San Diego, CA. The San Diego Chargers are without a doubt, one of the most confusing franchises in all of sports. In recent years, they seem to always start the year slowly, wake up mid-season, and finish strong only to come up short in December or January. They have also proven to be a team who cannot be figured out, as they typically win games they should lose, and lose games they should win. To add a new confounding wrinkle, last year the Chargers began 4-1, then went on a 6 game losing skid which derailed their entire season. Philip Rivers also had a strange year where he tossed a career high 20 interceptions. The defense was basically a middle of the pack unit, where they finished 13th against the pass and 20th against the run. Somehow, head coach Norv Turner kept his job, as did GM A.J. Smith. Trying to figure out what this franchise is doing and where they are heading is a head scratcher. After a 2011 season where they ended up at 8-8 and disappointed yet again, you would figure this team would look to make some serious changes and improvements as well. Well, it is the Chargers we are talking about, as they have always seemed to do the opposite of what most expect. So as the NFL gears up for the 2012 regular season, where does San Diego fit in? In a very topsy-turvy AFC West, they have the look of a team who will be on the outside looking in. Here are the 7 reasons why the San Diego Chargers will finish last in the AFC West……
1 – Norv Turner - How is he still around? Turner has butchered things time after time, and tends to get outcoached more times than not. Entering his sixth year as the Chargers coach, is this finally the year when his job is on the line? Who knows. A.J. Smith is in the same boat, and its anyones guess as to how they are still around after last year. I guess fulfilling expectations and potentially exceeding them in San Diego is optional.
2 – Losing Vincent Jackson - Was Jackson a diva in San Diego? Sure he was. But, he was a big-time receiver who scared opposing defenses. His size and play-making ability propelled him to some really big years as a Charger. Now in Tampa Bay, we will see what he can do with Josh Freeman as his QB. The Chargers will miss his abilities, and filled his void this offseason with Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal. Looks like a serious downgrade there.
3 – Losing Mike Tolbert - Tolbert is now in Carolina, and has been a very underrated fullback for several years. He split time with Ryan Mathews as a Charger, and was extremely productive doing so. San Diego brought in Ronnie Brown to take his spot, but much like the wide receiver situation, it appears like they got worse, not better.
4 – Ryan Mathews injury questions - Mathews is a very talented back when healthy. But that’s the problem, in his brief NFL career, he has had trouble staying on the field. In his two years in San Diego, he has missed six games due to injury, and is now dealing with coming back from a broken collarbone. He will miss the season opener this weekend, but should be back soon. But how long will it be before another issue pops up?
5 – The offensive line - This unit is shaky at best, and had plenty of trouble protecting Philip Rivers last year. On paper, they don’t seem to be any better heading into 2012. Chargers fans have to be concerned about these five guys not getting the job done again this year. #17 could be spending a lot of time on his back this season.
6 – Lack of playmakers on defense - When your best defensive player is probably your safety, that spells trouble. Eric Weddle is outstanding, and has a real nose for the ball. But he just doesn’t get enough help elsewhere. Shaun Phillips is a good player, but only had 3.5 sacks last year and may now be aging just a bit. San Diego added Jarret Johnson, who was a nice player in Baltimore. But that’s the problem, this defense has a few nice players, and not nearly enough difference makers.
7 – The AFC West - It can be argued that every member of this division has gotten better since the beginning of the 2011 season, except the San Diego Chargers. We know what Denver did by adding a future Hall of Fame QB. Kansas City has gotten healthy, and added a stud runner in Peyton Hillis. Oakland solidified their QB issues by signing Carson Palmer last year. The Chargers lost some key components on offense, and seem to be falling behind everyone else now. 2012 will be a tough year for San Diego fans. It could, however, finally be the eye-opener that is needed for this franchise to make some serious changes going forward.
Denver Sports by J Simp
21 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
J Simp
September 17, 2012 at 10:56 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Good point, Mr. Martinez….and in fact, I actually have the Broncos losing to Atlanta tonight. A Bronco homer I am not. But a fan, yes. Just another overreaction Monday in the NFL, and I expected this from Chargers fans today
Robert C. Martinez
September 17, 2012 at 10:00 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
This is a strange group of know it all’s. Let’s wait to see how Denver handles Atlanta? We saw how Atlanta handled Kansas City. Will Atlanta handle Denver the same way? Monday is just another Monday except when your playing Atlanta Falcons. This will be a good test for both of them wouldn’t you say?
J Simp
September 17, 2012 at 9:26 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Eddie…let’s see how the Chargers do against a good opponent, like next week vs Atlanta? And putting the Broncos in the Super Bowl? No, I don’t have them doing that, however they will go farther than the Norv Turner-led Chargers…..ugh, how do you guys keep that guy?
Eddie
September 17, 2012 at 8:31 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
The Chargers didn’t make the schedule, they just knock down who ever is in front of them.
I gonna laugh when Oakland goes into Denver and kicks The donkeys butts.
Donkey fans they beat the steelers who were so short it wasn’t funny. The donkeys are like cowboy fans. One win and there going to the superbowl.
J Simp
September 17, 2012 at 8:15 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
To Matthew Johnson….yes, the Chargers are 2-0, after beating the fabulous Raiders and the powerhouse Titans. Pretty typical of a San Diego fan getting overly excited about their start. Remember the 6 game losing streak after a strong start last year? Just testing your history skills……
Matthew Johnson
September 16, 2012 at 6:10 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Looks like this article is All crap!!! lol.. Chargers 2-0 and defense looks strong!!! Riaders and Chiefs will be fighting for last place!!! lmao
J Simp
September 10, 2012 at 9:29 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
A few responses….to “enlightened”, never called myself an ” expert”, but I am an elightened observer who is objective. Do you Chargers fans honestly believe LeRon McLain will be as good as Mike Tolbert there? Come on now. You San Diego fans will always receive a mediocre product because you aren’t being logical and STILL think you have a good team, and one that can win this division. You all are simply fooling yourselves…..to “ZonaCharger”, my research is there on all players involved (McLain, rookies, etc…), but they really weren’t worth mentioning because at this point, these players are irrelevant. This Chargers team will be forunate to go 8-8. They are taking steps backwards as an organization. Let’s be objective, San Diego fans…..
Headline
September 8, 2012 at 6:10 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Simp, I like this guy’s points and he has a good argument. I especially like the part about the Chiefs using a backup QB as their starter !!!
ZonaCharger
September 8, 2012 at 10:26 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
This is article has very little substance, smells like homer to me, according all other media great moves were made in offseason.
1) Norv, hate him but he has a great record in SD. This is his defining year.
2) VJ great athlete but huge on and of field distraction, and not bright. His being arrested for driving with no license (multiple dui) on the way to the Jets playoff game and actions on the field kicking penalty flags etc help cost us the game in a year we should have gone all the way. While Royal and Meacham don’t equal him individually the two on the field at the same time do. Unfortunately Brown got injured. BTW we have this othe guy named Gates on the field, you may have heard of him. Double him and someone’s always open.
3) Tolbert Was great with Matthews, let’s see how he does without, if McLain lives up to bill no prob. But you didn’t even mention him (research)
4) touché Matthews needs to show he can play a season healthy. I am hoping his getting the injury in preseason means he will be healthy for the important part
5) Gaither is great and when healthy great Oline, but have to stay healthy because not a lot of depth.
6) Defense actually has looked better and more improved than any other facet of the team in the preseason. Picked up young impact pass rushers as well as some vets here. Research it.
7) Peyton has been owned by SD for years, check stats. SD knows how to gameplan against him. Charger fans are not worried about Peyton. I am honestly worried the guy will be paralyzed if hit wrong. His surgery was very serious he is taking a huge risk not retiring. Would rather face Peyton than Tebow.
Raiders…. Lookin good almost there, then self destruct, why is 2012 different.
Chiefs… Absolute wild card, serious injuries last year, do these players return at top form or lose two or three steps? Still using a backup QB as a starter. But like all KC teams they are fighters to death, give em that.
Eddie
September 7, 2012 at 1:23 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
The left tackle is so important to protect the QB’s blind side. Last season until Philip Rivers had Gaither fill that left tackle spot he was throwing those interceptions. Gaither steps in and the Chargers were on a serious comeback from those 6 straight loses. If Gaither does not get better we will see a lot of tight end sets on that left side. Arm strength is a perception of a person that sees a qb throw short a few times. However, if a qb cannot step up and make that throw more than likely he will get picked off. So you see what you see as a weakness is actually what happens when a qb cannot step into the throw a make a accurate throw. GO CHARGERS! BOLT UP!
tom
September 7, 2012 at 12:31 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
i used to like rivers but i think his arm strenth is questionable, he cant scramble a lick and norvs playcalling is very predictable, i pick my bolts to finish 2 or 3 too bad they had their oppurtunities.. timr for a new coach and g.m. bill cower would be my first choice, then a new quarterback maybe the back-up q.b. in sa fran pumperdinck or whatever his name is ….
enlightened
September 6, 2012 at 2:02 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Looks like anyone can write an article and claim to be an expert these days. One im never trusting anything that comes out of denver. The donkeys had the audacity to start tebow last year…
1- norv turner while im obviously not going to sit here and say hes the greatest head coach in the world, norv turner is clearly capable of creating a great offense. He has a resume that vouches for this. However is he the best head coach no probably not but can he win in the right situation yeah.
2- losing vincent jackson- WR’s in football these days are a dime a dozen. San Diego has effectively used 8 different WR every year since philip rivers took over. All they lost is a distraction and a player that is really just a product of a great offense. plus they gained a great slot WR in royal and a true deep threat in Meachem which they have been searching for since they missed out on picking meachem and had to select “Bust”er Davis with the next pick in the draft.
3- mike tolbert. They have Lee’Ron McLain now. im sorry to you even research what you write at all. That can either be considered a push or an upgrade but the guy made the probowl twice, and hits light a freight train.
4 ryan mathews- not gunna argue good points, he is a beast when healthy though
5- O-line only thing I will add is that Jared Gaither will be considered a top O-lineman by the end of the year
6- defense relies more on the team aspect than any other facet of football. Remember when cromo was the best corner in football, well that was due to the fact that merriman was on the juice and ripping peoples head off. If the prospects they have selected in recent years establish a great pass rush this year look for the defense to be very solid.
7 Donkeys- will payton survive, will he be rusty, will he be timid. Other than that yeah they should be a good team.
Chefs- im sorry they got better? they hvae a starting running back coming off an ACL injury, a shakey QB situation, and a new addition that had been run out of town by the browns.
Raiders- You might be right if carson remembers how to play again. Ill take my chances.
J Simp
September 6, 2012 at 8:43 AM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Love the Top 7 list, “Tommy Bolt”!….very creative response
…..you have a few good points, however your love for Norv Turner is surprising. What has he done there that warrants him keeping his job? It’s been five years and they are worse now than when he got there. Make sure to come back here after the Broncos and Chargers meet up in October!
Eddie
September 5, 2012 at 7:02 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
The Chargers out scored there opponents. The other 3 out scored. Sometimes it just better to be lucky than good. In reality the Chargers should have won the AFC West. This season no rock left unturned we will win the AFC West which is ours anyway.
Cer
September 5, 2012 at 6:48 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I said it every start of the season. And I will say it again, Norv will not take the Chargers to the super bowl!
Tommy Bolt
September 5, 2012 at 6:37 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Seven reasons why J Simp is wrong:
1. Peyton in long in the tooth. His arm is tired and he has sustained a serious injury that could come back to haunt him, if some other injury doesn’t. As when Joe Namath left the Jets, his better days are definitely behind him.
2. The Chargers have Peyton’s number. Look at the history. The Chargers have owned him. It’s amazing he would come into the AFC west for that reason alone. He’s probably thinking that Elway can bring him back, and Elway is certainly thinking in those terms.
3. Peyton looks terrible in a Bronco uniform. He’s definitely no John Elway in that regard and looks like a wash up out of his Colts blue and white. I like Peyton, but he should have retired while he was on top of his game.
4. The Denver D is weak and the Bolts with have a field day in SD and in Denver IF the winter weather isn’t crazy.
5. AJ Smith made many good acquisitions this off-season and most of the press has overlooked this. He, Norv, and the team are underdogs for a change, though, and that’s actually a good thing.
6. The knocking Norv is old and cheap. The Chargers did not have a bad year last year because of him. Look at Rivers and his interceptions last year. Rivers will work hard to turn things around.
7. Ask Troy Aikman about Turner’s prowess. Turner also has the respect and love of his players.
J Simp
September 5, 2012 at 5:08 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Great point about Sproles, “Shana”…..he was a huge missing piece last year, and will continue to be going forward.
Eddie
September 5, 2012 at 4:23 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Chargers will take the AFC West, and we will sweep the donkeys. Go BOLTS
shana wilson
September 5, 2012 at 4:11 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
i miss sproles
J Simp
September 5, 2012 at 3:42 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Actually not a homer, I do not think the Broncos will be in the Super Bowl. However, Denver will be quite a bit better than the Chargers, my friend. San Diego is a mess of an organization, and apparently you cannot be objective about it. Their window has closed, bottom line.
Joe hoiberg
September 5, 2012 at 1:47 PM (UTC -6) Link to this comment
U my friend are a freaking homer. And uh wait till your boy peyton, who should just call thd chsrgers masta cuz he own his ass gets to check out ingram. Broncos suck. There not doing anything this yr.