Marty Schottenheimer, after saying he would name a starting quarterback for this weekends game against the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, would not publicly name a starter in an effort to keep the Vikings guessing. Now if only Marty and his offensive coaches would come up with some new offensive plays the Chargers may field a competitive team but we have yet to see any detour from the run, run, pass, punt playcalling from the Charger offensive gurus.

The truth is if Marty starts Brees this weekend it will continue to show his coaching ineptness. Jim Trotter's column in this morning's SD Union Trib appears as if Flutie should be the only option, but I do not doubt the dumbness of Marty Schottenheimer anymore and would not be surprised if Marty sticks with Brees.

The quarterback situation is just a small issue clouding the multitude of problems the Chargers have. To illustrate this point here are some totals for the Chargers this season:

On first down in the first three quarters the Chargers have ran the ball 70% of the time...in the fourth quarter, when the Chargers have been behind, passing on first down moves up to almost a 50/50 split, barely taking the risks needed to win a game.

On first down the Chargers have had 18 Penalties

In the 1st half they've been outscored 119-61.

The Chargers have scored on their 1st possesion 2 of 8 times. Opponents have scored on their 1st possesion 6 of 8 times

The Chargers are 25.5% on third down conversions.

The Chargers have gone 3 and out 32/94 times or 29.4% while opponents convert their third downs 36% of the time.

Against Miami the Chargers 1st 10 1st down plays were runs, and while being down by 20 points ran the ball 15 times in the fourth quarter.

Against Oakland the Chargers called 14 out of 17 runs on 1st down in the 1st half of that game.

Against Cleveland in the 4th Quarter the Chargers called 7 out of 7 runs on 1st down, which almost cost the Chargers the game.

Interceptions by Brees: On first down he has thrown 1, on second down he has thrown 6, and on third down he has thrown 5.

Add that the Chargers have the 29th ranked scoring offense to the 28th overall ranked defense the Vikings should have no problem going deep early and often against the Chargers pathetic defense. With no pass rush look for Culpepper to have enough time in the backfield to start a conversation with some of the idle blocking backs before surveying the field to find any number of open receivers.

If the playcalling, after 8 games remains the same play calling with NO deviation, the score could easily be 56-9 Vikes in a rout with many Viking starters resting the entire second half... it would be similiar to a scrimmage game for the Vikes and a game of continued clueless coaching for the Chargers.