Fire Norv Turner!

As we enter the first week of November a San Diego tradition is gaining momentum. No, not the debate among SDSU Alums whether this is the year the basketball team wins a Tournament game or the football team wins a bowl game. No, not Padres fans lamenting the season that was. No, not fire and community officials bracing for another fall blaze. No, not millions of families congregating at millions of county parks on Saturday to watch their kids and grandchildren play youth soccer (I swear, at what point does the US dominate in soccer? Every damn kid in San Diego is playing year round. I’ve gotta think … Ok, I’ll stop and save the futbol commentary for another blog.).

The San Diego tradition I speak of is our annual, “Fire Norv” hate fest. It really is a hate fest. I mean, how often do 30, 40 or 50-year-old guys spend a half hour on the phone with their friends discussing whether or not a football coach should be fired. Other than waiting on hold with Cox Communications to complain about your internet not working, does any guy stay on the phone for 30 minutes? Even a guy who works in sales?

Back to the love fest, I’m mean hate fest, for a minute… It’s really nice of Norv to bring the middle-aged male San Diego demographic together like this every October and November. So what does Charger football in late October/early November and funerals have in common. There are only two times you may talk to some of your friends, colleagues or family members, 1) at a funeral or 2) in October/November when the “Fire Norv” campaigns are in full swing. Heck, I’m surprised Norv wasn’t the write-in winner for Governor of California. The way Charger fans hate Norv, you’d think they’d all write him in hoping he’d win so he would be forced to move to Sacramento.

Well, here we are, in early November, on the phone with our buddies, discussing how the team would be better without Norv. Siiiiiiiiiiigh!

If you are looking for me to rip Norv a new one, stop reading. I’m not going to do it. Norv is in his 4th year with the club and he’s taken the team to the playoffs every year. He’s won three AFC West titles. He did something the previous regime couldn’t do – win a playoff game. Hell, he’s won multiple playoff games.

I just have a hard time saying that Norv is the reason the Chargers are 3-5. Norv owns the offense, Ron Rivera owns the Defense and Steve Crosby owns the Special Teams. Norv’s offense is one of the top units in the NFL. The defense is adequate. Rivera has done a decent/average job.

But …

The Special Teams is easily the worst unit in football. Until this year, Charger fans took their special teams for granted, similarly to how Lindsay Lohan took her blow for granted. They could always be counted on, they made them feel great at times, and never had to worry about them being MIA (especially Lohan’s blow).

Here we are in 2010. Charger fans are wishing, hoping, longing for the return of David Binn, Kassim Osgood, Brandon Siler, and Legedu Nanae. They’d even take a 50 something Hank Bauer. Crap, they’ll take Hanik Milligan, Andre Coleman, or Steve Hendrickson. Anyone who can hike the ball, tackle someone or return the ball (just a little).

Charger fans know exactly how Lindsay feels every day. We all know for every sniff our starlet Lindsay Lohan takes she is paranoid she’s going to fail another drug test. Well, that same paranoia hits all of us every time the Chargers kickoff or punt.

Said Lindsay to TMZ on Tuesday night, “I want it to go back to the way it was in 2006.”

Charger Nation replied, “So do we Lindsay, so do we. Well, at least on Special Teams!”

Charger fans can only hope the ghosts of KO, Hank, Binn and others will consume the current special teams unit and not screw up the second half, like they did the first.

My Worst Sports Weekend Ever

I’m glad this weekend is over. Really glad! Below is a chronological look at my sports weekend. I’m crying as I write this.

Friday, October 8, 2010, 11:08 PM: I turn on SportsCenter and they are showing highlights of the SF Giants vs. Atlanta Braves playoff game. I sigh a big sigh. Why, because the Padres should have been in the playoffs. What makes it worse, the Padres were battling it out with the Braves and Giants for the last playoff spot.

Friday, October 8, 2010, 11:09 PM: I turn off SportsCenter.

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 6:30 AM: I wake up to read that SDSU/Padre Tony Gwynn has cancer. Say it ain’t so!

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 9:30 AM: I try and forget about Tony and convince myself he’ll be ok. I start to get excited about the SDSU vs. BYU game in Provo. This is the year the Aztecs will knock off the Cougars and turn this sports weekend around. It will be sweet to beat the Cougars in our last contest as conference foes.

Saturday, October 9, 3:00 PM: Game time. Aztecs vs. Cougars.

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 3:30 PM: The Aztecs come out flat and are in a 14-0 hole and can’t stop BYU. The Cougars are pushing the Aztecs around like it’s 2009. I think back to 9:30 AM … this was supposed to be our year. Damn BYU!

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 6:06 PM: BYU clearly fumbles; the refs review it, NO FUMBLE. BYU retains possession and drives for a score. Terrible call. Worse than the Mizzou NON block in the back call two weeks ago. It doesn’t look good for the Aztecs.

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 6:30 PM: BYU defeats the Aztecs 24-21. Uhhhhhhhhh.

Saturday, October 9, 2010, 9:50 PM: I see a promo for Game 4 of the Giants/Braves series. Dammit. I can’t get away from this series.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, Noon: My fantasy football team is getting crushed. I’m playing one of my rivals, Hit Men, and my team decides to not show up. I’m on the brink of falling to 2-3 on the season. This hurts because I spent about 10 hours talking draft prep and draft strategy with Hit Men leading up to the draft. I think he got me today unless Kevin Kolb can somehow have the best day in Fantasy Football history. It doesn’t look good.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 1:15 PM: Time for the Chargers to put a silver lining on this sports weekend. I’m feeling good about the Chargers winning their 14^th straight over the hated Raiders. Winning in Oakland will make it extra special.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 1:19 PM: The Raiders block a punt out of the end zone for a safety.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 1:23 PM: Mike Scifers punts the ball out of bounds following the safety. Raiders ball at the 50. This can’t be happening. Raiders go on to kick a field goal. 5-0 Raiders. I hate sports.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 1:27 PM: The Raiders block another punt. This time they recover it for a touchdown. Raiders 12, Charger 0. Crap!

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 3:00 PM: The Chargers rally to take a 24-15 lead. Things are looking up for the Bolts.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 4:30 PM: I won’t bother you with the particulars. Raiders win 35-27. The streak is over.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 8:54 PM: I receive the last of three calls from Hit Men. You know, my Fantasy Football rival. I can’t answer. I can’t face the music from the 99-72 lose to him and I can’t relive the Charger debacle in Oakland.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, 10: 24 PM: I refuse to turn on the NFL Network. I don’t want to relive the nightmare? I turn on ESPN and see the Giants have beaten the Braves for a 2-1 series advantage. Damn Giants. I turn the TV off, go to bed and hope when I wake up in the morning this weekend was all just a bad dream.

Monday, October 11, 2010, 6:15 AM: It all happened. Ahhhh.

Did this disastrous weekend produce a silver lining? Well, I can think of two. One, my daughter continued her scoring barrage adding three more goals to her resume and her U7 soccer team ran their record to 5-0. Two, the Chargers face the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. They can’t lose to the Rams. Can they?

Not Perfect But Close

This past Sunday marked the second consecutive home game where the Chargers looked like Super Bowl contenders. Now, if they can just play better on the road.

Surprisingly, the Cardinals decided to play man on Chargers TE Antonio Gates for much of the game and it cost them dearly. Gates had one of the best performances of his career, finishing with 7 catches for 144 yards and 2 TD. Gates also recorded his 500 catch of his career. Not bad for a basketball guy. Gates is starting to be considered the best ever to play the position.

Entering this contest, the Chargers focus was to not turn the ball over and effectively cover kicks. The Chargers did a decent job on both fronts. They turned the ball over once but fortunately it didn’t cost them the game. While the coverage units were solid, improvement can still be made in this area. The tackling could have been better.

The balance on offense and defense is noticeable in 2010. The Chargers are running the ball effectively with Mike Tolbert and Ryan Mathews. Teams don’t want to bump pads with these guys. On the defensive side of the ball, this unit is playing great. They haven’t played this well since 2006. Statistically, they are playing better than that 2006 unit.

So, what happens from here? With ¼ of the season is in the books the Chargers are an uneasy 2-2 (and should be 4-0). I feel if they don’t turn the ball over and don’t give up back breaking special teams plays, this team will crush weaker teams, beat challengers, and win their share against the top teams in the league.

Up next: Oakland Raiders

This will be a tougher task than many think. A close game for three quarters, the Chargers will pull away in the 4th. Chargers 27, Raiders 13.

Seattle Slummin’

It is painfully obvious why the 2010 version of the San Diego Chargers are 1-2. Bad special teams play and too many turnovers. In August, if I had told you after three games the Chargers would be averaging 460 YPG in offense and less than 270 YPG on defense, you’d probably think we would be 3-0. I would too. I mean, we haven’t had to worry about turnovers or bad special teams play in years.

Well … welcome to the 2010 season. This team can’t hang on to the ball. Dan Fouts summed up the special teams play with this statement late in the game, “if the Chargers score here, they should onside kick it. They simply can’t cover a kick.” As Metallica would sing, “Sad but truuuuuue!”

The other issue with this team is stupid penalties. How many times did we score, only to have the play called back because of a delay, holding call, ect. It was comical.

The question is, how do the Chargers correct these problem areas?

It starts with coaching. Steve Crosby, the Chargers Special Teams coach, has to be scratching his head. He’s been the team’s ST coach for years and years. They have never looked worse. On Chargers.com Crosby’s bio reads, “(He) is one of the longest tenured and most well respected special teams coaches in the NFL.” He’s sent numerous players to the Pro Bowl throughout his time here. He didn’t forget how to coach in the offseason, but he does need to turn this around, um, like, in week 4.

As for the fumblitis. Mathews, Tolbert, Sproles, Naanee … don’t put the damn ball on the turf. I don’t know what else to say. Don’t fumble. Unfortunately, rookie running backs have shown a propensity to fumble. We may see a few more from Mathews before this season is over.

As we prepare for the Cardinals this week I have a couple suggestions.

1. Spend half of practice on Special Teams
2. Focus on not turning the ball over
3. Focus on limiting the penalties

I’m really smart, huh?

Bring on the Cardinals!

Who are the 2010 San Diego Chargers?

After two weeks, how much do we really know about the San Diego Chargers? I say we know quite a bit. The great thing is, most of it is positive.

Yes, we’ve played the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars. Two teams most feel won’t make the playoffs. I say, who cares?!?! You play the teams on your schedule and hopefully at the end of the year you’re healthy, playing well, and smiling.

Here’s what is making me smile after two weeks.

The Offensive Line: I’m not giving them an A grade but I think they’ve done a fine job. Former San Diego State University product, Brandon Dombrowski has been serviceable and the line as a whole is looking good. They’ve reduced the amount of sacks per game from 2.12 per game in 2009 to 1.5 in 2010. Also, they are giving Rivers time to look downfield and opening holes for the running game.

The Running Game: Last year the Chargers averaged 89 yards rushing per game. After two contests in 2010, the Chargers are averaging 139 yards per game. Some of the kudos go to the tandem of Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert and some to the offensive line. Barring injuring, the Mathews / Tolbert duo should be fun to watch.

The Passing Game: Gates is Gates. Pretty damn amazing that Chargers fans have had the unique pleasure of watching two great ones in Kellen Winslow and Antonio Gates. Name another team that can boast the talents of these two guys? You can’t and we’re lucky. In addition to Gates, Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee have been solid. Both are averaging over 20 YPC. If Patrick Crayton can prove to be an additional threat, we will be just fine. Also, if it doesn’t rain during the rest of our games I don’t see a problem with our passing game☺!

The Defense: They are doing a good job against the run and getting a push up front. Sacks are not coming at a 2006 rate but there is a push. Sometimes that’s all you need. Rivera has done a real nice job disguising the defensive looks. You may not see anyone on this defense make the Pro Bowl, but they are looking more and more like a unit you want to root for. Jacques Cesaire (2 TFL, 1 Sack) and Antoine Cason (2 INT, 1 FF) had monster games against the Jaguars.

Next Opportunity: The Seattle Seahawks
In the NFL, the team who turns the ball over fewer times generally wins. In 2010, the Chargers have a +2 turnover margin while the Seahawks have a -3 turnover margin. Couple this with the fact that our talent is superior to the Seahawks, we should win by two touchdowns. Should and will are two different things and there is rain in the forecast for Sunday (does it rain in Seattle everyday?). The Chargers may have to rely on the run game to win this week. If so, it still shouldn’t be a problem. Bolts to 2-1.

Week 2 Highlights – San Diego Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:

Three Plays and a Cloud of Dust in Kansas City

In every close NFL game there are a few plays that decide the outcome. The last game in week one of the 2010 NFL season was no different. Three plays did the Chargers in.

Play One: On a wonderfully blocked run off left tackle Jamaal Charles did his best Chris Johnson impersonation and weaved his way through the Chargers defense for a 56 yard TD.

Play Two: Rookie Dexter McCluster made KC fans forget Dante Hall and returned a Mike Scifres punt 94 yards for a TD.

Play Three: Chargers rookie running back Ryan Mathews fumbled after a nice 17 yard run. This fumble led to the Chiefs third TD.

We can talk about missed opportunities on offense but the reason the Chargers are looking up at the Chiefs in the standings is because of the three plays mentioned above. The Chargers outgained the Chiefs by nearly 200 yards. In the NFL, if a team outgains their opponent by 200 yards they should win. Unfortunately for the Chargers they lost because of bad special teams play, the inability to contain Charles and losing the turnover battle.

That said, the Chargers should win the AFC West. To do so they need better special teams play and a consistent dose of Mathews and Mike Tolbert.

Up next for the Chargers, the Jacksonville Jaguars. We’ll see similar play from the Jaguars with strong special team play along with a good running game. If they can neutralize these two areas of the game the Chargers will be 1-1.

4 Keys to the Chargers Playing in January

Bolt Rewind usually will recap the previous Chargers game. This week, Bolt Rewind looks forward and identifies 4 keys to playing in January … and hopefully February.

So here we go …

Improved Running Game
Preseason play suggests this is one area the Chargers will improve in 2010. Based on last year’s performance it won’t be hard to do so. The Bolts were pathetic running the football last year. Almost anything will be an upgrade. The line has a chip on their shoulder and the big three, Ryan Mathews,  Darren Sproles, and Mike Tolbert compliment each other well. Plus, they’re all hungry and run with a purpose.

More Pressure
For the past two years the Chargers defensive push has left much to be desired. While the defensive front was serviceable in the second half of 2009, the team still added North Carolina’s Cam Thomas. He’ll mix in with the other 19 guys (I’m exaggerating) in the rotation and hopefully this group will be improved. Also, with Merriman two years removed from surgery and incentivized by a looming contract, he should produce a 10 + sack year. Lights Out knows a less than stellar year will not yield a long-term deal and his off the field opportunities would soon dry up. Charger fans have to be a bit concerned with #56 not playing this preseason.

I’m not expecting greatness from this group but I am expecting improvement with the run defense and a significant increase in sacks. If the Chargers can land in the top 15 in these categories, the secondary will get more than their share of opportunities to make plays.

Malcolm Floyd’s Continued Growth
Malcolm Floyd had somewhat of a breakout year for the Bolts last year. He averaged over 17 YPC and the Chargers are expecting more of the same in 2010 with about 25 more catches (he finished with just under 50 catches in 2009). The undeniable No. 1 target not named Antonio Gates, the Chargers will rely on Floyd to stretch defenses and out jump the opponent. We know he can separate and is one of the great leapers in the league. What we don’t know is how he will react competing against the opponents best corner back.

Start Strong, Finish Stronger
In sports we are always using the phrase, he’s due or they’re due. You know, the Padres have lost 10 frickin’ games in a row … they are due to win!! They are due to win, aren’t they????

Well, for the 2010 Chargers, they are due. For what seems like the past decade, they’ve won every December game on their schedule (again … I’m exaggerating). They’ve also topped the dreaded Raiders in 13 straight contests (… not exaggerating). These two streaks are due to be broken in 2010.

Hell, I hope I’m wrong but all indications suggest one or both will be history this year.

The Raiders Streak
The Chargers are lucky this streak has lasted this long. There have been a few games during this streak that could and in some cases should have gone the other way. Prior to winning 13 in a row the Raiders dominated us in the series so we were due for a positive streak.

The one constant throughout the streak has been crappy QB play by the Raiders. This year they don’t have Johnny U under center but they do have a serviceable signal caller in Jason Campbell. Their running game is stronger. Their D should be improved and their WRs have another year of experience under their belt. Oh, and Raider Killer LT is gone. All of this leads to a potential lose in one of the two grudge matches this year. Brace yourself Charger fans!

Undefeated December
Can we possibly win all of our December games again? There are 5 games in December this year, including a match with the Raiders on Dec. 5. The positive, the first three are at home. The negative, the last two are in The Jungle and at Mile High. Two tough places to play any time of year, let alone deep into December.

These are my keys to success in 2010. What are your keys to another AFC West crown and success in the playoffs?

Bolt Rewind

Coming September 2010!