Chargers Confidential

Tickets Confirmed

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:53:20 +0000

Yes, loyal Legionnaires. At least one person in section 517 of Heinz Field will be wearing the Powder Blue and screaming for the Bolts.

And it actually looks like it will be even colder than last time. Hopefully, there will be less wind and the temp being well below freezing will keep it from being wet. Dry and cold is much preferred over wet and cold.

The Steeler fansites are already talking blowout. I won't pretend that I don't think they are being dumb, but I expect there are plenty of Boltheads back home sounding equally as foolish.

I'd be shocked to see a blowout. This will be a defensive struggle, gang. The Steelers don't have nearly as much as the Colts or Broncos do offensively, but they have a defense clearly capable of limiting our opportunities.

If it comes down to field position, be glad we have The Weapon. Seriously, Mr. Scifres... are you ready for your jersey to become a top seller?

Chargers Will Return To Blitzburgh

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:55:21 +0000

The Baltimore Ravens just defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-9, earning them a ticket to Nashville and sending the Bolts to face the number one defense in the NFL, The Pittsburgh Steelers.

As some of you may remember, I was at the game in Pittsburgh on November 16th. It was a game I felt the Chargers should have won and did not, largely due to what I consider to be the low point of an exciting but inconsistent year from Philip Rivers.

I feel that San Diego can be effective on defense against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense. We held them to a season low last game and I feel that a similar performance is very possible.

L.T. may not improve. If his injury really is a detached tendon, another week isn't going to do it...he'll need surgery. Obviously, Darren Sproles is effective, but I hope that Michael Bennet gets plenty of reps this week. Antonio Gates will be better and whatever caused the blind spot Rivers had developed regarding his tight end, it seems to have healed. That bodes well for San Diego.

But just like this week and most of this season, this game is going to be about how well Philip plays. If Rivers plays well, we probably win. If he plays poorly, we probably lose. And if he just gets by, then other factors may determine the outcome. But I think Rivers is the primary key.

According to Steelers.com, Big Ben is expected to start, his concussion vs. Cleveland notwithstanding. If the San Diego defense is as well prepared for this game as they were for Indy, it may not matter. Ron Rivera developed as good of a game plan as I have ever seen to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts and I look forward to seeing what he will come up with for Heinz Field. Stopping the run and forcing the QB to move his feet are the basics of a Rivera defense, with game specific additional goals added on.

My personal suggestion? Pay attention to Heath Miller. The Iron City tight end was always open at precisely the wrong time for San Diego back in November.

I've already put in a bid on Stubhub and have every intention of bringing a personal report back on this one no matter the outcome. I also just learned that we will be visiting the Steelers again on the 2009 schedule. Somebody must be watching out for me. I'm very pleased that I will get to attend three Bolt games in my first 14 months in the Appalachian mountains.

Chargers Win, 23-17

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:03:26 +0000

"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat."

- Malcolm S. Forbes

Has there been a sweeter victory? After a mediocre season, having known more defeat than any other team in the playoffs, facing the league's MVP, the Chargers pull out a win in dramatic fashion. Unbelievable.

Darren Sproles, the mightiest little man in the business, came through huge when it mattered most, scoring the winning TD in overtime. As each quarter passed Sproles earned himself another million-dollars in his upcoming free-agent contract negotiations.

Mike Scifres, far-and-away the best punter in the league, played the greatest game ever played by a punter in the history of the league. Without Scifres performance, the defense doesn't look nearly as good. Check this out- Peyton Manning threw for over 300-yards, yet the Colts rarely threatened to score. In fact, Peyton's only TD-pass was a surprise attack against a defense caught sleeping. The Chargers' defense owes Scifres their postseason bonuses.

That's not to say that the defense didn't earn this victory. Their aggressiveness, their fire, and more importantly their ability to keep the Colts' offensive line guessing left Peyton with a subpar completion percentage for an MVP QB and ultimately another playoff defeat. While Sproles and Scifres were the game's MVP's, DC Ron Rivera and Stephen Cooper were the brains behind the operation.

Next up are either the Steelers or the Titans. I think I'd prefer the Steelers if I had a choice- we are already fairly familiar with them (because of our previous week-11 matchup) and their QB has been banged-up all season long. The Chargers could have beaten them in week-11- this improved Chargers team could definitely beat them now. But the Colts were the team that scared me the most, so with them out of the way I think we'll be OK against anyone.

The victories only get better from here, Chargers fans! Let the thunder roll on!

Chargers Win, 23-17

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:03:26 +0000

"Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat."

- Malcolm S. Forbes

The victories only get better from here, Chargers fans! Let the thunder roll on!

Facemask of the Year!

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:33:09 +0000

We are in Nate Kaeding's range now. Be careful boys, but remember the New York game a few years ago... DO NOT SETTLE!!!!! AND THEY DON"T!!!! CHARGERS WIN!!!! DARREN SPROLES!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!!

Drive of the Year

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:48:09 +0000

There are six minutes left in this game and it all comes down to this drive. After two end zone turnovers, we need a touchdown. And it needs to take time. We don't want a repeat of the regular season game and you don't want to give Peyton the chance to beat you.

The defense has done their job. Now can we recover from two disastrous turnovers and win this game?

OVERTIME

Thank you, Tim Dobbins! Thanks to your big sack, we have a chance. Tied up and we get the ball. So, I guess the last drive wasn't the drive of the year after all.

I can't get past the fact that we have two end zone turnovers... but we have our chance. Who would have believed we would be in this position after the disaster against the Falcons? If nothing else, we have proven that we belong in these playoffs.

Halfway Through...

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:51:34 +0000

...and despite the catch Reggie Wayne just made, I'm happy with the defensive performance so far. They have done a good job of deceiving their intentions and that has everything to do with how Manning is at a 50% completion rate instead of the 80% he enjoyed in December. Ron Rivera has come up with a great game plan.

On offense, I'm not really so happy. L.T. and Antonio Gates have gutted it up and made an impact and we have the lead, but Philip Rivers has missed multiple open receivers. However, Chris Chambers and Darren Sproles have been wonderful.

But the player of the game so far is undoubtedly Mike Scifres. Best half I have ever seen from a punter. Just awesome.

Preview: San Diego Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:56:49 +0000

AFC Champs! I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift (Jay Cutler is one dumb-looking elf!). Now here comes the playoffs, where everyone is 0-0 and anything can happen. Do you think it's beyond the realm of possibility that an 8-8 team can go all the way to the Super Bowl? Funny, I think it's a stretch to think that a formerly 4-8 team could win it's division. ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!

That being said, I don't think that this will be a cakewalk. The Chargers first round matchup comes against the only team who may be hotter than they are- the Colts. The Colts have become San Diego's biggest non-divisional rival the last few years, and I expect tonight's game to live up to the hype.

Chargers on offense: Future-MVP Philip Rivers has nothing left to prove after last year's one-legged performance in the AFC Championship game and this year's league leading 105.5 QB rating and 34 TD passes. The Chargers' fate rests on his arm, even more so considering that LT will be at less than 100%. If the offensive line can maintain or even improve upon their level of play from the last 4-weeks, the Chargers have a great shot at improving their 24-point scoring average over their last 4 games against Indy,

Chargers on defense: Hello, Mr. MVP. Peyton Manning comes to the Q with a toolbox full of his usual weapons, which is never a good feeling. At any time, Manning can kill you if you let up even once. In week 12, he squeaked out a win for the Colts with a last second drive leading to a game-winning field goal. But if you look at the final stats from that game, their offense hardly had a stellar performance. In fact, considering that the Chargers were just 3-weeks into Ron Rivera's tenure as Defensive Coordinator, I'm optimistic that they can put the screws to Peyton once again. Everyone knows you can't let him get comfortable in the pocket, so I expect Rivera to bring the heat, with a lot of Phillips, Tucker, and Applewhite, and with some Weddle and Hart thrown in to keep Peyton jumping.

Prediction: Considering the Chargers good track record against the Colts, I think they have a great shot at winning this one. Rivers and the offense can score against anyone, so it's up to the defense to win the battle in the trenches and knock Peyton around for four solid quarters. Chargers 27, Colts 24

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Confessions Of A Dangerous Chargers Fan--January 1, 2009

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:18:43 +0000

It certainly isn't a successful season yet, but it's a hell of a lot better than we thought it would be after the lifeless effort against the Falcons left us at 4-8. I'm not getting too worried yet about the status of LT and Antonio Gates for Saturday Night. The outcome of this entire season has been predicated on the fact that the Bolts have finally learned from the past. I have to believe that LaDainian wouldn't have had that grin on his face if he knew that for the second straight season he'd be on the sidelines during the playoffs. Antonio Gates, who is so key on 3rd downs and in passing situations in the red zone, is probably an even bigger asset right now. However, I truly believe that the Chargers are simply keeping their cards close to the vest at this point. It's a transparent ploy, but all NFL teams do it in the postseason. As for the rumor that both players were in the locker room looking at tape for the Indy game, I can't imagine that Norv was THAT confident at the half. However, they did decide to wear the powder blues before kickoff.
I worried how the Bolts would respond once they got themselves back to sea level and they looked like a team on a mission. Obviously, the competition gets a lot tougher this week. In last year's playoff game, we didn't need to contend with Dwight Freeney and had Shawne Merriman to provide pressure on Peyton Manning. On the 4th down play that ultimately ended the game, it was Merriman who got in Manning's face to force him to overthrow his receiver. Ron Rivera will need to continue to try to work with what he has to get heat on Manning. All three of Denver's touchdowns appeared to come as a result of a defensive brain freeze. Clinton Hart gave Indy one of those last season and hopefully got them all out of his system beforehand. He may have been pushed on that touchdown, but you can't expect the officials to bail you out. Antonio Cromartie, he of the black socks, couldn't pick a better time to come out of his shell. He does seem to like playing against Manning. Quentin Jammer may still believe that he was picked on the pass on 4th and 1 back in November, but he also cannot expect help from anybody but himself on Saturday Night.
Sure, the Colts have won 9 in a row. They won't collapse as we did when we finished the regular season with 10 straight wins. But they DID get their ring that season. Peyton Manning won't be any less hungry for a win, but we need to want it even more. I know that sounds cliched, but it's true in this case. All any Charger fan can ask is that the Bolts don't beat themselves. Al Michaels alluded to teams that went on a run to the Super Bowl who appeared to be picking up steam but at the same time played with a looseness that comes from dealing with "house money." Of course, the season would be considered a failure if the Chargers returned to their "one and done" ways, but if they can play without the weight of the biggest of expectations but keep their poise unlike those aforementioned postseason meltdowns they should be alright. I like that we are playing at home and that we faced Indy already once this season. Hopefully, the Bolts can get the bitter taste they felt after losing on a 51-yarder out of their mouths and emerge ready for the next challenge.
One More Saturday Night? Hardly.
JIC,
RLW

AFC West Champs!

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:17:35 +0000

Who saw this four weeks ago?

Playoffs! We won when we needed to win. We erased one of the worst calls in league history. We silenced our doubters.

We are going to the dance. Anything can happen from here on out. If you thought the Bolts were done after they lost to Pittsburgh, you were far from alone. All those Steeler fans who gave me their condolences after that game, as I walked out in the snow and the cold?

Thank you... and now pray you don't play us again. Because eight was enough. Denver is done. We are through to the second season and everything that happened in September and October is completely irrelevant.

"The call" is history. Bring on the Colts and lets have another classic game. Sure, we could lose to Indy. They are an awesome team.

But nothing can bring me down right now. We just pulled off possibly the most incredible internal season turn-around in the history of the league. Sure, the Dolphins deserve credit. But we were three games down with three to play.

It is hardly inconceivable that the winner on Saturday wins the whole thing. Indeed, it seems very possible.

But we already did what many considered impossible. The inconceivable is a step down.

What, I'm Supposed To Be Comfortable With This?

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:51:34 +0000

After all that has gone wrong this season, it would take a five possession lead to make me relax.

Yeah, three possessions. Sure, that is a lot. But I want another seven. I don't want anything going wrong.

Halfway To Our Goal

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:49:12 +0000

The goal is the playoffs. We don't really care about embarrassing the Broncos. I mean, a win will do that. No matter how many points the margin is. They've "led' the division all season. Going into week 17 with the division lead and missing the playoffs will be embarrassing enough. I could care less about shaming them. This is about us.

Get to the dance.

There's a pretty girl standing there waiting for an invitation to take the floor. All we need is the chance to ask her to cut a rug. Who cares what the margin of victory is?

If we can get into the playoffs, anything can happen. Let's face it, we played our best game of the year last week... and our best month in December. All we want is a chance to continue that run.

An 18 point lead at the half is a good start. But it is only halftime.

Don't let up. Beat Denver. Give us the chance to make this season one to celebrate instead of one to forget.

24-6 is pretty nice, sure. But how about 48-12? Or for that matter, how about 24-23?

I could care less if the win is by one point or fifty. Just like I said at the end of the first quarter. All I want is a win. A lead at the half means a better chance that we lead at the final gun. That is all it means to me.

Win. Remove the stigma. Make Ed Hochuli a happy man. Win the division.

Tonight, that is the only thing that matters.

One Quarter Down...

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 02:02:15 +0000

...and it's 10-6 San Diego. I'll take that over four quarters. I don't care about killing Denver. I just want a win. One point or twenty, I don't care. Just win.

I've never seen a kicker hit the upright on consecutive kicks. That was odd to say the least.

The first two plays? Consecutive questionable calls. C'mon, a guy gets pulled down horse-collar style out of bounds? Should have been a flag. But the correct call on the pass interference did make up for it some. Even if Helen Keller would have known that was pass interference. But we'll deal with it. 25% down and we have a lead. It may not mean much, but it is better than being behind.

I want this game more than just about any non-Raider regular season contest I can remember.

Bolts Biggest Obstacle Tonight Not Cutler, But Chargers

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:27:35 +0000

No offense to the Broncos or their QB, but going into this game, I am not worried about them.

I'm worried about us.

This team has had every chance to avoid this all-or-nothing game tonight. Forget about week 2. Honestly, we should have beat Carolina, Buffalo and New Orleans. We could have beat Miami, Indy, Pittsburgh and Atlanta. There is not a single game this season where this team was just dominated.

Yeah, it's easy to blame a lot of it on the inability of Ted Cottrell to adapt to a life sans-Merriman. But just one of those would have put us in position to at least be the one holding the upper hand. If we had won one of those and Ed Hochuli and the replay equipment had not made headlines, we would be preparing for a meaningless game.

Every time their back has been against the wall, this team has managed a win. Every time they have had a chance to administer a coup de grace, they have slit their own throats. Now we have a game that is both. Which trend continues? It's not up to the Broncos. It's up to the Bolts.

I think the Chargers have finally turned the corner. I think they are playing as well as they have all year. I think they come into this game with a fire in their guts and a desire to gain vengeance. On the other sideline, we have a team in trouble, a team playing afraid to lose. That doesn't usually win football games.

On this seasons paper, statistically, these teams are close. But truthfully, the Chargers are the better team if you look beyond this single year and if you listen to the opinions of people who are, after all, paid to watch football with the same interest level many of us do as an escape.

The Chargers should win this game. Any NFL team can beat any other on any given Sunday. It is a cliche because it is true. But the Chargers should win this game. The biggest obstacle to them doing so is their own history.

Time to turn the page in this textbook.

Revenge Week

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:54:03 +0000

Revenge week against the Broncos brings with it the story of two teams who seem to dislike each other more and more after every match-up, and naturally the Rivers vs. Cutler showdown is at the top of the headlines. For those of you unfamiliar with my previous blog (Chargers Coverage), I am reposting my Jay Cutler fan (not) blog here:

Jay Cutler has a good arm. His head, unfortunately, is highly questionable.

Apparently being known as the second best QB in the AFC West wasn't good enough for Cutler. No, Cutler was unhappy receiving so little press because of it. Thank GOD that he finally chose to do something about that, while in the process proving what many fans have begun to realize. Yes, while being only the 2nd best QB in the AFC West, he is undoubtedly the cockiest and most egotistical.

What's more surprising is that it took this long to become nationally recognized. I've read a number of sources that revealed the true nature of Cutler's I'm-better-than-you attitude (commonly shortened to "punk"), but only now is that true nature coming to light. Here's some of Jay Cutler's finest moments, in case you missed them:

Cutler was suspended for 1-game at Vanderbilt after being issued four citations for property damage, underage drinking, and evading arrest.
In a 2006 blow-out loss against the San Diego Chargers, Cutler is seen grabbing his crotch while staring down the Chargers sideline, reportedly talking smack after a failed 4th-down conversion. Philip Rivers and Company fire back with a good-bye wave (the only part caught on tape). Cutler is then seen wandering the sideline pouting.
Less than a year later, Cutler said of Rivers (on The Best Damn Sports Show), "I don't like how he carries himself. I don't like some of the stuff he does on the field."
In a Sporting News article last week, Cutler said of Hall of Famer John Elway, and every other QB in the NFL, "I have a stronger arm than John, hands down. I'll bet on it against anybody's in the league." Consistently overthrowing your WR's isn't something to be gloating about in a national publication. Besides, everyone knows JaMarcus Russell has a stronger arm and look at where that is getting him.
After fumbling against the Chargers in Week 2 of this year, Cutler stated, "It just happens sometimes, happens to everybody, not my fault." Not your fault? You roll out, untouched, and drop the ball, and it's not your fault? How immature is that?
In a commercial filmed in June and that premiered last month, Cutler, a diabetic, promotes McDonalds, apparently the only known vaccine for diabetes in impressionable children.
Cutler has already written a Hall of Fame induction speech that his mom said is much better than any QB in the Hall of Fame. OK, I can't prove this last one, but I wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

I find it appalling that a a guy like Cutler, a guy without a winning record in the NFL, can talk so much crap yet Rivers, with great stats and actual playoff victories, is treated like a villain in the media because he waved bye-bye after Cutler's punk reaction to getting detroyed on the field on Christmas eve. Most anyone who has come in contact with Jay Cutler has learned how big of a punk he is. In comparison to Cutler, I'll stand by Philip River's reputation on and off the field every time.

Agree or disagree, I welcome your thoughts. And be sure to check out Kevin Acee's blog in the San Diego Union Tribune (here), where he documents quotes from LB Matt Wilhelm about Cutler being a punk. Good stuff!