Monday, December 31, 2007

It doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you get there!  Last year the Chargers had the NFL’s best regular season record and were 1 & DONE in the post-season.  This year the Chargers struggled early, battled adversity throughout the middle of the season, and finished on a six game winning streak to clinch the 3rd seed in the AFC Playoffs.

I’ll be the first to tell you that I was on the “Fire-Norv Bandwagon”… and I still am.  Much of San Diego’s corporate media is changing their tune because they change their mind as often as the wind changes direction.  I still hear that Norv is an “Offensive Genius”. The problem is, I hear that same tired sound-bite from the very people that will be calling for his job if we lose in the first round.  “Offensive Genius”?  He was the offensive coordinator for Dallas when they had Emmit Smith, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin, while the AFC’s best at the time was the 90’s Bills.  I think anyone would look like a genius with those players executing your plays.

Here’s my question to you…  What defines an acceptable season for Norv?

1.11-5 and losing to the Titans?

2.11-5 and beating the Titans, but losing to the Colts?

3.11-5, beating the Titans, beating the Colts, and losing the AFC Championship?

4.Getting to the Dance and then losing?

5.Winning the whole darn thing?    (My vote! Anything less is uncivilized.)

Personally, I want the Chargers to be the only team to beat the Pats this year and then go on to win it.  Realistically, I don’t think we have a chance to beat the Colts when they’re healthy because I think they’re the best team in the NFL this year regardless of the records.  I really haven’t seen any “Genius” coming from our offensive side of the ball.  Oh sure, we had to pull our starters in a couple games because we were trouncing some of 2007’s worst NFL teams, but that doesn’t mean I’ve seen 60 minutes of Charger Football or any “Offensive Genius” for that matter.  Until I see the Chargers beat some healthy, quality opponents I am attributing our final stretch success to the emergence Team Leadership and the return of veteran pro-bowlers from the IR.

I am truly happy to be back in the post-season for the 2nd time in a row, but let’s win one game in the post season this decade before we start dropping anymore “Genius” titles around town.