Bleacher Report - Articles by Ian Philip

Chargers: Norv Turner Has Been a Better Than Average Coach in San Diego

Ian Philip — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:54:15 -0500

After the Chargers totally blew that game against the Baltimore Ravens this season, I wrote the following:

Every year, I write articles about how big a moron Norv Turner is, and then have to retract my statements at the end of the year.

Not this time.

Now I find myself defending Norv to folks who really don't know what they hell they're talking about.

You constantly hear about how the Chargers handed Norv the keys to a 14-2 team and there was a fall off the next year because of Norv.

I may have even said the same thing myself, but it was a stupid statement.

Since 1999, only one team that finished 14-2 or better equaled that record the following year:

1999 Jacksonville Jaguars 14-2
2000 Jacksonville Jaguars 7-9

2001 St. Louis Rams 14-2
2002 St. Louis Rams 7-9

2003 New England Patriots 14-2
2004 New England Patriots 14-2
2005 New England Patriots 10-6

2004 Pittsburgh Steelers 15-1
2005 Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5

2005 Indianapolis Colts 14-2
2006 Indianapolis Colts 12-4

2006 San Diego Chargers 14-2
2007 San Diego Chargers 11-5

2007 New England Patriots 16-0
2008 New England Patriots 11-5

When the Chargers fell back to earth and went 11-5 the next season, it was no different than other teams who kept the same coach the next season.

The team still made it to the AFC Championship Game despite injuries to Nate Kaeding, Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shawne Merriman, Jamal Williams, and Antonio Gates.

I remember the Chargers blowing that 2006-2007 game against the New England Patriots and losing my mind.

We all know Marty had to go after that. Norv Turner has NEVER gone 'one and done' in the play-offs. Marty went one and done at home with both a 12-4 and 14-2 team.

Like it or not, Norv has won the AFC West two seasons in a row. People like to say that it's because the Denver Broncos keep choking, but the fact is Norv has not had a bad season yet in San Diego. The slow starts are just frustrating, but the fast finishes are excellent.

Despite the 8-8 finish, Norv did some amazing coaching in 2008. Anytime a team starts out 4-8, due to injuries, it's acceptable in other cities for the team to just hang it up and get 'em next year.

In San Diego, under the historic guidance of guys like Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison, it is not.

Norv Turner's even keel and belief in his system has been a steadying influence that has resulted in a team that puts it all together from about mid-season on.

When Norv was hired, that's what he guaranteed. The team would be playing its best football at the end of the season, and that is what has happened.

When you hear this nonsense about Norv's terrible reign has the Raiders head coach, keep one thing in mind. Who the hell has won in Oakland since Rich Gannon, Tyrone Wheatley, Jerry Rice, and Tim Brown got old in a hurry?

No one, so get that out of your mind.

Turner was with the Washington Redskins seven seasons. He had a winning record in four of those seven seasons.

If you throw out the first two years, which were CLEARLY rebuilding years, Norv only had one losing season in Washington. Even Bill Cowher had losing years with the Steelers.

When Norv got the steel toe boot in Washington in 2000, the team was 7-6. They finished 8-8. Norv was replaced by none other than the beloved Marty Schottenheimer, who was promptly fired in 2001 after a second straight 8-8 season which started off with a disastrous 30-3 pounding by the San Diego Chargers; whose offense was coached by Norv Turner.

Funny thing is, Marty then beat Norv out for the head coaching job in San Diego in 2002, but kept Norv's offense after Norv refused to stay on as offensive coordinator.

Then Norv replaced Marty as the head coach in San Diego in 2007.

Norv really only drives us insane because the Chargers' slow starts, but keep this in mind when you are throwing your fit along with myself:

2007 11-5: The team had to get used to the new coaching staff. The team started off a mediocre 5-5. Once the team came together, however, I'm sure we can agree that the 2007 Chargers where one of the best teams to come around in a while until injuries derailed what may have been a Super Bowl Championship season.

2008 8-8: The injuries from 2007 carried over to the start of the 2008 season. Coupled with a last second TD pass from Jake Delhomme of the Carolina Panthers and two ridiculously blown calls by Ed Hochuli, the Chargers had to claw their way out of an 0-2 start. Once again, the team rallied and took down the Colts in the playoffs.

2009 6-3: None of us has ever experienced the rash of injuries like we did in San Diego to start the season after the team finished the pre-season in great health. With injuries to Ryon Bingham, Tomlinson, Williams, Jacques Cesaire, Merriman, Phillips, and on and on, the Bolts once again stumbled out of the gates 2-3. They have proceeded to win four in a row for the sixth straight season and are back in the AFC West title hunt.

So remember, Norv hasn't let the Chargers flop yet. Would you rather the Bolts be 12-4 or 14-2 and lose the first playoff game every year or at least winning in the playoffs?

The Chargers just need some breaks to fall their way. The window is not closing on San Diego. Not at all.

Chargers-Broncos: Gruden "Back At The Hotel, I'll Be the Wild Horse Tonight"

Ian Philip — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:57:38 -0400

As I watched the Chargers receive a second straight prime-time smack down, there was one bright spot. I was at a buddy's house, who somehow was receiving the game commercial free.

I guess that's how those Iranian cats do it.

Instead of commercials, we were treated to Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski's banter during commercial breaks, and I've got to tell you, it was the most interesting game I've ever watched.

They were mostly chatting about game and telling the crew to get some stats together, but I knew they were going to say politically incorrect stuff eventually.

Any one remember Al Michaels's 'S' bomb on Monday Night Football a decade or so ago when he thought his mic was off?

Jaworski advised that the lights have been turned out on out Shawne Merriman's pass rushing ability.

However, nothing beats Jon Gruden's take on the Denver Broncos "Wild Horse" offensive attack.

"I'll show you a wild horse," cracked Gruden, "...back at the hotel. I'll be the wild horse tonight."

I fell out of my seat. After that, no amount of bungling from coach Norv Turner could ruin my night (you go for it on 4th-and-forever with six minutes left in the game? Idiot).

Thanks Jon.

Classic Dumb Statements About Young San Diego Chargers Players

Ian Philip — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:01:39 -0400

I love history. I was sitting back and thinking about some of the stupidest things I've read about about three of my all-time favorite Chargers: Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, and LaDainian Tomlinson.

Philip Rivers

Phil Simms, in the process of touting his son Chris Simms, explained that the Miami Dolphins would be foolish to trade for a loser like Rivers.

Simms isn't particularly impressed by Rivers' ability, either — even if the quarterback finished his career at N.C. State ranked second among passers in NCAA history. That's because Rivers is not particularly fast — he ran a 5.08 in the 40-yard dash before the draft — and he lacks a consistent deep ball.

"He's not the play-maker," said Simms, who suggested the Dolphins would be better off convincing Notre Dame junior quarterback Brady Quinn to enter the draft. "But the market for Philip Rivers will be driven up by hype, by people who say the Chargers' best quarterback is sitting on the bench. That's a very easy thing to say when there's no proof of it otherwise."

-Jeff Darlington, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer, Thursday, December 08, 2005

Mr. Simms, those words are among the stupidest ever said. When you argue that there is no proof that Rivers is any good. That was true.

You then state that he is not play-maker, but there is no proof of that either? That was desperate.

Would you rather have Rivers or both Brady Quinn and Chris Simms on your team?

LaDainian Tomlinson

Dave-Te' Thomas from www.footballsfuture.com thought that LaDainian Tomlinson reminded him of Philadelphia great running back Duce Staley.

Once he adjusts to running from a pro-set instead of a veer offense, watch him grow into a very effective back. Definitely starting material, but he has enough to only garner All-Pro consideration eventually, but this is no franchise back here, folks. His numbers are very impressive, but he's a product of the team's system. Too bad too many general managers are desperate for a running back, as he'll go higher than his stock dictates.

I guess Jim Brown (the clown) was right, LT must have made it into the right system in the NFL too.

Drew Brees

ESPN's Tom Jackson, who proclaimed Jay Cutler the best quarterback on the best team in the league at one point last season, once proclaimed that Drew Brees hadn't shown him anything that could convince him that Drew Brees had the talent to play in the NFL.

Excuse me, but that calls for an LOL.

That goes to show you that Mr. Jackson is nothing more than a high profile fan who never saw Drew Brees' first season as a starter.

Terrible.

Toothless Chargers Side Step The Miami Dolphins

Ian Philip — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:00:28 -0400

On Sunday, the San Diego Chargers Philip Rivers' 40 yard bombs turned the Miami Dolphins' "Wildcat Offense" into the "Fraidey Cat."

After Dolphin's quarterback Chad Pennington jammed his throwing shoulder in the second half, the Chargers were all but assured a win. Forced to pass in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins were exposed as a team that is no threat to pass - especially when Chad Pennington is not in the game.

In regards to the running game, the Chargers repeatedly let Miami off the hook with runs by Sproles up the middle.

Folks, those plays aren't going anywhere and everybody knows it.

The Chargers are lucky that the Dolphins' made the following mistakes:

Ronnie Brown and Chad Pennington bungled a snap at the Chargers' one yard line, and the Chargers fans gleefully watched the ball bounce (along with a Dolphins offensive lineman) out of the back of the end zone.
The Dolphins tried to get too cute by trying to throw on their second drive of the game; first of the second quarter, and promptly got stuffed. The Chargers defense was never going to stop the Wildcat rushing attack.
Will Allen made a couple of mental errors. The biggest bungle was the pass interference on Bolt wide receiver, Vincent Jackson, on third down. The penalty allowed San Diego to continue their drive that ended in a field goal and a ten point fourth quarter lead with backup quarterback Chad Henne in the game.
Later on in the same drive, Jason Taylor just missed snagging an interception that would have likely resulted in a touchdown. That was less a mistake, and more just missing a Hall of Fame caliber play from Taylor.
Henne's fourth quarter interception, which was returned by Eric Weddle for his first NFL touchdown.

Throughout the game, Norv Turner's play calling was atrocious. Predictably, the Chargers started their first drive with a run right up the middle for no gain.

This season, the red zone has been a nightmare for the Chargers, as they made it to the Dolphins 20 yard line five times, and just came away with one touchdown.

That's horrible.

Finally, Rivers finally took matters into his own hands and ran one in for a touchdown from the five yard line.

One thing's for sure, for next week's prime-time game in Pittsburgh, you can expect the Chargers to fill the air with football's.

Chargers-Ravens: Norv Makes the Dumbest Play Call in Sports History

Ian Philip — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:21:54 -0400

Thus far his team has featured (LaDainian) Tomlinson running wild and (Drew) Brees helping lead an offense that has a 91.3 percentage rate of scoring in the Red Zone -- no wonder Schottenheimer calls that the Gold Zone.

-Thomas George, New York Times, Nov. 3, 2002

Boy. One thing is obvious, and I've been saying this for three years now, San Diego Chargers Norv Turner needs to give up the offensive play calling. He is terrible.

Since the Chargers lost, we get to strip that Oakland Raider style lipstick from the pig, before she gets a chance to put it on.

I predicted that the Chargers would pass the Ravens' old and slow defense out of the stadium, which they did, but Norv Turner (and that horrible first half defense) keep inviting the Ravens back in.

Every year, I write articles about how big a moron Norv Turner is, and then have to retract my statements at the end of the year.

Not this time.

He was mentally over-matched by Ray Lewis and the Ravens' defense, because he out thought himself.

With this offense, the points could go through the roof if the play calling was better. When is Norv going to learn that you can move the ball less and still win with red-zone efficiency?

If not by now, never.

When Cameron was the offensive coordinator in San Diego, the Chargers may not have gained as many yards as some of the top offenses, yet they still scored more points, in part because they almost always came away with a touchdown in the red zone.

The other parts were not turning the ball over and winning the field position battle.

For all the negative talk about Martyball, the Gold Zone was one of this founding principles and one that Turner (with his huge ego) has neglected.

I've said it, and said it, and said it—one day Norv will be passed along the message—the red zone is the gold zone. The gold zone is where you win games.

When Norv Turner was the offensive coordinator of the Chargers, the Chargers moved the ball into the red zone more frequently than any other team in the league, other than the St. Louis Rams, but Norv's attack frequently bogged down in the red zone.

Just like today, and just like the last three seasons under Norv Turner.

When Cam Cameron took over, they evolved into an offense that generally led the league in Gold Zone efficiency and was a top-five scoring offense for three straight years.

Cameron's run ended when he left to be the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, but not before the Bolts led the league with 496 points. That figure would have been much higher had the Chargers not shut down the starters in several games.

This wasn't just because of Cameron, it was also because Marty Schottenheimer wouldn't accept either turnovers or lack of red/gold zone production—the two things that did the Chargers in today.

Norv Turner takes back over the offense in 2007, and what happens? Red zone success slowly declines, because the Chargers aren't emphasizing it in practice.

Guess who is? The Baltimore Ravens with Cam Cameron. Cameron gets it.

Had Turner's bruised ego not forced him to leave the Chargers when Marty got Chargers the job over him, he would have learned the importance of red zone efficiency from the Gold Zone Master.

To be fair, without LaDainian Tomlinson, the offense's red zone success has always plummeted, but nothing like we saw today.

Five red zone trips and no touchdowns? That is simply bad play calling on the part of the offensive play caller: Norv Turner. The Ravens aren't that good. One touchdown was all the Bolts needed to have a chance to win it at the end.

The Ravens' defense is solid, but Turner was trying things on third down that he should have been trying on first down.

That delay of the game at the end of the first half at the one inch line of the Ravens was atrocious, and the result of Norv Turner thinking too much.

Rivers should have been quarterback sneaking that ball as soon as the ball was in play. Instead, guys are in motion, trying too fool Ray Lewis who can't be fooled at this point in his career.

That run on 4th-and-2 to end the game? That was one of the worst calls I've seen in my entire history of watching sports.

That was a call than an 11 year old, whose coaching experience is limited to Madden 2010, would not have called.

Here is what Norv was mentally faced with:

Sproles has repeatedly shown that he is not an NFL caliber starting running back. He is an exciting and valuable role player, nothing more.
Michael Bennett was retained to replace Tomlinson if he should get injured, and is averaging 4.8 yards per carry to Sprole's 2.8.
Run blocking is more difficult than pass blocking and you've got two back-ups, playing out of position no less, in the middle of your offensive line.
The Ravens defense has had very little success stopping the pass even when they know it's coming.
Your best player is Philip Rivers.

With this in mind, Norv Turner calls a Sproles run into the teeth of the Ravens' defense. Like Junior Seau in the 2007 AFC Championship game, Ray Lewis is not fooled. He steam rolls Sproles as soon as he gets the ball.

Game Over.

That's what happens when you try to be the head coach and offensive coordinator at the same time. Does Norv want to be a head coach, or have his fun calling offensive plays?

This is not Madden. Give up the play calling Norv.

Forget about the injuries. I don't care who missed the game. Norv Turner's outlandish play calling was a travesty. A joke.

Rivers could have called the plays himself and thrown for 400 yards against this lead-footed defense.

I haven't seen play calling this bad since Cam Cameron called what seemed 50 straight run plays in the middle of the Ravens' defense in 2006.

With some red zone production, this offense could easily score over 500 points. With Norv Turner calling the plays, expect somewhere in the 400 range.

Turner has never, emphasized red zone efficiency and he never will. The guy just doesn't get it.

You can beat the Raiders five times in a row playing like that, but you can't beat the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Ravens that way.

I don't care what the Chargers do for the rest of the year-even winning the Super Bowl. The fool tag sticks on Norv this season.

When have you heard of the Super Bowl Champions having a coach that calls the offensive or defensive plays?

The Steelers, Patriots, Colts, and Giants' head coaches do just that. Head coach.

They don't call plays and distract themselves during the game only to make dumb calls like asking Sproles to do something outside of his skill set with the game on the line.

Quit being a fool. Give up the play calling, Norv.

NFL Picks: Week Two Seems Like There Will Be Some Obvious Winners

Ian Philip — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:28:53 -0400

Raiders fans will readily concur with the fact that I have officially become an idiot.

I am posting my picks for today's games and will undoubtedly be so blatantly wrong on some of these picks, it will prompt calls for my trips to work to be taken on the yellow bus for my own safety.

I figured it was only fair after I called out a couple of writers for being stupid (I was correct, by the way) that I put myself out there to be humiliated.

What the hell? This will be fun!

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

After getting smothered at home by the Jets, the Texans go on the road to get smothered by the Titans as well.

Expect: Tennessee's defense will hammer the Texans offensive attack and bring home the win. Easily.

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are one point underdogs at home to the Saints, but that's only because quarterback Donovan McNabb is out.

Expect: The leagues best quarterback, the Saints' Drew Brees, will continually step up in the pocket to evade the Eagles' futile pass rush, and do just enough to squeak past the Eagles... then run to the bus.

New England Patriots at New York Jets

Out of respect, the Patriots are 3.5 point favorites to roll into New York and continue their dominance against the Jets.

Expect: Two words come to mind when I think of the Patriots defense: a) Old b) Slow

That's probably wrong, because all those lead footed linebackers are out in New England.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan knows what to throw at Patriots QB Tom Brady to get him rattled. Unfortunately, Bill Belichick has mastered young QB's over the years. It seems obvious that Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez will struggle.

I'm still picking the Jets to upset the Patriots, but only because they may still be shaking off the rust.

Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers

Somebody's offense isn't as good as advertised based on last week's performance by both teams.

Expect: Green Bay to not live up to their lofty status as nine point favorites over the Bengals. It will be a close game, but Green Bay pulls out a close one at home.

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs

Oakland is somehow a three point underdog to the Chiefs and they aren't going to be happy about that.

Expect: Complete dominance by the Raiders on both sides of the ball. The Raiders offensive line has nothing to worry about from the Chiefs' pass rush and shutting down the Raiders run game could prove difficult.

Defensive linemen Richard Seymour and Greg Ellis will dominate the line of scrimmage.

Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars

In Arizona the Cardinals would likely mop up the Jaguars, but they are three point road underdogs this week.

Expect: The Jaguars roll over my hometown squad as they start the season 0-2 thanks to Maurice Jones-Drew.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

The Lions, who haven't won a game since I saw Aunt Bea, are huge 9.5 point underdogs in this division rivalry game.

Expect: The Lions to thunderously drop to 0-19.

That's incredible.

However, the Lions may prove me wrong. On about four of those six Drew Brees touchdown passes, the Lions almost got to Drew Brees. Their might not be another QB playing today that could have made those throws that Brees made.

Favre has NEVER been the passer Brees is right now, so Peterson better roll so Favre doesn't have to do too much.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons

Jake Delhomme's turnover fest should stop here with the Atlanta Falcons' awful cornerbacks on tap.

Expect: Matt Ryan will continue to roll, because of the threat of Michael Turner. The Falcons will cover the spread as six point favorites.

St. Louis Rams at Washington Redskins

When you're ten point underdogs to the Redskins, and deserve to be, you know it's bad. Somehow, I doubt the Redskins know they should win by at least ten.

Expect: The Washington Redskins will have to fight for a victory against the Rams, but they will pick up the win in the end. Barely.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills

The Bills are 4.5 point favorites at home, and the Bucs are in shambles right now. They should have given the ball to Josh Johnson and got the hell out of the way.

Expect: Byron Leftwich's slow wind up will mirror the Bucs' sloth-like movement towards the end-zone. The Bills easily knock off the Bucs at home.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

If Seattle captures home field advantage and East Coast teams have to fly to Seattle in the play-offs, they are done. You don't go into Seattle and beat this team. Oops, this game is in San Francisco.

Expect: No way the Seahawks go into San Francisco and stop this hard-nose football team this early in the season. The 49ers will start out 2-0 and take command of the NFC West. Seattle may take the division, though.

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

San Diego looks ripe for the picking, but teams flying in from the Northeast have been absolutely wiped-out by the Chargers in San Diego for the past five years with a couple of notable exceptions.

Expect: I'm not going to pick this one (I'm a Chargers fan), but both teams will have their hands full in this one. There won't be any East Coast crushing by the Chargers this week.

Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos

This is the toilet bowl.

Expect: Denver is going to come out on top and cover the three point spread. Cleveland can't get out of it's own way. Denver has shuttled in Ed Hochuli.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears

The Super Bowl Champion Steelers are coming into Chicago as three point favorites.

Expect: The spread is about right in my mind since I do not believe Jay Cutler is an elite/franchise quarterback due his lack of leadership skills. The Bears should win, but the Steelers will be too tough, Cutler bungles in the fourth quarter, and the champs win by a few points.

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys are opening up that new 100,000 seat mega stadium and the Giants will feel the thunder.

Expect: The Cowboys to feel the thunder as Giants run the ball well, only to lose to the 'Boys by more than the three point spread. Romo made some amazing throws against the Bucs, it won't stop their.

Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins

The Baltimore Ravens are still wearing the Dolphins' glass slipper from a year ago.

Expect: The Colts may still be sluggish, but they should make it past the Dolphins with no problem. The Wildcat won't work against Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

Ravens-Chargers: East Coast Teams Fall Flat In San Diego

Ian Philip — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:13:07 -0400

Baltimore Ravens fans, writers, players, and cronies all believe that the Ravens "should" go into to San Diego and beat the Chargers.

Are you serious?

I know that the Chargers struggled to beat Oakland (whose defense is much better than you think), but seriously, why does no one look at history?

Teams that fly from the Northeastern part of the United States have very little success in San Diego in recent years.

2008

Chargers 30, New England Patriots (No Tom Brady) 10

Chargers 48, New York Jets 29

2007

Chargers 32, Baltimore Ravens 14

2006

Chargers 23, Pittsburgh Steelers 13

The Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers were the last Northeastern team to win in San Diego, which happened in 2005 on a last second field goal.

In the same season however, the Buffalo Bills were drilled 48-10 by the Chargers, while the New York Giants were engulfed 45-23.

Chargers blowouts of East Coast teams caused the NFL to change the rules to protect the East Coast teams from having to travel the the West Coast too often. Not surprisingly, the NFL made no such concession for West Coast teams.

Make no mistake. Had San Diego not embarrassed the New York Jets and New England Patriots (and those teams didn't even compete) on national television last season, there would have been no rule change.

The Ravens, playing at home, against a backup quarterback in a new offensive system (with no offensive coordinator-he was fired) barely won their battle with the Chiefs.

Somehow, the score in that game was 24-24 with less than five minutes to play.

Flacco, up against the worst pass rushing team in NFL history, led the Ravens to the go ahead touchdown via the air. Meanwhile, Chiefs backup quarterback Brodie Croyle fumbled inside his own 20 to hand Baltimore another garbage touchdown to seal the game.

Folks, that is what you call lipstick on a pig.

You're supposed to dominate an inferior team at home. You should find a way to beat an equal team at home, and you should give a superior team a good battle and maybe even win if they come to your house.

Don't get swept away in a wave of euphoria just yet. Look at the history of the 2006 Chargers. They were a team we know was good, but got beat by two road opponents that had no business beating them.

The Chargers had beaten the dreadful Oakland Raiders and terrible Tennessee Titans a combined 67-7 and then traveled to playoff-bound Baltimore and got beat at the buzzer 16-13 after completely dominating on the stat sheet.

After running roughshod over the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers a combined 72-32, they were once again beaten at the last second by a playoff bound team. The Kansas City Chiefs won in Kansas City 30-27.

You can't expect to go into a good team's house and roll or you may be rolled yourself.

It's for good reason that the odds-makers weren't stupid enough to make Baltimore the favorites in this one folks.

San Diego Chargers-Oakland Raiders: Emotions Dominated, Not the Raiders

Ian Philip — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:59:31 -0400

You're the typical myopic douche Charger fan. It was a good game, the Raiders clearly dominated most of the game and gave it away on stupid plays. Chargers played a smarter fourth quarter...but to say they dominated or to say it was the same as last year is just about as dumb as saying LT is still the best back in the league.

-Barnavicious X

Wow. Have you ever heard a big, tough Raider fan call someone a douche? You can skip ahead to 3:40 of the video for my lighthearted response to that.

Right away, you’ll see that Barney is putting words in my mouth, because this is what he is responding to:

The Raiders only dominated the first quarter and then couldn't get it going after that. The Raiders had about 2/3 of their rushing yards in the first quarter.

San Diego evenly played (if not outplayed) the Raiders for the last three quarters - they certainly outscored the Raiders. 24-13...

The Oakland Raiders dominated one and a half quarters of play. No more.

The San Diego Chargers did not dominate the Raiders, nor did I say they did.

However, some people got caught up in the Raiders wave of emotion (Steve Young anybody?) and could not see that the Chargers were clearly out of their funk from the middle of the second quarter on.

I can not sit here and just bash Raider fans, because some Charger fans are guilty of getting too emotional (Nick Canepa anyone?) about the first quarter and a half as well.

Allow me to give you the history which led to my belief that the Chargers would likely win the game from about the middle of the second quarter on.

Back in 1998 and 1999, the only thing holding the Raiders back from the AFC West title was the kicking game.

The Raiders drafted kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round and I applauded the pick. Then they drafted punter Shane Lechler in the fifth round, I said, "oh, these guys are serious."

That is because Oakland was about to complete a team that would consistently win the field position battle and stop missing easy field goals to lose close games.

What was the result?

Oakland won the AFC West in 2000, 2001, and 2002, while ranking higher in points scored than yards gained two out of three of those seasons. The Raiders also finished in the top five in scoring all three years. This was a feat that had not been accomplished by the Raiders since 1983, and hasn’t been accomplished by them since.

The effectiveness of the great Raiders offense and aggressive defense was compounded by the fact that they usually would win the field position battle with Lechler and would usually capitalize on scoring opportunities with Janikowski.

The only thing derailing their dominance was the fact that they built their team with veterans who got old in a hurry.

A few years later the Chargers did the exact same thing by drafting kicker Nate Kaeding in the third round and stealing punter Mike Scifres in the fifth round.

The Chargers have since finished as a top five scoring team from 2004 through 2009 while winning the AFC West four times. The Chargers only ranked higher than tenth in yards gained once, easily leading the league in scoring in 2006.

Last season, the Chargers finished eleventh in yards gained, but second in points scored.

During the Bolts’ five year run of AFC West dominance they’ve scored 27.5 points per game, not by running up 400 yards of offense per game, but by playing on the other guy’s side of the field.

That the Chargers usually win, or at least don’t lose, the turnover battle doesn’t hurt their quest for field position dominance either.

In a nutshell, go back and look at the last six Charger/Colt match ups–of which the Chargers have won four. The Colts have a huge edge in yards gained, but have repeatedly lost the field position battle.

The history lesson is over.

By the middle of the second quarter, Oakland was no longer winning the field position battle. Their dominant running game was no longer getting anywhere near 8 yards per carry.

As soon as Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell started throwing the ball the Chargers picked it off, so the Raiders running game was their key to victory.

Oakland lost the keys at some point during the second quarter.

While Barnavicious X was on his 12th beer, listening to every other word out of Steve Young’s mouth and believing it; those in the know were watching the Raiders go 3-and-out three times in a row, thoroughly losing the field position battle in the process.

I don’t know that that Raiders crossed the 50 yard line more than two times through the entire second half, but the emotional inspiration of the Raiders defensive line kept the Raider Nation blinded by the ecstasy of seeing “the great” Philip Rivers rendered mostly ineffective through three quarters–same as last season.

Lipstick was promptly applied to the pig when Russell’s desperation heave on 4th-and-14 came from 57 yards away–on Oakland’s side of the field. That was an inspirational moment that may still lead to a magical season, but not at the Chargers’ expense.

JT the Brick always used the words “passion and energy” to describe the Raider Nation. That is true.

Friends it was obvious that the Raiders defense and the Raider Nation were emotionally dominant throughout the game. Fundamentally, however, the Chargers had the Raiders on their heels from the second quarter on and the “Nation” didn’t even realize it until there were just 18 seconds left in the game.

Oakland Raiders: A Look At Near-Victories Over The Chargers

Ian Philip — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:37:58 -0400

The web is all a buzz with talk about the near win against the San Diego Chargers, but history shows us that the Raiders have nearly beaten the Chargers in three of the last four playoff seasons - and AFC West Championship seasons - the Chargers' have had. It appears that the Raiders are turning the corner. On the other hand, we've seen this before.

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Chargers-Raiders: Another Classic Rivalry Game

Ian Philip — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:23:02 -0400

Maybe these aren't your big brothers' Raiders anymore.

I have said the Raiders aren't hard hitting enough—they repeatedly smacked the Chargers.

It took a while, but the Chargers finally hit back in the fourth quarter as they so often do against hard hitting teams (for example, the Tennessee Titans).

I loved the downhill running of Darren McFadden and the tough guy attitude of Michael Bush.

I loved the poise of JaMarcus Russell in the 4th quarter. I love that the Raiders are going to hit people in the mouth this year.

I loved the audacity of that 4th down touchdown pass by Russell.

It's a whole lot more fun that way.

Did anyone happen to get a glance at Legadu Naanee out there?

He is as good as advertised. Sheesh! The guy catches everything. Naanee, simply put, was amazing on the Chargers game winning touchdown drive with a couple of key catches.

There wasn't much LaDainian Tomlinson out there, but he did a pretty good job when he was called upon. I'm not sure if he was hurt or the game just called for more Darren Sproles who was a lethal (plus kickoff and punt muffing) weapon out there.

The Raiders haven't still haven't won the turnover battle against the Chargers in at least six years and lose again, but they handled themselves quite well on the big stage tonight.

Then again, the Raiders beat up on the Chargers in Oakland last year too.

San Diego Chargers: Against Questionable Defense or Not, Norv Turner Finally Has All the Answers

Ian Philip — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:32:06 -0400

Repeatedly, you read that writers just don’t trust Norv Turner to lead men. Turner can not possibly get the best out of his Chargers. You read that Turner’s Chargers have lost three more games than the previous season two years in a row, so they are destined to have a 5–11 season – but will still win the weak AFC West. Coach Turner repeatedly preached one thing, and that is the Chargers offense could always run a bad defense off the field, but would be stymied against a great defense in big games. He declared that he’d get this offense to the point that they’d score points against the great defenses. I believe this mission will be accomplished this year. Whatever a defense wants to bring, Norv has the answers. The Chargers can beat your pressure with screens and quick passes. They have overwhelming options in the red zone from Gates to Tomlinson to Malcom Floyd. They can beat you deep with Chris Chambers, Floyd, or Vincent Jackson. They can beat you to the corner in the run game with Darren Sproles. They can run it right at you at the end of the game with Tomlinson. Along with the Saints and Patriots, the Chargers offense is far too dangerous for most defenses to contain.

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Your Honor, Her Name Is Tila Tequila. The Defense Rests

Ian Philip — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:33:41 -0400

"Your Honor. Her name is Tila Tequila. The defense rests."

-Shanipedia

As disgusted as I was with the whole Shawne Merriman vs Tila Tequila situation, I think it's the funniest thing in the world now.

Tila Tequila has started a Chargers Suck movement on tweeter that's gaining steam.

A woman scorned, huh? Tequila has shown herself to be quite obsessed with attention. She, not Merriman, has been caught lying.

While Ms. Tequila was tweeting about being allergic to alcohol, Fox News was playing clips showing her taking a drink, eye witnesses at Merriman's house and the club were proclaiming to have seen her drinking, and even the cops accused her of drinking.

Any team in the NFL would love to have such a movement against them. When Norv claims "it's us against them," he can pull of Twitter and get the team a little worked up.

Tequila went from potentially being the Chargers own personal Jessica Simpson (well Jessica is 'B' list and Tila is 'D' list), to now leading a crusade of thousands against the Chargers. The ditsy young lady doesn't understand that a coach would pay to have this type of motivational tool at his disposal.

Check out some of her tweets!

officialTila See U on Monday Oakland Raiders! Cuz you KNOW my ass will B there....front row...CHEERING ON THE RAIDERS! POW! See ya bitches! #ChargersSuck

officialTila Oh yes. I WILL BE AT THE OAKLAND RAIDERS GAME ON MONDAY CHEERING FOR MY RAIDER NATION!!!!! SEE YOU THERE! PEACE!

officialTila Hey everyone..looks like @ShawneMerriman is sleeping while the #ChargersSuck stays on trends! Yall better go tell him 2 wake his ass up! LOL

officialTila OOOPS! CORRECTION! @ShawneMerriman cuz #ChargersSuck just moved up to 4th place in trending topics! LMFAO! U guys about to be #1 trend! LOLL

officialTila Hey @ShawneMerriman I wish you the best this season cuz #ChargersSuck is 5th Place on Trending Topics...Coach can't be happy about this!

No. Coach is going to be thrilled about this, because it gives him a motivational topic. An area where he can use all the help he can get.

Raiders fans shouldn't be too excited, Tequila was just at a game cheering for the Chargers last week!

If the Chargers look up in the stands and see Tila Tequila wearing an Oakland Raiders jersey next Monday night, expect an extra charge in the Chargers step.

Chargers' Shawne Merriman Arrested for Falsely Imprisoning Tila Tequila

Ian Philip — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:21:54 -0400

Break out the “steroid-induced rage” jokes. San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested for allegedly choking and then “trying” to restrain girlfriend Tila Tequila at his home early Sunday morning, according to KNSD-TV.

Come on.

The 6’5” Merriman choked and then “tried” to restrain Tequila, but the 4’11”, 98-pound reality TV star/rapper dug in her size-five heels and held off the rampaging Chargers linebacker long enough to call 9-1-1 and have Merriman arrested?

Please.

One Merriman meat hook would snap her neck like a twig. There is no way this guy choked and then “tried” to restrain Tequila. That’s the exaggeration of the century.

If most NFL running backs can’t evade Merriman, then I find it tough to believe that Tila Tequila evaded him.

This inconveniently timed fiasco makes you wonder if A.J. Smith’s concerns over Merriman’s decision-making have been valid all along. It also makes you wonder if Tequila is trying to boost her popularity at the expense of a befuddled but nationally known Merriman.

In any case, Shawne Merriman, you've got to make better decisions.

If Owens Says They're Wrong, The San Diego Chargers Have Got To Be Right

Ian Philip — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:09:49 -0400

Terrell was simply voicing his opinion, so I don't blame the man for his thoughts. However, if Owens thinks that the Chargers fining Antonio Cromartie for popping off on Twitter is wrong, the Bolts have got to be right.

"I think it's ridiculous," Owens told reporters on Friday.

"You know you're going to get my honest opinion about it, and for someone to get fined $2,500 dollars because he tweeted that the cafeteria food is bad, then maybe they need to change it, you know?

"I mean, that's just his opinion, and I feel him. I think across the board with a lot of teams we've been in camp situation and the food always kind of starts off good and tapers off somewhere along the way, so what's wrong with that? Voicing your opinion is no different than saying practice is too hard."

Voicing your opinion? Practice is too hard? That is why a guy like Owens doesn't fit into a winning organization like the Chargers very long before being run out of town on a rail.

The Chargers thrive off of high character guys like Quentin Jammer, Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, and, yes, Shawne Merriman.

The man who gave up eighteen catches to Brandon Marshall and then tried to blame Marge the Lunch Lady for it needs to shut up and play.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribue:

After perceiving that cornerback Antonio Cromartie had dogged it on a play, Merriman yelled at the cornerback. When Cromartie yelled back, according to sources, Merriman shot back at Cromartie that he wanted to win a Super Bowl and Cromartie better get on board.

Only days before Cromartie was slapped with a $2,500 fine for claiming that the "nasty" cafeteria food may be the reason the Chargers haven't made it to the Super Bowl (as opposed to his lousy pass defense against the Steelers, Broncos, Colts, Panthers, Falcons, and so on) John from boltfromtheblue.com had this to say:

HOLD ON. I need to interject here. Somebody needs to tell Antonio that he's costing himself money with his Twitter account. Right now he's posting non-stop about Mike Vick, and he's siding with the guy! Let the man prove that prison has changed him before you proclaim him a new man. Before this Vick mess, Cro has used his Twitter account to fight ("@weavons3 man who the fuck are you nigga that's my girl nigga don't ever disrespect me."), show off his diet of greasy food (Popeye's, Roscoe's, Cheesecake Factory), admitted to some criminal activity from his high school days (put sugar in a teacher's gas tank, robbed 3 people, threatened a teacher, maybe sold drugs) and admitted to getting into FSU without ever taking a foreign language. Slow down Cro! Although....I do like that he's coming to camp with a mohawk.

When you add this to the fact that the man has seven kids in five states(!) and he has the blessing of one of the most divisive personalities in NFL history, the Bolts were definitely right to hand down a fine for criticizing the team.

Could you see Shawne Merriman, LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, the departed Drew Brees, or Quentin Jammer behaving in this manner?

The man is out of control and if the fine helps him grow up a little (highly doubtful), he is paying the team for a service. Owens may never understand putting the team first, but that is what the Bolts are all about.

Honestly though, this is nothing that 14 interceptions or so can't fix.

San Diego Bashing From The Hater Nation Part I

Ian Philip — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 13:19:25 -0400

The Bleacher Report has been bombarded with some pretty funny comments from Raider fans bashing the San Diego Chargers.

Please enjoy this "comedy" with me as it is hard for an ant to hurt a war horse (which is what a Charger is).

SlayerNation - There's nothing I can say to make this guy look worse than his own words.

XD did you say successful? XD

you have to be kidding me what's so successful about the San Diego Chokers last time I checked, in order for you to be successful you need to have accomplished something what have the chokers accomplished lately other then winning in the weakest division I mean that says a lot but that’s all going to change this season “There Be A Change In The Winds Come Next Season , Arrrrg A Autumn Wind!”

and uh, chargers suck........RAIDERS AFC WEST CHAMPS 2009!!!

Ramone Brown - Mr. Brown seems to live in his own world.

"Rivers a class act" thats funny just because someone is a productive QB does not mean they are a class act. Examples John Elway, Rich Gannon Jay Cutler all productive QBs but none were class acts they were all (explicitive).

Greg Peterson - How sweet and innocent this guy is.

I'll be disappointed if we're less than 3-1 vs. Broncos and Chiefs this year as well as 1-1 vs. Chargers.

Raider Card Addict - The poster boy for glorifying the past. Is that a Michael Jackson jacket I see in your closet?

You say the Chargers have built a culture of winning. Don't you think San Diego did that in the early 80s? Yep, and won as many super bowls, too. How about the early 90's? Yep, they managed to make it to their first ever Super Bowl...they got reamed by the 49ers. Now, along comes another Charger club, who is playing on borrowed time.

Brent - You can't blame Brent for having his coal colored glasses on!

I do like to torture Norv since he was probably the worst Raiders coach outside Bugel or Callahan, and I think SD has peaked.

Coach Elkins - Coach actually takes a realistic view of things I've noticed even though I did heckle him a little bit in my "Anger Reigns" article. He gets after Brent from above a little bit.

The Raiders are installing a culture of winning....LOL

Brent....25 wins in six seasons would be acceptable if this was high school where they only play 10 games a season...but this is the NFL.....and if you haven't noticed...each year we are picking in the top 10 in the draft...which means that "WE" suck....

End of Story

J Lofty - The only thing missing from this post is a grammar check and an ARRRGH at the end.

SD is a sinking ship. Should run aground in 2009. Players we be fleeing in January/February like the rats they are. Good weather only gets one so far.

Glenn Franco Simmons - 49er fan chimes in.

I was born in the East Bay, my brother was born in Children's Hospital (that's in Oakland for you non-yokels), and even though I moved away for four decades, I'm back, and yes, I know who dominated what.

That's why I am so happy the Raiders are now the Raiderettes and your team has sucked for most of the years since your last victory in the Super Bowl.

The Chargers have kicked your (romps) in almost every game since when, 2003? You've won how many against the Chargers since then?

OUCH

Cryin' Brien Dixon - Wrote one of the most transparent articles since Ramone Brown's "San Diego Chargers: Scum of the NFL"

AFC West Foes Will Always Be Beneath the Oakland Raiders

Ramone Brown - Ramone needs to be put on suicide watch whether the Chargers continue to sweep the Raiders or not. On one hand, if the Raiders win, he'll feel his life is complete. On the other hand, if the Raiders lose, his whole world could come tumbling down.

The San Diego Chargers are quite possibly the biggest scum-bags in the NFL, from the Spanos family who owns the team to the GM all the way to the guys on the field and maybe even some of the fans in the stands.

In Conclusion

Obviously, this is not a fair representation of the passionate Raider Nation, but I have been laughing quite a great deal at a few of these gentlemen who are so bitter that they feel the need to attack the San Diego Chargers and their fans on a regular basis.

The only thing that these attacks accomplish is making a complete fool out of the person who made the comment. The Chargers have continually beaten the Raiders fair and square for over half a decade.

The Raider Nation will rise again one day and they AFC West will once again roll its eyes, but for now...

In the immortal words of Bills linebacker Darryl Talley, take your ass whoppin' like a man.

New York Signs a 'Giant' Replacement for Plaxico Burress (Satire)

Ian Philip — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:56:04 -0400

Just days after failing to lure the Sears Tower from Chicago to replace troubled 9'6" wide receiver Plaxico Burress, the Giants scored big by signing the Empire State Building to snag Eli Manning's blimp-like passes.

The Sears Tower scoffed at NFL Network analyst Adam Schefter's claim that he wasn't ready for the bright lights of the city that never sleeps.

"That pompous ass Schefter doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm from Chicago, player. My stats man...Even I can't get up high enough to get those wounded ducks Manning chucks. Who do I look like, Plaxico Burress?"

The Empire State Building wasted no time letting anybody with in ear shot know that he is up for the challenge.

"Yo God, I'm the big man up here in New York. I can go up and get it. (You) know what I mean? Catching Eli's ducks will be a whole lot easier than catching all those little ass pigeons."

Building took a parting shot at the Sears Tower.

"It's like my man the late great Biggie Smalls said. The city didn't need that Tower anyway. When the game's on the line, he'll drop passes unexpectedly like bird ( expletive)."

Building went on to say he's been waiting for this chance ever since watching David Tyree struggle to bring down Eli's perfectly thrown fourth quarter pass on 3rd and 5 against the New England Patriots in the 2007 Super Bowl.

"You kidding me?" Building exclaimed, "The ball was only 12 feet high! My son could have gone up and got that one."

Former Giants GM Ernie Acorsi explained that putting thousands of employees out of work and hundreds of companies out of business was necessary if "Big Blue" is to win another championship with Eli Manning at the helm.

"It's like I said before, Eli is better than Philip Rivers, Osi Umenyiora is better than Shawne Merriman, and now the Empire State Building will be better than Antonio Gates ever was. Empire has the talent to go up thousands of feet to grab those helium fueled bombs that Eli lofts, if need be. The league is not ready. I for one am proud of (current Giants GM) Floyd Reese for making the tough decision."

Oakland Raider Al Davis has taken note, trying to sign the Golden Gate Bridge to stretch the field vertically in a whole different way. Bridge, however, was not interested in the "mad house" that is the Raiders until "Crazy Al" is no longer running the once-proud franchise.

To accommodate Building's extraordinary height, Roger Goodell has declared that all dome teams on the Giants' schedule must now play any scheduled home games against Big Blue at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, angering the entire city of New Orleans.

The Saints were scheduled to host the Giants on October 8.

"Sacré bleu!" yelled New Orleans Saints fan Pierre LaFleur, "First he gives the Giants our home game after Katrina, then he ships the team off to London to play the Chargers, now he's stolen another one from us!"

The Minnesota Vikings, who also lost a home game with the Building signing, relish the chance for a ninth city to experience the coming of the profit Adrian "Purple Jesus" Peterson. Long-time Minnesota resident Cheryl Booker was particularly excited.

"Those fine folks in New York are very blessed to have an opportunity to see Purple Jesus live. Seeing his revival on the television isn't the same, don't cha know?"

AFC West Runners

Ian Philip — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:39:51 -0400

The AFC West was down and out last year, but the running backs still made their mark. There are quite a few notable runners in the West and defenses will be tasked with keeping these horses in the stable. There are veterans like LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, and Justin Fargas. There are young guns like Knowshon Moreno, Darren Sproles, and Darren McFadden. The great running, combined with the revitalized defense should make the AFC West a great division again within the next couple of seasons.

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Anger Reigns as Another Sweep Possibly Looms for the Oakland Raiders

Ian Philip — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:09:02 -0400

Despite all the sorrow and angst, the Raiders could go another six years without a victory over the Chargers and the all-time series would only be at .500. One wonders why this has ever been called a rivalry.

The Chargers have little to show for their recent domination over the Raiders. Each year the pundits pick the powder blue to represent the AFC in the big game and each year they find a new way to disappoint their front running fan base. -Chris Shellcroft

Ouch! It took long enough, but Raider fans really seem to be sick of losing to the Bolts and are staring a possible continuation of sweeps after being swept five seasons in a row—and they needed overtime to avoid a sweep the year before that!

There is even an unanswered "wiki question" asking "When was the last time the Raiders beat the Chargers?"

I've read an article or two about how the Raiders can beat the Chargers. One guy even attempted to arm the Raiders coaching staff with knowledge on how to overcome the Bolts.

Apparently, it's as simple as sticking two tight ends out there and running the ball on every down. Actually, I enjoyed this article, but it was a case of "easier said than done."

If Oakland is smart, they will turn this game into a slugfest. The Raiders have to keep the game close to have a prayer. Once San Diego gets a lead, they usually step on the gas and turn you out. -Coach Elkins

The big problem with that theory is that San Diego won back to back slugfests with the Tennessee Titans and knocked the Titans out in the 15th round both times. They've engaged the Steelers, Colts, and Patriots in multiple street fights.

In those steel cage death matches, he who made the least mistakes won the game and that's where the Raiders play the role of jobber. Shockingly, the Raiders haven't won the turnover battle against the Chargers since December 8, 2002!

I don't care what strategy you use, if the Indianapolis Colts can't beat the Chargers when they lose the turnover battle, the Raiders probably can't beat the Chargers without actually winning the turnover battle.

Going negative sixteen in the turnover battle over the last five years is the primary reason for the Raiders futility against the Bolts.

Marty Schottenheimer stressed two things when he was the head coach of the Chargers. DO NOT turn the ball over and score touchdowns rather than field goals in your opponents red zone.

If the Raiders want to ever compete with the current Chargers squad, they'll have to find a way to make the Chargers beat themselves. That will be a monumental task with the way the Raiders are currently drafting.

Speed guys? How much faster than the 4.3 running Antonio Cromartie can any guy they draft be? Can a 5'9" corner running 4.25 forty seriously out-leap or out-muscle 6'5" 240lbs Vincent Jackson (who runs a 4.4)? Can your speed rusher get by two time Pro Bowl LT Marcus McNeil consistently to rush Philip Rivers into a mistake?

Where are the tough S.O.B.s that the Raiders need to deal with linebackers Stephen Cooper, Shawne Merriman, and Shaun Phillips (and now Larry English). Can anyone frustrate LaDainian Tomlinson, push around Antonio Gates, or single block Jamal Williams?

They don't need more speed, they need more toughness - or better yet both if possible.

Do you really think a two tight end scheme is going to give you that? Ask Larry Holmes if "strategy" worked against a young lion-like Mike Tyson. What Holmes needed was Tyson to either paint his chin red and stick it out while wearing a blindfold or step in a bear trap.

Top Six AFC Powers

Ian Philip — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:23:34 -0400

In the AFC, the top teams have been fairly clear over the years. The order is not important, because these teams don't play the same schedule, location, or times. They won't have the same bye, won't play in the same weather conditions, and in some cases, won't play each other. The other teams in the AFC aren't just sitting around, however. A bad team will get good breaks or vice versa like the Patriots. A player may breakout and suddenly become a legit All-Pro and carry his team to the Championship like James Harrison or Kurt Warner.

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Keep Hope Alive AFC West, but the Chargers Aren't Going Anywhere

Ian Philip — Sun, 31 May 2009 15:06:10 -0400

Or is that keep dreaming?

Based on some of the reasoning I am seeing online, the Oakland Raiders will win the division, because of the gloom and doom that shall befall the San Diego Chargers.

When people are saying that LaDainian Tomlinson (LT) has "clearly lost a step," they are not taking into account the injuries that he was playing with. Tomlinson was healthy for about three games last season and looked great. In those games, he averaged 19 carries for 94 yards, which is an average of 4.94 YPC and over 100 YPG of total offense.

It's important to remember that the Chargers, and probably every other running team, gain more yards per carry as the game goes on. During the 2006 season, LaDainian Tomlinson averaged about 3.6 YPC for carries 1-10, but averaged 7.6 YPC for carries 21 plus! With injuries and bad defensive play, LaDainian Tomlinson didn't get a chance to run the ball 25-30 times a game.

It did not help that the run blocking of the offensive line has steadily deteriorated over the last two seasons. Too bad for the AFC West that San Diego has addressed that problem with the addition of former Atlanta Falcon Kynan Forney to replace Mike Goff.

Some fans feel like the Chargers will try to use Darren Sproles to replace LT, but that is not the case. The Chargers know that Sproles is not a season long answer for LT, but they also know that he may be the best screen runner in all of football, and they intend to use him as a weapon against the AFC West and everybody else.

Unlike a lot of teams, the Chargers know the value of special teams play. Especially after they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs last season due in very large part to not so special teams play. Having returner Darren Sproles, gunner Kassim Osgood, kicker Nate Kaeding, and punter Mike Scifries puts San Diego one step closer to a win right off the bat.

When those guys win the special teams battle, it will be very difficult for any team to beat the Chargers.

The Chargers' points scored and offensive yardage ranking generally don't match, because they win the hidden yardage game. The Chargers were number two in points scored last season, but ranked number eleven in total offense.

Take the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts always seem to at least be even with the Chargers when you simply look at offense and defense talent, but have a clear disadvantage on special teams. When the Colts play the Chargers, they are usually forced to drive a lot further for points which means they usually lose—and are full of excuses.

It also means that teams with lesser offenses usually lose to the Chargers as well, because they don't have a Tom Brady.

I am repeatedly seeing head coach Norv Turner bashed on the Internet, and when I look at articles other than the ones I have been writing, those guys are not too thrilled with Turner either.

Turner had no business trying to improve San Diego's offensive philosophy (the Chargers have changed back to a run first team), but he was brought in to develop Philip Rivers into a championship caliber passer and win in the playoffs.

Can there be any doubt that he's doing his job?

The offense has done exactly what Norv Turner said he wanted it to be able to do. Move the ball against good defenses in big games. Bad luck has struck San Diego down in the playoffs, rather than superior opponents.

Eventually, teams will have to face a completely healthy Chargers team in the playoffs and then we'll see how good of a big game coach Norv Turner really is.

Defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell was just as bad as 2003 defensive coordinator Dale Lindsey. Just as Lindsey's bad coaching was covered up by Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison, and then exposed when they left the following season; Ted Cottrell's horrendous play calling was covered up by the ferocious pass rushing of Shawne Merriman and then exposed when he was injured last season.

Replacing Cottrell, new defensive coordinator Ron Rivera will have his chance to turn Chargers defense back into the formidable force it was a couple of years ago.

In defense of Cottrell, with a healthy Merriman on the field it was nearly impossible for teams to successfully pass the ball on the Chargers.

There has been speculation that the window has closed on the Chargers. No. While stars LaDainian Tomlinson, Stephen Cooper, and Quentin Jammer are all going to be 30 years old when the season starts, the other stars on the team are all 25 - 28 years old.

It should not be assumed that there will be mass exodus of players like Philip Rivers, Vincent Jackson, and Shawne Merriman when their contracts are up. While they can't Franchise Tag everybody, the Chargers are a well run organization and players generally do not want to skip town.

28-year old Kris Dielman couldn't even bring himself to take an extra few million to sign with the Seattle Seahawks and leave the Chargers.

As long as Rivers is on the team, the team has a chance at the Super Bowl if the rest of the team is at least solid. The window is not closing anytime soon.

Fans of other AFC West teams feel that their teams have made significant strides to take over the division from the Chargers. After all the Chargers went 8-8 last season. However, the Chargers have gone 5-1 against the AFC West three out of the last four seasons. With all the injuries the Bolts sustained, going 1-5 against the Chargers is not a good sign for the AFC West.

Most good teams have a down season due to injury, luck, age or other reasons—like the 2007 Ravens—but the AFC West was so bad, they couldn't even kick the Chargers when they were down.

However!

I have to believe, like with the Chargers, a simple philosophy change could result in a sudden and permanent turn around for at least one of the other AFC West teams.

In 2004, the Bolts made significant personnel changes. The Bolts hit at least 10 home runs on players like free agent Steve Foley, draft pick Shane Olivea, or left tackle Roman Oben who was traded to the Chargers from Tampa Bay. The Chargers suddenly became one of the most talented teams in the league.

The Chargers also switched from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense. The offense switched from a run first team to a no huddle, pass first team after Marty Schottenheimer realized the Chargers two minute offense seemed to be completely unstoppable at the end of games.

After starting 1-2, the offensive change surprised the Titans and Jaguars, which resulted in blowout wins and victories in 10 out of the next 11 games.

Norv Turner is likely to change San Diego back into a pass first team in 2009. Trouble is brewing for the AFC West, with that change in conjunction with the return of Shawne Merriman.

I believe that either the Chiefs or the Raiders may be that mismanaged team in the AFC West. I am not sure what to expect from the Broncos, but I know they have tremendous talent on offense.

In any case, don't expect the Chargers to collapse due to injuries and horrendous defensive play calling again this season. If the AFC West wants to dethrone the Chargers after three seasons on top, they will have to earn it on the field.

James Harrison: I Got Better Things To Do, Obama, You Front-Runner!

Ian Philip — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:52:05 -0400

Well, well, well, NFL Defensive MDP (most dumbest player) James Harrison has taken his stand and will not be visiting the President of the United States with the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

This has to be the single stupidest dumb jock line of the year:

"This is how I feel; if you want to see the Pittsburgh Steelers, invite us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, he [President Barack Obama] would've invited Arizona [to the White House] if they had won." - James Harrison, Pittsburgh Steelers

How about this:

"This is how I feel; if you want to give the Pittsburgh Steelers the Lombardi Trophy, give it to us when we don't win the Super Bowl. As far as I'm concerned, they [the NFL] would have presented Arizona with the Lombardi Trophy if they had won."

What an idiot! The President of the United States invites the Super Bowl Champion to the White House every year.

What's the real reason? My guess is that Harrison is young, rich, and full of himself. He doesn't believe anyone is better than he is (not saying anyone is) and doesn't respect the honor of meeting the President of the United States like most of us do.

Mr. Harrison did not visit President George W. Bush after the last Steelers championship run either.

On the other hand, the media and non-Steelers fans don't drool over the Steelers like some of the other top teams in the league, so maybe this is Harrison's way of thumbing his nose at the world.

Either way, that is simply one of the stupidest comments I've ever read. So let me end this with one of my own.

Would the Steelers even have won the Super Bowl if New England and San Diego had not been hampered by injuries?

Answer: Doesn't matter. They won.

Let's Bash Ryan Leaf Some More

Ian Philip — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:17:50 -0400

I was just going through some classic posts from chargerfans.net and came across this one from Yuma Bolt Fan.

Worked with Ryan Leaf's ex math tutor last week!

Posted By: YumaBoltFan
Date: 8/18/2004 2:56 p.m.

I worked with a guy who told me he went to school with Ryan Leaf. He didn't even know I was a Chargers fan, I had just asked where he went to school. He said Ryan was a really nice guy, UNTIL, after the Rose Bowl when talk started about him being a number one pick possibly.

This guy said he had a small football he wanted Ryan to sign for his son. Ryan told him he didn't sign anything anymore. Then Ryan had the nerve to ask this guy if he would tutor him in Calculus that semester. The guy said no.

He said what he thought was funny was Ryan was kicked out of three bars and told NEVER to come back, and TWO GROCERY STORES ALSO! We laughed about what a (jerk) you would have to be to get permanently banned from a grocery store, let alone TWO!

Anyway, I met someone who actually knew Ryan Leaf BEFORE he became a jerk! Small world!

I wonder if Leaf is still banned from that grocery store?

Oakland Raider Fan vs San Diego Charger Fan Part I: It's On Now Patches!

Ian Philip — Sat, 09 May 2009 22:42:18 -0400

Raider fan Ramone Brown felt the need to unleash his fury on the Chargers without knowing what the hell he's talking about. I don't follow the Raiders, so I would never be (Raider) enough to say the Raiders have no chance.

Ramone, however, says the the Chargers will go 9-7 at best and proceeded to point out any reason he could (guess) of to convince us all that the Chargers will not dominate the division. He didn't go so far as to say that the Chargers can't win the division, so I'll give him that much.

Let us informed Charger fans answer the "charges" that Ramone has leveled against the Bolts...

Ramone: Tomlinson is past his prime and the Chargers know it. That's why they franchised Sproles and drafted another RB...

Ian's response:

The Chargers draft a running back every year. Every year.
Darren Sproles was franchised because he is a threat as a returner and occasionally out of the backfield. LT has nothing to do with Sproles being franchised.
LT had a couple of injuries that limited his effectiveness at the very begining and and end of the year, but when he was healthy he looked like the same 'ol Tomlinson.
Last time I checked, the Bolts didn't draft Donald Brown or Beanie Wells.
Do the Chargers want to groom LT's replacement? Yes. Is it the number one priority right now? No. Is 2009 draft pick Gartrell Johnson that man? Maybe he is. If he is, does that mean good news for the Raiders?

Dude both the Broncos and the Raiders had worse injuries than the Chargers.

Please. Who could the Raiders or Broncos (or Chiefs) have lost who was at a Pro Bowl level? The Chargers had PRO BOWL players injured, not scrubs. Who cares that the Broncos lost six backup caliber running backs?

I know that the Broncos had the Bailey brothers, the Raiders lost Darren McFadden—who is no better than Darren Sproles by the way—but I won't embarrass myself by acting like I know who else they had injury woes with. However, they weren't the caliber of the guys the Chargers had injuries to.
LaDainian Tomlinson, Jamal Williams, Nick Hardwick, Marcus McNeil, Antonio Gates, Andrew Pinnock (who they had no business cutting), Antonio Cromartie, Clinton Hart, Luis Castillo, and Shawn Merriman? Who did the Chargers not go 6-10 with guys like that battle injuries?
If the Raiders lost 12 guys that couldn't make the Chargers practice squad...Please.

But don't you find it funny how they drafted a player who plays the same position as Merriman in the first round sounds like a replacement to me.

You would find that funny, but not anyone who knows about the Bolts. Merriman and Phillips have been injured at various times and Jyles Tucker and Marques Harris could not adequately replace those guys, especially not Merriman.
On passing situations, Merriman and/or Shaun Phillips often move to DE and the backups come in and play OLB (ask Aaron Brooks). Bringing in Larry English is just more heat for the QB to deal with. There may be a couple more eight or nine sack games in the near future in favor of the Bolts.
The Chargers lost to the Steelers specifically because they didn't have a pass rush with Big Ben chillin' all day in the pocket. With English, the Chargers hope to go back to the top of the league in sacks. If that happens, it's trouble for great teams like the Steelers and Patriots. It's overkill against the Raiders and Broncos.

Merriman wont be back to what he was. Surgeries similar to what he had usually take two years to fully come back from.

Is that a fact?
While it is possible that Larry English will eventually replace Merriman, but Merriman played seven games on those same torn ligaments and dominated (one was torn in the preseason of his ROOKIE season and he still dominated).
The man is 24 years old, your hoping that he won't be the same player. You should be "hoping" that the Raiders have a guy on offense to deal with him.
Medical procedures have significantly improved, but it was always "it takes two years for the player to get the confidence in the knee back." It does NOT take two years to heal from ligament surgery.
Philip Rivers came back from a torn ACL in what? Four to Six months? Merriman will have much more time than that, so keep hoping. Like Rivers, Merriman is a blue collar worker that will stop at nothing to get back on that field. He hasn't been slacking like Tom Brady.

The best the Chargers can even hope of doing is 9-7 if not worse, not 12-4 like most of you fools like to predict.

More hoping on your part.
The Chargers "hope" to get the right breaks come playoff time, so that they can get to the Super Bowl. They do not "hope" they can consistently out play the other teams in the AFC West.
I haven't made a prediction, but the last time I did predict the Chargers would go 12-4, I was called a fool (by Charger fans!). The only thing the Chargers did was go 12-4 and win the division 4 out of the next 5 years.

Can the Raiders rise from the ashes and win the division? Yes! If Miami could do it, so can the Raiders. However, you're hoping things go wrong for the Chargers...Again! The Silver and Black doesn't have that type of luck.

When the Chargers took the division from the Chiefs in 2005, the Chiefs came out on fire with no intentions of letting the Chargers come into their house and when the division. The Chargers kicked the Chiefs in the ass and said "we're taking this title from you," sweeping the Chiefs that year.

When the 2005 Broncos took the title from the Chargers, the Broncos kicked the Chargers in the ass and said "this is our division." Had San Diego not lost, but won both games to the Broncos, they would have won the AFC West.

When the Chargers stepped up and took the division back from the Broncos in 2006, they grabbed the Broncos by the throat and at one point out scoring the Broncos 56-6! The Bolts broke out the thunder boot to the Broncos collective asses.

Is this the year that the Raiders step up and TAKE the crown or are you hoping the Raiders back into the the title like the Miami Dolphins did when the Patriots lost Tom Brady, the Titans did with a gimpy kneed Paton Manning, or the Broncos tried to do with an injury crippled Chargers squad?

Are you ready to say that the Raiders are set to physically dominate the Chargers twice a year and say "this is our division?"

You are going to have to deal with the 800 pound gorilla in the AFC West by becoming a 900 pound gorilla. That's how it works in the AFC West or the NFL in general. Period. You don't win the title with split decisions. You've got to knock out the champ to win the title.

Side note: Make no mistake. The Chiefs, Broncos, and Raiders are NOT the Chargers main rivals at this point. The Steelers, Colts, Patriots, and maybe the Titans are. The Broncos got to bark at the tree a little bit last year thanks to Ed Hochuli, but in the end that tree fell on the Broncos much to Peyton Manning and the NFL's chagrin.

Some of The Greatest Sports Songs Ever

Ian Philip — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:57:04 -0400

I love the guys over at the NFL Network for their charisma and insight, but I can no longer take hearing this song "I'm a Dreamer" by K'Naan.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think it's a bad song (to everybody else) but I hate it and it grates on my nerves.

If you think about it, it's crazy to think about how music can affect our mood. Since I was royally pissed after the NFL Network played that damn song when it returned from each commercial break, I switched to ESPN.

Some of my favorite sports related songs:

Fort Minor: Remember the Name

I heard this song on an NBA promo a couple years ago and thought it was great. You can envision an athlete working hard in the off-season and not taking any stuff on the court.

Wrestler Bill Goldberg's Entrance: Invasion by Jim Johnston

I always got fired up by the faux ass whoopin' that would ensue after this great music would play.

Survivor: Eye of the Tiger

When my old high school band, the Bradwell Institute Tigers, made their way to the gym for the football pep rally, you could hear them coming from the distance. The played a song comprised of only drums and the anticipation grew as the sound moved closer and closer.

When band arrived at the gym, the bass drums would go solo and the gym went nuts when the rest of the drums came back in. Then they'd transition into to Eye of the Tiger and the damn near bring the house down.

Queen: We Will Rock You

This song is great. Fans can actually remake the music by stomping on the bleachers and clapping. There may be no other sports song as great as this.

The energy that is created by hundreds or even thousands of people making music in unison is a force that is hard to resist. High school, college, pros, there have been millions of teams rocked to this music.

Crazy Train: Ozzie Osbourne

In reality I only like the intro to this song, but it's a great intro to start a game, especially a football game when you are kicking off.

Chumbawamba: I Get Knocked Down - What a great song for when a team has come into your house and dominated you only to see you fight back and run that team out of your stadium?

NWO Wolfpack Theme: Don't Turn Your Back on the Wolfpack

This a fun song to sing along to as you voted for the bad guys to come out kick somebody's butt.

USA National Anthem

When sang correctly, this song can move both sides to tears and fire up the whole stadium as a precursor to a monumental event like the Super Bowl.

USA! USA! Chant

Oh my goodness, when the USA is taking on another country and taking them down is there anything greater? You can substitute any team name and get the crowd and athletes up!

The Six Packers: Go Pack Go!

Being a Chargers fans I'm more partial to San Diego Super Chargers which is hated by non-Chargers fans but loved by Charger fans. However, I even I wanted to see the Packers drilling a team so I could hear the crowd the Lambeau crowd scream "Go Pack Go."

Superbowl Shuffle: Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew

I remember this song as a kid and I was dancing my butt off and thought it was awesome. It sounds quite ridiculous now, especially when the kicker has the best verse on the whole song. This song was so bad, you know it was good.

San Diego Chargers: A Tough Road Awaits in 2009

Ian Philip — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:05:47 -0400

I took a look at the San Diego Chargers' schedule this afternoon and said "wow!" They start out in the Black Hole of Oakland, then host Ray Lewis and the tough Ravens, followed by their nemesis the Miami Dolphins, then travel to their own personal hell hole of horrors up in Pittsburgh.

It will be very important for the Chargers to get off to a fast start, because the Dolphins and Steelers have been a hassle for them to deal with over the years.

That said, if Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Jamal Williams, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Gates, Antonio Cromartie, Malcolm Floyd, Buster Davis, Nick Hardwick, Marcus McNeil, Luis Castillo, Stephen Cooper, and Clinton Hart can stay healthy and/or on the field, the Bolts have a shot to make some noise even with the tough 2009 schedule.

The key to a fast start rests on Merriman's massive shoulders. Taking away Merriman from the Chargers' defense was the equivalent of taking Peyton Manning away from the Colts' offense. The loss of Merriman turned once top performers like Castillo, Igor Olshansky, and Shaun Phillips into ordinary guys. Merriman occupies two to three guys on every play, the Chargers don't have another guy like that on defense luckily for the AFC West.

Coming off of a knee injury however, Merriman may be limited in his first few games. That doesn't bode well for the Chargers' fast start, so hopefully Merriman comes out on the same tear that Philip Rivers came out with last year.

The Vikings Should Make a Play for San Diego Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst

Ian Philip — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:42:10 -0500

When I look at the Minnesota Vikings I think of two things, stopping the run and running the ball. This is the foundation of a Super Bowl winning team.

Unfortunately, I also see bad quarterback play as young Tavaris Jackson has been improperly groomed to lead this potentially great Minnesota team.

I am in disbelief that the Vikings allowed New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassell to slip through their fingers, though they may have never seriously had a shot to bring the one year wonder up north with former Patriot personnel man Scott Pioli intercepting Matt Cassell in Kansas City.

A player that has been properly groomed to become a starter is San Diego Chargers third string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Plagued with inconsistency at Clemson due to injury and ineffective line play, he has had three years to learn behind Pro-Bowler Philip Rivers.

If there is one thing Charger players are good at, it's handing down heart and work ethic. Doug Flutie taught Drew Brees how to prepare. Brees taught Philip Rivers how to prepare. So you have to believe that Rivers and second stringer Billy Volek have taught Charlie Whitehurst to prepare.

The big (6'4" 220lbs) strong armed Whitehurst has had three seasons to adjust to the pro game and has been relaying to and studying plays with Philip Rivers his entire career.

Whitehurst played four years of college ball, which tends to be an accurate barometer of whether a player will be a successful NFL quarterback.

Whitehurst would not come without risks, however. In college, while very fast with a forty time of 4.75 seconds, he was not known as an escape artist by any means. He was also wildly inconsistent for a variety of reasons which include lack of proper foot work, blitz recognition, bad offensive line play, and injuries. In fact, he is recovering from shoulder surgery as we speak.

San Diego has drafted and coached up two great quarterbacks in Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. There is no reason to believe that the Bolts suddenly decided to neglect Charlie Whitehurst.

In Rivers rookie season, they had Cleo Lemon, Doug Flutie, Philip Rivers, and Drew Brees as their four quarterbacks. At one point, Brees, Rivers, and Lemon were all starting on Sundays with Doug Flutie backing up Tom Brady.

San Diego knows a thing or two about quarterbacks after the Ryan Leaf fiasco. Listen to me Vikes, get this guy!

Bottom line: Charlie Whitehurst would come cheap from a proven farm system in San Diego. When you snag a player from the Chargers (that they are not running out of town like Shane Olivea, David Boston, or Toniu Fonoti), you are likely to get a good player. See Ben Leber, Drew Brees, or Michael Turner.

With the Vikings having a great rushing attack and a fine offensive line, they could ease Whitehurst in, while searching for a true number one receiver for him to throw to. Just keep one TO away.

A second, or better yet a third round pick may be well worth the risk to get a properly groomed, athletically gifted quarterback that came make all the throws. If he is a hit, the Vikings would immediately become a serious Super Bowl contender.

If he misses, at least you tried right?

Did the San Diego Chargers Allow LaDainian Tomlinson To Turn Soft?

Ian Philip — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:10:24 -0500

Regardless of where LaDainian Tomlinson winds up next season, there is a question about his toughness. He has had a significant injury in four out of the last five seasons.

In 2004 it was his groin. In 2005 it was his ribs. In 2007 it was his knee. In 2008 it was his toe and groin.

Let me get down to the bottom line here: You can't just be tough because you've decided to be mentally strong. Over the past four seasons, Tomlinson has only been hit in real games. He doesn't get hit in training camp, the preseason, or practice. The guys he is getting hit by are banging from training camp on.

It is physically impossible for a guy that doesn't get hit to be anywhere near as tough as a guy that is getting hit all the time. Impossible.

I was playing basketball against undefeated MMA fighter Ty Glover a couple of years ago, and I'm known as a tough guy. So when this little 175lbs guy came charging through the lane, I held my ground while everybody else parted like the Red Sea. We banged knees, after which he walked off the court feeling good and I was limping for two weeks.

I may have thought I was buff and tough, but Ty was used to getting banged on. He was tough.

There is only one way for LT to toughen up and that's by getting hit. To L.T.'s credit, he tried to get into the preseason only to be veto'd by head coach Norv Turner. Tomlinson shouldn't go overboard, but he should try to get more work in during the week so that he is a little tougher when the bodies start banging in live action.

Here's to hoping that L.T. comes back to the Chargers for another year.

San Diego Chargers Are a Finesse Team? Peon Deion Sanders Is an Idiot

Ian Philip — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:41:07 -0500

I hate to call Deion Sanders a peon, because it's an insult to peons. Sanders is pretty entertaining most of the time, but then he says:

"San Diego definitely don't want to see the Ravens. A finesse team against the Baltimore Ravens?"

Does this moron actually watch football, or does he just talk about it? Last time I checked, San Diego clobbered both the Ravens and the Titans the last time they played them. Ran 'em out of the stadium.

Baltimore didn't compete at all and the Titans got out hit...Twice! Did the Chargers suddenly forget how to hit somebody in the mouth. San Diego is the one team left that can play any team anyway they want to play it.

Anyhow, that is beside the point. The Chargers have to get by the Steelers first before they start thinking about the Ravens. That's no easy task, so we'll get back to this later.

This guy is an embarrassment. I'm just waiting for him to start tap dancing for Rich Eisen.

Here's a clown that claimed that Indianapolis would "beat the brakes off" the San Diego Chargers. Then proceeded to offer up no evidence to support his assessment, which is no surprise because he never does.

The NFL Network employs Peon Deion to do one thing, and that's be a clown. He brings no insight to network at all.

Chargers-Steelers: The Forgotten Edge Goes to the Chargers

Ian Philip — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:40:04 -0500

NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci insists that the Pittsburgh Steelers dominated both sides of the ball in their first game against the San Diego Chargers because of the fact that the Steelers out-gained the Chargers 410 yards to 218 yards.

Now we know why the man is no longer a head coach in the NFL.

I am on record as saying that the Pittsburgh Steelers deserve to be favored, but last time I checked football has the facets: offense, defense, and special teams.

The score of the last game was 11-10, even if that touchdown by Troy Polamalu had counted, the game was still played that close. The Steelers had to roll up big yardage to stay in the game. The reason? San Diego's vastly superior special teams.

There may be no better special teams unit in the NFL than that of the San Diego Chargers. It makes no sense that teams don't put more stock in that unit.

The 1999 Oakland Raiders went a frustrating 8-8 when Michael Husted botched 11 field goals with Joe Nedney missing another two. Leo Aroguz didn't help when he had a horrendous net punting average of 33.8 yards. Kick and punt return average? Terrible.

In the offseason, they drafted Punter Shane Lechler in the fifth round and Kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round. Both were outstanding and Oakland went 12-4 in 2000 on there way to three straight division titles.

The Chargers followed the same model with drafting kicker Nate Kaeding a year after drafting punter Mike Scifres (who learned behind the great Darren Bennett for one season). Both players debuted in 2004 and the Chargers have won four out of the last five AFC West Division titles.

Forgetting about the hidden yardage that San Diego's special teams gives them is something that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will not do. Tomlin also won't forget about all those penalties his team accumulated either.

In the last game, Pittsburgh's average starting position was their own 24-yard line. San Diego's starting position was their own 31-yard line. Things were worse than that looks.

The Chargers had drives start at Pittsburgh's 49 yard line and their own 41, 46, and 40 yard lines. The Chargers only scored seven points on those drives with two of the resulting punts pinned Pittsburgh inside the 20 yard line.

Pittsburgh had two drives start at their own 40 yard line or better, resulting in three points.

The Edge

Pittsburgh's defense should have a solid day against the Chargers, but they will not likely hold San Diego to 10 points again.

San Diego's special teams should force Pittsburgh to travel long distance to get to the end zone on most drives.

Unknown: Will Pittsburgh's offense consistently move the ball on the Chargers defense like they did in the last game? The Chargers' defense has vastly improved their play since midseason.

Several teams were able to march up and down the field with little (or no) resistance from the Bolts earlier in the season and the Steelers were one of them.

During the Chargers five game winning streak, the defense snuffed out all game winning and game changing drives against the Broncos, Buccaneers, Raiders, Chiefs, and Colts.

Four of those five teams had great success moving the ball on the Chargers in an earlier game in the season when every quarterback was having success against the Chargers porous pass defense.

Bottom Line

The Chargers defense was more to blame for losing the game than they were for keeping the game close. Big Ben Roethlisberger had to drive his team 73 yards for the winning field goal attempt.

If San Diego's defense goes out reverts back to mid-season form, they will probably lose at the last second again.

If San Diego's defense plays with the same ferociousness that they've played with for the last five weeks-excluding the first half of the Chiefs game-they should be able to pull this one out on the road.

This game will be a tough one for the Chargers to win on the road, but if the defense can get some stops on third down and the Chargers don't beat themselves with turnovers, they may just pull it out.

Chargers-Steelers: Pittsburgh Favored By Nine? Don't Make Me Laugh

Ian Philip — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:47:14 -0500

Gambling911.com has reported that the Steelers will likely open as a 9 1/2 point favorite over a San Diego Charger squad that has really come on lately. While I certainly feel the Steelers should be favored to win the game, there is no way they should be huge favorites.

In their last game the Steelers couldn't get out of their own way after getting slapped with 13 penalties for 115 yards on the day, while San Diego had two penalties for five yards. If Philip Rivers and head coach Norv(!) Turner hadn't made a couple of huge mistakes, San Diego may have won the game going away.

Instead, Big Ben Roethlisberger led his Pittsburgh Steelers down the field to beat San Diego on Jeff Reed's 32-yard field goal with 15 seconds left to play. To be honest, Pittsburgh may have won big if they hadn't tried to beat themselves with all of those penalties.

Still, the field goal wouldn't have meant much if Turner hadn't made a major gaffe. His decision to have Rivers drop back to pass in the endzone had a predictable result: sacked for a safety.

The Charger defense has changed significantly since that last battle which was won by the Steelers 11-10. Big Ben routinely had receivers running wide open as San Diego's defensive backs were playing 10 yards off the ball all game long. Ben can not expect to see that again as the Chargers defense has returned to the aggressive style they used a couple of years ago under Wade Philips, unfortunately devoid of all the Shawne Merriman induced sacks.

The Steeler defense is probably the last defense QB Philip Rivers wanted to see. The Steelers were one of only two defenses to keep him from completing a touchdown pass.

They picked off two of Rivers' passes. The first was a completely bone-headed decision inside the red zone at end of the first half. The second was merely an unlucky turnover off a deflection as Vincent Jackson dropped a perfect pass from Rivers, only to see safety Troy Polamalu make a spectacular one-handed diving interception.

Interestingly enough, San Diego gets to play their third straight do-or-die game against an opponent that scored the winning points with 24 seconds or less to play to beat them in the regular season. However, this is the first of those games away from Qualcomm Stadium.