, who knows if Jackson will be a Charger after this season.  Even if the Chargers decide to up their offer and sign him to a long term deal will Jackson even consider it after all that has happened?  Whether Jackson stays or not, it is clear that the Chargers would benefit greatly in their passing game if they could get another player that has talent similar to Jackson.

Of course the guy throwing him the ball, Phillip Rivers, continues to have a stellar season.  Antonio Gates wasn't active with his foot problems, but it will be interesting to see how the Chargers can fare when they get all their weapons back on the field.

The defense, for the second straight week, played a stellar game.  The Chargers could have likely shut out the 49ers but by mid-way through the 4th quarter the Chargers was fielding nothing but the backups and it still took the 49ers last possession to finally get on the board.  The Chargers were kneeling with the ball at the two minute warning left in the game...really?  Yes, really...

But in fairness, the 49ers made a ton of mistakes that when you add them all up likely cost them the game.   A dumb personal foul made a long play even longer for the Chargers.  The 49ers, early in the game, went for a touchdown on 4th down and didn't even get close...could have been 7-3 early, instead the Chargers get the ball back drive down the field to get a field goal it is 10-0 early.

I don't think I have ever given Norv credit for much coaching...mostly because I don't think he deserves any, but last night Norv made and won two challenges...one was when Alex Smith was given a touchdown but was stopped just short of the goal line, which brought up the fourth down play I mentioned above...again, this was all at a key time early in the game.

Chargers get an extended break before they play the Bengals the day after Christmas...it's in Cincy and I'm sure it won't be warm.  Bengals have lost 10 games in a row and I am sure not many people are giving them a chance...but the Chargers have lost to bad teams all this season and if they take the Bengals lightly, I am sure the Chargers are going to get smacked around.  If the Chiefs lose this weekend the Chargers will move into first place in the AFC West for the first time this year.  With the Jets fading as well, the Chargers may actually move into a wild card spot if the Chiefs win out...but of course the Chargers have to win out as well...for any wild card hopes to be there...

Chargers Destroy Chiefs, Playoff Hope Still Exists

The San Diego Chargers are the Jekyll and Hyde of the NFL...after getting thoroughly pounded and beaten by the Raiders last week, they thoroughly pounded the Chiefs, blanking Kansas City and dominating the entire game from the outset.  Antonio Gates did not play but Vincent Jackson had his best game since returning to the Chargers.  The Chargers run game was effective which complimented the pass.  The defense held the Chiefs to less than 80 yards of total offense..

The Chiefs were completely embarrassed, as they were completely embarrassed by the Broncos just a few weeks ago.  The Raiders, who can crush the Chargers can't beat the Dolphins and lost to Jacksonville...it is probably quite clear that there is no dominate team in the AFC West and it may come down to the final game.

To focus on the Chargers, they still remain to unpredictable and I don't have much faith for the Chargers in the playoffs.  Looking at the potential playoff teams, Pittsburgh, Jets and Ravens are all ball control offenses that will likely be able to beat the Chargers as long as they don't turn the ball over or have bad penalties.  Its a short week for the Bolts, playing on Thursday night against the 49'ers.  The Chargers are capable of losing any game to any team on any day, but the playoffs for the Chargers started last weekend so hopefully the team is playing with a little more purpose, knowing that any loss now could likely be the end of the season for the Chargers.

Chargers: Lose And Out, Win And Hope

Since Norv Turner took over the San Diego Chargers in 2007 the Chargers have almost seemed to defy the odds...start out horribly each season and right when you think the door was going to slam shut on the Chargers playoff hopes, the Chargers somehow seem to right their wrongs and storm into the playoffs..often times as "the team to beat" or "the hottest" team in the NFL... of course they then promptly get beaten in the playoffs, but the regular season trend has been set.  The question is now, can the Chargers pull the rabbit out of the hat one more time?

To do so, it starts this weekend with Kansas City.  It's a pretty simple scenario for the Chargers, if they beat the Chiefs the Chargers still have a chance at the playoffs.  If they lose, they will be eliminated.  Even if the Chargers beat the Chiefs, they still need the Raiders to lose at least one game and the Chiefs to lose another game before the season concludes as well as the Chargers run the table and win the remaining games...those looking at the schedule would think that would be a cakewalk (49'ers, Bengals and Broncos) but you need to remember the Chargers have already proven they can lose to bad teams so no game is any guarantee for the Chargers.

And will it really matter if the Chargers make the playoffs again?  The Chargers have shown all season long that they are a team that is error-proned and inconsistent.  For the first 10 weeks of the season Phillip Rivers was the talk of the league...now, after throwing just 1 touchdown in 2 games, it's Tom Brady that everyone is swooning about.

The Chargers haven't beaten a quality opponent this season.  After the Raiders game the Chargers were totally exposed and any team with decent offensive and defensive lines will easily man-handle the Chargers.  The special teams of the Chargers hasn't improved much and the run game of the Chargers is barely even mentionable when the Chargers aren't winning.

The playoffs often breathe new life into teams you once thought were dead, but that is usually reserved for teams that have secured their playoff spot and "ease-up" at the wire, looking sluggish because they are resting key players and preparing for the real test. For the Chargers their playoffs begin this weekend and because of that, I think it may be too long of a grind for this team to carry into February...but probably more likely will be a team that can simply play the Chargers man-to-man and beat them outright....which was just what happened this past weekend...

Raiders Run Over Chargers

The San Diego Chargers, after last week's impressive win against the Colts, had many football pundits penciling the Chargers in as the 2010 AFC Champions.  Running the table and clinching the division title almost seemed like a formality to some.  But in came the Oakland Raiders, who no longer are a doormat and played with intensity and thoroughly and totally dominated the Chargers from wire-to-wire.

The Chargers special teams returned to its early season form...Darren Sproles muffed a punt that would was Oakland's only punt in the first half, and Oakland was up 14-0 in a blink of an eye.  The Chargers were completely dominated on both sides of the ball.  The Raiders didn't even have to attempt a pass if they didn't want too...they were able to get 5, 6, 8 yards by simply running the ball right up the middle.  The Raiders would occasionally run a reverse or a play-action and the Charger defense was always caught off-guard and flat footed.  As a highly ranked defense, they looked totally porous and unable to answer anything the Raiders had.  On the Raiders last scoring drive in the fourth quarter, the Chargers had just scored and were within 8 points to tie the game and the Charger defense could have redeemed itself by preventing the Raiders from scoring and getting the ball back to the Charger offense...but not only did the Raiders mount a touchdown drive, the Chargers had 2 penalties, one on third down that kept the drive going to assist the Raiders.

But the Charger defense wasn't the only thing that stunk yesterday...the special teams, as I mentioned above, not only had the fumble but Nate Kaeding missed a field goal - looks like he's in post-season form - and after kicking 5 last week in a game that didn't matter, it's easy to label Kaeding a choker because he is.

The Charger offense was also man-handled by the Raiders.  The Raiders were able to rush and get to Rivers on a regular basis...but Rivers did have time on many occasions, but the Charger receivers just couldn't get open.  Rivers also, looked "off".  He had an interception where he totally overthrew his receiver and the ball went right to a Raider playing centerfield.

This game also ended my fantasy football season, so it was doubly bitter for me.  I needed a minimal effort from Rivers and the Charger defense to defeat an inferior opponent and advance to the playoffs...but neither Rivers nor the Charger defense was able to muster much of anything for my fantasy team and now, once the highest scoring fantasy team in our league (as of last week) in one game I will be eliminated from the playoffs and lose the overall points scored.  My fantasy team was thin and fading so I really didn't have much faith in going far in the playoffs but at least I would have had a chance.

And back to the Chargers - if they lose this week to Kansas City they will be officially eliminated from the playoffs.  And just like my fantasy season, where last week it looked like everything was just fine to where next week might be an early end to the season for the Chargers...playing meaningless games to finish the year out.

Chargers Destroy Colts, VJ Hurt In Return - Faking It?

In what has become almost a one-sided rivalry of late, the Chargers thoroughly destroyed the Indianapolis Colts this past Sunday night.  The Charger defense was the story of this game...intercepting Colts QB and superstar Peyton Manning four times and running two of them back for touchdowns.  But it wasn't just Manning that was having a bad night against the Chargers, it seemed as if most of the Colt receivers were struggling all night with several dropped passes by the Indy receivers.

Phillip Rivers, who was on pace to break every season passing record didn't throw a touchdown and really didn't have to do too much after the defense put the Chargers into the lead.  This was two weeks in a row where the Chargers looked like a more "complete team" (as they like to say).  There wasn't any glaring special teams blunders and Kaeding made 5 field goals ... indoors, under perfect conditions. Antonio Gates did play and made a few catches, but you could tell that he is still hurting.

But one big storyline that came out of Indianapolis for the Chargers is that of Vincent Jackson...Jackson, as most that follow the Chargers, has held out and is returning to the Chargers to play in the minimum number of games so that he qualifies as a unrestricted free agent.  The game against Indy was his first game playing with the Chargers and he played 2 plays and was injured.  Jackson has refused to talk about his injury which has started to fuel the rumor that he might just be faking this injury since, by all appearances, he has no desire to play for the Chargers after this season...so why would he have any desire to play for the Chargers now?  I say this is a good thing to find out now and the Chargers can plan to go ahead without VJ's services.  But it just goes to show what kind of fool Vincent Jackson is.  He could certainly be increasing his value to whatever team he would sign with next year by showcasing his skills this year...but I'm not sure how bright a person is when they pass on a $3+ million offer after having 2 DUI's....Vincent Jackson has been getting advice from some greedy agents that think some owner is just going to shower Vincent Jackson with money...but with the way VJ has conducted himself this offseason I don't know how many owners will be lining up to sign him...and as I continue to bring up, with a lockout likely next year, he may have just pissed his entire career away...

Chargers play the Raiders this week...I was surprised the Raiders lost to the Dolphins at home last week because I think the Raiders are much improved...but the Chargers need to get some division wins and can't have any mercy for the Raiders this week.  The Raiders beat the Chargers earlier this year and now it is time to return the favor...

Chargers Rested, Beat Broncos

Last night was a game I had determined would be a statement game for the Chargers...at least in my eyes.  I needed to see a convincing win to have some hope that the Chargers could be competitive and make a run to the playoffs and the Chargers satisfied my curiosity by beating the Broncos pretty handedly...

I was a bit concerned when the Broncos marched right down the field on the opening possession and scored a touchdown while the Charger defense seemed lost for most of that drive...then the Charger offense went three and out to start the game and I was just waiting for a Charger miscue that would open the door for the Broncos and let them steal the game...but after the Broncos ran a fake double-reverse play it seemed as if it was a challenge to see who has the better arsenal of trick plays so the Chargers ran a fantastic fake punt play where punter Mike Scifres threw a nice pass to get a first down and then later the Chargers had Patrick Crayton throwing the ball which didn't work as well, but showed a few new wrinkles in the Charger playbook.  After the Chargers converted on that fourth down play it was nothing but Chargers from that point on...

Phillip Rivers threw for four touchdowns and his one interception took the place of a punt and really didn't hurt the Chargers at all,,.just PR airing it out and trying to get a long ball to his receiver.  The Chargers went into halftime up 21-7 and, in the 3rd quarter the Broncos may have had a chance to get back into the game and as the ESPN crew was saying on a 3rd and long play, what a huge play this could be for the Broncos if they could stop the Chargers, Rivers hits Darren Sproles, who in the open field is still as good as they get, and he is GONE ... 57 yards to score and that had to all but deflate the Bronco sideline...

The Chargers probably played their most complete game of the year...Nate Kaeding was back and missed a 52 yard field goal but the conditions were less than ideal and by the looks of his kickoffs, he still isn't 100%.  The Charger defense, wasn't overly dominate but effective.  Got a few sacks and some pressure, picked Orton off once.  But probably the best news of the game was there really wasn't a special teams miscue and in fact, you factor in the fake punt, the special teams played pretty well.  Punt protection still has me concerned but now with a fake punt play in your pocket, it may start to keep some teams honest and lessen that punt rush.

The Chargers can control their own destiny by winning out...it's a short week and another prime time game...this time in Indianapolis.  The Chargers have historically matched up well against Peyton Manning's Colts and the Chargers really can't afford to lose any more games, especially to AFC opponents...with the Texans looking crappier and crappier each week, a win in Indy would clearly be a win on the road against a quality opponent...something the Chargers need to do and will help them with any playoff chance they may have. 

A loss makes the road that much tougher for the Chargers, but with games against Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos all on the horizon certainly doesn't mean it will be the end of their playoff hopes. 

Vincent Jackson will be with the Chargers and hopefully Antonio Gates is getting better and would return as well...it would be great to have those two weapons to use against the Colts.

Technology: No Longer Outliving People

I recently was thinking about how fast things are changing these days and it all started with the thought of records...there are already grown people that have never owned or even heard a record being played.  Soon, there will be those that will have never heard of or owned a cassette and next up is the CD/DVD.

I amazed myself and, as usual, realize how old I am getting, because not only did I own records, cassettes and cd's, but I also was totally into the 8 track era as well..which was very short-lived.  I then begin to think about all the things that at one time was a "staple" in America and has now all but faded away...like old media formats like the record and cassettes. 

The newspaper...an industry that at one time was a giant in America...dictating public opinion.  Fifteen years ago a person would have laughed at you if you said that a successful newspaper's days were numbered, but that is more fact than fiction today.  Does anyone really think a newspaper, like today's, is actually going to exist? 

Television will be next.  First will be the local affiliates to slowly disappear.  The networks really can't afford to have affiliates any more and they really don't need them either.  The affiliate was needed in the early days of television because it was the only way to get your network signal to people...now with satellites and the internet an affiliate is merely a pass-through in today's world.  Affiliate's have also lost a lot of their luster...at one time your local ABC, NBC or CBS station would bring you coverage of local events and because there were only 8 channels available, they got huge ratings (locally).  Now with cable and satellite television, local programming looks like...well, local programming...cheap.  And the affiliates themselves aren't doing them selves any service ... they fill their available air time with low-budget syndicated programs or just take the easy route and air infomercials.  If/when the networks cut their affiliates, they will quickly evaporate.  Large market stations may be able to continue if they had a profit making news department or develop other programming ... which was the old model that has been abandoned...but I would bet that small markets would have close to no surviving affiliates if the network cut it's ties with them.

The internet is obviously the new frontier which is quickly ruining many "mainstay" businesses in America...like the newspaper and television.  But the real point of this post was to just reflect on how, at one time, technological advances would last several generations before it would be replaced but now, in just my lifetime, I have seen the success and demise of so many industries when, at the height of their popularity, a person couldn't even phantom the extinction of it, but now is all but completely gone. And what totally blows my mind is the things they would teach me in school that weren't even relevant soon afterwords or even by the time I was done with school would already be obsolete...

Things like I learned typing, when I was 15 in school on a typewriter...it was at least electric, but I can totally recall how to format typing a letter, how to figure out how to center a heading and so on...by the time I was in college, 3 years late, I had a computer that did all that.  In school we were taught BASIC program language, but were told up front it wasn't to teach us how to program a computer but to teach us how a computer thinks...BASIC program language was around for maybe 3 years and became obsolete.

I am just amazed at how in my lifetime I will have seen so many things come and go...and not just go, become totally obsolete...

Chargers: Quest For Playoffs Begins Monday

It is becoming all to familiar for the San Diego Chargers and their fans...since Norv Turner became head coach of the Chargers, the Chargers have started their past three seasons in lackluster form only to rally late in the season to not only make the playoffs but win the AFC West in doing so...in the case two years ago, the Chargers had to win the AFC West to make the playoffs.  So as the season began and the Chargers began to lose games to teams that they should have beaten not many people panicked...just the same old Chargers...and what has benefited the Chargers to some degree, in the past, is that the other teams in the AFC weren't very good and even "spotting" the Chiefs, Raiders and Broncos a 2, 3 or 4 game lead in the division, the Chargers would end up on top.  Will the 2010 campaign for the Chargers end with a similar result?

The Chiefs, after starting out strong, lost to Denver last week and now alt the teams in the AFC West are separated by just 2 games, the Chargers being 1 game back.  The Chargers have to play the Broncos twice and the Raiders and Chiefs each yet this season so the Chargers certainly can "help their cause" by winning against their division rivals...if for anything for tie-breaker purposes, which right now the Chargers are 0-2 in the division, which will not help in any tiebreaker decision.

The Charger schedule has shaped up so that the Chargers could make a charge into the playoffs...besides their division opponents they play @Indy, @Cincy and San Fran.  Obviously Indianapolis will not be any cake-walk and if San Fran can get their poop in a group, they should be in contention for the NFC West title and will be playing for keeps.

The Chargers have Malcom Floyd and Legedu Nannee returning to practice, but my biggest concern, in terms of receivers, would be the status of Antonio Gates.  As of now he is a game time decision and after not playing against Houston has had almost 3 weeks to recover but his status is still up in the air.

The Chargers are playing Monday night against the Broncos...the Broncos beat the Chiefs very handedly this past week, but I think that game exposed as to how weak Kansas City is and not so much as to how much better the Broncos are becoming.

Of course the wild card in the Charger-Bronco game will be special teams.  The Chargers have difficulty going an entire game without at least one special teams gaffe, if not multiple.  Punt blocking has been exposed and I would expect the Broncos will try to exploit that aspect as most other teams have this season against the Chargers.  Field goal unit, Kaeding has been rehabbing and I do believe will be returning to the Chargers soon...but if he continues to miss field goals it won't matter.  Most long time Charger fans have little faith in Kaeding and I am in that camp.  Kaeding will make any field goal that isn't important but miss any and every field goal in a playoff game.

The Chargers haven't helped their season much at all this year but a win on Monday night will brighten their playoff chances... a loss doesn't extinguish their hopes but makes the climb that much harder...and sometimes I think that is the end goal for the Chargers...never make it easy on themselves (or their fans!).

Chargers Head Into Bye After Beating Texans

Yes, I know I'm waaaayyyy behind but I've been extremely busy this past week with a ton of work and a little bit of fun that has kept me from getting a post up here sooner...

In fact, I've been so busy at work I was working this past Sunday and had to watch the Charger game over the internet and the feed wasn't all that great...I have lucked out in the past and have gotten a nice HD feed of the Charger games, but not this time...

The Chargers finally get a road win but it wasn't easy...the defense had to make a play to stop the Texans potential game winning drive...and they were able too with some help from the Texans...Andre Johnson is raved about as being a great receiver, and he probably is on most days, but against the Chargers there were at least two times when the ball bounced off his hands and the final time, during the final Texan drive, cost them as it was intercepted.

Phillip Rivers is on pace to break a ton of passing records...the down side to that typically means the team is bad because he is passing so much.  Not only is Rivers on pace to break passing records, he is doing it with, literally, a different batch of receivers every week.  I was really skeptical of the Charger chances of winning when it was announced that Antonio Gates wouldn't be playing, but this Ajirotutu kid came out of nowhere and has had a couple of decent games for the Chargers.

The Chargers have their bye week and they play Denver...there should be no excuse for the Chargers to not win that game and get ready for Indy the following week...

Chargers Beat Titans

The Chargers escaped this past Sunday's game with a win and broke a three game losing skid, but the Chargers couldn't win comfortably and had to hang on until the end...but primarily due to their own doing.

The game started like many typical Charger games of the 2010 season...with a special teams gaffe...a blocked punt that resulted in a safety.  The special teams of the Chargers have already reached historically bad levels and look to set new lows for specials team futility before the season ends.  On the bright side, Darren Sproles looked like his old self and was able to return some punts back for respectable gains...something that hasn't happened this year.

And before I go much further I really need to devote a section of every game recap to Antonio Gates.  This guy is simply awesome...so much so it is almost expected of him each and every week.  He has been playing with a toe injury for the last couple of games, likely reinjured a toe that kept him from playing some games a few years ago.  He was a game time decision but played through the pain and was a huge impact...even injured, you can tell how much better of an athlete he is then many others on the field.  Double and triple team him and he still finds a way to get open...it's too bad no other Charger receiver is even in his league.

Phillip Rivers continues to remain rock solid.  His one interception was a desperation throw that ended the first half, so only on the stat sheet does that one hurt.  Rivers set a new record for most yards passed in the first 8 games...but unfortunately, in all the stats I have seen, when a QB has to throw for record yardage, their team has basically stunk and is doing so out of necessity.

The Charger run game made an appearance this past Sunday.  Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert both had respectable games...both got dinged up but both returned to play.  Ryan Mathews is a rookie and is suppose to be the Chargers long term future at runningback...he has already missed a few games due to injury and does seem to be a bit injury prone...something that won't allow him to become a premiere runningback unless corrected.  Tolbert, to me, looked very impressive ... he reminded me of former Charger runningbacks Natrone Means and Marion Butts...big, powerful runningbacks that will punish the defense.  Unfotunately, history has shown that these type of powerbacks might have 2 seasons of use and then get injured or just taper off in production...regardless, if Tolbert is in his prime, he should be used while the chance is here.

I still remain very suspect of the defense.  Sure on paper the Charger defense is a top 10 defense...but watching them play I would never guess it.  The Chargers had blown coverage on more than one play, the Titans capitalized on one blown coverage but missed out on the others.  More savvy and opportunistic quarterbacks would have feasted on the Chargers mistakes.

The Chargers couldn't put the Titans out of their misery...even when scoring their last touchdown the Chargers needed an extra point to make the game a 9 point game a thus, a 2 score game with not much time remaining...the Charger's special teams makes another gaffe and they blow the extra point with a botched hold and the Titans will get the ball back, down by 8 with a chance to tie the game...the Titans get good field position and 2:48 left on the clock and are able to drive to the 15 of the Chargers but no further...the Charger defense had held and the Chargers hang on for a win.

The Titans helped the Chargers during this game a lot.  I do believe there was a couple of times the Titans committed a penalty on third down that gave the Chargers a first down and overall, the Titans.  And although the Charger defense still is prone to giving up big plays, they were able to keep the Titans out of the endzone on two possessions in the fourth quarter...something I was very surprised at.

Is this the turning point for the Chargers?  Most agree they can't afford too many more losses and going 5-3 in the second half of the season probably means you miss the playoffs.  The Chargers have a road game to Houston and then their bye week.  Houston just lost last night to Indy so they will be coming off a short week...but also hungry for a win.  Houston wants to prove its a legitimate AFC team and beating the Chargers would keep them in that discussion.  The Chargers haven't won a game on the road yet and are going to have to do so if they want to have any chance at the playoffs.