San Diego Chargers: The Time Bomb is Set.....

This article is being written for two purposes...to keep Charger fans from crying when the parade ends, and for the AFC West to realize it won't go on forever.

The Chargers, contrary to the beliefs of their fan base, won't last forever. By their own history, this has been a club that is known for four to six years of good times followed by a length of worthless seasons.

Our first example is the first couple seasons the Chargers were in existence. From 1960 to 1965, they were in the AFL Championship five times. They actually won their only title in 1963. However, the other four attempts ended badly, including a shutout in the title game in 1965.

And then, the first doldrum hit, they didn't make the playoffs until 1979...a 14-year drought.

For another short spell with Dan Fouts, they had playoff berths for four straight years. Each season however ended short of the Super Bowl. Then again, they vanished from postseason play until 1992.

Another short burst from 1992-1995 gained them their first Super Bowl appearance in 1994. Unfortunately...they also ran into a squad from California, the 49ers, who ripped into them.

And again they vanished until 2004.

Now, here we are again. It's coming up 2008. Will this be the last gasp from the Chargers before a slide, or the beginning of the end? Norv Turner, for his ahem, talent, is running into a situation that not a lot of people want. Fighting history.

For the AFC West, this does bode well, but it also shines some light on why the Chargers don't want to bring up history.

 For one, would you want to talk about the past, when you haven't won a title since 1963? That's only 44 years ago.

Good luck Norv. Welcome aboard the Titanic.