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Both of these moments were terrible. The difference is that while we immediately knew one was an all-time disaster, many of us actually celebrated the other when it happened. Not me. I wanted Wadsworth (which coincidentally also would have been bad). So, I guess the question comes down to, "do you vote for the moment that ripped your heart out then and there or the one that forced you to watch several years of terrible football?" I'm leaning toward the latter, but then the image of those a-hole Patriots players mocking the Lights Out dance after the game sways me back the other direction. I'm really curious to see which you guys choose.
What happened?
(1) On April 18, 1998 the San Diego Chargers selected Ryan Leaf out of Washington State University with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft. For the right to select the young quarterback they traded the third overall pick, a future first round pick, a second round pick, and three-time Pro Bowler Eric Metcalf to the Arizona Cardinals. Leaf would go on to have a terrible three year run with the Chargers culminating in a 1-15 season before being cut on March 2, 2001. Ryan Leaf is widely considered the greatest bust in NFL Draft history and that's without even accounting for the price the Chargers paid to move up to select him.
(1) On January 14, 2007 the 14-2 San Diego Chargers hosted the 12-4 New England Patriots for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Chargers were 8-0 at home, had nine players sent to the Pro Bowl, five more to the All Pro team and were widely considered to be the best team in The League. Marty Schottenheimer would uncharacteristically attempt and fail on 4th & 11 early in the game. The sure-handed Eric Parker would muff a punt. Former Charger Reche Caldwell would contribute a huge catch to the Patriots. Almost everything would go wrong, but in the second half the Chargers had the lead. LaDainian Tomlinson would extend that lead to 21-13 with a TD in the 4th quarter. They would intercept Tom Brady for a third time that day on the following drive. It should have been over, but Marlon McCree would try to return the pick rather than getting down. He fumbled, and the Patriots went on to win and do Shawne Merriman's stupid sack dance in the middle of the field in celebration.
Which was worse?
You tell us by voting in the poll and commenting below.