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“Chargers-Numbers Don’t Lie”

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This, that and some of the other in the aftermath of the Chargers opening night loss in Denver, against a very mediocre team, the Bolts should have beaten had they not lost some pages in the playbook.

Anthony Lynn’s game plan…run the ball..run the ball…run the ball.

Bolts had 3-first downs in the first 7-possessions.

Philips Rivers had just 92-yards passing in the first 50-minutes of the game.

Rivers had just 6-completions in the first half-they ran ball 16-times-threw it 11.

Melvin Gordon had a 21-yard run on first carry. After than 19-carries 34-yards.

Brandon Oliver 4-carries-8-yards rushing.

Keenan Allen 2-dropped passes and a major penalty for taunting.

Antonio Gates targed just 3-times..none till 4th quarter…Hunter Henry never saw the ball.

Offensive line gave up 1-sack…6-hits..7-pressures. to Denver defense….Broncos also had 6-tackles for losses on RBs.

Casey Hayward dropped a sure interception and pick 6…also gave up 2-big pass receptions.

Jason Verrett gave up 2-catches and a TD pass.

Trey Boston got beat on a TD pass.

LBs Jatavis Brown and Kyle Emanuel were beaten 5-times on pass plays, including a big 41-yarder in 4th quarter.

Anthony Lynn spent part of his Tuesday press briefing saying he needs more effort from RB-Melvin Gordon…’needs to win his 1-on-1 battles’. How about the rest of the team?

Joey Bosa-Melvin Ingram a combined 3-sacks…3-tackles for loss…10-solo tackles…6-hits on the quarterback in a yeoman night of work.

Was a winnable game, but because Anthony Lynn wanted to re-invent Ground and Pound….Broncos got the lead…held the lead. Had San Diego opened it up early, taken a decent lead, it would have forced Troy Siemian to have to throw and would have exposed him even more to the Bolts pass rush.

The number do not lie.

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Chargers Come Up Short on Field and on Sidelines”

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A tough loss in Denver on opening night for the Chargers.

A game they should not have won, but tried to win.

A game they probably deserved to lose.

Tough break for rookie kicker Younghoe Koo, having his 44Y field goal blocked, when fellow rookie Dan Feeny couldn’t hold a block at the line of scrimmage.

Tough luck for QB-Philip Rivers who valiantly tried to rally his troops from a (24-7) deficit in the 4th quarter.

Superb efforts from Melvin Ingram and Joey Boss, who combined to help ring up 4-quarterback sacks on the night. The Bolts added two takeaways and a goaline stand, but they were on the field most of the night..

Travis Benjamin showed what he could be all about with a couple of good catches, including a go route grab worth 38-yards.

Not a good night for coach Anthony Lynn, who spent the entire first half trying to establish ‘ground and pound’ that resulted in very few yards or first downs till midway in the third quarter. He wasted the talents of his quarterback.

In trying to establish the run, 16-runs-11 passes in the first half, Lynn took away some of the bullets in the gun of his great quarterback.

Also missing in action, no targets for TE-Antonio Gates till the fourth quarter, and passes in the direction of Hunter Henry, their other tight end.

Equally glaring, the poor play of most of the other people on defense. If Bosa-Ingram were not making plays, then no one else was, as the Broncos gashed them for almost 300-yards in three quarters before the frantic fourth stanza happened..

Keenan Allen had 2-drops and a stupid end zone taunting penalty.

Corners Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett got beat 5-times on pass plays…gave up a TD…and failed to hold the edge on run support.

A shaky start for OG-Matt Slauson, getting beat and drawing a penalty. Joe Barksdale got beat a couple of times too.

For all the hype about the new improved Bolts defense..they gave up 8-plays of double digit yards..and (321Y) in all. The secondary gave up big plays, and the linebackers did not do much in coverage.

For all we have known about Philip Rivers history, he was handcuffed by his coach, going just (6-11) throwing the ball in the opening half for 52-yards…and was hamstrung till the 4th quarter, when they had to throw, and finally completed some passes.

And special teams gave up 12 and 34Y returns, lost 6-yards on a punt return, and missed the game tying field goal.

Coaching and game planning needs to be better. Lynn has weapons, he didn’t use them enough. Gus Bradley’s defense has work to do, especially in the secondary.

Letter Grades…

(A) Rivers
(A) Bosa-Ingram
(D) Offensive Line
(C) Run game
(D) Defensive Line
(C) Wide receivers
(C) Secondary
(F) Special teams
(D) Coaching

Grade Point (2.4)…a shade above a “C” grade…for a game they should not have been in…but nearly came back to tie.

They didn’t play 4-quarters of quality football. They didn’t deserve to win.

5-runsearddsanthonycosey 3-d

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“NFL-Opening Weekend-How Did You Feel”

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It was a strange sensation, to sit there and watch the opening weekend of the NFL, and have no emotion, almost no interest and lots of resentment.

I did NFL play-by-play for 17-years as the Voice of the Chargers and Seahawks, and then with NFL Compass Media network.

I am a self confessed football junkie. I always watch the games, follow the storylines.

But Sunday was not a lot of fun. I took notes, jumped around to lots of games on Diect TV, and found msyself getting angrier as the afternoon wore on.

Yes, I was fascinated to see what Wade Phillips new 3-4 defense would look like with the Rams, and they did not disappoint in smashing a putrid Colts team.

I wanted to see how the Browns rookie QB-DeShone Kizer would do in his debut. It was awful couple of series, but he got better as the day went on, even in losing to the Steelers.

The Jets were what I expected to see. When you get just 85-yards offense in a half, you cannot win in this league, and they didn’t in Buffalo.

I was shocked at how bad it was for the Houston Texans, giving up 10-sacks to Jacksonville, but I figured Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone would have that team cranked up in their debut.

Cam Newton was limited coming off shoulder surgery, but then that’s all he needed because San Francisco has a long road to travel to get competitive.

The Bengals didn’t have a good off season in terms of player deals, and they looked awful in getting shutout at home in the opener.

It was fun to watch Aaron Rogers duel Russell Wilson…Pete Carroll match wits with Mike McCarthy in that low scoring chess match between the Packers and the Seahawks.

And then there was Dallas, all the issues off the field, and that matchup with Eli and the Giants.

But I got to the finish line with a knot in my stomach. I didn’t enjoy opening day as I have in the past, as a broadcaster, talkshow host, TV anchor and now as a fan.

I find myself being in resent mode over the Chargers, Dean Spanos, the move to LA, and the history of how badly the organization treated the city, its fans, and even its star players at the end of the career.

It cannot be ‘just business’ the move of the franchise. This was a public trust that was ripped out of its moorings. It was nothing more than blatant greed by an owner who has never shown an ounce of loyalty, except to his family..

I know I will watch the Monday Night opener. I will root for Philip Rivers and the players I like, respect and interview.

But I don’t think I could ever forget nor forgive what the owner stands for.

As I watched TV coverage of the horrors of the Hurricane hitting the Florida Keys, my angry heart wished hurricane type damage could befall the franchise owned by the Spanos family

And I will bet you, three years fro today, the Spanos family has put the franchise up for sale, to let someone else take on the Fight for LA. Because I have always believed this was the end game of the Spanos family.

You may love football, but I don’t know how you can love what was done to us in San Diego.

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“Chargers Preview-Rooting For or Against”

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Opening weekend of the NFL season, with emotions in San Diego ranging between empty and angry over the loss of our NFL team to Los Angeles.

The Chargers open up Monday night against the Broncos up there, a place that has been a nightmare for San Diego to play in.

With rare exception did the Bolts ever win up there. An odd win for Dan Fouts. The opening day Stan Humprhries win in the Chargers Super Bowl season, but more so in the Philip Rivers era.

Rivers is (6-5) all time in Denver, though his team has lost 3-in a row there recently.

In what has become a bitter rivalry, Denver has dominated in the Mile High City (40-17-1) vs the Bolts dating back to the AFL era. In the overall series, the Broncos lead (64-50-1).

That’s all history. What counts is now.

New coaches, Anthony Lynn, who worked under some pretty good people, Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells included. The Broncos first game under Vance Joseph, who built his reputation as a bright light defensive coordinator. He is backed by special coordinators, in Ken Whisenhunt and Gus Bradley, both with strong track records as assistants, though both failed as head coaches. Grade them a (B) to start.

The Bolts are loaded on offense, with Rivers, running back Mevin Gordon, a plethora of wide receivers, paced by the return to health of Keenan Allen, with the growth of Tyrell Williams and Hunter Henry, complimenting the greatness of Antonio Gates, and the hope Travis Benjamin can make big plays for all 16-games..And we will await the arrival of Clemson WR-Mike Williams-sometime in early October, as an add on toe the arsenal. Rate the skill position players (A)

The offensive line is in flux. Russell Okung has a history of injuries at left tackle. They paid him big money, much like they did on Jared Gaither, King Dunlop and Orlando Franklin. It never worked out. This better. Joe Barksdale is coming off a poor season. Matt Slauson has moved to guard. Newcomers will start the other spots. The backup have hardly played. Till they prove themselves, rate this group (C)

This defense has a new leader in Gus Bradley. The front four could be fierce, with the pass rushers off the edge, Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, and the run stuffers inside Corey Luiget and Brandon Mebane. But there is no proven depth at all. Rate this group of starters (A).

The linebackers will be the big question mark. No Denzel Perryman with the ankle injury. An oft-injured Jerry Attaochu. 3rd year starter Kyle Emanuel. After that, plug in guys, street free agents, and young developing rookies. Kory Toomer and Jatavis Brown no longer excite me. I saw the act a year ago. Till they prove themselves, grade them (D).

The secondary is fast and physical, but this was not a good defense last year. Casey Hawyard had a strong bounce back year after leaving the Packers. Jason Verrett has gifts but a history of injuries. Jahleel Addae is a solid safety. Tre Boston becomes the starter, but if he was so good, how come Carolina let him walk. Kids make up the rest, but they have played well in spots. Watch the group grow.. The wildcard in the bunch could be the new coordinator, Gus Bradley, and how fast he can get them to play his defense. Grade them a (B).

Special Teams has been a disaster. We shall see what the new coaching staff has, but you have an untested kicker, an erratic punter, and history of failures in the return game. The team is also without key special team coverage guys. Till the new guys show us, start them off with a (D).

The schedule is favorable early, with those 3-home games in a row. But they face the third toughest schedule in the NFL, and face the best big arms in the NFL. They will be a playoff team by October lst, or could be out of the playoffs by October 15th too.

This will be hard to watch this season, our team, playing up in LA.

You’d root for the greatness of Rivers, player and person, to take this team deep into the playoffs, maybe go (10-6).

But I don’t know anyone in the community who can forgive Dean Spanos for what he did to 56-years of loyalty in the city, by moving for a big payday. (0-16) would treat him right.

Letter grade on paper, as they go on the field (2.7)…a B-minus, and that’s without counting injuries, which I don’t think they can survive this time around.

What kind of season they going to have? I project (8-8). And you?

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“NFL Season Opens-With Question Marks?”

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32-teams-32 Questions as the 2017 season starts tonight.

ARIZONA…Awful lot of age on Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald…have upgraded the defense with rookies Budda Baker and Hassan Reddick but what does life on defense look like without Calais Campbell?

ATLANTA…Is there a Super Bowl hangover? Will they miss the creative playcalling of Kyle Shanahan? Will age-injury catchup to Julio Jones? Is Freeman-Coleman RB tandem going to continue to grow?

BALTIMORE…Joe Flacco is back, but how long does he stay healthy with back issues and a rebuilt offensive line? Greg Roman comes in with a full season now as offensive coordinator. How big an impact will WR-Jeremy Maclin and RB-Danny Woodhead have?

BUFFALO….Lots of new faces but Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy still there to anchor offense. No Sammy Watkins, who is going to be playmaker down the field? Will new rookie coach do well? Can they make the playoff drought go away?

CAROLINA…Cam Newton comes back off shoulder surgery, but asking will they let him run read-option at all this year? What will Christian McCaffrey-Curtis Samuel add to offense with return to health of Kelvin Benjamin?

CHICAGO…Is Mike Glennon really the answer at QB, or do they wind up playing rookie Mitch Trubisky? Can Kevin White stay healthy and will newcomer Markus Wheaton help him catch lots of balls?

CINCINNATI…How do you let top two OL leave Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler? Looks like Bengals reverting to old ways of owner Mike Brown? Marvin Lewis to pay price at end of season by losing job?

CLEVELAND…What will learning curve be like for Notre Dame rookie DeShone Kizer at QB? How long will Myles Garrett, the 1st pick in draft, be out with ankle? Browns have strip mined roster. How bad will team be? Is another (1-15) in the offing?

DALLAS…Ezekiel Elliott suspension is a blow and more so a distraction isn’t it? Defense plagued by drug suspensions-how big a blow is that? Will NFL catch up and defend Dak Prescott differently?

DENVER…How much does Trevor Siemian grow at QB in 2nd year? How much impact does Mike McCoy bring back as offensive coordinator? Does Jamal Charles add something special to run-pass game? Transition year on defense?

DETROIT…Lions have lost 3-LTs including starter Taylor Decker. Do they have enough to protect big money QB-Matt Stafford?

GREEN BAY…They add TEs Martellus Bennett and Jared Cook to Aaron Rodgers arsenal, but do they have enough defense, especially in secondary?

HOUSTON…JJ Watt and Jadaveon Clowney totally healthy. How explosive is this? How long before Deshaun Watson-Clemson gets chance at QB?

INDIANAPOLIS…No Andrew Luck to start the season. They pick up 6-free agents off the waiver wire. Ugliest season in long time for Colts?

JACKSONVILLE…Tom Coughlin-Doug Marrone bring toughness and old style football there. Blake Bortles still at QB, but interceptions and sacks must cease. Could be a surprise team or could be a disaster?

KANSAS CITY…Andy Reid chopped up roster. Gone are Jeremy Maclin and Jamal Charles plus Dontari Poe. Key LBs Justin Houston-Derrick Johnson coming off surgery. No Tamba Hali. Might this be an odd bad season on Reid resume?

LA RAMS…No Aaron Donald to start the season in ugly holdout. CB-Trumaine Johnson playing out option to leave. Offensive line in state of flux. How does all that help second year QB-Jared Goff and star RB-Todd Gurley? GM Les Snead on hot seat? How tough first year for new coach?

LA CHARGERS….Offense led by Philip Rivers looks good. Lots of skill around him with Melvin Gordon, TEs and WRs. Questions on offensive line. Aside from Joey Bosa-Melvin Ingram pass rush, do they have enough on front seven on defense? Awful lot of inexperience on defense? How good will coordintor Gus Bradley be? Not having top 2-picks hurt, Mike Williams-Forrest Lamp?

MIAMI…No Ryan Tannehill for the year. Can Adam Gase make it work with Jay Cutler? LB corps ravaged by injuries too. Might this be a troubled season in the making?

MINNESOTA…Mike Zimmer health issues solved, but there is no
Adrian Peterson and no Ted Bridgewater-big issue? How good is Dalvin Cook? Is the offensive line good enough to hold up now?

NEW ENGLAND…Tom Bady won’t have Julian Edleman but he will add Brandin Cooks to WR group…RB-by committee can all contribute-though there is no LeGarrett Blount to power ball inside-big loss? Defense without steady Rob Ninkovich and loss of Kony Ealy. Does Belicheck have enough on defense?

NEW ORLEANS…Last year they got rid of Jimmy Graham-TE, this year WR-Brandon Cooks…does Drew Brees have enough help? Will they become more of run team with Adrian Peterson joining Mark Ingram? Does anyone play defense in New Orleans? Does Brees leave as a free agent at end of the year?

NY GIANTS…Eli Manning adds Brandon Marshall to pass catching corps led by Odell Beckham, but is there a run game? Can Erek Flowers become a force at OT? Is there enough back seven defense?

NY JETS….Team is some 63M below the salary cap, have traded away tons of veteran talent…just dealt away DE-Sheldon Richardson. Josh McCown is quarterback-can they win? Can Todd Bowles survive after this ugly season? How would (0-16) play out in the NY press?

OAKLAND….Everything in place to take next step forward. Additional young talent on defense, and the Beast-Marshawn Lynch has come home. A potential Super Bowl team with Derek Carr at the controls?

PHILADELPHIA…Shall be fun to watch this grow. Carson Wentz comes off good rookie QB campaign, and now they have added run game, receivers, to go with pretty strong defense. Surprise team in NFC?

PITTSBURGH…TJ Watt joins good linebacking corps and team looking for growth in young secondary. WR-Martavis Bryant comes off suspension, and Ben Roethlisberger has Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell with him. AFC powerhouse possibly?

SAN FRANCISCO…Massive rebuilding season with new GM, new coach, plug in QB-Brian Hoyer, and lots of young players. In the running for top pick in draft, USC-QB-Sam Darnold?

SEATTLE…Just what they needed, Sheldon Richardson, the Jets DT comes on board. Injured veterans back on defense. Team looks loaded with 4-RBs, big play receivers, and healthy quarterback. Russell Wilson Team attitude is back, and so is talent level. Return to glory for Pete Carroll this year?

TAMPA BAY….Can Jameis Winston take the next step after pretty good rookie season? Can they keep Doug Martin healthy at RB? How bout those weapons DeSean Jackson and Mike Evans? Surprise season coming in the NFC with this bunch?

TENNESSEE….Healthy Marcus Mariota, add WR’s Corey Davis and Eric Decker, and very tough as nails defense. Could this be a really good year in Nashville?

WASHINGTON…Kirk Cousins growing as QB, but team seems thin in terms of talent, and has lots of health issues on defense. Cousins taking big risk playing on 1-year franchise tag contract? How good a coach is Jay Gruden?

SUPER BOWL PICK…..How about Tom Brady-vs-Russell Wilson….Pete Carroll-vs-Bill Belicheck…..Seattle-vs-New England?

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