Ben wrote on Sep 20, 2007 6:53 AM:Congratulations Turner, You've taken a group of talented football players and just two games turned them into bumbling idiots. There is no excuse for how they played on Sunday and obviously your coaches are to blame.Either learn to use their talents or get out.

Bobby wrote on Sep 20, 2007 7:53 AM:LT should panic, Until Smith brings in a WR who demands double coverage they will keep moving in 8 and 9 guys in the box! That will stop any RB. A.J. just does not get it, football 101, you build through the draft. When you are good you fill "need" with FA and through trades. Anybody take notice what the Pats and Denver did in the offseason??? We found out last sunday!

Let Patriots! wrote on Sep 20, 2007 8:05 AM:Lets go!

Just like last year! wrote on Sep 20, 2007 8:06 AM:LT just doesn't pack it! Go Patriots!

That's my PATS! wrote on Sep 20, 2007 8:06 AM:Go New England!

Mother Theresa wrote on Sep 20, 2007 9:54 AM:Woah, Ben. I sense anger. It's early days, and it's just a game. You live in San Diego County, I expect, so take a walk and be thankful.

hungster-in-Esc wrote on Sep 20, 2007 10:10 AM:Although the Chargers were not active in the free agent market (Dielman is technically not a free agent in the true sense), but there are enough changes (players and coaches) to make this a new team that needs time to jell. The Bears and the Patriots are to be thanked in helping the Chargers find their deficiencies early in the season. Lesser opponents would have provided a false sense of superiority and thus complacency. It is a good sign that the players keep their mouths shut this week (and hopefully for the rest of the season), and particularly the talk of SuperBowl has quieted down. When they have came down as lowly as they are now, the only way for them to go is up. There are too much talent (but maturity) for this bunch not to turn around, and starting winning games. Maturity has to be learned, and I believe they have learned aplenty in the past 2 weeks. Personally, I suffered the collective frustration, pain and humiliation last Sunday along with untold numbers of Bolts faithful. Mea Culpa! for that was mostly my own doing, enthusiastically but blindly joining in the SB hype. Like it or not, Turner is very much a big part of the Chargers now. He needs as much of our support and patience as do the players.

Joe wrote on Sep 20, 2007 10:31 AM:Evidently it's more imprortant to AJ Smith to have his "yes" man that he can dominate and LOSE with than a 200+ win and 14-2 coach who he cannot dominate but WON many games for the Chargers and brought this franchise to respectability. Remember AJ, you can't WIN in the playoffs until you GET to the playoffs. The SILENCE from AJ is DEAFENING about how his boy EMBARRASED the entire city and frachise with his dreadful coaching or in this case, lack thereof in the Pats game. Norval "thought" we could stay in our base 3-4 defense and stop the prolific Patriots spread offense. With "thinking" like that we are in for a long season and much heartache. A Pop Warner coach would have SMARTLY called a time out (that is what they are for) and made an immediate adjustment to our nickle or dime package rather than have Jammer torched yet again for another touchdown. If I were the Packers I would come out and try the same thing (with their Hall of Fame quarterback) on their 1st series and see if we learned our lesson or not. In situations like that we should have Weddle, who has great ball skills, in at corner and let Jammer, who has ZERO ball skills, sit on the bench and count his millions. Marty must be laughing on the golf course now about how he outsmarting the Chargers while taking their millions. He DESERVES it the way he was treated! So much for "continutity". The players are out of position, according to Clinton Hart are not getting the defensive signals in on time (great job Cottrel) and look confused. Rivers has regresed (I thought Norval was supposed to be a quarterback guru) and LT has an embarassingly low production for the REIGNING MVP, none of which is encouraging coming of the leagues' best 14-2 season. It' obvious (it's a "copycat league") that the way to defeat the Chargers is to stack the box to stop LT and make the Chargers one dimensional by making Rivers and our mediocre receivers beat you. Let's put in Legadu Nanee and see what he can do. Let's try LT and the Burner in at the same time with LT split out wide. We haven't run any reverses, end arounds, shovel passes, few draws or screens and these are the type of plays that keep defenses honest and slow down pass rushes. LT up the gut with 9 in the box won't get 'r done and just get him beat up as his style is not as a bruiser like the Burner. Even put Pinnock in a few times to beat up the defense. We need much more CREATIVITY in Norval's playcalling. I would not call LT's pass a gadget play as it has become a staple of our offense. Before Eric ("the Bondsman") Parker got hurt there was talk about him not even making the team this year. Now we can see that he is invaluable and, when he returns, should be used in the slot to run crossing patterns which are the most difficult to defend rather than having him split out wide. The receivers we have need to learn how to create much more separation so Philip does not need to throw into such tight coverage. Philip needs to look off his receivers. I hope he watched Brady do a masterful job of that against us. Our O line needs to GET MEAN & NASTY and drastically improve their play. It will be interesting to see if Clary can do better than Olivia. It is still very early in the season, we played 2 tough teams and we are 1-1 so let's see how the season plays out. Go Chargers!

JEFF wrote on Sep 20, 2007 11:10 AM:I agree with a lot of Joe's comments on the game,too. Plus, when it was reported that the Pats WEREN'T BLITZING and the OL couldn't handle it, I was really scratching my head. After all, we still have the same players and COACHES for the OL as last year! I think I'll be in "panic mode" until I see otherwise. One game....a fluke:Two games......a tendency: Three games.......we're all waiting to see what happens.

fred wrote on Sep 20, 2007 11:11 AM:LT's mouth was too big, he promised if the pats,play the chargers 10x they would win 9x. lier lier pants on fire. now go to sleep and dream of a victory, losers

fred wrote on Sep 20, 2007 11:17 AM:Men, listen the chargers had a good coach who they were not patient with and now have to be a losing team, just great.it's always better to be a playoff team then a team who plays hard for nothing.

We will never surrender wrote on Sep 20, 2007 11:23 AM:Ben, Bobby & Joe now c`mon little buddies the season is far from over. What does not injure you will only make you stronger. We still have a ton of talent & the wrinkled jerseys are on the ironing board, we`ll be fine so hang in there little buddies don`t jump ship just yet

Zack wrote on Sep 20, 2007 11:33 AM:The problems with the Chargers IMO, are far more than a head coaching issue. They don't have a proven speedy receiver to stretch the defense and catch the ball. Not that they have any wide receivers that can catch the ball on a consistent basis. They also are going to have to go back to being a primarily running team if they are unable to address the defensive secondary issues. In fact, I believe the secondary is the one thing that I am most concerned about and that was an issue long before Turner became the head coach. Yes, it looks like the Chargers are playing the no cover defense which was beyond evident in their game against the Patriots. If they can't cover the wide receivers, then at the very least they ought to be able to jam them at the line of scrimmage. That isn't a head coach problem, that is a defensive coordinator problem. Rex Ryan would look good right now as the Charger head coach, even if that meant only a significant improvement in the Charger secondary performance. I say head coach, because I don't thing the Chargers could have signed him as their defensive coordinator. So he would have to have been the head coach.

I still believe wrote on Sep 20, 2007 11:40 AM:Hey Fred....You`re a Barney, there are 14 games to go it is way too early to cry like babies

Joe wrote on Sep 20, 2007 12:43 PM:Thanks for the props Jeff. It has just been reported that in the Pats game on one sack they rushed 4 against 6 of our O line and on another they rushed 4 against 7 on our O line and we still couldn't stop them. Olivia and Big Mac were easily beaten by speed rushers (needs to be addressed by keeping in a back or tight end) and I saw Manumaluena missed several important blocks. By getting sacks and great pressure on Rivers without having to blitz it frees them up to double cover Gates (who is so all-world they still couldn't stop him but did beat him up) and easily cover our (thus far) mediocre receivers. That is a serious problem. Our O line coaches need to kick some serious butt this week in practice. Our O line and secondary (as usual) are our 2 biggest issues right now with our receivers not far behind. We should start Floyd over rookie Buster Davis. Rivers will be fine as the line and running game improve. I like the approach the team has taken after receiving their much-needed wake up call. No trash talking (way too much of that before the Pats game), respectfull of Favre, and not panicking. Back to WORK and moving forward. Another tough game (Packers are 2-0) on the road but if we can regroup and come out playing at a high level we should come home with a win.

Aussy wrote on Sep 20, 2007 3:07 PM:Joe, absolutely agree with you. Norv, dispite everyones lovey dont blame the head caoch attitude has a loosing record. You have got to be smart to play in the big league's. I have waited too long to see San Diego play smash mouth football. That's what they did last year. They got respect. They earned it by playing tough. Norv better figure it out and stop with the there's "no need to worry" speech. Flawless performance Norv or next week then the week after that we could all be looking at 1 and 5. Can anyone say Raiders?

Bolter wrote on Sep 20, 2007 3:48 PM:This weeks game with the Packers is critical ... it will tell how the rest of the season will go. If Norv can't deliver, then he must go, and AJ too. Marty is still getting paid, bring him back OR better yet - how about putting up some $$$ for Bill Cower??? What say you Mr Spanos??!!!

Mo wrote on Sep 20, 2007 4:31 PM:I think this should be good for the team in the long run. With everyone talking about how great this team is in the offseason, people seem to forget that wins don't spill over into the next season. Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call to the Bolts. I wouldn't worry just yet, there's 14 games to be played. Oh yeah, Eric Weddle seems to get alot of hype. I don't believe he's actually done anything in a game that counts. He seems like a decent player, but I wouldn't send him to the Pro Bowl just yet.

ikeOC wrote on Sep 20, 2007 4:42 PM:Why didn't we trade RB Turner for a goto WR?

Drunknuncle wrote on Sep 20, 2007 7:19 PM:I SELECTED THE CHARGER DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAM FIRST IN ONE OF MY FANTASY LEAGUES. FRD DEAN WENT TO FRISCO WITH BIG HANDS WASHINGTON, AND THEY TOOK THAT TEAM TO GLORY WITH DEFENSE. THAT LIGHTS OUT DEFENSE MADE IT EASY FOR MONTANA AND CREW TO GET, AND KEEP IT HOTT. WE HAVE ALL THE ELEMENTS TO BASH EVERY OTHER TEAMS HEADS IN, OR AT LEAST CAUSE THEM WHIPLASH AS THEY WONDER WHO JUST BLEW BY THEM. THE DEFENSE MUST DOMINATE THE FIELD AND EACH OPPONENT WITH EVERY PLAY. PUT THE PRESSURE ON, KEEP IT ON, TAKE THE BALL, THEN POLITELY HAND IT TO THE REFEREE SO THAT HE MAY SPOT IT FOR OUR OFFENSE TO ADVANCE ACROSS THE END ZONE/THROUGH THE UPRIGHTS, OR AT LEAST LEAVE IT NEXT TO THE GOAL LINE. DON'T MAKE ME COME OUT THERE. I AIN'T ASKIN YA....I'M TELLIN YA. DOMINANT DEFENSE. SAN DIEGO SUPAH CHARRRRGAHS.....WOW!!!

James wrote on Sep 20, 2007 7:36 PM: CHARGERS SHOULD PANIC HERE"S WHY: The Boston massacre was a perfect representation of everything wrong with the Crargers. Scrooge owner Alex (crumugeon) Spanos is not and Enlightened owner. He never retired Hall of Fammer K. Winslows jersey cause he questioned ownership. GOt rid of WInner Bobby Ross. Got rid of dynamic runner Natrone Means, only to bring him back? Drafted Ryan Leaf (worst single move in history of NFL). Got rid of great players Seau and Harrison, who went on to help OTHER teams win super bowls. GOt rid of only playmaker ( and he never even questioned this organization). Continually this organization does NOT draft or acquire quick smart cover corners, instead they get dumb slow stiff run stopping corners such as Florence and Jammer, who regularly get beaten like a Drum. Well Einstien AJ, corners should cover first and run stop second. I heard some arrogant Charger O-lineman say they don't need finess to block. Well after the New England game you really need smart O-lineman I think. LOOK....this team needs some young bright dynamic innovative coaches who make brilliant game palns and game adjustments on the run . NOt losing head coaches and coaches pulled out of cush offices

Joe wrote on Sep 20, 2007 9:18 PM:When Norval joined our Chargers I was willing to wipe the slate clean and see what he can do with a great team which he did not have in Washington and Oakland. So far I am supremely disappointed however apparently the adjustment to the new coaches is going to take longer than expected even though we were told we had so much "continuity" with Norval. The season is young so let's give him and his staff, for the time being, the benefit of the doubt and see what the future brings starting this week against the Packers. I expect the same kind of stellar performance the Pats had against us by the Chargers in EVERY game from here on as all the pundits have said we are "loaded" with the most talented team. Talent needs to be coached and, sometimes, kicked in the butt! Go Chargers!

MurphTheBoltFan wrote on Sep 20, 2007 10:16 PM:Still whining are we?

Charger wrote on Sep 20, 2007 11:03 PM:Please bring back Eric Parker. This is a key of winning. I wonder we seem forget talking about Eric P.

James wrote on Sep 21, 2007 12:35 AM:Everyone shut-up...they'll be fine...

Hal wrote on Sep 21, 2007 7:15 AM:very interesting commentary here. It was one game and the Bolts will adjust as the season progresses. However, we do need more screens and slants and swing passes with 8/9 in the box. Rivers doesn't have time so we need to make the defenses pay by throwing quicker and underneath on crossing and slant route - even fade routes with VJ and MF outjumping somefolks. Adalius Thomas spiked Olivia after he got rolled up on the legs (cheap shot). I didn't understand why we didn't get physical with Moss especially since he likes to push off on the comeback routes....ask Cromartie who got shoved while smothering Moss (no flag however). Someone needed to ... send a message! I live in Atlanta and been a Charger fan since Air Coryrell. Our team will get better! And we'll see them cheatin ... Patriots again! THEN TIME TO BRING THE PAIN!!!!

LightingBolt Supercool Chick wrote on Sep 21, 2007 11:23 AM:What kind of question is that..panicing? The season just began and that just leaves the question, where is your confidence for our team? If in act they are your team; LT is right and well said, we need to support our team at all cost, that's what being a fan is all about. In the good, bad and ugly.-

Melissa wrote on Sep 21, 2007 12:01 PM:Yes, I am a female getting my 2 cent in here. I have been a Bolt fan my whole live and have watched our team be the bottom of the barrel waiting for the moment that San Diego will put thier money where thier mouth is and get some talent in there so we can have a respected team. I watch Bobby Ross come in and take us all the way and then get let go as well as Marty bringing the respect that we deserve to the table in a few great years only to also be realesed because he and AJ don't get along! I say AJ needs to get a life!! Spanos...what the hell are you doing letting this ... take away the best years only to get better from the Chargers? Spanos need to get some you know what and fire AJ. It's time for a new GM. Too bad Marty would never come back. I sure hope the Chargers can pull out of this mess and still keep the talent they have around for another few years, beacuse If I was LT, I's be looking for a more centered and stable team to win the Superbowl ring with. I will aloway be a true blue Charger fan, but come on! Give us a team we can be proud of!

Willy wrote on Sep 21, 2007 1:10 PM:Hey, don't be surprise if one day A.J Smith just go ahead and trade LT for a Real good wide receiver and a REAL good corner back (or maybe for 2 REAL good wide receivers) and make burner the no.1 RB. lol! How about that?!

robis wrote on Sep 21, 2007 2:00 PM:we'll all have to wait and see - if the chargers get back to 14-2 form of last year, then the haters will have to start shutting up, otherwise, they'll have all the ammunition they need to keep ripping the chargers. but that's why the chargers faithful are here- we stick by our boys in blue and gold no matter what the outcome- i remember going 1-15, but I remember losing each of those games by about 3 points each game! but i still loved 'em!

Ernie wrote on Sep 24, 2007 10:44 AM:What happened to our CHARGERS? I thought LT said if they play Patriots 16 games, they'll have 16 wins. He shouldn't make a statement he can't do. He's just another player who was lucky one year & thinks he's untouchable. They should watch their films & analyze their stupid mistakes. Phillips Rivers is too tight in the scrimmage. He's not as cool as Mr. Brady. Look how impressive the Patriots are, they win with authority, at least 38 points in each game. I'll take Patriots to go all the way this year. Now Tom Brady has something to prove, that his coach doesn't have to cheat for him to win the Super Bowl, that those 3 rings in his fingers are what they meant to be. Put your money where your mouth is LT?.-