Oct 31, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Curtis Brinkley (44) leaps over in the second half of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

For those of you that are concerned with the running back situation in San Diego, look past the end of your nose and be thankful for what we have.

I was vocal about wanting to draft Chris Rainey in the 3rd or 4th round of this year’s draft.  I really liked what I thought he would bring to the Chargers in 3rd down plays and on special teams.

Congrats to Pittsburgh for getting a player that will certainly help out in those situations.  The fact that I hoped that he was drafted by the Bolts was not for the purpose of carrying the load.  Rainey, albeit, a very talented player, was not and is not, the guy I would choose to step in for Mathews if for some reason he went down for a couple games or, heaven forbid, the season.

The guy that WOULD be able to do so is Curtis Brinkley.  The guy that I had crowned Dub Cuatros, #44.  I have been following him on Twitter for a while and telling him how I know he can be the guy we all want.  Letting him know how all the true fans feel about him and how he has the support of the BoltBeat team.  He followed “nobody me” back shortly after, by the way.  He also made it clear that he is working his tail off to prove, not to himself, but to everyone else, that he can and will get the job done.  He seems very humble and confident but does not even tip-toe on the edge of cockiness or conceit.

Talk about fighting through adversity.  The man has come back from “bullet holes” to continue to be an NFL player.  Being named the Ed Block Courage award winner this year is one of the most fitting honors I have ever seen given to the appropriate person. You see, far too often, that the wrong people receive awards for the wrong reasons.  Brinkley receiving that award just goes to show what he means to the entire Chargers organization.

Although the award proves just how important he is to the team, there are other obvious indicators that ring true as well.  The fact that Mike Tolbert is in Carolina is one obvious reason, to me anyway, that Curtis has the faith of this coaching staff and ownership.  I know we offered Tolbert more money than the Panthers did. Hush! If the team really wanted to keep him or, more importantly, didn’t have faith in #36, then they would have found a way to do so.

“Wait, BoogaP, you moron!! You just said #36 in regards to Brinkley. You stinkin’ Jackwagon.  What kind of name is BoogaP anyway?? He wears # 44!”   Well, that’s what I thought when I purchased my #44 Curtis Brinkley jersey.  After giving him props on Twitter and direct messaging with him, I told him I’m waiting to receive my Dub Cuatros jersey.  He very simply replied, ” I am # 36 now.”

LOL. Ha ha, yeah sure I thought to myself.  He has tweeted some funny stuff here and there and seemed to have a sense of humor.  If it were me, I would totally joke with someone that way.  Then nervously I asked, ” are you really?”  When I say nervously, I am nervous when I have the honor of talking with any of our Super Chargers players.   Knowing that I had just purchased his jersey and having it sink in that he was serious, I told him, “well, now I’ll have both #44 and #36 Brinkley jerseys!  At least you’ll know that I have been a fan then & now.”

I then began to blabber like a little school girl about how crazy it was to be talking with an actual Bolts player.  And then the unthinkable happened.  My phone beeps, I look at it and see that I have a new direct message.  My phone is set up to inform me of Twitter happenings as well as the BoltBeat App, ahem.  It also is faster than my computer for informing me of said things.  So I click on the DM and it says I have a new direct message from @boonah920. That is Curtis Brinkley’s Twitter name.  I click on it and it says, “I’m givin u tics to one game,, u pic 1!!!”

If I thought that I was being a tool before, yaking like a little child meeting their idol, now I had lost it.  It was like the older gals who win the brand new waffle iron/RV prize package on The Price is Right!  AHHHHH!  WHHAAATTT!! I probably sounded pretty pathetic.  I didn’t know what to say.  So I did what I do best….. I said too much! Dang it! I have many gifts and other than my kids, wife, family, and love for the Chargers, my Gift Of Gab is perhaps my strongest.  Other than the aforementioned gifts, it is true. I like to talk.  And in this case, as in so many others, I probably talked too much.

Let’s get down to business.  If you have read ANY story or ANY comment that I have left on BoltBeat, you will see that I am a true fan.  I actually receive more hate mail from supposed Charger fans than I do anybody else.  I am not stupid.  I do not blow smoke up people’s rear ends.  In my bio I say that I have forgotten more about the Chargers than most people know.  That goes for the NFL and football in general, as well.  This is the perfect example of how being a true fan actually pays off.  I am rewarded by just knowing that I will always be there for my team.  Now, in a way, my team is there for me.  Brinkley made that happen.  I don’t know much, but I know I love the Chargers.  (Yes, ripped off a lil song lyric for a minute.  Leave title and performer in comments and I’ll send you a Chargers player autographed card! No joke!)

What I know is that Curtis Brinkley is the real deal.  He didn’t have to offer me tickets.  He doesn’t have to give me the tickets.  He just needs to do what the Chargers organization, myself, and the TRUE Boltheads know that he is capable of doing.  That is his job.  He will do his job.  If the Chargers believe in him then I do as well until they are proven wrong.  The game against Kansas City just flashed some of what he is capable of doing when having the touches to showcase his ability.

The game I asked to be able to go to…… well, what would you have said?

Leave it in the comments section.  If you are reading this article and you are on Twitter, I implore you to immediately log on to your Twitter account and show @boonah920 some love.  Show him that what he did is appreciated by the true Chargers fans.  We have an ISH-reputation across the Nation as being bad fans.  I take that personally and I refuse to be a part of some moron’s reasoning behind such a dubious distinction.  Tell ‘em to make 7Up yours, in your own way of course.

Thanks a lot for reading.  I hope you all get to read this because the server for BoltBeat has been breaking my footballs for the last couple days.  Leave some encouraging words for Brinkley in the comments section.

BoltUp!!!

BoogaP

P.S. 112 days until the season opener.  Not that long at all right? Right?? Ugh!!

P.P.S.  If I’m such a true fan and want other true fans to feel appreciated, then wouldn’t I give those fans a way to feel appreciated?  Stay tuned this weekend.  Mark. My. Words.  It WILL be epic. EPIC.  I’m out!

The Answer at RB2 is #36 - Bolt Beat - Bolt Beat - A San Diego Chargers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

NFL nutwork Top 100 players of 2012, Philip Rivers ranked #61. When asked if this is the highest we’ll see Rivers rank, Warren Sapp said no.

Good right?

Not so fast.

He went on to say that PR#17 will have a rough year again this season.

Doesn’t sound like he’s much of a Philip Rivers fan because Sapp went on to say, and I quote: “it’s a humbling game that we play and when you play it on the edge of arrogance, I don’t think a championship comes your way”.

What?! Arrogance? Did I miss something? I’m not seeing the arrogance.

I’ve found that when it comes to Philip Rivers, people are either hot or cold. They either love him or they hate him. No in between. Even some Chargers fans don’t like him.

I personally think he’s a great guy, a great future hall of fame quarterback, dedicated father and family man as well as a devout believer in God. He’s more than capable of leading this team to a championship.

I love Warren Sapp and all but some of the garbage that comes out of his mouth sometimes is just….well…let’s just say questionable.

Warren Sapp Comments On Philip Rivers Rank. - Bolt Beat - Bolt Beat - A San Diego Chargers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Dec 18, 2011; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers nose tackle Cam Thomas (76) reacts after a touchdown during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Shhhhh…. Be quiet!!!  Don’t make him angry.  You won’t like him when he’s angry!!

Our beloved 3rd year NT @Baby_Zilla76 , Cam Thomas, is working in conjunction with @ELUSIONCLOTHING to produce a #CamSmash shirt and apparel line.

What will be included as far as types and styles of apparel, hats, tees, etc?  I’m not sure but here’s what I DO know for sure.  “I want one of each!!!”

Myself and @r_mainwaring have both had the pleasure of tweeting with @Baby_Zilla76, and have confirmed this to indeed be fact.

Knowing that you are all true fans of the Bolts, you are already aware of the impact that Cam had on our defense last season.  Or maybe not??

The fans have been clamoring for the next Jamal Williams.  I am not even going to try to compare JWill and #CamSmash.  My reasoning for that is different than most fans. But, I will say this next part without hesitation knowing what has already been accomplished in such a short time.  Last season Thomas was credited with four sacks.  Cam did not receive full-time snaps at NT.

In 2004, Jamal Williams had a career-high four sacks while playing full time as the NT in the Chargers 3-4 defense.

Hmmm, things that make ya go hmmm.

Although they share the same jersey number, I think I have the same hope for Cam that he has for himself;  not to be the next best NT wearing the number 76 for our team, but to be the best Cam Thomas that he can be for OUR Chargers!!

And, by the way, his goal….oh wait, sorry, as he put it to me, he will be a future Hall-of-Famer.  Goals are to be reached but this big man is looking past goals and grasping for NFL immortality.  Now that is the kind of guy that I want manning the middle of our defense for years to come!

Did I say Manning?  Big mistake choosing to play in the same division as the Chargers.  I’ll expound on that in a later article.

I am anxiously awaiting the debut of the product line.  Now that all you BoltHeads have a heads up, I know that all of you are too.

I have a strong feeling that the BoltBeat faithful will do more than their part to help in making sure this line will “SMASH” even it’s own expectations!!

Thanks for reading and supporting one of my favorite Bolts!!  If you are on Twitter be sure to follow @Baby_Zilla76 as soon as you’re done reading this.  If you don’t, are you aware of what might happen to your face?

#CamSmash!!!

BoltUp!!

BoogaP

#CamSmash!!!! - Bolt Beat - Bolt Beat - A San Diego Chargers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.