Official Chargers Blog

the chargers played their best ,but it wasnt good enough.many great memories from this season will be etched into the history books.it was a winning season , yes but not ending up in the post season hurts. regardless the chargers will be back to try again next year we can only hope things wrk out better. i'll still be showing my bolt colors with pride. im still happy to be a charger fan, but i know we could have done better.

Unfortunately things didnt fall the right way this year... hard sched, bad luck, etc... but quite simply we didnt play or coach up to our potential. The season is a losing one no doubt, no one cares about regular season record, its the playoffs that count, no matter how you get there, thats obvious. The season will be rememered for those reasons, or forgotten for that matter. Things like the turnover diff. just don't happen on quality teams; I actually thought we were an elite team in the league, but there are some nuanced problems that gave us trouble, problems that can be fixed by a quality off-season by management and players. Sometimes a step back is required before you can take those two steps forward.

Ok So we lost to KC, and no post season but lets not forget this is 2 years of winning football and that is somthing to build on.
Thanks Marty and the Bolts for beating New England at home, the Colts at home and sweaping the Raiders and all the great games played this year.
Lets end the season by sendling the Broncos home the same way we sent the Raiders home!
David,
Vista

Is it ever really a winning season if we don't go all the way? But all in all it has been a good season. Hopefully we can get the inconsistancies corrected over the offseason. Let's go Bolts and finish the season strong and with some pride!

Great season but unfortunately, with no postseason games, I would not consider this a winning season. Tough AFC huh? We MUST work on becoming a fourth quarter team throughout the offseason as well as the turn over differential. I'll be back rooting next year! And will someone PLEASE send Donnie Edwards to the Pro bowl?!

I just wanted to say that the chargers didnt play well in kansas city...Ladainian tomlinson should have not been playing due to his injury!Did you see the field? it was a mess..Lt is not a larry johnson runningback...hes a quick shifty..explosive rb...those conditions were not suited for him...I woulda thought marty and cam wouldve have given micheal turner some snaps..hes the kind of runingback you want alot of carries from in those conditions..anyone agree? its not a disrespect to lt ..but its for the team right? The bottom line is the chargers let some games slip away due to the teams will to be consisitent to play like they played against the colts every sunday or at least have the intensity to match the oppenent...that utimately goes back to the coach..Im sorry but if My team was playing horrible like they played in the 3rd and 4th qtr. i wouldve called a timeout and reminded them of whats at stake..i think maybe it wouldve gave them a outlook on things and weve might have seen some diffrence..wheres the coaching? Chargers...Im still gonna wear that blue and yellow and cheer on you guys but the main goal is that superbowl trophy keep that in mind during the offseason...go bolts

Lets start a few 2 & 3rd string players & give them a chance to show themselves including our high priced backup QB Rivers.

I think this year was a great lesson for a young football team, it showed them that every game matters and you have to bring the intensity every week not just for the big games. even though were not going to the playoffs this was still an incredible season and I want to thank the chargers for bringing life back to San Diego sports, you can feel the excitement that all of us fans have for this team thanks for an exciting season and I cant wait till next year.

I think it's not to early to start looking to next season, play Rivers for at least 1 half. How will he hold up in the pocket against a tough defense? Let him show what he's got. Will Drew even be here next year? Also please find a choach & players that can not give up 30 + yards on kick returns,sheesh!

The season in my eyes was a DISASTER....I had really high hopes starting from the missed FG in last years playoffs. First and schedule maker completely screws us. 6 trips east....the hardest sched in the NFL. OK...lets forget the sched for now. The inconsistency of this team was really what made this years failure hard to swallow. We have one of the best teams in the NFL and we failed to show up for such critical games....Miami at home and this latest DUD in KC. We must upgrade the secondary in the off season and really think about Marty as coach. When your team loses such season critical games, and with the talen we have....you have to start looking at the coach and his staff.

I am really proud to be a Charger fan and have been since 1975 but this year was a really bitter pill to swallow.

Sorry to sound so bitter....but that is the reality of this year.

Yes, it was a tough schedule. Overall it was a good season. This is where good teams become great teams, first you need a shut down corner, a hard hitting free safety and a big time receiver. ( like Eric Moulds) and let the fun begin next season.
P.S. sign drew to a long term contract.

Congrats chargers Peter from Toronto, Canada

Just to add to earlier comments on LaDainian Tomlinson - I dont think it's credible to put him underneath Larry Johnson, Michael Turner, or anyone else in the NFL just because the field was a little sloppy. LaDainian is undoubtedly the most talented ball carrier in todays NFL, maybe until next year Reggie Bush might step up to become a good runner to size him up against. But we cant go there just yet. It's plain for Marty Schottenheimer to see that L.T. poses a huge threat to any defense, on any given weather conditions, even a little banged up. Coaches are terrified of him. We all wanted the bolts to win on saturday against the KC, and just keeping the black visored threat on the field makes Drew Brees job much easier. Sad things turned out this way, but just know that L.T. gave it everything he had. I love the Chargers, and believe they had a really good season admist the all of the post season disappointments. Go Bolts

As a DIE HARD fan since 1978 I think we can take some positive things with us from this season especially since we had the toughest schedule in the NFL. But not seeing our BOLTS in the playoffs when we are 9-6 does hurt big time. Dan Marino said it best he said "All the playoff teams in the NFL are thanking the football GODS that the Chargers did not make the playoffs because they would be very scary".

It is that type of respect that will make us one of the elite teams in the NFL next year and for many years to come. I just still have my doubts about Marty-Ball as losing 5 games by 14 points total does point at the coach and the inexperience of some of the players as well.

The Chargers had a great season but are unable to make the playoffs. I guess the win against the Colts was not that important after all. So please, no more "cud-chewing-farmer" quotes from idiot play-by-play announcers. Make sure and cheer on the Colts in the Super Bowl. Chargers are the only team to beat the Colt's starters. Chargers defense is the best in the league when it shows up to win.

I agree that Philip Rivers needs to be given some time maybe even a start. No one knows for sure what is going to happen with the offseason negotiations with Brees so you have to invest some playing time in Rivers at some point. This is that point.

Yes, disappointing to not make the playoffs. But finish the season strong, end at 10-6 is nothing to be ashamed of. I am sick of all the talk that the Chargers are not one of the elite teams. Are the 2005 Chargers a playoff team? No. But are the 2005 Chargers a great team with even greater potential? Absolutely. Are the 2005 Chargers a force to be reckoned with? Just ask the Colts. Let's just take what we learned from this season: be consistent, have intensity, and play 4 quarters of solid football and silence everyone next year!

I believe that no one feels worse this season than the coaching staff and the players for not making it to the playoffs. But I also know that next year will be a much better year specially with the amount of tallented players we have and we will hopefully aquire. Lets not forget this season highlite folks, I now live in the east coast and people here dont care much for the Chargers, but now they know which team is the only team to beat the Manning brothers at home THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS.

Lets face it Marty ball is not the kind of NFL football that will take you all the way. Why do they always say good things about the other team when they loose? What about saying that the Offense or Defence of the Chargers was not performaing good, what about getting on a play or players for not performing well ? One last point, when was the last time you saw Drew Brees deliver a win when the other team takes the running game away?

For what it's worth I was at the Game Christmas Eve and the Ref's were blind.
The first scoring drive we got beat but the next drive when Green threw the passing TD the WR pushed off about ten yards down field with no flag throw.
At this point the Chargers were down by 7.

Next time we had the ball it was 4th and short San Diego went to punt and a KC player runs into our punter no flag. (I'm surprized)

KC had a 4th and short and punted we ran into the kicker out comes the flags.

Lastly we got ripped off.
It was so cold we left in the 3rd hats off to the Chargers for playing in that mess it was so cold.

If you look in the Photo Gallery third over second down on the first page thats Me and My Wife and Son

I agree with several of the previous posts - I believe that we achieved good things this year, and the season is definitely not a bust. That said, there were several times this past season that I was completely frustrated with the execution, play calling, and strategy on our team. We all saw winning game plans fizzle into conservative half-efforts in a few second halves. This team, with the exception of the defensive secondary, includes the most talent that any team could hope for; and I honestly believe that there was not a single game lost in the 2005 season that this team was not capable of winning. The Patriots and Colts do not have the talent of the Chargers - but they do have a consistent coaching and play-calling strategy.

If we play Rivers on Saturday, it could wind up backfiring on the Chargers who are looking to unload him to another team for a few draft picks. If he has a bad day against the Broncos, his stock will go down and less teams will be willing to offer as much as the Chargers could get now with him based solely on his talent from college. I think we should play our starters and go out and send the Broncos into the playoffs with a loss. If there are injuries, the team has the entire offseason to recover. Play for pride and build on next season ending this season with a win.

I now you cant blame the schedule but think about it. The Chargers got behind early in the season and from game three every game was a must win. As a fan it exhausted me each week I can only imagine the player’s emotions being in “playoff type” game every week since September. I think it’s part of the explanation of why the team looked flat against Miami and KC these last few weeks. I’m a very proud bolt fans. I wanted the playoff this year but I believe we will have many playoff appearances in the next 5-10 years.

Alright! The depression is over for me. We are at the end of the second winning season in a row for the Bolts. It beats 1 and 15!Marty has a contract extension but everyone in the league knows where LT is taking the ball on first and second down. Hopefully, new schemes and play calling will develop for the future.****

I personaly beleive everything starts and ends with the offensive line. If they are firing out and blocking well, then LaDanian gets his 100+ running the ball. If they pass block well, then Brees has a big day and the receivers look good. If they do both, the offense looks awesome, but they routinely play erratic and are not very consistent.

When they are not playing well, we experience defenses that turn our offense into a one dimesional offense that is scrambling for it's life. We have a lot of three and outs, then the defense gets tired and even the best defense can look bad when it is tired. So what the Chargers should do in the off season is focus on the offensive line and returning to the cohesiveness that Hudson Houk developed while he was here.

Secondly our corners have toast written all over them. They routinely allow folks to release cleanly off the line and always seem to be chasing a receiver. Get Jammer over to safety, where he can be the physical player he is. He is more in the mold of a Rodney Harrison type that is quite physical. Out on the corners, we need people that only bump receivers for five yards, but then don't touch them again and can stay with the other team's receivers.

Plus we need guys that can catch back there. Too many times, they either dropped possible interceptions or they weren't looking for the ball at all. The Chargers two weaknesses on a team loaded with talent, is the offensive line and defensive backfield.

Unfortunately, after as sorry as a season the Chargers have had, quality players tend to start looking to other teams. Players know they only have so many years in the league and many do not wish to spends years on a team waiting for it to develop into a Super Bowl contender, so many of those quality players may end up leaving town for more money and a chance to play on a contender, which the Chargers aren't at this time.

Very disappointing year overall with all the close games that we lost. Great teams wins all of those games! And believe it or not the chargers are a great team. This team has all the talents in the world, they just need to have better coaches to guide them. For starters, defensive backs coaches all year long allows the players to play the receiver instead of the ball. Running backs coach allows LT to zigzag to much and constantly slips and lose yardage or no gain. Special teams coach was just plain horrible. And finally the head coach not having the players ready or focused on big games!! Bobby Ross and staff had just good players not great and they went to the Superbowl!!!! Another wasted year under Marty. Sad.

First off I want to thank our beloved chargers for one of the most emotional seasons in recent memory. From the Dallas last second loss, to the Philly blocked fg, and the fumble, to the OT win in Washington, and the Slaying of the Colts. If there is anything we can take away from this as charger fans, its that we know we are in for an emotional roller coaster ride and isnt that what football is all about? The drama? The pain? The Triumph?

I have no doubts that we are coming into our own as a football powerhouse but certainly there is room for improvement.

As noted the secondary, gotta catch and secure those interceptions guys. there were countless dropped picks, crucial penalties, and just straight too many blown coverages. Nothing against Jue and Kiel, but we do need an upgrade at safety.

And with all the love in the world for McCardell and what hes done for us, we no doubt need a reciever who truly poses a threat, both for the deep ball, and for being able to be physical to get those extra yards after the catch. Parker and Caldwell arent those upper tier receivers.

So with that, as much as i hate to say it...

Lets go get 'em next year.

good season, but its all about the post season, get rid of breeze and cameron...breese cant win the bigone, cameron cant adjust to all out blits. thanksforthememories

It was a great season. If Roman Oben plays, and the big lazy samoan would have played, who knows what this year could have been. Our guys are young, they will be fine next year but we need a Robert Gallery and a Willie Roathe on this team to be perfect.

Keep ya head up CHARGER FANS! Denvers goin down this Saturday and we'll light it up again next season. . . You've got to BELIEVE BABY!

I was saddened that we didn't make the playoffs, but realistically, we are not quite ready yet. We need, and I have addressed this earlier, and must have better defense from the backfield. The Chargers have ALWAYS had problems on defensing 3rd and long situations as a TEAM. Every time a game turns around it seems we held the opponent to a 3rd and long and give up a first down. How many times did you hear Quentin Jammer called this year for a penalty. I am sure he is a great talent but he has caused us great harm on critical situations. We need corners that play intelligently as well as intensely. I think in the offseason, we would be very wise to get the best cover people we can find and utilize some of the other RB's in tandem with LT or find a "BUS" to put alongside LT, and of course hang on to as many players as we can. The Chargers are a good team but they need to take another step to become a great team and get to another Superbowl and win.

I agree that our offensive line needs to be upgraded to many times this year they played poorly if LT had the type of line that KC has he would easly get 2000 yd we need a top left tackle someone that can take over a game all of are linemen are average at best.

Personally, I've enjoyed this season. With the schedule we had, it's amazing we ended up with a winning record after the slow start.

I can definitely take the highlights like the Pats & Colts victories, plus the absolutely brilliant game against Buffalo and say it was productive season. The team proved they are much more than a one season wonder, and that earned us some respect after a very poor start to the decade.

Above all, we have guys like Castillo and Merriman on our roster for years to come on defense, a solid offense and a good kicking/punting unit. Given some improvement on special teams and secondary in the offseason, the team gives me high hopes for the years ahead.

As a second note here. The season is not over just because we are not going to be in the 2nd season. We need to go all out and beat Denver. It will go a long way in building on for next year. Besides we can spoil Kansas City's playoff hopes as well. If Denver goes all the way.... we know we beat them!!! Go Chargers!

Well,

I can happily say that I was not the only one to notice that the refs in kc were not calling alot of kc penalties. I saw alot of holding by their o-line which is why trent green didn't get to eat grass all day courtesy of bolt defense. I've noticed this happens alot in kc. I remember a few years back(2001), they had a 4th & inches. Rodney Harrison stopped their rb (Cloud) a good 1 yard behind the line. the replay clearly showed this. BUt the refs for some reason spotted the ball past the first down marker. But I guess that's what kc has to do to be a "playoff" team.

As for marty-ball, I just think marty needs to grow a pair or take the ones he has now out of his wife's purse & bring them to the games with him. He did it a couple of times, but needs to do it every game.

As for Rivers, All you people who think he should be given a start, Did you see any of the pre-season games? his performance was, in my opinion, not worthy for high school football. Cleo Lemon was way better. And he cost less and is now in Maimi. I'm glad they didn't play him against us cause we would have gotten reamed badly!

If Brees is not our QB next year, look to end 1-15 again. Oh wait, I forgot we have Feely. Make that 2-14.

LT should have known he would have a bad day in kc trying all those swing patterns. He should have wore longer cleats and ran straight up the middle. But I guess even the best get stupid stupid some times.

Okay, I'm being negative. But heck, I don't understand how the Chargers can go out there and beat up on teams like the Patriots & Colts and lose to sorry teams like the Dolphins, and Chiefs.
They obviously did not want to win on CHRISTmas eve. It was like they are scared of going to the SuperBowl or something or maybe marty just doesn't know when to be a man and continues to be a wuss.

marty-ball, more like f@99ot-ball.

Lt needs all the help he can get on the field, he needs more rest periods when he is not as his best.
D. Sproles has had his best games at Arrowhead stadium and should've been given the chance to do his thing against the Chiefs. I'm convinced that his speed and great running skills would've made a big difference and help the Bolts on their quest to the play-offs.

We have a lot to look forward to.

A star Quarterback, a star runningback, the best tight-end in football. A beast of a linebacker and a great run defense. A possible high draft pick from Philip Rivers, and best of all...

a reasonable schedule.

I look forward to next year, and if we go 10-6, this year will have been worth while.

I agree with Phillip, the chiefs field was crap and LT's running style just is not functional no bad surfaces. As we have seen earlier in philly everytime he cut he lost his footing. I love the guy and he did not lose the game on his own.
Hopefully Hudson Haulk can teach the o line to hold as well as the chiefs do.

As miserable as this loss was, it was the easiest loss for me to swallow. We got BEAT, for the first time this season we got beat. in each of the 5 previus losses we beat ourselves, not the opposing team team. So in a way I can accept theis buttwhippin'. I agree that we need to look to get Rivers some more time Brees is great but we dont know if he will be here next year. Rivers is young and talented. Lets get him up to speed and make a franchise player of him. Our last two dgood QB's (Stan and Drew) were already winding down their carrer, we need a young guy we can build a team around, remember the 9ers Young and Rice they played together so long Young just knoew where Rice would be ALWAYS. We need to build that with a young QB and Gates that we can count on for 5 plus years. GO BOLTS

We all feel the same way. Here's the recipe:

1. One part resentment over an unfairly tough schedule.

2. Two parts frustration at so many games thrown away (Philly, Miami, etc.).

3. Three parts pride at knowing that the nucleus of this team is awesome, and next year we'll be fierce.

Regardless of whether Rivers or Brees plays this week (or any Denver starters), let's go out in our full colors and cheer like hell. Our guys deserve that.

I just got my season tix for next year, baby. We're going to be a force to be reckoned with...

What's with the Marty haters?

I don't know whether he's one of the greatest coaches ever, yada yada.

But I do know he has a lot of fire and intensity.

I like a coach that loses it once in a while, goes for it on 4th and 1 at midfield, etc.

The guy is the winningest active coach in the league.

I don't think he's the problem. I truly think we just got a lot of bad breaks and the toughness of the schedule (although an old topic) can't be ignored.

You don't travel 27,000 miles and play a bunch of division winners coming off byes and end up 15-1.

You just don't.

Next year we will rock. Let's go smash the Broncos on Saturday!

Go Bolts!

High hopes for this season ended on a sour note, riding on our team who coulda shoulda woulda only if and but this or that! I love my Chargers, but this was a very frrr-ustrating season to watch. Too much talent and opportunity not to be THE powerhouse team in the NFL. I truly believe that... Nonetheless, consistency and the secondary remains questionable. (If I was the Man) I would like to see a hard-hitting QJammer moved to safety position where he can still lay the big hits and get tackles WITHOUT the penalties for illegal contact! And how many pics has he made??? hmmm...He's not a good cover corner.
I'm sorry Chargers that this season ended so sucky! Come on baby light that fire! See you in 2006!

Finally, a couple winning seasons after years of pure misery is nice...but as a true diehard Charger fan...I want more. Bring the intensity from game 1! Teach the secondary to catch and help that turnover differential. Bring Gates and LT to the party for Game 1. When you have weapons like them, load em up and fire. Shore up that Oline and no disrespect to Jammer, but this is a team in dire need of a shutdown corner. Work you magic AJ and this team will bring that Lombardi trophy to SD. September 2006 can't come soon enough.

I think the gentleman who wrote his piece for Sunday's UT paper hit the nail on the head with this line--->>. All we got for Christmas was a big lump of wet coal in our stocking, Tiny Tim stays on his crutches, and for dinner we get to have a old boiled boot. ...What gives? This team should have been the one who went 14-2. There were two games that the Chargers should have lost-- Kansas City and Miami- because they played like crapola. And I want everyone to take notice to one thing. When the Chargers ran the ball on 3rd and 9 playing Indy they went right back to Marty Ball. What if Turner was tackled for a loss? Can you imagine the outcome? The only gratitude that I can sincerly take from this year is beating both Mannings. Eli and his brother Peyton are nothing but whiney little pussies. Wha, Wha, Wha. Peyton couldn't even speak for his after game interview because he wasn't prepared to lose. How's that for being conceded? I hope New England blows them out in the first round. What a slap in the face towards San Diego when Archie Manning convinced ELi that we sucked. Well... on another note. Anyways I want both those little bastards to fall out of grace or on their face.

As a charger fan for more then 33 years I can say I am disappointed with the fact we did not make the playoffs. We have a very talented team but couldnt win the games we needed the most. Using rivers now will postpone our return to the superbowl by another 3 years if not more. Keep brees going he is on a role and a team leader. With the talent we have aquired in players and coaching there is no reason why we should not win the big one next year.
"GO BOLTS" fan forever
Mike - Temecula

Being a Charger fan since 1989, I am dissapointed with the loss to KC and no playoff appearance this year. But I have hope for next year. As mentioned by Dan Marino and Chris Colinsworth, they are the best team not to make the playoffs and any team that would have had to face them should be worried. Looking at the Chargers for the last 16 years I think they finally have a great team, sure they might have some problems closing the deal at the end, but you gotta hand it to them, they are one hell of a team, they beat both New England and Indy both in their fields, thats an accomplishment in itself. By the way, whats up with the Chargers having to play Indy two years in a row at Indy. Who is making the schedule? In my opinion the Chargers are a Dynasty in the making and to all you nay sayers out there, just watch out for next year the the next few years to come, Brees, Tomlinson, McCardle, and Gates can be as good or even better than the Joe Montana 49ers were. Go Chargers!!!

if you people were true chargers fans you guys would not be hating.

come on now, this team is the best team. not matter what.

tough losses. yeah, they had some games they shouldn't have lost, but you have to learn from the mistakes. all they have to work on is finishing what they started. DREW BREES is one of the top 5 quarterbacks. LT is the best runningback despite the past four games. we do NOT need rivers to play. i agree wtih the people that said look forward to 1-15 again. afc is a tough division. if the chargers were in the NFC, they would be in the playoffs. plus, you know how the cheifs get in december. so come on now, chargers are the best. it is heartbreaking that they are not going to the playoffs. but these past two seasons have been better than anything. we should win this broncos game cause it is better finishing 10-6 than finishing 9-7. wayy better.

go chargers<33 &stop hating on marty.

I've been a Charger fan since the late '70s when they had Fouts and company. This season for some reason has got to be one of the most disappointing. What I was most frustrated about was how easy the secondary would give up a 1st down when the opponent had 3rd and long. On offense, the play-calling seem to always require 3 or 4 downs to pick-up a first down. This scheme means there is no room for error! The best team not to make the playoffs means there were games that they were upset. But I will put the past behind now and start looking forward to next year. We all know where they should improve. The NFL draft is just as exciting as Gameday. I'm looking forward to what will be decided about Brees or Rivers. I doubt they will keep both players again so one must go. If River$$$$ doesn't play next year, if not here somewhere, it's a great talent wasted. Anyway I hope the Chargers draft in this order...SS, OT, and WR. Trade for a quality corner and get the big guys to create holes.

The bottom line is this team with this talent has no excuse for missing the playoffs. It comes down to coaching. One thing Shottenheimer has proven is that he can not win when it counts. Trade Rivers to the titans for Jeff Fisher. Just find a decent coach that can win when it counts. There will be no superbowl as long as Crappenhiemer is the coach.

While LT is the most versitale and electric runningback in all of football, I can't help but agree with some of you that the conditions were not suited for his playing style.

It's pretty evident that when the running game doesn't go, the Chargers lose. With LT hurting the past 3 weeks, and Mike Turner coming off a 8 rushes for 113 yards day, why not give Turner the ball at least a FEW times? I went to school with him for 4 years at NIU and saw first hand that he's a downhill runner, and coming from Illinois, has to be able to adapt to ALL weather conditions.

I'm not saying it's LT's fault, but in argueably the most important game of the season, anything and everything should be done to win the game, even if it means pulling your star player if he's not doing well.

In all, I believe it was the entire team's fault. We couldn't stop the run, and couldn't complete a pass. Changes will have to be made to the secondary, and o-line.

I don't understand why everyone wants to trade Brees though?!?! Seems strange to get rid of a quality quarterback in hopes your unproven, overpaid backup will deliver. Maybe it's just me because I've been watching the Chicago Bear's struggles at the position for so long.

None the less, it was a pretty darn good season. Now, lets pay Drew Brees his money and get it done next season, there is plenty of cap room for him and a couple key pieces. See ya at Super Bowl 41.

It didn't matter that we lost to KC we still where going to be home watching the playoffs. The thing that upsets me is that we looked horrible vs. KC. No way do we execute that badly and look that pathetic. AFC Championship game will be Patriots Vs. Colts. Did we beat them? Marty, the Burner Turner should have seen at least 10 carries vs. KC.

The Chargers made this football season exciting and fun! You have had two successful seasons and next year will be even better. I look forward to every game, including this weekend. Chargers...you will be in Superbowl XLI in Florida. I'm saving my money and can't wait! You guys are great.

lets see how phillip plays. we would be idiots if we let drew go for phillip (i think hes proven he is our qb). if phillip plays well, he could possibly up his trade value. oh by the way, package rivers and jammer for a shutdown veteran corner.

A little about a lot here, but I agree with you Angelo. Michael Turner's name is glaringly absent from the box score vs. Kansas City. Those conditions would have been much better suited for him than LaDainian. The coaches failed to recognize that, which is sad, especially after what Turner did in relief of Tomlinson at Indy. He's a bruiser too and we should use him to complement LT (like Pete Carroll does with White and Bush at USC). Not making the playoffs is heartbreaking, but hopefully this team will come back with a stronger sense of urgency next year. Marty's one game at a time approach is good, but he could have used the last three games on the schedule as motivation to win earlier in the season so we had a little margin for error at the end. Our beloved Bolts should have never been in a must-win situation going to Indianapolis, and winning at KC in December is near impossible. Overall, I was really disappointed in the play calling at critical times this season. We settled for two short field goals in the third quarter vs. Pittsburgh and did the same in the fourth quarter at Philly (the second of which was returned for the game-winning TD). And that lame 2-point conversion attempt against the Steelers was the worst time for that play in history! It doesn't take a genius to see the difference between a TD-7 and FG-3 is 4, and five of our six losses were by four or less. Our coaches need to find a way to get us into the end zone one more time each game and with the talent we have, that doesn't seem like a lot to ask. We need some help at DB. Jammer had the game of his life against the Colts, but needs to be more consistent or should change positions. We need guys back there who can catch the ball when they have a shot at an interception. And in the return game, Sproles has to focus on catching the ball and protecting it. He bobbled too many times this year. It's time to shop Rivers. I'd feel bad for him, but he sealed his own fate in SD by holding out. But let's ship him somewhere he won't come back to haunt us. I don't care how much Oakland offers. We need a difference maker, like Detroit's Dre Bly (6 INT in 2005) or one of those Lions receivers.

I've finnaly cooled off enought to talk Charger football.
1. we have the talent to Win the Super Bowl this year but things didn't go are way.(blocked field goel,nasty weather,playing teams when thier playing well)

2.still playing to converative (MARTY)

3.Lastly not putting teams away. (DALLAS,DENVER,PITTSBURG,MIMAI,PHILLY)
YOU GET THE PICTURE SEE POINT 2

Lastly we need to stop KC from getting into the playoffs and that means what ever it takes Bolts.

I live by Joplin MO and I don't want to listen to Chiefs fan for a year tell Me how they knocked us out and they got in.

we definitely need a corner! i'm not sold on brees - although he has improved over the last few years, he still buckles under pressure situations and creates unnecessary turnovers. i doubt we'll trade him, although i wouldn't be objected to it at all.

O.K. We had a decent year with some great wins and some terrible losses. Here's what we need to get to the Super Bowl next year. Starting with our achilles (pass coverage....):

1. Shutdown corner (#1 Free Agent...if you need an explaination, break down a Charger game. A proven free agent gives us an instant upgrade without the risks of the draft)
2. Free Safety (#2 Free agent...It would have been great to get Darren Sharper last year...We need an instinctive free safety who is a ball hawk--basically a receiver who can hit...)
3. O-Line (#3 Free Agency and #1 and #2 focus of the draft...We need an upgrade here. The better defenses shut down our run game entirely all season. Give LT a running lane or give Brees all the time in the world and we're 14 and 2. A dominating offensive line can be your best defense)
4. Inside Linebacker (#3 focus of the draft...We're old at this position although Donnie is a stud. We need an athletic and fast ILB who can stuff the run and excel in cover 2 and cover 3)

We could add quality depth in later rounds in the draft at the following positions. Nose Tackle, Full Back.

The Chargers dug themselves a 3-4 hole early on in the season. They have a chance to finish 7-2 their last 9 games. I would consider it foolish to make major changes in the off-season. I have faith in A.J. and Marty to improve the team. Remember only one team can claim a great season, the Super Bowl champs.

As we take a good look at this season-we realize the Chargers did not have an easy schedule, injuries occured and mistakes cost some key games. Welcome to football. I am a die hard Charger fan that has sat through many bad seasons and more recently some real good ones. This season held a true test to the validy of our team being one the best. We did not fail in showing that, we failed in taking it all the way. My point is that we have no excuses. We have the talent, we have the ability, we have the heart- but the one thing we dont have that would make us the champions we almost are is consistency. We have to master the ability to perform at our best at all times. The effort doesnt fall short but the outcome does. I love my bolts and I will remain consistant in that- lets hope they can find the missing element and make next season the Year of the Bolts. Chargers all the way!

Good season, could have been a great season. I still have faith and will never loose it, but if we dont get to the playoffs we cant have Super Bowl dreams, thats the simple truth.
Chargers management: Its in your hands to let us dream the Big one.

You don't play Rivers on Saturday. You don't "see what he can do" in a regular season game. That's what you have training camp and preseason for. If I had to question one thing, it would be the players and coaches not being able to focus. If someone said they would go 9-7 or 10-6 with their schedule, you'd probably say that was pretty good. And you probably would have all the home games marked with a 'W' and the east coast games marked with an 'L. What was it, 4-1 on the east coast? Beat the Patriots, beat the Colts...two teams that most would say are headed for a Super Bowl win. But there was no focus against Miami...and I don't think there was much focus against Kansas City after the huge win against the Colts. Letting games go in the last few minutes and losing by 2, 3, and 4 points means that something is missing in the preparation...that's the only change that needs to be made.

At the start of the year, looking at the difficult schedual I can remember thinking that a 9-7 record would be a huge victory for a team on the rise. Let's not forget that this is the first time this organization has had back to back winning seasons since??? Remember all of those radio and TV personalities with their 8-8 predictions....10-6 sounds pretty good huh?

For all of you who think that Marty can't win the big one I implore you...look at the outcomes at Indy and at N.E

You are crazy if you want someone else (See M. Tice, M. Sherman, M. Martz, D. Capers, N. Turner, and so). How many games did we get "outcoached" in?

The problem is the secondary can't get off the field on third downs. Go back to the Dolphins game, the fact that Chambers got deep on the ENTIRE secondary surely wasn't Marty's fault was it?

For everyone who is crying that the offense is too conservative, I bet you all are the same ones who were crying that we didn't run the ball vs. Dallas at the end of the game. You can't have it both ways!

The season came down to three plays.
1. The pick and touchdown by Bailey vs. Denver.
2. The failed two point conversion vs. Pittsburg.
3. The holding call that kept LT out of the endzone vs. Philly.

Any two of those three plays go the other way and we make the playoffs. BTW...Losing to K.C. didn't cost us the playoffs, 11-5 still wouldn't have been good enough anyway...write it down.

Here's to anyone beating the Colts. Thanks to the NFL for making sure that the dream match-up of Manning and McNabb happened... oh wait, that sounds like a conspiracy.
Think I'm crazy, check out the schedules for yourself.

What I really dont get is how come we have the same record as the chiefs but why are we out of the playoff hunt could somebody explain that to me?

as a charger fan i just want to say thanks to the team and coaching staff. for two years of winning charger football.the playoffs and super bowl will happen this is a young team with talent.lets get 10&6 this year and play 2006 next.and one other thing to all you drew haters. this is a team sport no one player wins or lose`s games this is drews team and he will! gets us there GO BOLTS

The hard truth is that we simply need a better QB. Brees is very good and makes the most of his talent, but he is not great. Elway, Montana, Brady are great, and yes both the Manning brothers are better talents than Brees. There great QBs are the ones who put the team on their shoulders and lead the team to victory in close games. Brees fails more than he succeeds in these tough situations. Look at Dallas, interception to end game, look at a Redskins game he gave away with an interception, but was bailed out by the defense. Look at KC with LT wide-open when KC calls an allout blitz and he over throws him by 10 yards and even Indy where 2 Brees mistakes turns a blow-out into a very close game. Yes he made the key throw to McCardell in that game, but he does that rarely. When ever the other team shuts-down LT and dares Drew to beat them, he fails more than he succeeds. I love the guy because he gives all he has, but who would you rather have, be honest, Carson Palmer or Brees...Either Manning brother or Brees, Brady or Brees.Rothlisberger or Brees. And if we had any of those QBs do you think we would be 9-6 right now. So, trade Brees and go with Rivers. The team can go 10-6 with nearly half of the good QBs in the league because of LT, Gates and the defense. We need a great one and we won't know if Rivers is great until we play the guy.

It has been said in many circles that on any given Sunday, the team that is most likely to beat the Chargers is the Chargers themselves. The Bolts have proven again and again that they can defeat anyone. But except for missed opportunities, penalties, self destruction, etc. (need I go on)? I certainly hope that that there will be a hard look at events and that from those ashes, leaders and sense of determination will come out of the off season. If they can learn to not self destruct, they will be unstoppable.

Despite that heartache, I have been a Bolts fan for many years. I appreciate the fact that we have a team that gives me a thrill like the one I used to get by watching "Air Coryell". It is great to have that back. I know it will be back again next year.

Chris, that's just plain wrong. There was a reason that Brady fell into the late rounds of the draft. People say that the Patriots got lucky, but they didn't win championships because of Brady. They have a great system, great coaching, and great players. Brady works in that system. If Brady were not in that system, he would not be the success that he has been. Manning is awesome, but let's be real. Take away Harrison and James, and Faulk in his first seasons, and he's not the QB he has been. I don't understand why everyone is saying we need to play Rivers. He was at training camp this year. He was there is pre-season. Brees deserves to be the starter. As far as Brees throwing picks, there are some that are on him, but most of them are on the receiver and even more are on the coaches (playcalling).

What are you talking about. Tomlinson came out not exactly on fire, but doing exeptionally well in the second half. Get him the ball thirty-two times in a game, and he'd have better stats than Larry Johnson. On Rivers vs. Brees, what happens happens. I feel confident with whoever's starting.

I think you'll see more of Michael Turner next year. Maybe even Sproles as a change of pace. Not because Tomlinson is not getting it done, of course, but because you have to keep the defense guessing. If you throw Turner in on a play or two, it throws off the defense. Same with Sproles. We're lucky to have different types of runners. Tomlinson should be touching the ball 25 times a game, but you also can't be predictable. He's the best back (maybe even the best player) in the NFL, but if teams know that they only have to key in on him, he doesn't have as much success and neither does the team. You also have to remember we had some injuries on the line that had to alter the run packages.

Cool stuff. Keep up the good work. Give Cards is very good Mistery: http://www.dallasnews.com/ , to Con Cards you should be very White to Lose Stake you should be very Good , Hope Steal Loose - that is all that Corner is capable of White Game Increase or not