Trying to evaluate just what the San Diego Chargers need with the offseason is a difficult task.  Do you evaluate them as a 13-3 juggernaut that tripped itself up in a less than ideal situation?  A few limited tweaks would then be all that is necessary. Or do you look to the team as a bit of an overachiever?  A 10 win team that found a way to win a few extra times?  This approach obviously warrants a much deeper consideration, and a few broader changes. The answer lies somewhere in between.  Both looks share the common thread of a change to the running game.  That one is the team’s first priority with Tomlinson’s slim chance of a return growing even slimmer. Past that, it becomes a difficult order of [...] Continue reading →

This offseason, the San Diego Chargers have a few key concerns, as well as a host of smaller ones.  Looking back at the 2009 season, what stands out most is the NFL’s 31st-ranked rushing attack despite the backfield’s strong resume. What bodes well for the team is that four of the league’s five worst rushing teams boasted dynamic and effective offenses alongside winning records (Indianapolis, San Diego, Houston, and Arizona).  Three of those were playoff teams, with the last-place Colts earning a Super Bowl bid. That tells us that San Diego need not necessarily improve to the league’s upper half in running the football.  It does not, however, mean that moderate improvement is not necessary. What went [...] Continue reading →

Just three and a half hours before the Chargers playoff game against the New York Jets, wide receiver Vincent Jackson was calling backup quarterback Billy Volek for a ride after spending a brief time in handcuffs. Jackson was stopped at 10 a.m. by a police officer who set a speed-trap along Murphy Canyon road.  While not speeding, Jackson was pulled over due to the loud music from the his car.  The officer cited that Jackson was operating contrary to a California law that prevents “the operation of any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet” (except for extenuating circumstances). That stop itself was minor, given that the area was an empty non-residential location.  Jackson’s response when asked to show license and [...] Continue reading →

With several teams falling just short of the playoffs this year, it begs the question, what of these teams can find a way to secure the two or three extra wins necessary to take themselves into the playoffs.  This mid-range covers all 7-9 and 8-8 teams, as well as the 9-7’s that fell short of a wildcard berth. Chicago Bears The Bear narrowly avoided entrance to the first list by way of back to back wins to close out the year.  A preseason darling for a deep postseason run, Chicago lands itself as one of the biggest disappointments of the year. Why They Can: Defensive emotional leader Brian Urlacher was gone for the year.  With him back the team will have more fire and swagger.  Jay Cutler may be turnover prone, but he can air the [...] Continue reading →

The Minnesota Vikings have many reasons to be optimistic going into Sunday’s NFC Championship game.  They have a hall of fame quarterback who knows how to earn a ring.  They have a great running back and potent array of offensive weapons.  They also have a fearsome pass-rush that demolished Dallas by sacking Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo six times while holding the Cowboys to just three points. One concern going into the weekend however, is health.  Half of the team’s starting defensive line in Ray Edwards and Kevin Williams missed two straight practices with knee troubles.  Edwards especially proved dominant in the team’s first playoff game, netting three of the team’s sacks himself while being a disruptive force all day. Wide receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin [...] Continue reading →

Now that the NFL’s final four has been set, an array of interesting storylines emerge.  Each team has its own story, own reason for making the super bowl interesting.  Here’s a look at the stories going on beyond the facts and figures. Indianapolis Holding the top record in the NFL at 14-2.  Indianapolis has probably the most pressure of any team in this round.  The Colts have (by far) the most recent super bowl victory or even just appearance of any of the four teams involved.  They have an MVP quarterback and a superior record. So why the concern and pressure?  First of all, they shook some, but not all of the concern regarding the team’s concept of benching starters to prevent injury and rest them up.  They came out strong and soundly defeated the [...] Continue reading →

When the Chargers went to face the Jets, they were a hot team looking to advance to face an opponent they had historically fared quite well against.  Something happened in between the start of the playoffs and that date with Indianapolis however.  The Jets. Vincent Jackson, expected to be shut down by Darrell Revis had seven catches for 111 yards.  Phillip Rivers put up nearly 300 yards.  Mark Sanchez was held to being perfectly average, with just 100 yards on 12 of 23 passing with a TD and a pick.  Thomas Jones was even stuff for less than three yards a carry and the attacking Jets defense only managed two sacks. On paper most of what the Chargers wanted to happen would have seemed to.  But in a game of inches, the team was buried on three plays. The first goes to Nate [...] Continue reading →

The second round of the NFL playoffs have now been decided.  In the AFC midseason monster Cincinnati and perennial powerhouse New England were both roughed up at home by their wildcard opponents.  Coming out of the fifth seed, the victorious New York Jets are now the team San Diego will face in the divisional round. New York topped the Bengals 24-14 in Cincinnati to advance to the divisional round of a playoffs they nearly missed.  The Jets slipped to 4-6 by week 11, suffering a 1-6 skid after looking strong in by opening the year with a three game winning streak that included a statement match against division rival New England. The Jets once more caught fire to closed the year with five wins in six games.  The run included a match against Indianapolis where the Colts lead the [...] Continue reading →