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Who Are the San Diego Chargers?

That was the question on everyone's lips after a narrow win at Oakland and a disappointing loss at the Murph last week against Baltimore, but as always, an increased sample size yields a better understanding. The Bolts are still finding their groove and it's difficult to tell who they're going to be this season... More after the jump.

Star-divide

The question here is, which is more indicative of this Chargers team--

1. The gut-it-out ugly win at Oakland?

No question there. The Chargers were pushed around and battered physically. If not for the poor play of JaMarcus LaLoosh, the Raiders easily would've won that game. But hey, they were knocking the rust off, so at least a PART of that can be explained away.

2. The close loss at home, against the Ravens?

This game taught us a couple of things. First, that Darren Sproles (however electrifying he is in small doses) is not now and never will be an every down back. For the record, Michael Bennett was moderately effective, but didn't get many touches, and he's no powerhouse either. The other-- for those of you who've been under a rock for the last three years-- is that Philip Rivers is a top-5 quarterback in the NFL. He torched the Baltimore secondary all up-and-down the field en route to a career-high 437 yards, but distressingly could not get much done in the way of red-zone TDs.

3. Or this week against the Dolphins?

It turned out to be a darn-near runaway win. If not for that garbage-time TD drive led by Chad Henne, it'd be termed a rout. However, is anyone else worried about the sloppy first-half play? Failed opportunities in the red-zone (again), just three points going into the half, and to top it off, a missed Kaeding field goal?

The last one is just gravy. Kaeding is easily one of the best kickers in the league and possibly behind only Carney and Benirschke in franchise history, but it's the little things like that which turn into losses. More problematic is the fact that the offense didn't get their collective act together and into the endzone until there were four minutes left in the quarter. Barring the few breaks the Bolts got today (end zone fumble, Pennington hurt, etc.), they very likely would have been outscored and fallen to 1-2.

To recap:
No running game.
Need to score early and often.
MUST convert in the red zone.

On the flip side:
Philip Rivers is a boss.
Big, physical recievers can line up across from anyone.
Sproles can run like a rabbit, even if he is about as easy to tackle as a rabbit too.

Your thoughts?

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

2 recs  |  Comment 40 comments

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If you want to crown them, then crown their ass.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Sep 28, 2009 6:58 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also,I don't know if a rabbit is that easy to catch.Elmer Fudd always said"you waskowy wabbit"

So DS just might have a shot,what do you say?He’s exciting to watch eh? INDEED……I SECOND AND THIRD IT.

Chance favors the prepared mind.......

by Gorditoe1 on Sep 28, 2009 8:20 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I remember last season,

When it was so tough to gauge what this team’s identity was early in the season, or really until week 8.

That seems to me to be the case this year, however I expect that we will be vastly improved and in great form before week 8 this season.

Next up, Washington State. Make'um pay!

by CaDuck on Sep 28, 2009 9:05 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Even if Pennington doesn't get knocked out

I still think we win. Maybe we don’t get the pick-six, but I think our defense was doing a fine job keeping them out of the end zone, and we’d have won.

Greg Maddux for manager.

by maestro876 on Sep 28, 2009 9:42 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Why do we wait till the 2nd half?????

My wife knows nothing about football, yet she sees my agony every week…she says, “They should play all game like they play the 4th quarter”….

by BamaBolt on Sep 28, 2009 12:41 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ain’t it the truth.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Sep 29, 2009 5:44 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rivers is the chargers

he has a good game we win
he has a bad game we lose

our defense clearly isnt wear it was 2 years ago.
Our o-line is the worst its been in years
sproles is not a good answer for the running game, he is a change of pace back and nothing more. We need a healthy Lt

In Kobe we trust!

by robi s on Sep 28, 2009 5:36 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

To me the real test in Denver

The Broncos are 3-0 with an upgraded D. Yes they’ve had some set backs, but they know our tendencies & match-ups better than any NFC team. They build their team win the division by beating us.

If the Chargers can beat the Broncos I feel like we can beat anybody in the league on any given Sunday. If they spank us, I have to start considering what might be in my glass of Kool-Aid.

by Trendsearcher on Sep 29, 2009 5:31 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Hmmm

I wonder which AFC teams know us better than Denver. I bet the Raiders do, they always figure out a way to lose to us.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 30, 2009 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What if they beat Pittsburgh, KC and Oakland but drop one to Denver in a close game?

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Sep 30, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Clearly that would signal the beginning of the end.

Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken

by Richard Wade on Sep 30, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not the beginning of the end

but I expect Denver to do those things too (well maybe not the Steelers). So in the end it comes around to the head to head match ups.

For Denver I think Dallas is going to be a great test this weekend. Maybe I won’t be so quick to crown the Broncos if Dallas slams ’em this weekend. Especially since Dallas is so beat up at RB.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 1, 2009 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Playing the Chargers at the Q after SD comes off a bye

could be a tougher game for the Broncos than either Dallas or New England, which are both in Denver.

by CoastalBronco on Sep 30, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Raiders used to be my litmus test… in the 80’s!

Now I just want to see the Raiders the rear view mirror like a silver and black skunk that was just run over.

When was the last time the Chargers lost to those guys? 2002?

by Trendsearcher on Sep 30, 2009 10:44 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

We split the series in 2003

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 30, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Didn’t the Raiders go to the Super Bowl that year?

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Sep 30, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

yup at Qualcomm

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 30, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Still not convinced

That the Broncos are for real, they have had such a weak schedule to start the year and I just don’t seem them being that good this year. However, it’s always a good game when we play them. My first Chargers game ever will be October 19th for the Monday nighter against them. So stoked!!!

Canada’s #1 Chargers fan

by HockeyFan on Sep 30, 2009 12:45 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

You should really just make a signature instead of proclaiming yourself Canada's #1 Chargers fan in every post

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Sep 30, 2009 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That really would save a lot of time...

Formerly, thats a no-go.

I apologize for my ignorant and blatant lack of refinement in terms of my cursage. I did not know much of this Tuel feller so I accidentally used another innocent mans picture. Believe me, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!

by CaDuck on Sep 30, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They’re already more competitive than I thought they were going to be.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 1, 2009 4:33 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The media was overrated.

Denver bulk up on defense players from loser teams and stole one of our DL personnel. Plus McDaniels is a better coach than norv.

by Sportsboy on Oct 1, 2009 10:32 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

McDaniels > Norv?? really?
Plus McDaniels is a better coach than Norv

We’ve seen so little of McDaniels as an HC to this point. You are really ready to make that call?

What I’ve seen so far with Plumber & Marshal I would not say that, but maybe time might prove you right.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 1, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cutler you mean

and I’m glad the Donkey fans are so confident by beating three of the worst teams in football. Let them be.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 1, 2009 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Denver's opponents have the second best record of all the undefeated teams

Nobody else has played anybody either, but apparently Denver is the only team that’s overrated.

by CoastalBronco on Oct 1, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oak 1-2 (win coming aginst the cheifs) browns 0-3

Bengals 2-1 as much of a mystery as the broncos and could just as well be 3-0. The Bengals are your only “Mystery” opponent.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 1, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Bengals beat Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Not too shabby (so far).

The combined record of the teams SD has beaten is 1-5, and they didn’t play very well in either win. The ease with which Denver handled the black hole, relative to San Diego’s struggle against Oakland, is a concrete argument that the Broncos are currently the best team in the division.

The sample size is too small to use records as much of an argument, but in the first three games Denver has played the most competently of any team in the AFC West. They’re relatively balanced without glaring weaknesses (so far), and they’re minimizing mistakes (again, so far). Although SD will be playing with a significant advantage of being home after a bye, week 6 will tell us a lot.

by CoastalBronco on Oct 1, 2009 5:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We've also had

2/5 starting lineman OUT. Our starting DT OUT. Our starting RB OUT. Both our starting DEs OUT. Merriman OUT mostly. Not to mention other injuries on special teams.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 1, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

no doubt SD is persevering through injuries

And all things considered, they’re doing pretty well. But I’m starting to wonder if we’ll ever see the Chargers at full strength, especially with Jamal being out again. Regardless, injuries are (a very disappointing) part of the game, and at the end of the day it’s about the team that’s actually on the field. So far (those two words again), Denver has looked better than SD on the field.

And although I don’t over-value the first game since the performance is generally that of a fifth preseason game, it’s worth noting that SD was injury free going into their sub-par showing at Oakland.

by CoastalBronco on Oct 2, 2009 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kind of

Looks like Jamal might be done for his career but who knows. Other than that hopefully we can get back Nick Hardwick by the time the playoffs roll around and be full strength other than Jamal by then.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 2, 2009 7:55 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I hope Jamal bounces back next year

The Chargers should make a deal with the league that they always get an early bye — it really seems to come in handy for them. Hopefully both teams are relatively injury free when Denver comes to town.

by CoastalBronco on Oct 2, 2009 8:49 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Should be the case

If we come back from Pitt unscathed only missing our Center and Jamal. Big IF and those are really two key players it sucks to be without.

by Dude52089 on Oct 2, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

A lot of people think Norv is an awful coach.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John (obviousman) on Oct 1, 2009 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That has nothing to do with McDaniels being better

You can’t measure bad against nothing.

A kid who has a unicorn ranch in his room cannot call other people weird. Yes, we know about "Rancho Unicorno."

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 1, 2009 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Calling McDaniels a great head coach after 3 games is ludicrous!

Was Lane Kiffin a really good coach too?

Formerly, thats a no-go.

I apologize for my ignorant and blatant lack of refinement in terms of my cursage. I did not know much of this Tuel feller so I accidentally used another innocent mans picture. Believe me, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!

by CaDuck on Oct 1, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually I kinda thought Kiffin was a pretty good coach

…aside from missing the chance of giving Al Davis’ snitch a skull fracture, I thought he was pretty good. Al is the problem not the coaches coming through the revolving door.

We’ll see if McDaniels will eventually be better than Kiffin.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 1, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That is true...Agreed

With the Raiders, It is always difficult to tell what the actual problem is…Allthough it seems from an outsider’s perspective that Davis is the problem.

Either way, I cannot stand Kiffin at Tennessee! Cannot wait for my Ducks to defeat them in a few years!

Formerly, thats a no-go.

I apologize for my ignorant and blatant lack of refinement in terms of my cursage. I did not know much of this Tuel feller so I accidentally used another innocent mans picture. Believe me, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN!

by CaDuck on Oct 1, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They say josh is a good qb teacher

but look at what Norv has done to this offense we have the highest rated passer

by BFTB_zach on Oct 1, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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