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.