Blackouts For The Bolts? Not This Year!

For the last several years now, Charger fans have come to expect a lot from this team.

Yeah, we have high expectations (unlike the owners). Having not made the playoffs for the last 2 years, there is plenty of blame to go around.

The talk of blackouts for home games is not good for the Bolts and their fans.

It’s no secret the Chargers have had a problem filling seats for the last couple of years and I think I know why.

Here’s the conclusion that I’ve come to.

The reason we haven’t been selling out the stadium for the last couple of years is because we Charger fans knew deep down that there were still a lot of questions about this team, with the loss of a good defensive coordinator in Ron Rivera. I gotta be honest, when the Chargers brought in Greg Manusky, knowing what he did in San Francisco, or lack thereof, I really had some doubts, and so did everyone else.

In addition to that, the fact that we’ve never really had that much faith in Norv Turner’s leadership abilities. We’re still on the fence as far as that  goes. We knew going into last season we weren’t sure that this team was special, although we wanted to think so.

We had hopes.  High hopes.

But we knew better. It’s not because we didn’t support our team, It’s just that we didn’t have faith. The jury is still out whether Norv can get it done.

Then the Charger went on a 6 game losing skid during mid-season. Our doubts were justified.

We Charger fans may have a little more football knowledge than many give us credit for. We aren’t stupid. We have football savvy.

I would be willing to bet if Bill Belichick were coaching this team, that stadium would be busting at the seams every home game.

Then again if my dog had wings he’d be a bird.

All joking aside, we all know that Norv has had this offense in the top 5 for the last 5 years.

It was never about moving the ball up and down the field. The problem was the redzone offense and getting the rock across that final solid white chalk line. You know, the line with the orange pylons on each side? The little 10 yard area where the goal post is? Yeah it’s called the endzone. That’s where you get 6 points instead of the 3 you get via field goal. Last year we kicked too many field goals. That drives me nuts.

Finally, A.J. Smith gave us something to be excited about with the additions of Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal, Le’Ron McClain, Jarret Johnson, Ronnie Brown and some great draft picks. The two I’m most excited about are Melvin Ingram and Ladarius Green.

I feel much better about John Pagano as DC. I don’t know what it is but I just feel good about him.

This season it’s not the same. There’s something in the air. Do you feel it? It’s just plain different this year. It’s electric.

That’s why this season there will be NO blackouts.

It’s now in Norv’s hands. I think the guy can get it done. With this group of players he has, how can he not.

I will say this though, if he doesn’t make a big splash this season and  go deep into the playoffs, with this kind of talent, there is no doubt, Turner must go.

Even Dean Spanos can’t argue with that.