Posts Tagged ‘San Diego Chargers’
Training Camp Around The Corner
With training camp looming near, all I’m getting on the radio around here is Chief’s news. KC just signed Matt Cassell to a long term deal, which is good but I still wonder how in the world are the Chefs (misspelled on purpose) going to protect him? Who’s going to catch the ball? Who’s going to run it?
Of course, Denver’s problems aren’t that much better, just on the other side of the ball. Who’s going to tackle? Who’s going to lead the defense? Who’s going to put pressure on the QB? I’m not sure which problems are better to have…this is why we play the games.
Cutler Saga Continued…
This week, KC Joyner got slammed because of his comments about Cutler as a Bear. For Bronco fans – nothing really new in the article. We were getting tired of the sulking on the sidelines after a bad play, 4th quarter red-zone picks and turnovers. We chalked up the first 2 years as inexperienced, this year they got harder to swallow especially down the stretch with a 3 game lead.
I think the coaches and fan were hoping that he’d grow up and out of that stuff, that Cutler’s maturity would eventually rise up to the level of his talent. It didn’t in Denver. Chicago is hoping it does there. It could happen. Plenty of stories have played out that way.
What I think is bizarre is that particular class of QB’s is turning out to be the Head Case Class of all time. Leinart, Young, and Cutler have not been the most stable bunch of QB’s. All have had their off-field issues and attitude issues. None have exactly lived up to their hype.
Other Random Training Camp Thoughts
The Broncs – Orton doesn’t thrill me but if he can protect a lead, not turn it over in the 4th quarter – I’ll take it. Knowshon Moreno is going to be fun to watch. The defense of Denver is going to be painful to watch. Addition of Dawkins is huge but not sure if it’s huge enough. He’s not a defensive lineman.
Jokeland is pathetic. They already cut their 6th round pick from this year’s draft. I have a few Raider fan friends. I pity them. It’s getting to the point when I see them, I don’t even rag on Oakland even more because it’s just too easy and painful. I just shake my head and move on. I think JaMarcus Russell will back up Garcia this year and gain 75 pounds. I hope McFadden can stay healthy so when he becomes a free agent, he can go to a team with a prayer of a chance to win.
San Diego – getting older, still have ridiculous talent to win. Still not convinced that Norv Turner is the guy to take them there but he manages to scrape by. Last year again – scrapes into the playoffs and makes some noise in the first round. The problem for the Chargers is they don’t come to play every single game. I don’t know why. It baffles my mind with LT, Rivers, and Gates how that can happen but it has the last two years.
The NFL season can’t get here fast enough.
Put Up or Shut Up
Hold on to your knickers, boys. Never has a contest between two mediocre teams meant so much to so few.
As a fan, you always want your team to win. Especially against the punk trash talking Phyllis Rivers. It would be awesome to send the Chargers into the off-season discouraged and disgruntled.
On the other hand, having the 11th or 12th pick in the draft would be awesome. It’s where we found Ryan Clady.
I’m not sure the Broncos have much left to prove. David B. posted about this over on his site and I agree with him on most points. Offense is close – injuries have killed the Broncs and the defense isn’t going to scare or stop anybody. Especially when the next somebody would be the Indianapolis Colts.
So take the pick and reload for next year.
But I can’t stand the thought of losing the AFC West to the Chargers.
To those who say it’s always better to go to the playoffs and take your chances – I disagree. I remember well all the Super Bowl losses in the late ’80′s. The Washington loss was excruciating. I think playing Indianapolis next week would be along the same lines.
So I’m conflicted.
24-20, 6-4, Contender or Pretender?
One of many questions I have this morning as I think about the Bronco’s performance against Atlanta.
Why not keep Spencer Larsen to the MLB position?
Why not keep the current linebackers in when the others get healthy?
Why not just start Pope and Hillis in the backfield, using Bell as relief?
Why not keep blitzing on 3rd down?
Why not keep using Elvis on passing downs instead of every down?
It was the first game this season where the defense showed passion and played smart. The linemen actually kept the linebackers free to make tackles. The linebackers actually attacked the ball. There were still too many mental errors (offsides on a 4th down, 3 big plays at crucial times, dropped interceptions) to be a good defense but we’re beyond that hope. We’ll take acceptable or average and yesterday the Broncos gave us a little better than average performance.
It’s tempting to look at the win against Atlanta and say – “They should have beat this team.” But Denver has a history of choking when playing on turf, in a dome, on the road, in the Eastern Time Zone and against teams that can run the ball. Atlanta was all those things, Denver didn’t play a great game and still won.
Cutler – no picks. Offense – no giveaways. Special teams were special. Defense was average/above average. I’ll take it.
Matt Ryan played like a 3 year player, not the rookie he is. He’ll be a great quarterback.
Dre “Toast” Bly – you got handled all day long, you make one pick on a fair catch ball. Just toss the ball to the ref and shut your mouth. We don’t want to see you celebrate catching a ball my 10 year old could catch after the entire league has abused you all season long.
Winborn – love the passion. Catch the ball.
Peyton Hillis – the definition of a ‘football player.’
Spencer Larsen – see above.
Eddie Royal – special player.
Ryan Clady – a man among boys.
The Chargers losing to Pittsburgh gives the Broncs a 2 game lead in the AFC West. Chief fans – take heart. Yes, you are 1-9 and could likely only win one more game all year. But more than likely that win will be against Denver and it looks like you’ve found a starting QB. Now all you need is a coach.
I hear Norv Turner will be available at the end of the season.
More Thoughts On Chargers/Broncos
Going For 2
As I said – I didn’t like the call at first. After thinking through it – it was the right choice even if the attempt had failed. Here’s why – it sent a message to the offense – particularly Jay Cutler – that the coaches believe in you. It said with a game on the line, we’re comfortable putting it in his hands to win (or lose).
Second, it sent a message to the defense. It said – you’re not good enough. And they weren’t. Rivers (just like Cutler) went untouched the entire second half.
Blown Calls
Cutler’s fumble was exactly that – a fumble. It was a blown call. No one will argue that. Over the course of a year, there will be more and the Broncos will have their share as well. But the refs didn’t give the Broncos 8 points. Instead of 2nd and goal from the 2, it was 3rd and goal from the 10. After a draw play (??????), it was 4th and goal from the 5. Plus, the 2-point conversion afterwards.
Point is – the Broncs had to capitalize on the opportunity – they did. The Chargers had to respond to adversity – they didn’t. Doesn’t get any simpler than that. The Broncos did, the Chargers defense didn’t.
Earlier in the game, Champ Bailey stole an interception out of the hands of Chris Chambers. In real time, it looked legit. In slow motion – it still looked legit or at the very least an incomplete pass. That call was not a blown call, it was a very close call that went the Broncos way. Another opportunity – step up, execute and capitalize or step up, execute and overcome. Broncos did, Chargers didn’t.
Bottom line, if I were the Chargers, I’d be more focused on the Week 3 opponent than what happened in the past. I’d spend more time looking at defensive film trying to figure out how to stop the 2-minute drill, than worrying about which officiating crew was assigned. Otherwise, they will be looking at 0-3.