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!