How did the San Diego Chargers get to be so good?

Question

Would it be safe to say that Drew Brees (who is now with the Saints), LT, and Antonio Gates brought them from a laughing stock to an NFL powerhouse?

Or was it the change in coaching staff? Or both?

Answer 1

1) Give credit to Schottenheimer. The players respect him, buy into his system, and play hard for him. He was nearly castigated after the loss to Baltimore for playing overly conservative "Marty-ball," but this is just the way he develops young players like Phil Rivers. Marty wanted to keep Brees as his QB this year, after all, he had spent 4 years developing the kid and then the Chargers GM A.J. Smith refuses to resign him. (Imagine if they had kept Brees, they could be undefeated this year!)

2) While I disagree with Smith's call to go with Rivers over Brees, the Chargers are an unbelievably talented and deep team at every position. They have had their share of injuries and freak accidents--remember the off-duty police officer shooting ROLB Steve Foley for a DWB (driving while black)--and have played to the tune of 13-2 anyway. Somebody gathered all of that talent. How many teams have 4 OLBs who can play? What about 4 WRs? They drafted Antonio Cromarte, who has been improving every week, and more importantly Marcus McNeil, who is probably most deserving of the rookie of the year award, and who is probably not only the best rookie left tackle in the NFL but also the best left tackle in the NFL. Lorenzo Neal is the best blocking FB. Michael Turner, LdT's backup, is no LaDanian but he could have rushed for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns behind this line. Which brings me to

3) the players. Ninety percent of how well a football team performs is because of the players. They are a talented and deep team with no obvious flaws, save for Rivers hitting a slump at a bad time in the season. You can't single out one player, or even three or four, that made this TEAM good. All 22 starters and 31 backups have played their roles this year, and everything seems to be going right for the team. Remember the wacky play where Vincent Jackson spiked the ball when he thought he was tackled and the refs let him off the hook with an "illegal forward lateral?" And the tipped punt versus KC where a block turned back into The Charger's ball? And the comeback versus Cincy when it was 28-7 at halftime? Everything has been going their way.

Answer 2

They just jelled. Many of these players have been on the team for six years. On offense it's the line. To prove it's the line, look at the secondary running back. He's beating LT at yards per carry and he has carried the ball 65 times. The quarterback has only been sacked 24 times (while the defense sacked the other guys like 35 times). People didn't even really know who LT was three years ago.

On special teams, the kickers have been well awesome. The kicker is dependable with like 3 misses out of over 50 attempts (and made the 51 yarder,his longest), while the punter has a range of 71 yards, has placed half his kicks inside the 20 and has only had an unbelievable 2 TBs. That means if San Diego punts, the other team needs over 80 yards for a touch down half the time. Half the time he had it in the 20, he had it in the 10. This is some seriously accurate stuff at long range for a punter.

The defense also has some nice stats in turn overs, sacks and lots of 3 and outs. I think this is more jelling. That's because a team that hasn't jelled might miss their assignments which the offense can take advantage of. If all the defensive players don't break down it requires the best of the best to beat that defense and the other teams can't keep doing that for 80 yards (see special teams).

Answer 3

Definently the Chargers (San Diego) The Titans particularly would desire to hold close in against Indianapolis 2d string and with Rivers and Ladanian Tomlinson (spelling would be off) they dont stand a wager Chargers: 34 Titans:21

Answer 4

The Chargers are good this year because of a combination of things they are doing better. First of all, LT of course is the biggest impact in the running game. You can't give him any credit w/out giving the offense line credit for giving him the holes to run up the field, and giving Rivers pass protection. Also, our defense has finally stepped it up allowing far less points to be scored by the opponent compared to previous years. The coaching staff is definately at its peak right now. Yeah we do have good weather in SD, but so does Miami, and they still suck. My Chargers have always been the underdogs, but in 04' we did have a 13/2 record, and of course in 95' when we got destroyed by the Niners which I will never forget. So the Chargers have been here before, but its time to actually win the SB!

Answer 5

LT grew a stiff arm. He was terrific last year, but can go much farther now that he stiff arms opponants. Gates, Rivers, Merriman, the list goes on and on, the Chargers are deep in talent, no question.

Answer 6

Without LT the Chargers would be nothing. Especially when you consider LT scores an average of 2 touchdowns per game.

Answer 7

A little bit of both. But I know their weaknesses.
1) slow down LT - he's not unstoppable - don't blitz the QB; mirror LT and blitz HIM
2) slow down - Merriman - he's not unstoppable either
3) pound the receivers as soon as they come off the line of scrimmage - make Rivers wait a split second longer to decide what to do with the ball.
If you have a decent pass rush, you'll sack and intercept him.

Answer 8

Two letters is the only thing needed, L T

But really the coaching staff is tremendous and Brees really didn't do much for this season but Rivers has made the quarterback not a problem but a help as shown by his Pro Bowl selection. The weapons are there on offense and the defense has now steped it up and is dominating.

Answer 9

What a game that was against Seattle.....Rivers found Jackson in the last 29 seconds....ya, the Chargers stunned the Seahawks.

I think the reason they are so great ....is because they are all so humble. They ARE a team.



San Diego Super Chargers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Good recruiting. Brees, Rivers, Tomlinson, Merriman...