Do you have Chargers questions? Ask the expert!
by John Gennaro on Sep 1, 2009 5:53 AM PDT
Email
PrintHello interstate-rivals. My name is John and I'm the manager of Bolts From The Blue, SB Nation's blog for San Diego Chargers fans.
Let me start off by saying that I am quite jealous of your team's new/old colors and uniforms. They've given me a legitimate reason to root for SF this year. Actually, contrary to most non-San Diegan teams in the NFL, I have never found a reason to dislike the 49ers. I liked Mike Nolan's suit, I like the West Coast Offense and I think Frank Gore is still underrated. I even had Jeff Garcia AND Terrell Owens on my fantasy team when Owens caught 18 passes in Jerry Rice's final home game.
So allow this to be my olive branch. If you guys have any questions regarding the Chargers, whether it's something you're interested in or something to watch for on Friday to keep you interested in the game, I'll be more than happy to answer them all. Put your questions in the comments and I'll try to answer in a timely manner.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
91 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Just Curious
Does “San Diego” really mean whale’s vagina in Spanish?
Seriously though how well do you think LT will hold up this year?
Anybody's guess
He looked alright in preseason, but it all depends on how many carries he’s given over the course of the season. Norv Turner says LT is going to get 300+ carries again, but if that happens I bet he’s sitting on the sidelines in January again.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Sep 1, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
San Diego
Means Saint Diego
Saint is a title (like Sir) and Diego is a name.
How the hell does that mean Whale’s Vagina???
FOOL
by SportsChicken on Sep 1, 2009 11:35 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
It’s a movie reference.
Context, people. More context is good. Less context is bad. If you're willing to be reductive, then you're willing to be wrong.
by howtheyscored on Sep 2, 2009 8:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Must have been a pretty dumb movie.
FOOL
by SportsChicken on Sep 2, 2009 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess it’s a matter of taste. I think it’s pretty meh, with some lol moments thrown in.
Context, people. More context is good. Less context is bad. If you're willing to be reductive, then you're willing to be wrong.
by howtheyscored on Sep 2, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Some "meh" movies are worth seeing, just to say you've seen them.
I think Anchorman is one of the few can’t-miss movies of this decade.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
ok
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Sep 6, 2009 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions
What we’ve got here is a failure to communitcate
by InTimmyWeTrust on Sep 7, 2009 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Now that's a good movie....
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Sep 7, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Actually...
Scholars lost the translation hundreds of years ago.
What translation?
It’s simple Spanish
FOOL
by SportsChicken on Sep 2, 2009 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions
u really needa see it man...
u just keep replying to quotes…lol
Movie = Anchorman
Why is Antonio Gates so ridiculously good?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
because he can box people out with the best of them, same reason Tony Gonzalez is so ridiculously good.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Sep 1, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
What is the general opinion...
…among Chargers fans about what it will take to get to/win the Super Bowl? The team is always in the playoffs, almost there. Basically what Im asking is do the fans think the team has all it needs to win and just needs to stay healthy and get a little lucky (and every SB winning team needs a little luck)?. Or does it feel that the team still needs something that may not be there? Whether that be in the coaching staff or on the field? and while im asking fan questions, how do you guys like NOrv down there? I know we liked him a lot here.
do the fans think the team has all it needs to win and just needs to stay healthy and get a little lucky (and every SB winning team needs a little luck)?
Yes.
how do you guys like NOrv down there?
Depends who you talk to. There are some Chargers fans that really start to hate him whenever the team loses a game, but I think the vast majority have come around on him. An undefeated record in December and more success in the playoffs than Schottenheimer had will do that. I personally am a big fan of his and see him getting better as a HC every year.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
Is this the last year of the Charger’s SB window?
Will the defense really come down to Shawne Merriman health?
Do Charger fan’s blame LT for the last two years?
Is this the last year of the Charger’s SB window?
No. This is a team that builds through the draft and focuses on depth. The only thing that could close the SB window for the Chargers would be the departure of Philip Rivers, who just signed a deal to stay with the team for the next seven seasons.
Will the defense really come down to Shawne Merriman health?
Not anymore. Not with Larry English as his capable backup. The poor defense last year had a lot to do with Merriman leaving, but it also had something to due with Cromartie playing with a broken hip all season and not having a decent ILB to put next to Stephen Cooper. Also, there was a noticeable change when Ted Cottrell was fired and Ron Rivera took over as the Defensive Coordinator. With his smarts, and the holes plugged, the defense is much more than just Merriman.
Do Charger fan’s blame LT for the last two years?
No. How do you blame somebody for being injured? The 2007 season was stopped not just because of LT being on the sideline (Michael Turner played well in his absence), but also because Gates had a toe that made it difficult for him to walk much-less run and Rivers was playing on a torn ACL in one knee and a sprained MCL in his other…..all of this against the undefeated New England Patriots, and the Chargers still almost won. That was a combination of bad health and bad luck.
The loss to the Steelers was kindof the same deal. Their defense, which was already good, was clicking on all cylinders by time the Chargers came to play them in a snowy game in January. Darren Sproles, starting for the first time in the NFL, was admittedly still worn out physically from the huge game he had against the Colts a week earlier. The pass defense had been bad all year, but with the slippery surface made the pass-rush even more non-existent and Roethlisberger had all day. Another case of bad health and bad luck.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Sep 1, 2009 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I got philip rivers on my fantasy team
what can I expect from his this season?
It was Johnny Hopkins, and Sloan Kettering, and they were blazin that s*** up everyday.
A stud
A top 5 QB, even if the running game improves this season. You can bank on 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, but it could certainly be more than that.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Sep 1, 2009 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
that's what I like to hear
It was Johnny Hopkins, and Sloan Kettering, and they were blazin that s*** up everyday.
Only 3,500 yds?
Rodgers is projected to put up over 4,000 (I’m guessing he’ll be somewhere around 4,500) and he usually gets drafted later than Rivers.
FOOL
by SportsChicken on Sep 1, 2009 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s because people are stupid. The Packers will be throwing the ball all over the place. The Chargers would prefer to rely on a balanced attack, and will only start throwing it all of the time when the running game fails them.
Rivers my be the safer pick, just because Rodgers is still somewhat unproven, but Rodgers has the better chance of hitting 4,500 yards this season.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
The Chargers…will only start throwing it all of the time when the running game fails them.
Or when they’re behind.
I’m still a big skeptic of your defense, so I wouldn’t put it past Rivers to finish the year with 4,000 yards and 30+ scores thanks to a few 4th quarter shootouts.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
Could happen
it happened last year. I still think Rodgers has a good chance at putting up bigger numbers because he’s the Packers #1 option on offense.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
What do you expect from Gartrell Johnson?
Before the draft, Niners Nation had quite the crush on him before we picked up Coffee!
So what do you see in him?
Will you use him in the season?
Thoughts?
At least in the preseason, Gartrell has not shown the ability to be a power back in the NFL. I’m hopeful that can change, but because he didn’t wow anyone with his preseason carries he’s going to have to work his way into the rotation during the season.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
How is the halfback situation going to work out this situation?
By that, I mean to ask how much playtime we can expect Darren Sproiles to get in close games.
Here in SF, we’ve gotten media attention for the potential of a Gore/Coffee duo, but the coaching staff has continually made it clear that Frank Gore is the man to tote the rock, and Coffee is just a guy to provide some relief when Frank needs a rest. We won’t be seeing the two split carries, no matter how good of a pre-season our rookie has.
I was wondering if San Diego felt the same way about LT – if he was still “the guy” in town, and Sproiles was only franchised to keep him fresh, or if we’ll actually see a 60/40 kind of split, or even some 2RB sets.
My pessimism goes to the point of suspecting the sincerity of the pessimists.
Sproles was franchise partly as a backup RB, but mostly because he’s a very good KR and PR. He’ll probably be the 3rd down back going into the season, and there will be plays drawn up for him (specifically, screen passes). Last year he had 65 carries to LT’s almost 300. That’s probably what we’ll see again in 2009.
As for two-back sets, it’s something that may be used frequently with LT and Sproles just because they’re both such dangerous weapons whenever they’re on the field.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
Romo vs Rivers
I made a bet with a co-worker that Romo would have a better statistical season than Rivers. He thinks I’m nuts. My argument isn’t necessarily against Rivers, I just think that the Bolts will have a better D than Dallas, and a better run game. Thoughts?
Never forget: I am a complete idiot
You're doomed
While I think the Chargers D has a good chance to be better than Dallas’, you’re still coming out on the wrong side of this deal.
The Chargers had the 20th ranked rushing attack in 2008 and are coming back with the same players. The Cowboys had the 12th ranked rushing attack and are adding an incredible talent in Felix Jones.
The Chargers kept all of their pieces (Gates, Jackson) and made the offensive line better. I don’t know what the Cowboys did with their offensive line, but I know that they lost T.O. (a headache, but a good WR) and Roy Williams is injured (and a better #2 receiver than #1 receiver).
Also, Rivers is going up against KC (1st year in the 3-4), Denver (1st year in the 3-4) and Oakland (a decade of being horrible) for six of his regular season games while Romo is going up against NYG (a top-5 defense), Philadelphia (a top-10 defense with something to prove) and Washington (Not bad, and they added Haynesworth). Romo’s competition has stayed the same or gotten better.
Are you starting to see a trend? Rivers, who blew Romo out of the water in 2008 (4000 yds, 34 TD to 3500 yds, 26 TD), is in a better situation in 2009 and Romo’s situation is worse. You’re nuts.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
Doomed?
Rivers two previous season were 3338 and 3152 yards, respectively. So he far exceeded his previous career high. Not totally unreasonable for a 3rd year QB. But we also should remember that Romo missed three games with injury.
If you look at per game numbers, Romo had 265.2308 to Rivers’ 250.5625. Rivers was playing on a team with a weakened running attack and a weakened defense. Both the run game and the defense are once again healthy.
As you mentioned, San Diego will play much worse defenses this season, which should result in some easy wins. When you’ve got a lead, you don’t keep passing. You run, you kill the clock. That doesn’t result in better passing numbers. The Cowboys should be in more competitive games, and potentially playing from behind more often.
Owens was a huge name for the Dallas offense, but he caught less than half the balls thrown his way.
My bet is based heavily on the fact that I see the Chargers having a better season. Is it really so hard to believe that perhaps the Chargers can have a better season overall, but that Romo could have a better statistical season?
Never forget: I am a complete idiot
Living in OC with family from the bay area
Ive always been a Niners first kinda guy, but I do know there has been some hate between these two teams. Im not too sure whether liking the Chargers is against 49er fan code or something, but being the closet team to me, Ive always rooted for them. Being too young to remember the Niners heyday, with my earliest memory being the 2002 Giants playoff game (12 at the time, probably not my first, but the earliest that I still remember distinctly). Im not really familiar with the rivalry besides the Super Bowl game. Could you please explain it, especially from a Chargers point of view?
That'll only happen if that one prospect is the second coming of Christ and redemption for mankind can only be achieved by smacking many balls out of the yard.
-The Limey
I don't know it
AFC-NFC rivalries are so weak since you hardly ever play each other. I know the Chargers fans still hurt when they think about the Super Bowl beating, but I don’t know that any of them hate the 49ers or their fans. On the contrary, I think we side with SF fans in a war against Oakland.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
can we have Shawne Merriman or Jamal Williams or Luis Castillo?
also how badly will you kill the raiders? What is your winning streak vs the raiders?
Go 49ers
Our winning streak vs the Raiders is at 11 games. I don’t know how badly we’ll beat them, but Oakland doesn’t stand a chance of winning that MNF game.
No, you may not have those players. Although, if you have several trucks filled with money you may be able to bid for Merriman’s services in a couple of years.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
We'll be bidding if you don't resign him this season
AKA.............Optimist Prime
"Me, I want what's coming to me" And what's that? "The world Chico, and everything in it"
Black-outs?
I didn’t even know a thing like that existed, so if the chargers game is being blacked out on t.v.? then can u still watch it on the internet or somehow or on the normal sites?
Apparently you don't try to watch many Raider games...
by Brendan Scolari on Sep 1, 2009 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Shawne Merriman
He’s set to be a FA this offseason.
From what I have heard from him in interviews he seems pissed and doesn’t want to be back in SD (why didn’t you extend him a few years ago?).
So I’m guessing you’ll franchise him and trade him?
FOOL
I’ve heard nothing from him that suggests he’s pissed and doesn’t want to be back in San Diego. The Chargers didn’t extend him last season because his knee was ripped too shreds. They haven’t done so this season because they’re not positive his knee is healthy. Plus, if the new CBA is not worked out by the time free agency starts he becomes a restricted free agent.
The most likely scenario is Merriman performs well in 2009, gets franchised for 2010 and then in 2011 either becomes a FA or signs a long-term deal with San Diego.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
You haven't seen the interviews?
He’s always pissed and never wants to talk about his future in San Diego.
The 49ers would gladly take him off your hands, after all you have Larry English!
FOOL
by SportsChicken on Sep 2, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Not pissed
Merriman’s stance on his future in San Diego is: “It’s not something to talk about with the media. It’s out of my hands.” I couldn’t agree with him more.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
Please rec this fanpost
so that it stays up top for the rest of the week.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
In debating...
With a friend over and over on who the top five quarterbacks are in the NFL, I constantly put Philip Rivers in at number four, whereas he claims Rivers barely cracks the top ten. Where do you see Rivers at on your list?
And also, Darren Sproles happens to be my favorite offensive player NOT a 49er. What are you expecting out of him this season, and also, are you one of those who think he couldn’t take a full season as the primary back?
I don’t know how you could argue Rivers isn’t a top 5 QB in the league.
Sproles may be able to handle a full season as the primary back, but he wouldn’t be as effective as he is now and he wouldn’t be able to return punts and kicks anymore. I don’t know that he’ll ever get the chance to be a primary back.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
first off...
49-26…
second… who is your biggest WR threat this year besides Gates? and How did Rivers get so many yards last year?
Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.
first off
you’re a jerk.
Second, Rivers got all of those yards because he’s awesome. He’s a smart, accurate passer with a big-time arm. Most of those yards came from spreading the ball around, and that will continue, but Vincent Jackson is the biggest WR threat besides Gates. VJ has the size and strength to win any jump ball, and the speed to beat anyone downfield. He was one of the top WRs in the league in 2008 for the number of 40+ yard catches he had.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
I thought
Rivers had all of those Yds and TDs because they always had to pass in the Red zone and because L.T. was injured…..
FOOL
by SportsChicken on Sep 2, 2009 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions
That explains the TDs
but not the yards.
The easy answer is that Rivers had all those yards and TDs because he had to be our entire offense in 2008.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
officially a VJ fan...
i picked him up on my fantasy team…
Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.
First let me say
thanks for the olive branch. It’s nice to have something like this start out that way.
I’m a niners fan because the first game I ever watched was the niners/chargers regular season game in 94. I picked the niners because of a couple reasons, in part because I liked the uniforms. Of course they went on to play each other n the super bowl that year and that solidified for ever my niners fandom. However, I love the chargers throwbacks and I think, based on those two games, I could have very easily been a chargers fan (life might have been a bit easier lately). I’m not from the west coast so I kind of missed out on the interstate rivalry and I really like the bolts and pull for them against all other teams.
My question is how is Sproles going to be used this year. He’s shown some great stuff and he might be my favorite player to watch on any team. But I know LT is looking strong and is still obviously the feature back.
Sproles will be used essentially the same way he was used in 2008: to return kicks, punts, as a 3rd down back and as an occasional change-up RB. He’ll get somewhere around 100 touches for the season, whereas Tomlinson will get close to 350. That’s what the coaching staff is saying at this point anyways.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
1 question
Will the any team from San Diego ever win a championship???
Proud father of Dallas Mcpherson. If you have any information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the kidnapping of my son please contact me immediately. Reward if found!
You obviously don’t know the history of the San Diego Gulls.
Professionally, yes. I think the Chargers will win at least one championship in the next 7 seasons with Rivers as the QB. I may be a bit biased though.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
I’ve been to plenty of gulls games at the sports arena. However if that is the only champion your city has ever had that is pretty sad.
You stay classy San Diego
Proud father of Dallas Mcpherson. If you have any information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the kidnapping of my son please contact me immediately. Reward if found!
Can you please play your starters on D for one series?
If our starting offense goes down the field on their one drive and scores I’d like to know it came against your best and not your backups. You may have noticed, our passing game needs the reps and better it happens vs your 1s.
Best of luck opening game. Shut out Oakland… again.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Almost
The majority of the starters will be in on at least one series. However, one of our defensive end spots is down to the 3rd string (two injuries, new DE is not ready to go yet) and we’ll probably go with the backup note tackle (Jamal Williams doesn’t need work, he needs rest). This was an issue we have had all preseason: the d-line is not taking up blockers, the OLBs cannot create a pass-rush, the ILBs aren’t being sent on the blitz because it’s preseason. So while you’ll be facing a very good secondary, the SF offensive line probably won’t be tested much at all.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
I appreciate the insight
And will keep your notes in mind when watching, especailly the first quarter offense v defense.
I’ve never disliked S.D. and enjoy their being a thorn in the Raiders’ side. Good luck this season and stay healthy. IMO you guys make the AFC championship game against Pittsburgh.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Appreciate the sentiments
I hope SF has a good year as well. Those uniforms are too sweet to have a team play poorly in them.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John Gennaro on Sep 3, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Fantastic
He was playing well in training camp before getting injured. The injury led to Kynan Forney taking the lead in the position battle for starting RG. Louis missed the first preseason game with his injury (ankle).
The second preseason week saw Forney out with injuries and Vasquez got the start. However, he had only had one day to practice and it showed. He looked awful against the Cardinals.
Lucky for him, Forney was still nursing the neck injury in the third week of preseason and Vasquez got another start. This time he had the entire week to practice and work with the line. Against the Falcons, he looked dominant. On a screen pass that went for a touchdown he blocked 3 guys at once.
His run blocking still needs some work, but is showing signs of improvement. I think he’s the starting RG this season and the Chargers hope he develops as the weeks go on.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
Probably not
Contrary to what most people think, the Chargers organization is very happy to have Norv as it’s coach and talks of him being the HC for the next decade or so. That’s the type of consistency they’re looking for.
If the Chargers get to the playoffs and lose to a team that is much worse than them because of coaching mistakes, it could happen. But otherwise, I think he’s still safe.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
After merriman choked tila tequila
Do you think you’ll resign him
AKA.............Optimist Prime
"Me, I want what's coming to me" And what's that? "The world Chico, and everything in it"
Banned in 13 comments!!!!
That was funny
Way to go Merriman!
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Sep 6, 2009 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Crabtree
What are your thoughts on the contemptible Crabtree?
Shouldn’t we blame, censure, chastise, criticize, damn, decry, denounce, deplore, deprecate, detract, disallow, discommend, discountenance, disesteem, disfavor, dislike, dismiss, dispraise, expostulate, find fault with, find unacceptable, frown on, look askance at, look down on, nix, object to, oppose, pan, pass on, refuse, reject, remonstrate, reprehend, reprobate, reprove, set aside, slam, spurn, take dim view of, take exception to, turn down, veto, AND zing him (and all things associated with him) with every fiber of our being for all eternity and a day?
Dwight, Jerry: Crabtree is clutch
Yes
lol
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Sep 6, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Too bad you can't change your name
He’s a beaver taint
AKA.............Optimist Prime
Banned in 13 comments from the Gulls and I am proud!!
10fortech
I thought crabs would be signed because you said so, so what’s up, that’s ya boy where is that douche?
AKA.............Optimist Prime
Banned in 13 comments from the Gulls and I am proud!!
Dude
You didn’t think Crabs would sign because I said so.
You stopped believing what I say a long time ago.
Crabtree WTF?
just givin you crap
I thought you were a fellow texas native and they love him down here
AKA.............Optimist Prime
Banned in 13 comments from the Gulls and I am proud!!
A.J. Smith Props.
Not a Chargers fan but lived in SD for awhile and I have to say he’s the only GM that has continually just proven me wrong. Chief among these were the firing of Marty and the jettisoning of Drew Brees. I thought those moves would’ve come back to bite the franchise in the ass but they’ve continually come out on top of those deals. He goes a little overboard on his treatment of players as merely commodities but boy does he sure have an eye for talent.
What is the origin
of that awesome San Diego Superchargers theme song? They’ve got the coolest one by far.
Barry Zito: Mike Hampton with a guitar
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
