Anyone starting to get the feeling that the Bolts will not be as advertised in 2008?

by super7 on Aug 29, 2008 10:54 AM MDT

I very rarely even bring up another team on this site, but I wanted to see if anyone on MHR had the same feeling that I have about the Bolts this year.

Now there's no question about thier talent level.

Tomlinson, when healthy, isn't just the best player in the NFL, he's one of the best backs in its history (IMO). Anytime a back dominates as consistently as he has, more focus should be on the offensive line, because they are part of the reason for his dominance. Rivers, although utterly unlikeable (at least a mile above sea level), has proven to be capable, but not exceptional. The defense, however, has been exceptional and consistent.

HOWEVER...

Tomlinson's been beaten up. He couldn't participate in the Chargers' bigegst game since Super Bowl XXIX. He has carried the ballmore in the past 6 seasons than any other back, and has taken more punishment because of his workload than any other back in that time period. He tore his MCL last year. He did not undergo surgery. He has been nursing a nagging groin this preseason. But he doesn't seem to be affected, at this point, by his recent injuries, but with the workload that he's seen, how much longer can he go, and howmuch longer can he avoid a season with a handful of missed games.

Rivers tore his ACL last January. He had surgery to repair it. He hasn't missed many practices this training camp and preseason. Last year he was very up and very down. His yardage, TDs, and rating all nosedived and his INTs increased in 2007. Can he even replicate his 2007 numbers, which, by no means were "great" coming off of ACL surgery? He even alludes to the fact that if he took a bad hit on his knee that it would affect hismindset during a game since the surgery.

Antonio Gates has been so inconsistently healthy, that last season, some wondered if he'd ever be back to where he was just a few short seasons ago. His nagging toe injuries cost him a chance to contribute in the 2008 offseason until just 1 week ago today.

The defense is returning almost all of last year's names for this season, but its the biggest name on the defense that has the biggest question mark next to it in 2008. Shawne Merriman has been a one man wrecking crew for the past few seasons. But he has two torn knee ligaments and has decided, against four doctor's opinions, that he will play the 2008 season and undergo surgery after the season. He has also worn his relationship with the Chargers organization thin. AJ Smith has been quoted as saying that Merriman should spend less time with his personal commitments ans more time on his team commitment.

Asked yesterday how he felt about Merriman’s latest venture, wherein the linebacker will fly from San Diego to Los Angeles after practice each Thursday and tape a show about the NFL on Fox Sports Net, Smith said this:

“My feeling about any of his off-the-field activities will be between me and Shawne. Shawne has many, many activities off the field, and that’s his business, along with his agents, marketing people, publicist and business partners. My only hope is that he remembers his high-level football performance is what drives his off-the-field attraction.”

Now, maybe Smith is playing the part of the overbearing father, but it's no secret that Merriman is a volatile guy in the locker room.

The Chargers are bigger than a few players, but I use them as examples because they are likely the Chargers' four most recognizeable players and each of them has a swirl of injuries around them going into 2008 and I didn't even bring up Jamal Williams, the run stuffing DT that has been spelling diaster for Denver RBs for the last two seasons (he's another of the 12 Chargers that had surgery this offseason).

I'm not attacking the Chargers, I am simply stating that it is reasonable to assume that they will not perform as they have in past seasons considering their four marquee players all have recent injury concerns to deal with. I am aware that the Chargers offensive line, cornerbacks, and assorted linebackers and defensive linemen are not just standouts, but Pro-Bowlers, but let's call this what it is: concerning for a Chargers fan.

I am in no way saying that the Broncos are going to win the AFC West, I am simply stating that San Diego has more negative intrigue entering this season than they have an any of the past 3 or 4 seasons.

I would be very interested to see what guys like DaBolts are thinking about their boys going into the season. I want to know if they think the Chargers are as far ahead of the rest of the AFC West as they were last year. I also want to see if they think Denver has tightened the gap with San Diego this offseason. Lastly, I am curious if they think that the Chargers will dispatch the Broncos with the relative ease in which they did in 2007.

If a Denver's better than advertised and the Bolts get out of the gates slowly, could the AFC West be a dogfight in 2008? You judge for yourself, you surely won't let ESPN or CNNSI or anyone in the national or local media decide fore you.

Who would you rather have:

Cutler or Rivers (if I don't have anything nice to say, I shouldn't say it)

Marshall, Stokely, and Royal or Jackson, Chambers, and anyone else (closer than you think because Royal's a rookie. But with Stokely and Marshall, I take Denver every time. Marshall is the best AFC West WR by far)

Scheffler or Gates (closer than you think but leaning towards Gates)

Young and Hall or Tomlinson (not close)

Merriman or Dumervil (closer than you think and if you look at injury, I take Elvis)

Castillo or DJ Williams (close, IMO)

Cromartie or Champ Bailey (Bailey's 2007 wasn't great, but I'd take him)

Jammer or Bly (I might take Jammer)

Broncos O-Line or Bolts O-Line (duh, Botls, although Denver's youth is encouraging)

D-Rob or Jamal Williams (Jamal)

Coach Shanny or Norv (Norv did well last year, but, like any coach, you MUST look at the BODY OF WORK - I'd be worried about Norv as a Bolts fan)

Talk amongst yourselves.....

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Still could be a tough set of games, but...

I am leaning towards giving the Broncos the edge in the AFC West…pretty abysmal lower half of the division and I think the Chargers may have made this book required team reading…

by Denverjhawk on Aug 29, 2008 11:03 AM MDT 0 recs

AJ did that by hiring Norv

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 29, 2008 11:21 AM MDT up 0 recs

No brainer

Phillip Rivers has always been a male imposter! Just like the rest of dem posers!!

by Chizzle my Dizzle on Aug 29, 2008 11:24 AM MDT 0 recs

Wishful thinking

I’ve read so many negative comments about the Chargers on the MHR. Crybaby RB. Roided out LB. Ahole QB. Washed up TE. Bad head coach. Believe you me I enjoy reading that stuff. But Monday night as I sit watching the SD-Seattle game, I came to a conclusion. As much as we here at the MHR want the Bolts to do bad, it’s just not going to happen. The Chargers are good. I mean really good. I can’t stand Phyliss Rivers but he is a darn good QB. And let’s not forget what he/they did to us last year. We got smoked! Their O-line is top 10 if not top 5. The WRs are really underrated. Especially with Chris Chambers. That dude is a stud. That was a great trade for them. They have a dynamic kick returner in Sproles. I think Gates is really going to be ok healthwise. The D-line is stout tho say the least. The LBs and DBs have all sorts of talent. San Diego is just a good to great team all the way around. I think we have closed the gap, but a 63-6 gap is a huge gap to close. The only positive I took from the game was it seemed like Seattle had no problem running the ball on them.

One more thing. In reference to LT. I know he has had more carries than anybody else. That does not matter. Yes he will break down. But it ain’t gonna be this year. He is the stud of all studs. The second we start thinking less of him is the second he breaks off a 80 yarder on us.

I don't believe we can win every game, just the next one. - Lou Holtz
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.-Bill Gates

by orangeblood on Aug 29, 2008 11:25 AM MDT 0 recs

I also viewed

You may have been impressed, however I was not. Still the #1 defense for Sd has had problems stopping the run. The back ups for the chargers rb’s do have some fumble problems. Rivers is not 100% healthy. At times he cant step and plant that will hurt them. Mark my words when Merriman is out that will be a different team.

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 29, 2008 11:44 AM MDT up 0 recs

I think so too

If you look at the Bolts from a certain angle you can see how they can have a bad year. A number of really terrible things have to happen for that to be true. You have identified the real Achilles heal, the run defense, that is the one area that is suspect. Once Jamal Williams is back that should be better, but how long his creaky knees hold up is open to serious speculation.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by DaBolts on Aug 29, 2008 12:21 PM MDT up 0 recs

True

But if I was a Charger fan I would be concerned about Rivers. He looks uncomfortable in the pocket. Plus he sometime winces on his throws. I dont believe his leg is 100% healthy. I mean we all can nitpick teams, but I am just looking at their starters. Plus we will see how much the lack of stopping the run is Jamal. Carolina and Denver out of the gate who both use the ZB scheme and use a 1-2 punch runnning the rock. Denvers advantage over Carolina is that Denver will have #15 whereas Smith is gonna be out.
BTW is rivers or the starters gonna play tonight

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 29, 2008 12:34 PM MDT up 0 recs

Rivers looked healthy

to me anyway. His knee seemed a bit tender here and there, but all things considered he played well, and without some of his best weapons. Carolina is going to be a good test, they absolutely tore up Washington, Otah looks to be the real thing. Denver has a real shot at taking that early game, especially at home.

Jamal, Merriman, Buster Davis, Gates, McNeill, and LT are all sitting tonight. The starters will only see ten plays they say before the second team goes in; should be a snoozer. All the positions are pretty set supposedly, nobody is expecting surprises. It looks like Cason and Hester will be the only two draft choices to make the team.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by DaBolts on Aug 29, 2008 1:09 PM MDT up 0 recs

How

many draft picks did the chargers have? Is this a good draft class (as of right now) in your opinion. As an overall class compared to AJ’s previous ones? Cason IMO will be a good nickle back, and eventually I think he takes Jammers job

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 29, 2008 1:12 PM MDT up 0 recs

We had five

But they were a first, third, then fifth, sixth and seventh. The last three didn’t make it, Corey Clark may make the PS. I was much more impressed with the late round ’06 picks (Siler, Naanee, Chandler).

All this comes with a huge grain of salt since nobody has played a down in the regular season yet. In terms of players picked in the draft this was a weak draft for the Chargers, Cason may have big time talent, Hester hasn’t amazed anyone; he may look better coming late in the game when defenses are tired. If you consider that Chambers came with the second rounder we gave up and we gave up the third to reach for Weddle, then you can defend it, but this feels like a C draft right now.

Next year should be better we have eight picks to play with, even with the move for Hester. I’ll tell you who did impress me in the Seattle game is UFA Tolbert, that kid was knocking folks right out of the way. Also Sproles, he ran wild and absolutely destroyed a blitzing LBer.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by DaBolts on Aug 29, 2008 2:33 PM MDT up 0 recs

are you

concerned about his what appears to be a potential fumble problem? Is he gonna be the return guy? I have not been listening to the radio last few weeks cuz theses people here have been bashing Denver so I havent paid attention to the chargers like i should

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 29, 2008 3:14 PM MDT up 0 recs

A little

It’s something he continues to work on for returns, but he fumbled three times his first year, once last year. He returned two for TD’s and broke enough long ones that he seems well worth the risk. He ripped off some nice returns on Dallas too, but he does have a tendency to run before he has control. If worst comes to worst they can have Buster Davis or Cromartie return, they look really good too. That’s the other tool LT brings that you forget about, he just doesn’t fumble and in terms of the turnover battle that’s huge out of your main RB.

"He's doing everything a receiver would do except catch the ball." Mike Shanahan

by DaBolts on Aug 29, 2008 5:30 PM MDT up 0 recs

I know

thats what I really like about him he never fumbles. I cant remember his last fumble

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 30, 2008 11:43 AM MDT up 0 recs

I didn't say SD wasn't likely going to win the West and beat denver at least once

I was just saying there’s more than just a “chink in the armor”, its more like a gash and a torn cartillage in the armor.

by super7 on Aug 29, 2008 12:21 PM MDT up 0 recs

or two torn ligaments in the knee

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I wouldn't say he's nowhere near T.O." - Pacman Jones on Brandon Marshall

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano from DP Comments

by DesertBroncoFan on Aug 29, 2008 1:24 PM MDT up 0 recs

Sea vs SD was all 2nd and third string.

Your opinion is skewed (IMHO).

Michael Fabiano really knows nothing about football outside of regression analysis and stat extrapolation. If it doesn’t have to do with fantasy football, his opinion is worthless.

by kwool79 on Aug 29, 2008 1:02 PM MDT up 0 recs

Hey man....I am with you 100%. I've been railing on about this for a while now....

PAPER TIGER! 62% of the readers agreed with me that the Chargers are a paper tiger…I wonder what the percentage would be now with all this new information. Why not put up a new poll asking if the Chargers are as better than the Broncos as the MSM makes it seem. ;)

Hell, after reading your post…I’m thinking we might just SWEEP the Chargers this year! Ok, maybe I am drinking too much koolaid, but I think that the Chargers are going to get punk slapped Week 2 and the MSM will be changing their tone by mid season about the Broncos.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Zappa on Aug 29, 2008 11:35 AM MDT 0 recs

btw, I recommend your post. I am glad we agree!

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Zappa on Aug 29, 2008 11:43 AM MDT up 0 recs

What is the MSM???

I don't believe we can win every game, just the next one. - Lou Holtz
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.-Bill Gates

by orangeblood on Aug 29, 2008 11:43 AM MDT 0 recs

main stream media.

espn, DP, bill williamson, ect.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Zappa on Aug 29, 2008 11:44 AM MDT up 0 recs

Thank you. That's been driving me nuts!

Now I’m hip to the lingo. Whew!

I don't believe we can win every game, just the next one. - Lou Holtz
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose.-Bill Gates

by orangeblood on Aug 29, 2008 11:45 AM MDT up 0 recs

lol

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Zappa on Aug 29, 2008 1:36 PM MDT up 0 recs

I think it will be nip and tuck all year betwen SD and Denver

I think SD is a little over-rated and Denver is underrated, I could see both of them with between 10 to 13 wins by the end of the season, one thing that I always think hurts teams like SD and Seattle depending on schedule is away games cross country, they have four this year: Miami, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Tampa Bay, I think of those four trips they will lose three games, they will probably lose to New England at home, and I think they will split with Denver. So that gives them 5 loses, I could see Denver with 5 or 6 loses, so that would put them neck and neck with Denver. The big question I think will be coaching, Norv Turner is an excellent Offensive coordinator but I have a feeling that last year was an aberation and I think the team did well to somewhat spite Marty than to support Norv, now that they are a year removed, I have a feeling this team will lose focus because of Norv.

Broncoman

by Broncoman on Aug 29, 2008 11:45 AM MDT 0 recs

My thoughts.

SD has been, and still is (like it or not) one of the top teams in the League. Now that we have that out of the way…

Time is running out for SD. Cracks are appearing, and this may be their last year to shoot for a SB (I see Denver as the far better team starting in ’09). They are older, and injuries are starting to be a factor.

Here are my answers:

Cutler or Rivers (if I don’t have anything nice to say, I shouldn’t say it)

I take Cutler. Young, and still getting better. He’s already passed Rivers.

Marshall, Stokely, and Royal or Jackson, Chambers, and anyone else (closer than you think because Royal’s a rookie. But with Stokely and Marshall, I take Denver every time. Marshall is the best AFC West WR by far)

I clearly take Denver’s WRs. The acquisition of Chambers was great for SD, but only because there where no threats other than LT and Gates on the field. Denver is also deeper at WR.

Scheffler or Gates (closer than you think but leaning towards Gates)

Gates is one of the true greats at TE. But he has peaked. Scheff will be around for a long time, and is getting better.

Young and Hall or Tomlinson (not close)

There’s no argument her. Tomlinson is a god on the field of play.

Merriman or Dumervil (closer than you think and if you look at injury, I take Elvis)

Dumervil. I see a pro bowl in the near future.

Castillo or DJ Williams (close, IMO)

DJ, who had the second most tackles last year (on a bad defense) in the NFL.

Cromartie or Champ Bailey (Bailey’s 2007 wasn’t great, but I’d take him)

Tomlinson is a god at RB. Champ is a god at CB. A living legend.

Jammer or Bly (I might take Jammer)

I take Bly (look at INT history).

Broncos O-Line or Bolts O-Line (duh, Botls, although Denver’s youth is encouraging)

Duh? I still give Denver the edge, based on system AND youth.

D-Rob or Jamal Williams (Jamal)

I would have to go with Jamal here.

Coach Shanny or Norv (Norv did well last year, but, like any coach, you MUST look at the BODY OF WORK – I’d be worried about Norv as a Bolts fan)

Not even close. Shanahan.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Aug 29, 2008 2:07 PM MDT 0 recs

We're going 13-3 baby--nuff said!!

Broncos broncos everywhere and all the league did blink,
Broncos broncos everywhere think moldy faiders stink!

by Mike Clark on Aug 29, 2008 7:14 PM MDT 0 recs

Hi Super 7, good post.

As I read through your post one thing seemed to jump out at me. You said, “…it is reasonable to assume that they will not perform as they have in past seasons… .” I’m not trying to step on any toes but I wonder if you meant to say something more like, “…it’s interesting to speculate they will not perform as they have in the past.”

I think I’m more in line with HT’s thinking. The Chargers are a top shelf team but the cracks are starting to show.

This will be the third season in a row they go into the regular season essentially unchanged. Now I’ve always believed that, “If it ain’t broke you don’t fix it,” and the Chargers have proved they “ain’t broke”. But you’ve got to wonder if a few of the parts aren’t starting to show some heavy wear and might warrant replacing.

Nevertheless, I will say I am well pleased they decided to get rid of Brees and keep Rivers. I believe that is a decision that will haunt them for years to come.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Aug 30, 2008 7:48 AM MDT 0 recs