BOLT ANALYSIS: WEEK 4 - IT ALL COMES TOGETHER (FOR A WEEK)

Total domination. Yesterday showed us all (at least those who found a way to avoid the Blackout) how good this team can look. Even on an 8” screen at ATDHE.NET, this team looked good. We all know that teams coached by 100-loss Norv tend to start slow. I would say that “slow” is an understatement to describe our losses to the Chiefs and Seahawks thus far. But, the three things that haunted us against those teams were addressed yesterday….and look at the results: a 41-10 beatdown that really was not even that close. Ah, the sweet and maddening sound of “what if?” What if the Chargers played this well (or even half of this well) in their previous two losses? What if? Well..they would be 4-0 and everyone would be talking about them. But, we must focus on the reality. The reality is that we are 2-2 and, by all accounts, starting the season fresh again.



So, those three things that cost us previous games: 1) Special Teams, 2) turnovers, 3) penalties. All were addressed in fine fashion yesterday (for the most part). The Bolts signed two guys off the practice squad to play Special Teams (Quinton Teal and Kion Wilson) and put 3 or 4 starters back on the Special Team roster as well. Guys like Tolbert, Siler, Weddle, Jammer, etc. all got time. And, it is only one game but the results were fantastic. I think some of their backups…guys they thought they liked a lot (Spillman, rookie Stuckey, etc.) are going to find themselves with an uphill battle for playing time now. Turnovers: Well, despite Darren Sproles miserable fumble that was returned for a score…the team held on to the ball and made plays. Finally, the team eliminated penalties and mental errors for the most part. Easy to do when you are cruising and up 4 touchdowns…? Sure. But a fact is a fact. Hopefully, this type of growth can continue.


Now to the defense. Wow. See what playing with a lead does for these guys? 9 sacks!? Are you kidding me? Phillips has 4 by himself. Burnett, Tucker, Garay, it goes on. Just demolished that team. This is without our supposed best outside rushers in Merriman and English…who are both out. When they were not getting to the QB…they were making great plays downfield…Cason, Jammer, Gregory. Again, just a really fine performance…giving up less than 150 yards! The defense has played 4 winning games now. I have been very impressed with our linebacking crew…despite the injuries, guys are stepping up. Burnett has been a monster this year…and with Cooper back and Siler playing well…our inside guys have been good. They have needed to be because Merriman is a shell of his former self and English (now hurt) has been poor. Lucky that Phillips is playing crazy-good..including an interception return for a score. What a game by him. I understand Jyles Tucker got hurt yesterday…hopefully not too bad or that would be 3 outside linebackers out. Ouch. Cannot afford that.


The offense. This was Norval’s wet dream. Running the ball at will with four different backs getting in on the action. A calm, efficient, Phillip Rivers. A big lead…time killing drives. A scenario not only a Norv but any coach would love. Loved to see Mathews return with great results, including his first TD. Nice work Ryan. And Tolbert…gotta love the guy. Tough, demonstrative, and will play any role given to him. Great guy to have on the team. The line played well and Gates, well, he is Superman. The guy is just playing inspired, brilliant football. Not much else you can say but just tip your cap and relish the sight of #85 running free down the middle into the endzone. Great to watch.


OK, enough with all the superlatives. The ANALYSIS is easy when everything works. Do not lose sight of the fact that this was a bad opponent. So, what is next? We go on the road for two winnable travelling games against the Raiders and Rams. We need to go on a run now. Enough is enough. Put erratic and mistake prone September behind us. No more Jekyll and Hyde BS. Go out and play this way, continue to build confidence, and beat the teams we are supposed to beat. Remember…our first 6 games are against teams we will be favored against…at least three by more than a TD. You must win these games. Period. Keep it rolling Boyz.


I must close with some musings on an amazing sports weekend. The Oregon Ducks crush Stanford and are ranked #3 in the Country. Is there a more entertaining team in college football? I think not. Zenyatta wins her 19th in a row! The Chargers Win! But….with triumph there must always come tragedy…at least for San Diego fans. The Padres fought until the bitter end…losing a tough one in San Francisco and, in the process, losing out on the wildcard and the division title. This following two games where they made the sports world watch as a potential three team playoff loomed. The good part of this is that this team seriously overachieved. The third lowest payroll in baseball with the other two teams, Seattle and Pittsburgh, both with well over 100 losses. The bad part: Our playoff push did not end yesterday. It ended with a four game set at home to the Cubs. We had a chance to stay on top and dropped 3 of 4 to that team, including two pathetic 1-0 losses. Our playoff push ended with a 13-24 finish after being 6 ½ games up in the West on August 25. Fans can be proud of a tough, overachieving team who did their best. But those who have been here for decades have seen this before. San Diego teams are just notorious for the heartbreak. Providing hope and then crashing. I would love to say that we have a great young nucleus of a team…with a great young pitching staff. We will build on this and become a contender. I would like to say that. But, we have seen it before. The dismantling…the “budget considerations”, the “payroll choices”. Hope it does not happen. But, history is history.


Finally, I have closed a number of posts in the past year praising Zenyatta. The now 19-19 superhorse who has won two Breeders Cup races in a row. Well, in another magical and heart-pounding finish she now heads to Kentucky for the Breeders Cup Classic with her perfect record intact. I have said it all before so I will not repeat. But tune in on November 6 for the Breeders Cup because true Champions in any sport just do not come around very often. This is your last chance to see one.