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“Chargers-Ugly-Game-Loss-Roster”

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The Chargers, a team many thought could be an AFC-championship calibre team, turned in a bad performance against a perennially bad Detroit Lions team. This, a week after they beat an Indianapolis team, they should have lost to.

It was ugly, the game, the execution, the finish, the loss, this (13-10) setback at Ford Field, to a Lions team that played just as ugly football.

Philip Rivers, the architect of so many late game comebacks, threw a terrible pass into double coverage, that led to an interception with (:63) left, killing any chance of a win. Rivers spent the entire game heaving passes to star receiver Keenan Allen. Lions safety Darius Slay picked it off, earning Detroit a victory they probably didn’t deserve.

Rivers never saw WR-Mike Williams open in the center of the field, that would have been a walk-in TD for a walkoff win.

It was a bizarre game between what was supposed to be a good team, the Bolts, and the Lions, who don’t win much. Where do you start with all the problems.

The Chargers kicker, former CFL star Ty Long, missed 2-field goals from 40-and-42 yards, a reversal from last weeks first strong showing.

Their lead DB-corner Casey Hayward gave up a TD pass. Desmond King, their top nickel back, got beaten on a TD pass. Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis, gave up a big pass play and took a facemarks penalty.

Running back Austin Ekeler fumbled at the 2-yard line trying to go over the top for a TD, killing a drive. On that drive, the Chargers had 2-touchdown runs taken off the books by holding penalties, then had Detroit give them the ball on a pass interference call in the end zone, only to have Ekeler caugh it right up.

In one stretch, there were 5-penalties in a 9-play sequence.

In that second half, Rivers and friends had 5-possessions that ended up like this: Fumble-Missed field goal-Missed Field Goal-Interception. All this from a supposed AFC-power.

Oh there were bad stretches to of the Lions, a team that blew a big lead last week and wound up in a 27-27 tie with lowly Arizona. In this game, the Lions missed a field goal and a point after, their special teams took five penalties,, and their QB-Matthew Stafford threw picks at the Bolts 15 and in the end zone too.

Even coach Matt Patricia nearly snuffed out the win, not taking a timeout,when he had the chance to get the ball back, just before halftime, letting Rivers drive his team 75-yards for a score.

Yes it only counts as one loss, but considering the teeth of the schedule ahead for the Chargers, this one was one they should have had, and didn’t get.

The Bolts are beat up physically, Joey Bosa and Adrian Phillips got hurt in the fourth quarter. They were down 2-linebackeers, 2-corners, their star safety, the big tight end, and still don’t have holdout running back Melvin Gordon.

And to add insult to injury, as they flew home to their tiny soccer stadium home field for next weeks game with Houston, the Rams cross-town were playing infront of 70-plus thousand at the Coliseum, as LA’s real team beat the New Orlean Saints in a key NFC-showdown early season matchup.

All not well for the Bolts. Everything about them seems troubled right now, the team, the game in Detroit, and the atmosphere in Los Angeles. Ugly.

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“Chargers-Winning-But Losing Players’

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They head into Detroit for a Sunday game, but things are not right with the Chargers.

They could have, or maybe should have lost to the Indianapolis Colts last weekend at home.  Were it not for 3-missed kicks by Adam Vinatierri, or a questionable instant replay call denying the Colts a TD, that win could very well have been a loss.

Now they face a Jekyll-Hyde Lions team, that could blow you out with quarterback Matthew Stafford, but could also self-destruct, as they did last weekend, when they blew a big lead and wound up in a weird (27-27) tie with lowly Arizona.

The Chargers problems are more than just facing coach Matt Patricia’s team.  The problems involve a roster that is falling apart, fast, quickly and disappointingly.

Philip Rivers will be there, but lots of key people around him won’t, and that’s the issue, he cannot do this by himself.

A Bolt offense that does not have OT-Russell Okung (blood clot) and RB-Melvin Gordon (holdout) has now lost a very good TE-Hunter Henry.  (fractured kneecap).  It’s his 3rd major injury in 3-years with the team.

And now Mike Williams, the big play capable wide receiver, has missed the entire week of practice with a bruised knee, and might not be able to play.  He is the key number two guy behind Keenan Allen.  The drop-off talent wise is huge if Williams cannot play Sunday.

On defense, this will be half a season on the IR for do-everything safety Derwin James, but the team now has holes elsewhere..  Starting CB-Mike Davis went out with a hamstring early last week, and has not practiced.  His replacement Trevor Williams is gone for the year, on IR.

And the nagging injuries that have played LBs Jatavis Brown and Denzel Perryman, have reappeared.  Ankle-hamstring issues kept them limited or out of practice this week.  The LB corps without them looks thin and very young.

Even young prospect WRs Geremy Davis and Artavis Scott won’t be available because of nagging injuries that have taken them out of practice.

Kicker Michael Badgley remains out with a groin injury that showed up the Friday before the season started, though CFL free agent Ty Law handled all the kicking duties well.

The Chargers are asking a lot of the running back by committee, and didn’t really run the ball at all last weekend vs the Colts.  So we can’t really subscribe that Austin Ekeler-Justin Jackson combo are true and equal replacements to the holdout renegade Melvin Gordon.

And no one on the roster is equal to Henry’s big play productivity so there is a drop-off there.

The replacement for Okung, second year guy LT-Trent Scott, gave up 2-sacks, got beat four other times on rushes and committed a penalty, and he wasn’t going against a premier pass rusher.  Meet the ex-Patriot Trey Flowers, now on the Lions defensive front.

So come Sunday, Rivers figures to de down a bunch of bullets in his gun.  And his defense may have their hands full with Stafford, Danny Amendola, and the two tight ends he throws too.  Stafford thew for (385) last Sunday, so he has ability.

The Bolts won one they could have lost.  They’ll need luck, not to lose this weekend.

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“NFL Notes–Likes & Dislikes”

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NEW ENGLAND…anyone tired of the Antonio Brown soap opera? We’re surrounded by divas. If the entire Raiders saga was not the epitome of selfishness, now this rape investigation seems about ready to overwhelm his career.

NEW ENGLAND….Pity the media covering all things Bill Belichick, who shows his disdain for the people who have jobs to do. Week in-Week out, condescending non-answers about viable questions.

NEW ENGLAND…Just asking….months and months after Robert Kraft was arrested for soliciting prostitutes twice in Jupiter, Florida, nothing has happened in the case, and nothing has happened from NFL discipline measures either. Lawyers rule for rich people?

BROWNS……Ever seen such expectations on opening day go so flat as what we saw in Cleveland’s home opener, when Tennessee trashed them. Baker Mayfield got beat up. The Browns defense got mugged. And nice composure, those 18-Browns penalties for 182-yards.

GIANTS…Odell Beckham needs to wear an expensive wrist-watch while playing? Guess he needs to be dial up GPS to run his pass routes in games. The diva watch continues doesn’t it?.

MIAMI…..Nice home opener for the Dolphins, giving up over 600-yards and 59-points to the Baltimore Ravens. Nice franchise owner Steven Ross and President Tom Garfinkle have allowed to take the field.

PITTSBURGH….Life after Antonio Brown-Le’Veon Bell didn’t start too well when the Steelers got slammed (33-3) in New England, but it is a long season and Mike Tomlin teams have a history of improving.

RAIDERS…Some beat-down they handed the Broncos on Monday night, but it counts as only one, and the Raiders are taking hits. Losing Antonio Brown will be a big blow over the long haul. Now they lost 1st round pick S-Jon Abram with labrum surgery after one game.

BRONCOS…Denver got boat-raced bad in Oakland, a bit of a stinging loss for new coach Vic Fangio. Don’t know where defense was, but it did not show up in Black Hole. Young WRs hurt QB-Joe Flacco’s debut, but they will get better as they go.

CHARGERS….It was a win, but could have-should have been a loss. Now they lose TE-Hunter Henry with knee fracture, this on top of loss of OT-Russell Okung, S-Derwin James and the holdout of Melvin Gordon.

CHARGERS…The crowd was 50-50 in Carson, half wearing Colts colors, the other half showing support for the Bolts. Think about what is head…home games with Packers-Steelers-Raiders-Packers. That might have been best home crowd Philip Rivers and friends will see all year.

HOUSTON…Bill O’Brien calling all the shots on all these roster changes with the Texans, and his QB-Deshaun Watson taking 6-sacks and 11-other hits attempting to throw. Don’t think this is going to end well for the quarterback.

RAMS…Lost in the shuffle with start of the season…a judge has ruled the 1.6B-lawsuit over the move of the team to LA, will go to trial in St Louis. Will not be moved. Will not be an arbitration hearing either. Stan Kroenke has lost two other lawsuits over his PSL-ticket sales to the fans and businesses in St. Louis. This trial bears watching. Looking for the paper trail of evidence the NFL violated its bylaws involving franchise shifts when Kroenke refused to meet with the city-county-state after they acquired the land and the funding for a new Rams Stadium. Stay tuned.

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“Aztecs Football–Who Are These Guys”

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San Diego State is a strange (1-1) this season. A struggle to win over a lower level 1-aa team, Weber State, then the stunning dominance of UCLA in the Pac 12-Conference.

To look so bad opening night, and so dominant the next weekend was a surprise.

This week, back on the road, to play a struggling New Mexico State Aggies program. NMSU is trying to regroup after getting trashed in two payday games, blowout losses to Alabama and Washington State, (62-10)..(57-10)..

Coach Rocky Long has plenty to say about his (2-0) SDSU team.

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..Las Cruces is a tough place to get to, and to play at.
..On film, Aggies play hard and are better team than
..Watch Alabama beat NMSU-they do that to everyone
..WSU went up and down the field but Aggies moved the ball on them

..Aztecs players in past reached out to us after UCLA game

..Players prepared better…played better
..This wasn’t about the coaches, it was players intensity-execution
..We have to run ball better…have to block better at line of scrimmage
..We need to practice running the ball more…we’ve been throwing ball in practice
..We need to find better balance run and throw-it will come

..Ryan Agnew more comfortable-got better and better as game went on
..Agnew-ability to run and throw..buy time with feet..run ball if nothing is there..helps
..It was huge step forward for offense.
..Agnew-had a breakout game for him-but he has had outstanding games-one of his best…since last year.

..Kobe Smith-breakout game for him..got himself open…got yards after catch

..Defense tremendous on 3rd down…(9-30) conversion rate.

..New Mexico State job is very difficult job..staff done unbelievable job recruiting
..Aggies have players..will win some games
..Played them for the payday…Bama-WSU-Ole Miss…get 8M paydays
..You have to do that in places like New Mexico State…
..Longevity of coach not a good process….
..Aggies football is supporting entire Athletic Department-salute them.

..California vote to pay players…they are paid players-scholarships
..Governor will have to consider signing this bill for California schools
..Lots of changes coming at NCAA level-it’s not just a California schools issues
..If you pay players, big schools will have an advantage in California

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Quarterback Ryan Agnew

..We made plays against UCLA
..Coaches good job getting us ready
..Week one we did not have focus, intensity, did not make plays..Week two we did.
..Week 1-we were nervous-uptight before big crowd
..Week 2-we saw how good we could be…do your job-we did
..Lockeroom became much closer.
..I knew what UCLA was going go do to us..so I was ready to move pocket-run ball
..We were surprised with win…celebrated…happy…time to move
..Kobe Smith is a stud…not surprised to see him run routes..run sideline routes
..This is a young group and preparation took a jump between weeks 1-and-2
..Does not matter who we play on Saturday…we have same mentality..we can win
..We can play SDSU-tough football.and win…
..Not surprised in conference wins..what Hawaii-Wyoming-Boise State done two weeks
..This is a good conference-good offenses…we want entire conference successful

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“Padres Pitching–Better Future Than Today”

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The Padres season is drawing to a fast close, with just 1-more homestead left after they finish this series with the Cubs at Petco Park.

I had hoped the team would go (81-81) and set the stage for a playoff run. Not happening this season.

Might happen next season, but this ‘next year’ thing has been going on too long.

The AJ Preller blueprint has brought a truckload of young pitching to Petco Park this year. The top 6-young pitchers in the starting rotation have held their own.

From Joey Lucchesi to Eric Lauer…Chris Paddack to Cal Quantrill….Dinelson Lamet to Nick Margavicius, the Friars young arms have gone (35-37) and made 114-starts this season.

They have been reliable…gone more solid innings than bad ones, been competitive, and with rare exception have gotten into the 5th and 6th innings in most starts, as the Padres tried to keep them on pitch counts and out of stressful innings.

Yes the team record is disappointing, with the Friards headed to their 9th season in a row below .500. It will be 13-years since this team was in a playoff game.

Manager Andy Green headed into the Cubs series with a (271-357) record. His GM-AJ Prellar has a franchise that is (345-445), a whopping 100-games under .500 since 2015.

It takes time.

I asked a wide variety of people at Petco Park their opinion of what the 6-young starting pitchers have gone thru this season, handed the ball regularly in the rotation. The reactions were unique. Pitching 101.

ANDY GREEN..Padres manager
..Fatigue is a huge issue with kids. We have done a lot to make sure we gave them extra rest.
..We have tried to space out their starts-protect their arms.
..They have learned how to handle the hitters in the league.
..There have been bumps in the road-important to see how they respond to adversity.
..They have shown resiliency in the face of adversity.
..Pitching on a 6-man rotation this year won’t be the case next year.
..They’ve learned about hitters, like hitters have learned about them
..When you see a batter 15-times a season-you need to learn how to attack them.
..Next year will be a different grind…a 5-man rotation
..This off season will be huge for them to get physically ready for 202.

BUD BLACK-Rockies manager
..Most young pitchers wear out early in first season-they’ve been in a grind since January
..Young pitchers get ready in January..then camp in February, then a long season
..They show lots of intensity early in jApril-May-June…out of gas August-September
..Minor league baseball is 2-months shorter than the Padres-Rockies season
..Physicality goes first when fatigue takes over-arm weariness…pitch counts.
..Mentally there is a drain on kid pitchers by August
..You want them to compete even when things are going badly-mental makeup huge.
..In the majors there are no easy innings…these are good hitters
..In the minors, guys go chasing bad pitches…not up here they don’t.
..There are easy innings in the minors because of lack of hitter discipline.
..I guarantee you the kids in San Diego will be so much better next year
..This learning curve season has enormous value to them.
..I worry about young pitchers over-training in the offseason
..I don’t want young pitchers experimenting-follow the regimen
..San Diego has a nice group..this is a great stepping stone.
..Each of those pitchers is different-but they will figure it out.

CRAIG STAMMEN-Padres veteran pitcher
..The 1st year is the really tough time for a pitcher
..There is nothing similar in pitching in the minors compared to up here
..There is a physical toll you pay late in season…even worse a mental toll.
..There are high-highs when you pitch well early in the year…lows later in the year.
..Mental toughness-it takes a toll
..Young pitchers need to build a mental barrier to cope with it.
..They need resolve to have a mental will to get thru a long season.
..Guarantee you scouting reports catch up to kid pitchers.
..Justin Turner will see each of these kids 10-at bats early..he’ll figure them out
..The veterans compile scouting reports on the kid pitchers by mid-season in division
..Pitch counts with young pitchers always run high-those are good hitters
..In the majors-guys will keep fouling off pitches-stress you out in early innings
..You like to think you are the same guy late in the season you were at the start-not.
..You need heart to push thru August-September and not cave in
..I see these 6-pitchers trending upwards. from this young staff
..Veterans on teams don’t like giving away seasons-but we knew what this was about
..Let’s be realistic-this was about giving these kid pitchers real experience.
..A rough year..a rough period is a learning lesson for the next season
..You have to grind on the mound some starts-you have to learn how to win
..Show you can survive a bad inning and come back the next inning..they have mostly
..This off season will be huge for them to get ready for years 2-and-3
..Guarantee you the September callups important to give pitchers a taste of majors
..My 1st year-I was wiped out by August-September
..I came back the 2nd year healthier-mentally tougher.

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