Ric in Delaware wrote on Sep 8, 2008 2:21 AM:Don't want to panic but I don't want to hear about how Carolina is a top 5 team in the NFL. Chargers should have taken these guys out like the Cowboys, Eagles. etc. did yesterday. Beat the teams you are supposed to beat,win your games at home. So much for all the hot air about starting fast.After 45 years of pulling for the Chargers I guess I should be used to this Kind of stuff. Wasn't at all impressed with the run defense, that was suspect during the pre-season. Looks like they need to keep working on it. The thing that upsets me the most is watching Carolina roll right down the field with the game on the line.I am positive I speak for anyone who has been a Charger fan for 20 years are more ,that is one thing we've seen way too much of over the years. With the game on the line the defense cant hold them, or the offense cant win one at the end. I will say not so much from this current group of Chargers , that is certainly not the case, and it's only the first game of the year,but it certainly doesn't fill me with confidence the way they played yesterday. They have been picked by numerous magazines and writers to win the Super Bowl, playing like they did yesterday won't get them into the playoffs much less the big dance.I guess I just expected more from this talented group than what I saw yesterday.

BrewgeekNC wrote on Sep 8, 2008 4:18 AM:How did the last play 'overshadow the other 58 minutes"? the panthers D effectively shut down LT the first three quarters, and kept Jake lonely in the pocket the whole game. If it wasn't for a bad fourth down call by Fox and a botched replay by the ref (allowing for the first TD) it wouldn't have even been close. Panthers lines dominated the chargers on both sides.

BoltBacker wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:05 AM:True, you can't beat a last second TD at game's end. Props to Delomme and Carolina for getting the job done. You could tell the Bolts were off in their game playing. Seemed they were a bit predictable with their Run, Pass, Pass, Punt strategy. Question: 4th and 2 inside red zone and Bolts opt for 3 instead of a first down or TD. Those four points could've come in handy at game's end. Then again, maybe Norv wasn't too confident with SD's O ability to get the job done. They didn't see the red zone much until late in second half. Wish Gates had just fallen on that first down catch instead of tried to run when Cats stole the ball and got a freeby TD. You can knock off 7 points there. Oh well...spilled milk and all. What's done is done. Stayed in the game that's good. Go Bolts!

Boltum wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:25 AM:Teddys system sucks at best, maybe that is why he could not find a coaching job in 06? Ya just don't bring in a DC because he's your buddy, you do whats best for the team. Thanx again Mr. Smith
Brees 356 yds. and Turner 220yds. yesterday! What is their trade value now A.J.? Ya just don't let great players walk away for NOTHING in return. Yes Teddy, let the guy run just TWO seconds more before ya bring him down and the game is over, get it?

Jaque wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:40 AM:Indeed, a pathetic performance. This kind of result is one that will be forthcoming when our teams offensive geniuses have the governor set a half throttle. LT was huge wasn't he? Chambers?

Another season that we are going to have to crawl out of crappy start of a season? Brady is out, so this is Rivers' chance!

BOLTBELIEVER, what say you?

Cardiac Cats wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:49 AM:They're back! That's the way the Panthers SuperBowl Season in 03 started. Just maybe the Panthers and Chargers will meet again in the Big Game?

BoltBacker wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:23 AM:I belive no matter what the Bolts accomplish, the conventional wisdom will always down play their achievements. Afterall, the experts are all a flutter over the marquee teams and the east coast bias. So when Carolina wins, they're the sh## and the Bolts are just what they believed them to be also rans. Anyway enough of that.

The Bolts need to win on their own terms and not hope that one team or another has injury misfortunes that will help them reach the promised land.

As for former players, we need to move on. They're gone and won't be coming back to contribute. We know their value don't we? And sure we know who to blame for their not being Chargetrs, don't we. Anyway, they're making impact elsewhere and we were fortunate enough to see them play here first.

Anyway, let's see how the boys shape up next week. Hopefully not a repeat of last seasons's early results. Go Bolts!

BoltDan wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:26 AM:I have to hand it to the Cats but I also have to say that Norv and Teddy did it again. For the offensive genuis that Norv is suppose to be I sure don't see it. I know I am not an expert but I do know what was working and what wasn't (see; runnning LT up the middle). They were stacking the box and daring us to throw. Oh well lets improve on that horrible game and beat the donkeys.

esteban wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:28 AM:Bolts are just lucky Brady may be gone this year. They can't stop Brady.

Who cares wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:36 AM:Get a life people, it's only a stinking game! I'm happy the Dolts lost. Monday morning quarterbacks.

RAIDERMANN wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:00 AM:WOW! Hey like you guys said the Window is closed for the Super Chokers. The Dolphins would have been them yesertday! Hey don't mention they only won 1 playoff game in 12 years, CHOKER FANS don't like to talk about the past.Who's the running back that cleared more 200 yards, Oh burrning Turrner. Should have Lt go, and kept the after burner. Lt's year might be at best 600yds. Rivers will out game 5. Don't be a hater & come join the DARK SIDE. Hey only 73 lose bolt nuts arrested at the game. Half were deported.RAIDERS AFC WILD

Blue and Black wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:01 AM:The Panthers rolled right over the Bolts. They just let the Chargers score a few so the fans wouldn't feel bad about them being spanked!!

Panthers to the Superbowl!

James wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:08 AM:esteban

You sound like an angry person who hates the world. The Chargers will regroup and come back stronger just like they did last year.

RCH wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:15 AM:Someone needs to tell Norv and Ted that the game is 60 minutes not 58. Playing soft defense on the last Panther drive was not smart. As soon as Carolina ran their first play on the last drive I had a feeling Chargers were going to lose. They need to play to win, but they played not to lose on the drive. When you play not to lose you probably will. I would rather see them play to win and lose rather than playing not to lose and lose, at least they would have gone down fighting. Who cares, why do did you come here if you "Have a life"? What other people do is really none of your concern as long as it doesn't hurt anyone. it is only entertainment,but talking about it is also entertainment.

NorCal Charger wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:25 AM:Yes it's a loss, but Yo Raider fans..get off our chat room...don't you have a crime to commit? It's only one game and no one including me expected us to go undefeated. But our D looked shabby at best yesterday. Jake "the bionic man" Delhomme, picked us apart. We were said to have a great D, it may still happen, but not yesterday. A loss is always hard, especially the 1st game of the season after waiting for what, 9 months? Carolina had their "A" game, give it up for them, but we have a long way to go Bolt fans...do not jump ship yet. Go bolts!

If I was Norm wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:59 AM:I'd give the Defensive coach one week. If the D didn't improve fire him. To many excuses. Also the starters need to play more pre season. Very evident the timing was off. Can't wait 3 games for them to get on. Tired of them being treated as premadonnas. They get paid to play top notich and yesterday they were bad! The game should have been a blow out for the Chargers. Instaed, looked like a preseason train wreck

How Dumb wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:00 AM:How stupid is it for this paper, who is in danger of going under, to put the Chargers story front page news as though a president were assinated? This is insulting to all thinking people! In the end of the day, the Chargers do not contribute to solving the issues of water shortages, world peace, cures for cancer or anything else. This is disgusting.

Dolts Suck wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:35 AM:Where's all the Chargers are winning the AFC west talk? Merriman 1 tackle? Chargers are a bunch of choke artists!!!

Bill wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:00 AM:Same ole' Chargers.

All that talk about Super Bowls was nauseating anyway. This team is nowhere near as good as many have hyped them to be.

They will be lucky to win the division this year.

esteban wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:15 AM:Wrong James...I am very content and love many people in the world. You, however, sound unintelligent.

RAIDERMANN wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:18 PM:James, You go ahead and think that the SAN DIEGO SUPER CHOKERS are going to fall hard. Just maybe They might get the perfect record 0-16. they look at breaking they 1-15 year. The Dolphins almost got it last year. That's more a record they can get playing like "DEAD-BOLTS" GO and plug in the recharger.........

James wrote on Sep 8, 2008 12:22 PM:esteban

Everytime you write a post, you sound angry and hateful at the world. Go back to Boston... (By the way, I do have a Bachelor's in Biology, so before you call someone unintelligent...think before you speak).

Time to retire wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:14 PM:If only LT wasn't so busy pushing pizza, beer, artificial turf and taking millions from PPH - he might be able to concentrate on his real occupation "football". Now it looks like he's pushing his pet grooming business. If your heads not in the game, please do Charger fans a favor and retire.

Gina wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:31 PM:TO RIC IN DELAWARE: Why don't you just give it up and come over to the Dark Side, Raider NATION...We have a GU63 on your 50 yard line and on every one of your players jerseys anyway...So like it or not, your team are Raiders fans this year, "2008, the year of the Gene Upshaw curse"...So as I said, come on over ~ it's been since '59 for crying out loud and they aren't gonna go this year either! You know you want to...come on ;-) xoxo

GINA wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:34 PM:I LOVE YOU RAIDERMANN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROCK N ROLL BABY, ROCK N ROLL!

Toilet Duck wrote on Sep 8, 2008 1:53 PM:San Diego SUPER CHOKERS!

AJ blew it when he ran Brees out of town.

Then, he ran a coach with a 14-2 record and replaced him with Norv Turner.

Can you believe some people actually though that was brilliant?

Get ready to get Norved San Diego!!!

bbbb wrote on Sep 8, 2008 2:53 PM:Please people it is only one game. We will win next week and the rest of the season. Norv is fine. The defensive calls are fine the players aren't executing.

Esteban wrote on Sep 8, 2008 3:14 PM:You from the east coast?

To bbbb wrote on Sep 8, 2008 3:34 PM:Typical so-called Charger fan. We will win next week and the rest of the season. Take one game at a time, you never know what could happen in the NFL, with injuries etc.....

Jimbo wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:17 PM:This is a Norv problem. Just like Marty, playing not to lose instead playing to win. The pass defense gave up way too much yardage on the Panthers (the PANTHERS?) last drive. Played way too soft a defense. Hey Norv, you gotta close out the opponent, not give them another chance....Btw, get a pass defense.

Brett wrote on Sep 8, 2008 5:57 PM:NY Jets are 1-0
SD Chargers are 0-1

Have a nice day!

New game plan wrote on Sep 8, 2008 7:34 PM:Norv, I have an idea that the other team won't consider, let's keep giving LT the ball and run it down the middle!

BoltBeliever wrote on Sep 8, 2008 8:16 PM:Toilet Duck (an appropriate moniker for a Raider fan) aka Raidermann your Raiders are losing to the Donks. Jaque, I still Believe. 15 more games til the post season. So hang in there
Lil BoltBeliever, we will rise again!

Daren wrote on Sep 8, 2008 9:09 PM:The Chargers suffered a bad loss. No question about it. The offensive line got blocked into the backfield all day. I'm shocked LT was able to gain 97 yards with no help up front. The defensive line got inconsistent pressure on the QB but got gashed by the Panther running game. For what was once a strength of the Charger D, run defense is looking like a big liability. The secondary did ok. The last drive was not a 'prevent defense.' They rushed 4 guys and played their dime coverage. The last play was just a great football play by the Panthers.

If Gates had not lost that fumble, the Chargers are 1-0. We can't put that loss on the defense in the last 2 minutes of the game. It was a total team loss.

Theotis wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:14 PM:This is just grand. Padres stink, the Chargers lose. It's just like old times. Now let's bring bak Ryan Leaf!

Toilet Duck wrote on Sep 8, 2008 11:54 PM:Actually, Im a Bronco fan so see you next week.

Funny wrote on Sep 9, 2008 12:50 PM:.. how Raiders fans talk. Did anyone see the bloodbath last night??? I didn't imagine with the high draft picks that the Raiders could get any worse, but I was obviously wrong.

PantherPride wrote on Sep 9, 2008 5:14 PM:The Chargers suffered a bad loss. No question about it. The offensive line got blocked into the backfield all day. I'm shocked LT was able to gain 97 yards with no help up front. The defensive line got inconsistent pressure on the QB but got gashed by the Panther running game. For what was once a strength of the Charger D, run defense is looking like a big liability. The secondary did ok. The last drive was not a 'prevent defense.' They rushed 4 guys and played their dime coverage. The last play was just a great football play by the Panthers.

If Gates had not lost that fumble, the Chargers are 1-0. We can't put that loss on the defense in the last 2 minutes of the game. It was a total team loss.

ROFL THAT IS WRONG

you seem to forget the 2 or 3 dropped passes that hit of the hands of panther receivers in the endzone. The panthers dominated the chargers all day, with the exception of the chargers little burst of fire in the 4th quarter. Had our receivers held on to the ball when the ball hit their hands, as is expected from any professional receiver, we would have not even had to make that last drive down the field, and would have won the contest by at least 2 touchdowns. Merriman is stubborn, im surprised he didnt get rocked by Stewart or Williams. Everyone looks down on the Cats because of the roulette wheel we had at the games most important position last year, and i believe this is undeserved. Also, we didnt even have the NFL MOST EXPLOSIVE RECEIVER with us and had to compete with sort of rag tag receiving corps. and yes i just called Steve Smith the most explosive receiver in the NFL, as many a professional sports analyst has said the same thing. Thanks to you few chargers fans who recognize a well played ball game , there are two few true sports fans that can admit a good game in the face of defeat these days.