BFTB Answers Your Chargers Questions

by John (obviousman) on Oct 27, 2009 3:11 AM PDT Comment 24 comments

Hey guys. I'm John, the Managing Editor over at Bolts From The Blue, and I'm back to answer any questions you have about the San Diego Chargers.

The last two weeks I've asked Broncos and Chiefs fans to avoid any trash-talking in the comments of these posts, I really want it to be a place for straight-forward questions and answers, and it's turned into twice as much trash-talk as it would've normally. So I'll just ask that you keep in mind that I'm not here as a troll, I'm here to help you guys get more knowledgeable about the upcoming game.

Put your questions in the comments below and please Rec this post to keep it at the top of the page until Sunday's game.

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Don't worry, we are in no position to trash talk

That being said, do you think the Chargers have a realistic chance at the division because the wild card is going to be ultra-competitive?

Your team is your child...You love it no matter what.

by TheRaiderWay on Oct 27, 2009 5:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

neither were the Chiefs fans

That being said, do you think the Chargers have a realistic chance at the division because the wild card is going to be ultra-competitive?
Realistic? No. I think it’s wild card or bust. However, I don’t think the wild card is out of reach at all. I would just feel more at ease about it if the Bengals fell to Earth like I thought they would after losing Odom. Also, the Chargers need to win at least two out of the next four games (Raiders, Giants, Eagles, Broncos).

With all the talent the Chargers have and now with another start that is below expectations, is it time to start blaming Norv Turner? Or is it the defensive coordinator’s fault, age of the roster or injuries?
It’s all of that. It’s Norv, it’s Rivera, it’s an old roster and it’s injuries without much depth. I personally am starting to think that Norv Turner is a heck of a coach who just can’t run a training camp the right way. After the slow starts, the team is fine. And usually the slow start is due to a lot of early injuries and guys blowing assignments.

Unlike last year, the Chargers early schedule in 2009 was a beast but it’s pretty soft from here on out. I remember a lot of Chargers fans looking at the schedule and saying “If we’re 2-2 after Week 4, I’ll be ecstatic.” Well, we were and they weren’t. I think this Chargers team has been underappreciated thusfar this year, but I also think the upcoming schedule will make everyone overestimate them heading into December.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 27, 2009 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not in a position to trash talk?!?!

au contaire Raider Way. If drunk, disillusioned, angry and bitter (which is the state Raiders inspire) is not a position to trash talk than I don’t know what is! LOL

You can take your sucky, stupid, not horrible, not out of the playoff race, talented, only a few holes, with a real GM team and shove it up your San Diego “Whale Vagina” butt! Football is stupid anyway! The ’70’s rock!

Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.

by noontide on Oct 28, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There’s a special place in heaven for John Madden’s 70s sideburns.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 28, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is LT Done?

…and where is Sproles?

:=8/

Big McLargehuge!
:=8O

by The MooCow on Oct 27, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LT isn’t “done” as a legitimate RB in the league, but he’s done being a top 5 RB and a potential MVP.

Sproles is around. He gets his handful of carries/catches per game and then terrorizes the opposing team in the return game. Sproles actually has 390 yards from scrimmage and 3 offensive TDs this season. He just isn’t ever going to be a #1 RB in the league because of his size, so although many people are expecting him to take over for LT it’s not going to happen.

Plus, besides the games in which he was injured, LT hasn’t been that bad this season.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 27, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

LT

I dont think LT is in the Top 10 in the league anymore

by Remix. on Oct 27, 2009 10:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s not a question.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 28, 2009 2:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember back leading up to week 1 (ah those were the days)

3-3 seems like a sterling record to me, but I think it is below what a lot of Charger fans were expecting. What do you feel is the main reason for this under performance?

It appears that the Chargers are struggling to fill the hole left by Jamal Williams. Do you see or foresee any progress in this regard?

Thanks for stopping by

Oh one last question: what scares you the most about the Raiders mind numbingly potent offensive attack? Don’t say everything because that is just too easy.

Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.

by noontide on Oct 28, 2009 12:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and you (at least I think it was you) were saying the O-line was improved from last year. Do you still think that. Do you thing the running game can get on track? What do you think has been the major factor in its failures so far?
Yes and no. Hardwick is literally the toughest guy for the line to lose and they lost him for 8 weeks (on a play that was blown dead!!!). Not having him out there has really hurt Dielman and Vasquez, and apparently nobody else has the ability to call protection schemes and single out the blitzer on any given play. So while I think Vasquez has been an improvement over Goff, and Clary has been really good, and McNeill has been better than 2008 McNeill……the line struggles, especially in run-blocking, without Hardwick out there.

I do think the running game can get on track. I think it’s not far off actually. As the passing game continues to get better, that opens more holes for the RBs. I think the major factor in it’s failures so far has been injuries. The MNF game against the Broncos was the first time all season that LT was 100% healthy and was actually used. As stated above, getting Hardwick back will be huge for the line as well.

3-3 seems like a sterling record to me, but I think it is below what a lot of Charger fans were expecting. What do you feel is the main reason for this under performance?
I don’t know that it’s under-performance really. The Chargers have faced a tough schedule. Their 3 losses have come against the Steelers, Ravens and Broncos and they’ve all been close games. Competing against those teams is a moral victory.

Anyone who was expecting better than 4-2 at this point (I wasn’t expecting the Broncos to be very good) was fooling themselves into thinking Merriman would immediately be back on top. He’s not and the pass-rush is suffering because of it. Jamal Williams being gone doesn’t help matters either.

It appears that the Chargers are struggling to fill the hole left by Jamal Williams. Do you see or foresee any progress in this regard?

Oh hell yes, and I think the Chargers have finally figured out how to get 3/4 of JW’s production. A rotation of healthy bodies. When they were asking rookie Ogemdi Nwagbuo to be the full-time Nose Tackle, the run defense was getting absolutely smoked. Since then, the Chargers signed Alfonso Boone, signed back Ian Scott (a camp cut) and got Travis Johnson healthy.

Now instead of 4 guys to man 3 spots on the defensive line (including Vaughn Martin, who is very raw), the Chargers have 6 legitimate guys in Castillo, Cesaire, Nwagbuo, Boone, Scott and Johnson. Against the Broncos and Chiefs the Chargers have used those 6 guys effectively, keeping everybody fresh, and it has really helped to fill the gap left by Williams.

Oh one last question: what scares you the most about the Raiders mind numbingly potent offensive attack? Don’t say everything because that is just too easy.
The way they injured half of our defensive line in week 1. And Zach Miller.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 28, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Merriman...

what are Chargers fan’s thought on him? This season and his future? Do you think the majority of fans would like to see Merriman continue to be a Charger?

Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.

by noontide on Oct 28, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what are Chargers fan’s thought on him? This season and his future? Do you think the majority of fans would like to see Merriman continue to be a Charger?
Of course they would. Nobody likes to lose a player with Merriman’s talents and potential. A few years ago he should’ve won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award after only playing in 12 games.

However, it doesn’t really matter. AJ Smith isn’t real fond of Merriman, and Shawne’s knee looks like it’s a ways off from being healthy. With a new CBA in place, Merriman is an unrestricted free agent after this season and will definitely land somewhere else. Without a new CBA in place, he’s a restricted free agent and will either be signed for cheap or signed and traded. He’s not going to retire as a Charger, that’s for sure.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 29, 2009 3:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am surprised by your statement...

Obviously you can assume a player will improve in his first year back from a knee injury, but I have my doubts he will ever re-gain that dominant form and you also have to throw in his steroid history. Is he still taking them? Does he need to take them to dominate? This combined with his seemingly me first attitude seem to make him a questionable long term sign.

Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.

by noontide on Oct 29, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

man how pissed off

was LT after turner benched him on that goal line drive for sproles?
i know he was lol
i think it was funny but i kinda feel sorry for him
also, are there cheap ways to get tix at the q?

by S.D. Raider on Oct 28, 2009 4:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As angry as somebody who still think they’re a top 5 RB in the NFL when everybody else knows they aren’t.

Sorry, I wouldn’t know. If it wasn’t a Raiders game, you could probably find a few cheap ones on the ticket re-sale websites like stubhub.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 29, 2009 3:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How do you feel??

So how do you feel knowing you have an easy win against the Raiders? And don’t be modest? Please just rub it in. Let me know how it feels to have a decent if not better NFL team to root for.

by Remix. on Oct 28, 2009 9:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At the very least

It’s entertaining. I remember when the Chargers were 1-15 and 4-12, those seasons were BORING. Nobody wanted to talk about the team, think about the team or even acknowledge that the team existed except during those 3 hours each Sunday when the game was on.

However, I’m not ready to call this Sunday an easy win. That Week 1 game gave me too many reasons to worry about this Raiders team. I’ll say I’m looking forward to the game and hope I see a different Chargers team this time around.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 29, 2009 3:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Class Act

I tend to like Charger fans more than Chiefs and Bronco fans. It goes 1) Broncos 2) Chiefs 3) Chargers. My question is who has been a surprise for the Chargers this year?

Thanks John for stopping by

by Raider76 on Oct 29, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm

There have been some surprising disappointments (Dielman, Chambers, Cromartie), but finding positive surprises is a little more difficult.

Right now I’d go with Steve Gregory. He started the season as the backup SS (and nobody liked him), and has now replaced Antoine Cason (who everyone loves) as the nickel CB. The Chiefs game was his first game there and he was so good it was a little ridiculous. Also, Jacob Hester has been a disappointment at FB but has been a special teams beast.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 29, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you think this game will be like week one, or do you think it's going to be more like the Chiefs game?

by B.A.Armstrong on Oct 29, 2009 4:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it will be more like the Chiefs game, just because the team is starting to get healthy on the lines and finally has a sense of urgency.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 30, 2009 6:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no trash talking?

stop pussing out, john. jk.

wats vince jackson’s stat line about to look like tomorro? on the nfl network, nnamdi said you guys are the only team that actually throws his way.

Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up!!

by naq92 on Oct 31, 2009 8:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nnamdi does a really good job of keeping VJ in check. Jackson’s biggest strength is his size and physicality, and in that regard Asomugha can match him. I’d expect somewhere around 50-75 yards and maybe a TD today. That’s a down day for Jackson this season.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Nov 1, 2009 5:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey

at least we all have k c lol to pick on

okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule

by j-man on Nov 1, 2009 2:16 PM PST reply actions 0 recs