What’s Wrong With These Chargers
Going into this season, the San Diego Chargers had all the tools for a long run through the playoffs. They have an elite, if not the best, running back in LaDanian Tomlinson. They have a growing quarterback in Phillip Rivers who was coming off a great first season as a starter in the league. And they had an intimidating defense that carried them to a fourteen-win record last year. The only real difference between the 2006-07 Chargers and the 2007-08 Chargers was the coaching staff. So why is this team 2-3 and losing to inferior talent?
The obvious answer to this question is the coaching staff. Norv Turner has never had a good track record as head coach in the NFL and it is no surprise to most that he is struggling again. But is it really all his fault? It really is a lot to ask from a first-year coach to take a fourteen-win team and improve them. Especially one who faces as much scrutiny as Turner does. While some of the losses may be his inability to adjust and put his players in the wrong place, it would be wrong to give him all the blame.
In fact, the players seem to have a hangover from last season. Many seem arrogant and over-confident that they can waltz into the playoffs. It is an attitude I have seen before, and one that can ultimately destroy a season. The players should know that the fourteen wins they earned last year are gone, in the history books. They started this season at 0-0 like every other team.
To win enough games to make the playoffs, these Chargers have to remember what got them there last year and start playing harder and smarter again. They need to get Tomlinson more carries and put Rivers into comfortable positions. And they have to stop acting as if wins are going to be handed to them on a silver platter.