I Love My Chargers, I Love Them Not…
Sep 29, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) points as he calls a play at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The Chargers are like that one ex-girlfriend every guy has…you break up with her after too much heartbreak (collapse against Houston), then she drunk-calls for a wild night and you take her back (beating Eagles). She cheats on you like you knew she would (last second Titans loss) and you dump her again. But now she has hit the gym, been tanning and looks better than ever (crushing the Cowboys). And now I’ve updated my FB status and we’re back together and more in love than ever! I tell all my friends…”this time will be different! She’s changed, I swear!”
This is my love/hate relationship with the Chargers this season over the first 4 games. In the back of my mind I am terrified of them breaking my heart again. Queue every Chargers fan solemnly nodding his head in agreement.
I don’t know what the future holds for me and my beloved…but for the first time in a few years, I am excited about our future together. Philip Rivers is the QB of old, holding the no.2 QB rating in NFL at 118.8. Even more impressive stat is that in an offensive scheme designed to make Philip throw it shorter and quicker, he is 5th in the NFL in yards per attempt at 8.44ypa. The new scheme is working in other ways as well, as he is not getting hit far less this year and only been sacked 6 times in 4 games.
But our defense is what worries me. We have shown flashes up front with our front 7, but our secondary is awful; giving up 311ypg in passing, ranking 29th in NFL. This is like my girlfriend going out to the club wearing crazy slutty outfit and just trying to trust that she doesn’t hook up with every dude in the place. This is how my heart will be broken again. I want to trust that our secondary will get the job done, but so far our secondary has been giving it up easier than nymphomaniac.
So here’s to the good times and the bad. To the love and the hate that every sports relationship brings. Here’s hoping our Chargers don’t break our hearts again.
Dan Locke
@Dlocke619 on Twitter