Bleacher Report - Articles by todd stier

San Diego Chargers' Running Woes

todd stier — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:56:48 -0500

With the San Diego Chargers' season once again painfully ending with again LaDainian Tomlinson sitting on the sidelines, one must ask, even with the injury to LT, why this talented team has failed for the past three years.

Just how many more years does this team have before its window of opportunity closes for good?

At 14-2 just two years ago, with Marty Schottenheimer at the helm, the foundation was definitely in place for a quality run at the Super Bowl for many years to come.

So they fired the head coach, brought in an offensive coordinator with a losing coaching record, and then the dominoes started to fall.

Also, they let the best blocking back in the league, in fullback Lorenzo Neil, go to the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens are now among the rushing elite in the National Football League, and are also in the hunt for a date in Tampa.

Now, with a haphazard patchwork offensive line, management expected Tomlinson to once again win the rushing title. The front office also let the best backup running back in the league, Michael Turner, go off to Atlanta, where he had a Pro Bowl year as their premier running back.

Also, they forgot to get a suitable replacement for Turner, who was San Diego man when it came to running in-between the tackles.

For some reason, they believe a 5'6", 180-pound Darren Sproles could fill that need.

I've heard a lot of talk that the Chargers should get what they can for Tomlinson now and draft a future running back, but that is plain ridiculous!

Tomlinson has at least three more great years left, and what he needs is for someone to throw a block for him somewhere. Then keep Lil' Lightning, Darren Sproles, for his specialty roles that he performs so well.

I can only hope that the members of the Chargers' management pulls their heads out of their rectums this offseason, so they can do something besides waiting for these two to take the ball and run for their lives. That, as you can see, is how you get hurt....

Also, don't even get me started on that defense!

Patriots-Chargers Playoff Controversy: Nobody Likes a Crybaby

todd stier — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:57:55 -0500

An editorial observation:

Hats off to the New England Patriots for overcoming tremendous adversity this season. Given that they had been left for dead, the Patriots have shown more testicular fortitude than any other team in the history of the NFL by winning 11 games.

Most teams would have folded up camp and started making preparations for next season. Many NFL fans, including myself, were surprised and impressed by the character this team demonstrated throughout this trying season.

While I believe no team is more deserving of a playoff berth, I think it shows bad taste to hear the New England Patriot faithful crying about an 8-8 San Diego Charger team hosting a playoff game.

The Patriots and Chargers squared off earlier this year and New England got its socks knocked off, 30-10! And the score should have been worse!

And in reading local Boston sports press, most comments focused on how awful the San Diego Chargers' baby blue throwback uniforms were. Obviously, the local press couldn't find any glitches in the way the Chargers completely dismantled the Patriot team.

The simple fact was: A single Patriots win over the Chargers would have granted a playoff spot. So quit your whining and crying, and if you don't like the uniforms, watch the snow fall outside your windows instead!

The San Diego Chargers earned that playoff berth, and I believe they'll make quite a run and have a few surprises left.

The AFC Playoffs' Most Dangerous Teams

todd stier — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 08:12:33 -0500

The AFC playoff picture may seem to be a simple snapshot to some, as the 13-3 Tennessee Titan and 12-4 Pittsburgh Steeler fans would like to lead you to believe, but the most dangerous teams in the AFC playoffs do not possess the best records.

The 11-5 Baltimore Ravens are a very scary and intimidating foe, and I see them having little trouble traveling to 11-5 Miami and ruining the Dolphins' Super Bowl dreams. I am NOT taking anything away from the Dolphins' wonderful accomplishments this year. The Ravens are just a very physical defensive unit that can put up some points, and unlike previous years, they have an offense that can move the ball and score also.

Baltimore Ravens 29, Miami Dolphins 21

The 12-4 Indianapolis Colts are once again going to be in for a surprise from 8-8 San Diego, which seems to have now found its running game and has the NFL's top rated quarterback at the helm.

Let's not forget that San Diego has basically owned this series in recent years with the exception of a close game (three points) earlier this year. The Chargers seem to come to life when Peyton Manning is around, be it knocking the Colts from the undefeated ranks or just out of playoff competition altogether.

San Diego Chargers 37, Indianapolis Colts 35

The 11-5 Baltimore Ravens have not only the necessary talent on offense and defense, but also the best shot of all the AFC's invitees to knock off the 13-3 Tennessee Titans in their own backyard. The Ravens defense will out-physical and intimidate the Titan offensive unit, and on offense the Raven running attack will dominate the Titan defensive front, exposing a weakness in these Titans very few teams can.

The Titans play great against the finesse teams, but when it's smashmouth football time, Tennessee folds like a bad poker hand. Baltimore throws the knockout punch in this matchup.

Baltimore Ravens 21, Tennessee Titans 17

The 8-8 San Diego Chargers will travel to 12-4 Pittsburgh on quite a roll. Not even the wind and snow will help cool these Chargers off at this point. Knowing they could very well have stomped these Steelers in Pittsburgh earlier this year, if not for blown opportunities and blown calls, the 11-10 Pittsburgh victory could have been a very different story. This time, it is.

Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, and Darren Sproles and teammates light up the boards.

San Diego Chargers 36, Pittsburgh Steelers 24

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

San Diego Chargers 31, Baltimore Ravens 30

Why, you say? Jet lag for Baltimore... :(

Watch Out AFC, Here Come The CHARGERS!

todd stier — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:10:06 -0500

Although most football fans long ago considered the San Diego Chargers dead and buried, consider this, seven of their eight losses were by three points or less in the final minute of the game.

These losses, were all by teams with combined winning records of 77-44. Admittedly so, by the odds, the Chargers should have won at least half of these. And may even have, if officiating hadn't dictated some of these games. With a win over Denver in San Diego this weekend these 8-8 long forgotten and overlooked Chargers, may have peaked at just the right time, and may be the most dangerous opponent in the AFC. Mark my words, these Chargers are going to make an impact, and a run in the playoffs.