The San Diego Chargers.. 2014 season preview..

The San Diego Chargers..2014.. season preview.. 

  First , great season, when most of the the fans thought just having a winning season,,,, an play consistent football ,, was going to be the biggest obstacle,, Sure they got into the play offs, thank goodness for suck up.. I know that the correct spelling.. but what the heck,hehe
 The awards and accolades Rivers earning comeback player of the year? Now I'm not knocking Rivers.. but he wasn't injured and recovering from a injury... I always though that that award was reserved fro players coming back from major surgery.. ala Adrian Peterson.. not from being a average or mediocre player? Just my take.. No bashing. If I were giving the award I feel Ryan Mathews.. broke his collar bone last year and having the best running back season since the LT days.. he didn't even get one vote ? I'm puzzled by that..

Next.. Keenan Allen.. Rookie of the Year. for sure.. But whats amazing he saved our season, not rivers , Mathews or gates. We needed him as a threat and the reason... Mathews had bigger lanes to run through or gates getting more catching opportunities... He was a life saver and great find.. Thank goodness for his slow 4.7 4o yd run in the NFL COMBINE. You see stats can lie,, I know he's faster than that and he's stronger and smarter than those ridiculous tests they do at those events.. 

Lastly, the defense played better than expected,, but they need help.. !!!


Now next season we will play the NFC WEST BEST division.. World Champion Seahawks,49ers, Cardinals , Rams.. all very talented on offense and all play smash mouth defense,, If the chargers go 2-2 ,THAT would be an accomplishment.. then of course we play Denver twice, Chiefs, and raiders, 6 games.. if they can go 3-3 or better will take some work,, Because the raiders did beat the bolts handily and the chiefs games were high scoring last second wins and the broncos games were dog fights splitting two games.. It wont be easy next year,

Why? 
The defense is not very good,, or consistent.. the bolts need a pass rush or rusher. freeney was brought in to do that , but got hurt , and to be honest is up there in age,, Teo's struggled early and late in the season. He's never out of place , but doesn't have the physical speed or power to make stops,, I know we expect alot,, well he was a high round draft choice.. he needs to step up.. The fact he had off season surgery,, makes me wonder about him? He has a off season to rehab and get stronger.. Lets hope he does.. 

Next our corners are inconsistent,, Marshall and Wright, play great at times, but during cruch time, they are beat often.. and the free agent cox.. he's a bust.. and expensive.. give him a shot to compete this preseason.. and hope wright gets better and marshall is a nice back up plan. But the bolts need to get a physical corner like seattle's richard sherman.. and if that corner can double as kick returner that's even better. The kicking game is missing a good returner.. 

Rivers and company were good until the red zone, why? Offensive line getting shved around. Gates not being the guy anymore,, We need Green to be more involved and we need to use Mathew's more in those situations.. Hence , find another blocker or use two tight end blockers to help Mathew's score tds.. I like brown but he's old, and not that threat.. We need for red zone scores.. We need to draft a late round back to be a true backup for Mathew's and keep Mathew's on his toes. Nothing scares another player , like another hungry guy wanting to play.. Fear is good and the chargers need that threat on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.. 

Take into account we will have new offensive coordinator.. not just new , but first time as a coordinator at any level.. We also have young management and head coach. They will be tested.. 

Mistakes I saw.. Coach Mccoy was too conservative and gutsy on some of the games they lost last year.. 9-7 could have been 11-5 or better  if better play calling , or decision making.. McCoy needs to impose his style and I 'm wondering what that may be.. He no longer has the running guru and short passing coordinator in Whisenhunt..What are the chargers going to do? The bolts were a time consuming team , but they also lacked the long ball that Nervous Norv made famous. I'm not saying throw bombs all the time. But you need that threat to help the passing and running games.. Those are issues and concerns that most Charger fans are concerned about.. 

Last thoughts.. I wasn't please with the defensive calls , but if you don't have that fast or hard hitting line backer or corners , its hard to be aggressive. The Chargers need to address their defensive issues, before drafting any offensive players, and take a look at free agents.. The Bolts will be better next year, but they will play a harder schedule and have to play more consistent on both sides of the ball.
 The red zone.. offense needs score more ,, and the defense needs to get more pressure on qb and get turnovers.. Mccoy needs to impose his coaching style and get rid of the players that are not.. producing..

Whitehurst... has thrown how many passes ? Sorenson is the future and will scare Rivers more than clip board Jesus? If Whitehurst is so good at coordinating or play calling.. Hire him a quarterback coach..not as a over paid back up.. Just the bottom line..

Ronnie Brown.. - He shows flashes f greatness, but he is not consistent enough to scare other defenses or challenge Mathew's. We need to draft a young stud.. late round.. please.

Gates and Green in more formations..

Woodhead is a stud and needs to use more often in the run game,, I rather see him run than Ronnie Brown.. He always makes yards and is very smart.. 

If the chargers can get production from the new draft picks , like they did last year with Allen, Fluker and Teo, then this team will be better. But it wont be easy , we will hope Rivers plays another consistent year and doenst return to old turnover Rivers, and Mathews will be a tough runner and play another season at full strength.. The defense needs to get a pass rusher and hope freeney has a year or two left to teach a newcomer.. and if all the coaching changes get in the same page and produce another fun season.. As the charger fans have realized.. this team has been very unpredictable. They play like Superbowl contenders one week and bums the next..

reality; the bolts will be hard pressed to be 9-7 , or 10-6 next year, and they lucky to make the playoffs or make a SUPERBOWL run.. They don't have a consistent pass rush , or red zone offense or defense and the many coaching changes will make next year, another interesting year,, I though Mccoy was coach of the year candidate this year.. But if he can gain another playoff entry and makes some noise.. Then Coach of the year is possible..? But I rather see a team that correct its weaknesses and play consistent football.. and who knows?? It took 4 years to make Seattle a SUPER BOWL POWER HOUSE,,, and I feel it will take just as long or longer if  ever with Coach McCoy.. Pete Carrol is a risk taker and river boat gambler.. He takes chances with late round draft picks and Free agents and motivates them into believing.. That's the key to coaching,, Getting guys to buy into what your thinking and getting it done.. Seattle set the format..Now the Chargers and the rest of copy cat league to follow or least try to.. 
My season Preview.. by then again.. NFL IS THE NO FIGURE LEAGUE,, anything can happen like a team winning the super bowl for the first time,, against a living legend!!!
THE SOURCE PRODUCTIONS @2014..