The Quicker It Opens, The Sooner It Closes
My buddy Mike, whose words I quoted extensively before the Sunday Night game at New Orleans game, texted me after the Denver game. "There are no words." After the "chill pill" controversy and the "sticky like," I told him that I was planning on sharing that. He laughed and said, "if I had nothing to say on Monday, I really have nothing to say now."
Mike is a Jet fan who feels that Mark Sanchez will never allow the Jets to succeed in the same way many of us feel about Norv. But at least they showed heart in Foxboro. Think about what we've seen (or not seen) from the Chargers? Shit has been so bad that I can't even be happy that Tweety is finally an ex-Charger. Like everything The Organization has done, it was long overdue.
Even though I watched the Monday Night Meltdown, I wasn't surprised that they couldn't hold the lead. You can see evidence of that below. However, I was surprised when I heard Acee recall that there were zero sacks one hit on Peyton Manning. As Jon Favreau (as "Gutter") said in PCU, I knew it was bad. I did not know it was this bad.
As you know, I will be in Cleveland this weekend. I was NOT surprised to hear Acee on the radio today saying that Dean will keep Norv if this team gets into the postseason. So how could I possibly want the Chargers to make the playoffs?
My biggest fear right now is another year of purgatory. If there is going to be another tease that keeps us from moving forward for another year. Would I want them to finally win the Super Bowl with Norv Turner? Obviously, but if we are to be doomed for another season then I'd rather they lose every game for the rest of the way.
I still can't believe that Acee tried to act like he's been anything other than Clary's biggest fan. I know it's an indication of how bad things have gotten that I'm going after the writers. But the fact that The Organization doesn't seem to be responsive at all to the fans leaves us without a place to vent. Kevin Acee and Nick Canepa have become self-important windbags. Don't pull the "I told you so" shit it you've been writing the exact opposite for years. Canepa wrote a long piece telling us about what a great guy Bill Johnston is. Not only is that irrelevant, but it was Canepa himself that Bill was citing when he said that "one columnist said that we should put a fork in the Chargers." No one besides Charger fans and the media from every city but San Diego seems to understand our pain. Calling us "you people" wasn't a good idea.
I didn't realize that the 1993 Sports Illustrated cover story on Junior Seau was written by the wife of none other than Jim Steeg. If you click the link, you can read the second part of her excellent Junior piece. By the way, the U-T has bought the NC Times. So even if the Bolts are more agonizing than ever, you can now legally read about them for freee. As many among The Legion Of The Lightning Bolt know, I spoke to Junior in 2002 on the phone by way of his friend Burt Grossman. It was pretty clear that he was hardly the "Man Of The Year" off the field. Ms. Lieber-Steeg's article points out that Junior's restaurant investments (both Seau's and Ruby Tuesdays) were badly affected by the Chargers' blackouts over the last two seasons. So there's yet another thing to be mad about.
Speaking of wives, my wife sent me this e-mail the day after the last loss: "I hate the Chargers for making my man sad." She went on to explain that when she went to bed and saw on her phone that we had a 24-0 lead, she knew they could still blow it.
Philip Rivers continues to regress and many of his careless passes are not happening under pressure. But the blocking is hardly exemplary. Yes, he’s used to chucking the ball in the area of a tall receiver and having them go up and get it. But Rivers sucked last year when he HAD Jackson to throw to. I don’t need to remind you that VJ didn’t always lay out for pass. Vincent Brown clearly won’t be back as soon as hoped, which may be the reason that Danario Williams was signed.
The Monday Night was the strongest evidence to date that Philip Rivers, Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem cannot get on the same page. But Rivers’ worst plays seem to be when no one is pressuring him; other than himself, I guess.
Last year, as Rivers was holding unsolicited press conferences for Norv, I mentioned that it must be like loving the substitute teacher. I don’t know if Norv is more disciplined than it appears. I only know what the results have been. The one thing he always had to fall back on is his reputation with developing QBs. It’s just a reputation right now because Rivers is a total mess.
The other spot that could most use an upgrade is at cornerback. After promising (like the rest of the team) to be better in 2012, Quentin Jammer still looks old and slow. Yes, he had surgery on a broken thumb earlier this year. But it’s not the thumb that is lacking.
Antoine Cason has been victimized time and time again, but Marcus Gilchrist the one defending Brandon Stokely on the pivotal touchdown against Denver. Yes, he had what seemed to be great coverage. However, he wasn’t much better than Cason when he was forced into starting after Plaxico’s hat trick last October. Shareece Wright is supposedly healthy, but he’s never played enough meaningful snaps to give confidence that he’ll be a better option.
My last two trips to Cleveland accidentally coincided with the start of new eras of “success” for the Chargers. 1992 would be the first playoff trip in a decade. 2004 was the first in nine seasons. The first era made the most out of what they had. The second has not. I said before the Denver game that a loss would signal the end of this team’s promise to be better than those of the past. Now, thanks to the coming storm, I'm staying here in NY.
I e-mailed the U-T that this article was insulting. Charger fans aren’t angry just at the fact that this team has lost. The frustration is that they’ve lost due to their own stubbornness, fragility and stupidity. That’s the issue. If they play well and the other team is just better, we could live with that. But that’s never how it happens.
Thanks to Jo Jo Tarantino for telling me about the “Factory Of Sadness” video series on the Browns. While I think we have different reasons for our anger, I can certainly empathize with the fans. I think you will too.
You gave all you had. why you wanna give more?
The more that you give, the more it will take
To the thin line beyond which you really can't fake.
Fire on the mountain or the San Diego Chargers?
JIC,
RLW
Just got my power back. No contingency plan for Justice. I never acted like my disdain was tougher here. I feel right in the middle of this mess wherever I am.
Just out of curiosity, do you have any great grandchildren that will be able to hold this torch (your website) for you after you've passed away and the disChargers still haven't won anything? You think it's hard being a fan in New York; you oughtta try being one right in the middle of this mess...
There are only 2 explanations for what's happening in this beautiful city:
1. Total ineptness on the part of the owner and GM.
or
2. Brilliant minds at work trying to systematically disown the fans in order to make a move to wherever (LA, Toronto, San Antonio, who cares) a little smoother than just uprooting a decent team...
By the way, isn't that video titled "Factory of Sadness" from the same dynamo who did the Hastily Made Cleveland Tourism Videos? They are absolutely classic...enjoy:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY
Ross, a total shit-show shandengo yesterday...I'm actually pleased I did not go out of my way to a bar to catch the game. This team is a travesty and we are going no where. Changes are needed. While I can appreciate the consistency in the staff (if it works) there is something to be said about turn over too. Fuck, the Donks are doing just fine after all the coaching changes they've made....they gambled and are winning. We stand pat and look like desperate dickheads. Hate this team and want to see change. Will it happen? Will they pull their collective heads out of their asses and get it together? I have no idea.
At least I didn't under up going. Don't ever say it's rock bottom. Until ownership shows some empathy for the fans or some balls, we're sunk. Rivers is a mess. I hope another coach can fix him.
Thanks for your concern. We'll be OK.
I don't even know what to say anymore. Is there really anything more to be said? I love that Acee described Deano getting increasingly pissed. Bullshit. If he didnt like it, he would have changed it. He's getting exactly what he deserves if he's embarrassed (but I truly think the man lacks the wits to be embarrassed by this team or we wouldn't be allowed to continue breaking through another floor...). Does Norv have enough to win? Does it MATTER anymore? He's done nothing but take this team backwards even when we had it stacked with talent. Philip looked like he had Tourette's out there. We can't fix this. Not with Norv. I just feel like I say the same crap over and over and over, but really what else is there? Just when you think we can't go lower, we find the basement had a basement which had a cellar...I'm not saying goodbye to Norv until he's actually gone. Right now, I don't see that happening. Hell, I could see AJ pinning this all on Philip and just getting rid of him next year but keeping Norv. He's just that stubborn and unwilling to admit that he ever makes mistakes. How was Bill Johnson? Did you get to see him after the game? If we needed to take a chill pill after the Denver loss, can't wait to see how he spins this one.
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@JenniferHayesBailey Thankfully, I didnt go since LGA was closed when we would have returned. I Tweeted Acee that an angry Deano meant, what, an extension for Norv ? Clean house, but I also think and fear Rivers is unfixable.
I'm afraid you may be right about Philip. This just sucks all around.
Hope you're staying safe. Still have power?
Hey Ross,
Another horrible game yesterday, I think this is rock bottom for this team, don´t see how it can get any worse. Just wanted to wish you and your family good luck with the storm. Stay safe!
