As you are all aware, we do not hide our disdain for the “smarter than everybody else” mentality of head coaches and coordinators. Having said that, no amount of coaching would’ve prevented the 35-17 beating that the Chargers took today against the Minnesota Vikings because it appeared that the players awarded themselves another bye week and didn’t bother showing up.
Adrian Peterson (who, at this writing, is still breaking Charger arm-tackles) set the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards. Peterson is a rookie. Peterson, a rookie, set this record against what is supposed to be one of the most physical defenses in the NFL. At one point in the 2nd half we were wondering why the Charger coaches weren’t stacking 8 men in the box as the Vikes had their 3rd string QB in and it was obvious that Peterson was the Viking offense. Not that it would’ve mattered – the Chargers could’ve put 15 players in the box and Peterson would’ve run right through, around and by them.
Peterson, the Vikings No. 1 draft pick out of Oklahoma, has over 1,000 yards rushing through 8 games and it should be more. He wasn’t starting early in the season because of some non-sense about learning the playbook, or paying his dues as a rookie…. coach-speak non-sense all.
The lone bright spot for the Chargers was defensive back Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie, himself, set an NFL record for longest scoring play (109 yards… actually 109 yards and 10 inches) by returning a missed field goal for a touchdown at the end of the half. That was Cromartie’s 3rd TD in 2 games. For years, we’ve had a secret man-crush on defensive backs from the state of Florida. Deion, Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Devin Hester…. there just seems to be a “play-maker” gene that is part of the make-up of DBs coming out of that state. We love their attitude and we love how they play the game. And now the Chargers have one! We have our very own Floridian bad-ass in the backfield…. sometimes. Sometimes, because Cromartie doesn't start, backing-up the fantastically inept Drayton Florence.
We haven’t heard the lame excuses for why Cromartie doesn’t start (not sure if anyone has asked) but were sure the reason the Charger’s most dynamic athlete on the roster (outside of LT) is not on the field more will be similar to the coach-speak nonsense from the Vikings as to why Peterson was not on the field more at the start of the season.
Adrian Peterson (who, at this writing, is still breaking Charger arm-tackles) set the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards. Peterson is a rookie. Peterson, a rookie, set this record against what is supposed to be one of the most physical defenses in the NFL. At one point in the 2nd half we were wondering why the Charger coaches weren’t stacking 8 men in the box as the Vikes had their 3rd string QB in and it was obvious that Peterson was the Viking offense. Not that it would’ve mattered – the Chargers could’ve put 15 players in the box and Peterson would’ve run right through, around and by them.
Peterson, the Vikings No. 1 draft pick out of Oklahoma, has over 1,000 yards rushing through 8 games and it should be more. He wasn’t starting early in the season because of some non-sense about learning the playbook, or paying his dues as a rookie…. coach-speak non-sense all.
The lone bright spot for the Chargers was defensive back Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie, himself, set an NFL record for longest scoring play (109 yards… actually 109 yards and 10 inches) by returning a missed field goal for a touchdown at the end of the half. That was Cromartie’s 3rd TD in 2 games. For years, we’ve had a secret man-crush on defensive backs from the state of Florida. Deion, Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Devin Hester…. there just seems to be a “play-maker” gene that is part of the make-up of DBs coming out of that state. We love their attitude and we love how they play the game. And now the Chargers have one! We have our very own Floridian bad-ass in the backfield…. sometimes. Sometimes, because Cromartie doesn't start, backing-up the fantastically inept Drayton Florence.
We haven’t heard the lame excuses for why Cromartie doesn’t start (not sure if anyone has asked) but were sure the reason the Charger’s most dynamic athlete on the roster (outside of LT) is not on the field more will be similar to the coach-speak nonsense from the Vikings as to why Peterson was not on the field more at the start of the season.
(This post is dedicated to our friend, Kells, who thought we might have something to say about the Charger's execution, today.... which we are in favor of).
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Meanwhile, Marques Colston managed to catch a ball or two from that no-good has-been the Chargers let go a few years back.
You can hear the murmurs. One of Norv Turner's supposed strengths was developing young QBs. I think its safe to say that Rivers has taken a step backwards this year. The few times he was not pressured, he STILL was off on his passes. Things aren't looking good, right now.
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