My Chargers SUCK!

[Racquetball Warehouse]

Any of you that had doubts before should be sorry you ever questioned The Bolts!

Just to get this thread some action again, let's talk about how awesome they are and how far you think they will go.

With an 11-game win streak (props to Volek for keeping that alive), the Jets don't have a chance. I'm planning on seeing the Chargers in the superbowl.

Injuries have hurt all season - as you guys hating on the O-Line should know, but with last week off, VJ, Merriman, LT and our active O-Line should be healthy.

Anyone going to the game this weekend?

- Ben (born and raised in SD)

[SIDEOUT]

I may have come off as a typical band wagoner, but I have some history with my beloved Chargers that entitles me to be a bit pessimistic at times.

I too was born and raised in San Diego. My Dad was an original (OG) Charger season ticket holder since 1961 in the old Balboa Stadium where you could literally watch a high school football game on Friday (San Diego High), a college game on Saturday (San Diego City College) and a pro game on Sunday-the San Diego Chargers.

I remember sitting on concrete bench seats in the old Balboa Stadium watching Sid Gilman coached teams that included the likes of Speedy Duncan, Lance Alworth, John Hadl, Ron Mix, Keith Lincoln, Earl Faison, and Paul Lowe. If you were a season ticket holder you were given a square seat cushion with a Charger paladin logo.


In 1967 the Chargers moved to a brand new San Diego Stadium in Mission Valley (later renamed "The Murph" and then Qualcomm Stadium). We renewed our season tickets up until 2003 when I finally gave them up to a business partner when I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. That year we (Chargers) went 4-11 and it was a miserable time to be a Charger fan. The previous seasons included records of 1-15 (2000 was a truly miserable season where our only win was against the Chiefs), 4-12, & 5-11. I remember an 8-8 season (1996) and thought we were on our way back to the Super Bowl (1994), but it was only the beginning of seven miserable seasons.

I did watch some incredible games and players though. The Fouts, "JJ" Jefferson, Chuck Muncey, Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner teams gave us the best shows of offense the League has ever seen. We had our share of heartbreaks too. Except for the rare blowout game, any die-hard Charger fan to this day always has that sinking feeling of doom in their gut until the clock hits "00:00" in the 4th quarter. Our Chargers are well known for forgetting that you have to play all four quarters.

So yes, I am a glutton for misery Charger fan and I always will be. I no longer watch my Chargers from the sun-drenched Plaza level of The Murph. Nowadays it's from my big chair in my living room here in Wake Forest, NC on a 55" plasma screen by way of NFL Sunday Ticket.

As for this year, of course I still have that same old sinking feeling in my gut, but for some reason I also believe this just might be our time. Us true Charger fans know that it's the "easy" games we have the most trouble winning. Tomorrow's Jets game is no different. The Chargers need to fasten their chin straps and go all out for FOUR QUARTERS and dominate. No mercy. No prisoners.

So yes, I like our chances to make it to the Big Show in Miami, which ironically is where in 1994 the 49ers kicked our butts 49-26 in Super Bowl XXIX.

BTW...the year after I moved to the Bay Area and gave up my season tickets (2003) the Chargers finished 12-4 and have been a playoff team ever since. Is there a lottery here in North Carolina?

[White Noise]

I'm from LA and a Chargers win in the Super Bowl will for sure put a stop to all the talk about moving here. Isn't it ironic that the Chargers were from LA originally?

[Racquetball Warehouse]

Sideout, your skepticism likely saved you some heartbreak yesterday.

It is still setting in for me, but I am pretty confident I share an overall feeling of disbelief with all Charger fans alike. How many more years can we keep saying 'This is going to be the year'?

What are everyone's thoughts on Norv, LT, and Kaeding?

[Stigs]

They were starting to play at a high level going down the stretch and I expected them to play that way against the Jets. But they played like they did in the first half of the season. Penalties pissed me off the most. Next was the play calling on first down.

As far as Norv, LT, and Keading...hmmm, let's see. LT is done for sure. This team is built around the pass now and LT doesn't have "IT" anymore. I wish him the best.

Keading is MONEY...at least during the regular season. I would never EVER cut this guy. I would, however, open a roster spot for a back-up kicker in the playoffs. If Keading chokes, pull him.

I've have mixed feelings about Norv. Sometimes I love him and sometimes I hate him. I'll give him this though, his style of football is much more exciting to watch than Marty ball. With a three year contract extension, I hope he gets it done.

I guess I'm rooting for Brees and the Saints now. Next thing to look forward to is the draft.