San Diego Chargers Turn "Lights Out" on Merriman, Keep Offense in Tact posted by Bowe Fertig

The San Diego Chargers are never the aggressor, money-wise, when it comes to signing players during the offseason.

The last big-name free agent the Chargers signed was David Boston in 2003, and what a bust that was.

Unfortunately, the Chargers depend on their draft more than they should while watching other teams sign game-changing players.

You could maybe attribute late season runs that end earlier than expected to the complacent nature of the Chargers during the off-season.

Not this year and not this time.

If the Chargers want to become like their sports-city compadre, San Diego Padres, then they will do what they have been doing in past offseasons—doing just enough to be considered good, make the playoffs, and fall short.

The Super Bowl run begins this offseason for the Chargers and the resigning of Norv Turner tells me there will be a lot brewing in San Diego this offseason.

Shawne Merriman won’t be drinking from the San Diego brewing companies anymore as his lights-out dance became less apparent.

Merriman, who had a good, young, lights-out career with the Chargers, has given the organization no reason to re-sign after his past two seasons.

Merriman displayed a decrease in speed and the inability to get to the quarterback after last year's one-game season. He has never been good in coverage and with season-low numbers in tackles (36) and sacks (four) there is no need to give up the big money Merriman will be asking for.

With never more than 70 tackles in one season but being the only Charger with 10 or more sacks in his first three seasons, Merriman has some upside. When healthy he impacted games on many different levels and came up huge in big-time games.

Why The San Diego Chargers Signed Norv Turner To a Three-Year Extension posted by Bowe Fertig

The San Diego Chargers' CEO Dean Spanos and General Manager A.J. Smith have made the biggest desperation move in Super Charger history.

The three-year extension signed by Norv Turner only makes sense in one big way, and that’s money.

For an organization to re-sign a head coach who has consistently been outcoached in the playoffs to a three-year extension so quickly is absolutely dumbfounding.

My mind hurt when I found out Norv Turner was signed to a three-year extension within a day of losing to the less-talented Jets.

I was still trying to get over the heartbreaking Charger loss, and now this.

But after considering the Chargers' biggest obstacle to future success—the resigning of free agents Shawne Merriman, Darren Sproles, Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill, Jeromey Clary, Malcom Floyd, Mike Tolbert, and the decision to keep LaDainian Tomlinson, money seems to be the most logical reasoning behind the move.

San Diego is faced with a huge obstacle this offseason of forking over money to keep the Chargers' best players, and have made it easier on themselves by re-signing Norv Turner.

The Chargers past offseasons haven’t reflected the aggressiveness, money-wise, needed for what’s necessary this offseason, and keeping a head coach that everyone gets along with can make the decision easier for players to stay.

I know most fans want a coach who brings more intensity to the locker room, like Bill Cowher, but he doesn’t fit our offensive scheme, and San Diego will need to spend more money for an offensive coordinator.

Jets stun Chargers 17-14 in San Diego posted by Joe Anello

It was an ugliest of games for the team in the prettiest of cities. After winning 11 straight games to finish the regular season, the San Diego Chargers came out with a resounding thud at home against the Jets on Sunday. Penalties, missed field goals and turnovers formed a perfect storm of suck for the Chargers and kept the Jets in the game until the final quarter where they took and held onto the lead to advance to the AFC championship game with a 17-14 victory.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Chargers jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Philip Rivers found rarely-used tight end Kris Wilson in the endzone. That was the lead taken into halftime, thanks to a stingy Jet defense and a lackluster but safe Jet offense. New York added a field goal in the third to close the gap, but you never felt like the Chargers offense could be stifled for four quarters. Seems like the Jets offense didn’t get the memo, as they were the ones who refused to be held down.

After a fantastic pick of Rivers by Revis, the Jets were forced to punt it right back, minimalizing Rivers' mistake. On his very next throw Rivers was intercepted again, returned by safety Jim Leonard 11 yards to the Charger 16.  A touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller capitalized on the turnover, giving New York their first lead of the game. On their next drive, rookie Shonn Greene broke through the San Diego defense for a 53-yard scamper to the endzone, putting the Jets up 17-7. A late rally by Norv Turner's offense was marred by poor clock management but did result in a touchdown to bring it back to 17-14.  A failed onside kick gave the road team the ball, which they ran on four straight plays including a gutsy fourth-and-one conversion by Thomas Jones to secure the win. All the Chargers could do was watch.

Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Sunday posted by Joe Anello

Even if yesterday's were drama-less (story of the playoffs so far), I couldn't miss a second. That won't change today as the most hyped game of the weekend starts Divisional round Sunday. New York's Cinderella story (is Rex Ryan the fairy godmother?) closes out the night with a west coast appearance. The Opening Drive of Divisional Sunday in the NFL starts now!

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
1:00PM ET FOX

I don't know if you knew, but Brett Favre is a Viking. Back for one last (?) Super Bowl run, Favre has done all Minnesota has asked him. Now its time for his team to show up. That means blocking for Adrian Peterson and the secondary showing up to play. Hopefully Brad Childress did some coaching this week,

Dallas has been under fire for failing in December and the post-season for several years. Now, they've broken both "jinxes" and found themselves one game away from the NFC title game. Wade Philips saved his job with a pounding of Philadelphia last weekend and will look to blow Favre up in the pocket. 

Analysis: Minnesota wishes they had Dallas' offense. The Cowboys have been committed to and successful with the run, and Romo has been efficient with 20-26 throws a game. Felix Jones needs another huge run to loosen up the Vikings' D so Miles Austin can strike deep against poor-playing corners. Favre will be under pressure from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff all afternoon, which will cause at least one interception, maybe two. Dallas' defense is playing dominant football while the Vikings have been inconsistent at best. Adrian Peterson has to be the game-breaker today and not the poster child for fumblitis.

Exercising the Demons posted by Amari Harris

The Cowboys have a huge match-up this week against the #2 seed Minnesota Vikings.  But, I don’t think that will keep any Cowboys fan from relishing in what has transpired over the last month.  Over these last 4 weeks the Cowboys have exercised all of their “demons” and now simply have to go into the Metrodome and take on the 12-4 Minnesota Vikings led by Brett Favre to advance to the NFC championsip.  Piece of cake, right?  Well before we stuff ourselves, let’s digest the last month of the season and see what the Cowboys were able to stomach (pun intended). 

Demon #1:  DECEMBER

It all started in New Orleans when the Cowboys took on the undefeated New Orleans Saints.  They were coming off back to back losses to the Chargers and Giants and the December monster continued to loom.  Most experts predicted that the Cowboys would not only lose Saturday night in New Orleans , but that they could possibly free fall out of the playoffs with more late-season losses.  The Cowboys went on to man handle the Saints for the majority of the game and DeMarcus Ware added a signature performance  to his growing legacy. 

After handing New Orleans its first  loss of the season, the Cowboys took on a semi-surging Washington Redskins team that wanted to show what they had to new GM Bruce Allen.  Result:  17-0 shut-out, courtesy of Wade Phillips and his suddenly vaunted defense.  The Cowboys had punched their ticket to the playoffs but I have to admit that there were

Joe's Opening Drive: Week 15 posted by Joe Anello

After another dramatic Colts win, the still-undefeated Saints try their luck against the Cowboys on Saturday night while the second seed in the AFC is on the line on Sunday. Let's start the Opening Drive of week 15 in the NFL!

(8-5) Dallas Cowboys at (13-0) New Orleans Saints 

Dallas' DeMarcus Ware is going to play less than a week after suffering a neck strain, but that may not be enough for the free-falling Cowboys. Going into New Orleans and escaping with a victory will require near-flawless play and a lot of luck. Even without tight end Jeremy Shockey, Drew Brees has an abundance of weapons at his disposal. If the Saints move to 14-0, it will could signal the end of Dallas' playoff hopes and the end of Wade Philips' tenure as head coach.

***UPDATE: Dallas freaking did it. I'll be sure to cover this stunner in the Final Drive.

(8-5) New England Patriots at (5-8) Buffalo Bills 

Don't look now, but the rest of the AFC East is catching up to the Patriots. If Bill Belichick's squad loses another road game (which they've done consistently this season) and Miami or the Jets win, the Pats will fall out of the division lead and risk a playoff berth entirely. In a up-and-down season in Buffalo, this could be a signature win to carry them over into next year.

(9-4) Cincinnati Bengals at (10-3) San Diego Chargers

In the most significant game of the weekend, San Diego and Cincinnati are essentially playing for the number two seed in the AFC and an additional home game in the playoffs. San Diego has been lighting teams up in December while the Bengals were just lambasted by Minnesota. After the tragic loss of Chris Henry, I can't believe the Bengals are going to have enough in the tank to head out west and win.

Big Test Coming for Big D posted by Nicholas Schwartz

The Dallas Cowboys have entered their December swoon, and yet I'm not worried.  The defense couldn't contain the pass.  The offense couldn't punch it in from the one yard line.  And off we go to New Orleans, a team that will pass all over you, that will stuff you at the line.

 But the Cowboys have a great opportunity.  If they can beat the Saints, they keep their playoff hopes alive and stay one game ahead of the Giants.  If they can beat the Saints, some of the doubts in December will go away.  They face their toughest test on Saturday.

 Tony Romo hasn't looked horrible this December: far from it.  He hasn't thrown perfectly on every pass, but he's completing the passes he needs to and avoiding turning the ball over.  Normally he is part of the problem in December.  This time, he could be the solution.  Against the Giants he threw for 392 yards, 3 touchdowns and set new records for attempts and completions.  Against the Chargers he was less stellar, but still threw for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. Over the past three games his lowest QB rating was 111.7.

 This game is essentially a must win for the Cowboys.  They still stand a chance if they lose, but the Giants would have to lose at least one and the Cowboys would have to win their last two.  The Cowboys have to know that their season is slipping away, and must follow the examples set by the Redskins and the Falcons taking the Saints down to the wire.  They must come out strong and keep the Saints defense on their hills.  On defense, the pass rush must get to Brees and force him into errant passes.  The secondary has given up too many homeruns over the past few games and need to step up now.

Must Win Game? posted by Amari Harris

If the Dallas Cowboys do not defeat the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, then they will not make the playoffs.  At least that’s what ESPN’s Michael Smith implies as he analyzes the Cowboys December schedule.

It is a strong statement but I have to agree with Smith on this one.  Other than the fact that he is my favorite ESPN analyst, Smith puts forth undeniable logic.  If the Cowboys lose on Sunday then that December question will continue to loom and it will become more than a myth- it will become prophetic stigma.  It seems almost unfair that the NFL would stick the ‘Boys with such a daunting schedule in the last month knowing their struggles, but Roger Goodell can’t save them now.  After losing to the Giants, the Cowboys have put themselves in this mess and they’re going to have to fight their way out.  If they lose this game on Sunday, then they’re going to have to hit the panic button, the panic switch, and the panic remote control. 

This game is eerily similar to a December game last season in which the Ravens came to town and handed the Cowboys a demoralizing loss in their final game in Texas Stadium.  The Cowboys had just come off a victory over (who else?) the Giants, and were looking to build some momentum as the playoffs approached.  Despite outplaying the Ravens for the majority of the game, the Cowboys defense collapsed and allowed the Ravens to run the ball right down their throat for

Here We Go Again (Part 2) posted by Amari Harris

A game like Sunday begins to make you wonder, “Are the Cowboys truly incapable of finishing out a season?”  Despite getting a career performance from their quarterback (41-55, 392 yards, 3 TDs, no picks), the Cowboys fell to a Giants team in turmoil.  Eli Manning completed less than 50% of his passes and the Giants couldn’t find any consistent offense.  So how in the world did the Cowboys lose this game?

A lot of analysts seem to want to point a quick finger to the run game.  That just doesn’t seem to be the case in my view.  Sure, the Cowboys only rushed for 45 yards, but the main point of running the ball is to control the pace of the game and the clock.  The Cowboys nearly doubled the Giants time of possession (38.50-21.50) and ran 31 more plays than the Giants.  So controlling the pace of the game wasn’t an issue for this team, and the run game just wasn’t working. 

The most worrisome fact about this latest loss to the Giants has to be the fact that the defense and special teams, which had been so consistent throughout the season, let this team down in crucial situations.

Since the loss to the Giants in week 2, the Cowboys defense has stepped up and limited big play opportunities.  They have played extremely disciplined throughout the season.  They have allowed some untimely 3rd down conversions but have been spectacular for the most part.  This was not the case on Sunday.  Although one of the touchdowns allowed came after a costly fumble by Marion Barber, the other two were a direct result of Dallas’ inability to stop the big play.  The Giants 3 offensive touchdowns came on drives that lasted :19 seconds, :45 seconds, and 1:28.  The Cowboys dominated the game for 57 minutes but gave up 28 points in a total of less than 3. 

Going Forward: Can the Dallas Cowboys conquer their December Woes/Foes? posted by Amari Harris

To this point of the season the Cowboys have taken care of business, for the most part.  The Cowboys could very easily be 9-1 had they just maintained their composure against the likes of the New York Giants and Denver Broncos.  But instead of dwelling on what could have been, the ‘Boys did a good job of moving on as they went on to win 6 of their next 7 games and claim 1st place in the NFC east.  Unfortunately, none of that matters now.  The Cowboys are 8-3 with the Philadelphia Eagles in a close trail at 7-4, and the Giants still kicking at 6-5.  And being that the final five games of this season are in the dreaded month of December, the phrase “anything can happen” is an understatement. 

In the last 3 seasons the Cowboys have gone 5-8 in the month of December.  Their December woes are well documented so I don’t have to go too far into detail to paint the picture.  They have been battered and bruised in this month and they always seem to lose the big game.   Tony Romo has taken a large share of the blame for these losses as he has QB rating of 71.9 in the month of December while posting a 93.0 QB rating during the other months of the season.  So any Cowboys fan knows that December is looming and this will be the biggest test yet for this team.

The Cowboys final 5 games is a brutal stretch that includes 3 road games and 2 home games against the red hot San Diego Chargers and revenge minded Philadelphia Eagles in the final game of the season ( sound familiar).  They have 3 tough division games along with 2 tougher non-division games against the aforementioned Chargers and the best team in the leaguer right now, the New Orleans Saints.  The last time the

Report: LT thinks he's done as Charger (AP)

LaDainian Tomlinson says he believes he has played his last game with the San Diego Chargers. The running back told The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday that he has thought for a while he would be let go by the Chargers. His comments come after more than a month of saying he did not know what would happen. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Chargers puzzled by playoff pratfall (AP)

The San Diego Chargers still don't have much of an explanation for their latest playoff pratfall, although the word "uncharacteristic" popped up plenty as players headed into a gloomy offseason. The Chargers, believed by some to be Super Bowl favorites, took a face-plant in Sunday's 17-14 loss to the New York Jets. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Pitt makes Norv Turner's son WRs coach (AP)

Scott Turner, a Pitt offensive assistant the last two seasons and the son of San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner, has been promoted to wide receivers coach. The former UNLV quarterback joined Pitt's staff in 2008 after spending two seasons at a Virginia high school. He also was an administrative graduate assistant at Oregon State in 2005. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Chargers suffer another playoff fold(AP)

LaDainian Tomlinson sat alone on a plastic folding chair, drumming his fingertips together and staring at the shiny silver toes on his shoes. In a moment, he would walk across the worn blue carpet to explain why the San Diego Chargers belly-flopped in yet another dive into the postseason. Tomlinson could only hope it wouldn't be the last time he walked through this stadium where he's done... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jets stun Chargers to reach AFC title game

New York is halfway toward that Super Bowl parade promised by coachRex Ryan after rookies Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene led the Jetsto a stunning 17-14 upset of the San Diego Chargers in thedivisional playoffs Sunday. [read full article]

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