.jpg&w=244&h=193&zc=1 "Ol' Chuck Is Pretty Cool About Dates. He Always Wears That Striped Shirt Of His")
Well Dean, You Thought The Last Game At Oakland Was So Important...
Seriously, so much of what the Chargers did (or didn't do) in 2012 rested upon a seemingly meaningless New Year's Day game in Oakland. While the Traitors needed the game in order to make the playoffs and it's always great to beat them, the game really didn't have significance for the Chargers. Actually, it apparently convinced Dean Spanos that he justifiy bringing Norv back for another year. AJ avoided the ax, but if you believe anything you read (and I don't) in the U-T and North County Times, the coach would go before the GM. Deano, after all, credits our "success" since 2004 to Smith most of all. By the way, if you haven't been able (or wanted to) read the Union-Tribune's Charger coverage since they went to a pay-for-content business model, you can still find the articles on the Google "Discussion" site. I'd keep that tidbit of info on the down low, but if you're reading this I assume I can trust you.
I inadvertently deleted a 1 TB of music while actually trying to back up my computer a couple of weeks back. When you tether yourself to as much useless shit as I do, it's a pretty catastrophic event. However, only a fraction of those tunes actually are in my daily rotation. I assume you know what bands are on that playlist. However, I did retain the 18 disc release from the Justice Is Coming House Band. You know you're old when concerts you've attended are part of an epic archival release. You can listen to big chunks of it here. If you're really interested, e-mail me and I can direct you towards the entire set.
It's Saturday morning here on The Island and we have an extra day before it all begins again. With a 10:15 kickoff, the most inconvenient team in football will actually get the most inconvenient start time. In 2006, the post-Steve Foley-shooting Chargers shit all over Oakland. Shaun Phillips did his #53 charging bull homage after a sack and our rookie quarterback managed the game. In 2009, Antoine Cason proved that his brain fart in the playoffs the year before wasn't an aberration as he surrendered the tying touchdown late in the 4th quarter. Philip Rivers led the Bolts down the field and the draw play to Sproles won the game. Unfortunately, that resulted in that same play being run into the ground by Norv. He tried it against Baltimore a few weeks later the Ravens snuffed it out to put the game away. You remember, FAITFUL READER, that was the week after Jamal Williams went down for the year and OG #91 was pullled off the car lot to play on our defensive line. We had already lost Hardwick in Oakland. However, he'd return against Tennessee. Williams was done in San Diego forever.
With an 11-game winning streak following a 2-3 start, the Chargers were never are strong as their record indicated. The Bolts clearly weren't good enough in the trenches (on either side) and the Jets knocked them off a pedestal that they still haven't gotten back on. Antonio Gates told XX1090 this week that there is a sense of urgency with the team. You know, "the window's closing...we know this is a business and everyone won't be back..." Blah, Blah, Blah. I love Gates, but he also said we were a blue-collar team a year ago. The Jared Gaither thing bugs the shit out of me. The fact that Rivers' blind side is protected by Mike Harris is worrisome, but the bullshit surrounding Gaither is insulting as all fuck. I know, my time in Bleacher Report causes me to flex my profane muscles here in the Halls Of Justice. I wasn't aware that "The Big Lazy" had missed all of 2010 with back problems. It's well-documented that I don't watch much football beyond the Chargers themselves. For one, they have sapped the enjoyment out of other games for me. Secondly, it's time-consuming enough watching, rooting for, suffering with and writing about the Chargers that there isn't much time for me to follow other teams and players. The fact that Gaither won't either a) get on the field b) explain what's going on or c) go on IR and get out of our lives entirely is ridiculous. The Chargers promised in the offseason that they were going to look at their training and conditioning personnel since we seem to have an above-normal amount of injuries. I'm sure Deano's getting right on that. We were also promised a kinder and gentler AJ Smith as well. I'm yet to see that either. If the team wins, of course, none of that matters. Is Harris another one of these "line 'em up and let 'em play" guys that AJ brings in who wouldn't get on the field elsewhere? We'll know soon enough.
I saw in the U-T Male Sack that someone was already wondering if Jarret Johnson would become nothing more than another Travis LaBoy. In other words, is he just not that good? I don't think preseason is an indication of anything, but I understand why fans are anxious. I am too. Even Philip Rivers isn't beyond our frustration-fueled wrath. He shouldn't be. He was often the reason the team struggled last year. I know all about the injuries, struggles of the remaining linemen and pressure on Rivers to do it all. That being said, he wasn't good enough and/or hurt the team immeasurably last season. As a "columnist," Kevin Acee shrugged off suggestions that Rivers' penchant for red zone interceptions was a legitimate problem. Now, he's admitted that it kept the team from the playoffs. That's on top of the fumbled snap in KC on All Hallow's Eve.
I love Philip Rivers. That's on record. I supported the decision to not sign Brees long-term in 2005. But Rivers hasn't done his part. That's why he's no longer in the upper echelon of NFL QBs. You can't be the only guy on the list without a ring year after year. He's had plenty to do with the fact that he's never even been in the building with the Lombardi Trophy. He needs a bounceback season in the biggest way. It won't matter if the only connection he has with Robert Meachem is in the training camp photo I posted above. It will be immaterial if Eddie Royal can't make a difference once they get him out of shrink wrap on Monday Night. No one will care if Vincent Brown's absence from the season's first half results in no one being able to get separation from their defenders while Rivers gets tossed around like a rag doll. He can't point to the fact that he wasn't aided by a real running game or steady pocket protection. He simply needs to win and win when it counts most. He cannot make the errors that seal our fate again.
Does that mean that he should be traded? It's irrelevant because it would never happen. But when Colts fans are optimistic because they appear to have a guy who will inevitably lift the Lombardi, I have to be a little envious. I truly want to believe that Philip Rivers is still that guy. However, nothing will quell my doubts and fears until it happens. We've all been hurt too badly and too often to have blind faith. XX1090's Marty Caswell received a Tweet that we should "lay flat for Matt" (Barkley) just as the Colts were told to "suck for (Andrew) Luck" a year ago. But should Rivers fall flat again, I'm sure I won't be the only one wishing we could just tear that team apart and start fresh.
That's enough bitching for now. I'm sure I'll have plenty to bitch about at 10:30 PM Monday Night. But have no fear, I'm still in it for the long haul. We're all on this ride together. I really respect Ryan Mathews for at least appearing to try like hell to be ready for Opening Night. I'm not devestated that he isn't playing since he hasn't even been cleared for contact by the doctors. As much as this game is crucial and I still hate Oakland, it's more important that Mathews stays healthy once he comes back. I forget who posted the Instagram to your left, but I hope they don't mind me sharing it. Besides Mike Harris and the offensive line's effect on Philip Rivers, it will be interesting to see how much Ronnie Brown can do against Oakland. It will be similarly vital how the Chargers deal with McFadden. Everyone thinkgs he's poised to stay healthy himself and tear things up. We're so used to seeing the Chargers be gashed on the ground, it would be nice to get a little closer to returning to the "you can't run" era. Of course, teams could always pass on us back then which is why the run defense was so especially stout.
Speaking of which, the cornerback situation will be watched pretty closely by Justice Leaguers. Cason is terrifying and I didn't know that teams throwing on Jammer had the highest QB ratings in the NFL last season until Jim Trotter included it in his SI preview of the Chargers. As is the case with the offensive line and its effect on Rivers' performance, the pass rush will have a huge impact on the secondary. Carson Palmer has looked like shit often times Oakland except when he's throwing against the Chargers.
That being said, I'll be standing right there with you for this and every game. I can't do otherwise. It's just not how I'm wired, I guess. It's like that Boardwalk Empire tagline about gangsters. You can't be half a Charger. You can't be half a Charger fan, either. Playing at Oakland is about as good a test as you can ask for in the first week. Since 2009, we've hardly had a stranglehold on the rivalry after years of dominance. I'm gonna leave you now, because I know you are busy. I will post a piece for Bleacher Report tomorrow night and another on Tuesday. It will be hard enough to get to sleep and up for work at 6:00 AM after the game, regardless of the outcome. I'm sure we'll be in touch via Twitter or the Justice Is Coming Facebook Page.
It's not without reservation that I say this, but let it begin. Again.
JIC,
RLW
Gates better learn quickly that being on the field for the next series is more important for the team than making the first down. I love his heart but we can't afford to lose him. Now he is already questionable for game 2. And I don't want to hear that he can't play the game any other way. That's Michael Vick bullshit.
Terry, I don't moan. I pontificate. But seriously, we can compare notes at the end of the season.
@boltrunner I also love that Cutler is exposed. However, PR needs to do his part on the field. Whit and Terry, I don't want to sound like Vince Vaughn in Wedding Crashers as mediator. I won't be suggesting a game of just the tip. But you are both equally pissed at the Chargers. Whether you are allowing past failures to take over your psyche now or after new ones are added on top is irrelevant. Only, as the Fat Man sang, when we make it to the promised land will we be all be together for ever and ever.
@Lucab12 @boltrunner Mediate whatever you'd like. I'm not pissed at the Chargers. I reload every year. This year in the draft, AJ did what I told him to do, even took 3 of the 1st 4 players I suggested in the rounds I suggested. :-)I don't like that we haven't dedicated more resources to keeping Rivers upright, but beyond that it's a new year, I don't hate Norv, we beat the stinkin' Raiders in their house, & I get to continue to poke fun at the poor pitiful us crowd.
I'll compare notes at the end, beginning, or middle of the year with any of you, any time. Tonight we'll be 2-0.
I love seeing Rivers vindicated. Rivers was never the issue the press made him out to be when Cutler was in our division. Now the NFC is finding out what an asshole Cutler is.
The best and worst thing about the Chargers is that they will answer all of our questions eventually. Unless we are of the school of thought that we want them to lose so we can blow shit up and start over, let's view it as an evolving story. New JIC up tonight.
Monday Night Football. Really?
We won a game in Oakland against a team who is led by the lead singer of Maroon 5. Big deal.
It took Diaper Man to win the game..Next time we need him he'll shit the bed.
Our offense looked clueless and weak inside the 20. No surprise.
Jeromey Clary looks more like the defeated Blaster from the movie Beyond Thunderdome than he does an NFL right tackle.
Gates, will you go the fuck down! Please! For God's sake you just got healthy.
At least Rivers didn't throw a pick and Floyd didn't break one of his skinny legs.
The defense could be good but beating Oakland reveals nothing.
Titans vs Chargers. Another rookie head coach. Jake Locker at QB. What could go wrong?
@boltrunner See - I knew we'd get a happy camper sooner or later.
Enjoy your season of wins by moaning over how pathetic our opponent is/was. I'll pop another beer to celebrate a division win & look at the game realistically. Certainly not all unicorns & rainbows, but at least as much good as bad..
We beat the Titans by 10 or more this week, but it will be because they're down their starting MLB. See - I just gave you a jump-start for your rationalization of our upcoming win. You're welcome, Eeyore. Next round is on me too.
OK, I've made some rounds this AM listening to the whining, pissing, & moaning about how bad we looked in a season-opening, division rivalry, away win against the hated Raiders.
So what do you folks have to add?
@TerryMoody I felt better than at any time during the 4-1 start last year. A lot to be worked on, but more to be happy with. The biggest was that Rivers didn't force it on a night where there was no running game. Just posted a piece on Bleacher Report which runs 5 pages and should be up within the hour.
@Lucab12 Same here, Ross. Plenty of Norv-haters out & about bashing him for not doing this or that, but overall I'm pleased with the result. Run game should pick up when Mathews returns, D looked fast & physical.
@TerryMoody http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1330980-chargers-vs-raiders-10-things-we-learned-from-san-diegos-22-14-win#comments
This was my Monday take. JIC to be up Fri. I hate Norv but still gave him props.
Ross, I'm sick of seeing the Pats change personnel year after year and still get to the Super Bowl. The excuses are over. I don't care who's out on the field. If this team doesn't play with a passion for winning then it's over. If they can't begin this season with a win at the Shithole then it's over. I too will watch every game but I will not be fooled again.
All of the bolts injuries are on offense. That means I will judge this teams chances this year on a defense that both AJ and Norv expect to carry us to the Super Bowl. That begins with tonights performance. If the defense is stuck out on the field after 3rd downs drive after drive then it will be the same shit we have experienced every year for the past 5 years. If they look like San Francisco did against Green Bay then count me in.
This is the year of no more fucking excuses.
@boltrunner Whit you said it perfectly. The Chargers are out of excuses even if Gaither never plays a down and Mathews re injures himself. Defense is like pitching or goaltending. In the close games that matter, you can get by with a strong showing. At this point, we'd settle for a less shitty showing on D.
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@TerryMoody What about raping them illegitimately? Is the eyepatch on the Oakland logo the result of a skullfucking? I agree with you wholeheartedly, Terry.
@Lucab12 I wouldn't want them to conceive little Raiders.
Skullfuck - now you sound like a biker. hahahahahaha
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@TerryMoody Well you know the GD wanted to call skull and roses that for a title. Warner Bros turned it down surprisingly.
