Bobby wrote on Nov 4, 2007 4:32 PM:Good ol Norv was playing the #32 ranked team in pass defense yet ran the ball on first down all day until he fell behind late in the third? Whats with that? Tired of a winning record already? All that did is get Rivers in third and long so they could send the house at him. Oyes, I just can't say enough about Smith and his buddy Teddy, as they say in poker,,, theirs a pair to draw too

Jose wrote on Nov 4, 2007 4:55 PM:Too bad for the Bolts. It looks like we're witnessing a return to the good Ol' Chargers we've come to know in the past. Curious thing, notice how the Chargers losses were on the heels of record breaking performances and outstanding play? Tom Brady's sizzling and dominant play, Farve's comeback performance, Adrian Peterson's record breaking day. Hey, in all seriousness, who's that guy coaching the Chargers? Is that Harland Svare or Tommy Prothro? Gotta like Rivers lack luster performance. His passes are off. Looks like he's distracted or just easily shaken up. The O-line looked good the last couple of games, but then look who the Chargers played. Good for the ego for the most part. The D has played fairly well. Too bad the Bolts D couldn't have racked up more points on turn overs lol. The pass D still looks shakey and tackling this game looked dismal. Maybe some tackling fundamentals are in order. Did you see how often takles were made with heads down. Seems body tackles have a tendency to bounce off strong backs. I don't think the Bolts are ready for the big dogs. A repeat performance (such as the one vs the Vikings) against the Colts next week and the Chargers should get their asses served to them on plate! I pray it's not so and that corrections will be made to remedy their current play. Good luck Bolts. This season's winds of fate seem to be blowing gale force against you and the path is not too well lit! Marty who? MIA: Junior, Rodney, Drew, and Donnie- Oh yeah that's right, they're no longer in San Diego. My bad; wishful thinking but I still love ya, Bolts.

North county fan wrote on Nov 4, 2007 5:20 PM:Is it time for Ted Catrell to be shown the door yet...? How many more lackluster defensive performances are we going to have to put up with. As a great coach once said "Offense scores points, Defense wins Championships!"

Jimbo wrote on Nov 4, 2007 5:21 PM:We need to upgrade the QB position and fire Norv. Bring in Volek or Whitehurst!!!

Sickofit wrote on Nov 4, 2007 5:22 PM:Fire the defensive coordinator. This was a terrible performance.

Super bowl wrote on Nov 4, 2007 5:43 PM:I smell chargers(toilet) a super bowl!

Joe wrote on Nov 4, 2007 10:15 PM:Congratulations to Cromartie on his spectacular NFL record-breaking run back! 2 great downfield blocks by Cooper and Merriman to spring Cro the rest of the way. Great punting. "Obviously", to use Norval's favorite word, the rest of the team just mailed it in. We got DESTROYED by a 2-5 team with a rookie running back (yes he is excellent) and a THIRD string quarterback. Oh, they also set an NFL record rushing against our vaunted run defense. Now Cottrell can add the dubious distintion of the TACKLE WHO to his infamous COVER WHO resume and coaching defense who gave up the most rushing yards by a back in NFL history. Start Cromartie instead of Florence, start Weddle instead of Hart and start Naanee over Jackson. Cromartie on all returns from now on. Sproles is ok but does not have the breakaway skills of Cromartie. Promote Rivera now and run a 4-3 if necessary. The 4-3 is standard and our players have run it since Pop Warner football so it should not be that hard to do. Terrible game by Philip and the offensive line. Terrible angles by our safties on the long runs just like on the slant passes that killed us against the Packers. Horrific play calling by Norval! Try mixing in a fake to LT and a pass on 1st down. Ever heard of a reverse, quick pitch or draw play? How could the WORST pass defense in the NFL shut Gates down completely? If this is not the ultimate wake up call I don't know what is. We should have been running wide instead of into a brick wall inside with their outstanding and dominate Williams tandem. Good game plan and play calling Norval. This game is EMBARASSING as it gets. The good news is that we are still in contention for a terrible AFC west division. We need to beat the Colts to get back to .500 and show everybody that the Chargers are capable of beating a good team. We know they can beat, and LOSE, to bad teams already. Go Chargers!

Joe wrote on Nov 4, 2007 10:24 PM:Correction, Chargers need to beat the Colts to get over .500 which is possible if they can rattle Manning. Go Chargers!

B wrote on Nov 4, 2007 10:52 PM:I watched the whole game and I was confused; this didn't look anything like the Chargers from last week. Did Norv tell everyone "OK, the fires are over, back to business as usual"? What happened to the tackling? Gotta admit the Vikings played better than a 2-5 team but I was embarassed the Chargers allowed Adrian Peterson to gain the most yards EVER in a single game while LT got stuffed. Peterson is a great young back, but c'mon, I thought LT was supposed to be good too. The imbalance in the run game was stunning. Now the really bad news: we need a QB. I've been telling my friends since last year that Pilip Rivers isn't an elite QB now and will never develop into one. If you listen to his interviews you'll even notice he sounds more like a coach or commentator, not a great QB. The way he describes his own reactions to plays on the field makes me think he just doesn't "get it," and each week teams find ways to make him mess up. He threw so many terrible passes today I almost started to cry. I could see his receivers' faces and it looked like THEY wanted to cry too. I really want to like Rivers, but his playing scares me (in the bad way) and I can see that it scares the other players too. I think today his playing scared his own defense. I think other teams that are smart will capitalize on this and beat the crap out of the Chargers, and guess who comes to town next week...On the bright side, Antonio Cromartie is on fire and blew me away with record setting 109.9 yard missed field goal return. The same day the Chargers give up the most yards ever given to a single rusher, they also make the longest play in NFL history. Weird stuff, now let's get a QB.

Embarrasing wrote on Nov 5, 2007 4:53 AM:JUST embarrasing!!! Go Norv Go! Go Norv Go! Whoops, almost forgot, Go AJ Go! Go AJ Go!

Noodles wrote on Nov 5, 2007 5:54 AM:Rivers = Leaf enough said. Clearly Rivers gets rattled far too easily and the Chargers would have been better off if they had kept Brees. Brees does seem to be a bit smaller and his arm strength isn't that great, but I wouldn't be surprised if he had a stronger arm than Rivers. He definitely has more mobility. I don't understand how a guy that big and slow can have such a noodle arm. Even Bledsoe seemed to get the ball out faster and had more mobility and I never liked Bledsoe as a QB. I don't have a problem with Rivers occasionally pump faking the ball, but when the offensive line is having problems holding off the defensive pass rush, Rivers should have just passed the ball and stop with the pump faking on practically every pass play. PUmp faking doesn't do any good anyways if Rivers isn't going to be able to throw balls that his receivers can catch. I should have known that Rivers isn't much of an athlete when I saw him run into the end zone a few weeks ago, you could have time him with a calendar. This game was lost on the offensive side of the ball. No way can any defense hold up when their own offense can't sustain drives for any length of time. The Chargers IMO, wouldn't have done any better under Marty. I don't recall Marty having a good record with the Chargers when the Chargers were playing a tough schedule. Given how poor the 49ers are playing, I wouldn't be surprised if the Patriots who have the 49ers first round pick, were getting a top ten pick. Who cares if the Patriots lose their own first round pick, when they have the 49ers pick.

mark13 wrote on Nov 5, 2007 6:32 AM:vincent jackson did his job sunday. rivers underthrew him he got snubbed on that pass interference where the defender fell and he got hacked a couple times. ted cotrell their is a reason this idiot didnt even have a job on a coaching staff last year. he wouldnt be able to stop norvs first down runs up the middle. better game plans and tackling needed badly or indy is going to pick us apart.

To Jimbo wrote on Nov 5, 2007 7:17 AM:You are right on. Even when Rivers had all the time he needed, he wasn't close, throwing off line, underthrowing, overthrowing. It's becoming a pattern. His good days are an average day for alot of NFL Qb's. And Turner, you bring in a looser as a coach and that is what you are going to get, losses. His play calling is unbelievable. The offensive coordinater needs to leave also. The rest of the team should be outright embarrased, their big heads probably thought it is only the Vikings and the Chargers were favorites. The Chargers only hope is that the rest of the division continues to suck like them, then the Chargers can at least get in the first round of the playoffs with a losing record.

Ha ha ha! wrote on Nov 5, 2007 8:16 AM:LT who? It was SURE fun watching the Dolts get hammered! Go Vikes!

Nor Cal Charger wrote on Nov 5, 2007 8:27 AM:Here we go again. After 3 straight wins, Mr Rivers is back to his usual self. We all know we won the week before (35-10), but he was 7/11, that should have raised a few questions. Then he goes 3 and out time and time again. That is why Peterson (Congrats!) ran all over us. Regardless of how good a D is, if you are out there for the majority of the game, you are going to get tired. Does missing Hardwick make our O that bad? What happened to short throws to Gates? It was hard to watch...we have a TOUGH road coming ahead..8-8 is now a reality and if we win the West(thanks to a lack luster division) We would have to probably play Indy again, we now have to draft/trade for a QB in the off season, Rivers is NOT going to lead us to the promise land, sorry guys. Go Bolts!

and you want a new stadium wrote on Nov 5, 2007 8:42 AM:boy talk about a poor game. did someone forget to give merriman his {super}juice maybe next year LT will go training camp instead of making tv comercials for CHUNKY SOUPS. the bolts need to listen to the city council, we don't want you here, start winning then ask for new field.

mikeydbluesman wrote on Nov 5, 2007 8:45 AM:That was a sorry performance by The Chargers. To paraphrase the late great Vince Lombard, GRAB, GRAB GRAB NO BODY TACKLING. Rivers is moving around before the snap like a headless chicken. What the **** is going on out there.

Still Our Chargers! wrote on Nov 5, 2007 9:04 AM:I honestly didn't expect them to win every single game frome here on out, but what shocked and disappointed me was a loss to a bad team. We were predicted to win this game by a large margin. Maybe we underestimated the Vikings as an easy victory? Or perhaps they had the home field advantage in their favor which resulted in a win? Who knows. I'm not an expert (nor am I pretending to be one) but judging from our earlier 3 losses in the beginning of the season and this loss yesterday, I blame it on our poor QB and Norv. Rivers is almost as bad as Rex Grossman, hate to say it. This team has way too much talent to be losing to bad teams and playing poorly! Regardless, I'm still rootin' for my Chargers. Luckily everyone in our division lost yesterday, and we are still tied with KC-speaking of KC, I think they have been riding on luck this entire time and are not as good as they "think" they are. On a lighter note, at least we are not as bad as the Raiders and Denver. GO CHARGERS!!

Buddy not Bobby wrote on Nov 5, 2007 9:06 AM:I have been telling everybody since Norv was hired that this was a bad decission, but all you fans that don't have a clue just bought into the hype. Are you ready to wake up and smell the coffee? One of the many mistakes that AJ made was to keep Rivers. If you really watch this guy, you will see a QB who is not ready to be in the NFL. I'm sure he was a fine college player. The NFL is faster and he looks like he is moving in slow motion. Let norv do what he does best ( OC ? ), and get a head coach who knows how to prepare a team for every week, and not every other. DC, nothing comes to mind except pop warner. Spanos, fire everybody and start over, it might not be too late ( I hope ). AJ is living off the brilliance of John Butler, maybe he should have learned that this game is about the players, and not yourself. Take your over-inflated ego, and the coaching staff and go back to Oakland, where you will give at least 2 wins a year! Since we are in the worst division in the NFL, we have a chance at the playoffs, but without new management, it will be another short season. Give the players what they need.... a chance. Go Bolts!

Bolter wrote on Nov 5, 2007 9:38 AM:Good job by Cromartie - a highlite in an otherwise dismal day. Here comes that 8-8 season I talked about when Norv was hired! Norv and AJ what a combo. Yikes, 8-8 might be a pipedream ... could be a losing season.

scotte wrote on Nov 5, 2007 10:18 AM:Coaching, coaching, coaching. What's the biggest and practically the only difference between this season and last year -- the coaching. AJ made the decision; now Spanos needs to make a decision and fire his GM and entire coaching staff. The Chargers are loaded with unmotivated talent, who are poorly prepared.

Somebody check Norvs pulse wrote on Nov 5, 2007 10:42 AM:Nick Hardwick is definately missed. Cottrell doesn`t adjust. & Norv is not a head coach. The days of the immobile QB are coming to an end. USD`s Josh Johnson should be available in the 4th rd. Even IF we win our division we can`t beat Indy or New Eng. AJ has to make some changes, might as well start now.

Joe wrote on Nov 5, 2007 10:46 AM:"OBVIOUSLY" we got WHIPPED and EMBARASSED (why did Norval AVOID using that word to describe this pathetic performance in his post game press conference) like a puppy dog by a 2-5 team playing their THIRD STRING quarterback! Tlak about an embarassment. These 2 Charger quotes from this article tell the story: "THEY were in CONTROL" and "THEY WANTED it MORE than us". Fellow fans, that "obviously" (Rivers used that word 11 times too many in his 3 minute post game interview and the word "again" 9 times too many) shows that our players are LAZY and have been doing WAY too many commercials, reading their own press clippings and expecting average teams to simply roll over for them. A major flaw is Hart and McRee taking TERRIBLE angles on both the slants in the Packers game and the long runs in this game. They are supposed to be our SAFETIES which are our last line of defense and BOTH of them took ATROCIOUS angles (good coaching Cottrell) and could not stop the long runs (did not get within 10 yard of AP) and neither were even BLOCKED! Start Weddle NOW as he is a much smarter player. It also goes to ABYSMAL COACHING for not LIGHTING A FIRE under their LAZY butts like Marty did. Like him or not you don't get to 200 NFL wins by not being able to motivate players and kick them in the butt when they are LAZY and UNDERachieving. Marty was a master motivator and Norval has the personality of piece of dirt. Marty had some tough playoff losses (Byner fumbling on the one yard line going in, STUPID "Headbutt" Florence (start Cromartie already) and Mcree not knocking down the 4th down pass against the Pats etc. and yes, he did make some questionable decisions but the fact remains that he turned this woeful franchise into a winner from a perennial loser (essentially the same players that Norval now has a .500 record with and that AJ has "locked up" long term) and he at least GOT us to the playoffs and would have gotten us there had AJ Smith not played such hardball with Gates-how can he have the audacity to treat a player of Gates's all pro talent and gentlemanly personality that way forcing him to hold out which surely cost us the Dallas game and the playoffs in '06. "Run LT into a brick wall" Norval and "Get a clue" Cottrell are our "coaches" for this year and AJ will make his assesment at the end of the year. I hope they can improve and we can make the playoffs (good thing the rest of our division stink also) and actually win a game or more but if not, AJ Smith will have some serious egg on his face for letting Marty go. Beating the Colts next week would put us back on track but we have shown that we cannot handle the blitz or the spread formations and until we can we are going nowhere fast. Go Chargers!

J-dog wrote on Nov 5, 2007 11:11 AM:MARTY!!!! We need you!! All this talent gone to waste on bad coaching.. How ironic...

usanaman wrote on Nov 5, 2007 12:29 PM:fire the norv and cotrell make rivera dc and get any body that can kick these guys in the butt to play better. WHAT WAS THAT YESTERDAY? A POP WARNER TEAM COULD BEAT THIS TEAM THE WAY IT PLAYS. WHAT THIS TEAM NEEDS IS A BIG BOOT UP THERE BUTTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SUPERBOWEL CONTENDER HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOT WITH NORV AND COTTERLL

Arlan wrote on Nov 5, 2007 1:00 PM:It is obvious to me. This is the same team that took the field last year. So, what is different? It is spelled C-O-A-C-H-E-S!!! Last year the running plays that went in to run were NOT 90% between the tackles. The pass routes were more comlicated and the balls were caught. The d-backs were weaker on paper than this years team but, they made plays. Charger Linebackers and defensive ends intimidated quarterbacks. So, play calling MUST have something to do with this teams record. Duhh? Ya Think? Who calls the plays? Norv, on defense and the Coordinator on defense. Sorry to make it look simple but, If the personnel that is suppose to be among the best in the league is still there, then COACHING is not just suspect...IT IS THE PROBLEM. Now, when will A.J. finally recognize that he hired a LOOSER?

Joe wrote on Nov 5, 2007 1:47 PM:Memo to Norval: Here's how you beat the blitz: AUDIBLE out of a run up the gut with 10 in the box to a slant, sideline or quick pass, PASS on FIRST DOWN to set up the run, use the SHOTGUN, use a SPREAD OFFENSE (hello Urban Meyers who is a master at it) which requires the defense to spread out instead of stacking the box, run WIDE (LT's strength is in space) instead of into a brick wall huge of Pro Bowl linemen when you have an undersized 2nd string center playing, and MAKE ADJUSTMENTS instead of NOT fixing what IS broken. Add the lack of all of the above to UNISPIRED and undisciplined players and you have a recipe for the disaster we saw yesterday. What do you think our record would be if we had Bill Cowher coaching, and SPITTING at, our team? I would bet the farm it would not be an inept 4-4 and losing to a 2-5 team playing their 3rd string quarterback. C'mon Chargers, develop some pride and self-rspect and START EARNING your vastly inflated salaries aleady! Let's take it out on the Colts on Sunday. Go Chargers!

BoltDan wrote on Nov 5, 2007 1:59 PM:As I have said before Marty is missed and Norv is horrible... 32 in pass defence and we ran, ran, and ran... way to stick it to them Norv... Rivers will be OK once we get a decent line to block for him... AJ must GO!!! maybe get Marty back but if not anybody but Norv.... Start Cro and get rid of Jammer or Florence they stink and will be shown this week against a far superior team the colts..I am returning to the old days when all I wished for was to beat the Raiders and that will be my happy place. 14-2 last year what were we doing??? Now look at all the other teams, they improved over the year and we ..??? well we went backwards... any more people going to tell me how good AJ is??? he is a gambler and he was just bluffing and got called...we are done this year even if we win the division (which we could) it would be an embarresment to play in post season the way we look.

Mo Hawk wrote on Nov 5, 2007 2:27 PM:I find it deeply disturbimg when our defensive leader tells me, the fan, after a humiliating loss that "they wanted it more than we did today. I give them credit." And, its not just that it's a weary old cliche'. If you really look at those words, the way they're arranged together, and the true meaning of the sentence, well, that's just way more embarrassing than letting a rookie running back set an NFL record for single game rushing. I give Merriman props for hitting his 'kool-aid incident' at least semi-head on in the press(he did blame his trainer), but this kind of comment is inexcusable. It's deplorable on two levels because it means one of two things: 1)that he, as a representative of a team that just turned in the worst performance against the run EVER (what is that, like 100,000 games?)doesn't owe the fans that pay his obscene salary any dignified, meaningful explanation, or, 2)that this team lacks SUSTAINABLE PRIDE. Both are just too far outside the realm of what it means to be 'elite.' I don't think I'll ever be able to perceive Merriman the same way again, and that's sad. I think they should suspend practice for a week, and just get together in a room for 12 hours a day and stare at that quote. No talking allowed. Just stare. And hey, I'm not totally sold on giving up on Rivers, but his current trend is starting to remind me of the demise of 'Jigglin' Jim Everett with the Ram's of the early '90's (I refraim from the Ryan Leaf reference out of respect for River's as a person; Leaf belongs in his own special guilded cage built out of shame for being such a pompass derrierre). The post describing Rivers as approaching the snap like a "chicken with it's head cut off" is pretty funny, though. Well done. Four names I'd like to see more of to help curb this problem of "not wanting it enough," Cromartie, Weddle, Naanee, Volek...

RICHARD wrote on Nov 5, 2007 3:19 PM:AS I HAVE STATED BEFORE TOO FRIENDS AND HERE HIRE A LOSING COACH END UP WITH A LOSING TEAM. WE ALL SEEN IT BEFORE WITH THE CHARGERS. WHAT IS WORSE HIRING A DEFESIVE COACH THAT WAS WITH BUFFLO AND COULD NOT WIN FOUR TIMES IN THE SUPER BOWL.DONT BLAME THE PLAYERS FOR THEY DONT CALL THE PLAYS,YES THEY MAKE PENILTIES,AND DONT PLAY TO THIER POTENTIAL. BUT LOOK WHO COACHES THEM NORV AND TED.ITS TIME TO THINK ABOUT CHANGE

PB or Mission beach ? wrote on Nov 5, 2007 3:30 PM:Forfeit the colts game & lets go have a beach party with the Charger cheerleaders

BoltDan wrote on Nov 5, 2007 3:51 PM:But there is no drinking at the beach anymore Mr. PB??? and you need to drink the way our team is playing... Lets all watch Jammer get torched next week and then him blame injuries or???? Let Cro go...start him... How about some play calling to Norv... run up the middle.. wow that is great.

John wrote on Nov 5, 2007 4:20 PM:"If the personnel that is suppose to be among the best in the league is still there, then COACHING is not just suspect...IT IS THE PROBLEM." There is also a another possibility; this team wasn't that great to begin with and just played the season of their lives with a pretty weak schedule. I am tired of people talking about how great these guys are and giving all of the blame to the coach, and all of the credit to the players. Poor tackling by a professional athlete is exactly what it is; it's not as if good coaches have to remind their players to tackle before games. Also, Rivers is subpar at best. The defense seems a lot slower than last year and defenses have pretty much figured out that LT doesn't run up the middle very well and will actually run out of bounds when near the sideline to avoid being hit (people said the same about Emmit Smith when he was in his decline).

chappy wrote on Nov 5, 2007 4:47 PM:With all this negative talk about our team dominating this message board, i would like to take a second to applaud our best draft pick this year...Legedu Naanee. He is the real deal and ive been sayin this since we drafted him. He could be this years Marquis Colston(he is that good) but continues to sit the bench. Going back to pre-season he has delivered when given the chance and he is our second best receiver on the team. I love VJackson but he does not attack the ball well and thats a shame for a guy that big. Naanee has great hands, great size(6-2,226),is very smart(ex-quarterback in college) and can block well(look at the screen he caught and the block he put on kevin williams). We need to give this kid a chance or in a couple years when his rookie contract is up he will leave and will shine for another team. NOW i want address all you who are doubting Rivers and comparing him to leaf...you dont know what your talkin about. First of all, the blame goin to rivers needs to be put on our O-lineman who couldnt even block me right now. Marcus McNeil is in the middle of a sophomore slump as he has been beatin many times this year, olivia is an average tackle at best as it is, goff commits to many holding penalties, dielmans been are best lineman so ill leave him alone, and losing hardwick was huge but this unit was struggling long before he got injured. Now with that said Rivers has looked flustered in the pocket and has thrown bad throws, but those bad throws are due to him gettin rid of the ball due to pressure and you guys arent given him credit for throwin the ball away rather than takin a sack and losin yardage. Let me remind all of you he is only in his second year starting, and he is still getting better. Even Big Ben struggeled early in his second year and look were they ended up that year. Dont judge Rivers until the year is over. You can only judge a quarterback on wins and losses and Rivers is 18-6 as a starter and has led us to great comeback wins that Brees never would have won. For all of you who say we should of kept brees your all under the sun way to long cuz brees is an average quarterback at best. He buckles under pressure, fumbles the ball when sacked, cant see his lanes due to his height which causes him to anticipate alot of throws, and he doesnt have the killer instinct like Rivers. Rivers wants to kill opponents and has a warrior like mentality which brees lacks. He hates losing and yesterday you could see him getting frustrated at are o-line all game. Everybody, marty and Brees are gone...get over it!!!! This is are team so lets move forward and get ready to rock the Q sunday against Indy!!!

SdBolt wrote on Nov 5, 2007 6:56 PM:I'm on my way to BLOCKBUSTER to see if the NFL's Most Embarassing Bloopers of San Diego Chargers Video is in yet.

Sd4Bolt wrote on Nov 5, 2007 6:58 PM:I'm on my way to BLOCKBUSTER to see if the NFL's Most Embarassing Bloopers of San Diego Chargers Video is in yet.

Jimbo wrote on Nov 5, 2007 7:32 PM:Brees is an average QB? He was only the 2006 NFL All Pro QB who led the league in passing. Second to our beloved LT in the MVP voting as well. He also took a perennial losing Saints organization to the playoffs in his first year with the team. I think that all you NC State Rivers lovers should wake up and accept the fact the Brees is a better QB than Rivers and the stats back that up. Right now Rivers is killing this team with bad play and that is a fact. Either he improves now or should be benched. Bad play is why the NFL stands for "not for long".

Joe wrote on Nov 5, 2007 10:10 PM:The Brees vs. Rivers and the Marty vs. Norval comparisons and people's opinions about these comparisons can be interesting to some fans. Yes, Brees had a very good year last year and, as he is a good guy, I am happy for him and the city of New Orleans. However I don't have to think too hard to recall the very many terrible games (can anybody say 1-15?, getting BENCHED etc.) he had EARLY in his career with fumbles (small hands) and weak throws that floated or were overthrown. He is smart and a much better scramber than Rivers. Here are some facts to ponder. At this very moment, (regular season only) with Brees having SEVEN full years (that's a whopping 112 starts) starting in the NFL and River with only a minescule 24 starts (with an excellent 18-6 won/loss record) they have virtually equal quarterback ratings with Brees at 84.6 and Rivers at 84.9 with Brees holding only the very next ranking above Rivers in the NFL. EXPERIENCE is the best teacher and Brees has 4.66 times as much experience as Rivers. Rivers is going through some growing pains (Brees' were much more difficult to have to endure 6 and 7 years ago) but he is MUCH BETTER at THIS point in his career than was Brees. In comparing the 2 it is only fair to compare them at the same points in their careers. It is very possible that Philip will win a Superbowl by his 7th year. I find it interesting that after 7 years Brees has the same quarterback rating as a novice NFL quarterback (Rivers) with only a mere 24 starts. I would have to say that I would prefer Rivers overall as he has much more UPside than did Brees which is the reason AJ Smith let him go besides the fact he was injured and AJ did not feel that he was worth anywhere near the 10 Million $ the Aint's paid him. Interesting that NO OTHER NFL TEAM, (that's right, zero, nada, zip) had any interest (a tiny bit by the Dolphins but nothing serious and no offer) in Brees whatsoever when released by the Chargers. I do get the feeling that LT misses Brees, as they bonded being fellow Texans, and he also very much misses Marty who became a father figure and mentor to him. All young quarterbacks struggle and Rivers will be no exception however the Chargers are lucky to have him. He was born to play football and as he matures and gets more experience he has the potential of becoming similar to Brady and Manning. At least he can see over his offensive linemen. As far as the argument that we have a better O line than Brees did early in his career, take a good look at how we got manhandled by a 2-5 team yesterday which destroys that argument. Last year was against a weak schedule. I am hoping for some soul searching and creativity in offensive play calling to at least make a good game against the defending Superbowl champs on Sunday and maybe even sneak out of the Q with a victory. Go Chargers!

Chargers Fan wrote on Nov 6, 2007 8:48 AM:Just like Cromatie, said The vikings wanted the win more then the chargers did. we all expect more out of SD, especially going against a team like the viking's. I happen to like Rivers, but i will agree chargers Defense needs to work. Wheres Merrimen? Dont mean to Call out The D, but WTF? Lay off of Norv...Give'em a chance

Joe wrote on Nov 6, 2007 10:27 AM:I forgot to mention that Rivers made the pro bowl in his very 1st year starting and it took Brees several years longer than that.

Mo wrote on Nov 6, 2007 6:12 PM:Guys, this loss is a kick below the belt. It's looking kinda murky right now, but I'm not giving up on 'em just yet. We got 8 games to go and we're sitting at .500. Now that's not exactly what we imagined it would be in August, but the good news is, the rest of the AFC West is struggling too. I'm trying like hell to be optimistic about this year. I tell you what, I don't think any of the fans will be able to stomach another loss like this though. Hang in there my brothers, but keep a bottle of Pepto by the couch just in case.

timjenc wrote on Nov 7, 2007 7:32 PM:Give the Vikes some respect! Other than a QB they are a good team. We actually got a consistent QB in the 2nd half that could throw with the threat of a running game

ADEE wrote on Nov 7, 2007 9:24 PM: HEY BIMBO! I MEANT JIMBO! TAKE YOUR OWN ADVICE AND LOOK AT THE STATS! I DONT SEEM TO REMEMBER BREES MAKING THE PRO BOWL HIS FIRST YEAR AS A STARTER! AND I SURE DONT REMEMBER HIS RECORD BEING 18-7 THRU HIS FIRST SEASON AND A HALF AS A STARTER! PHILIP IS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF BREES IF YOU CONSIDER WHERE BREES WAS AT THE SAME TIME IN HIS CAREER! PROTECT AND HE'LL DELIVER!

viking wrote on Dec 4, 2007 6:41 PM:go vikings ya ap baby