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So I watched my Chargers this week-end almost (and should have) losing the Chiefs and have to say I am really disappointed.

I have heard that teams tend to turn into an embodiment of their coach and if that's true we need a new one, stat.

It all started last year for me when Adrian Peterson broke the record for most rushing yards in a game.  Think about that, in the history of the NFL no rush defense has been worse in a single game than my San Diego Chargers.  They were able to pull it together down the stretch and limp into the Championship game, but that lack of physicality and poor tackling has reared it's ugly head again this season.  Yet instead of only one game its been that way all season.

On both sides of the ball the Chargers just seem to be routinely manhandled.  Without Merriman our defense is having a horrible time pressuring the quarterback.  In general the Chargers have been bad on short yardage plays (like third and one or two point conversions).  Are there any good teams that would be afraid to go for it on this defense on 4th and one?

 And heaven help us when we have to actually tackle somebody.  Opposing players routinely shed one or two Charger defenders, who often seem more like college players going for the big hit rather than wrapping the guy up so help can arrive.

LT finally appears to be healthy, but he can not get consistent running room.  Kansas City can not get any pressure on the quarterback this year, unless they are playing the Chargers.  How bad is it, when a team on pace to sack the quarterback fewer times than any other team in history is able to sack your quarterback three times?

And I realize this is partly a personal preference but I am shocked by the lack of team discipline.  I am a die-hard, native born Charger fan and I could not believe that swipe Dielman made in the first half.  I could see it clearly on the replay, it was done when the ref was less than two feet away, but I've had to listen to all the homers call it a "phantom" punch.  
When the other team strips the ball, recovers the fumble, it is normal to be upset but that was just uncalled for.  If you missed it's not the ref's fault that he kicks you out for trying.

The best/worst part is the ref announced it to the entire stadium and everyone watching on TV that Dielman had been kicked out of the game, yet Dielman tries to check in the next time we're on offense.  Are you kidding me?  Really?  50,000 in attendance and hundreds of thousands from home know you're kicked out and you try to sneak back out.  Buy the whole staff hearing aids (and with it a clue), because if I back home in SD know you're kicked out then there is no way he should make his way to the field.  

The other thing that drove me crazy was the end where the Chargers did everything to lose it.  First Rivers sprints to the sideline without realizing he needed to go for two.  Jackson did the same thing, but then screwed up the formation causing the Chargers to take a delay of game and being pushed back 5 yards for a play that failed.  Then they let the Chiefs return the kick-off to the 40 with over 30 seconds to play. After a screwup by Thigpen the Chargers give up an intermediate pass and then act like the Raiders, not letting Gonzales get up and then pushing the referee.  So instead of having the time run out, like it would have if they hadn't been thugs, the Chiefs get five yards closer for a makeable field goal, the clock stopped with a chance to get their kicker out, and the kicker just barely misses the 50 yard attempt.

So do the Chargers let out a sigh of relief?  No their players rush out towards the mostly empty stands making a shush motion acting like they won a super bowl against a hostile crowd.

Memo, to the Chargers: you suck.  The Chiefs are horrible and a real playoff team would have sewn the game up by halftime.  There were empty seats all over the building and this is not a game to proud of.  By all rights you should have lost it.  It was not a time to look like bafoons, it was time to let out a sigh, be thankful for the win, and hope that you are not this sloppy against the Buccaneers next week.

Even if by some miracle the Chargers make the playoffs, they are currently not a real playoff team.  They are simply the best bad team in a weak division.

A.J. Smith said that Marty Schottenheimer did not have the first clue on how to win, but looking at his record versus Turner is a no brainer.  In the playoffs we were good because of a strong fundamental running game and an opportunistic defense that could apply tons of pressure.  Turner's offensive wrinkles were so effective because you had to respect the running game.   Without a running game we now get our yards in bunches off screens and throwing down the field.  Marty called the red zone the gold zone when he was here since we could run and get what we needed.  Norv's tricks only work for so long, and not as often on a short field.

The talent on this team is undeniable, but it seems like bad coaching may be the end of it.  The Chargers need  a no nonsense coach that will bring discipline to this team that will enable them to execute their run plays and make stops on the defensive side of the ball.

Maybe Norv can flip the switch again and take us all the way, but he seems much better suited to be an OC to me.  The current whining, confusion, and softness of the Chargers is really tough for this life-long Charger fan to watch.