BOLT ANALYSIS: WEEK 17 -- THE QUEST FOR MEDIOCRITY CONTINUES

The ANALYSIS took an extra day for this post, for a couple of good reasons. First and foremost, despite some ominous quotes coming out of Charger camp, the ANALYSIS wanted to wait to see if any immediate news came regarding coaches, general managers, or players. Secondly, the ANALYSIS was busy at the Rose Bowl watching the Oregon Ducks become 2012 Rose Bowl Champions for the first time in 90 years. A fun and exciting game, filled with gutsy calls and crazy offensive plays. Hope you saw it Bolt fans, a great way to spend an afternoon.

Well, as you know by now, there has been no immediate news on the future of AJ and/or Norval. But, quotes leaking out of the media are frightening for most BOLT fans. If an owner is inclined to fire a coach, he is not quoted BEFORE and AFTER the last (meaningless) game of the season, saying “I am so very impressed by how hard these players are playing for their coach”. He is not quoted as saying, “These guys have overcome so much this year”. Yes, it is true sports fans, the ANALYSIS believes that both Norval and AJ will be back. It may not happen…..but I am saying here that it will. Hard to believe that a couple of good games somehow erases the memory of the Ownership of the 6 game losing streak….of meek and hideous coaching and lack of inspiration…and of the sad and sour fact that this team has missed out two years in a row on the playoffs despite a sad and overmatched AFC West. But, Bolt followers, you must ask yourself, are you really surprised? When has this organization ever done the risky thing….the bold move….the shake it up scenario. The answer is never, and this should lead you down the path back to Norv and his losing record as a head coach and back to AJ. More on this important topic later;  I must provide brief coverage of the game that was played on Saturday.

Saturday’s rollicking series of games proved two things: 1) there are not a lot of good teams in the AFC, and 2) once again the Chargers somehow script the most painful and surreal ways to NOT make the playoffs. Once again, it comes down to one game…maybe one play…that keeps the Chargers out this year. Just like last year. Down the stretch, the Broncos faded again…the Raiders could not keep pace…the Jets imploded…the Bengals got beat….and the Titans won. Every single one of these events was positive for the Chargers. The way the final standings go down…all the Bolts needed was to hold onto that snap against KC…or kick a field goal and play like they cared against the Broncos…or any other number of terrible defeats and moments. Somehow, despite getting crushed by the Bills and losing at home 7-3!!!...the Broncos are in the playoffs. By virtue of that terrible game in San Diego where the Chargers rolled over and died like a frog in a toxic pond. Tough. And who would you be afraid of in the playoffs? We just beat up Baltimore, Pittsburgh has a limping QB and now no Running Back, the Texans look hideous, Cincy backed in by beating one team with a winning record, and we know about the Tebows.  I guess that leaves the Patriots.  A great offense, to be sure, but that defense? All due respect to Paul, but that defense is terrible. Probably enough to win the AFC…but good luck to any team in the AFC in an attempt to beat Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, Detroit, the Giants, or Atlanta.

Somehow, now that the chips were off the table, the Chargers came back and played a pretty damn good game on Saturday. Winning on the road against a team that just needed to win and they were in. The script continues, people. Amazing. The Chargers never punted in this game. So efficient and effective was the Chargers offense, that they scored every time they touched the ball…except twice: a bad interception Philip threw early…and the missed field goal by Novak. Rivers was on fire, Floyd had his best game of the year, Gates looked great. The offensive line was nothing short of spectacular. Despite the fact that the running game was only marginal (with often injured Ryan Mathews sitting another game out!) they never lost a beat in this one. Think back, people, to how badly the Raiders have mauled us in the last three games we have played against them. Our offensive line has been punished by them…and our receivers have been blanketed. What changed? Our Special Teams…so badly maligned last year…had its best game too, with Richard Goodman finally showing the spark they had hoped for with a huge return touchdown. Such a rarity around these parts you were left searching for the holding flag that just had to be there. Except it wasn’t.

Now, the defense….not so much. Gave up a ton of yards to this team…with speedy Raider receivers beating Jammer and Cason deep and often. Really, this goes hand in hand with the fact that we had no pass rush because Antwan Barnes got himself ejected early. Leaving us with a gimpy Shaun Phillips and rookie Daryl Gamble as our only outside linebackers. Yet, despite our defensive shortcomings, we made some interceptions, made some plays, forced some field goals, and won the game. What did we gain by this win?……well the cynic would say we gained the following:

·         We very well may have saved Norval and AJ’s jobs.

·         We “earned” the right to play Pittsburgh and the New York Jets next year instead of Cincy and Buffalo.

·         We “earned” the #18 pick in the Draft instead of #13.

Never having been accused of being a cynic, I would say that we may have earned something a bit more dangerous. We may have earned another dose of self-belief. Belief that we are actually pretty good. Belief that this group of players has what it takes. Belief that some of these players should be re-signed. Belief that our coaches have what it takes on both sides of the ball. Memories are short. If Dean Spanos wants to point to a 4-1 finish and say that this team really is “almost there”, that is his right. He pays the bills and writes the checks. I think it is unfortunate, because the pattern is there…we cannot win when it counts. This coach has not proven it…and these players have not proven it. Is a win over the Raiders and a good win over the Ravens really going to be enough to keep this team and staff intact? Followers, the signs say Yes.

So, where does all this leave the ANALYSIS? Well, a bit resigned….a bit tired….and a bit frustrated. The ANALYSIS does not guarantee anything…who knows…Norv and AJ may be fired today….but I doubt it. I think we are back with the same group next year. With the same mantra:  “these guys are close”, “if only we did not have the injuries”, “if only we would have made that one play”. Same stuff folks, for many years. But, does this leave the ANALYSIS sad? No, it does not. As always, Sports are just for fun…we must always treat them like that. Did I struggle through 90 years of no Rose Bowl with the Ducks? No, I did not. But I did struggle through the last 19 years without one. I was there in 1995 when the Ducks lost to Penn State, I watched in 2001 as the Ducks were passed up in a BCS nightmare and lost their chance at the National Championship before blitzing Colorado in the Cotton Bowl and finishing #2. I was there in 2010 as the Ducks lost again in the Rose Bowl to Ohio State. I watched last year as the Ducks lost the National Championship to Auburn on a last second field goal. But, this year, they got it. Can the Chargers do it? Well, they have not in my lifetime. But, hope (much like the ANALYSIS) springs eternal. I will be there for you followers. Keep the faith. Happy New Year.