Vencie Says: 'The Man' keeps it short this week because he has Gravitas!

Vencie: "I'm just gonna go like this (see picture) for the Chargers' defense. That's all I can say. I love it. Beautiful"

This edition of Vencie Says, is late, to say the least. I'm still basking in a solid road victory against Dallas and I'm sure Vencie is as well......he didn't eviscerate anyone on Sunday Night Football in San Diego and that is a sure sign of Charger progress.

Because of the overflow of positivity, just the one quote this week----and it is a telling one when you consider how hard nose of a player, Vencie Glenn was during his day. Vencie was set up by Jim Laslavic with the following question:

Laz:"Final thoughts as the Chargers get ready to play the Bengals. Who would've thought that this would be such a big game...."

Vencie: "I'm just gonna go like this (see picture) for the Chargers' defense. That's all I can say. I love it. Beautiful"
(so good--you get it twice)
Through the first fourteen weeks of the season, two constants have drawn the ire of Vencie Glenn:

1. Norv Turner. Both his leadership and play calling were under fire.
   
2. Defense. Weather it was the soft play of Antonio Cromartie or the overall lack of accountability by the defense to man up, make a stop, and get off the field, Vencie Glenn routinely destroyed the unit.

Well, Norv has started calling a much more dynamic game during the last eight weeks and the result has been a Charger team playing with a lead. This effect has been profound. The Defense now knows that it can bend and if it keeps from breaking it will be trading opposition FGs for Charger TDs. The defense bends but gets stout in the red zone. This stinginess has been personified by goal line stands against the vaunted Giants, Eagles, and Cowboys of the NFC East. In all three match ups the Chargers have either held on 4th down or forced the opposition to kick a FG so it is the defense which should be given credit for playing tough D and contributing mightily to the current 8 game win streak. It isn't always pretty.......but they're getting the job done.

It should also be noted that Antonio Cromartie is playing a nice corner these days. Well hell.....we even saw the young fella playing press coverage at the line and getting his hands all over Roy Williams last Sunday. Keep up the solid coverage and mix in a few tackles and we might send you a Christmas card, Cro'. Good on ya.

So it is with that one quote that we bring this segment to an end. Part of the reason that this website sponsors former Charger Vencie Glenn is because he says the things we are thinking with a few crucial differences: the man has GRAVITAS!

• He's an old school defender// HEED HIS VOICE!
  
• He has a forum that allows his critical voice to be heard en mass.
  
• Now you now why we 'heart' Vencie Glenn and why we'll ask you to look at his comment again:

"I'm just gonna go like this (see picture) for the Chargers' defense. That's all I can say. I love it. Beautiful"

Chargers Preview: Ed Hochuli Can't Save You Donkeys Now

On September 14th, 2008, after the Chargers defeat at Mile High, I knew that swift justice would be needed to right the pernicious officiating blunder that denied us a crucial road victory. As bad as the Chargers performed through the middle of the season though, it looked like our retribution would be stemmed until the 2009 season. But the Bolts of '08 rallied, the Broncos folded and justice in small measure had been served.

It is now 2009 and we are returning to Mile High with so much on the line. In our cross-hairs we can see outright control of the AFC West, the opportunity for additional confidence while playing on the road, but perhaps most importantly, a series split to neutralize season ending tie-break scenarios. With that said I still can't help but think that the November 22nd tilt at Mile High, for this fan, is a matter of avenging the wrongs wrought upon us by Arizona lawyer, Edward G. Hochuli. Excuse me Denver, but the Chargers are rolling and Ed can't save you now!

This preview will be unorthodox by nature. If you want statistics and trends you're coming to the wrong guy. My analysis is of the Stephen Colbert variety, which is to say that it comes straight from the gut. I go with what I feel, statistics be damned! Team match-ups and breakdowns? Nah! Last week revolved entirely around the notion that "Good Teams" win at home. The Chargers were at home so I didn't care that the opponent hailed from the mighty NFC East. The Chargers should have won that game and I didn't need offensive and defensive rankings to tell me why.

Here's what I'm lookin' at this Sunday:

Road Cookin'
The Broncos are returning home which tends to breed confidence, however there's a rub; you're only as good as your last game at home, and unfortunately for the Donks, it was a shellacking by the Steelers. Conversely, San Diego's last road game was a hard earned victory in the Eastern Time Zone. This fan scoffs at the idea that a mere 1 hour shift to the east could be any sort of obstacle. You want numbers? Here's what has happened the last few meetings in Denver: since 2006 the Chargers are 2-1 (3-0 if you discount the Hochuli Effect) and have scored over 35 points in all three contests. For the Chargers, fear does not exist in the Denver Dojo.

Charger Defense:
As of right now the jury is out on whether or not we'll see Orton or Simms. If Kyle Orton pulls a Willis Reed and carries his gimpy ass out there he'll need to feel fierce pressure. The sort of pressure that produces happy feet and makes him curse his ankle and the weather on every single down. Ron Rivera has been doing a nice job of blitzing from everywhere, including pressure from our safeties, so the Bolt D will need to continue this trend.

If Chris Simms is leading the charge it will be incumbant upon the Defense, to man up and stuff the run. Stack the box. With that gangly left arm, Chris Simms doesn't have the where with all to defeat a team down-field. He's a pump faking disaster whilst fumbling around the pocket. Get up in the box and stuff the run and then bring the house on the passing downs.

The Early Lead
The Chargers were successful for a multitude of reasons last Sunday none of which was more important than the early 14 point lead they staked their defense to. That lead forced the Eagles to panic and consequently stray from their running game. Norv needs to continue with the sort of innovative play calling that can produce quick early scores.

Red Zone Efficiency
The Eagles learned that while on the road you cannot let red zone opportunities end with FG attempts. In a difficult road test, the Chargers must heed this lesson and convert red zone trips into touchdowns. I like Nate Kaeding and all, but keep him off the field.

"Good teams" win at home. "Good teams" are capable of stealing wins on the road. "Good teams" don't get swept by division rivals. The Chargers, my friends, are a "Good team".

There will be no Salvation for the Broncos on this Charger visit......Ed Hochuli will be far from Denver.

Chargers 31 Broncos 17 (if Simms plays it'll be a hell of a lot worse)

Citi Field: Padres get all the 'firsts'

Some quick observations on the Padres 6-5 victory at new Citi Field:

• Jody Gerut: Good on ya Mate! Let us count the FIRSTS: Hit:Run:HR:RBI. Way to take the crowd out of it early!

• Wait a minute! Why are these JAGS so happy and High-Fivey!? That ball should have been fired right back on to the field....shouldn't it have been?
• The Friars have only played 8 games so let's not carried away with the accolades....but there's something going on here....and regardless of where we are at the 24/48/96 game marks, I think it's good.
• David Eckstein...he reached base four times on three hits and called a balk before even the umpire but that's not what stood out to me. It was his ten pitch AB where his walk was followed by a .......dead sprint to 1B! You just don't see that too often and when it comes from a two time World Series winner I think it brings two things to the table:
• Fire and inspiration.
• A much needed professional example.
  
• Walter Silva will continue to struggle to make it to the 6th...that may be OK though with Correia and Hill looking good. Here's to Jake and CY staying healthy!
• Jody Gerut/Scott Hairston monster could be powerful. I think Gerut needs to get the majority of the starts though. Situations permitting, Hairston can make a nice impact. Way to Christen Citi Field JG!
• Heath Bell got his wish: The 1st save in the new ball yard. Hoffy brought leadership and professionalism to pens past but HB is bringing fire and brimstone! I like it....what about you?
• The Mets arm patch is really bad and Channel 4's Mark Grant astutely noted, "....looks like a Domino's Pizza logo. You want bread sticks with that?" Could Mudcat Grant and I have been the only ones with the same thought? Research finds:
  

• Stephen Colbert thought the same thing back in January during his Tip 'o the hat/Wag of the finger Segment. Enjoy premium satire here: Click
  

For More Met Logo Bashing:
Mets inaugural Citi Field patch getting ripped on the web
[NJ.com]