Chargers are a team in transition

For a team that won their last 11 regular-season games, the San Diego Chargers sure seem to be in transition.

After losing their first playoff game to the New York Jets, the Chargers are tearing apart their roster … as if the window is slamming on their Super Bowl chances.

Although Darren Sproles will be back, they need an every-down running back to replace LaDainian Tomlinson.

Jamal Williams, the stalwart of their defense for many years, needs to be replaced at nose tackle.

Kassim Osgood, the All-Pro special teams’ player, will be off to different pastures.

Brandon Manumaleuna, the steady back-up tight end, is off to the Chicago Bears.

Then there’s the question if Antoine Cason can replace Antonio Cromartie (traded to the New York Jets) as a starting cornerback.

Suddenly, the Chargers aren’t so strong at right tackle, tight end and running back depth, the defensive line, the secondary, and special teams.

Luckily, thanks to the NFL collective bargaining agreement, at least they won’t lose linebacker Shawne Merriman, receivers Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson or left tackle Marcus McNeill to free agency before the 2010 season.

The Chargers appear weaker … but remember … they reside in the NFL’s weakest division with Denver, Kansas City and Oakland.

That traditionally makes their path to the playoffs much easier.

Tomlinson unloads on Chargers teammates

There’s an old saying that the most honest employee is one who’s on his/her way out the door.

At that point, there’s no holding back because the organization is powerless to retaliate against you.

Say hello to the world of LaDainian Tomlinson on his way out the door with the San Diego Chargers.

During an interview with Billy Ray Smith and Scott Kaplan on radio station XX 1090 AM, Tomlinson said that he “would not take a pay cut under any circumstances” like he did before last season. Say goodbye to LT.

Tomlinson acknowledged that he was unhappy with changes within the organization, but declined to specify what bothered him, according to nationalfootballpost.com.

“Things were always there that happened over time,” Tomlinson said, adding that the Chargers' playoff loss to the New York Jets brought a lot of issues to the surface. “I didn't feel the unity and togetherness in the locker room at times this season.

“We're at a point where guys come into the league and it's not about the same values anymore. I just can't deal with that kind of stuff.”

Maybe it’s Vincent Jackson with his DUIs and driving without a license. Maybe it’s Shawne Merriman and his troubles with Tila Tequila. Maybe it’s Antonio Cromartie with his getting into public disputes and inability to make tackles. Maybe it’s something/someone else.

LT has never been as happy as a Charger since Marty Schottenheimer was fired after a 14-2 season and replaced by Norv Turner for losing in the Divisional playoffs three seasons ago. (Makes you wonder why Turner survives after going 13-3 and losing in the Divisional playoffs this season.)

All in all, it’s the start of what should be a very interesting offseason for the Chargers.

Will Chargers release Vincent Jackson due to character issues?

General Manager A.J. Smith is on record as saying that the San Diego Chargers will get rid of players who are not of good “character.”

Oh, really?

Let’s see what the Chargers do with standout wide receiver Vincent Jackson before judging whether they are all about character.

It has been well documented that Jackson was arrested one year ago and charged with drunken driving. (His lawyer was successfully able to put off the court case throughout the 2009 season so that Jackson could play without possible suspension.)

This comes after Jackson pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving in 2006 and drew five years probation. Yes, the current charge is within that five-year period.

On top of this, we have discovered that Jackson hitched a ride to Sunday’s playoff game against the New York Jets with QB Philip Rivers because Jackson was stopped by police on game day for “loud music” and then was found to be driving without a personal license in a car with expired registration.

When all of these matters are sorted out, Jackson will likely draw a 2- to 4-game suspension from Commissioner Roger Goodell at the beginning of the 2010 season.

The obvious is that Jackson is not a man of “character.” The bigger question is whether the Chargers will let him walk due to his lack of character.

It would be easy to let LB Shawne Merriman and CB Antonio Cromartie leave before next season due to personal issues they’ve experienced. After all, their production has slipped.

But Jackson had his best season ever in 2009 and continues to get better. What happens from here will be very interesting.

Is timing right for 'L.T. Style Electric Glide?'

LaDainian Tomlinson’s “L.T. Style Electric Glide,” video on YouTube is hilarious.

Tomlinson dances around in a bright, bright, bright white suit and raps about what he does best on the football field.

It brought laughs to his teammates … and probably most everybody who watched it in the past several days. (It’s a side of LT we’ve never seen before.)

The video, a Nike commercial shot 2 ½ years ago, was released over the weekend on YouTube.

Here is part of the story published by the great Associated Press writer Bernie Wilson regarding the video:

The video starts out with Tomlinson turning on a boom box and saying, “What it do? My name's L.T., I've got a new dance for you all.”

He raps about waving to his mom, saying hi to his wife, reading the defense, catching the pass, throwing the ball, about safeties not being able to see him “because I move my hips, toward another six.”

If the Chargers need an updated theme song on the road to Miami to replace their dated disco smash, "San Diego Super Chargers," this might be it.

Two minutes and 14 seconds worth of a dancing, rapping L.T. ends like this:

"Stiff arm the guys, hit that hole.
"Let's see a touchdown dance. Celebrate.
"Now challenge that call. You don't like that call.
"Pick up the blitz. Here comes the blitz. Take a knee. Another victory."

It's certainly not "The Super Bowl Shuffle," but there's potential for more.

"My teammates and I might do a remix on it," Tomlinson said with a laugh.

"It was entertaining," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "He's taken a good jabbing for it all morning."

"I'm jealous, man," said outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who has a spasmodic "Lights Out" sack dance. "I thought that was pretty cool to do that. I'm not going to lie to you. I'm going to find a way to top that."

Not so fast. While the Chargers are getting a good laugh over the video, what about their opponent in this weekend’s AFC Divisional playoffs … the New York Jets?

The Jets already feel disrespected by opening as a 9-point underdog. Watching a video of LT strutting around might only get them more fired up for Sunday.

Yes, the video may be a laughing matter to most. But it will probably only increase the bunker mentality of “Us vs. the World” that the Jets are already portraying.

If you haven’t seen it, here is “L.T. Style Electric Glide:”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA2B47_l9kg

Chargers: Only AFC division winner favored this week

It’s interesting to see how three of the four AFC division winners are decided underdogs this weekend.

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts are a 7-point underdog at Buffalo (no wonder if you saw the Colts forfeit to the New York Jets last week.)

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are 8-point dogs at Houston.

Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals are 10-point underdogs at the New York Jets.

No wonder each of these teams are touchdown-or-more underdogs since they will be resting key players for the playoffs.

The exception this weekend?

Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers are a 4-point favorite at home vs. the Washington Redskins, even though the Chargers will have key players such as Shawne Merriman sit out the entire game.

How could this be?

Simple. It shows how good the Chargers are ... and how bad the Redskins have become.

This certainly will be Jim Zorn’s last game as head coach. Who knows if new GM Bruce Allen will keep Jason Campbell as his QB.

All in all, it looks like the Chargers will have another weekend to remember with their 11th straight win.

Prediction:
Chargers 24, Redskins 13

NFL plays Scrooge to Chargers on Christmas

What is it about the NFL that does not agree with the San Diego Chargers at Christmas time?

OK, so the Chargers didn’t play on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day last year ... because there were not any NFL games on those days.

But go back two years and those were the Chargers hosting the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football on Christmas Eve; which happens to be the holiest day of the year to some people.

Fast forward to this year and you have the Chargers playing at the Tennessee Titans on Christmas Night.

Is this fair to Norv Turner, Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Luis Castillo, Shaun Phillips, Shawne Merriman, Quentin Jammer and all on Christmas?

No way.

First of all, this is the NFL Network’s "Thursday" game on a Friday. The game certainly could have been played on Saturday ... or the day after Christmas ... just like last Saturday’s Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints game.

In addition, the Chargers are traveling 2,000 miles to play the game; more than any other team has traveled all year for a non-Sunday or -Monday game. And, yes, it is Christmas.
So the Chargers must say thanks to the NFL for once again playing Scrooge with their Christmases.

Prediction:
Titans 23, Chargers 20

Chargers: Team the Indianapolis Colts fear most

As a head coach last season, Tony Dungy could never say he feared one team more than another because of coaching decorum.

But now that Dungy is an analyst for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, he can be a straight-talker.

When asked recently which team the undefeated Indianapolis Colts fear most in the AFC, Dungy’s answer was straight to the point: the San Diego Chargers.

After all, these are the same Chargers who snapped Dungy and the Colts’ nine-game winning streak in the wild card round of last year’s playoffs in San Diego.

The previous season, the Chargers knocked the Colts out of the AFC semifinals at Indianapolis in a game-winning drive led by second-stringers such as Billy Volek, Michael Turner and Legedu Naanee.

Going further back, the Chargers snapped the Colts 13-0 record (sound familiar?) with a 2005 win at Indianapolis led by the likes of blitzing linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips.

Certainly, Peyton Manning of the Colts and former San Diego QB Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints are the talk of the NFL this season by leading their respective teams to 13-0 records.

But Manning and his Colts know that Philip Rivers and the Chargers could very well be lurking in their playoff picture.

Ask Tony Dungy: He’ll tell you that is not a comforting thought for Indianapolis.

Cowboys ready to upset Chargers this weekend?

Wade Phillips is loved by members of the San Diego Chargers’ defense.

Problem is he’s now head coach of the Dallas Cowboys ... not defensive coordinator of the Chargers.

LaDainian Tomlinson grew up loving the Dallas Cowboys.

Problem is he’s still the star running back for the San Diego Chargers, who have won seven straight games.

Igor Olshansky was a fan favorite with the Chargers but now plays for the Cowboys.

DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys was picked one spot ahead of San Diego’s Shawne Merriman in the 2005 NFL draft … and Merriman hasn’t forgotten.

Yes, there will be lots of coincidences when the Chargers and Cowboys meet for the first time in four years Sunday at Cowboys Stadium.

Philip Rivers of the Chargers is proving to be as good of a quarterback as there is in the NFL. Tony Romo of the Cowboys seems to be more hooked on being Tony Romeo with the women than a winner of crucial games in the NFL.

The Chargers haven’t lost a game in December since 2005. The Cowboys seemingly haven’t had a winning December since Roger Staubach was QB (OK, a little bit of an exaggeration.)

Since the Chargers don’t lose in December and the Cowboys don’t win, that should make Sunday’s game an easy pick.

Not so fast!

Prediction:
Cowboys 23, Chargers 21

Chargers looking good down the stretch

All of a sudden, the San Diego Chargers have been looking as good as the girlfriends of Tiger Woods.

In fact, you could say the Chargers have been as hot as the likes of Rachel Uchitel, Jaimee Grubbs … and probably many more names to come.

Speaking of names, part of the reason for San Diego’s six-game winning streak involves unheralded players suddenly making a name for themselves.

Linebackers Brandon Siler and Tim Dobbins have emerged due to injuries to the likes of Shawne Merriman and Kevin Burnett. In the secondary, Paul Oliver and Steve Gregory have been shining with Eric Weddle injured for a couple of weeks and Clinton Hart no longer with the team.

As for the offense, give credit to linemen such as Scott Mruczkowski and Brandyn Dombrowski filling in well for Nick Hardwick and Jeromey Clary while they are injured.

Sure, it’s the likes of QB Philip Rivers, WRVincent Jackson and RBs LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles who make the team go. But the recent success would not have been possible without the success of a patchwork offensive line.

The Chargers virtually receive a “bye” this week when they play at Cleveland. Then comes a critical three-game run at Dallas, home vs. Cincinnati and at Tennessee on Christmas. (They’re undefeated the past three Decembers, but that has no bearing on how they will play this year.)

The three-game stretch at month’s end will determine how well they look when the playoff seedings come out after the first weekend of January.

Prediction:
Chargers 30, Browns 13

Stick a fork in the Denver Broncos

Got a fork? Stick it in the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos are as good as dead after Sunday’s 32-3 loss to the AFC West-leading San Diego Chargers.

Denver started 6-0; the Tennessee Titans began 0-6. But don’t be surprised if the Broncos (6-4) and Titans (3-6) end the season with near identical records.

As for the Chargers, they are on a typical late-season run that has seen them post a 41-5 record down the stretch since 2004.

With the Chargers on a five-game winning streak and Denver on a four-game losing skid, the AFC West is as good as over even though the Chargers only lead by one game.

Consider some recent Charger facts:

Their defense allowed more than 27 points per game the first five games; it has allowed fewer than 14 ppg in the past five.
QB Philip Rivers was sacked an average of three times per game the first five games but just once a game in the last five.
The Chargers averaged one sack per outing through five games, but four per game in the past five contests (thanks greatly to a revived Shawne Merriman and consistent Shaun Phillips.)

And then there’s a Denver team that outscored its first six opponents in the second half 76-10.

In the past four games, the Broncos have been outscored in the second half 77-17.

For all intents and purposes, say goodbye to the Broncos for 2009.

Tomlinson's days numbered in San Diego?

All of a sudden, things are clicking for the San Diego Chargers.

Philip Rivers is passing as well as ever. Vincent Jackson constantly makes big receptions.

Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips are back to making sacks.

But on the other hand, there is one thing missing:

Production from LaDainian Tomlinson.

As much as some people may blame it all on the (lack of) blocking, it looks like LT is near the end of his career with the Chargers.

This is not the worst line Tomlinson has ever been behind. He has done much better behind much worse offensive lines.

The sad thing is that when Tomlinson was injured in the 2007 playoffs, it all came down to one of two things: Either his injury was a fluke or the beginning of a trend.

Sadly, the trend continues.

LT, a certain Pro Football Hall of Fame player, is having his worst year ever in 2009.

He rushed for 15 yards at Pittsburgh and 22 yards at the New York Giants; two of his three-lowest producing days in his nine-year career.

He’s averaging a career-low 3.2 yards per attempt this season and has only three rushing TDs. In every previous season, he has scored rushing TDs in double figures.

Darren Sproles is a great change-up to Tomlinson in the backfield but will never be a full-time running back at 5-foot-6.

The Chargers already knew they needed succession planning at RB in the 2009 draft. They didn’t take a RB until the fourth round in Gartrell Johnson, who is no longer with the team.

It’s too bad that LT will likely never again be the player he once was in San Diego. And it’s too bad the Chargers haven’t had the foresight to take care of their problems at RB.

Manning vs. Rivers: Who got the best of the trade?

Certainly, a majority of football fans in San Diego still remember the 2004 NFL Draft.

There was Eli Manning pouting after he was the first overall pick by the San Diego Chargers. (He didn’t want to come to what he thought was the worst team in football; a Chargers team that went 12-4 in 2004.)

Less than an hour after being drafted by the Chargers, Manning was a member of the New York Giants.

The Chargers wisely instituted a trade for Giants first-round pick Philip Rivers, adding some future draft picks along with Rivers.

As it turned out, those future selections included a couple of stars to be in linebacker Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding.

Who got the better of the deal?

Without a doubt, you could argue that the Chargers did. After all, they received what turned out to be three quality players for Manning.

But on the other hand, Manning has won a Super Bowl. That’s more than Rivers, Merriman or Kaeding have ever accomplished.

Come Sunday at the Meadowlands, Rivers and Manning will start against each other for the first time.

No matter what happens, Manning still has a one-up on Rivers with a Super Bowl ring.

That fact alone makes the 2004 draft swap a good trade for the Giants.

Jamal Williams' loss could bring Chargers down

The loss of Jamal Williams to a triceps injury could be devastating to the San Diego Chargers in 2009. The demotion of Chris Chambers could be a positive if it happened.

More than anyone (including Shawne Merriman when he was healthy), Williams is the key to the Chargers’ defense. At nose tackle, he’s normally taking on two people and freeing up someone else to (hopefully) make the tackle.

From 2005-07, Williams’ peers recognized him as an All-Pro. That was no surprise. The only surprise was that he did not get named a Pro Bowler sooner in his career.

The impact of Williams was certainly never displayed more than in the 2002 season. The Chargers were 8-4 and probably on their way to the playoffs before a cheap shot by Denver Broncos offensive lineman Steve Herndon ended Williams’ season. Without Williams, the Chargers lost their last four games and headed home for the postseason.

It was no coincidence that when Williams went down, so did the Chargers.

As for Chambers, his best days at wide receiver seem to be behind him. He’s gone from 82 receptions and 11 touchdowns for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 to 33 catches and 5 TDs for the Chargers last season … and this year looks worse so far.

Chambers caught just 2 of 10 passes targeted to him (20%) in last week’s 31-26 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The remainder of the team caught nearly 80% of the passes thrown their way.

It’s too bad Williams had to go … but looking more and more like Chambers might need to do the same.

Shawne Merriman: Say goodbye to Chargers!

No matter how the San Diego Chargers spin it, Shawne Merriman is as good as gone within the next two seasons.

The Chargers picked outside linebacker Larry English of Northern Illinois first in the NFL Draft because:

They think (a) Merriman may not be fully recovered from knee surgery, (b) he will walk as a free agent within the next two years, or (c) both.

The most likely answer is “c,” since Merriman will be gone either way after 2009 or 2010.

One name you haven’t heard over the weekend is Jyles Tucker, who was signed to a long-term contract last season as protection against Merriman not returning.

When English signs his lengthy contract, the Chargers will have two replacements for Merriman signed up.

Goodbye, Shawne!

As great a player as Merriman is at full strength, he certainly went into the team’s doghouse last season when he signed a contract with “Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Fox Sports Network.

Even had he been healthy, he was going to fly to Los Angeles every Thursday night to participate in the show throughout the season. That certainly does not come across as putting his team first.

Let’s face it: Merriman definitely enjoys the bright lights.

The big question is where those bright lights will be outside of San Diego within a couple of years.

Chargers may be bad; instead of unlucky

It’s easy to say the Chargers suffered from bad luck with All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman injured for the season.

But there’s another way to look at it: The Chargers have also been very lucky in some regards.

Take the Denver Broncos. They are down to their No. 6 running back due to injuries … yet they are still beating out the Chargers in the AFC West.

Tatum Bell, the current running back, was selling cell phones for a living last month.

And how about a couple of the opponents this season?

Carolina played their Chargers when its start receiver Steve Smith was suspended; yet the Panthers still won.

Kansas City faced the Chargers the first time around with standout running back Larry Johnson on suspension; yet came within a fumbled snap on an extra point of winning.

There’s no doubt the Chargers are worse off without Merriman, but how would they be faring without their top five running backs … a la the Broncos?

Without a doubt, they would be doing a lot worse than the Broncos … who are making the playoffs; not excuses.

A.J. Smith: "Genius" behind the Chargers

Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio … or Shawne Merriman?

Just think: “Genius” General Manager A.J. Smith of the Chargers isn’t going to keep Merriman anyway when the All-Pro linebacker’s contract expires after 2009.

Put that down as another move equaling the “genius” strategy of getting rid of Drew Brees.

Who was that Brees guy throwing for 339 yards and 3 TDs as the New Orleans Saints beat the Chargers, 37-32, Sunday in London?

Seems like he wasn’t good enough for the Chargers to keep; but too good for the Chargers to stop.

And to think the Saints did it all without star running back/kick returner Reggie Bush.

Yes, A.J. sure looks like a “genius” for thinking the Chargers are just fine without Merriman, who is sitting out the season with a knee injury.

They didn’t lay a hand on Brees, which is the tradition without Merriman … not the exception.

We all know A.J. is a “genius” for getting rid of the likes of Brees, Marty Schottenheimer and Donnie Edwards (at least Schottenheimer could win during the regular season, and Edwards could intercept passes.)

Before Merriman departs after the 2009 season, who knows what other star will go first.

Too bad Smith is too stubborn to admit his mistakes. Otherwise, he’d be sending coach Norv Turner and defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell packing today.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Clubhouse leader in the AFC?

Let’s see now:

You can stick a fork in the New England Patriots without Tom Brady.

The Indianapolis Colts looked horrible against the Chicago Bears, even with Peyton Manning.

The San Diego Chargers will miss greatly Shawne Merriman on an already beleaguered defense.

The Jacksonville Jaguars couldn’t even beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 1.

So who does that leave as the early frontrunner in the AFC?

How about the Pittsburgh Steelers …

Few people are talking about the Ben Roethlisberger-led Steelers; this less than three seasons after their Super Bowl victory.

But with all the “powerhouses” in the AFC falling around them, Pittsburgh could once again figure in the hunt at the end.

One week does not a season make … but it makes the once-dominating AFC seem like a weakened bunch in 2008.

Weekend Predictions:
Chargers 24, Denver 13
San Jose State 31, San Diego State 23

The line isn't good on the Chargers

Some of us still remember that old high school cheer, “Hold that line.”

In a nutshell, that’s exactly what’s wrong with the Chargers.

The reason they lost to Carolina, 26-24, on opening day Sunday was simple: The Panthers beat up the Chargers on both the offensive and defensive lines.

The Panthers averaged 4.9 yards per rush against a weakened Chargers defense, even without the benefit of a breakaway run to inflate the statistics.

And when the Chargers had the ball, they certainly weren’t as effective up front without injured center Nick Hardwick and tackle Marcus McNeill.

Also, we discovered that people who don’t play in the exhibition season because of nagging injuries aren’t going to be effective from the start.

How else do you explain Jamal Williams and Shawne Merriman only being in on two tackles apiece?

And even Antonio Gates, despite his late 24-yard touchdown reception, looked rusty as he still recovers from last season’s toe injury.

The Chargers need to make a quick recovery when they go to Denver this week, otherwise they will find themselves 0-2 in what is supposed to be a Super Bowl season.

The redeeming factor?

The AFC West is so weak that the Chargers could likely win it by going 8-8 or 9-7.

Merriman should sit out 2008 season

Dean Spanos, president and CEO of the Chargers, made it perfectly clear on the team’s radio broadcast Monday night on Rock 105.3 KIOZ-FM:

The decision on whether Shawne Merriman plays for the Chargers this year rests solely upon the player, Spanos said.

If you were Merriman, would you play?

Consider the circumstances:

Doctors are telling him he could play, rather than have reconstructive surgery on two torn ligaments in his left knee. But if he does, he risks his future.

And what future does he have with the Chargers?

After 2009, expect Merriman to be let out the door by the Chargers … just as they did in succession with Drew Brees, Donnie Edwards and Marty Schottenheimer.

And along those lines, don’t be surprised if the Chargers let defensive end Igor Olshansky walk after the 2008 season when his contract is up.

Merriman would be taking care of himself by having reconstructive surgery, missing the 2008 season and having a great contract year in 2009.

But on the flip side, he does not come across as a team player by continuing this soap opera concerning what his status will be for 2008.

Since the Chargers normally usher one guy out the door after each season (and Merriman figures to be the odd man out after 2009), don’t be surprised if he takes the self-serving route by sitting out this season.

Can you blame him? … Your call.

Chargers prepare for interesting week

This should be a very interesting week for the Chargers.

First they have an exhibition game where they will let it all hang out; then comes an exhibition when they just want to get out.

Look for the first-string to play more than half the game when the Chargers host the Seattle Seahawks tonight at Qualcomm Stadium.

Then be prepared for a very boring game Friday night when the Chargers close out preseason play at San Francisco by resting most of their regulars.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Chargers look like a powerhouse tonight. Seattle, which already is a defense-dominated team, will be without starting QB Matt Hasselbeck.

Even without LB Shawne Merriman, don’t be shocked if the Chargers dominate on defense. The curiosity will be in seeing how well the San Diego offense does minus RB LaDainian Tomlinson (who wisely doesn’t play in exhibition games) vs. the Seahawks defense.

Injuries ... more specifically avoiding them ... is the key topic as the exhibition season winds down.

After all, the world champion New York Giants will probably only be a shell of their old selves without top pass rusher Osi Umenyiora, out for the season with a knee injury.

This time of year, injuries (or lack of such) tell the true winners in exhibition contests.