BOLT ANALYSIS: WEEK 8 -- BLACKOUTS AND RED FACES

Based on the complete lack of response I received after last week’s “glimmer of hope” theme, I take it that you all just did not agree. Well, the ANALYSIS is never one to point out its past successes (does quoting yourself count?) but there is still a glimmer after a Week 8 win over the Titans that proved the only thing the Chargers need is a blacked out home game (3-0 on blackouts, 0-5 without). The other theme that seems to be coming together is the “motivation and inspiration” theme, which on Sunday by all accounts came from the most unlikely of sources…our head coach. Yes, the headlines are reporting that Norval gave his “best halftime speech ever” and motivated this beleaguered team to new heights. I prefer to believe Mike Tolbert’s quote however, “You could tell he was passionate, his face was red”. Well, whatever happened in the locker room at halftime worked, because the Chargers stepped up and won a game yesterday. Not pretty for sure…but a win against a good team is a win and as we have seen in the past, confidence is important. Let’s review.


The first half began the way so many of our games have…with a terrible first drive and another inconceivably bad Special Teams play. Another blocked punt for a safety…these are things that do not happen for years to teams…we have had three blocked punts for scores already this season. But, the Chargers turned it around and put together a good drive and took the lead, Gates coming up huge. The feeling of disgust crept up again through the remainder of the half…the Titans scoring twice to take a 19-7 lead. However, the Chargers and Gates answered again….with another one-handed thing of beauty…to get close to the end zone and rookie Mathews ran it in. So, it was at least close at the half. I will leave to your imagination the things that Norval said in that locker room. Was it something about “being your best?”, was it “I love you guys?” was it “spread your wings and fly?”. Whatever it was, the Bolts came out in the second half and gosh-darnit…played well. A nice mix of running and passing…a bunch of huge 3rd down conversions. Gates being Gates. Two more Rivers TD passes…finally one to Sproles! And then a crucial hold by the defense at the end of the game.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this is not a post about praise. There were still the boneheaded plays that are this team’s calling card. The illegal formation penalties, the fail to fair catch by Sproles to drive us to the 1 foot line, the fumbled snap by Scifres on an extra point (Say What!?) to keep us from having a two score lead and icing the game. Just amazing. We tried to lose this game…we really did. But, in the end we got that elusive last stop and won it. Is it the play that saved a season? I won’t be that dramatic…but it may prove pretty important.

The headlines are talking about how the loss of receiver Kenny Britt and QB Vince Young during the game decimated the Titans chances. True. That hurt…but surprisingly little was said about the Chargers playing Crayton, Ajirotutu, Banks, and Goodman at receiver. Not one of these players was on the opening day roster. I guess I would call that a fair fight. Every single one of our expected receivers was hurt and we still made plays. I would have put 5 guys on Gates. Yet, he still was the difference. The running game had fits and starts…but did enough.

On defense, not a good game. ZERO pressure. ZERO. Back to our old tricks on our defensive pressure. What happened to Phillips? He was playing great earlier. The injuries to English and Tucker and no Merriman make us very light in this area. Vince Young had three days to make most of his throws. Add to that an unconscionable 71 yard TD play to a backup receiver. Who was at fault…Cason or Weddle? Not sure…but it looked like Weddle’s man in the zone they play. Absolutely inexcusable. My favorite post game quotes were from Q Jammer who basically said the defense was horrible. That is good, show some passion. Kick some butt. Somebody needs to. Lost in the bad passing defense was a remarkable rush defense. Chris Johnson is one of if not the best running back in the League. Except for one crazy play where he reversed field and scored on us…we held him totally in check. Couple of great open field tackles and wrap ups. Kevin Burnett looked especially good as did Paul Oliver. That was a great performance to hold him to next to nothing. I really believe our inside linebackers, D line, and secondary are much better than last year. I really do. I just think our incredible lack of outside pass rushing is killing us. I don’t think the answer is on our roster either, we are going to need so start some creative blitz packages because we cannot let QBs stand around like that. But, all that being said, we did enough. And folks, why did we win this game? We only turned the ball over once….a meaningless interception at the end of the half.

So…we are halfway through the 2010 season. We are 3-5. That is not good, especially since the Raiders suddenly seem reborn and the Chiefs have a schedule that is very favorable. We will need a dramatic second half to compete. We have both the Raiders and Chiefs at home…but it will take a lot more than that. We have one more game before our bye week. On the road against Houston. We are 0-5 on the road…having lost to teams that are all worse than Houston. It is a big game. To go into our bye week with another win would be big. That glimmer of hope I spoke of may get brighter. To lose going in…well, it will take more than a red-faced Norv to bail us out at that point.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I do not miss an opportunity to talk about other crucial sports news in the ANALYSIS. I have two quick items. First, the Oregon Ducks are consensus #1 in all of the ranking systems..human or computer. Go Ducks! Loved that beatdown of USC on Saturday. The days in graduate school where you could walk across the river, buy a $15 ticket to the football game as it was starting and watch the Ducks are over. This is a real program now. Fun stuff.

And Saturday is the Breeders Cup Classic. I have waxed poetic about Zenyatta for two years now and she comes to the BC Classic with a chance to finish 20 wins from 20 starts. We could see something very special on Saturday. Tune in…it does not matter if you even like Horse Racing or not. As fans of Sport, there just are not many opportunities to see a real Champion.