Are the Chargers as good as they are going to get?

by boltbeliever17 on Jan 16, 2012 9:42 AM PST

Are the Chargers as good as they are going to get under this regime? I fear the window is closing and closing fast. The Chargers were once one of the younger, more talented teams in the NFL and now? Well, now they are not. I feel the blame lies soley on poor management decisions. I think (or I thought) that is time for a change but Mr. Spanos canned that idea because the cup is "half full". In one fan's opinion we are in for more of the same next year.....Mediocrity. So, next fall, sit back, turn the tv on, crack a beer and watch the game. After the game, take your anti-depression medication and wait until next week for more of the same. As you can tell I am a little disappointed in this franchise and I have been a huge fan of the Chargers since I was 3 years old (my wife hates sundays). I would love to hear your thoughts and how you feel about sitting at home and watching the playoffs without seeing the Chargers once again.

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.

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Well

The positive spin that I can put on AJ and Norv returning is that for the first time since they’ve been here the gauntlet has been set. They are essentially on a one shot deal. If this doesn’t motivate them to really work to their limits and succeed this year, then nothing will. At least we have a QB in his prime and an offense that can compete with any in the league. A few stabilizing OL & defensive pieces can have us competing for the AFC Championship next year.

by Eman3737 on Jan 16, 2012 9:58 AM PST reply actions

The window was really only wide open for a few years

It closed considerably when Merriman stopped being Merriman.

Since then, it has been about half open and that won’t really change until either Rivers gets hurt (and it slams shut) or we get a defensive playmaker or two.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Jan 16, 2012 10:54 AM PST reply actions 3 recs

As long as Rivers is here its open. An elite QB playing at the top of his game can win it all in the NFL, almost by himself. If Rivers had played decent during the middle of the season the Chargers could very well still be playing this season.

by JeromeB on Jan 16, 2012 12:43 PM PST up reply actions

I'm with Jerome B

As long as Rivers is here, we’ve got hope. Yes, this team needs an overhaul (especially defensively,) but it can be done. Look at the Patriots: they’re almost an entirely different team than their last SB, and they’re in the hunt this year even with a horrific defense. Brady is their horse, and (IMO even more importantly) they’ve still got Belichick. Unfortunately, Norv has yet to prove himself as another Belichick.

by the blur 98 on Jan 16, 2012 6:03 PM PST up reply actions

Defense

If we can get that physical defense bahk we can definately win a superbowl. Loox at SF49ers there offense is exceptional at best but there special teams and defense sets the tone. Once our defense gets bahk to where it was its going down. Offense isn’t much of an issue for us

Lil'Terry

by Lil'Terry on Jan 16, 2012 1:00 PM PST via Android app reply actions

The 49ers O-line is built to run the ball and their young

but I agree we need a defense we can rely on and can wins games on their own

by chargerclipperfan on Jan 16, 2012 6:32 PM PST up reply actions

afraid so...

hope not

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

by Hormel on Jan 16, 2012 4:33 PM PST reply actions

I agree with Eman3737

Maybe with enough pressure put on AJ and Norv they will have the sense of urgency to say “we have to win and win now”. I do believe that if it does’nt happen next year those two gentleman will be looking for new jobs.

by boltbeliever17 on Jan 17, 2012 9:24 AM PST reply actions

This is a bit more of a re-build at this point.........

There are a lot of holes on the roster and depending on how many of our FAs we’re able to retain possibly several more to come.

We have a top tier QB who will be in his prime for 3 or 4 more seasons……………..I’d say the window is open as long as Rivers is still playing at a high level.

AJ will probably have to actually make some moves in FA because we won’t be able to get totally reloaded in the draft.

Speaking of the draft…………………..the first 3 to 5 picks have to be really solid. We can’t afford any reaches and we can’t afford to be trading up.

I think it would be important to retain VJ, Hardwick, Gaither, and either Tolbert or Hester.

If through FA and the draft we can find starters at OLB, SS, OL, ILB, TE, WR we could be competing with the top teams again quickly.

Also……………I guess it really depends on injuries as well. It seems like every season the last 3 the team has been dessimated by injuries. We never really see the teams AJ and Norv put together but some watered down version filled with other teams practice squad cast offs or players that were released by other teams. If we can make it through a season without losing an entire position group to injury I like our chances.

by J Korber on Jan 17, 2012 9:45 AM PST reply actions

Sign them and spend some money.

Sign our free agents on offense and spend some money on defense.

by boltbeliever17 on Jan 17, 2012 2:52 PM PST reply actions

Need to keep Tolbert

Need to keep Tolbert, Gaither (for sure) and VJax. Hester does’nt do much so if he left I would’nt be uspet.

by boltbeliever17 on Jan 17, 2012 2:56 PM PST reply actions

chargers are they as good as they get

Oh my I have been watching the chargers since i was 7 years old. It is awful about how sick this season was. Last year i was saying if only they could come out 1st quarter and kick some beer then we wouldnt have to struggle to come out on top in the end of a season. Ill I know I LOVE THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS!!!!!! I will always be positive, a true blue hardcore fan till my dying days. One day our chargers will take us all the way. then youll be sorry, cause a true blue charger fan is true always… not just when they are doing well…. think about whos watching are San deigo padres? thats right nobody hardly

by debbbie kay on Jan 20, 2012 2:07 AM PST reply actions

I think you have me wrong

I am not saying that I am not a true blue Charger fan because I most certainly am. What I am saying is that drastic changes need to be made or our Chargers will remain a .500 ball club or worse. And, as most football fans know, change starts at the top (ie SF 49ers). That team is more or less the same as it was last year when they won, what? 7 games? Hired a coach with some passion for the game and this weekend they are playing for a shot in the SB! The Chargers have not made any good moves for the past 3 years and it is deffinately time to start.

by boltbeliever17 on Jan 20, 2012 8:25 AM PST reply actions

No team is the same from one year to the next in the NFL.

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by Richard Wade on Jan 20, 2012 8:34 AM PST up reply actions

WE NEED SOME FREAKING DEFENSE

hey, how about a pass rush

Go Rockets!
"Our players knew we were going to win so kinda let up on defense." Kevin Mchale
"Screw Stern!" Me

by Rockets7 on Jan 24, 2012 1:26 PM PST reply actions

Agreed.

When we had Merriman, he was just as dominant against the run. Teams used to run away from him to Phillips’ side. Now teams run away from Phillips to where LaBoy or Barnes is. We need to get back to that where Phillips is the ‘weaker’ OLB. Looking back, wasn’t that a luxury.

by SDreal on Jan 26, 2012 4:59 PM PST up reply actions

Our offense is as good as it's ever been.

Ryan Mathews has a pretty solid average yards per rush and Rivers is head and shoulders above what he was in 2006, which was the best overall team the Chargers have ever had. Sure, they had LT in his prime. But the real difference was Jamal Williams and Shawne Merriman. I don’t think our defensive backs where any better back then. But that defense dominated because of Jamal in the middle and Merriman rushing the passer. You can blame Norv or AJ, but everyone coaches and evaluates talent better when when you have those two guys blowing up everything an opposing defense tries to do. So, we need better defensive players. AJ Smith inherited JWal and scored for a few year with Merriman. Everyone is looking for two guys like that on their defense. Everyone is. That’s what we need to find, IMHO.

by SDreal on Jan 26, 2012 4:56 PM PST reply actions