Chargers Still Don’t Get It

Oct 6, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; General view of the line of scrimmage as Oakland Raiders center

(64) snaps the ball to quarterback

(2) during the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers just doesn’t seem to get it. This wasn’t just another football game. It was a “Division Game”. The Raiders seemed to understand that, and got after a win. I don’t quite know how to explain it. I’ve heard the expectations are low for the Chargers, but do they have the same “low” expectations for themselves? Nobody expects them to be in the playoffs, but do they believe they don’t have shot either? I know there is still plenty of football left to play but they need to get this right now, read your T-SHIRT, “EVERYTHING MATTERS”.

When I look back on a certain young running back that was drafted in 2000. He expressed his dis-like, “…that there seemed to be more visiting team fans at home games, than Charger fans…”. He went on to say, ” that just didn’t seem right…”, then went on to do something about it. LaDanian Tomlinson put this franchise on his back and ran this organization to wins. He ran into the playoffs. More importantly he ran it back to being “RESPECTABLE”. Tomlinson GOT IT. He gave the fans a reason to be proud again, and he won us back, by giving it everything he had. Not just by winning, but by playing well even in the losses. That attitude LT had become contagious, and rattled off some of the best football in Charger history.

As of right now, can you point out the player that embodies that? Can you find a Charger that understands how important that game was? If I had to say it, I’d be hard pressed to say I could. As a matter of fact, I’d be hard pressed to say ownership gets it. In this area I can admire the Raiders organization. No matter where you come from, no matter who you played with before, they make it clear, when you put on the uniform, you’re a Raider now. If anything needs to be understood in Chargers Park, ” LOSING TO THE RAIDERS IS AN INSULT TO EVERY CHARGER THAT PLAYED”. If a team is going to have an attitude? why not start there?

I Know Tom Telesco and Mike McCoy are new here, but they are not new to the Raiders. The team is still changing, they are still getting know one another. They are still trying to figure out who they are. I get that. However, that’s just another excuse to not play well. What they need is to know THEY are the Chargers now. LT is not walking through the door. It’s time to step up and make San Diego Charger Fans proud again.