Tags
AFC West, American Football Conference, Bolts, Chargers, football, Los Angeles Chargers, National Football League, NFL, pro football, Pro Football Hall of Fame, StubHub Center
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CARSON, CA – AUGUST 13: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers calls a play against Seattle Seahawks during the first half of a pre season football game at StubHub Center August 13, 2017, in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Photo courtesy of nflspinzone.com
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
59th SEASON – SECOND IN LOS ANGELES (actually third; they began in L.A. in 1960)
2017 Record: 9-7
- Second place in the AFC West
- Finished one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs
Playoffs: None
Coach: Anthony Lynn, 2nd season
Home: StubHub Center, capacity 27,000
Key Returning Players (2017 stats):
- Philllip Rivers, QB: 4,515 yards, 62.6% completions, 28 TD, 10 INT
- Melvin Gordon, RB: 1,105 yards, 3.9 ypg, 8 TD
- Keenan Allen, WR: 102 receptions, 1,393 yards, 6 TD
- Antonio Gates, TE: 30 receptions, 316 yards, 3 TD
- Jahleel Addae, DB: 66 tackles (led team)
- Joey Bosa, DE: 54 tackles, 12.5 sacks
- Melvin Ingram, DE: 43 tackles, 10.5 sacks
Key Games (outside of the division):
- Los Angeles Rams at the Coliseum, September 23rd
- at Pittsburgh Steelers, December 2nd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgn0TydXiI0
A Chargers’ highlight video featuring great plays from the 2017 season, courtesy of YouTube (click on the link)
A Few Thoughts:
When I think about how the Chargers were in 2017, after spending over five and a half decades a couple of hours down I-5, two thoughts come to mind:
1. With the Rams, who have a long history in L.A., likewise back in SoCal, these Chargers were the epitome of “The other team in town” – and considering the extremely strong following that the Raiders have here, even with them being gone for nearly 25 years, the Chargers can be considered the third team in Los Angeles.
Which is quite sad after being the team in San Diego for so long.
And…
2. These Chargers were the perfect illustration of a team that was “Oh So Close!”, as if their kicker had made those last minute field goal attempts, they wouldn’t have started 0-4 and would have likely made the playoffs.
Despite all of that, Anthony Lynn has done an excellent job setting the foundation for this team, which will pay dividends down the road.
One thing that will greatly help in their re-establishment in L.A. is a win over the Rams in their date with their now-crosstown rivals (don’t even ask me to compare that with UCLA vs USC; it would be a most pathetic comparison!) at the Coliseum on September 23rd.
If they can beat the Rams there, it would go a long way toward establishing their legitimacy in a town with eleven pro sports teams and two major college sports programs, all vying for the hearts of the ten million people that populate this county.
One thing that would undoubtedly help, that I would do if I were the Chargers’ general manager, is finding an heir apparent at quarterback.
Phillip Rivers has had an OUTSTANDING career, and had a VERY good season in 2017.
Rivers will, without a shadow of a doubt, be a first ballot inductee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio when that time comes; he’ll look great in that yellow jacket.
But he’ll be 37 years old this December, and is starting his 15th season in the league and as a Charger.
Only a fool would deny that he doesn’t have too many years left.
That’s why I was a bit disappointed that the Chargers didn’t go after Josh Rosen, the former UCLA QB who’s now an Arizona Cardinal; he would have been perfect to eventually take over for Rivers behind center.
Outside of that, everything seems to be in place for the Chargers to have a good season, to certainly continue the momentum they gained after losing those first four games – they were 9-3 after that terrible start – and to surpass the nine wins they had in 2017.
They have good people at the skill positions and up front on both sides of the ball.
Which is why I’m going to officially predict this for those Bolts…
An 11-5 season and , if not an AFC West title – though they will definitely be strong contenders for one – a spot in the playoffs that they barely missed out on last year.
One thing’s for certain…
I’m going to make a point to watch that Chargers-Rams game on the 23rd.
I’ll know for sure where that team with the white helmets and the lightning bolt on the sides is headed afterwards.
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GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 11: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (7) passes the ball during the preseason NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers on August 11, 2018 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. The Cardinals defeated the Chargers 24-17. (Photo by Carlos Herrera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com