Frustration abounds. 

I like this piece on AJ; he takes responsibility.  Some of the issues this season are drafting and personnel choices.  At least his head isn't so big that he can't admit mistakes were made.

A movie about Ryan Leaf?  Seriously?  It's free, but they would have to pay me to watch any more of Ryan Leaf.

LT had 14 carries for 24 yards, I didn't realize it was that bad.

Plaxico shot himself in the leg?  That's going to be tough to live down.

This is what I'm talking about.  At least AJ is standing by his coach and admitting some fault on his part.

Fat Albert as MVP?  I like it.

Norv practices the two minute drill.

In the Islamic empire of the Mughals, there was a leader by the name of Akbar.  In a heated argument he threw his rival, Adham Kahn out of a window.  Still not quite satisfied Akbar dragged Adham back up from the courtyard to the window and threw him out again.  That sound you heard on Sunday were the hopes of San Diego fans hitting the courtyard for the second time this year.  Both the Padres and Chargers started the season with lofty goals; but both produced seasons that ended in a thud.  But we are San Diegans; we have lived through seasons where there wasn't even visions of playoffs at the beginning of the season; if nothing else we know how to hit the courtyard and bounce back for next season.

A lot of games this year I have felt like the ball really wasn't bouncing the Chargers way, not so this game.  There were three turnovers; a fumble on a punt, a very close fumble on a catch that could have been called an incomplete and a fumble by Turner that might have been after he was down.  All the breaks went San Diego's way; but the offense was totally stymied; this was a game dominated by Atlanta's defense.

Now on to the grades:

Quarterback - D-

Rivers was awful; his passes were wobbly and not crisp.  The offense never showed up this game and as the leader he has to take the lion's share of the blame.  Having Dielman out played a role; and his offensive line was letting heat get through otherwise it would have been an F.

Offensive line - F

They didn't open holes for the running game and they didn't pass block well; what else is there?

Tight End - D

Gates didn't get separation and just wasn't a factor in the game.

Wide Receivers - C

Hard to really give them a grade when most passes were throw aways.  Floyd made a nice attempt near the end of the game but took a hard hit.  VJ got pushed out of bounds twice with some sharp tackling by Atlanta.

Running Backs - C

LT caught some nice passes that he ran well on, he also had the short TD run. Hester had a beautiful run on the punt fake; but overall Atlanta shut down the run game; partly due to the offensive line.

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Grennan is gone to injured reserve already.  The Bolts fill his roster spot with fullback Billy Latsko; that to help fill in for Tolbert along with Hester.  It will be interesting to watch how Hester does for Tolbert again.  No word on inactives yet.

This is the Chargers last best hope of the season:

Go Chargers!!!

Go Jets!!!

The final injury report is out; Grennan and Tolbert look questionable for the Bolts; Brent Grimes seems doubtful for the Falcons.

Kassim Osgood says Norv is a good offensive coordinator; he seems to question him as head coach.  At 4-7 it's not surprising there is some grumbling in the ranks.  Kyle Kraska seems to make too much of it.

The blackout is lifted.

Tra Battle is snaked off the practice squad by the Cowboys.

Hi all, Dave has been good enough to answer questions over at Bolts from the Blue.  If you had any questions on the Chargers, I would be happy to answer them.  This has been a frustrating season for Chargers fans thus far and this Sunday's game could be the end of our post season hopes.  

LTs numbers have been down, both due to injuries, but also the offensive line has not created the holes for him.  While his best statistical seasons may be behind him, he still looks like the same LT to me.  There is no question that Turner is greatly missed in the running game; but it's nice to see him get the shot as the premier back with the Falcons.  I've enjoyed seeing how the Falcons have rebounded after the whole Vick and coach debacle too. 

As for the Bolts defense, the loss of Merriman and the pressure he brought on quarterbacks, plus the failure to adapt the defense, led opposing teams to pick our secondary apart.  It has also exposed some players like ILB Matt Wilhelm and Safety Clinton Hart who have not been playing well.  Our other OLB Shaun Phillips' production is also way down without Merriman being a focal point for the offensive schemes.  In any event if you have questions, I'd be happy to answer.

Vegas has us at +5.  I think the Chargers defense shows up; LT breaks out and Chargers win 31-17.

As Chargers fans we know all to well about what Michael Turner brings to the Falcons running game.  Thus far Turner has been having an outstanding year:

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Turner's backup J. Norwood also runs the ball well; but has been battling a rib injury and has seen limited practice this week.  What has surprised me about these Falcons is the performance of their rookie quarterback, with 11 TDs and only 6 picks, he comes in with a healthy QB rating:

This a much more balanced offense than the Chargers, they have run and passed the ball well and that could spell trouble this Sunday against what has been a generous Chargers defense.  Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are the wide receivers with White being the primary target.  I would look for Jammer to be placed on White which should lead to an interesting matchup of Cromartie on 6'4" Michael Jenkins.  The Falcons throw very little to their tight ends and their primary tight end Ben Hartsock will be out for the season with a dreaded toe injury.  Justin Peelle is his backup; given the Bolts trouble covering tight ends we will have to wait and see if how much Peelle gets thrown to.

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