I'm only going to focus on one thing: PLAYCALLING. What the hell was up with Norv Turner and his play calling? This is a passing team, Rivers has taken the reigns and along with the receivers, has transformed the Chargers into an aerial team. In the off-season, Norv said he wanted to get back to running the ball majority of the time. Why? We aren't a running team anymore. At the end of the 1st half, the Chargers had the ball at about the 10 yard line with 10 seconds left an no timeouts. Most teams take a quick shot in the end zone, right? Not Norv Turner. He played it safe and went for the FG. I don't get why you don't take a shot at the end zone with that much time left. It was the difference in the game. We lost by 5 points. Instead of being in position to get a game winning FG on our last possession, we had to go for it on 4th down. With the game on the line and just outside of the Red Zone, the Chargers chances at winning died. On 3rd and a long two, Turner had the Chargers run a 3-man TE set, PA rollout pass play. Why not run from the Shot gun or throw Sproles out there on the swing? On 4th down, he set up in a goal line formation and tried running the ball down the middle. He didn't run it with Michael Bennett or Jacob Hester...no, he tried running it down the throat of Baltimore's dreaded defense with 5'6" Darren Sproles. Sproles was stuffed in the backfield by Ray Lewis for about a 2 yard loss, ending the game. Two horrible calls by Turner. Just to put it out there, right before the season started Philip Rivers was on the radio out here and he was being asked why he never audible's out of a play. Rivers stated that Norv Turner doesn't give him that option to call audibles. Yeah there are other reasons why we lost (horrible offensive line, two pick's by Rivers, no run game, minimal pressure on Flacco, and not getting TD's when we were in position to), but the play calling by Turner was horrible and in the end, cost us a legit shot at winning this game.
Damn why would he telegraph a play like that? Two yards out I don't like getting into a goal line situation either way unless we've got some momentum on the ground. A shame Rivers can't audible out of that, I definitely would have. Ugly way to go out but at least you're still in that lame division. I can't see you losing to Denver just yet.
Ugh, sucks to hear. Norv Turner, I still can't believe you guys hired him. I remember Rex Ryan was a potential head coach candidate, but you guys picked Norv. Ryan has done an excellent job with the Jets so far... Anyways, like huevon said, at least you guys play in a weak division. Chargers always wake up sooner or later so I wouldn't worry just yet. There's still plenty on talent on your squad.
I was there in Qualcomm. You know, Rivers was the only reason the Chargers were even in that game. He's one heck of a warrior. He took so many hits and got little help from the running game and O-line. I loved every second of that game. As much as I would like to gloat, I've already got that out of my system. The Chargers definetely benefit from being in the AFC West than say, the AFC North (Okay, so I'm still gloating, I'll stop there). Just a thought, I did not know the triceps injury to Jamal Williams landed him on IR. He is definetely gonna be missed more than LT and it showed. Great game, I hope the Ravens don't get to meet the Chargers in the post season since they don't match up well for the Ravens secondary.
Love the props for Rivers. Glad you got to see the game live, too! I love Rivers man. The dude is a fucking warrior. Jamal tore his triceps. That is really going to hurt us big time this year. We're a late starting team. If we're still playing like this in week 6 or so, I'll be concerned. Any sort of a running game or a head coach with some balls, I think we could've pulled that out. I'm impressed with you guys this year. You're not relying on the running game. I like that.
