BOLT ANALYSIS: AT LEAST WE AIN'T THE JETS

Hope you all had (or are having) a great holiday. At the beginning of each season, it is a fan’s rite of passage to look over the upcoming schedule and make some predictions about the games. The only thing consistent about these preseason prognostications are how inaccurate they usually area. A few years ago, the Chargers looked weak coming into the season and faced the then-powerful NFC East. They proceeded to beat the Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, and Redskins that year. Who knew? This year, when the schedule came out, you saw late season road games against the Steelers and the Jets and you figured those would be two tough losses. Well, who could have predicted that both these teams would have tanked massively and would lose to the hapless Chargers? But, it happened. Yes, Virginia, the same Charger team that was demolished at home by Carolina a week ago. That is why we watch sports I suppose.

The Jets are clearly the most dysfunctional team in football.  The Tim Tebow experiment was a joke. Either let the guy play or don’t. They kept him as a high-priced distraction to mentally fragile Mark Sanchez and truly screwed both players up. A few years ago, the Jets were the chosen team...with a brash head coach and a room full of ballplayers. Well, they are in utter disarray now. We think we have it bad....not quite this bad. The Chargers had 11 sacks last Sunday! 11! That is truly an amazing stat. But it also shows you how much of a collective head game football is. There are two pro-Bowlers on the Jets O-Line. The Chargers were starting three rookies and a second year guy on defense. Yet...there it is...11 sacks.  Rookie Kendall Reyes had 3.5 by himself. But, sacks come in bunches. When the defense is teeing off like that, it can get ugly and spiral out of control. That is what happened to the Jets and their rookie QB from Alabama.  

The Chargers did not really move the ball well, did not run well, only attempted 22 passes and completed 11 of them. Their only score in the first quarter was a punt return for a TD by Michael Spurlock. After some mishaps, they found themselves down 14-7. Ryan Mathews broke his other clavicle and is out for the year. This former first round draft pick’s career is on the edge folks. He regressed tremendously this year, and I think the high hopes for him are pretty much gone. But, with the defense playing so well, it just took a couple of breaks and a couple of turnovers and the Boyz turned a 14-7 deficit into a 27-14 lead. A pair of touchdown passes (to Alexander and Gates) and the Bolts put away the Jets. It was nice to see Alexander beat Antonio Cromartie for the score. All the bad taste you had in your mouth related to the Jets (LT and Cromartie going to them...the playoff losses to them) kind of just have fizzled away. This is just a bad team now, LT has retired in a sad way, and all of their previous swagger has dissolved.

But, we are not here to talk about the Jets. What does this game mean to us? Realistically, it probably did not help us much. Now, we face the prospect of a season closing game (blacked out for sure) against the hopeless Raiders. We will likely win this game. That will put us at 7-9 to end the season. 7-9....all that gets us is a kick in the ass home for the playoffs and a bad draft pick. Had we lost to the Jets and Raiders...we would likely be in the top 5 at the end of the year, with a chance to get a real difference maker. Maybe a left tackle who could block? Now we are in the middle of the draft. Oh well. Cannot worry too much about Draft picks in December. As you all know, we are looking at a new coach. The rumor mill has been beefing up that our pick may be Bruce Arians from Indianapolis. Arians was Pittsburgh’s coordinator for years before moving over to the Colts to work for Pagano. When Pagano was diagnosed with cancer and stepped down for most of the season, Arians has run the team. Well, they just made the playoffs, are 10-5, and are playing great. How much of this is Andrew Luck? Don’t know. But I do know that the Colts were 1-15 last year. That is one spectacular turnaround. Will this guy be our coach? Don’t know, but he certainly fits the profile. He is friends with the other Pagano (our defensive coordinator), he is a team-related guy and not a power broker, so he can work with the Spanos folks. Makes sense. We shall see.

As far as players go, we will see another big changing of the guard. I have to believe they will dump Jared Gaither and his worthless work ethic. I have to believe they will not re-sign guys like Quentin Jammer and maybe Takeo Spikes and Shawn Phillips..cornerstones of the team who may have lost a step or two. I believe they will re-sign guys like Antoine Cason and Louis Vazquez. I believe they will try to sign Denario Alexander. I believe their main argument will be the Philip Rivers is still a great quarterback...he just needs protection. They will go hard after some offensive linemen and try to shore up that problem. Is that the answer? Well, anyone who has watched Philip the last few years has to believe it is deeper than that.  But, my guess is that out of respect to the franchise QB, they will take this tack. They also will need to get a new running back. They need to have a true backup to Mathews (who may not be a backup for long). Ryan will get another year, for sure, but he is too fragile physically and mentally to carry the load. He just does not have it in him. The Chargers will build around their youth and strength on defense. The D-line looks good...Reyes, Luiget, and Cam Thomas are very good young players. Donald Butler and Eric Weddle are guys you can build around. They need to find a strong corner and another linebacker...but the defense is not far away.

But...that is enough for now. Suffice to say...many changes coming. Although we have known it for a few years, the top team we had from 2006-2009 is LONG gone. Whatever happens next weekend is really immaterial at this point. Let the changes begin.

Happy New Year to All! Here’s to a great 2013.

BOLT ANALYSIS: SOME PERSPECTIVE

There is not much to say today. The fact that the Chargers game was blacked out was obviously a good thing. The game was so bad, even the Red Zone Channel did not waste much time on it. So, it must be said that this week’s ANALYSIS is not really coming from a first-hand account. But, you know all you need to know about our team. Normally, when a team is doing poorly or coming to the end of a bad season, you can evaluate young players...and look for the rays of hope out there. I tell ya, followers, it is not a hopeful place.....Chargerville. There is just next to nothing to get excited about. Losing 31-7 at home to a 4-8 team is bad enough. Doing it in such a way that the stadium is completely empty by the start of the 4^th quarter is pretty amazing. We knew the season was lost a number of weeks ago...and now I think we know that the locker room is lost too.  It is still just crazy to contemplate that we beat the Steelers last week.  Not sure how that happened with this offense. Anyway, a couple of factoids:

·         A total of 164 total yards of offense. Six more sacks given up.

·         31-0 at one point, and the Chargers had run two plays on the Carolina end of the field.

·         Ryan Mathews breaks his “other” clavicle and is done for the year. This, after 4 carries for 22 yards.  Ryan had 1 touchdown this year. 1! Former Chargers Mike Tolbert, Darren Sproles, Michael Turner, and, yes, even Jake Hester each have more than that. I am not being dramatic at all when I say that Ryan was supposed to replace or supplant all of those players (oh yeah, and LT!).

·         Philip Rivers fumbles the ball 4 more times, losing two of them. Mr. Rivers leads the League in turnovers for the second consecutive year...I think the number is 46 turnovers in the past two years.

·         “Star” performers such as Antonio Gates, Malcom Floyd, Meacham, invisible for most of the day. At least Gates caught a TD and has a Charger record, such as it is.

·         “Exciting” young players like Melvin Ingram, Larry English, etc. largely irrelevant.

We are just going to ride out these last few games now. With all the guys hurt, and all the guys out for the year, why risk anyone now?  Why not sit Rivers and let Charlie “Clipboard Jesus” Whitehurst have a shot? Why not sit Gates and let Ladarius Green take some lumps? I think they could suit up Natrone Means and he would do just as well as our 4^th string running back, or wherever we will be at that position. We play the Jets and the Raiders and the only good thing that can happen now are two losses that get us a better drafting position.

Like I said, there is nothing else to really talk about. I could berate the entire team and management for another few paragraphs, but there is not much point. I could pontificate about who the next coach might be, but there will be a better time for that. The end is here for the Bolts....losing record, no playoffs, and, really, no hope. The guys in that list above are our best guys. The Math don’t lie.

It bothers me that these posts cannot be more positive. Sports are supposed to provide a release from everyday life. Something fun and diverting...something that gets your mind off of some of the darker or harder parts of your life.  This is certainly the way the ANALYSIS views the sports world. So, despite the passion and outrage that the ANALYSIS sometimes (most of the time) exhibits while viewing sports, whenever things get a little too upsetting in the Sports world, it usually just takes a minute to put things back in perspective. That became oh so evident last Friday. I spent Friday morning with my daughter’s class and one other class. She is 6 years old and in first grade. I helped herd about 60 kids down to a holiday showing of the “Nutcracker”, about ½ mile down the street from her school.  The kids were excited; excited to go for a walk, excited to hold hands with their friends, excited that some of their parents were there, excited that they were going to see a play, excited about seeing Christmas lights in somebody’s yard, excited to see a cat in someone’s garage.  I got home from that experience to see the news from Connecticut. It has been difficult to watch and read the coverage ever since, as I’m sure it has been for all of you. I am not going to go political here...speaking of gun control, mental illness, or the state of our national media. I just keep thinking of the simple excitement of a first grader. And that puts everything in perspective.  

BOLT ANALYSIS: MEET THE NEW BOSS, SAME AS THE OLD BOSS

This past week was one of the most interesting in Charger history. We will get to the crazy, bizzarro-world football game in a minute. The first thing that the ANALYSIS must discuss is that the mellow San Diego media ignited a load of controversy by printing an article that emphatically stated that Norv Turner and AJ Smith would be fired at the end of the season. The author, Kevin Acee, has been with the Chargers for a long time. He was their beat writer for a number of years, often penning funny and insightful bits about players and the state of the team. This year, he was promoted to columnist, where for some reason he has become a flamethrower and an instigator. Maybe he thinks he needs to be sharp and cutting and have an opinion now?  For whatever reason, his (not very good) columns have been pretty harsh and in my opinion off the mark most of the time.  In any event, his article was so sure of itself, it left no room for argument.  The article not only said that Norv and AJ were gone, but it even named replacements for AJ’s job and the Director of Player Development position (or something that sounds like that). According to Acee, in-house guys Jimmy Raye and John Spanos are the guys who will move up. No word on head coach yet, but this is pretty meaty stuff. When, inevitably, Dean Spanos was forced to answer the article, he said that “nothing has been decided and only I make those decisions”. Rather than just holding his punches, Acee wrote another one deriding Spanos for not hitting the issue head on and again citing his “impeccable” sources for the story. Wow! This is something that happens in other sports markets all the time. But in mellow, mild, SD? No way. Whether it turns out to be true we shall have to wait and see. But, in my opinion it makes perfect Charger sense (read: oxymoron). This is the Spanos’ team. They have molded guys like Jimmy Raye and John Spanos to do this type of work. Why wouldn’t they keep it in the family? Why would they go out and get some big name or names to come in and take the team away from them? That has never been how they roll. The series of head coaches over the years bear that out. A big name coach like a Gruden, Cowher, Reid, etc. is not in the cards for these guys. We can speculate more on this later but the bottom line followers, the Bolts are in Spanos’ world...and we will continue living in it.

So, in the midst of all this distraction, the injury reports came out. The Chargers would be down 4 offensive linemen, three starters and a key backup. They would be starting Reggie Wells (just picked up) at Right Tackle, Kevin Haslam (undrafted rookie) at Left Tackle, and Rex Hadnot at Guard. With no depth, they had another rookie (Colin Baxter) backing up. This makeshift line for a team that had not scored an offensive touchdown in a couple of games. Pittsburgh came in with the #1 rated defense in the League. The Chargers had not won at Pittsburgh in the regular season since well before the birth of the ANALYSIS. All logic pointed to a beatdown, or at least a low-scoring affair where the home team embarrassed the Charger offense (again). But, that is why we watch the game, right?

The Chargers came out with a conservative, protective game plan (duh) and played smart. The defense was its typical tough self, playing well and winning the field position game. The punter kept pinning the Steelers deep, we were getting off the field on 3^rd down. Now, the offense struggled at times, let’s be fair. But as the first half went along, we did what we could to put them to sleep. A 51 yard field goal, a great double move by Denario Alexander for a TD, and another Novak field goal made it, incredibly, 13-0. If it wasn’t for some classic Charger time management problems, the half would have ended like that. But, they gave up the last drive and it was 13-3. For those who watched the game, I know you were thinking what I was thinking:  Well...another tough half where slowly we will give this thing back up. You were just waiting for that patented bonehead play that turns a good game into a loss. It had to happen, right?

Well, the opening drive of the second half was the best thing the Chargers have done all year. You know that Steeler coach Mike Tomlin laid into those guys in the locker room. They came out breathing fire, the crowd tried to get rolling. There was a 99% chance that the Bolts go three and out. But....oh my....what the Boyz did was put together nearly a TEN MINUTE drive. A thing of beauty that included 5 third down conversions and smart check down plays over and over. Even when they ran the ball on 3^rd and 13 (the right play) to set up a field goal....Ronnie Brown broke it for 17 yards and a first down. When Rivers hit Floyd on a little pass to make the score 20-3...you had to be impressed. This is what a good team can do. True to form, when teams do good things..more good things often happen. Big Ben throws a screen pass off the ass of his player and Jammer collects it in the end zone. 27-3 San Diego. The score got to 34-10 on another pass and catch of beauty between Rivers and Alexander and the Chargers cruised to victory from there. Throw in a great job by our defense...a fake punt!...and an interception by Bront Bird (another guy we cut before the season started) and there you have it. Best win of the year by far.

It is easy, followers, easy to start forgiving. It is too easy to say...wow, maybe we are not that bad after all. Maybe we are actually pretty good. Well, folks, we cannot do it. A win like this just makes me angry. Angry that when our team was healthy and complete we blew huge leads to the Saints and Broncos. Angry that we gave up a 4^th and 29 to the Ravens. Angry that Robert Meacham dropped the winning touchdown at the Browns. Angry that we were bumbling idiots against the Buccaneers. What the hell? Why is it that Norv can coach his ass off when all hope is lost? Why does Rivers put together a heroic effort when they have nothing to lose? How can three offensive linemen off the street outplay the huge contract players like Jeromey Clary and Jared Gaither and Tyronne Green. How can a guy who has never played for the team in Denario Alexander come in and look like Jerry Rice after a couple of games? How can Michael Spurlock, cut in the preseason, come back to have his best game as a pro against the toughest defense in the League. There is no answer. It is sports, baby. And it is why we watch.

So, where do we go from here? Does this team put together a run and finish 8-8? Does it matter now? The San Diego Union-Tribune tells us it will not matter. The newspaper says our coach and General Manager are done. All we are playing for now is pride, and a higher draft pick.  As the ANALYSIS has cautioned in the past....be careful what you wish for. How many of you jumped for joy when Bobby Ross got fired and we hired Kevin Gilbride? How about June Jones? What about Mike Riley? When Marty Schottenheimer was hired after a 1-15 season, what were you thinking? I bet you were not thinking Super Bowl. And when Norv took the reins, that decision was almost universally panned. Those people who scoffed at Schottenheimer somehow re-made their opinions and suddenly thought he was fantastic. It is all about winning, people, nothing else matters. Maybe Jimmy Raye and John Spanos will be winners....maybe not. Maybe the new head coach will create a spark...maybe not. We have three games to do some player evaluations and see how this team ends up. At least we know one thing, it will be interesting.

BOLT ANALYSIS -- WOULD YOU LIKE FRIES WITH THAT?

EDITORS NOTE: This week’s version of the BOLT ANALYSIS was nearly cancelled due to apathy. The game was blacked out and the ANALYSIS was busy at Disneyland for much of the day. However, it has gotten to the point where the ANALYSIS reads much like a Danielle Steel novel(?)...it pretty much writes itself. Given that, this abbreviated version comes your way.  As Ms. Steele must say to herself over and over again, “Well, as long as they keep readin’ it...I’ll keep writin’ it”.

The Bolts yesterday did not deviate from the script. Like a good soap opera actor, or a cook at Jack in the Box, they keep churning out the same consistent fare at every opportunity. I have written it before but the games are all blending together now. Yesterday’s loss to the BengalsRavensBroncos looked a lot like previous losses to the BuccaneersBrownsSaints. You really cannot tell them apart. It starts with a bit of good defense, some stout tackling, add in some inept rushing, some good ground-gaining passing for flavor, and some turnovers for spice. What you have at that point as you put it into the over is a tenuous 4^th quarter lead.  But, as all cooks at Jack in the Box know, it’s the added ingredients at the end that will kill you. And, we are forced to endure the late addition of the bonecrushing sacks, fumbles, mistakes, and interceptions that are the Hallmark of this team. And thus, you have the finished product. It is not fat free.

Another 4^th quarter lead...blown. Another home game loss...this one without a single offensive touchdown. Another game with zero running game (Mathews 9 carries for 26 yards). Another game with a defense that can play ¾ of a game, but can never do the right thing when it counts. Another game with a stunning display of ineptitude at the end by our Quarterback and leader. Another game where injuries mount and show glaring weakness.

We are there folks! We have reached that point of the season where we cannot, not with any mathematical possibility, have a winning record. The best we can do (until next week at Pittsburgh) is 8-8. I think Norv is done. Even if we do finish 8-8, I think this should be enough to start over with a new coach. Next week, we leave San Diego, where we have featured two consecutive blacked out losses, and we go to Pittsburgh. We have not beaten Pittsburgh since the 1994 AFC Championship Game it seems (pause for moment of blissful reflection). We cannot stop here, Followers, we must keep losing! It is the only way to get rid of AJ Smith and attempt to be born again. Tough Love. Don’t forget it. Even when those bits of caring seep back in. Be Strong. Drink the Kool Aid. It is not easy to do, but we must.

Since I have nothing to talk about re: the BOLTS. How about a brief discussion of two other Sports topics that may be of interest?

1) The LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup again on Saturday for the second consecutive year. We were in attendance for the second straight year, and brother Jonas and kids got a taste of it as well. A fun game and a deserved win (if poorly officiated). This was David Beckham’s last game with the Galaxy. I was skeptical when he joined the team 6 years ago. The media hoopla was so absolute, it was shocking to me. And, he hardly played early on. The first two years were dismal, then he went on loan to Milan. It was not until his 4^th year that he really consistently played for the team. And, in typical Beckham fashion, he goes out with back to back Championships.  In the final analysis, I think that the hoopla was justified. The numbers don’t lie....attendance skyrocketed wherever he played, merchandise is through the roof, the League has signed lucrative TV deals with the major networks and overseas networks. Interest around the world increased. Perhaps most importantly however, the MLS has made decisions that have helped that are unrelated to the name recognition of one player. They have pushed for soccer-only stadiums. They have moved into soccer hotbeds such as Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, and created fun rivalries. The MLS has a long way to go....but with the help of Becks....it is a solid and legitimate League and here to stay.

2) The Oregon Ducks. My Boys in Green are the only team in the Country to play in 4 consecutive BCS games. The Ducks averaged 49 points a game this year....yet inexplicably fell down at home against Stanford and scored only 14 in a 3 point overtime loss. This slip cost them a shot at the National Championship game for the second time in three years. Just writing that sentence would have been laughable a few years ago, much less in 1994 when I was going to school there. What a program they have become! I would have loved to have seen them take on Notre Dame in the Championship this year. Instead, they get an exciting matchup against Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl. They will likely lose their mad scientist coach Chip Kelly at the end of the year, but these last four years, with a 44-7 record, a Rose Bowl Win, a National Championship loss in the last few seconds....it has been quite a run.

BOLT ANALYSIS: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

It is far beyond the physical now. The Bolts 2012 season has reached the metaphysical...or at very least...the paranormal. Paranormal is a general term (coined ca. 1915–1920^[1][2]) that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation"^[3] or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure.^[  The ability to fail exhibited by the Chargers is amazing and, in the end, can only be described as paranormal. We have often said, here on the sage pages of the ANALYSIS, that we defy any fan of another team to demonstrate more painful and brutalizing methods of losing than our Bolts. That challenge still stands. Yesterday, we saw one that defied logic to an extent only seen since.....well....a few weeks ago against the Broncos.  That 35-unaswered-point comeback by Denver a few weeks ago was Epic. Yesterday’s loss, however, was equally crazy.  While the 35 point give-up to Denver may have been painful, it was over a period of an entire half of football. This one yesterday was one play. One play that, in itself, describes the mystic level our loser-ness has reached.

But first we must set the table. Yesterday’s game was blacked out here in the Southern California region. How many of you cared? How many of you even saw the game? Because we get Direct TV’s Sunday Ticket, we have the Red Zone Channel. And because the Red Zone Channel does not care about blackouts, and because there were only three afternoon games, we got to see the majority of the game. Lucky Us.

For three and a half quarters yesterday, the Chargers played a good game. Their defense held the Ravens to next to nothing with a mix of sure tackling, good pass defense (amazing!) and a decent pass rush that resulted in a handful of sacks. Our depleted offense (more on that later) even drove the ball well a couple of times, with Rivers hitting Denario Alexander for a few good ones, and Malcom Floyd grabbing a TD pass. A 10-0 lead at the half was a good result. Rivers played smart. No turnovers, threw the ball away when he needed to, took sacks when he had no choice. The other shoe did not drop until much later, with the Bolts holding on to a 13-3 4^th quarter lead. Now, before we go any further, the Ravens are fancied as a pretty good team. Even with some major injuries on defense, they have a good record, have beaten some good teams, and seem to play to their strengths. For whatever reason, the Bolts always play the Ravens hard. Last year the Ravens came to Qualcomm red-hot and the Bumbling Bolts killed them...winning easily. It seemed that this year might be the same. It was 13-3 and the Ravens were not moving the ball. But, we are in the land of the other shoe dropping so you knew it would. A long drive and a touchdown made it 13-10 but we fought on, bringing the game and its defining moment just after the two-minute warning.

A penalty, a sack and fumble, and generally very good defense had put the Ravens in a 4^th down and 29 to go from their own 35 yard line.  Just had to stop them from getting 29 yards. They could get 10-15-20 or even 25 and it would have been OK. Just not 29. Well, you know what happened by now. A little flip screen to Ray Rice and you thought, OK, he will get some yards but our linebackers will be back there at about the 20 yard mark waiting for him. Uh, no. Our players were BEHIND the first down marker, except for the ones who “pass rushed” and were out of the play. Ray Rice gained 30 yards on the play. You really cannot draw this stuff up. Even though the ANALYSIS felt the spot was terrible, you cannot script it. The look on Norval’s face said it all. And, being Charger fans, you knew what was next. A drive for a game-tying field goal. Check. Offensive ineptitude in Overtime. Check. Giving up a game winning drive. Check.

I’m not going to talk about player performance, because none of you care anymore. All I have seen in my inbox from any of you lately is a tumbleweed blowing by and a silent, cold wind. I’m also not going to talk about what they can do differently next week. Because I understand that they have a number of new injuries and these are to key players like Donald Butler, Eric Weddle, and others. We have already lost Jared Gaither to season-ending Injured Reserve. Good riddance. I am not sure if they put him on IR because he really can’t play anymore this year, or because they are sick of dealing with him. Regardless, he is a bust and was a terrible decision. With Gaither and fellow starter Tyronne Green out, we had a hideous offensive line and we will have this same line for the rest of the year. Uh Oh. We are going to see a bunch of fill-ins from here on out.

I know now that we are all just focused on losing. Losing now for a better chance of winning later. That is our hope as fans now, although it is a dangerous hope. We are 4-7. I said early in the season it would take a losing record to get rid of Norv. I still think that and I think it is going to take more than just losses to get rid of AJ. We are embarrassing and are being treated as such in the media. I really do believe it will take losses of this caliber to truly blow things up. A tight OT loss to the Ravens gives the Spanos family too much fuel to say “the guys are still playing hard”. A give-up on 4^th and 29 puts it in a different realm. We need to stay in that realm folks...the paranormal realm. It is painful to watch, but as we have discussed, it is tough love, and it is needed.

BOLT ANALYSIS: AJ 2013-GET OUT THE VOTE!

It is official. The Bolts are broken. As if any of you did not already know that, the pathetic display at Denver yesterday was the exclamation point. Don’t let the final score of 30-23 fool you. This was a beatdown, plain and simple. We have no working parts right now on offense, and it is safe to say now that nearly every decision made by our General Manager in the offseason (and the past several seasons) was wrong. The ANALYSIS always waits for a reliable sample of information before drawing conclusions. Ten games into the season, I think we know what we have. We have won 4 games, and those have come against Kansas City (2), Oakland, and Tennessee. That earns the Chargers the worst strength of schedule mark in the League. We have lost 6 games, including two to in-conference rivals The Mannings. The last several losses have been so woeful that the ANALYSIS has actually struggled with new content on a weekly basis (hard to believe!). I try, followers, I try to find a nugget of hope in these games. I try to find something interesting to say. It is not easy. But, the ANALYSIS must soldier on, at least until the end of this season. We all have our mission, and I will deliver, unlike our sad franchise.

I can begin with something bright-ish to talk about. The Defense started the game well....tackling nicely, controlling Manning. When Gilchrist deflected a pass into Weddle’s arms and we went up 7-0...you had to feel kinda’ good, right? It was against the run of play, for sure, but you had to feel OK. They continued to play hard throughout the first quarter, but, slowly, inexorably, the Mannings began to move. A touchdown to tie the score. An interception by Rivers. Another score. And another. And, after halftime, another.  Before you really knew it (and I was outside in the hot tub and playing a little soccer in the back yard for part of it) the game was 24-7. Yet, it really was not just the fact that we were down that far. It was the fact that we had the following on offense: 9 punts, 1 interception, and 1 fumble in 11 possessions. That, folks, is about as bad as I have EVER seen our offense. Every piece is inoperable.  Rivers looks hideous, the offensive line is abysmal, Mathews cannot get a seam anywhere, the receivers cannot get open. Nothing. Nada.

A nice play by Shawn Phillips for a safety gave us a little life, and a TD made it look respectable. But another Rivers interception and another Rivers fumble kept us out of it. The late-game heroics of Denario Alexander notwithstanding (and he really has been great), it was amazing that the final differential was only a TD. We were blown up folks.

So, we now must begin the campaign in earnest to fire AJ Smith and start over. I think even with a, say, 6-10 finish, it is not a sure thing that we fire EITHER Norv or AJ. I give it a 50/50 chance. Now, I hear your squeals of outrage. But, think about it, the Chargers are owned by the Spanos Family. Key positions within the organization are held by Spanos Spawn. Positions such as Director of Scouting and other managerial spots. The Bizarre Love Triangle of Dean Spanos/Norv Turner/AJ Smith will be difficult to break up. It is always difficult to dump a lover, much less two. The ANALYSIS has always struggled with that himself. But, just for kicks, let’s (briefly) look at the horses AJ has hitched himself to:

Jared Gaither – Given huge contract despite history of injuries and inconsistency. Uh....missed 6 of 10 games and played spotty in the others. This was a huge risk, because AJ enlisted no depth at the position, and it has backfired.

Robert Meacham – Given big contract to be the Team’s #1 Receiver. Probably the worst pick up of all. A joke of a player who clearly flourished in the Saints spread offense but is dismal in Turner’s offense.

Jarrett Johnson – Given big contract to be starter as outside linebacker. Solid player. That’s it.

Eddie Royal – Given big contract to be #1 slot receiver and punt returner. Been invisible and cannot seem to get open. Not part of the offense.

Malcom Floyd – Given big contract extension for being a nice guy and a decent player. Never has shown consistency as a #1 option. He is a good #2 or 3, at best.

Ryan Mathews – Mortgaged entire draft three years ago to move up and grab Ryan. In his third year, he is healthy now yet has scored only 1 touchdown rushing and is average at best. Won’t call him a bust yet, but we are getting there.

Larry English – Former #1 draft pick who is just not a good player. Utterly overmatched as a professional athlete.

Philip Rivers – Yep, I have to say it. AJ’s career with the Chargers will be defined by Philip Rivers. He jettisoned Brees to keep him and he has given him the massive contract. Philip has responded by regressing tremendously. However, he is our QB through the 2015 season at this point. He clearly does not trust his protection, does not trust his receivers, and does not trust Mathews. The schemes that Norv has created no longer have the confidence of the team leaders and that is not good. There were entire seasons where Philip took the team on his back and won games. It is a shame they did not have their current (decent) defense during those years. They may have done well. All we can hope for is a new regime and a new system that energizes Philip and brings back some confidence. Otherwise, we are in for many more painful games.

Now, let’s review the obvious players he has cast away for reasons known only to him.

Darren Sproles – Let me see if I have the math correct:  Pay Darren $7 million a year as franchise tag player for two years then balk at a $14 million contract for 4 years guaranteed? Yep, makes sense to me. Without this security blanket, Philip Rivers has been lost.

Vincent Jackson – Despite holdout and some bad behavior, bottom line is that he is an elite receiver who is clutch and doing good work in Tampa. Sometimes you need to swallow your ego and sign a guy. This was that guy. Again, made Philip a MUCH better quarterback.

So, OK, even if Spanos gets it right and starts over, we are in bed with all of these guys for a long time unless new Management decides we can cut bait and move on (recommended).

Thus ends my campaign to fire AJ. If you agree, please vote. We need to take at least one red state to make this happen. I’m not sure if any of my readers live in a red state but you know who you are. This is a sad chapter folks, and I fear things will get sadder before they improve. But, in traditional ANALYSIS fashion, I will end on a positive note. This week is Thanksgiving, and the Bolts do not play on Thursday. This will give you all time to give thanks for what you have, and not have your digestion and family time spoiled by the Chargers. Have a nice Holiday!

BOLT ANALYSIS: THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME

This is getting easy to write. Too easy.

I have always viewed the ANALYSIS much like a pelagic shark...it must move forward at all times or it dies. Right now, I feel a sense of déjà vu each time the ANALYSIS takes shape. Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, the same thing keeps happening over and over again. I can take a previous ANALYSIS, penned months or even years ago, dust it off, and place it in front of you. It goes a little something like this:

Chargers start fast, make some nice plays, score some points. Quarterback is hot. Defense seems solid enough. Bonehead play sets Chargers back. Team cannot react, cannot stop the bleeding. Coaching flies out the window, team continues to try but continues to make bad plays. Team begins falling apart and makes fatal Bonehead play. Last ditch effort falls woefully short. Team loses.

That is pretty much it (of course it would be written in far more elegant prose).  And that pretty much sums up what happened last Sunday against the Buccaneers. Again, people, I did not root for a Charger loss. I cannot do it. But, when the game ended, I have to tell you that I was not upset. Embarrassed, yes. A little down in the dumps, sure. But not upset. Like Churchill in the war room, followers, we must concede the battle to win the war. We are now 4-5 and I have never heard Charger nation call for Norv’s head so clearly and widely. There is finality to it now; it seems that everyone knows that each loss puts us closer to a new head coach. Will this be the answer?  In the short term, I doubt it, we have many problems. And, quite frankly, replacing the coach alone will not help me rest easier. AJ must go too. More on that in a moment, let’s (briefly) talk about the game.

The Chargers started nicely with a 80 yard TD pass to new pick up Denario Alexander. Please tell me how a guy off the street, with little or no practice, can become our best receiver in a matter of days. When we just spent big money on Robert Meacham (4 year contract), Eddie Royal (3 years), and Malcom Floyd (3 years)?  It is amazing to me. But there it is, and we were up 7. Following a long and sustained Tampa Bay drive featuring their nifty running back Doug Martin and old friend Vincent Jackson, the score was tied. But we kept hurling the ball downfield, with Rivers finding Gates, Floyd, and Alexander on more nice passes. Tampa Bay has the worst passing defense in the League, and one of the best rushing defenses. We kept trying with Ryan Mathews, but it was tough sledding for him. The passing game was almost too easy, with the Bolts nailing a bunch of third down conversions and Philip hitting Gates on a nice TD.

The boys were playing well, and the defense was tightened up, when, there it came....the first bonehead play. Special teams have been a bright spot this year for the Bolts, but when Corey Lynch made a grievous error and left his man to hit a guy far on the outside, he opened up about the easiest punt block in the last decade. Scifres got mugged, and it was a Tampa Bay TD. Just like that. But, the Bolts went back to hurling the ball, and put together a fantastic drive to end the half. A late TD to Floyd and we had the lead going into the half. Rivers was on fire. Bonehead Play #1 did not kill us.

But Bonehead Play #2 did. After a long Tampa Drive put them up 24-21, we were driving again and were around their 20-25 yard line. On third down, Rivers rolled right (never a good thing) and was trotting toward the sideline, when he threw probably the worst pass I have ever seen. I know, I know. Hyperbole. But, really, I defy you to show me a worse pass attempt. He was two feet from the sideline, he could have stepped over, thrown the ball away, or fell down. Any of those would have led to about a 38-40 yard field goal attempt to tie what was a close game. Instead, he dinked one right into the stomach of the surprised rookie corner who started running the other way. It looked like a play in the back yard where you throw one to your kid on accident to make them feel good about their “interception”.  Nobody really knew what to say about it. The commentators...or the ESPN analysts hours later. When Philip said, “I just released it earlier than I wanted too”...he lost me. That is one where the answer to the question is, “I have no idea what I did but I cost my team the game”.  There is no other answer.

When Philip threw another interception late in the game (when the Chargers still had a chance mind you) one could only conclude that the team had once again rolled over and died. This now makes three losses where the Chargers had a lead in the second half. No finish in these guys. And, the sad thing is, they controlled super rookie Doug Martin, and they controlled Vincent Jackson. Neither of those guys did much. But when you give the other team  Pick 6, a blocked punt for a TD, and another pick to set up a field goal...you are spotting them a 17-0 lead. Not gonna win that way. Philip provided highlight reel stuff early, but two of the worst throws ever in the second half. He has the worst QB rating in the 4^th quarter of any QB in the League. That is why we are losing. Our best player is just not playing well.

So, what now? Well, on to Denver...where the red hot Mannings lie in wait. Speaking purely mathematically, a win here by Denver pretty much ends the “race” in the AFC West. That would give Denver a three game lead on us and a sweep in hand for tiebreaker purposes. But, this really does not matter...because we have now lost to the Browns and the Buccaneers and we are circling the drain.

So, on to AJ. Apparently AJ stood outside the tunnel as the Chargers filed off the field after the game. He was looking into the eyes of all the players as they left, not saying anything. What is this about? Some strange “test” of loyalty? Is he judging them....seeing who is sad and who is not sad enough? Is he checking on their demeanor? Is he making sure they have not taken their shirts off? What the hell? This is yet another reason why this silent, brooding, jerk just has to go. The problem is that what will be needed at the end of the year is a bloodletting. The play we have seen from guys like Gaither (who did not play and has missed 5 of 9 games), Meacham, and many others cannot be tolerated, yet my fear is that AJ’s ego will not allow him to cut a guy he just signed to a 4 year contract. That is why both a new coach AND a new Manager are needed. Because we need someone with the guts to change the system...and the culture. It won’t happen with just a coach.

As you remember, my theme for this season of the ANALYSIS was hope and positivity. Uh.......that is not easy......so I will hope for better days in the future. Days with a new attitude, days where the team is fun to watch again, days where the team might lack talent, but plays with heart. We are a broken television, followers, and when was the last time you took a TV in for repairs. Gotta buy a new one.

BOLT ANALYSIS: A TREE IN THE WOODS

Do you remember last Thursday night? What happened? You had dinner...you spent time watching your Tivo’d shows? You hung out with the kids? Did you read a book?

Last Thursday night, a tree fell in the woods somewhere near San Diego.  Nobody heard it...but it actually happened. The Chargers won a game against a moribund group called the Chiefs. It counts in the standings, but it does not count for much in any other way. However, because the ANALYSIS never sleeps, the ANALYSIS was aware of this victory and, as last week’s post foretold, there are mixed feelings.

This version of the ANALYSIS should have been sent on Friday. However, the tardy release is the result of three key factors:

1) The Breeders’ Cup happened here in Sunny Arcadia this past Friday and Saturday. This requires much attention and concentration. Gotta have priorities.

2) The Chiefs don’t count. Beating the Chiefs at home is nothing to be thrilled about.

3) We are all tired, followers, tired of a team that whipsaws our emotions and creates such frustration.

So, that is why this is late. And really...what is there to say? The Chargers played well last week. Rivers was 18-20 and threw a couple of touchdowns. Our defense opened up on the Chiefs with a couple of runbacks to blow the game open. We moved the ball, we stopped the opponent. It was an easy win. Still, even with a nice win...come the questions. How is it that at the end of the half, after a half of domination, does Rivers throw an interception in the endzone from the 1 yard line?. This lack of discipline and decision-making is beyond worrisome. The fact that the guy was 18 for 19 the rest of his passes gets muddied by that choice. Did it matter...no, not in this game. But it is emblematic of what has happened to us in recent years.  Also, how about the fact that both of our utterly ineffective “big name” free agent acquisitions:  receivers Robert Meacham and Eddie Royal, are out with injuries. Did you notice? Did you notice that kickoff returner Richard Goodman is also out? That is why Eric Weddle is returning punts (badly) and that is why we combed through the waiver wire to pick up Denario Alexander and Seyi Ajirotutu..both who made plays in the game. Oh and yeah, speaking of trees falling in the woods, were you even aware that Nate Kaeding was cut and released unceremoniously. Our “kicker forever” cast into the wilderness.

Things are weird in Charger-land folks. The starry-eyed optimists among us (do you exist?) will say we are 4-4 and right in the thick of things in the mediocre AFC. From a math standpoint, this is correct. But, our wins have come at the expense of the Raiders, Chiefs (twice), and the Titans. These three teams are, uh, not good. This coming Sunday we travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Bucs and Vincent Jackson. More worrisome than Jackson, however, is their rookie running back Doug Martin who is putting up unbelievable numbers. The fact that he is my fantasy team standout will make rooting very interesting in that game. Is Tampa Bay a good team? I don’t know. They seem to be hot and cold, trying to figure themselves out. The fact is, though, that they have won two in a row and are playing at home. They will be a test for our underachievers.

Look, followers, I have no insights today. I think last week’s win was a vision of what we don’t want to have happen. We don’t want to beat up on bad teams, lose to good ones, and finish 8-8. Because if we do that, Norv and AJ will stay. The same pattern will stay, and the same formula will be trotted out there week after week. We spoke of a scorched-earth policy last week. Beating the Chiefs easily is not scorched-earth. However, unlike the current political wranglings, we must stay on point and we must not move away from our long term goal. Which is:  Change you can Believe In.

That being said, the ANALYSIS cannot actively root for its team to lose. It is just not in me. Only here, in the sober, austere pages of the ANALYSIS, can the truth burn. If we beat the Bucs next week, we will need to begin caring again folks. And, until all hope is gone, I will continue to care.

BOLT ANALYSIS: ACCEPTANCE

“Irrelevance”

1. The quality or state of being irrelevant.

2. Something irrelevant.

I’m not sure how many of you actually watched the disgusting fare that the Chargers and Browns served up on Sunday. I hope not many of you. But, for those who did, you saw the discernible shift of a football club from somewhat bad to complete irrelevance. The 7-6 loss to the 1-6 Cleveland Browns, was, I think, the end of the Norval Eugene Turner era and....maybe.....the beginning of the end of the Philip Rivers era. The loss to the (bad) Saints was tough, the epic meltdown against the (good) Broncos was bone crushing, but the loss yesterday to the Browns cemented the fact that we are Bad. Period. Point Blank.

The ANALYSIS strives to uncover the truth, and tries not to hide behind the massive cliché machine that is the Charger Management. There is but one truth here, and the ANALYSIS holds this truth to be self-evident:  Cast away any remaining belief that we are still a competitive team with a chance to win playoff games. Not now, not soon. Now is the time, followers, to join hands and hope for complete destruction. It is never easy to root your team to a loss, but we must show tough love. We must take a long term view. A 6-10 finish or worse gets Norval fired. Maybe 4-12 would even get AJ fired. We need a scorched earth policy. I do not want this team to limp to a 8-8 finish. The model is broken, the parts do not work.

You are probably thinking that the ANALYSIS has devolved into one of those shrill, jackass bloggers who pollute the airwaves with rubbish and bad spelling and punctuation. NO! (and I never use exclamation points). No...We strive for the truth around here. And all you need to know is 7-6.

Yes, it was raining yesterday in Cleveland. And it was cold and looked miserable. They were tough playing conditions for sure. Both defenses played well all game...making the opponent work hard for every first down. But, the tone was set early when the Chargers could not convert a 4^th down and 1 and then gave up the only touchdown of the game early. When Mathews fumbled again, you just knew it was going to be a long, long afternoon. That 7-0 Browns lead seemed to last forever, despite the fact that the Bolts defense was quite stellar, giving Philip and the offense multiple chances to score points. But, Gates drooped a 3^rd down conversion pass, Philip airmailed a couple of additional throws, and Robert Meachem showed you why he is the single worst free agent acquisition of the season by dropping a big gainer (at least) and likely touchdown right at the end of the half. 7-3 at halftime.

The Bolts were slightly less bad in the second half but could not score. Bad play calling and terrible execution by Rivers and receivers left just a battered Mathews and screen passes to Ronnie Brown as our only options on offense. The Bolts put together a couple of drives that looked promising after they had drawn within one point of the Browns, but they all ended the same way...Rivers looking clueless and nervous in the pocket and receivers not getting open on third downs. When the last desperate pass went skittering over the wet turf, there was not even a feeling of disgust....it was....simply.....acceptance.  Acceptance that this team is now going to be labeled as one of the bad teams in the League. Acceptance..which is the last stage of grief.

Now, the ANALYSIS must give props where they are due. After that first weak TD allowed, the defense played great...not allowing many conversions...no big plays...sure tackling. Butler and Weddle again stood out. Corey Luiget looked good. But the offense? Oh, the woeful offense. Philip looks awful and our receiving corps is miserable. I really hate to say it, but I don’t think the Rivers we hoped for is there...and he never will be. After last year’s body of work and this partial season, there is no other conclusion than to say that he does not have it. He seems to have lost his edge mentally...yelling at teammates, bad body language, no leadership. In addition, Mathews simply cannot get out of his own head and Norv keeps taking him out when things matter (the last drive, the 4^th and 1 play, etc.). This is the guy we let Sproles go for? And you won’t use him. Once again, he seems to be terribly mis-managed.

So, folks, it is a sorry affair. Later in the night you saw the Broncos demolish Golden Drew and the Saints and stamp themselves as the best team in the AFC West and one of the top teams in the conference. There is no question who the best team in our division is. I looked at this string of games in last week’s missive: Cleveland, KC, Tampa..and thought that looked like 3 wins. Guess I was wrong.

People...as we move deeper into irrelevance, let me just say this again. I know it hurts, but you must hope for the worst. Scorched earth, baby. It’s the only way.

BOLT ANALYSIS: AN ALMIGHTY THUD

At 8:14 PM last night, I took my dog for a walk. This was precisely one minute after Rivers threw the second of what would be 4 interceptions on this night. It was precisely one minute after the ANALYSIS (and I’m not proud of it) gave up on the Chargers. Certainly gave up for the game, despite the fact we still led, and possibly gave up for the season. Last night was the most embarrassing loss I can recall. We have been roundly spanked before, of course, but leading 24-0 at home on Monday Night Football...and losing...it has never been done before.  And that is a fact....in the history of the NFL, no team has come back from a 24-0 deficit and won by double digits. Only twice in the history of Monday Night Football has a team come back from a 24-0 deficit and won at all...and never at on the Road.  It was a game that could have eliminated some ghosts, a game to put us on the NFL Map again, a game to take complete control of our season and Division going into a bye week.  Instead, it became a horror show that defines the sad state that the Chargers have become.

The differences between the first and second half was truly stunning. The game began with a couple of three and outs and then Denver decided to begin showering us with gifts.  A fumbled punt...3 points.  A fumbled kick-off....7 points.  A receiver open by 25 yards stumbles on a gopher hole or something and falls down on his way to the end zone. Seconds later, Quentin Jammer goes the other way for 80 yards (is he the slowest cornerback in the League or what?)..another 7 points. We were up 17-0 and Manning had barely touched the ball.  Add in a nice stop or two on Defense and a beautiful drive to finish the first half, ending in an awesome Gates TD, and we were up 24-0. Manning took a knee to end the half, the crowd was nuts, things were great. Complete control.

Don’t you wish you could have a recording of what was said in that locker room at halftime?  You had to know Manning and the Broncos would come out swinging. What is it that the coaches and player-captains are NOT saying? How could this team come out and play the single worst half of football in the Norv-Rivers era? I wish I knew. We had six possessions in the second half, they led to 5 turnovers and 1 punt. After Manning led his boys to a nice TD drive on their first possession...we answered. We answered with a 6 minute drive that had moved into field goal range. It was a great drive, good mix of runs and passes.  A score there (even a field goal) and we take back momentum and keep a nice big lead. Instead, Rivers stands like an oak tree in the pocket and has the ball knocked out of his hand. No Charger can recover it, and the Broncos go the other way for a TD. The ANALYSIS (who sometimes struggles with pessimism) turns to the family and says, “This game is over, we will lose”. Mind you, we have a 24-14 lead at this point. But, the ANALYSIS just knows. A three and out, another Manning TD drive, another interception...and then, my walk with my dog in the dark.

There it was again, followers, the point of adversity. In the Saints game, it occurred when a defensive TD for us turned into a penalty and a long drive for them. In the Broncos game, when the defensive TD woke up Denver, we still could answer. We still could slap them right back. The good teams do. Instead, much like last week....it was roll over and die time. Again.

Who do we blame, folks? I just wish there were only one thing.  The blame rests, once again, in every corner. There is zero leadership and inspiration on this team. From the GM to the Coach to the QB to the Defense.  We have no on-field or off- field leadership. Did Peyton Manning play wonderfully well last night. Not really...he played well, but not world-beating. But he led. He was a leader and he made plays. He brought his team out in the second half down 24-0 and kept them going. Another ghost from Charger past rubbing our face in our own filth. How about our QB?  Rivers had his worst game as a pro. Four interceptions and 2 fumbles, 2 returned for Touchdowns. Bad throws, bad reads. Look folks, I’m going to say it here. We are so inextricably hitched to this guy it is scary...and he has lost a step. He simply cannot throw the deep ball anymore and he simply cannot move. Go back and watch those three interceptions....all three of them were underthrown to guys who were in back of the defense. All three. I am not saying all three should have been completed, but they should not have been intercepted. Terrible throws. The two fumbles were a result of utter lack of awareness and immobility. Now, the line did not play well late in the game, but Rivers has no clue were anyone is. He is falling down before he is touched or waiting too long to be nailed. It is embarrassing. He was featured this week in articles in Sports Illustrated and Sporting News. The court of public opinion is trying to put him back up there with the “elite”. He, and his 6 kids, and his religion, and his “aw shucks” attitude. Look, I have been in Philip’s camp for years, and I really like the guy, but facts are facts. And he is bad right now. Very, very bad.

What is worse however is that I can say nothing positive about our team. Even though Gates looked great in the first half and Butler and Weddle were good for a while, these are 60 minute games. What can we hang our hat on people? Nothing. Let’s review the top 5 “ANALYSIS keys to the season”.

1. It is all about Rivers

2. Where is Mathews?

3. Jared Gaither’s back?

4. Getting off the field on third downs (pass rush)

5. Getting off the field on third downs (secondary)

How have we done through 6 games? Uh...you answer that one for me.

So, in an attempt to inject some hope into the situation (it was a theme for this year you know) I will say the following. We have a bye this week (thank God). We are 3-3 and tied for our Division lead. We then play Cleveland, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay before taking on Manning again. Can we get on a roll? Who the hell knows? But maybe. Maybe we can.

Now that the glimmer (fools gold?) of hope has been discussed, let’s be pragmatic. It is too early to call for the Fire Norv and AJ Movement (FNAAJM). Still too early. Let’s wait until after the next game against Denver...and see where we stand. OK? Everyone cool with that? My guess is that after that game, if you drive by the ANALYSIS’ household, you will see a lawn sign stating: “Yes on the FNAAJM”.

BOLT ANALYSIS: WE ARE NOT THAT TEAM

Wouldn’t it be nice if we were THAT team? You know, the one that spoils the party. The one that you don’t look forward to playing. The one that brutalizes you from kickoff to kneel down. The one that makes plays when the chips are down. It is a foregone conclusion, unfortunately, with our Bolts, that they are not THAT team. They will play down to expectations. They will allow themselves to drop to the level of their competition. It is a cliché (but isn’t most of the sports world), but this is a team without a dagger. Just when they are poised for the kill shot, they stand their opponent back up, dust them off, and send them on their way. A frustrating story, followers, but a story we have read many, many times before.

Last night’s primetime showdown against the Saints had all the makings of a Charger loss. Golden-boy Brees going for the consecutive games with a TD record...the Saints trying to win their first of the year at home, the Brees and Sproles against their former team angle. Even though the Saints were 0-4, they were favored at home and most everyone was picking them to prevail. This should outrage the Chargers, and it should outrage you as fans. But, gee, whatever, we don’t really expect to win, do we?  By the way we played...no, we do not.

This is a game we should have won. Period. I really don’t care much about how good Brees is, and his bevy of talented receivers.....that team is not very good overall. They have no running game, their defense is terrible, and they don’t tackle very well. The Chargers moved the ball well in the first half with a balanced attack and some big plays. Finally, Meacham found his way out of the witness protection program and made a couple nice TD catches. Finally, Mathews was given the ball and showed us (once again) that he has the potential to be very, very good. Finally, our defense seemed to be getting to Brees a bit, flustering him, getting him out of stride. Even though the halftime lead was only 17-14, you had to feel optimistic looking ahead.  When Jammer intercepted Brees early in the 3^rd and Mathews went flying into the end zone a few plays later, it seemed that we had unsheathed the dagger and were ready to plunge it in.  We got that chance later in the period, when rookie Melvin Ingram flew at Brees and forced another bad throw, this one right to Denorrio Williams, who returned it to the end zone...31-14 Bolts...dagger plunged into the throat of Drew and the Saints. But no. In typical Charger fashion, Ingram lowered his head and hit with his helmet. Drawing a 15 yard penalty and giving the Saints a spark. Five plays later it was 24-21. Momentum gone. Dagger broken. Such a frustrating way that the game turned. If Ingram had simply used his hands to push Drew...lifted his head 4 inches...or hit 2 inches lower....most likely it would have been game over.

But I don’t want to talk about that. That is too easy a cop out. What is exceptional not a bad-luck call or play but how a team steps up when something bad happens. The good teams shake off Ingram’s mistake, and come flying again. They make a new good play. This team? Well, this team rolls over and dies.  After that point, the wheels came off. The defense had no push, the linebackers starting get rolled by their running backs, the secondary started tackling like Lily’s gymnastics class. The offense went away from what was working (Mathews) and started taking unnecessary shots downfield. Norv started coaching scared, the players started playing scared. The referees started calling phantom penalties. The same, old, tired song folks. It is nothing new.

Even with all the pratfalls, and a horrible interception by Rivers, they were still only down a touchdown with more than 2 minutes to go. But, suddenly the Saints terrible pass rush started looking like the 1986 Bears...demolishing Rivers and hurrying him on every play. Add in some awful calls on the Chargers (Gates’ pass interference call was an utter joke) and there you have it...another bad comeback attempt. We used to be a good two minute offense. Now, I have zero belief that we will win when the chips are down. That pessimism aside, let’s look at three primary reasons for the loss:

1. Decision making in the red-zone. We had a first and goal at the 3 yard line. Mathews was rolling. Yet Norv calls two pass plays. Both of them could have been caught...but the point is...you are steamrolling them...why go away from it? This was a sure TD that ended up 3 points. Also, Philip took two miserable sacks with his team in good field goal range. Both of them were instances where he had time and his extreme lack of mobility led him to not even be able to throw the ball away. Don’t think this is a small deal. This ended up in a punt and a long field goal try which missed. So, three trips into the scoring area...and a total of only 3 points. Cannot do that. I blame Philip and I blame Norv.

2. Third downs. There it is again. We cannot get teams off the field. When their excellent tight end Graham went down, we had a huge chance. Lance Moore was already not playing. That left Marques Colston as their one true playmaker. Well, Colston so completely took apart Jammer, Cason, and Gilchrist...it was a joke. He caught 3 TDs...and made them all look silly. What happened to the pass rush in the second half? More importantly, how bad is our secondary? (Hint: really bad).

3. Offensive Line. Look, we racked up a ton of yards...lots of first downs...and converted some nice plays. But our line got gassed and was awful in the second half. Gaither was excellent early but visibly tired late and got hurt right at the end. Cris Collingsworth called him out on that last play, saying he could not move, and the ANALYSIS was yelling at the television screen...warning of pending doom. Sure enough, a sack ended the game as Gaither moved as fast as a sack of pea gravel to make a block. How is it that the coaching staff does not see this? How is it that Gaither does not call himself out? They had a stoppage. Come on man, you are not helping your team. They had two cracks at the end zone there at least. Guess what? You think this might end up in a little time off for the big man? I hope not, but.......

Look, we can nitpick all we like. And we can blame the refs if we like. But the truth is this team has no killer instinct. It has not had one in years. This game was there for the taking. We were the 3-1 team, they were 0-4 for a reason. Yet we played like we are lucky to be there.

OK, OK. I’m back from the brink. In the scheme of things, this loss is not that big of a deal. We are still up a game in the West. It is a loss to a NFC team, which does not hurt as much come the tiebreakers and whatnot at the end of the year. We have one more game before our bye week..and it is a whopper. We go home to face the Denver Mannings next week on Monday Night Football. The Denver game is probably three times as important as our stinging loss last night. We win that game, and we have control of the West at 3-0 in the Division and 4-0 in the AFC. But, as you know followers, those are excuses and that is Norvspeak. You get 16 games, guys.  You need to bring it. Just once, I would like to be the team that reaches out, grabs Golden Drew by the throat, and squeezes, watching the life (and the ghost of Johnny Unitas) ebb out of his body.   Sorry for the graphics, but it is almost Halloween. Don’t you wish we could be THAT team? Someday?

BOLT ANALYSIS: ARE THEY WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE?

I am confused, followers, by how this season is unfolding.  A useful way to view the NFL’s 16 game season is by quarters.  Yesterday’s sloppy affair marks the end of the first quarter of 2012 and I must say I really do not have a strong read on our Boyz yet.  I would love to look at our 3-1 record, complete with two road wins over divisional opponents, and be filled with promise and optimism. At the same time, it would also be easy to look at the silver platter KC handed us yesterday and focus too much on what we did NOT do in that game.  As usual, the ANALYSIS dwells amongst the grey areas...trying to sniff out the truth in a wild mashup of conflicting messages.

Arrowhead Stadium is a hard place to play. It’s loud, raucous, and filled with red-jerseyed maniacs. The Chiefs made sure yesterday, however, to issue a gag order to their fans by handing the ball to the white team over and over again. I have never heard that place so quiet. Every time the home team did something positive, they gave it right back. The Chiefs were coming off a win against New Orleans on the road and looked like they might be poised to overcome a bad 0-2 start and pull even with the Bolts. The first drive from San Diego quashed some of that however...with the Chargers moving effectively down the field to score on a nice inside route to Eddie Royal. That drive was stellar...Gates drawing flags and looking dangerous...Jackie Battle booming down the middle...and a bunch of guys getting involved. An interception on the ensuing Chiefs drive led to a field goal (more on this later) and another Chiefs fumble put us squarely in control. The crowd was dead, the Chiefs were pressing, and Norv was smiling his secret smile. Just like that, you looked up and the score was 20-0. That is when things took a turn that had the ANALYSIS squirming despite the lead.

Look, guys, let’s be real. This game should have been utterly out of control by half time. The Chiefs gave us the ball 5 times (!!) in the half. The Chargers were in position to blow the game open after another Chiefs turnover. In the red zone, a field goal or a TD at this point would be crushed the life out of the Chiefs. But Philip threw an awful pass that was intercepted and a few big plays later the score was 20-6 instead of something else.  There is a lot about that play that upset me:  1) it was a bad decision, 2) a bad throw, 3) minimum pressure, 4) Meacham was the intended receiver, 5) once again, the Chargers could not fire the silver bullet through the head of an opponent. Philip was bailed out by the fact that the next drive was a Donald Butler interception return for a TD. But, the writing is there for all to see. Philip just does not look great. For every great read and perfect throw (and he had a couple of lasers yesterday) Rivers mixes in some headscratchers.  How about the 3^rd and 1 forced throw into the endzone that should have been picked off (also to Meacham)? How about the completely poor intentional grounding play with minimum pressure.  Look, I know I am quibbling here...but one needs to embrace the fact that these are mistakes that will lose games when the games are close. I have always been a fan of Philip’s, and I am figuring that his brain freezes are the result of a bad running game and an incomplete O-line...but a pattern is a pattern and we need to hope it stops. Perhaps as alarming is the utter lack of continuity between Meacham and Rivers. Meacham was supposed to be our #1. He cannot get open, cannot get separation, and has caught exactly 6 balls in 4 games with no touchdowns. Philip has thrown two interceptions when trying to force it to him. This is a problem.

OK, OK. I’m off the ledge. We won 37-20 for gosh sakes...lighten up! There were a lot of good things in this game.  First and foremost, our defense looks faster, meaner, and better positioned. Jammal Charles is a great back..very fast...and he scored a few times. But, this really was a function of the fact that he made crazy runs than any problem on the part of our defense. Our defensive line led by V. Martin, Luiget, and Kendall Reyes looks physical and active. Donald Butler is the best player on the team right now, and our linebackers are hitting hard and in the right place. Weddle and Bigby seem to have chemistry back in the safety zone. Overall very impressive, and you have to believe that these young guys have some additional strides to take.  My only beef with the D:  Antoine Cason. What the hell, man? This is a contract year for Cason...he was a first round pick who is coming to the end of his rookie contract.  This is the time when he needs to make an impression. Weddle did it, earning huge $$ by having a great contract year. Philip did it, Gates did it, Gaither did it, Jammer did it years ago. This is his chance to get paid as they say. Well, he is not going to get his dough with a few more games like this. Despite an interception and a few passes defensed, Cason played really, really soft yesterday. Dwayne Bowe is a good receiver...but he worked over Cason time and again. The TD pass at the end with a huge lead was unforgiveable. Just a meltdown. I have tried to be in this guy’s corner..but that was painful. There I go...bitching again! Really...that is the last time....

What a surprise to see Gaither back in at left tackle after a few days of practice. The phantom back injury is gone? Wow. This is just a weird situation. Plain and simple. But, I am not going to waste time wondering what is up with this. He is back in there, and despite some sloppy play when he got tired, he looked pretty darn good. Welcome back...I hope you decide to stay Jared.

And, how about Mathews? Relegated to backing up Jackie Battle after his fumble last week, Ryan got better as the game went on. Despite how hard Battle, Brinkley, and Ronnie Brown have played...the team is just flat better with Ryan back there. He is a weapon. Norv will work him in. I just hope he can hold on to the ball and keep his bones from breaking. You hold your breath every time he gets the ball. Improvement may be a week away. I hope so.

So, one quarter of the season in the books. That was fast. Just think, it we can duplicate that quarter in each of the coming quarters...we will be 12-4. Sweet. But, much like the stock market, you just cannot count on that. Facts are facts, we are 2-0 in the division with both wins on the road. That is great. We travel to New Orleans next week to face the 0-4 Saints. Crazy. Drew and Sproley are going to be gunning for us. Can we really keep the Saints winless? I hope so. I think we are beginning to be a full team. Gaither and Mathews back in the fold helps a lot. Keeping guys healthy will be paramount. Much like last year, we are off the grid, as the media focus on the Texans and the Falcons and what is wrong with the Lions and the Saints and what is right (or wrong) with the referees. Fine with me, keep it quiet boyz, let’s keep it going.

BOLT ANALYSIS: A WELCOME BLACKOUT

The first of the Charger Blackout games has come and gone.  Perhaps some of you out there actually saw the whole game? The ANALYSIS did not. When the Blackout news became official, the ANALYSIS chose to spend this 92 degree day strolling around Disneyland with the family and approximately 1.2 million other people who were not at Qualcomm.  Despite this sweaty decision, given the joy that is the Direct TV Redzone channel...much of the game was actually on television. This may become a rarity for home games, because if the Chargers cannot come close to a sell out when undefeated.  Now that they are exposed....who is gonna come out to watch? Hmmm....

The Boyz got punked yesterday.  Demolished and destroyed by a good, solid team on their own field. The ANALYSIS had pondered what might happen when the Chargers faced a complete team; one that could stretch the field with receivers and tight ends. Well...there you go.  A 27-3 crusher.  Interestingly, the second most lopsided loss in the Norval era and the lowest points ever scored under Norv. How good are the Falcons? Not sure. I think they are very sound and very disciplined. They had a good game plan that was nimble and versatile and they adjusted. The Chargers on the other hand, were a sad-sack, vanilla-based group of bores.  Both sides of the ball got schooled yesterday. The defense gave up LONG drives of 96, 80, and 84 yards. Phillip threw two disgusting interceptions; Mathews and Rosario fumbled (one of them on the 3 yard line going in). Add in penalties and grievous pass-blocking and you have a putrid stew of underachievement. Look, you had to figure this would be a difficult game. At the same time, the Falcons were traveling cross-country on a short week. Losing to a good team is OK...getting rolled on your home turf like that is probably a bit more emblematic of the type of team we have.

I am not going to focus on individual performance other than to say not one player stood out to me. Bad across the board. Instead, I will focus on the “5 Big Things” that were listed by the ANALYSIS in the preseason. They were (in abridged form):  Rivers’ abilities, Mathews’ injuries and fumbling, Gaither’s back, pass rush (read: 3^rd downs), and secondary (read: 3^rd downs). OK, let’s do the math......0 for 5 yesterday.

Has Rivers regressed? Has he slipped from his spot as “near elite”? Not sure yet but there are some troubling patterns here. Let’s be fair, first and foremost he is a victim of a line that is decent on their best days and far below average on their worst. Throw in the fact that they have an undrafted rookie at the most difficult spot on the line and, you get the picture. Poor #79 was bum rushed by three different players yesterday. He was on roller skates all game long. Although the box score shows only 1 sack of Rivers, almost all of his throws were rushed or worried. He is hearing footsteps, even when they are not there. The game planning suffers with this lack of protection, and, even when he has time he does not think he does. Not a good sign.

Mathews? All I can do is sigh. Figured the kid would have some jitters in his first game back from a broken clavicle. But, as has been the story all along, just as he starts picking up steam...he fumbles the ball again. In sports we always tend to move toward hyperbole..but I don’t blame anyone who says this guy just does not get it. A fumble on the 3 yard line in your first game?. A broken bone in his first practice? You cannot close the book on him yet..not by a long shot...but it is getting very tough to think we have  a real running back here. We shall see.

Gaither? Well, he is turning into the biggest mistake in years. He has had two MRIs...both negative. Nobody can tell us what is wrong with him. The Chargers are mum. Gaither is mum. It would not surprise me one bit if this guy takes his $8 million guaranteed and retires. He seems like that type of guy. If he cannot be motivated by his teammates, coaches, or pride...what can motivate him?  We are three games into the season and he has not even tried to practice yet. It is really an amazing situation that the SD Press and fans are letting this guy off so easily. He is a joke at this point. Plain and simple. And it is really hurting the team. Maybe it will turn out that he truly has a crazy, debilitating injury...but the secrecy and weirdness surrounding it leads me the other direction.

Finally, third downs. The combination of our pass rush and secondary was overmatched and blown out on Sunday. They were 8-13 on 3^rd downs...and their drives were long and dominant. For a team that had done so well in this category in the first two games, this is a real bummer. Where is our new super-rookie Melvin Ingram? Where is Larry English? Again, maybe the Falcons are a really good team that played a really good game. But, uh, again...I am going in another direction.

Because the ANALYSIS is all about hope and positive vibes, I will leave you with this thought. The NFL is in total chaos. There are only three undefeated teams after week 3. The Patriots have a losing record for the first time since the Revolutionary War. Somehow, some way...the dismal Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders (teams we beat up on) won yesterday against “good” teams like the Steelers and Lions. Drew Brees and the Saints are 0-3. Who the heck knows who is good and who is not? Let’s do this, followers; let’s not panic. Let’s take one out of the Good Book of Norval:  “How to Behave, and What to Say” and chalk this loss up to the following reason:  “We did not execute to the best of our ability today. We have a lot of pride and we need to go back to the drawing board to work on getting the most out of the situations we find ourselves in. We need to give ourselves a chance at crucial points and take care of that ball”. Nice! There it is! All we need to do to be successful. I feel like I just got back from a Tony Robbins speech....or a U2 concert.

Look, we have two road games in a row now. A big one at KC and then at the winless Saints. What team comes home in a couple weeks...a team that has shown it can win? Or the one that sends me back to Disneyland? (Hint: I did buy an annual pass.)