Wednesday, January 9, 2019

THE MONKEY ON PHILIP RIVERS BACK

                              UNFINISHED BUSINESS
 
   In the Chargers lone Super Bowl appearance in January of 1995, Steve Young famously said: "Take the monkey off my back!" He was referring to the pressure of his team the San Francisco 49ERS by being the starting QB of such a proud franchise and overcoming their playoff drought.

 The monkey on Philip Rivers back is equally heavy. The 12-year veteran has put up Hall of Fame numbers with the Chargers. The knock on Philip is hasn't beaten his biggest nemesis.  The one blip on the screen that could lead voters for the Hall of Fame to enter another QB name into Canton instead of his. He never could beat his rival, Tom Brady.



   Rivers hasn't only not beaten Brady in seven tries but Brady has knocked the Rivers-led Chargers out of the Playoffs twice. Rivers doesn't seem to play his best when opposing Tom Brady. 0-7 against Brady, 0-4 in Gillette Stadium, 0-2 in Playoffs against Brady. Rivers has thrown 11 TD but with 9 INT against Brady. If Rivers is Superman, Tom Brady is his kryptonite.



   Sunday could be the final time these two veterans meet in the Playoffs. Already these two will hit the record books as the oldest combined QB's ever to play in an NFL postseason game. Tom Brady is 41 and the Patriots are not the clobber knocker they once were. Rivers is 37 and has one year left on his contract. Now Philip has the pressure of two cities awaiting his quest to finally reach a Super Bowl. This season he has beat KC in KC, Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Baltimore in Baltimore and even traveled to London and defeated the Titans. The road to Atlanta and Rivers long-sought goal of a Super Bowl must go through New England. The remaining obstacle in his way of his childhood dreams and potentially a Hall of Fame bust in Canton. The 12 year growing monkey on Rivers back will either be removed or grow even bigger this Sunday.



   Many favor the Saints in the NFC. If Rivers can get by the Patriots Sunday he will be 60 minutes away from facing yet another roadblock. Rivers is 0-2 against Drew Brees the QB who he replaced in San Diego. Brees is also the last Chargers QB to beat Tom Brady back in 2005 as Rivers stood on the sidelines as Brees backup. Tom Brady 8-2 vs the Chargers. Both losses coming from when Drew Brees was the starting quarterback.



                                TOM BRADY VS PHILIP RIVERS



 GAME 1 JANUARY 14, 2007 AFC DIVISIONAL ROUND SAN DIEGO, CA
    One of the most heartbreaking defeats for Charger fans in history. The Philip Rivers led 2006 team went 14-2 and were favorites over the Patriots. The Chargers gave away the ball 4 times and Marlon McCree fumbled a game-winning interception with 6:25 left in the 4th quarter.



GAME 2 SEPTEMBER 16, 2007  GILLETTE STADIUM
   PATRIOTS 38-14
   The Patriots routed the Chargers holding the ball 35 minutes to the Chargers 24 minutes. The Chargers added to the damage with 3 turnovers and 7 penalties. 
Rivers 19-30 179 yards 2 Td 2 Int

 GAME 3 JANUARY 20, 2008 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME GILLETTE STADIUM
 PATRIOTS 21-12
   I believe this was the better of the two teams between 2006 and 2007. The 2006 squad was 14-2 but off the easiest schedule in the NFL this year. The 2007 team was the best shot for the Chargers to win the Super Bowl. But luck and missed opportunities ended there journey in the AFC Championship Game. Rivers had a tore MCL, LT took 2 carries and quit to sit on the freezing bench and Gates was hobbled with a dislocated to. The Chargers were unable to capitalize on 3 red zone trips instead settling for 3 Nate Keading field goals.  The Patriots perfect schedule would then fall to the Giants in the Super Bowl with Eli Manning. But Philip Rivers takes over the role a as leader from LT from that point on.
Rivers 19-37 211 yards 0 Td 2 Int 
 

GAME 4 OCTOBER 24, 2010 IN SAN DIEGO, CA 
 PATRIOTS 23-20
  It was thought this was the time. Rivers and company try to finally get revenge on Brady in San Diego. The Chargers controlled the ball  34 minutes to NE 25 minutes. Sadly, 4 turnovers changed the outcome and Brady was victorious again.
Rivers goes 34-50 336 yards 1 Td and 1 Int
 GAME 5 SEPTEMBER 18,  2011 GILLETTE STADIUM
 PATRIOTS 38-14
   The Patriots routed the Chargers holding the ball 35 minutes to the Chargers 24 minutes. The Chargers added to the damage with 3 turnovers and 7 penalties. 
Rivers 19-30 179 yards 2 Td 2 Int
 GAME 6 DECEMBER 7, 2014  SAN DIEGO, CA
 PATRIOTS  23-14
  Brady throws for 423 yards out dualing Rivers 189 yards. The Chargers keep it close but in the end make more mistakes than Brady.
 Rivers 20-33 189 yards 1 Td 1 Int
 GAME 7 OCTOBER 29, 2017 GILLETTE STADIUM
PATRIOTS 21-13
Rivers 14-32 230 yards 0 Td 1 Int
  The Patriots controlled the clock and the Chargers punt returner runs the wrong way giving the Patriots 
safety. It ends up being a 5 point turnaround for NE. It wasted a great effort by RB Melvin Gordon 14 rushes for 132 yards. Dropped balls mental errors decide this one. Brady just didn't allow the Chargers offense on the field. Brady on the field 36 minutes to the Chargers 23 minutes.
                                              CHARGERS VS PATRIOTS
  The Patriots are undefeated at home this season. But against the Chargers Brady numbers are declined off his overall average. He 7-0 with a 66.2% completion percentage, 285 yds passing and 14Td vs 7 Int. Gronk numbers are way down in 2018. In the last 5 games Gronk has only 22 targets, 15 receptions, and 1 TD. With Gronk production not at its career normal and if Rivers and the Chargers don't commit turnovers Philip Rivers could get the Tom Brady monkey off his back while potentially ending the Patriots dynasty in the process.

Sunday, January 6, 2019

THE CHARGERS MAGICIAL SEASON "IT" CONTINUES

   The Ravens were rolling under Lamar Jackson. They went 6-1 with Lamar Jackson at quarterback. Head Coach John Harbaugh had them perfect in the wild card rounds of the playoffs at 5-0. With all the controversy over the relocation the Chargers seemed to have developed a bond that is making every team they face to suffer their wrath. With more and more players talking about not having a true home game they have established a unity within the locker room. A fuck it all, it's us against the world mentality that has united a locker room of men. Don't discount this team as some feel good flavor of the month team Cinderella team. Teams that have has all suffered the same fate. This is not a team to be over looked anymore.

  They're not perfect by any means. Slow starts on the offense, mental miscues during the games and a roster that is talented but not without their flaws. The Chargers have "IT" this year. Slow starts on the road were overcame in the most unlikeliest of places. It doesn't matter the who, what, when where things happen. By the time the game clock hits 60 minutes their opponents look up at the scoreboard and wonder "What the hell happened?" Pittsburgh was something  like 70-0 at Hines Field when up by 14 points and had won every Prime Time game played in Pittsburgh. KC is the loudest venue in the NFL and a house of horrors to Charger teams past. 10am east coast start time games are brutal on a west coast team. The Chargers though have "IT". They overcame every one of these obstacles and went to London, England and beat a then surging Tennessee Titans team.

   The Chargers slipped in week one against the Chiefs. They got revenge during game two in Kansas City. The Ravens dominated the Chargers just 2 weeks ago in Carson. The Ravens are one of the most physical teams in the NFL and have had a reputation for years as a game against them becomes a slug fest. They punched the Chargers in the mouth and left posting the Chargers to the lowest offensive yards, points and passing yards of the season. The 2nd worst rushing and takeaways for the Chargers in the season. The Ravens defense pressured Rivers 55% of his drop backs.

   After embarrassing the Chargers round 2 was scheduled in Baltimore this morning. It was a knockout punch the Ravens never saw coming. The Chargers hit them back and hit them harder and faster than the Ravens hit them just two weeks earlier. At halftime,the weary Ravens had just 69 yards of offense. The fewest in Ravens playoff history. Their first five drives were 3 fumbles, one INT, only 3 first downs and 0 points at home to the Ravens. The Chargers have gotten revenge in Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore and now they see their biggest nemesis on the road next Sunday at 10am in Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. A team that Rivers is 1-6 against. A QB Rivers has NEVER beaten. If it's revenge Rivers wants he could not have picked a better well equipped army to go to war by his side then these 2018 Chargers. I wouldn't be surprised if they're not chanting "WE WANT BRADY!" on the plane ride home from today's game.

   The Chargers are not the hunted, They are the hunter!

    The Patriots have won every game in 2018 in New England. The Chargers are 9-0 when they get on a plane to play in 2018 too. This now is a classic Main Event. The Chargers have "IT" on their side now. They also have a Steve Young monkey on Philip Rivers back to fend off. One hurdle to the path to the Hall of Fame for their QB. To accomplish what has never been accomplished before. To slay to death Tom  Brady and the New England Patriots. Baltimore still wondering what the hell happened to them today. Much like Pitts and KC previously have experienced.

   "He who laughs last, laughs the loudest". 

    If the Colts beat the Chiefs and the Chargers slay NE, the Chargers get the last laugh. After being mocked the last two years about their temporary home at Stub hub. The Chargers will host the AFC Championship Game right there in Carson with hopes of slaying two more of Rivers obstacles along the way.

   Playing in the Super Bowl in Atlanta and maybe facing another QB their leader has never beaten. Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. The Chargers are 120 minutes away from that potential dream scenario. i wouldn't doubt them if I were you. "IT" could be very dangerous to do so.
   

Friday, January 4, 2019

THE AGONY OF BEING A CHARGER FAN OR EX FAN IN 2019

  For a team that hasn't won a championship in 58 years, the Chargers fan base sure has a lot of qualifications to join. Ever since the move, the fan base split into separate groups. The old school Crips and Bloods reuniting their rivalry resemble the Chargers fans even as the team is entering the Playoffs for the first time since 2013.

   You can't even go on Twitter anymore without the constant back and forth dick pissing contest. One side strongly believes Dean screwed the city of San Diego and to support even the players is to support Dean Spanos. They point to every signal they get that LA is a colossal failure and the NFL quietly is planning a return to San Diego. The other side believes equally strongly that you should support your team no matter what. What happen happened and it's all about the players now. 

   There can be no right or wrong because mostly the experiment in LA is not Pass-Fail. It is not reacting every Monday when ratings come out and pictures of the same soccer field are posting two different scenes both supporting each's argument.

   As for me, I understand both sides. (That why each side thinks I'm an asshole who is supporting the other.) I believe after months of studying what transpired between the City of San Diego and The Chargers that you can pick a time frame where both are to blame EQUALLY. 

   Don't tell me the Chargers are solely to blame when at one point San Diego had 4 Mayors in 5 years!!!. One resignation was 5 months after being elected over an 11th-hour candidate. His replacement was forced to resign 3 days later as acting mayor with charges of wire fraud, Conspiracy and extortion were leveled. I'm not even mentioning Bob Filner sex escapades and Dick Murphy resignation. Try getting a deal done when the city bankrupt because of the slimy politicians Strippergate, Pension Scandal, Maureen O'Connor, Susan Golding, Cunningham arrest and of course the hoteliers fucking the taxpayers at every turn. Who do you do the deal with? The janitor at City Hall has the most seniority!!

   Don't tell me the city to blame when Dean and his father raped the city for 37 million dollars between 1997-2003, Didn't market the team during that time period and in fact they made MORE money off the empty seats then they would have if they sold them. This exploded when the team had the city take out a 60 million dollar bond where the city was rewarded with a 1-15 season, moving training camp to Carson, hiring Mark Fabiani and raising ticket prices on what was left of the fanbase. THAT WAS JUST THE YEAR 2002! Fans still packed the Q averaging 61,000 fans. Dean teams were 35-62 during these 6 years. 

   The Chargers acquired a ton of new fans in 2006 and under the Marty years. They have heard about the stadium saga but doesn't comprehend the specifics of why we got to where we are. The problem is now you have people like Ryan Russell and Josh Albrektson along with twitter Doc Malibu who only want to flame the fires and speak in assumptions and statements with no truth to back their spewing off.    Josh is a great example I will single out for reference.

  Josh is on Facebook and Twitter. Some think Josh is a paid troll by the team. I assure you he is not. To be employed by a NFL team even quietly you have to be good at what you do. Josh is not. The Man from New York who is a former Jets fan then flipped to the Chargers after the relocation spends numerous hours everyday calling the former fans "Cry babies, losers and pathetic." His whole social media account is devoted to name calling and insulting ex charger fans. He has been accused of going way overboard while calling people jobs, wives and always trying to attack respected sports journalist like Scott Kaplan, Marty Caswell, Derek Togerson and Bernie Wilson. Sadly, each side is filled with these parasites. 

  How the hell did we get to where a New Yorker is a respectable source of information? It's social media negatives. Just throw partial truths with a slant that backs your side and claim it is fact. Josh Albrektson is the perfect example of what the Donald Trump era of lies, deceit  propaganda can be successful. I have been guilty of the back and forth as well. I pledge to be done with it. I can't stand what has happened to this fan base.

   Here is my take. There needs to be a truth. 1. The NFL is NOT going to force Dean to sell. The NFL is not happy that Dean took their own offer to relocate but also is not unhappy with Dean either. The Chargers in LA is not a failure! The NFL knew after over 20 years that this would be a smooth transition no matter who the team was.The Rams and Raiders were at the bottom of NFL attendance is 1993. The Rams were 19-45 in the 90's. Here is a link to an opinion piece by Mike Penner of the LA Times dated May 1, 1994. http://articles.latimes.com/1994-05-01/sports/sp-52545_1_oakland-raiders


   The statement the team can't sellout a 7,500 seat soccer stadium is false. All the games but 1 in 2 years has been sold out. The NFL could give a rats ass if they show up or not. They care even less about who's team they are rooting for. The Raiders are exploring playing in the S.F. Giants ball yard in 2019. There is no pass-fail. It's incomplete. No grade will be given until Inglewood opens in 2020. The NFL is much more concerned with a pending lockout after the new CBA expires then jumping to conclusions about the Chargers temporary home in Carson.

  To say LA has no Charger fans is an insult to the LA fans that exist. Why would a fan from another city buy the Rams PSL when they can buy the Chargers for $1,000 less. Did Dean fuck Stan on SSL? Yes, he did. It is immoral as hell. It's borderline predatory pricing. But guess what? It's also called outsmarting the Stan. Both teams keep 18.75% of the SSL sold. The rest goes to construction. Josh claims the Chargers made more in Carson in 2017 then at Qualcomm in 2016. Again, putting out false information. Just liked when he claimed 1090am is going out of business. That is 100% untrue. Ratings for 1090 have declined since the Chargers left for Los Angeles nearly two years ago. There is competition from two other stations, 1360-AM (flagship for SDSU) and 97.3-FM (Padres), but 1090 remains the highest-rated among the trio





   Taking a piece of information and slanting it to work to your advantage. He traveled to London to see the team. He likes to hangout with Bolt Pride and Die Hards Bolt Club. That's cute. Maybe you two can sing a duet together

You can find Josh at Thunder Alley. Whoopie Doo. You hang out with guys who wear helmets on their head. I've been a fan since 1981. I have devoted years to the team and the fans. You know? I'm no more of a fan than the fan created in 2006. 

   No fan has the right to judge another fan fandome. No fan has the right to tell another fan how to feel about the move. But you do have a right to take part in a truth between the dividing fanbase. The Chargers are in the Playoffs. I'm going to root for them Sunday morning. It won't be with the same passion as when they were in San Diego but I still and always have supported the team even though I break the front office balls all the time. I have that right and so do you to do what you want and shouldn't be attacked for doing so. Rise up Josh and Doc Malibu of the worlds.

  Your punishment if you don't is years of Dan Henning, Ryan Leaf, David Boston and Craig Whelihan for the next 10 years! I want a Drew Brees and Philip Rivers Super Bowl.  That way I can complain about that to Dean as well. #Chargerfantruth movement.

   To save everyone the time I know. I'm a bandwagon fake fan. 

https://deadspin.com/can-los-angeles-ever-love-the-chargers-1830571076#js_discussion-region
    


Wednesday, November 7, 2018

SDSUWest ROUTS SOCCER CITY

If this was a football game it would have been over by Halftime. SDSUWest routed Soccer City yesterday in a city only vote. There is 3.4 million citizens in the county and 1.4 million in the city. Again, the majority of voters were silenced by elections laws. With 72% reporting, SDSU West has 55% and Soccer city has 29%. 


   So what does the vote mean. I've studied the stadium issue quite a bit and the demolishing of Qualcomm Stadium is around $100 million dollars. SDSU also needs to negotiate the deals for the development around the stadium. Even though the initiative includes SDSU getting 132 acres of land at fair market value the expenses that surround the initiative is substantial. SDSU has claimed they will not raise tuition on students to pay for the extra expenses.

   Now SDSU has to go through the land-use process and EIR reports. How Qualcomm will be demolished is in question because to the gas tanks across the street. This is the first of it kind in California in that a land negotiation deal has never been done yet. This initiative will change the municipal codes surrounding the area. 

What will happen to the land that now costs the tax payers $12 Million dollars annually?

A 35,000 seat joint-use stadium will be built for the Aztecs on the site.

 A 34 acre river park which will be owned by the city. 12 acres of sports fields will be built.

9 acres of neighborhood parks will be established. 2.4 million square feet of office space along with 74,000 square feet of retail space. 

A public park along side of the San Diego River.

 The initiative also has plans for 450 hotel rooms and 4,800 multi family residential units will be on the site along with 16 acres reserved for a 2nd stadium. I believe the 2nd stadium is only reserved for 2 years.

   SDSU West filed their initiative after the Mayor began secret meetings with the FS Investors while also talking to the Chargers in 2016. Two of the three sitting city council members who had a part in the Chargers leaving were voted out of office. Lorie Zapf and Myrtle Cole were defeated with only Chris Cate surviving his seat in District 6.

   Soccer city invested three times the amount of money as SDSU West. MLS can still consider San Diego with SDSU plan as well.

   Either way it's safe to say that around 2020 Qualcomm Stadium or SDCCU Stadium, "The Murph" will be just a memory in our heads as the post Chargers life takes hold in San Diego.

Next up the Sports Arena and home to the Gulls leasde expires in 2020.
                                                         

Friday, October 26, 2018

WEEK 9 MAYBE TOO EARLY FOR JOEY BOSA

The Chargers feel they are in a comfortable position with Joey Bosa. Boss should return to the practice field Wednesday when the team returns from their bye week. "When I'm ready to go, I'm ready to go, and that will be around bye week or after the bye week", Bosa said after seeing Dr. Robert Anderson in late September.

   That does not mean you'll see Bosa on the field come next Sunday when they battle the Seattle Seahawks. The coaches want to take it very slow with him as not to rush home back and lose him longer than needed. It sounds as if they may let him practice but limit the quantity of snaps in practices to see how he responds. The Chargers are 5-2 and Sunday game is against an NFC team out of conference.

   The Chargers have struggled immensely at times this season developing a pass rush and tackling in the secondary. The last two games they have missed more than a dozen tackles in both contests.

   The coaches thought process as it was relayed to me is a healthy Bosa vs the Chiefs, Ravens and Steelers will be more impactful than a limited Bosa against Seattle Oakland and Denver.

   It is a luxury that a 5-2 record affords you with rather than 4-3.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

CHARGERS RELEASE PSL PRICES

   The Chargers had plans to release their PSL prices last Tuesday. That was delayed a week in honor of Alex Spanos passing. They range anywhere from ticket prices at $50.00 to $150.00 and PSL's ranging from $100.00 to $3000.00. This is on the heels of Seth Wickersham of Espn reporting that PSL's sells from Global Legends a company that sells PSL's across the country for teams of all sports is not going as expected and the NFL owners will discuss the topic at the league meetings. It was described as "troubling".

   A major discussion topic among NFL owners/executives at this week’s league meetings is the Chargers’ viability in LA. PSL sales have been a struggle and team is expected to revise its Inglewood revenue goals sharply to a more realistic number: $400m to around $150m, per sources


Tuesday, October 16, 2018

MAYBE NOT HAVING BOSA WAS A GOOD THING

   Sometimes it's good to get out of your comfort zone can have it rewards. To be forced to be creative and take chances. The view from afar from a different perspective than you had seen before. The Chargers losing Joey Bosa for the first 9 weeks of the season made the defense try new schemes and rotating players to offset the pass rush Joey Bosa presents. The coaches are starting to hold players accountable for their play now.

    On Sunday, we saw Uchenna Nwosu starting at Will. Kyle Emanuel playing the main role of Mike LB. Rayshawn Jenkins fitting in at linebacker. Damion Square starting at DE. The result was a confused Baker Mayfield and a defense flying around the ball having fun. Mayfield looked like a rookie QB in the NFL against the high flying chargers defense. 

    Even the offense got in on the fun scoring a TD on the opening drive for the first time in 22 tries under Head Coach Anthony Lynn. Melvin Gordon had his first 3 rushing touchdown game of his career. Square collected 2 sacks and the team as a whole had 5 sacks and 2 turnovers both by Desmond King. They are the only NFL team to score 3 offensive touchdowns in every game this season. That is the direct result of the Mike Pouncey signing at center.

   Oh, and hey, the Chargers completed all their field goals and extra points!!!!

   The Chargers are staying Cleveland until Thursday when they'll travel to London to face the Titans. They head over to Canton, Ohio today to view the NFL Pro Football Hall Of Fame. These days spending time away from family and friends can be a great bonding experience as a football team. They'll practice at 7:30am San Diego time Wednesday and Thursday.

     In San Diego, it was the 2nd highest watched Chargers game this season with a rating of 15.7. In La, they drew in 7.8. 

   Looking for more improvement, look no further than special teams. The new punter seems to be below average but they might have found their answer with the rookie out of Miami Michael Badgley. He was a perfect 5-5 on extra points and included a 44 yard field goal that might have made Caleb Sturgis expendable. If he's good Sunday in London you might have seen the last of Caleb Sturgis. Donnie Jones is another matter. 

    The special teams unit led by Uchenna Nwosu and Adrian Phillips is now the #1 graded special teams unit in the NFL. (Pff doesn't account for field goals just returns, kickoffs and punts). Desmond King is contributing on special teams as a punt returner and on defense. Michael Davis has improved himself every week with his tackling on special teams. That led to Coach Lynn even getting Michael in on some defensive snaps on Sunday. 

    Now don't go buying Super Bowl tickets to Atlanta just yet. The Chargers have beaten up on teams with a combine record of 6 wins and 18 losses. Their nemesis still remains to be New England and Kansas City. But with each player improving their chances get better and better. They face a Titans team who gave up 11 sacks on Sunday and their roster is depleted with injuries.

  With a win Sunday the Chargers will go into the bye at 5-2. A win brings the Chargers 1st half of their schedule to an end. The teams they have played has a record of 15-19. The Titans not included. The 2nd had of the schedule their opponents have a combined record of 20-21. 

   Certain players have stepped up in Bosa and Henry absence.

   Philip Rivers has to be considered as an MVP candidate with his 15 TD's and 3 INT. The Chargers have scored at least 3 TD's in every game so far, Rivers under pressure has a qb passer rating of 115.9%. He has thrown for 1700 yards through 6 games.

   Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Gordon rushed for 3 TD's Sunday the most in his career. He averaged out 7.3 yards per attempt rushing against a much improved Browns defense. Gordon and Ekeler are the best RB combo in the NFL through 6 weeks. Gordon also 2nd in the NFL in yards after contact. These two are putting on a special show every Sunday.

   Derwin James is a star. The is the 4th highest graded safety in the NFL. Joseph Addae is graded 61st in the NFL. Derwin is PFF's top graded Rookie player for the year so far.

   Desmond King is having to 2nd year slump. In fact his 2 INT Sunday as Baker targeted him 8 times but for only 2 completions. His production on punt returns have been just a productive.  Desmond has seen 20 more snaps a game than he was in week one.

   Mike Williams has 17 catches out of 27 targets for 348 yards and 3 Td's. He is averaging about 40 snaps a game equaling 70% of the teams offensive snaps. He is filling the void of Travis Benjamin who has only 42 snaps the whole year.

   Rayshawn Jenkins is getting more snaps every week and moving around playing multiple positions in Gus Bradley Packages