Rotoworld: The bottom line is that the Chargers could be missing their left tackle, top receiver, and (at one time) best pass rusher when the season begins in a little over a month. So the question is: "Are the Chargers finished before their season's even begun?" After coming off yet another postseason choke job, missing some of their best players certainly won't make them look like any more of a contender, even after drafting Ryan Mathews to rejuvenate the running game. It usually helps that the Chargers play in the AFC West (one of the weakest divisions in the league), but with the Raiders seemingly going in the right direction now, could they possibly overtake the Chargers as division champions? Is RaiderJoe still a member?
I love it. I hate AJ Smith and think he's a total douchebag. Then to basically tell his fans, "Fuck it"?
Look for Gates to have a ridiculous year stat-wise. I think they'll still be good, but the Raiders are really going to push them.
For some reason, I still think the Chargers will be good this year. I think they'll adapt to the losses and shift to the run even more to make up for it. They have one hell of a QB who is very smart. They may not have as good of a record as last year, but they are a playoff contender.
I think Smith is helping us out. Revis and Vincent Jackson have the same agent. And they practiced together in Arizona before training camp. So Darrelle is getting a good hard look at how other franchises respond to Jon Feinsod's bullshit hardball, and I'm sure he doesn't like it.
Do any of you actually think McNeill, Jackson and Merriman will all be without contracts on opening day? Doubtful. If they can't work out long term deals they'll probably re-up for 1 year and get back to square one after the season.
The Chargers should win the division, but I am not sure Oakland will be their biggest concern. I actually think the Chiefs will finish in 2nd place.
The best part in all of this is that Chris from the ticket office is calling me daily at home and at work asking me to repurchase season tickets. I told him I want $100 off my tickets per player per day of training camp missed by these guys. I said why should I commit to you when the ownership is showing they aren't commited to fielding the best team they could. He essentially hung up on me. Don't be surprised if the Chargers are blacked out at home this year... it's not good whne you are calling people a month before the season starts and you have 50 yard line seats available.
That's not a good idea. Mathews may be a bigger back, but he wore down and ended up getting injured during all three of his seasons at Fresno State. He's my pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year because he's a hell of a talent and he's in a great situation - but Norv Turner needs to be smart about how he uses him.
SD doing worse --> Oak doing better --> patriots getting a lower extra 1st-round draft pick next year. Sounds good to me.
San Diego has such an easy schedule, I wouldn't be surprised to see them get 11-12 wins regardless of their contract situations.
I'm on the Raiders' side. Anything to keep the Pats from getting a top 10 pick out of the Seymour trade.
The best scenario is for the Raiders to suck bad and the Patriots use the draft pick on a guy who turns out to be a bust.
The Chargers are in a laughably weak division and are pretty much guaranteed a playoff slot because of this. I can't see them doing much once they get there, however. Rivers is a damn good QB, but you need more than that to win in the playoffs. To be more specific you need a running game and a defense, I don't think San Diego has done enough to improve either of those facets of their team. Besides that I think the absence of McNeil and Jackson weakens the one area of strength that they did have. Rivers himself said that every game he's ever played in he's had McNeil protecting his blindside and Jackson as a passing option; those guys are gone now and I wouldn't be shocked if he struggles.
I'd like nothing more than to see the Chargers go 7-9...:chargers:, freaking hate that team and their fans.
