BOLT ANALYSIS -- POST SCRIPT

 

Eli was right. Yes, after yesterday’s win in the Big Game, there is no more debate. When Eli stood on the stage at the 2004 Draft holding up a Charger jersey with a frown….he was right. He was right to think the Chargers were not committed to winning and had not historically taken care of their players. He was right to not want to play for such an organization. For a few years after that fateful day, all of us in San Diego would have clearly concluded that we got the best of that whole experience. Rivers, Merriman, Kaeding, and a couple of great seasons made us think that moping, slack-jawed Jughead Manning was never going to live up to that #1 selection. Even after 2008, when the Giants got hot and beat the Pats on a late drive in the Bowl…the common sentiment was that the Chargers were still the better-off team…if not the better team. But now, let there be no mistake, Eli is good. And he and Archie will always know they made the right call.

Folks, the purpose of this post is not to lament our position as fans…or whine about the Super Bowl. It is really to reinforce the fact that the formula for winning the Big Game is elusive…but it is not really that complicated. Overall mental toughness, defensive toughness, some luck, and ordinary players making extraordinary plays. Simple right?

Well, let us just say that yesterday’s win was not a pretty one. And sorry Paul, once again the Pats had a 4^th quarter lead erased by the tough Giants. But it was pretty ugly. From the safety, to dropped passes, to 12 men on the field penalties, to some poor turnovers, a limping Gronkowski, etc. etc. Not really an inspiring game. But the Giants have now done it twice in crazy fashion…in ’08 they were a Wildcard…won three on the road to get there and then beat the Pats with some crazy late heroics. This year, they lost 5 of 6 in the middle of the season, snuck into the playoffs and then played great all the way to the end. Here is how they did it:

Mental Toughness – Guys made great catches, big third down conversions, made field goals when they had to, did not get rattled, and were buoyed by a steady coaching system and a sure-handed Quarterback who was in control.

Defensive Toughness – Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre Paul, the corners and safeties…they did not have a great game, but they made big plays when they had to. Never giving up the big one..keeping the play in front of them…and tackling well.

Luck – At least two fumbles recovered by their own men. Lucky bounces on those. Safety call was a rare call. Dropped passes by the other team. Gotta have some luck.

Ordinary Players Doing Extraordinary Things – This has been my mantra for a long time. It does not have to be the stars. Mario Manningham making the catch of his life (like David Tyree in 2008). Bear Pascoe? Aaron Ross, that linebacker making the sick interception on Brady way down field, Weatherford’s three amazing punts. This is the stuff that wins games…does not need to be the expected folks.

Anyway, there it is. The end of the season. The main point is, of course, you need to get there. Need to get to the Playoffs and then see what happens. Maybe the mix of toughness, luck, and extraordinary plays all works for you. One of these days….maybe it will for us.

The ANALYSIS will now sign-off on the 2011-2012 Season. We now look forward. There is sure to be some significant change around Charger Park in terms of the roster. Free Agency and The Draft loom. Big names like VJ, Tolbert, Cason, and our big O-linemen need to be decided upon. Stay tuned…as we say here at the ANALYSIS…there is no offseason.