So camp opens today at San Diego State, with the Aztecs picked to the win the Mountain West Division race.

The coach is Rocky Long, headed into his fifth year Old school as they come. His game of football hasn’t changed since the days he was a quarterback at New Mexico, or John Heisman and Alonzo Amos Stagg were coaches..

Run the football and play defense. Plain and simple. Make them stop us, after we stop them.

Back in the day, college football was all about control of real estate and the clock. Three yards and a cloud of dust Woody Hayes would say. Further back in the day, it was the single wing.

Rocky Long isn’t quite that far back in time, though he has seen alot of 3rd and long plays in his career.

He embarks on the 2015-season loaded at the spots he thinks are most important, running back and on defense.

They’re going to run it, no doubt about that, with Donnell Pumphrey back as a third year starter, coming off an 1800-yard all purpose season, running and catching. But SDSU is not a 1-man team, though it may lean to 1-dimensional.

Chase Price returns as the backup tailback, backed by two more young pups, Rashard Penny and Marcus Stamps, each of who has shown some real flashes.

And yes, Dakota Gordon returns as a fullback, something you hardly ever see in the college game these days, where most everybody else throws the ball everywhere. Not so much on Montezuma Mesa.

It is amazing, with so many high school programs throwing the ball in California, SDSU just has not recruited well at quarterback in the Long era. They come in, stay, fail to get a starting job, then leave. The turnover is like Grand Central Station.

Not since home-grown products Ryan Lindley and Kevin O’Connell were making big plays a few years back, has SDSU scared anyone at the position.

Maxwell Smith, a transfer from Kentucky, a former starter, has arrived as a grad student, and will play immediately, for just 1-year.

Prior to that Long was looking at JUCO transfers, and transfers from Oregon and Oregon State. The Quinn Kaehler’s of the world haven’t lit it up. SDSU, with its great reputation of throwing the ball, dating back to the Dennis Shaw-Brian Sipe era, thru David Lowrey and Tim Gutierrez record seasons, just doesn’t get access to throwers any more.

What they do have is defense, lots of it, and that is who Rocky Long is, and what he is all about.

His 3-3-5, his 3-up-8 back, his blitz schemes, are amazing to watch. How he teaches so much in such a short learning curve of time for players, in impressive. And you thought Bill Belichick and New England’s defense was exotic.

Linebackers-R-Us, is the catch phrase about what SDSU has become. Kirk Morrison would be forever proud. This year’s star is Calvin Munson, who was everywhere, making all kinds of plays last season.

The Aztecs bring back a ton on that side of the ball, including 5th year player JJ Whitaker and linebacker Jake Fely, given an extraordinary 6th year to play because of multiple past injuries. 7-veterans return from the linebacker to secondary corps.

The schedule is a hodge-podge. Shameful they open with USD, a non-scholarship program, because they couldn’t find a 12th opponent. Yes there are road games at Penn State and California. The toughest games will be against Fresno and Utah State. The road game at Colorado State will be the hardest. You still get a sense of non-attachment from the community though towards Aztecs football.

It just has never been the same since the Marshall Faulk era, and that was nearly 25-years ago. SDSU will never be in the Pac 12. Thank goodness, somebody scuttled the bad Big East idea. But unless they can configure a rivalry where USC and UCLA do home and home schedules with State, SDSU will be on the outer edge of BCS-interest.

But there’s a bowl game to shoot for, and a conference championship game against possibly Boise State coming out of the Mountain Division.

Rocky Long doesn’t worry much about things out of his control. No Trojans nor Bruins to play. Lots of empty seats. Nah, let’s just go run the football and take the football away from the other guy. He even laughed at himself talking about the new Aztecs uniforms with the Aztecs calendar logo embossed on helmets-“players think they’re cool-I’m not cool-let’s just go play”.

It’s fun to watch. We’re going to pound it. And we’re coming after your quarterback, and what the hell are you going to do about that?

Who are they? Rocky Ball isn’t bad at all.

You just wish a major league sports town like San Diego and its fans, would pay attention to how good a coach, and how good a program the man has built.

Philadelphia, city of brotherly love, city of enormous hate.

History writes it’s one of the toughest cities in the country to play in, because the fans are so intolerant.

And now the media may have moved into lst place in terms of critical coverage of its teams.

Philadelphia, where they even booed Santa Claus, has become a destination point for dislike. The hapless 76ers, the last place Phillies, the chronic underachieving Flyers.

And now Chip Kelly and the Eagles. Chip Kelly and the Eagles? That Chip Kelly, who has posted back-to-back 10-wins seasons?

They are all over the wonder boy coach from Oregon.

He ran off star wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who marched to the beat of a different drum. He dealt away running back LeSean McCoy despite all his productivity. He traded away young quarterback Nick Foles.

He has spent 24-months answering non stop questions about his video game offense, and whether the Eagles can play deep into January with it.

It’s been a continuum of questions from Michael Vick to Mark Sanchez, and now to the oft-injured quarterback Sam Bradford.

It’s a constant barrage of quotes from departing players about racial issues, culture issues, relationship and leadership issues. Love-me, Love-me-not.

And now they’ve gone after his reclusive personal life, digging up data that Kelly was married years ago at the University of New Hampshire. He left, she stayed behind, he went to Oregon and now the NFL.

He doesn’t think it’s anyone’s business. All thought he was single, in status, and in football mind. He called what the Philadelphia media has done as ‘bizarre’, saying ‘who cares-who should care about something years ago?”.

As they say, all is fair in love and war, except in Philadelphia where everything seems to be fair game for evaluation and criticism. Just ask Chip Kelly about that.

 
 
The news was a bit surprising, though the rumors had been out there for a week.

The creative genius will no longer run the Boston Red Sox. Larry Lucchino is stepping down at age 70.

The man who helped end the ‘Curse of the Bambino’, getting the Red Sox to the World Series, has seen his franchise slip, looking now at a 3rd last place finish over the last four years.

It’s hard to tell whether Boston has fallen on hard times because of Lucchino, or the brain drain in the front office, with the loss of GM-Theo Epstien, and so many of his assistants.

They seldom put owners or lead executives into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, but there is no doubt about Lucchino’s influence in lots of places on the baseball road map.

As a creative genius, he helped design the beauty of PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Camden Yards in Baltimore, and Petco Park here.

He was the driving force about ways to save-preserve the history of Fenway Park, making it a money maker and reigniting its value and heritage in the Red Sox nation (aka) the State of New England.

An influential man at the Commissioner’s office level, a brilliant man in terms of marketing and maximizing revenue, Lucchino is indeed a special man. Yes pushy, but the first to get to the bottom line in all things baseball related.

A cancer survivor in San Diego, he re-invented himself as a dynamo in Boston. His decision to take on George Stienbrenner in the Border War bidding for free agents set the tone that the Red Sox would be different under John Henry’s ownership and Lucchino’s leadership.

Things change when you don’t win. Age creeps up and influences personal decisions. But one thing is certain, Larry Lucchino’s genius was everywhere in baseball.

We were lucky to cross paths with him in San Diego.

 
 
It was open, it was honest, it was pretty blunt, and it was hot.

It was the first day of the Chargers preseason camp, and lots of people had lots of interesting things to say.

No one wanted to hear from Coach Cliche, Mike McCoy, who wowed us with generic comments about how good the fan turnout was, looking for the best 53-man roster, we played music on the PA to keep the fans pumped up.

But listening was important, especially when the quarterback and his tight end spoke.

Philip Rivers answered my direction question, that he was so beat up last year, he did seriously consider retiring in January and February, the aftermath of the herniated disc in his back, the chest injury, and the fact the team failed to make the playoffs. He called it as ‘low an emotional point’ he has ever had in his career, aside from the torn knee ligament and the lost chance in the AFC championship game..

Rivers talked about the fatigue of the season, the frustration of failure, the need to diffuse the emotions. He got healthy, he is back, he is ready, and he is excited with off season acquisitions. He still doesn’t have a contract extension yet.

Tight end Antonio Gates is here now, but will be gone at the end of August. He maintains innocence, the aftermath of the 4-game drug suspension for an increased testosterone level, that led to a positive drug test.

Once the final preseason game is played, he exits the building. No workouts, no meetings, no access to trainers, no contact with anyone Chargers related till week five.

He maintains he did not take a new supplement, or gamble on something. He says he doesn’t know how it, anything illegal, got into his system. He admitted there are 166-things on the NFL banned list, and its pretty hard to determine any risk involved.

If you believe his story, he did off season maintenance, taking normal supplements that helped his body recover. He spoke of taking things to cleanse his kidneys and liver, but said there was no experimentation.

He met with the NFL and walked them thru his off season training regimen, what he took, why, and where he got it. They cut him no slack, just cut him a letter about the suspension, talking about drug levels and bar-codes..

It was interesting listening to massive Orlando Franklin talk about bolting Denver, coming to San Diego, early in free agency. He talked about playing with #17, and how Rivers is much like #18, Peyton Manning, in terms of leadership, in the huddle, in meetings, and on the field.

Stevie Johnson, the somewhat flamboyant ex-Buffalo Bill, does not lack confidence, talking about replacing Eddie Royal, and discussing his strengths and diversity.

The unhappiness of the contract war with Eric Weddle is there, and that chip on his shoulder does indeed exist. But there are games to played and teams to impress, so this will work out for him.

It was only one practice, but it was intensive in brutal heat. It was interesting to watch, unique to hear the honesty from the players about the tough questions they had to deal with.

You wish Coach Cliche was more honest with the media about important things about his team.

But it was better than being in New England, where Bill Belichick blew off 17-questions over two days about the Tom Brady mess, then retaliated against the media putting his players on the field without uniform numbers nor names, and making them stand way far away during practice.

The Patriots are winners and cheaters, the coach is a villain. San Diego hasn’t won much lately, and while the coach is obstinate, you can root for the players on the field, going thru their good times and bad.

The San Diego Chargers have opened their preseason camp, in what many fear will be the final season they stay in San Diego.

20-Questions worth pondering about the 2015-Chargers.

1..CAPTAIN-MY-CAPTAIN…

Philip Rivers is healthy and in the final year of his contract. The 16M deal this season will likely escalate to 20M per year if he gets a three year extension. The bigger question, does he want to stay with the team, if it is moving to Los Angeles next year? Would the Chargers franchise-tag him at 20M on a 1-year extension? Why haven’t they gotten a deal done in advance with the face-heart-soul-leader of the team? Could this year a 5,000-yard season with all the roster upgrades to the offense?

2..ROOKIE SPOTLIGHT…

Everyone loved the drafting of Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. Those were big time stats he put up in a big time Wisconsin program. The only questions will be his fumbles with the Badgers, and ability to catch balls out of the backfield. He won’t have to be an every down back with the diversity the team has at running back. Different strokes for different folks working with Danny Woodhead-Brandon Oliver-Donald Brown.

3..NEW FACES-NEW PLACES…

An excellent off season with the acquisition of three starting offensive linemen from other teams via free-agency. Orlando Franklin was a steal from a division rival-Denver, and he can play guard and tackle. Chris Hairston came from Buffalo and Joe Barksdale from the Rams, and are former starters and good insurance policy veteran players.

4.. MAKE A STATEMENT SEASON…

Stevie Johnson had so much productivity early in his career with Buffalo, he gets a do-over chance here, replacing Eddie Royal. He causes a different type of slot matchup problem, but he has to hold on the ball and become consistent again. Being with Rivers will be huge. CFL-import Donnie Inman played really well at the end of the season, and will be given a chance to play in sub-packages this season. They may have found a gem there. Which won steps up and makes plays each Sunday to compliment Keenan Allen and Malcom Floyd?

5..TAKING OVER AT TIGHT END…

I might be the only one forgiving Antonio Gates for trying a new supplement without checking it out with the Union and doctors. But missing four games early might mean he has more gas in the tank later in the season. Time for Ladarius Green to make week to week impact, catching passes, getting chunk plays, and blocking down field. Everyone thought he could be the next guy after Gates goes. Time to prove it.

6..BRINGING IT BACK…

They haven’t had one in a long time, a real dangerous kick return guy, not since the dispatching of Darren Sproles. Jacoby Jones, coming from the Ravens, can make plays, but can he stay healthy, and will he hold onto the football?

7..WHERE’S THE BEEF…

The team did little to bolster a physically weak defensive front around DE-Corey Luiget. They gave up 4.5YPC to opposing running backs. They generated little push upfront. Sometimes it takes time to grow players in the trenches. They saw flashes in DT-Ricardo Mathews during the season, and late season with Ryan Carrethers. It took Jamal Williams 5-years to become a great nose-tackle. They need one, do they have one?

8..WHERE’S THE PASS RUSH…

In a pass-happy NFL, they didn’t have many quarterback sacks (28) last year, and now two guys are gone via retirement and free agency. Melvin Ingram shows bursts, but has an injury track record. Jerry Attaochu looks the role, but is so very young. This group looks even less talented than last year?

9..IS TE’O THE MAN…

They think the ex-Notre Damer can be a star, but Mantei Te’o looks like just a guy. He doesn’t make plays, doesn’t get off blocks, gets blown out of holes he is trying to plug. Granted he is bigger and more physical now than his first two years. He has to stay healthy, as does running mate Donnie Butler.

10..SHAKY SECONDARY…

Brandon Flowers, the old one, Jason Verrett the young one, and that is the extent of talent at cornerback. Both have had health issues. They gave Flowers a 3-year extension, but I didn’t see the quality play they must have. I did see something special in Verrett, but he has had surgery on both labrums. Healthy he could be spectacular, hurt they could be in trouble.

11..PROVE IT PEOPLE…

They went free agent to get Patrick Robinson, the former lst round pick of the Saints, and Jimmy Wilson, the former Dolphin. Both will get the chance to rescue their careers, and both will have to play well. But they didn’t excel when they were starters elsewhere, what makes you think they will be different in San Diego?

12..DRAFT DAY…

It was interesting, and I am not talking about the Kevin Costner movie. Miami Hurricane linebacker Denzel Perryman is a hitter, undersized, not so fast, but a gamer. He might be a London Fletcher type, and maybe a special teams standout. Fellow linebacker Kyle Emanuel had a great career, but is moving to a new position at strong side backer, and by the way this isn’t North Dakota State anymore.

13..LOSING LEADERSHIP…

You say goodbye to talent like Jarrett Johnson and Dwight Freeney, and you say goodbye to the intangibles too. Smartness on the field, in the huddle, in the film room. The guile they brought to the game and the locker-room will be missed greatly. Leadership, veteran leadership, is really important. Another reason to be concerned about the defense?

14..WITHER WEDDLE…

A good-bye season for S-Eric Weddle, in the midst of a nasty contract-personality clash issue. Doesn’t matter. Job to be done, playing for the next contract, a proud player, who will have a good send-off season, then sign somewhere else. Bigger issue, who is his running mate? I don’t give bonus points for hits made after the opponent caught the ball or ran to the second level. Jahleel Addae needs to bring it to break up plays, not make tackles after he gets beat on plays.

15..SURPRISE SEASON…

Which of the street free agents out there will be the next find? Is there a rookie draft pick to keep an eye on? Take a look at big WRs Titus Davis-Central Michigan and Tyrell Williams-Western Oregon. Maybe there is a place for hyper-active young DE-Darius Philon-Arkansas.

16..LA DISTRACTION…

Doesn’t matter what Coach Mike McCoy says, this San Diego-to-LA story isn’t going away. Oh it won’t impact game preparation, but it will be on the mind of players, and their families, as the season progresses, especially if the season does not go well.

17..ALL ABOUT THE MONEY…

The ugly negotiations with the City won’t end soon. In this complex mosaic of stadium designs, EIR reports, financial plans, there is the reality, the Spanos Family, and all the NFL owners, are all about the money. How much they can get, how little they have to give up.

18..NEW LEADERSHIP…

I thought it was a smart move by Dean Spanos to hire Carmen Policy to represent him as Point Man on the Stadium issues, but sadly it was on the LA Stadium package, not San Diego. He should be driving the deal to help San Diego get thru the Stadium quagmire it is in.

19..QUESTIONABLE LEADERSHIP…

So they promote AG Spanos, the owner’s son, to be the day to day operator of the franchise. On his twitter account, it had said ‘in charge of all business operations’ of the team thru the last group of years. If that’s the case, is he to be blamed for the team going from 15th in gross revenue to 28th, and how come he got a promotion?

20..JUST ASKING…

Since assuming leadership of the team in the mid 1990’s, Dean Spanos’ franchise has had some tremendous seasons, the Super Bowl run with Bobby Beathard-Bobby Ross, the outstanding years under Marty Schottenheimer, and the early successes of GMs AJ-Smith and John Butler. They have also had horrible decisions too, Spanos failure to solve the Beathard-Ross divorce; taking the wrong side in the AJ-Martyball feud; Norv Turner; the ticket guarantee; the Ryan Leaf disgrace, and now this, the importation of Mark Fabiani. Spanos has done so much for charities in this town. Does he realize he is creating “credibility suicide” by allowing Fabiani to try a scorched-earth policy with everything the city is trying to do on his behalf with this new Stadium? Does Spanos know he is creating an absolutely ugly atmosphere at Qualcomm for home games this season, in what may be a lame-duck campaign? Does he know he will be horribly booed at home games this year, if the season does not go well?

Welcome to 2015, a new season, sadly fearing a last season in San Diego.