Chargers Not Good Enough

The Charger season has all but officially ended...yes, that was uttered 2 weeks ago when the bolts lost at home to Miami, but beating the previously undefeated Colts the following weekend seemed to signify that the Chargers were a team that had some hope of not only making the playoffs, but also being a team that could pull off an upset or two.

But after the Kansas City Chiefs had their way with the Chargers this past weekend, that all came to a screeching halt. The Chargers, who earned the label of being a team that couldn't finish a game - having blown 4 fourth quarter leads this season - show the ultimate price to pay from that....not making the playoffs.

I do believe I have called for Schottenheimer to be let go last year and will do so again. Yes, he helped rebuild this team into a competitive football team, but his coaching style is exactly what we saw throughout the season. If a lead is attained, then sit on the ball and put pressure on the opposing team's offense, which works about 50% of the time. And if the Chargers need to come from behind, well, you are in a coin-flip because long plays are absent from the playbook.

Tomlinson looked like he was out of gas the last 4 or so games. Not breaking 100 yards, banged up ribs... and really, all season just didn't look like he was running good... slipping and falling on more runs then making long runs...

Gates as well, since his mild ankle injury, seemed to be dropping passes that were routine for him most anytime.

McCardell really stepped up this year and was a great surprise.

Brees looked good most of the time. He did seem to fumble more when sacked this season and did make a couple of really poor decisions/passes. Hopefully he will continue to learn and improve.

Offensive line was abmissal as usual. A reason, I think, one of the best runningbacks in the league didn't have the dominating season he should have. Very rarely was there a hole for Tomlinson to bust through but instead, and oftentimes, defenders often met Tomlinson at the point of exchange. Completely unacceptable.

The defense seemed to get better as the season went on. Rookie Merriman looks like he could be the real deal. But what's odd is that the Charger run defense, which ranked first going into the game against KC, got RAN over. Which adds to my theory that I've had every time the Chargers are 'suppose' to have this good run defense...and that is teams don't need to run on the Chargers when they can pass. The Chiefs didn't want to pass and chose to run the ball and had little to no problems doing so... and that just goes to show that the Chargers were number one against the run on paper only...

Overally I am mostly disappointed with the season. I felt the Chargers were legitimate contenders for the division. Their schedule was brutal, but even more reason to think that they could have really proven something this season but came up short. What really stinks is the first four losses the Chargers could have, should have won and then these last two were simply embarassments...if they would have been the first two losses for the Chargers, then they wouldn't matter so much, but because of the previous four losses they just show that the Chargers are not a good team.

Hopefully the offseason is positive and I look forward to next season when the Chargers can redeem themselves.

What's On Tap?

So in 3 1/2 hours my X-Mas vacation begins and I know many are wondering what I will be doing. At first I was hesitant to post my activities as to not create enormous amounts of jealousy amongst my regular readers, but I've decided against my original intentions and will reveal the action packed, non-stop agenda I have planned for my Christmas vacation...

Well, first there's the obvious... I got to start and finish my Christmas shopping. After that, I am getting my driver's license renewed...so there is day one: 4 hours of Christmas shopping and probably an equal amount of time standing in line at the DMV...jealous yet? A trip back to my 'hometown' to see my parents, sister, brother, friends, etc.. with the kids for a day (maybe two) is slated to occur sometime after Christmas.

Well, there you have it... the extent of my Christmas plans...not really too exciting, but my birthday is also next week, but normally noone cares. It's one of those birthdays that just happens at the wrong time for any kind of fun to happen... shortly after Christmas and just before New Year's Eve. When I was younger it was great because it was a perfect excuse to go out drinking yet one more night during the Christmas break...but now, I'll probably be in bed by 10 or 11.

Alright the countdown to excitement is now at 3 hours and 24 minutes...

4 Hours

I am just working 4 more hours, tomorrow until noon, then I am off until next year! I need to get my driver's license renewed and do my Christmas shopping... I'm hoping to do all that tomorrow so that I can have Thursday and Friday to basically do nothing...

Happy Holidays everyone!

First Timer

After running a (pay) fantasy football league for 10 years, I am having the best year of my career. Sure, I have won and done well in free leagues in the past and I've even taken third a couple of times in this league...which only garners your entry fee back. But this year, after a quick start my team began to fade down the stretch - which is typical with my teams. I needed a win in week 13 to make our playoffs (which run weeks 14-16 in the NFL schedule) and have won convincingly the past two weeks and am in the championship game and a matchup that looks very favorable for me. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hopefully things go my way this weekend...

For the record, the Chargers I have on my team are Antonio Gates, Keneen McCardell and kicker, Nate Kaeding. McCardell has to be the biggest surprise on my squad. I was also able to acquire Steve Smith before the season started primarily because he was hurt last year and didn't appear towards the top of any 'cheat sheets' so I really got a 'steal' when I drafted him. And I think that luck does factor in just a bit... before the season started, I offered a competitor Stephen Davis and Derrick Mason for Fred Taylor and Chad Pennington - I'm glad he balked at that deal!

WOW!

The Chargers looked solid all but the 3rd Quarter, but slayed the giant. The Colts are no longer undefeated.

Shawn Merriman (#56) was freakin' awesome!!! If you watch any sports show this next week that 'disect' this game, you will see him all over Manning.

Brees, two int's and a fumble, all which let Indy into the game when the Chargers were up 16-0 in the third quarter.

Defense redeemed itself from last week's disgusting display.

If the Raiders could somehow, someway, please help us out... and beat the Broncos next week, the Chargers beat KC, of course in Arrowhead - but a smaller feat to ask for then this week's win at Indy...not? Then the Chargers would play the Broncos on New Year's Eve for the AFC West title, and chances are, probably the only realistic way I see the Chargers getting into the playoffs...

Big win for the Bolts today! I'm still shell-shocked...

Go Chargers!

Weather Service Comes Through Again...

Well, this is the third day of our 'Winter Storm" as forecasted by the National Weather Service and apparantly anytime it snows in this region it warrants hitting the panic button. After being in 'high alert' for the winter storm the end result is about 3 inches of snow on the ground and it being a bit cold outside...

As I previously mentioned, if the weather we had the past few days justifies weather bulletins, issuing a winter storm watch and such, this region is 'technically' under a winter storm watch from November until the end of February because it is fairly cold and we get snow at least once a week during that time...

Either the people in this region are becoming bigger wusses or the 'storms' we have aren't what they use to be...

Random Thoughts

Ok, here's another edition of some random thoughts from myself:

1. The weather forecasters in my region are HORRIBLE. So 2 weeks ago they totally blew forecasting a fairly substantial ice storm/blizzard, the first of the season...which is typical. So what does the National Weather Service (which every media-forecaster reitterates) do from here on out? Forecast a storm/blizzard days in advance. I wake up this morning to find out that our region is under a Winter Storm Watch... nevermind that it is 34 degrees outside, snow is melting and there is no wind. This Winter Storm Watch is essentially in effect until February because they don't know if/when it will ever actually strike, but this way they can at least say they warned us in advance...

2. Christmas. As I've gotten older and more cynical, I really don't care about Christmas. I NEVER get anything I really want because anything I really want is either too expensive for anyone to buy it for me or I already bought it for myself. But having kids really does remind me of when I was younger and how exciting it really is. My wife and I wrapped presents last night and put them under the tree and the kids were all abuzz this morning. My 3 year-old son was ready to start opening them up right then.

3. The new rules in the NHL, to me, is making the game better. The shoot-outs are exciting and the action seems faster than ever. Now if the NHL would just rearrange their schedule so that their season ends in April rather than June, I think they'd really see more fan growth.

4. Has anyone ever scheduled a doctor's appointment and actually seen the doctor and left in a timely manner? I had an appointment yesterday and after only 10 minutes after my appointment was scheduled did a nurse come and do the preliminary stuff - I thought I would be in and out in a timely manner - WRONG. I then got to sit and wait for 45 minutes to see the doctor - which was an hour after my scheduled appointment... it never fails... I hate going to the doctor just for that fact that it is never timely. And I know that the doctor is probably taking care of someone more serious than myself or delivering a baby or doing brain surgery or whatever, but every time? Just once in my lifetime would I like to have a doctor's appointment that I don't have to block a 1/2 day out devoted to just waiting... I should smarten up and get a laptop or other portable device I can carry with that would help kill the time...

No Joy In Chargerville

With the San Diego Chargers' loss it's easy to think that their season is over...and rightfully so. Even if the Chargers would have beaten the lowly Miami Dolphins, they still have three tough games remaining...starting with a road trip to the undefeated Colts.

I'm not willing to give up total hope yet on the Chargers missing the playoffs. But they will need to win these last three games and hope the Steelers drop a game before season's end.

It's tough for me to think about 'what if' and 'next year' when there is still a glimmer of hope left in this season...albeit a very faint glimmer.

Go Chargers!

Chargers Show True Colors...

Today's game proved their true colors today.... even if they get a playoff berth...as lucky as that could be in the AFC... they'd showed today that they aren't very good...

The defense was horrible and the offense didn't do anything to prove that it can dominate an inferior opponent....

This should be a year the Chargers could flex their muscle and prove they no longer deserve the label of team that is destined to come up short, but today's game gives that much more ammo to all the Charger nay-sayers, and rightfully so....

The only redemtion the Chargers have now is to win the last three games of the season and it starts next week against the undefeated Colts... A win next week would gain some of the respectability they lost from the poor showing today... but it isn't just a one win the Chargers need now, it's to not lose from here on out... a tough task to ask, and if the Chargers are going to gain any respect back from any of the national media, they will have to do it....

Go Chargers!

Chargers Throttle Raiders, 34-10

Although the final score made the game appear as a rout, the game was still up for grabs for most of 3 quarters. The halftime score was 17-10 Chargers, but the Raiders went three and out twice in the third quarter wheras the Chargers controlled the ball and began to widen the score.

Tomlinson got banged up and missed the last Charger possession before the half, but was back in the second half. Brees looked good. Gates caught a touchdown, but I still think is a little slowed by the ankle injury he got 2 weeks ago. Defense played fairly good, especially after the first quarter. Kerry Collins, for the Raiders, stinks.

This was one of those 'trap' games for the Chargers. A team never can write off a rival no matter their record, but looking at the two teams this year, one would think that the Chargers should have had no problem with the Raiders and I was glad to see that was the case. But many times a 'strong' team will take for granted a lesser division foe, play less then stellar football and lose a game that they should have won. But with the AFC playoff picture in its current state, the Chargers can not afford to be losing any games...especially ones they should win.

With the Steelers losing, the Chargers move into the 6th seed in the AFC playoff picture. More importantly, the Broncos lost to the Chiefs which puts the Chargers only a game out of the division lead. The Chargers remaining schedule is Miami, @Indy, @KC and Denver. A sweep of all those games would mean the Chargers would finish the season on an 8 game win streak with an overall record of 12-4 and would win the AFC West... man that would be sweet, but that Indy game is going to be tough.

Chargers need to stay focused, take care of Miami this weekend and prepare for what might be the biggest game of their season...at Indy...

Go Chargers!

Excellent...

Just acquired my father-in-laws 'old' 55 inch television...

He bought a new 55'' plasma television and just gave our family his old one...

Since we've gotten it, other than the brief moment I took this photo, it has been exclusively been used for Playstation and kid channels... I'll let them get their fill today, tomorrow is Sunday and that means football and that is what the big screen television was built for... watching SPORTS!

Chargers Escape With WIn

So now that I have a moment, let's reflect on this past Sunday's game against the Redskins in which the Chargers lucked out and ended up winning in overtime because of LaDanian Tomlinson... Not only did Tomlinson score the 41 yard game winning run in overtime, but a 32 yard game tying touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Tomlinson was certainly the exception to the Charger offense because Brees looked off and Gates dropped several balls but did make a key catch in overtime setting up the Tomlinson winning score.

The Charger defense was able to stop the Redskins during the entire fourth quarter and overtime which is why the Chargers were able to win. There is no question that this win was an 'ugly' win for the Chargers, but knowing how they got the four losses the Chargers carry right now, they will gladly take the win in the manner they did so.

A big Sunday night game against the Raiders who have to be reeling after losing to a sub-par Dolphins team. With the AFC playoff picture as tight as it is right now, they can ill afford a loss against losing teams, but historically Charger-Raider games are never easily won by either team despite the current season standings.

What A Week!

Finally getting a chance to catch my breathe...

Had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving and then... literally... I went to watch the Charger-Redskin game this past Sunday - and the Chargers are about to give me heart problems but that is another story - and the drive to the bar I watch them at was normal... but not so when I left. For almost the instant I set foot inside, a blizzard was just beginning to hit our region... and actually at first it was rain, which turned to freezing rain and by nightfall, was snow. Then the wind kicked in and most of the town was shut down on Monday and Tuesday morning.

I did make it down to Minneapolis Tuesday afternoon to see Clutch at First Avenue... good show, great time... the trip both ways did have stretches where the interstate was in less than ideal driving conditions, but overall not too bad...

After a week off from work... I really have no ambition to work the remainder of this week but I'll try and 'tough it out'...

Tomlinson 23 Redskins 17 F/OT

Brees looked really 'off' today.

Gates was dropping passes...

Good thing LaDanian was ready to run and had 2 really nice long td runs...

Happy Thanksgiving

Here's my family's bird... about an hour left to cook... looking yummy!

Happy Thanksgiving To Everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Thanksgiving holiday... I'm going to be enjoying a couple of concerts during the next week... Static-X on Saturday night and Clutch in Minneapolis on Tuesday... should be a good time...

Charger news:

Good news regarding Gates' injury... just a slight sprain and he is expecting to play this Sunday...which is good. The Chargers have an early game against the Redskins... the Raiders barely eeked out a win against the Skins last week, so hopefully the Chargers can be a little more impressive in their win...

Charger Domination

This is the Charger team that we should see each week....

Gates went down, hopefully it isn't anything serious or else Charger Domination won't continue....

Kick off coverage is going to kill the Chargers unless that is addressed SOON!

Brees looked especially sharp... 28-33, 339 yds and 4 TDs...

Makes Me Laugh

I think the comedian is Tim Cavanaugh (but not sure) and the Bob & Tom Show on morning radio will occassionally re-air one of his on-air bits and in that bit, which is all pretty funny, when I hear this line:

"You know what they say about Monday's? It's the first day of the weekend!"

It always makes me laugh... I don't know why, but I figured I'd post it up because of that....

First Half Review

So the first half of the NFL season is in the books...and technically a little more than half the season has gone bye. But this week is week 11, the first week after all teams have had their byes, as did the San Diego Chargers, so it seems as if the second half really starts this week, because all teams have the same games played now.

The Chargers are 5-4 and could very easily have been 9-0 but even winning 2 of the games they should have won, they would look even more respectable at 7-2...but that does not matter anymore. The Chargers had a tough first 9 weeks and the Chargers can make their move in the next few weeks to position themselves for a playoff run - they play 3 of their next four games at home and none of the opponents seem too threatening (Buffalo, Washington, Oakland, Miami) then conclude the season with what appear right now to be big time games (Indy, KC and Denver) with the first two games being on the road. The Chargers really need to win these next four games so that 1 and maybe even 2 losses out of the last three games won't be too critical in the playoff picture... of course the Chargers merely need to win and they will control their own destiny....

Charger fans have been critical of Marty Schottenhiemer's style... only 2 games have the Chargers dominated an opponent for the full 60 minutes. The Chargers have had leads in most every game and have tried to sit on the lead only to see it dissapper... and that is why Marty does deserve some of the flak that he is getting. This Charger team looks very talented and to see games that the Chargers should easily dominate in, eek out a win is unacceptable. Marty needs to loosen the reigns and let the offense dictate the game...the New England game is the pattern I think the Chargers should strive for...total ball control, unrelenting drives that lead to scores...

My mid-season prediction for the Chargers - I think they go 5-2 and finish at 12-4 and in the playoffs. Hopefully the Broncos will start their latter season dive and the final game of the season in San Diego versus the Broncos will be for the AFC West title....and the Chargers prevail!

(BTW Picture Caption: San Diego Chargers running back and former TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson, second from right, stands with his mother, Loreane Tomlinson, right, and his wife, Torsha, on his left, during halftime of the TCU-UNLV game, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005 in Fort Worth. Officials with the school said no one has worn his No. 5 jersey since he left, and no one will in the future without Tomlinson's approval)

First Snow

Yesterday we got our first snow of the season...and it wasn't the nice gentle snow dropping from the sky on a slightly brisk, yet not too cold of day... it was a windy and cold and the snow hurt when it pelted your face. That's about how I remember winters... I hate winter....

Soon To Retire

Well to all my faithful blog readers it appears as if my status in society is about to change... I just recieved an email from the British Lottery Headquarters notifying me that I've won $2.5 million. Of course I've never heard of the British Lottery nor recall ever entering it, but it has to be legit because I got an email...never mind that it fails to mention my real name, address or even any identifying characteristics of myself, I am so overwhelmed with joy that is all inconsequential.

Because it is an European Lottery (as the email explains) the money will be dispersed from their London bank after I send them a check for only $5,000. The email further explains they are ready to process my claim IMMEDIATELY and if I fail to respond in a timely manner my winnings could go to someone else, so needless to say I had to mortgage my house over my lunch hour to come up with the necessary funds to send off post-haste.

I can hardly wait to receive my winnings and let me tell you, there will be a big party at my place when it comes....

/end sarcasm font

The End Is Near

Starting tomorrow, the venue I work at is hosting 7 football games from Thursday thru Saturday. I will be working most of them... but after completing the last game on Saturday, I get some 'downtime'. We are primarily a 'football' venue and once football concludes for the season, whether it be collegiate or high school, most everyone has less demanding daily workloads....

I'll get busy in late January and remain so until June but until then, it will be nice to not be so busy...

Chargers Win.... Barely

The Chargers escape with a win...

Charger faithful unhappy with coaching.... rightfully so...

Tomlinson is awesome....

Rest up this week and begin Charger domination in 2 weeks....

Chargers At NY Jets

Well today is the day that the San Diego Chargers can avenge the heartbreaking playoff loss that ending their season last year to the NY Jets. The Jets are a different team this time... their starting qb, Pennington, is out for the season, his backups have been banged up consistently and the Jets team as a whole is not as formidable as it was last season.

The Chargers 'should' have no problems today. I think Tomlinson, Gates and Brees all have good games and the Chargers look good as they go into the bye. Chargers 35 Jets 12.

War On Drugs - Wasting Money

Just got hold of some interesting facts regarding America's most costly, ineffective 'war'... the War On Drugs and I thought I share them:

- More than 500,000 Americans are behind bars in federal, state and local prisons for violating a drug law. The United States represents 5% of the world's population but 25% of the world's prison population. The U.S. has the highest per capita incarceration rate in the world. Definately not the 'land of the free' as advertised.

- The War On Drugs costs taxpayers roughly $40 billion annually in direct costs and tens of billions more in indirect costs. That's over TWENTY times the amount we spend on quality after school programs that help kids stay out of trouble.

- After more than three decades of the Drug War, drugs today are cheaper, purer and more easily obtained than ever before.

Mandatory sentencing is filling up America's prisons faster than ever with people that don't deserve to be behind bars. A first time offense will lead to a minimum sentence of 7 to 21 years, whereas manslaughter, robbery and even assualt don't carry such harsh sentencing guidelines. Meaning a non-violent drug offender has his life literally changed/ruined because of one mistake they may have made - which often times is merely just getting caught - whereas a violent criminal is often back on the streets in less time, a total 'skewed' judicial system severely punishing people for a moral decision rather than punishing true criminals in our society, the sex-offenders, murderers and other violent criminals.

Chargers 28 Chiefs 20

Chargers made the game interesting, but it should have never came to that... Chargers haven't had their bye and have had a brutal schedule.

If all goes as the 'master plan'... that I've set out for the Chargers, they should beat the Jets handedly next week, have their bye and begin the domination....

Broncos are still over-rated...

The Chargers should be 8-0...

Antonio Gates is awesome...

And don't give up on Tomlinson....the reason the Chargers look so good is because every team they play has to devote at least 3 players to cover Tomlinson on every play... and if you choose not too, be prepared to lose...


In conclusion... Go Chargers!

PS:

Bazooka Joe inspired post.

Random Thoughts

Ok, so I've been slacking...but for good reasons... it's the fall and I'm fairly busy at work.. but I got a little free time, so here are some random thoughts from me...

1. I don't listen to country music, but have had to work a few country music concerts here in the past few months and is it just my imagination or are all these "popular" country music acts just taking rock 'n roll songs and countrifying them?

2. I was really happy that the Yankees and Red Sox both got beat and didn't make the World Series. It was a rare treat to see the national media literally deflate when both teams failed to make the Championship series. I was hoping for a better series, but two years in a row and only 4 games needed to wrap things up. Congratulations White Sox.

3. A friend recently acquired the Mad Season DVD of their live performance at the Moore Theatre... it is awesome. Only about 40 minutes, but I enjoy it very much. I was never a big Alice In Chains fan, but this collaboration is really good, imo.

4. Some football talk: The San Diego Chargers should be 7-0 right now. I think the Broncos aren't as good as all the hype, nor are the Steelers. Living smack-dab in the middle of Viking country it is kind of fun being the person who supports a 'real team' for a change...and I get no qualms from Viking fans...they understand that their team stinks. The Randy Moss trade didn't work out as well as they all hyped it when it happened.

5. Gas prices - sure is odd how gas prices rose during the hurricanes and the 'line' the media and producers were citing was that they were merely passing the increase(s) down to the consumer that were being initiated from other sources...yet now all oil/gas producing companies are coming out with their 2nd quarter and 3rd quarter finacial reports and all are reporting record profits - Exxon/Mobil with a 75 percent revenue increase from this same time as last year, Royal Dutch Shell had 67 percent increase and BP, 37 percent. And none of them intend to increase production - and why would they? They will make a truckload of money as long as they can keep prices high.

6. Have you ever noticed that when a person is attending college, many feel they are 'superior' and smarter than everyone else? Many college students think they have all the cures to the world's ails...just that no one will listen to them... I remember going to college and thinking of how much money I was wasting listening and learning things that I will never, ever use in the real world...

7. Do all movies suck these days? I know, there is probably a good movie released every now and then, but for the most part, I think that 99.9% of all movies coming out of Hollywood these days is pure garbage.

8. The same goes with music...I like the 'heavier' sounding stuff, I won't deny that, but watching the music video channels I notice that a lot of these newer bands just scream...as if that is all 'heavy' music needs to be. But I still think there is a lot of good music out there, it just isn't getting played on the radio... I currently have been listeing to the latest Static-X, Pennywise, Fu Manchu and of course, Clutch - who I will be seeing live on November 29th, in Minneapolis.

Alright, that's it for now...

I know I forgot a score prediction last week... so I'll do it now... Chargers 31 Chiefs 20.

Week In Review

As I mentioned last week, my wife and kids were going to be out of town for 4 days...so I was left home alone...a very rare occurance for not just hours, but multiple days... so here's what I did - and note, it would have been more exciting, but I had to work 3 of the 4 days:

Thursday:

Didn't do too much, went over to a friend's house, drank some beers and played Madden '06.

Friday:

Started out after work, went out and had some food and drinks with a buddy then went to a local bar and saw a band play. The band was pretty good, my friend got trashed...went to the weekly card game around 1:00 AM and played cards until 3.

Saturday:

Worked from 10 AM until 5 PM. Went home, napped for an hour, then went to a friend's house watched Game 1 of the World Series. Drank some beers. Then went to a bar within walking distance of my house and hung out with some buddies - shut the place down at 2 and then stumbled home.

Sunday:

Chargers game on at noon...man that's too early when you stay up so late! Game 2 of the WS and off to bed.

No work on Monday and was good to get some rest in before going to work...

So yeah, nothing too exciting and if you eliminate the time I slept, the time I was actually at home for those four days was probably less than 2 hours...

Heartbreaker...

Chargers 17 Eagles 20

Chargers lose a game that they easily had locked up...

1. First half penalties...again. Almost every play there was a flag.
2. No LT - the Eagles had 11 guys on Tomlinson on every play.
3. Brees looked good.
4. Defense looked good - biggest surprise there.
5. One play and the Chargers went from almost assuredly winning the game to losing it...and even then if Caldwell hadn't fumbled on the last Charger play, the Chargers were still in position to force overtime or possibly win the game... bad breaks at the wrong time.

Perusing many Charger forums, some are thinking the Chargers are destined to lose, that the coaching is what is costing the Chargers their 3rd loss this year, all after leading in the fourth... I think the Chargers are still a good team and this Philly game is the last of the really 'tough' ones for a while. Frustrations from this week's loss should be taken out next week with a KC beat down...

Let The Party Begin

Our daycare provider is taking today and tomorrow off. No school for the kids, so my wife is taking the kids to visit relatives in the cities. I have to work, so I'll be at home alone for the next four days... I'll try and take it easy tonight and tomorrow, but I make no promises for Saturday after I get off work...

Chargers Dealing

It looks as if the Chargers are positioning to move Phillip Rivers - or at least that's my speculation. They traded with Miami to get A.J. Feeley, to be the backup QB. I'm guessing they may make the trade in the next week or two (before the deadline) for a team that is in desperate need of a starting QB right now but also look to fill that spot for years to come...which could be any number of teams... Baltimore, NY Jets, Arizona, Chicago...

The Chargers also traded disgruntled OG Toniu Fonoti to the Minnesota Vikings. Fonoti started the season as a starter on the Charger line, but after breaking his hand and being replaced and then outplayed, wanted to be traded. The Fonoti was a first rounder 3 years ago, and although a respectable run block for most games, but a very poor pass blocker...and not to mention gaining weight each year and this season coming in extremely heavy.

I like both moves, except the Chargers aren't really getting a lot in return... two seventh round picks (one from each Miami and Minnesota) and Miami also gets Cleo Lemon, the Chargers 3rd string quarterback. But I think these two moves are just positioning for a bigger deal with a team and terms to be named later...hopefully for some secondary or defensive line help and some high picks next year...

Chargers 27 - Raiders 14

Moss went down early...

Tomlinson dominated....

If you let Tomlinson dominate you, which he can, you will lose...

Give the ball to Tomlinson....

I love when the Chargers prove me wrong and they do it all the time...

So I'm picking against the Chargers from now on... ;)

(As David Puddy would say..."Got to support the team." ... I'm just not committed enough to become a face painter right now... but if I have to, I will...

Chargers at the Raiders

San Diego travels to Oakland tomorrow, the Chargers coming off another last second loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night sit at 2 -3. While the Raiders beat the Cowboys two weeks ago and are coming off their bye week.

The keys for San Diego's success remains the same... keep the defense off the field. Effectively move the ball and control the tempo of the game. Unfortunately, Charger-Raider games typically are close fought contests and the Chargers, this season, are unable to come out on top of those such tilts, again, primarily because the defense can not make the big stop or play to stop the game winning drive. The Chargers are a good team, but until they prove they can win a close game, until the defense can prove they can stop a team when it needs too, they will remain just a good team, but very beatable.

Raiders win in a close game 31-28...Janikowski has been missing so far this year, so it might leave the door open a crack for the Chargers to eek out a win...

Bazooka Joe

New favorite shot: Bazooka Joe. A shot of Bacardi Limon dropped in a glass of Red Bull... tastes like bubble gum... good stuff...

Forecasting Warmer Winter

NOAA is forecasting a warmer winter than normal for my region... which, if true, would be great. The energy bill for my house is going to be insane this winter, so much so I am trying to get a new furnace and air conditioner installed before the cold weather gets here...

I just wanted to post this map because I don't think weather forecasters have a clue, especially when making long range predictions, and I can rip on them in March when the high isn't above 30 degrees yet...

Drinking Comments Stir The Pot...

Well, it appears as if my HARSH remarks regarding all the local college kids drinking themselves unconscience riled some folks up...

First, let's make sure we are all clear as to what my comments were, they were:

Drinking until they are unconscience (or close)... but this is the barren wasteland and that's what living here might lead you to do...if you are an idiot.

The rest of the of that entry is simply an article from the local paper, The Forum.

And I stand by my comments and am not in the least bit feeling guilty about making them.

A person can have a 4.0 GPA, be a rocket scientist and literally the smartest person on the planet. But if you are sucking on the end of a vodka bong with one intention, to get so drunk that you will black out and/or possibly die... I'm sorry, you are an idiot.

Then there's the comments about alcoholics and I don't know what underlying problems they may have... now, I know I'm making an assumption, but I think it is going to be fairly safe... these kids are IN COLLEGE and all of them are MINORS. Now sure, they may be full blown alcoholics, but I'm willing to bet that each and every one of these cases the person made the choice to consume the almost lethal amount of alcohol that they did.

Then you go to today's article: "Death Won't Curb Drinking", whose opening line is:

"The death of one student and the arrest of others on alcohol-related charges grab headlines but do little to change behavior, several Minnesota State University Moorhead students said Monday.

“I’ve heard just as many people wandering around going, ‘I’m going to get totally smashed tonight,’ as I had before,” said Zac Wendler, a junior.."

My point is, is that these kids are making a totally idiotic decision. Yes, when I was younger and in college I liked to go out and party just like anyone. But I NEVER went out with the intention of drinking so much liquor that my life (and others) would be jeopardized. Power Hours - drinking 21 shots in one hour... that's just plain stupid. Vodka bongs, just plain stupid.

Sure, come up with social, political or whatever other excuse you want to pass the blame onto. But the bottomline and the truth of all this, is that these kids CHOSE to drink and then CHOSE to drink more and then CHOSE to drink more and then CHOSE to drink more and then CHOSE to drink until they black out. I think their CHOICE is DUMB. Trying to find fault somewhere else or someone else is just trying to pass blame onto anything that isn't the true cause.

Chargers Lose - 24-22 to Steelers

No offense in the first half.

Way too many penalties...

Failed 2-point conversion...

Chargers either win big or lose close...

Chargers - Steelers Preview

Well, I best get my thoughts on tomorrow's Monday night game, Pittsburgh at San Diego, while I can...

The last two games the Chargers have played like the team I expected to see all season. It proves to everyone, including me, that they are indeed a good football team at this time. The Steelers are coming off a bye week after a loss from New England, a team that the Chargers throttled just last week. The reason the Steelers lost was because on the final drive Brady effectively drove the Patriots down the field for the game winning field goal. Which really gives the Chargers the road map to this, and every game henceforth. The Charger defense isn't anything special and if the Chargers are going to win ball games, the defense shouldn't be called upon to do so. The Charger offense needs to control the ball and the tempo of the game...and just look to last week's Charger win over the Patriots.

Having said that, with the game being played in San Diego, on Monday night, Chargers donning their powder blues, the crowd should be jacked... I like the Chargers. I think if Brees can effectively pass, Tomlinson will be running wild and the game could easily be dictated by the Charger offense. Chargers win 42-31. (Chargers need to score 40 points or more to win...imo)

Blackjack

Ok, so I was playing blackjack last night and I can't believe how DUMB people are when playing this game, so I thought I would do everyone a service here and explain how simple this game is...

PREFACE: I am by no means a gambling expert... nor claim to be.

Background:
Here's a little of my blackjack past. When I turned 21 and first (legally) set foot inside a bar, I was lured to blackjack. As I've mentioned in the past, I've always liked playing cards, so it is no wonder I would be attracted to a gambling, card game. So I started playing blackjack...and did I play. I would play and play and play. Most of my trips to the bar weren't to drink, but to play blackjack. And sure, the more you play, the better you get...but there is no question, the more you play the more you lose. Oh, I loved playing blackjack. Then I decided to get a second job while going to college and what better 2nd job than becoming a blackjack dealer. So I did... I dealt blackjack for a little more than 2 years. And that is what opened my eyes to the game. My thirst to play blackjack was quenched shortly after I began dealing...because it is/was very easy to see 'patterns' as the game is played...that is the game is very cyclical. I now play blackjack on some occassions and will very rarely will play more than $20.

Here's just some tips out there for some novice players:

Insurance (when the dealer is showing an ace), you are able to put up 1/2 your original wager to 'insure' your bet against a blackjack. This is the dumbest bet any player can make EVER. Insurance is strictly a house bet. The BEST case scenario if you insure your hand is that you will not lose (well duh) and that is the BEST that can happen to you if you insure your hand, you will get all your money back and not lose...of course you've won nothing. The WORST case scenario is that not only will the dealer not have blackjack - and thus take your insurance bet - but also beat your hand outright and now you've just not only lost your insurance bet, but also your original wager. Anyone that ever tells you that betting insurance is a smart or good move is a MORON. Never, ever bet insurance.

Go against an ace. Going hand-in-hand with insurance is playing against a dealer with an ace showing. Toughest hand to beat, in my opinion, why? Well if the dealer doesn't have blackjack, they then could have a winning hand without taking any cards, and if they don't have a winning hand, the dealer would have to take at least two cards to bust. So the dealer is essentially showing a hand that, as a player, you know needs two cards to bust, if that is possible... so playing against an ace up, I do try to make my hand as strong as possible.

Which leads to my next point. I NEVER hit anything higher than a 14...EVER. At 14, there are 6 cards that will bust you and 7 cards that help you. At 15, reverse those numbers. So you can see that by simple math (which I never claim to be a math whiz), that the odds are slightly in your favor in not breaking your hand if you hit a 14. Many times I see players that will hit 14, 15 and even 16's when they are up against a 8, 9, 10 or an ace but then see the dealer bust. There is nothing more frustrating than busting your hand only then to see the dealer do the same...so I try to minimize my own busts, as much as possible.

Doubling down - after your first two cards, you are allowed to double your bet, but can only receive one card to make your hand. Obviously the best time(s) to double down is when you have a 10 or 11 showing...and I advise making that bet under the stipulation that the dealer is showing a 2 thru 6. Many times I see players doubling down anytime they have a 10 or 11 regardless of what the dealer has...often times up against a ten or even worse an ace. Well, these people just deserve to lose their money. Sure, they may luck out a few times, but in the long haul, doubling down against a good up card for the dealer is just plain dumb.

Splitting - when you have 2 like cards dealt to you, you then can match your original bet and play two hands - if matched again, you can repeat and most places will let you play up to 4 hands. The exception is aces, where splitting them will only get you one card per ace and no resplitting...so a maximum of 2 hands can be played if dealt 2 aces. Splitting cards is a risky play, regardless of the dealer's upcard...of course if the dealer is showing a loser, it might be tempting. But a player should only split 7's, 8's or 9's, in my opinion. Even 7's I would be leary of. 8's against a almost any upcard is actually not a bad play, imo, because 16 is crap and hopefully you can salvage one of the two hands to break even on the hand. If you ever split 10's, you could just write me a check for the money you want to gamble and I will gladly accept it and save you the time and trouble of actually having to play and lose at blackjack.

These are just some of my basic strategies, and although I never really win a lot of money, I typically can play for a while, which most of the time is the only reason I am playing, to kill some time...but with any gambling card game, if you don't get the cards, it doesn't matter how good of a player you are.

Enough Spam

Ok, I had to turn on the word verification feature for comments...which means after you leave a comment, you will be asked to type in a word that is shown to you as a graphic...

Apparently my blog is so huge, the spammers have it in their sites. I use to just delete the comments from the spammers, but anytime I make a post, I have 4 spams instantly and more that follow...

So I do apologize if this inconveniences anyone...

Party's Not Over Yet...

What's with these college kids? Drinking until they are unconscience (or close)... but this is the barren wasteland and that's what living here might lead you to do...if you are an idiot...:
An 18-year-old Minnesota State University Moorhead student with a blood alcohol content more than double the legal limit was taken to MeritCare Hospital in Fargo on Thursday night, the fifth reported case since last Friday.
Police were called about 9:50 p.m. to MSUM’s Grantham Hall, where they found Mark Adam Muirhead intoxicated and unresponsive in the second-floor bathroom, Sgt. Chris Carey said in a news release.
Police and paramedics then escorted Muirhead, stumbling and smelling of alcohol, to the hall’s main floor, where police gave him a Breathalyzer test.
His blood alcohol content registered 0.192 percent. The legal limit is 0.08.
“I failed,” Muirhead said, his speech slurred.
Muirhead was taken outside and placed on an ambulance stretcher. He thanked personnel for helping him.
He was then transported to MeritCare.
Nick Fredrickson, a 22-year-old MSUM student, helped lead Muirhead inside the hall after finding him in the parking lot.
Fredrickson brought Muirhead to the second-floor bathroom, where Muirhead began walking under his own power. But then the 18-year-old fell down again, prompting Fredrickson to call MeritCare. The hospital referred him to police.
Police will seek charges of minor consuming alcohol, Carey said in the release.
Officers were unable to determine how Muirhead obtained the alcohol.
In the other cases:
- Concordia College student Kendra Bell, 18, was hospitalized at MeritCare for intoxication early Wednesday after police found her incoherent in a dorm room.
- Concordia student Jessica Vandeusen, 19, was hospitalized at MeritCare on Sunday after being found conscious but intoxicated in a house at 603 9th St. S. in Moorhead.
- Jenna xxxxxx*, 19, 137 Prairiewood Drive, Fargo, was taken from her home to Fargo’s Innovis Hospital by paramedics on Saturday after she passed out while drinking vodka.
- And last Friday, Concordia student Jesse Ringdahl, 19, was taken to Innovis Hospital after a passer-by found him semiconscious in the front yard of a home at 919 5th St. S. in Moorhead.
The four were treated and released.
Concern over underage drinking was heightened after the body of Minnesota State University Moorhead student Patrick Kycia, 19, was pulled from the Red River on Sept. 27. He had been missing for five days and was last seen drinking at a party at an MSUM fraternity house.
Larson said Moorhead police have been putting extra officers on patrol around MSUM to discourage drinking. That partnership has not yet been duplicated at Concordia, he said.

* Updated 10/15/2010 - Last name removed as per request.

OLN Hockey Review

OLN stepped onto the major sports scene last night and wasn't too bad.

Their studio team was (former ESPN hockey commentator) Bill Clement, hockey 'insider' Neil Smith and former player Keith Jones. I really liked Gary Thorn and Bill Clement when they would do hockey on ESPN...by far (I thought) the best tandem in the business. The studio coverage just didn't have any 'umph' for me. All three of the studio analyst's seemed suited as an 'analyst' and Bill just didn't have that flair that a John Buccigross has, imo. They really didn't add any excitement to opening night, which really isn't that bad... I say amongst hockey fans, it was a better move to be non-offensive on opening night than to be an in-your-face type program. With all the new rule changes, hockey fans are just looking for any reason to walk away from the sport forever.

From what I saw from last night's action, the rule changes were well received. I think the game flows better and I think scoring will increase...and for the record, I never really wanted to see scoring increase, I enjoyed a 1-0 goalie battle just as much as a 7-6 shootout.

OT: I haven't tuned into OLN before, but apparently according to their commercials all they air is PBR (Professional Bull Riding) and re-runs of Survivor...so unless a fantasy PBR league fires up, NHL will be the only thing I'll be watching on the OLN...

Skip Fall - Straight To Winter

A week ago it was 90 degrees and sunny. Today the high won't even be 45 degrees, it's windy and cloudy. We missed the snow and the real bad weather that hit the state out west.

And it looks like the weather should rebound by the weekend... predicted highs back to 60, which is typical fall weather for these parts....

NHL Is Back!

For the record...

I'm glad the NHL is back. I think the rule changes are going to help the game. The shootout is going to attract new fans.

A big reason I got DirecTV is because my local cable company doesn't carry OLN and I would not even get to see one game on opening night...FSN isn't carrying the Wild season opener, which is at home against Calgary...which would be a good game...

Instead I'll be watching Rangers@Flyers...

(Screw baseball - Roid monkeys)

Chargers Throttle Pats, 41-17

So where do I start?

Well, with the obvious... it was a HUGE win for the Chargers. Beating the reigning world champions, in their house, breaking their 21 home win streak. Of course all the nay-sayers are going to point out that the Patriot defense has been weakened. But I doubt anyone is really counting the Patriots out of the playoffs...they are still a good team.

How'd the Chargers do it? As I said their chance to win this game had to be done... execute 'Marty Ball' to perfection, and that's what was done. The Chargers in the second half kept the ball out of the Tom Brady and the Patriot's offense. Brees did not turn the ball over. Tomlinson was effective all day. Big plays to Gates and Caldwell. A perfect blend of attack that kept the Patriot defense on their heels the entire second half.

Big Monday night game against the Steelers, who are coming off a bye... then the Chargers play the Raiders...who will be coming off a bye, then they play Philadelphia who (guess?) are coming off their bye... man what did San Diego ever do to piss off the NFL schedulers? (Have I mentioned how brutal the Charger schedule is yet?)

Party's Still Going

Another underage drinker in Moorhead was taken to the hospital early Sunday, the third in three days in Fargo-Moorhead and the fourth since a Minnesota State University Moorhead student apparently drowned in the Red River after drinking at a party Sept. 22.

Moorhead Police Sgt. Brad Penas said Jessica Vandeusen, 19, a Concordia College student, was taken to the hospital at her own request after police found her conscious but intoxicated in a house at 603 9th St. S.

Moorhead Police Sgt. Joel Scharf said officers were called at 2:42 a.m. to break up a loud party at the house, where revelers were setting off fireworks.

While they were clearing the house, officers discovered Vandeusen on the second floor, Scharf said.

The woman, who was conscious, was brought down to the first floor. Scharf said she was given a breath test and registered .233, nearly three times the legal limit for intoxication in Minnesota.

“I think she made the choice herself that it would be in her best interests to go to the hospital,” Penas said.

An ambulance crew was called and she was transported to MeritCare Hospital, Scharf said. A MeritCare nursing supervisor said she was not listed as a patient there Sunday night.

Reached by telephone late Sunday night at her dorm room, Vandeusen declined comment. She said only that she was not aware her blood alcohol registered that high.

Several citations were issued to the home’s tenants, but neither Scharf nor Penas knew exactly what they were issued for.

Sunday’s was the latest in a sudden spate of alcohol-related hospitalizations of young people in Fargo-Moorhead over the weekend.

On Saturday, Jenna xxxxxx*, 19, 137 Prairiewood Drive, was taken from her home by paramedics after she passed out while drinking vodka, Fargo police said. On Saturday afternoon, she was not listed as a patient at either Fargo hospital.

On Friday, 19-year-old Concordia College student Jesse Ringdahl, was taken to Innovis Hospital after a passerby found him semiconscious in the front yard of a home at 919 5th St. S. in Moorhead. He was released from the hospital later that same day.

Moorhead police said Ringdahl had been drinking from a vodka bong, which funnels a large amount of alcohol directly into the drinker’s mouth.

Concern over drinking by young people was spurred last week after the body of Minnesota State University sophomore Patrick Kycia, 19, was pulled from the Red River on Tuesday.

Initial autopsy reports said Kycia drowned, but police believe he drank heavily Sept. 22 at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, 611 10th St. S. in Moorhead.

The day after Kycia’s body was found, former fraternity member Alex Daniel Olson, was arrested in connection with the discovery of 152 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the Phi Sigma Kappa house. The drugs were found in a search of the house connected with Kycia’s death.

That case remains under investigation and toxicology results from Kycia’s autopsy have not yet come back.

* Updated 10/15/2010 - Last name removed as per request.

Great Game!

Great game - more to follow!

PS:

Glad I was wrong! ;)

Party Town USA

Man these kids are partying it up around here lately:

For the second day in a row and the third time in a week and a half, local police dealt with a dangerous drinking incident involving underage people.

Fargo Police Sgt. Kevin Volrath released a statement to media saying that officers were called just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday to 137 Prairiewood Drive to help an ambulance crew with an unresponsive female.

When police arrived, they found Jenna xxxxxxxx*, 19, unconscious. xxxxxxxx shares the apartment with Jared Miller, 19, and Tyler Finck, 18, both of whom also were there.

xxxxxxxxxx came to just before paramedics took her out, Volrath said. Officers determined that the trio was drinking vodka and the woman passed out.

xxxxxxxx was taken to Innovis Hospital, Volrath said. She was not listed as a patient either there or at MeritCare Hospital on Saturday afternoon.

All three residents of the apartment were cited for minor in possession, minor consuming and minor under the influence, Volrath said.

Neither xxxxxxxx nor her roommates have a listed telephone number. An attempt to reach her by e-mail was unsuccessful.

The incident happened about 24 hours after a 19-year-old Concordia College student, Jesse Ringdahl, was taken to Innovis Hospital after a passerby found him semiconscious in the front yard of a home at 919 5th St. S. in Moorhead. He was released from the hospital later that same day.

Moorhead police said Ringdahl had been drinking from a vodka bong, a container that funnels a large amount of alcohol directly into the drinker’s mouth.

On Tuesday, police pulled the body of Minnesota State University Moorhead sophomore Patrick Kycia, 19, from the Red River.

Initial autopsy reports said Kycia drowned.

Police believe he drank heavily the night of Sept. 22 at the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity in Moorhead.

Kycia left the party at 611 10th St. S. sometime after midnight, heading for his home several blocks away, but disappeared.

The day after Kycia’s body was found, a former fraternity member, Alex Daniel Olson, was arrested in connection with the discovery of 152 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the Phi Sigma Kappa house. The drugs were found in a search of the house connected with Kycia’s death.

That case remains under investigation.

Fargo Police Sgt. Shannon Ruziska said while it’s unusual to have three such similar, high-profile cases in such a short time, it’s difficult to say whether that means anything.

“Throughout the years that I’ve been here, if we had any individual who (drank) so much they’ve been hospitalized, and they’re a minor, it’s been picked up by the media pretty well. It’s an unusual spike in the amount we have. I wouldn’t be able to say if it indicates anything yet.”

Chargers - Patriots Preview

Alright, here's my thoughts on this weekend's San Diego Chargers at the New England Patriots...

First, a personal protest. The Charger - Patriot game was slated to be seen on my local CBS affiliate, but because Brooks Bollinger - Grand Forks, ND product - is starting tomorrow they switched the game to be seen to the NY Jets and the Baltimore Ravens...man, only in North Dakota. That just means I'm going to the bar, but I could have saved some dough by getting some offsale and watching the game at a friend's place...but I'll manage somehow...

Ok, now on to the game...

The big story has been that the Patriots defense has been weakened, is battered and bruised. But that's all great and stuff, but the Charger defense has been less than stellar...in fact, down right awful. Tom Brady and the Patriot offense could easily have a field day and their defense take a breather...

So if the Chargers are going to have a shot at winning this game, they are going to have to keep the ball out of Brady's hands. The offense needs to execute 'Marty Ball' to perfection. No turnovers, and nice methodical drives that use a lot of clock and move the ball. The Charger defense shouldn't be put into the position to win the game, because they have yet to prove they can. So special teams is could also play a big part of this game and I think the Chargers are pretty solid on special teams, hopefully they can execute and be a factor in this game.

I do think the Chargers COULD win this game...but I really can't see it happening. I don't know of Tomlinson can reel of 192 against this defense, even as 'battered' as the media makes it out to be. It be nice to not see Brees throw a pick, but I think he is going to be good for at least one...

I think Patriots are going to win - although I hope I'm wrong - 31-20.

As Promised...

A picture of my 3-year old son, Matthew in his first ever football jersey...he likes it, and so do I!

New Jersey's

Thanks to my friend, Lowell, in San Diego I just received my second Chargers jersery. I do have a powder blue Tomlinson, which is the only jersey you would find around here, if they even carry a Charger jersey.

This one is for me:















And Lowell was kind enough to purchase this one for my 3-year old son Matthew:


I'll take a picture of him in it this Sunday and post it...

Heineken? F*ck Heineken! PBR.

Florida Vacation

Women....

I try not to complain about women too much...because that would be a full time task if one really wanted to pursue that... and then I try not to complain about my wife, especially publicly... but here's an instance I think is valid...

So yesterday, which was Wednesday, my wife informs me that she will need to go to work after hours to do some extra work. I say fine. We then try and discuss what time(s) she can go in so that I can manage the kids...and low-and-behold, the only times she can possibly go in are times that I have made plans to either: a) go to my weekly poker game Friday night b) when I am working on Saturday or c) Sunday during the football games. You see, Friday night she doesn't want to stay at work, on Saturday her work's server is going down at noon (of course going in before noon is crazy talk) and then of course Sunday all day is just plain great for her...of course she doesn't want to go late though...

What this is, clearly to me, is her attempt at trying to 'disrupt' my weekend enjoyment. She was even able to go in last night for 3 hours to get a jump on all this work she has to do and tonight she could do the same...but she could work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and apparently still have to go into work sometime this weekend to do more... you see, this just plain sucks... she is just making up any reason to get mad at me for going out and having a good time. I'm sorry I won't feel guilty or sorry for not accomodating her 'schedule' when she is doing nothing but trying to disrupt mine...

And now today, just to pile another complaint on me, she asks if I can pick up the kids from daycare...which is no big deal for me, but for some reason always seems to be for her... so that she can take in our stockpile of aluminum cans and redeem them for the $10. Of course she could take in the aluminum cans and pick up the kids and be home before I even get off work (but that makes no difference), but because I merely inquire as to why she can't just pick them up after her little chore, I get the "Forget it, I'll take care of it." Snotty retort.

I tell you what, I just don't understand why women have to make THEIR life and others so complicated but I can see how they do it...

Tomlinson: AFC Offensive Player Of The Week

San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns, caught six passes for 28 yards, and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass for good measure in a 45-23 victory against the New York Giants. Tomlinson's touchdowns marked the 15th consecutive game in which he scored one. The 5-10, 221-pound rusher's streak of consecutive games with a touchdown is the second-longest in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Lenny Moore (19 games). Tomlinson's 220 total scrimmage yards stand as the league's single-game high thus far in 2005.

For the fifth-year veteran from TCU, this is his fourth career Player of the Week distinction.

Link to story from NFL.com here.

Pics From Sunday's Game

Chargers.com has some great pictures from Sunday's game against the Giants... here's a taste...

Mille Lacs

Never been to Mille Lacs, MN. It is a really big lake. To the left is a photo taken with my phone as I was driving by it... Not really anything to spectacular about this pic, I just wanted to post it, to have it...

It was about 9:30 AM, windy and cold. When I was leaving, around 6:30 PM that same day, it was raining pretty good...

Chargers Win Big

Well the Chargers are on the board... winning big, 45 to 23 against Eli Manning and the NY Giants. Eli Manning had the best game of his career, but the Chargers offense exploited a Giants defense that is probably worse than the Chargers.

The Chargers took a 21-3 lead, but the Giants came back with 17 unanswered points to only trail by 1 at the half. Tomlinson would finish the day with 192 yards rushing, 3 rushing touchdowns, 1 passing touchdown, and 6 receptions for 28 yards... the fumble marred an otherwise spectacular performance by arguably the league's best runningback.

Gates and McCardell both had good games as well, which was fun to see...the entire Charger offense clicking, and for the first time this year.

Many of the 'hardcore' Charger fans are greatly concerned with the Charger defense...specifically the secondary. The upcoming games (@NE and Pittsburgh) seem to overshadow the first win of the season for the Chargers. But I contend that the Chargers need to approach every game with an 'attacking offense' mentality. That is, let the Charger offense dictate the game...like the Chargers of the 80's. The Chargers need to put up 50 points every game and make the other team match it. If the Charger team can limit turnovers and move the ball effectively, the pressure won't be as great for the defense...

I listened to the first half on the radio and made it back in town to watch the entire second half...was a good time!

Quick First Analysis Of Tonight's Game

If you are not a Charger fan and watched tonight's game on ESPN you learned 3 things...

1. The Chargers schedule is brutal.

2. LaDanian Tomlinson is AWESOME.

3. Joe Thiesmann wants to have gay sex with Eli Manning.

More in depth game thoughts will follow...

Charger - Giants Preview

This game has been a game many a rabid Charger fan has been waiting for. Eli Manning - the number 1 overall draft pick from the 2004 draft, drafted by the Chargers, not-wanting to play for the Chargers, traded from the Chargers - makes his first appearance against the Chargers in San Diego. The Charger fans will no-doubtedly bringing signs, custom t-shirts and their voices to express their dislike for the younger Manning...and in my opinion, he deserves every ounce of it. Of course, he will quickly quiet and send the Charger faithful out of the stands with a solid performance and a Giants victory...if one can be had.

So, let's talk about the game itself...

Chargers, once a team that looked like it was promising, had potential to move into the upper echelon of AFC Teams and most importantly trying to prove that they weren't a one-year hit, has had done nothing but dissappoint so far. 2 games, 2 fourth quarter leads and 2 losses are all the Chargers are touting right now. Their offensive line has played horrible, the offensive play calling, has been awful and the defensive plays good until it matters most...then teams are able to move the ball at will. All those areas need to be addressed if the Chargers are to finally get into the win column. The secret to beating the Chargers is also out of the bottle...just blitz. The Cowboys and Broncos blitzed often in the second half of the first two games and the Chargers were unable to do anything offensively. The Chargers haven't shown any deep-ball or big-play ability. Tomlinson has rushed for a total of 124 yards...yes, 124 yards total...that number should be a single game stat and not the total of two. To add to that pathetic rushing total, Tomlinson has yet to catch a ball. The best blitz counter-measure the Chargers have, I would think, would be LT... and you can see that he isn't even being utilized effectively at all.

I no longer see Charger domination. I see a talented squad being poorly coached. There is no panic or concern for Schottenheimer or the Charger staff...heck it's only game 2 they say. But I think they may be taking things a little too light, before the Chargers' week 10 bye and after the Giants game their schedule looks to be brutal: @New England, Pittsburgh, @Oakland, @Philadelphia, Kansas City and @NY Jets. If they lose this week, they may easily go into the bye week at 1 and 8 or worse. The Chargers need this game to boost their confidence and get things on the right track...and my once confident predictions and faith in the Chargers has all been washed away. I think Nate Kaeding will out-kick Jay Feely in a snorefest... Chargers win 12-6 ... incompetence exhibited by both teams on both sides of the ball. Chargers will prove that they were indeed a one-year fluke and more importantly that the coaching staff are mindless, incompetent boobs.

Observations

Have you ever noticed that really good looking women/girls always have long hair? And then a really good looking woman/girl that cuts their long hair off, does so as sort of an admission that they are no longer going to try and be 'hot'.

Also, I noticed Kirstie Alley is back on the tube showing off her new, thinner bod. I of course was on record saying that it sure was curious that she was all over the tv in February and seemed to be MIA since then...Well, I will give credit where credit is due...good job Kirstie, it took you 8 months to lose 50 pounds...definately proves that you can't get thin quick as many diet plans claim...

Random Thoughts

Here's some random thoughts:

- The Comedy Central show, The Mind Of Mencia is the network's attempt to replace Dave Chappelle's hit show...well, it's not going to do it. It is dumb and not funny. And for whatever reason, I've just never 'understood' mexican/latin humor. George Lopez never seemed funny to me either. Cheech and Chong, seemed funny but these new guys...not funny. The staged jokes on this show are just lame, and (is it Carlos?) Mencia just YELLS out dumb obvious observations that aren't really funny...just obvious observations that he is yelling.... yawn. Adam Corrolla's show and David Spade's show seem alright... I'll watch them to see if they keep my interest.

- How much does every person in America need to give to the hurricane Katrina relief fund before we get to stop hearing about it and/or having fund-raisers?

- What a great change it was to go a week without having to hear Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire and Joe Theismann doing the Sunday night football game. Sunday night football was a rare treat when ESPN had Mike Tirico and Sterling Sharpe doing the game... I'll likely be driving from a poker shoot this weekend while my Chargers are playing, so I'll just be listening to the radio call...which I would be doing if I was watching it at home as well.

- Speaking of football, and living in the heart of Viking country, it sure is great hearing all these Viking fans doing a one-eighty. 6 months ago when they traded Randy Moss you couldn't find a Viking fan who thought that was a bad move. Viking fans had celebration parties and planned for the Super Bowl... getting rid of Randy Moss was the greatest move EVER. It's looking a lot like Herschal Walker II to me... Dante sure isn't looking that good. The defense - which was to be greatly improved because the money saved by trading Moss was devoted solely to improving the defense - looks as bad as ever. All the Vikes have going for them is that they play in one of the weakest divisions in the NFL...they should split with the Lions and Packers...maybe the Bears too... eek out a couple other wins and go at least 6-10.

- Vacation, vacation, vacation... I have a ton of vacation and no time to take it. I need to use it by January 1st or I will lose it. I should have opportunities to take it from November thru the end of the year...but what am I to do? I am actually thinking of flying out to San Diego to see the Chargers play on Dec. 31st. That sure would be fun to get out of the cold that will surely be upon us at that time and be in the sun for a week. Of course the only buzz-kill would probably be the Chargers...at least in their current state. But what else? And if I decide not to partake on that trip (I'm trying to save up for a new vehicle) then what? I got to do something!


- Currently in pain... I was involved in an accident when I was a teenager (I think it was when I was 14 or 15). Since that time, I have had a bloated spinal disc (lumbar 4) that is pinching my sciatic nerve that runs down my left leg. Most days, I have no problems and feel fine. I play tennis, go biking, shoot baskets, mow the lawn, etc. But occasionally, I will do something that will aggravate it and to various degrees. Sometimes I am barely able to stand and walk, while other times it is just uncomfortable...currently I'm in the extremely uncomfortable state. If I didn't have meetings and other things to tend to at work, I'd be staying home right now...maybe tomorrow if I don't feel much better.


- As mentioned above, I am doing another poker shoot. This next one is at the Grand Casino in Mille Lacs, MN. I am planning on driving up and back on the same day. It's only a 3 hour drive, so won't be too bad....except that it is on a Sunday and I'll be missing most, if not all, football games played during the day and then, again as mentioned above, only able to listen to the Charger-Giants game on radio as I drive home. Maybe with some luck, I could get back into town to catch the 2nd half or something, but probably not likely. I very rarely miss watching football and I can not even recall the last time I didn't get to watch the Charger game...but I desperately need a new vehicle and the money I'm making will help greatly towards that...not to mention the money I save by not drinking/eating/partying all day on Sunday won't hurt the cause either...

Offensive Line - No Protection and No Blocking

The Chargers at halftime were up 14-3 and looked like they were in total control of this game. Then the second half started.... on the first play from scrimmage Brees throws an interception to Champ Bailley who runs it in for a touchdown, bam the Broncos are right back into the game.

The playcalling in the second half was absolutely horrible. There was no blocking for Tomlinson, he couldn't even get going...but the only play the Chargers even ran was a handoff up the gut...what's wrong with a swing pass or a screen? Even a pitch out....anything.... but no. If Tomlinson got the ball, run up the middle. Then the Broncos must have tuned into last week's game against the Cowboys...how do you beat the Chargers? Just blitz. The Chargers did nothing to counter the blitz and Brees had a tough time the entire second half.

This game really crystalizes how poor Marty Schottenheimer and his staff is. Clearly not making adjustments. Not having plays that would be utilizing the weapons the Chargers have under blitz circumstances. And for the 2nd week in a row, the opponent did as much as they could to try and lose the game and the Chargers still couldn't win. The Broncos missed 2 field goals, had 2 touchdowns called back and turned the ball over twice while in Charger territory. Defense played better, but I think that is mainly due to the fact that the Broncos aren't that good. If the Charger defense could of stopped a 4th and 2 attempt the game would have went to overtime....so the defense played good until they had too....just like last week.

There will be no Charger domination. Is the season over for the Chargers? Well no... but there is no darker day than losing to the most hated team in the NFL...the Denver Broncos. What makes this loss even more tough to handle is that EVERY sports commentator will be going off on how the Chargers were a one year fluke last year...but at this point, they may be right... I was hoping the Chargers would prove them wrong...but have yet to.

Chargers - Broncos Preview

Week 2 is almost here and the Chargers are looking to get their first win...to do so, they will have to win in Denver.

I was pretty disgruntled after last weeks loss, because even with several key players either sidelined or seeing limited action, I felt they should have played better. And sure, it's week 1, but if you start making excuses as to why you lost a game, soon you will be losing more than winning and this franchise can ill-afford that. There are several national sports-writers who deemed the Chargers success last year as a 'fluke' and that they were a one-year wonder. I tend to think the opposite and that the Chargers have the building blocks for a solid squad for years to come, but they will have to prove it on the field before more folks will believe that.

A key injury could be offensive lineman Fonoti, who broke his right hand. Fonoti, and the rest of the offensive line, got beat often last week against a blitz-happy cowboys defense...but Fonoti is a solid run-blocker and is often paving the path for Tomlinson. The team says Fonoti will start and is good to go, but playing with a broken hand has to be less than comfortable.

Denver's defense looked worse than the Chargers last week. With Antonio Gates returning, McCardell emerging as true #1 wide out, this all should mean Tomlinson should find room to run. I look for the Chargers offense to really control the tempo of the game. I also think Denver's offense is less than stellar. It could be a good confidence builder if the secondary and defensive line can perform, setting the tone for the rest of the season. I really think this is a good opportunity for the Chargers to play a solid game and come out with a victory. If the Chargers lose a close game, pending circumstances, may not be the end of their season. But if the Chargers get their asses handed to them and get a beat down, I will seriously question any chance of them being competitive this season.

Chargers 34 Denver 24

Blogger For Word Plugin

I said it once and I’ll say it again, Blogger.com continues to impress me with their new features. They now have a Microsoft Word plugin that allows a person to compose and publish their blog entries using Word. Now is that handy or what? It doesn't support images, yet, but looks to be pretty handy...