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Confessions Of A Dangerous Chargers Fan–May 10, 2008

When I see Charger fans and Patriot fans going back and forth with the trash talk, I know a new football season is coming. I also know it’s time to jump into the fray with my own thoughts and perspective. If you’ve read anything I’ve written over the last thirteen seasons, you know that no one had a tougher time with Eli Manning winning the Super Bowl than I did. However, when you hear people defending the possible taping of opponents, it’s hard not to join the majority of fans who were happy to see New England lose the Super Bowl in the most heartbreaking fashion. When this whole “Spygate” business broke, didn’t LaDainian Tomlinson suggest that for the Patriots, “If you’re not cheating you’re not trying?” When he said those words right before we got blown off the field in Foxboro, it was construed as sour grapes because the Chargers have lost to the Patriots the last three times out. I can accept that. If last season in the NFL taught us anything, it’s that you can say and do whatever you want as long as you win. Plaxico Burress would have been yet another self-promoting loudmouth if he didn’t catch the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl. Until the Chargers can beat the Patriots when it matters, words won’t mean anything. Read the rest of this entry »

Tapes Turned Over To NFL Include Bolts

Former New England Patriot video assistant Matt Walsh has turned over eight new tapes to the National football league, and according to The New York Times, video of the San Diego Chargers is among them.

The tapes were allegedly made between 2000 and 2003 and show offensive and defensive coaches signals in regular season games. According to the New York Times, the teams include the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers (including the 2002 AFC Championship game) and the Cleveland Browns.

Contrary to some published reports, tape of the St. Louis Rams pre-Super Bowl walk-through is apparently not included.

Sources indicate that Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office is eager, if not desperate, to move past the Spygate matter and that they believe Goodell will claim that this new evidence only confirms already existing knowledge. No teams or media were notified of whom the evidence previously destroyed by the NFL showed being taped.

I say that the existence and proof that the New England Patriots were breaking these rules as far back as 2000 and continued the practice for at least seven years indicates that the previous punishment was still not enough. Especially because of the proof that the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick were taping not only future playoff opponents, but actual playoff games.

Obviously, I am someone who considers this far worse because of his loyalty to a team greatly affected. It is absolutely true that I am heavily biased due to the fact that the Patriots have now eliminated my beloved Bolts from the dance two years running. This truth does not invalidate the fact that the cheating occurred or that the punishment previously handed out has proven to be far too lenient.

When I consider the great possibility that these dishonorable and illegal actions may have and probably did contribute to the upset of the number one seeded Chargers in January 2007, I am greatly saddened that the league may consider this matter to have already been concluded. I am confident that Pittsburgh Steeler fans will feel the same, especially in light of the taping of the AFC Championship game. Indeed, although the other teams involved have not been as recently active in the post-season, it has to be considered that those teams, especially the division rival Dolphins, Bills and Jets, have been as badly damaged by this since their twice-yearly contests with New England have obvious playoff implications.

I call upon the league to send a far stronger statement. Suspend Bill Belichick for a minimum of one year. A player caught abusing the legal substance alcohol can be subject to such a ban. A player caught cheating pharmaceutically can be suspended for a full year. A coach, whose behavior will permeate his entire organization, certainly should face no less of a consequence.

Leadership starts at the top and the culture established by a leader thrives. Bill Belichick is a cheater. He should face consequences similar to those the players employed under his supervision would if they were caught cheating.

Bolts Fill Another Hole In 3rd Round With LSU’s Hester

The Chargers came into the draft with four needs and only two picks in the first four rounds. They have been able to address two of those needs as LSU fullback Jacob Hester was still on the board when the Bolt turn came up in the third round.

Hester was Pro Football Weekly’s top rated FB entering the draft,although he ranged anywhere from second to fourth on other lists. Having played in the SEC and for a national champion, Hester shares the polished skills that A.J. Smith looked for in his first round selection, Arizona CB Antoine Cason.

Hester is an accomplished receiver and is well known for his good hands. In 364 carries at LSU, he fumbled only once. He is also known for his physical play. He is an aggressive blocker and first made a name for himself on Tiger special teams units as a freshman, recording five tackles in 2004.

Versatility and an ability to run the ball inside combined with his hands to make him irresistable to the Chargers in the third round. He also has a reputation as a team leader and he fits the Charger profile of drafting good”character guys”.

Figure the Chargers to rotate Hester with Andrew Pinnock, both as lead blockers to combat other teams tendency to stack the box against LaDainian Tomlinson and to provide the power-running counter punch role that Michael Turner filled so well the last few years. Jacob Hester’s abilities as a receiver will also be a commanding asset in those situations. Watch for Hester to catch a few passes after appearing to be a lead blocker early in the season, forcing defenses to pay attention to him. Norv Turner employed that tactic in Dallas, especially around the end zone.

The one knock on Hester is his speed, but that will not be as important in San Diego, where his physical presence running in the middle and as a blocker will be exploited.

Chargers Select Antoine Cason

When the time came to make a selection, the Bolts A.J. Smith did something he has done a lot of lately… he ignored pure numbers and chose a football player.

Antoine Cason faced questions about his speed (some were silenced by his performance at the NFL combine) but the cornerback from Arizona obviously had not fallen far enough in A.J.’s eyes to leave him on the board.  With the departure of Drayton Florence, cornerback is one of only a handful of positions on the Bolts where it made sense to invest a first round pick.  With the Chargers first choices on the offensive line already gone and no need to select a back up running back so high, the defense got the pick and Cason fit.

Cason was rated fourth or fifth at his position on most boards. He may have lasted into the second round if unchosen by the Bolts, but if so he wouldn’t have been there long.  The senior from Arizona  finished his career with 15 interceptions and 253 tackles and was a pick as one of AU’s five best cornerbacks of all time. Although he doesn’t time well, he has that intangible often referred to as “football speed”, meaning he plays faster than the tests.

A smart and polished player with good footwork but lacking some strength and a demonstrated burst, Cason may need to gain strength at the next level.  There has been talk of moving him to safety.