They swore it wouldn’t happen this year. They told us throughout the summer, again in training camp, and even more in the preseason: this was the year the Chargers would get out of the gates fast. The focus would be there, the talent would come together…no more stumbling starts.
Fast forward to the start of Week 7 in the NFL. The Chargers are 2-3, 3 1/2 games out in the AFC West, and trailing a 6-0 Broncos team that just beat them on their home field. Even if the San Diego Chargers have made an art form of coming from behind, how are they going to do it this year?
Quarterback Philip Rivers said it plainly enough: maybe they won’t this time.
The day after a loss which again ended with fans calling for his head from the stands, Chargers head coach Norv Turner was asked if he has the horses to compete with the Broncos:
Hear from LT, Kris Dielman, Antonio Cromartie, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Gates and more from Turner after the jump:
Tomlinson had his best game of 2009 but it wasn't enough
The players still believe, and based on what Norv said above, the coaches also believe that there is plenty of time to turn around another stumbling start. LaDainian Tomlinson knows that the experience of 2007 and 2008 has taught this team to never stop believing they can get better:
Antonio Cromartie refused to even admit that there was a deficit to make up or a problem trailing Denver by 3 1/2 games after only six weeks:
But even if the Chargers can say that history is on their side, the facts are starting to pile up against a team which is now 11-12 over its last 23 games. In five games, the Chargers have a grand total of seven sacks. Their pass rush again failed to deliver any consistent pressure whatsoever against Broncos’ QB Kyle Orton. Combine this lack of pressure with a run defense ranked 23rd in the NFL and you get a lot of convertible thirds-and-short.
The inability to get off the field has plagued the Chargers defense since 2007, but the Bolts have taken it to a new, troubling level in 2009, allowing 50.8% opponent conversions on third down, dead last in the NFL. It is frustrating for Shawne Merriman and his teammates to continually see their opponents move the chains:
Norv Turner is staring at another big deficit in the AFC West
Of course, as much as Merriman can talk, Chargers fans would like to see him do some speaking on the field. The former Pro Bowler hasn’t recorded a sack since 2007. Often on Monday night Merriman was single-blocked and dominated. I asked Coach Turner at his Monday press conference how he evaluated the performance of Lights Out:
The day after a nationally televised loss will bring every critic out of the woodwork, but for those who would question the Chargers’ effort, don’t say it to Kris Dielman’s face:
Like many of the other veterans on this team, Dielman was frustrated on Sunday night but holding a firm chin. In the NFL, there is little choice other than to put the previous week’s loss behind you and move forward:
In a quickly emptying Chargers locker room, the resigned grimace on Antonio Gates said it all. Like so many others on the team, he sees effort and preparation, but is waiting to see results:
The Chargers undoubtedly are working hard and preparing well, but the results are that of a mediocrity. The question that must be answered quickly is whether this team is underwhelming, or if they are actually playing to their talent level: a level which is not high enough to compete for a playoff berth in the AFC.
