.jpg&w=244&h=193&zc=1 "Ol' Chuck Is Pretty Cool About Dates. He Always Wears That Striped Shirt Of His")
Don't Call For Your Surgeon, Even He Says It's Too Late
This was the scene right before kickoff last Sunday. Remember after "The Indecision," how all the Norv apologists (I'm looking at you, Nick Canepa) said that if the team started winning in the fall that all would be forgiven? Well, once the Chargers shat the bed in New Orleans there was no chance of that. When CBS threw that stat on the screen that we hadn't had a rushing touchdown since Week 5, all I could think is "THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT'S NORV'S FAULT." I know that the line sucks, that's on AJ. But Norv hasn't tried to establish run much at all. If you're pass protection sucks, you roll the quarterback out. Of course, that would never work for us since Rivers is as mobile as an anvil. If you can't open up any holes, you at least try to get your back the ball in space. I don't know why we even bother with the play action since no one in their right mind respects our running game.
When you have had as many bad second halves as this team, you have to look at the lack of adjustments Norval makes. When Acee was on 1090 on Monday, he was saying that he often vaclillates between blaming Norv and not. Even if you thought Norv was really a genius (and not a guy whose calls can be predicted by any Charger fan), you would have to support a change just based on the fact that it will be three seasons without reaching the postseason. Also, the last three seasons have seen the AFC as the far weaker conference. The AFC West was the worst division in that conference each year. We couldn't even get in under those circumstances.
AJ shouldn't get to pick the next coach. He forced Norv on us and I'm sure pushed for him to get that extension after the '09 regular season. I still remember listening to the Darren Smith show and hearing Darren and Acee wonder aloud what Spanos would do if by some miraculous chance the Chargers imploded again? They did and they still haven't recovered. Yet, Norv is still here.
I can't believe that I still have to remind people of how bad Marty was, either. I never liked Norv, but he won three more playoff games than Schottenheimer. End of discussion.
When I went on the XX1090 site to grab the link of Acee's interview, I saw that this week's poll asked fans whether they even want the Chargers to make the playoffs this season. If you answered no, you push the button next to "Change is needed." If you answered yes, you move your cursor to where it says "I'm a fan no matter what."
What about if you answer to both descriptions? The Legion Of The Lightning Bolt want change because THEY ARE DIEHARD FANS. Justice Leaguers know the only way to improve is ax Norval. AJ shouldn't be allowed to pick another coach at this point. Acee suggested that we fans don't really give Deano enough credit for having balls or caring about winning. However, he also admits that there is some creedence to the perception that he is constantly looking for any justification for NOT making a change. Wow, Kevin, you sound about as definitive as Dean himself.
Remember after Norv and AJ were retained, we were told that AJ was going to be more accessible? Have you seen that side of him? Norv's in-game decisions were going to be more carefully scrutinized. Have you noticed any of that. There was also speculation that our training and conditioning staff were going to under close watch since we seem to have more injuries than most teams. How's that working out, Dean?
Just because we're die hard fans doesn't mean that we want to die with this team. Some might argue that the Chargers will actually be cause of some of their fans' deaths. When my friends and I decided to cancel our trip to the Cleveland game due to the oncoming hurricane, my buddy Jeff mentioned that he didn't want his last moments on earth to be spent saying "I can't believe Ross made me die for the fuckin' Chargers."
He's a Giants fan, but a good enough friend to know how much suffering the Bolts have caused. It was unavoidable for me to have trouble sleeping last Sunday night after yet another loss. I knew that the Bolts would be forever stigmatized by the 4th and 29. But then I remembered that they also blew a 24-0 lead this season and have deserved all the criticism. Ray Rice can utter whatever stupid fucking rhymes he wants, but he couldn't have gained 30 yards against anyone but the Chargers.
Did he make it? Rivers seems to be sure he didn't. But Philip also loves to tell us how Norv hasn't lost the locker room. I feel the same way about both things. I don't give a shit.
I will watch tomorrow's game, but know that a loss will officially put the playoffs out of reach. I will root for a win, but still know that our owner will look at the possibility of 9-7 as a reason to retain Norv. That's the problem and also the reason I wish that Spanos would just sell the team. Fans that I talk to want a Super Bowl. This team has shot itself in the foot every time its had a squad that looked talented enough to make a run. We've gone from a team that used to be unstoppable in December to one that's on life support.
That's a fucking shame and our very own three stooges, Norvy, Dean and AJ are to blame. But we were in the same place last year, as this old rant of mine confirms.
In closing, I'd like to dedicate this installment to my beautiful wife of almost ten years who will turn 38 on Monday. Sammy, you're still the best part of my life and the one that never lets me down. Don't compare youself to the Chargers in that respect. It doesn't do you justice.
RLW
Deja Vu all over again from Acee:http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d96np?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=san-diego-chargers
All I'm hearing in Philly is that Reid will be the next head coach of the Chargers. Makes me feel sick so I'm sure it will happen. Spanos would love to have Reid as his next head coach. Spanos wants a company man not a maverick and Reid fits the description.
David Shaw, Stanford's head ball coach, who loves to run the FB, is the latest rumored prospect for San Diego.
Daniel, I am sure you saw that I called Canepa out for his "get over it comment" to a loyal fan.
https://twitter.com/Lucab12/status/276126006186745856/photo/1
@Lucab12 Canepa has turned into such a dinosaur -- afraid to call out anyone for coaching or playing like crap.
@Osaka17 @Lucab12 T J Simers is relentless in his critique of the "Spanos Goofs" but he is in LA, The UT has issued an edict to make nice on all matters so that Super Developer UT Owner Doug Manchester can get a sweetheart deal with the City and the then the Bolts and build a stadium on the water front. The whole media thing here sucks because Manchesters buddy John Lynch(safety's Dad) also owns the sports talk radio station. Used to be you could get good critiques from the North County Times, but they too have been bought out by the UT, so its tough really anywhere to get someone to criticize San Diego Chargers. No media watchdog, small market, equals zero accountability.
Hey Ross, I couldn't wait to let you know just in case you didn't already and it is just amazing. What a great bunch of guys we've got on our team and they have not quit on Norv Turner yet!
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/1963.htm
is the ring in the collage from the old AFL championship? With Chuck Noll as the D coordinator who knows, maybe the bolts would have beaten the bears?
@BoltBulk Yeah, Dave. The Ring is from the AFL title and the other one is the AFC Champs ring. The bowl was in a store in window in Key West.. I have no idea how the pts work. That's a LiveFyre thing. I don't think they mean anything. Don't know about Holmgren, but I know that it's insane that we have to wait for 4 meaningless games to see Norv canned.
@Lucab12 I love the "World Champions" We will never know, but I(and many other folks) bet they would have beaten the Bears that year, too bad Papa Bear didn't line up a game with Gilman. Back then, there was a lot of bad blood between the upstart AFL and the established NFL. Anyway, that's an integral part of being a Charger fan, the shoulda, coulda woulda part.
Rivers has sucked but it would seem like they'd gut their team by trying to find another qb. I blame his sucky play on: 1) trying to do too much himself because his offense is crap, 2) tuning out Norv completely, 3) a whorehouse offensive line.
And I have to say this: I'm a huge twitter fan and the messages from SDUT writers suck powder blue balls. There is a huge vacuum for responsible Chargers analysis. Your cue, Ross.
@Osaka17 But, as bad as Rivers has been, he will show some of his past goodness, since there will be no pressure the next 4 weeks. Over a period of 3-4yrs, the end of which Ross says Rivers has us ALL fooled, he had the top QB rating in NFL History. I guess you don't give up on that easily. However a new coach will undoubtedly have a short leash on Phil Palpably Panicked Rivers, Couple that with the plethora of good young college QB's coming out these days(due to the pro set offenses in NCAA) and maybe its a quick turnaround. Who knows maybe a new GM would trade PPPR?
@BoltBulk @Osaka17 I don't know that we (myself included) were all fooled. But he has been regressing more each year. I got a lot of shit for saying after the GB game that he should sit a week. Now, I can't watch any number of teams without getting quarterback envy.
Dave, you are right that he can't even step to the side any more. Gannon also pointed out that he could run more than he does. He goes beyond trying to slide and often goes backwards. Remember that end zone pick he threw in KC? He could have run for a first down on that.
BB, Rivers has sucked this year. The KC loss last year when he fumbled under center seemed to be the beginning of his shitty play. I am hoping that firing Norv and bringing in someone like a Holmgren who won't accept shitty play from his QB can make him right again. To me it comes down to discipline and confidence. A QB has to have both.
@boltrunner Holmgren is at least the only coach out there who has gotten 2 teams to the SB. The knock on the retreads is of course that they never get their new teams to the Big Show.
Rivers is awful and RIch Gannon called him out on it. His footwork sucks and when pressured he never steps up in the pocket. That isn't all on the shitty line.
Dave, what was your question about the blogosphere?
Does Holmgren even want to coach again?
When Rivers moves right or left, instead of stepping up, he is the worst in the league, worse than other older QB's Manning or Brady.
I was wondering about the points system, like 5pts vs how do you get 21pts?
@boltrunner He's not going to be Brady or Manning, so really the window has closed on PR, who has terrible pocket presence and zero mobility. The new guys, Rodgers, even Brees, have great results on the move, once Rivers doesn't have 8 seconds to pass in a clean pocket, its game over.
Yeah, and the KC fumble cost us a playoff spot, and they still bring Norv back because Rivers saved his neck. Its a new low being a bolt fan.
Nobody has heard from Deano so nobody knows what's up his sleeve, more mediocrity probably. If AJ is retained the coach has to have some level of independence, yet the ability to get along with AJ's EGO. Then again, I still think Spanos has to take the Chamber of Commerce approach, this is a great city, great fans, great weather(who cares about Stadium right now), That would seemingly attract both a good GM and coach. BTW: How the hell do you get pts on the blogosphere?
Ross, right on about Marty. He wasn't the answer either. Charger fans continually bringing up the Shot because getting Norvy as the next Chargers coach was such a joke after a 14-2 regular season record.
As you have said on many occations, that should have afforded us a great coach not a loser retread. That's what I am afraid of from Spanos now. Another loser retread. And if Reid gets fired from the Eagles and replaces Norv as head coach that would be my worst nightmare. That scenario is all I keep hearing from the dumbass talking heads on TV.
Rivers has turned into an embarrassment on the NFL front, Twice yesterday, a Rookie named Russell Wilson came back and beat the vaunted Bears D. If we are going to go 8-8, 5-11 etc etc etc, I would rather have a QB who can scramble and better yet, think on his feet. The palpable panic that Rivers exudes is just deplorable, 1st and ten with plenty of time, two TO's and it's 4 straight no chance passes to the end zone when the middle was open all day for a first down. Ironically, the best memory Phil will ever give us was toughing it with no knee and no mobility in the AFC championship. Then the sacks, ever heard of a screen pass to diffuse the pass rush? No it's gotta be interminable launch pass, rearing the arm back and fumbling. This thing is a disaster and the Bolts will wander the wilderness now for years, unless there is a new owner, I agree with you closing, it all starts at the top. Denver, KC, and even Oakland do not abuse the fan base like this.
Have chargers games become so pathetic that we would rather discuss household chores? Oh the humanity
I loved this week's jic, especially the last paragraph! Here's hoping the chargers can find a coach that can light a fire under this team
