Chargers fans tired of that losing feeling
By Tyler Schoon
“This is a darn good football team.”
At least, that’s what Chargers head coach Mike McCoy keeps telling us. Taking a glance at the roster, there is plenty of proof to warrant such a statement.
On offense, Philip Rivers has been airing it out, complimented by an improving group of pass-catchers in Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman and Hunter Henry. Melvin Gordon just scored his 10th touchdown of the season, less than a year removed from scoring none.
On defense, Casey Hayward has been playing phenomenal, leading the NFL with seven interceptions. Joey Bosa is a monster. When healthy, the Bolts have a strong linebacking corps.
On IR, the Chargers boast a talented, Pro-Bowl caliber group of players in Keenan Allen, Jason Verrett, Danny Woodhead and Brandon Mebane that will return next season. There is an abundance of talent on this roster, even with these injuries. Maybe this is a darn good football team.
It’s also a 5-7 football team.
Dec 8, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers fans in the first quarter of the game at against the New York Giants at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The San Diego Chargers lost their seventh game of the season (third at home) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In front of their fans, they blew another fourth-quarter lead. Failing to hold defensively and capitalize offensively, the team shattered any postseason hope. After only Week 13, Chargers fans can already start looking ahead to next season.
Wasn’t this a darn good football team?
There are many issues that can be singled out: A bad offensive line, injuries and an extremely inept head football coach. Unfortunately, Chargers fans can expect the same every year, because no change seems to be coming. Management seems to not care about a commitment to winning. The fans are sick of it. I’m sick of it.
We buy your tickets, purchase your jerseys and make the drive to attend your games. All we ask for in return is a winning culture and a winning season. Not the embarrassing performance this year has turned out to be. Chargers fans seem to get a bad reputation for being wishy-washy, cheering when things go well but quick to jump to booing when they don’t. They seem to be indecisive, split on which side of the emotional spectrum they should stand on. And I don’t blame them. How else are they supposed to feel?
Up 14 points, they shouldn’t have to feel a creeping dread of an imminent letdown that results in a disheartening loss. They wish they could stand proudly behind their team after wins against the Broncos and Falcons, but they know disaster looms ahead. That somehow, in the most unimaginable ways possible, the San Diego Chargers will disappoint them.
Chargers fans are tired of that losing feeling.
What will it take for this team to earn back your trust moving forward? What is something you’d like to change going into next season? Is there a cut, free-agency acquisition or draft pick you’d like to see?
Let’s hear your calls to action. Comment below and let me know!