Noodles wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:29 AM:Yup, before the first quarter ended, I knew Volek should have started. Here is why:

1. If Rivers is the future QB of the team, he won't be if he blows out his knee/knees. This is his second year in a row that he has been playing injured in the playoffs, not a good sign.

2. In typical Rivers form, he hasn't gotten much on the balls he throws and of the ones he does throw, they are usually late.

3. The Chargers had opportunities to get the ball deep, but they did not play a QB that could get the ball deep so that a receiver could catch it in stride. It doesn't matter how fast a wide receiver is, if the QB can't deliver the ball in time and in stride so the WR can catch it.

4. LT wouldn't have been a factor even if he was healthy. He has not looked good at all this year on first down run plays. Granted, they could have thrown some screen passes to him, but the problem is that the Patriot defense didn't have to play deep, because the Charger QB couldn't get the ball there. So the defense did not have as much of the field to cover. I have no problems with the Charger running backs that did play.

5. I am not saying Volek would have won the game. He could have played worse, but he is certainly more mobile and more of a threat to run than Rivers and as a result could have made the defense play more honest. He also has a better arm than Rivers.

6. An argument could be made that the Chargers need to keep Michael Turner and deal Tomlinson. LT isn't the player he was, and IMO, this year certainly looked like a huge drop off in his playing as compared to last season. Plus his attitude seemed a bit whiney this year.

7. The defense played well enough to win, but the time of possession by the Pats wore down the Chargers D.

8. Norv Turner, it seems like most of the year has been calling first down running plays with little results. The playoffs haven't been much different.

I am a life long Charger fan and I can see this team for what is. It has a great deal of talent, but it does have issues with execution. You can always say that the Chargers are young and will make the playoffs next year. That is not a guarantee. Especially if LT continues his decline in play and his attitude continues to be poor.

Congratulations to the Patriots for winning the game and now they face Eli in the Super Bowl. A Super Bowl I have no interest in watching nor will I. I didn't watch it last year either. The three teams I dislike the most are the Patriots, Giants and Colts. That being said, I do have a great deal of respect for those teams. They have gotten much farther than the Chargers have.
I have been to many message boards reading, and it seems like a lot of Charger fans out of frustration have turned on the Charger team and other fans. That is understandable. No one likes to be disappointed, but disappointments are a fact of life. I do believe it is perfectly acceptable to critique and criticize the team. A true fan doesn't just go along for the ride. A true fan is willing to acknowledge that this Charger team has faults and foibles just like every human has. Things could have been better, things could have been worse, but regardless of the criticisms that fans may have, they all should be allowed to be voiced without being censored.

Given what happened earlier this season, I don't think it is good for the league to have the Patriots win the SB.

I also don't think it would be good for the league to have Eli win a SB ring and I wasn't too happy when Elway won his SB rings.

Clearly IMO, the loser in this is the NFL. You have a QB that didn't want to play for the team that drafted him on one team and you have a team that got stripped of a draft pick. Neither situation benefits the league.

Joseph wrote on Jan 21, 2008 4:48 AM:If he plays in the probowl we'll know just what a fraud Tomlinson is. Rivers proved something to me. Gates proved something to me. Tomlinson showed no guts. The chargers should trade him during the offseason when his gutless but "classy" guy still has some value.

Larry wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:43 AM:LT "could not stand the pain"? That is what shots are for! I have read that Gates took a shot to kill the pain so he could play. I would not be surprised if Rivers and LoNeal (metal plate and screws in his foot just a month ago) also took pain shots with their MAJOR injuries. In the biggest game of LT's career and one that a victory would have propelled the Chargers into the Super Bowl for only the 2nd time in history, LT decides (yeah, the coaches took him out but he could have gone in if he was determined to play-there is "no tomorrow" in a Championship game-you must leave it all on the field like Kellen Winslow or Fouts) to take a warm and cozy seat on the bench and keep his helmet on so a national audience can't see him sulking and pouting. I wonder how many hundred thousand dollars the Chargers PAID him to get 5 yards and call it a day. AT LEAST he could have gotten his butt off the heated bench and been walking (he had no problem running off the field) up and down the sidelines encouraging his team mates. He also could have played as a decoy and not gotten the ball or taken a hit yet the defense still had to account for him not knowing if he was seriously injured or not.

LT has stated publicy that when the offense is playing and he is on not the field that he watches and pretends he is running the ball and studying the defense. Did he talk to Michael Turner or Sproles or Norv and tell them what he was "seeing"? No, maybe he can't actually see out of his Darth Vader black visor or just decided he liked his nice warm seat instead of trying to HELP his, uh, I mean Rivers' team, win the big game.

After the gutsy and effective playoff performances by Rivers, which has his team mates saying it is the gutsiest performances by anyone they have ever had on their team, it is clear that Rivers has now assumed the unquestioned leadership role on the team.

As LT is older, injured and beat up and shown to have a sullen, and some would say even selfish attitude, is it out of the question to keep M. Turner for a tough, brusing back, use Sproles as an LT quick back and draft another big punishing back (late rounds at small salary) and trade LT for 2 first round draft choices which would improve the Chargers overall? This would save the Chargers a ton of money and allow them to fill holes with #1 draft choices and use the saved money to extend their quality players. Trade him to the AIN'Ts where he could reunite with his buddy Drew Brees.

If the 49ers could trade Joe Montana in today's NFL no player is untradeable, including LT. Just a thought.

Pain not issue wrote on Jan 21, 2008 9:40 AM:Why don't all of you listen to what is said. The reason for LT not playing was the inability to do certain things, NOT THE PAIN. The real pain here is listening to stupid comments. That being said, it was inexusable the way LT was on the sidelines, even with an injury. He needs to remember, greatness is determined by more then stats.

MATT wrote on Jan 21, 2008 10:19 AM:You guys are unbelievable. LT is the greatest Charger to ever wear Lightning Bolts. He has lifted this organization to a level of respect that it has not had nationally in nearly 30 years. He committed himself to this organization after a miserable 2003 campaign. He has proven himself over the past 7 years to be a great man of integrity and character. Not only does he prove to be a HERO on Sunday's for a few hours so that we can forget about our day-to-day problems and enjoy our team, but he proves to be a leader within the community 7-days a week. LT is SAN DIEGO CHARGER FOOTBALL, more so than anyone has ever proved to be.

Can we not give this guy the benefit of the doubt that he was banged up beyond the point that he could help our team in yesterday's battle? If he was barking at Norv to keep him in the game, losing yards on carries, fumbling, further injuring himself, what would your posts read? That LT was selfish, and should be traded?

You want to trade LT? Get off the bandwagon. Trade LT? Who are you, and why do you post such ridiculous messages? Let's trade the man who in the past 7 seasons has produced 136 touchdowns, won two rushing titles, a MVP, and prior to the fumble on the play where the knee was hurt vs. Indy, had not fumbled the ENTIRE season. Not to mention the classiest professional athlete in today's world of super stardom. Statistically, and as a team, LT's numbers and the Chargers exceeded that of 2005, the year prior to his MVP campaign. TRADE LT?? There is nobody in San Diego more upset than LT that he was not able to contribute yesterday. Believe that...and know that.

The tackle by Seau, and not getting a crucial 3rd down stop in the final drive, especially at 3rd and 11 dictated yesterday's outcome. We lost the game. The Bolts as a team gave a valiant effort and came up short. The team fought like warriors this season. Yes, I have an empty feeling again this season, but I am a proud fan of THE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, and whom they proved to be this season.

If this city decides to turn their back on LT when he is hurting most, shame on them. It's time that we show some charachter and support 21, we owe that to him.

joseph wrote on Jan 21, 2008 11:59 AM:You're right Larry, Turners a free agent so if the chargers wrap him up for the right money we could trade LT for a choice draft pick or two and get some cap space.

I also agree with Pain not being the issue. It had much more to do with heart, desire, and not being afraid to fail.

I have to dig out my old Seau jersey. Maybe Kraft will let him bring the trophy home with him? I least we could see what one looked like.

Boltbackersince'65 wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:39 PM:Well said Noodles and Matt! I especially like your views about Volek, Noodles. I thought I was the only one in my circle of Bolt backers to see Volek's merit and Rivers' short comings in post season play. You said it in a way I couldn't, kudos dude!

As for the LT haters, it's too bad you feel this way now. Just think how you'd feel next season with a fully recovered 100% healthy LT carving up chuncks of turf? I'm sure your views would change. I believe a healthy LT is a winning Chargers team.

Post season is an emotional time and LT is obviously an emotional individual (but then how many other NFL players are the way as well?). And so what? What if he is? He's human and that's a human trait not a character flaw...sheesh.

And what's wrong with him keeping his helmet on. Hell, Peyton Manning keeps his helmet on way more than LT. So LT might've been sulking and was upset that he couldn't give an honest performance in a crucial game.

I applaud the fact that he stepped aside to let others contribute (not like Rivers who shoud have in my opinion...his game was off). At least Volek should've had a chance to prove his worth....he did against Indy, why not the Pats?

I just hope Chargers management keep all their backs and move on to that next level of success.

Larry wrote on Jan 21, 2008 2:19 PM:LT has had a great career to date. I did not say to definitely trade him. What I did do is offer a suggestion to consider which could, especially if LT has lost a step and is not 100% healthy at the start of next season, actually improve the Chargers overall which is what is most important-not any one player-just ask Drew Brees and Donnie Edwards about that.

What LT has done in his 1st 7 years is unquestionably incredible. The question I am asking is, now that he is older and injured, what can he do the NEXT 4 or 5 years? Will we begin to see a decline in production after getting beat up running into the middle of a brick wall of 300 pounders for 7 years?

If you haven't noticed, the NFL is now a PASSING league. Evidence: (1) For the last few years the pass interference has been much more strict. (2) You can only jam the receiver for 5 yards. (3) Offensive linemen can now push with their hands and arms to keep defenders off of the quarterback. (4) Rules protecting the quarterback etc. None of these was always the case.

No longer a "3 yards and a cloud of dust" league, almost any good (not have to be great) running back (a plethora in every draft) can be plugged into the team system. 2 examples; Denver-who was successfull no matter who played halfback for them. Pats lose Corry Dillon, in steps Maroney (who?) who GASHED the Chargers (a supposedly great run defensive team-Vikings game was a fluke) for a whopping 122 yards yesterday. Heck, the Chargers even won WITHOUT LT playing a full game against the DEFENDING CHAMP Colts.

As talented as the Chargers are they still have some glaring weaknesses which could be shored up with 2 #1 draft picks if they could get them for LT. Most teams would start Michael Turner so if the Chargers kept him and started, and alternated him with Sproles for a "scatback" change-of-pace runner, that could be very effective. Pinnock can even play power halfback which he did in college very sucessfully.

Again, just a thought. I hope you that bashed me should have learned something if you are open minded which may or not be the case.

Whatever wrote on Jan 21, 2008 8:31 PM:Leave LT alone, he doesn't have explain anything to anybody, especially the people on the Charger band wagon.

LT is apid employee! wrote on Jan 27, 2008 6:00 AM:He should explain! That is why we go to the games! You and LT can go get a room fatre a few drinks if you would like, but he didn't step up! He needs to become a man and not a sissiy talented girl!

The whole world saw LT for the chump he was and is! wrote on Jan 27, 2008 6:02 AM:It isn't enough to be a gerat player, you need to have great character! He wussed out when we needed him and now he playing the Pro Bowl! What a chump!

QUITTER wrote on Jan 27, 2008 9:50 AM:If LT plays in the PRO BOWL after quitting on his team in the biggest game of the year it proves there was nothing wrong with his knee. SELFISH!