steven wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:02 PM:My question is: Do refs get away with calling bad calls?? Last week was one of the worst examples on how to officiate a game.

Almost same question here: wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:42 PM:I'm a novice at understanding the calls, downs, games, etc, but I was very impressed with the instant playbacks, even I slow motion, and then wow, from every angle too. How many cameras catch every second? That's not my real question though. Being a novice, I didn't see any 'bad' calls and assume any that are in question can be clarified/decided once the officials see the playbacks. How then can there be a bad with the playback system? And please remember, officials can't be everywhere at once. I would assume officials would not be asked back if they have a record of 'bad' calls, right? THANK YOU - I do recall your Charger years!

Following up wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:46 PM:Willie, wouldn't there have been many more so-called 'bad' calls, or at least questionable ones, when you played without the sophisticated instant playbacks that could zero in on a player's fingernail? And do you believe there are dishonest officials? I don't. Go Chargers!

Moderator wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:49 PM:Willie is here now. He's getting settled and we'll be answering your questions shortly.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:54 PM:First question from Steve: Yes referees get away with calling bad calls. It's hard to play against 17 people as the Chargers had to last week. But that's why instant replay is being used. And that red flag that the coach can through out to challenge referees calls.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:57 PM:There are at least two cameras on both sidelines, four in the stadium, plus in some instances the overhead camera which can give you any angle they need. For the big games, you know there will be more cameras because of instant replay.

bhall wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:57 PM:willie, would you really want a piece of randy moss if you were still active? i didnt think so.

Matt B. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:57 PM:Having played in Green Bay...do you think cold weather truly plays a factor with warm weather teams and how will that effect the Chargers this Sunday?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:58 PM:To following up: It's because some calls can't be challenged.

Jeff wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:58 PM:Why are the Patriots so awesome? I'm picking a 48-10 win for NE on Sunday. Your thoughts?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:59 PM:To almost: Thank you. Nice to know someone remembers back then. We had fun.

Matt B. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:00 PM:Willie, having played in Green Bay...how much does the cold weather effect warm weather teams and how do you think it will effect the Chargers this Sunday?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:02 PM:I would love to go after Randy Moss. For the simple reason that I played a lot of bump and run. With bump and run you challenge the receiver to beat you on every down. But in some instances you have a free safety covering you deep.

Brian wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:03 PM:Since you played for two of the four teams in the playoff finales, are your two picks for the SB Green Bay and the Chargers or the opposite. Picking with your heart or your mind.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:03 PM:To bhall: I was a cover corner. That means I covered. Back then there wasn't a 5-yard rule. We could beat them up all the way down the field.

Rogelio wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:04 PM:Do you think the current Patriots squad ranks as the best team ever?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:05 PM:Matt B.: When we played the playoff game in 1981, back in Cincinatti. Over half the team's players were from cold-weather colleges. They knew about cold weather, they were just on a warm weather team. The weather can be your allie or your enemy.

Booker wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:05 PM:Willie B. Booker "C" here. Happy New Year and I hope the family is well? Willie, I truly believe the Chargers are going to win this game! What do you think the Chargers MUST do to pull it off?

bhall wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:06 PM:who was the toughest wideout you ever had to cover? (in terms of talent as well as actual "toughness")

Steven wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:06 PM:Well then why can't you throw a red flag on a holding call?? Cramartie's return was legit...

Another question, I love the way Rivers "talks trash" how dose the rest of the team feel about it?? dose that make a good leader on the field??

Thanks for your time....

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:09 PM:Every few years a team gets on a roll and everything just clicks. The Patriots have been assembling a good team over the last few years with great players. When you add in key players in certain positions like New England did, sometimes the chemistry just works.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:09 PM:I'm picking a 35-28 win for the Chargers.

Brian wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:11 PM:Can the Chargers season help get recruits for your Alma Mater (SDSU)?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:12 PM:Brian: Yes my two picks are Green Bay and the Chargers. Green Bay playing New York at Lambeau Field is a given. And San Diego has a vendetta. They owe them one.

Wilie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:12 PM:San Diego will win the Super Bowl this year against the Packers.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:14 PM:To Booker: It's going to start with both lines. You have to control the line of scrimmage. You do that and you don't turn the ball over and you win. How's the magazine going?

Lanzaraldo wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:16 PM:Will the news that alleged assaulter Randy Moss is being "blackmailed" (tee hee) by a woman in Florida will affect his play sunday?

Todd R. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:18 PM:Let's go back to 1979. No Earl Campbell, no Dan Pastorini, no Ken Burroughs...how in the world did you lose that playoff game?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:19 PM:Brian: (Laughing) No. They have to fend for themselves. They need some interior lineman on both sides of the ball.

Kirk wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:20 PM:For a team that has won as much as the Chargers in recent years it never fails to amaze me how modest the players act on the field after a victory. Is that just classy players or is it a reflection of what a great leader Norv is?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:21 PM:Lanzaraldo: No it won't. Randy Moss has a goal set for himself and he won't let anything stop him... except for the Chargers.

Matt B. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:21 PM:How idiotic and out-of-line were Igor Olshansky's comments the other day? And do you think that Philip Rivers is a punk like everyone else?

Lanzaraldo wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:22 PM:Willie, in your prime do you think you could single-handedly take down a big tight end in the open field?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:23 PM:Todd: Let's go back to last week. No Rivers, no L.T. and a gimpy Gates... Chargers found a way to win.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:24 PM:Todd: In 1978, someone threw me four interceptions in one game in which the Green Bay Packers beat the San Diego Chargers. In 1979, someone threw Vernon Dean four interceptions at key times in the game. That was the difference.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:26 PM:Kirk: Well, Kirk. There was a lot of whining at the beginning of this season. Then the team decided to just play football. I think they bought into the system that Norv could take them to that next level.

Matt B. wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:27 PM:Coke or Pepsi?
Sega Genesis or Super Nintendo?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:29 PM:Matt B.: Igor believes that they should have beat the Patriots early in the season , but that team that played early in the season is not the same team coming back into New England Sunday. For that reason, he'd say: look out.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:31 PM:Matt B.: There are people that are put in the stands just to get a player distracted from the game so they will say just about anything. I know in the past, I have wanted to go up into the stands to pull somebody out, especially when they are talking about your mother.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:33 PM:Matt B.: I'm a Coke man. Don't play any games anymore. I'm still hooked on Space Invaders.

Steve wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:33 PM:Willie,

What do you think about Antonio Cromartie? Do you think he'll be able to sustain Pro Bowl-like production over the long haul?

Neal wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:34 PM:Hey B,

Wonderin' when you and Pete were planning to pick me up for that Glendale meeting between Chargers and Packers.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:35 PM:Steve: Yes. I think he's one gifted defensive back. He's as big as a wide receiver and faster than all of them. He's just got a knack for getting to the ball. In time, he will develop himself as a, what I like to say is a well-rounded defensive back by not only being able to cover, but hit and force on the run.

Brian wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:36 PM:Over the past two seasons, the Chargers record vs playoff teams is under .500 and they went 12-0 last season vs. teams that did not go into post season play. This season was the same except Minnesota missed out in the last weekend of going to the dance and it took OT to beat Tennessee and an understaffed Colts team missing a chip shot FG for two wins vs. good teams. So that being said are the Chargers just paper champions?

Lanzaraldo wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:39 PM:Of all the running backs you saw, was O.J. Simpson the best at eluding defenders with hard cuts?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:39 PM:Neal: When you fix my sink.

Booker wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:40 PM:I totally agree! Win the line battles and don't turn it over and its on to the Super Bowl. Do you double Randy or just get physical with him? Also, what about spreading them out on offense with LT and DS in the slots and Turner in the back field?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:41 PM:Brian: No I don't think they are just paper champions. Yes they had an easier schedule last year, but I think that helped them understand this tougher schedule this year, knowing that every team was going after them... like every team wants to beat the Patriots.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:42 PM:Brian: Remember the Patriots should have lost a couple games this year, but they just found a way to win. They should have lost to the team the Chargers beat twice this year: The Colts.

Roger wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:43 PM:The Chargers had everything going for 'em last year and couldn't beat the Pats in SD. Now you really expect them to go into New England - where they're pretty much unbeatable come playoff time - and beat 'em there? Seriously? Come on.

Lowman wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:44 PM:Shouldn't the Patriots be even more upset at the NFL and the world for what the league ruthlessly did to them earlier in the year? I think it was unfair of Roger Goodell to punish Lord Belichick and his choir boy players who obviously had no knowledge of what was going on.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:45 PM:Lanzarardo: No. He was good. Let's start with Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and you'd have to throw someone like L.T. in the mix as well. O.J. was good, but these are great players.

Eli wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:45 PM:With speculation of the franchise moving, why not build a stadium in good ol' San Marcos? The money generated will help alleviate the grime and "less than attractive" real estate climate.

JEFF wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:47 PM:SERIOUSLY !!

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:47 PM:Booker: You're going to have double him and get physical with him. Both of those things need to happen because you can't leave him alone. The Chargers aren't going to change too mcuh of their offense because they've been successful. I think Turner could be a key to this game, just because of his hard running. And if the Chargers don't run the ball every first down, everything will be all right.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:51 PM:Roger: Well Roger, that's why they play the game. The Patriots came in and beat San Diego last year, yes. But this is a new year. San Diego knows what they have to do, and there's only one team in the way of them going to the Super Bowl. Be serious, that's why they play the game. Otherwise they could just sit at home and fans like you wouldn't have anything to talk about.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:53 PM:Lowman: Get a clue Lowman. I'm going to tell you a little story. Yes, every team was doing it... is doing it. And I can remember being on the sideline when Lord Belchick came into town and because I work for the league, I check infractions to make sure their socks are pulled up, their shirts are tucked and they're wearing the right shoes. I also take pictures of all infractions. Lord Belchick's staff tried to force me not to take pictures and all along they were taking pictures... BUSTED.

Tildo wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:54 PM:Franco Harris' "imaculate reception" vs. the Raiders : the greatest play in sports history, or is it just me?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:55 PM:Eli: Well I hope they are coming to Oceanside, Eli. That way I would be five minutes from the stadium and wouldn't have to go that far and the money could stay in my town. Could you see a Super Bowl featuring the city of Oceanside?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:55 PM:Eli: Plus, my real estate stock would go up.

Rob wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:55 PM:You are an awesome DB, Willie! I grew up watching you play excellent ball. Thanks for participating in this forum. Go Chargers!

Lowman wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:58 PM:Thanks for the info Willie, but I find it hard to believe Lord Belichick would do something like that. That sounds completely out of character. Are you sure you have the right guy?

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:59 PM:Tildo: That was a great catch, but the greatest play in sports history would have been if that referee handed called holding on Cromartie last weekend. Franco is a good friend of mine. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year the same year I was Defensive Player of the Year. I'll see him at the Super Bowl.

Roger wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:00 PM:Being that you're the uniform police, which team is the sloppiest when it comes to uniform infractions? And I'm assuming you'd never blow the whistle on the Raiders being that they're pure class in the sweet Silver & Black.

Lanzaraldo wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:00 PM:Former Chargers DB Vince Glenn...waste of a roster space or unrealized potential?

Booker wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:00 PM:Willie, how would you handle Welker

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:01 PM:Thanks Rob. Really appreciate it. I did have fun.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:03 PM:Lowman: Are you serious Lowman? Do you know what other players and coaches say about Lord Belichick? I could never repeat those words.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:04 PM:Lanzaraldo: Vince Glen could have played in my secondary. We'll leave it at that.

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:05 PM:Booker: Someone that quick and fast, you have to throw his timing off. Get someone to bump and run him and shadow him... but you need help over the top.

Tron wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:06 PM:and a banana cognac!

Willie Buchanon wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:08 PM:Roger: Green Bay. They are probably the worst. About the Raiders: By the time they get to San Diego, they start to fade so they are the Faders, not the Raiders.

Chowderhead wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:08 PM:Pats are wicked awesome. Brady is Jesus reincarnated.

Moderator wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:09 PM:Thanks Willie. We appreciate your time.

bhall wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:10 PM:who was the receiver who talked the most trash in your day? and what choice words did you use to get into someones head?

Lowman wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:10 PM:Thanks again Willie, I might have to do some more research on Lord Belichick. On a more serious note, if the Chargers get the opening kickoff what are the odds they do an onside kick? 3-1? 5-1? I think it might give them the electricity they need.

Lanzaraldo wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:11 PM:Raiders...a.k.a. "FADERS" LOL Will !, L-O-L! If I was L.T., I'd punctuate every touchdown in Oakland by shoving the ball into their Black Hole.

WestSide wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:53 PM:Hey Boston transplants - if New England is as cool as you constantly publicize (hourly) then why don't you move back? We are so over your dirty baseball hats with overly bent bill, stupid accents, "wicked" lingo and unwarranted arrogance. Seriously, go home and stop annoying everyone who's from here.

CHARGERS4LIFE wrote on Jan 18, 2008 9:35 PM:Pats fans please move there and support your team. Will stay here and rep our citys team SAN DIEGO CHARGERS #1 Win or lose we still live in the best city. Thanks Chargers for a killer year!!!!

New Englander wrote on Jan 19, 2008 1:58 PM:Wow! Willie, you did play some great ball, you seem a bit one-sided. The Chargers could not stop Peyton last week, he stopped himself. Why would you think they are going to stop the Pats? I see a big Chargers loss, Pats never make the same mistake twice!