BOLT ANALYSIS - WEEK 6

About midway through the 4th quarter last night, I felt a strange sensation. It replaced the usual mixture of anxiety, doubt, and unease that I feel during most Charger games. It was somewhat liberating in its simplicity. It was a release of expectations. It was the embrace of the cold reality that this BOLTS team is simply not as good as we all thought they were...or thought they should be.

Now, as I have said in the past, the ANALYSIS attempts to avoid the true highs and lows of fandom. This game, however, put an exlamation point on everything that is high and low about this team. The highs: A great first half, great downfield passing, a wonderful punt return for a TD, good looking comeback running by LT. The lows: an unbelievably bad second half, two special teams touchdowns!, complete lack of adjustments, complete lack of pressure, complete lack of blocking ability. I could pick apart certain plays, I could focus on optimistic views like, "If only we had been tougher on Special Teams". I could focus on the fact that we had a 6 point lead in the 3rd quarter despite the 14 special teams points. But, all that is academic. This team is not good enough to play a good team. And that is what I would like to discuss.

First, we must give credit where it is due. The turnaround in Denver has been remarkable. We hung nearly 100 points on this team last year in two games. They lost their QB, their coach of many years, and a number of other players. Despite this turnover, and the fact they were picked by everyone to stink up the joint...at 6-0 now they are exactly what you want your team to be...tough, relentless, physical, and opportunistic. They don't ask their guys to do too much. They just do it hard and fast and well. I admire them for it. They got their butts kicked in the first half...yet adjusted perfectly, found the weaknesses, and throroughly outplayed us late. Norv and Ron Rivera were left, yet again, looking lost. Uttlerly outcoached by a 32 year old with no big names on his team. Jon Gruden showed a great clip in the second half on his "effort drill" where his defensive team in practice at the blow of a whistle all sprint to the endzone with 100% effort no matter how far away it is and at what point in practice they are. That is Denver and that is not us.

When I talk about the release of expectations..and about this team not being that good...I think we all believe now that it starts at the top. Norv Turner was brought in to manage a group of great players after a 14-2 season. We were flying high on expectations and many felt (myself included) that coachng was secondary...just let our talent speak for itself. Despite the slow starts of 2007 and 2008 we found a way to make the playoffs in successive seasons. I defended the coaching...saying players need to make plays. With regard to poor starts and weak games...we were left grasping for reasons...."well, we just need better blocking", "well we just need Merriman back", "if only LT is 100%". No more excuses folks...the bloom is off this rose. The team just does not believe in Norv, and it does not believe in itself.

Lets start with coaching, Norv and Rivera do not adjust and the team knows it. Nowhere was this more evident that the first drive, where LT was FINALLY back in action, running hard and pumped up. On the 2 yard line, with a head of steam, Norv takes out LT, puts in Sproles and hands off UP THE MIDDLE with a 5'6" 180 pound back. The same play that was stuffed against Baltimore. This to me, is the worst play call of the year. You have a chance to get the team pumped up and believing in LT again...and to get LT believing in himself. Even if he gets stopped, you need to go to the hot hand. Norv's explanation..."that is the play that came up and we thought we had a good chance". BS. That is poor coaching....poor player management...and a morale killer. The team went on to have a great half offensively...but the stage was set and the sideline grumbling was apparent. The game has passed Norv by...somehow still calling up the middle runs and deep routes late in this game with Denver blitzing on every play. Where are the quick hitters, the slants, the outside pitches? Keep your QB out of harms way. But no, the plays continue to be called as if these are the 1992 Dallas Cowboys with Norv taking liberties with a great line and a great team. That is not the Chargers. No adjustments, no wins. I don't see Norv changing now.

And now the player expectations. Losing Jamal Williams was huge...losing Hardwick was huge. But Merriman is back and is ineffective at best. He talked smack all week long and then did not make a positive impression on a single play that I saw. Same can be said of many of our defense..where are these guys? Phillips? Castillo? anyone? anyone? No killer instict..Kyle Orton is standing back there just waiting around. Same old story. Our blitzes are covered easily, our upfield rush is non-existant. We cannot adjust...we cannot compete against good lines.

So, what now? 3 1/2 games out of the division lead. Can this team fight for a wildcard? Sure. Can this team make the playoffs? Sure. But do any of you believe this team can go far in the playoffs? No. It is time to realize that this "generation" of Charger players are simply not as good as advertised. We will win our share of games...we will score some points and be entertaining. But come December and January....playing in a meaningful game is highly unlikely. Lower your expectations, faithful Charger fans, and we can still have some fun...just not the kind of fun we want to have.