My June 21st blog entry spelled out many of the problems of the Chargers. None of those problem areas have been addressed and to add to the quagmire, there is the Chargers' #1 pick, Phillip Rivers, is holding out. According to Charger management the offer that was extended to Rivers was better than offers accepted by Gallery and Fitzgerald, both picked ahead of Rivers, number 2 and 3 respectively. It is becoming a Charger tradition where their first round pick, regardless of when the Chargers pick, have contract disputes. But in this case, if the information from the Chargers' brass is true, this is clearly the player and agent holding the Charger franchise ransom. I really do applaud a team that refuses to bend to a player/agents every whim...to not buy into the player's self-promoted level of ability without even taking a NFL snap. I just wish it wasn't the Chargers that have to be the team to set the standard, for it never has a positive affect for the team overall.
The Chargers, are being ranked dead last in the Sportsline Power Ranking and should remain there for the length of the season. The Chargers will certainly have the number 1 pick in the draft next season, but if they choose to select and attempt to sign someone, it will only further set this team back.
Marty needs to be fired. The team needs a new GM and coach that will instill common sense and a winning attitude...hopefully the inevitable 0-16 record that will occur in this 2004-05 campaign will be the wake up call for the Spanos family.
And that's right... I am predicting the Chargers to be 0 and 16. As I said before, I would love to be proven wrong but at this time I see absolutely no improvement in any area on the Charger team.
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San Diego Chargers
Comments (3)
I don't see this as a very ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Tom | August 10, 2004 10:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I don't see this as a very big deal. If anything, it's a bonus.
Rivers is not going to take SD to the playoffs. The sooner he gets to start, the more likely it is that he'll be injured while playing behind a lousy O line.
This gives the Chargers an excuse not to play him, saves his ass till at least midseason, and helps insure that he'll still be healthy next year when maybe the team will have a fighting chance at mediocrity.
1. Posted by Tom | August 10, 2004 10:05 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 10, 2004 22:05
2. Posted by Richard Kopp | August 11, 2004 12:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Excellent observation...
If Rivers doesn't sign this year there is no question his value will not be as good next season. So the Chargers can 'hold out' on their own, sign him for less and hope it pans out... but a dissatisfied QB will not be a good one for the Bolts...so if/when a contract agreement is reached, hopefully both sides are happy and Rivers will be a positive addition to the team...unlike our last first round QB selection....
2. Posted by Richard Kopp | August 11, 2004 12:29 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 11, 2004 00:29
3. Posted by Tom Schaller | August 11, 2004 12:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I didn't mean to make it seem that this is a plot. Rather, I think that, in the long run, the hold out has positive effects for both club and QB.
But you're right on both accounts. The Chargers come out better financially the longer this goes on, AND a pissed off Rivers doesn't do much to help the team down the road if the fences can't be mended. What good to have a "QB of the future" if he's ready to bolt the moment his original contract is up.
Of course, if SD can turn things around and become contenders before that point is reached, it'll go a long way to smoothing things over. It's a lot easier to forget past wrongs when one is playing for a winning organization.
3. Posted by Tom Schaller | August 11, 2004 12:11 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on August 11, 2004 12:11