Vencie Sez: Merry Christmas (among other things)!

 It's been nearly a year....

 

AJM favorite, Vencie Glenn, joined Scott and BR for an emergency XX1090 broadcast Monday morning to help distraught, ledge straddling, fans cope with the disastrous loss in Cincinnati.

What did the hard nosed Glenn have to say? Let's get to it!

"Merry Christmas gentlemen."
What a pleasant and kind start, Mr Glenn! Merry Christmas to you! But we want some vitriol!
(click "Read More" to continue)

"At least 5 games they look like they didn't even show up this year."
That's about right I'd say. The one game I went to this year (against New England) they failed to show until the 4th quarter and it had nothing to do with the Pats. NE looked horrible as well.

"They did not show up as a team, as an organization, ready to play. They were all not on the same page."
No disagreement here. How can you fly back east the day before a game? Sacrificing holidays and time with the kids is part of the gig, no?

"Every streak ends. I don't care who you are. (audible laughter) If you think Philip Rivers is going to win all the time in December... you're crazy. If you think the Chargers are gonna always start slow and then win 12 in-a-row... you're crazy. It's not sport. It just doesn't happen. Everybody has a streak...Lance Armstrong. But they all end."
Way too much made about the "Norvember" business this year. All streaks come to an end. Even Matt Millen stopped drafting WRs in the 1st round of the NFL draft at some point!

"Watch the Chargers walk off the field. Watch em walk into the huddle. Watch em walk out of the huddle. They did it all game. And I said that's the trend of a team going through the motions out there. New England ran on and off the field. Ran in and out of the huddle."
Vencie was talking about watching the game against New England back in October... he noticed the big picture... a lackadaisical approach that would lead to an ultimate unraveling. I guess there's a difference between Norv Turner and Bill Belichick.

"I blame Eric Weddle"
Vencie blew Weddle the-f*ck-up during this portion of the interview. The blame stems from the play where Cason got burned for the long TD late in the game. Vencie argued that the Safety's roll is that of a QB on defense. Weddle should have noticed the personnel changes going on and got Cason ready for the play.

"Still, Cason's gotta get out there. Never turn your back on the Quarterback. That's like turning your back on a murderer (audible laughter)...man, he gonna kill you! Never turn your back on the QB. That's rule #1 in football as a defensive back. You always run out looking at the huddle."
Then he discussed Cason's role in the botched play. The entire interview is worth listening to just based on this quote. Vencie is hilarious in using his QB/Murderer analogy.

I've missed Vencie Glenn this year. It seems as though I always missed Football Night in San Diego on the nights he worked the panel. Oh well, next year. Listen to the whole interview; it's worth it.

I'm very close to putting this whole season behind me, accepting that the Chargers issues are systemic; starting at the top with Dean Spanos and trickling down through nearly everyone in the organization.

Bring on pitchers, catchers and the sporting doldrums of February... I'm done with football.

Vencie Says: Philip Rivers Crushes, Playoffs and the Abomination of Cromartie

Stellar show this last Sunday following the destruction of the Titans on Christmas Night. What did Vencie Glenn, et. al. have to say? Let us proceed...
On Philip Rivers:

"He has become the Michael Jordan of this football team. He carries this football team, and he has done an excellent job of taking over this team, putting it on his shoulders.....and they ride on Philip Rivers."

I too have a man crush on Philip Rivers. On account of the love that Vencie Glenn expresses each week towards #17, I do not feel like less of a man for it. Thank you Vencie.

On Resting Players Against The 'Skins:

"I just like everybody playing. I don't have a problem taking out your starters, maybe the second quarter, something, just to give them a little freshness, keep them sharp, but sitting out the whole game? I don't believe in that."

Agreed. Get the guys two quarters to keep game sharpness, timing, and most importantly, the Sunday body clock in tune. Rest guys who have been battling injuries (i.e. Shawne Merriman).

On Fearing Particular Teams In The Playoffs:

"You've got to be cautious of EVERYBODY once the playoffs start"

I agree with this assessment but 'to be the best' you 'have to beat the best'. However, I am weary of the Steelers because they seem to have our number the last couple of years so I'd prefer to not see their elimination from playoff contention. Other than that, bring on the Pats in the Divisional round and the Colts in the AFCCG. That would be the test of all tests.

On Which Player Has Been The Biggest Surprise:

"Philip Rivers is the guy that I think is the most improved. I just think his decision making, the way he spreads the ball, how he's taken control of this offense, and his accuracy is just amazing as a defensive man (speaking of himself)."

I can't say I'm entirely surprised by Philip Rivers as it has been demonstrated week in and week out that he has been anointed as God's quarterback. So no surprise there. I would go with the defensive line play and Brandon Dombrowski on the O-line. I was tearing them apart during week 8 but they've gelled over the past two months. Me likes their improvement and find myself surprised weekly.

What Is The Deal With Cromartie?

At this point there was hysterical laughter by the panel as they knew it was a topic Vencie would relish the opportunity to opine. SI's Jim Trotter even suggested that it was not a viewer question, but instead, a question planted by Vencie Glenn. Here is the direct text of the viewer e-mail question followed by Vencie's response:

"I've been sayin' this all year. I'm glad some people people watch film the way I watch it. It's a shame that one guy out out of Ten (11?) just does not want to be physical. THIS is the National Football League. You sign up for contact. He does not EVEN want to touch anybody. I just can't believe the defensive coordinator just let's him get away with it."

Jim Trotter expressed his opinion on Cromartie more diplomatically by essentially saying that Cro' is what he is and you can't make him something he's not, this probably being the best way to assess Cromartie. We'll never get a guy who plays a physical brand of football because it's not part of his own self image. Cro' views himself as Deion Sanders not as a Quentin Jammer or Pat Fischer. My personal opinion on the way Cromartie plays: a complete embarrassment for someone who calls himself a professional football player. Unfortunately there are many others just like him.

I felt the need to add in some additional Jim Trotter commentary because his analysis is sound and he's also good at intelligently 'taking the piss' out of somebody.....in this case Josh McDaniels and the Denver Broncos.

Jim Trotter On Josh McDaniels:

"I think it's a guy who came in, and in my opinion, thought he had all the answers early when they started 6-0, and now he's finding out that the NFL is a lot tougher than that....and we'll see you next year Josh."

This was better live because JT was really punking McDaniels when he said "...and we'll see you next year Josh." It was pretty funny....and I laughed.

Jim Trotter On The Broncos' Playoff Hopes:

"Don't you feel bad for Denver? 6-0. Now they're probably out of the playoffs. Geez, I feel terrible for 'em"

Once again video does more justice as JT rolled his eyes when talking about feeling bad for the Broncos.

Until next week's edition of Sunday Night Football in San Diego, 'Vencie Says', bids you farewell.

Always remember: Vencie Glenn pulls no punches. Nor Does Avenging Jack Murphy.

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"

Vencie Says: Know your history....and play some 4th quarter 'D' for cryin' out loud!

I finally nailed the necessary combination of DVR-ing to be able to see Sunday Night Football in San Diego with Jim Laslavic, in its entirety.

Firstly, you must be sure to record Sunday Night Football or at least set the DVR near the end of the game (AJM recommends between 7:45-8:30 pm) so you don't miss the start of SNF in San Diego on Channel 7 NBC, with Jim Laslavic.

Secondly, you must record the Sunday Night Football in San Diego program itself at 8:30 pm. This seems counter intuitive but it's worth mentioning because.......sometimes shit just happens.

Thirdly, you must record Monk at 9:00 pm. Yes Monk with Tony Shalhoub.

Timing is a b*tch with NBC. Between commercial interests and the occasional Viking who breaks his femur you never know how long SNF will last. Consequently you never know how long Laz, Vencie, JR, and La Roi will be on the tube.......which means you better record Monk with Tony Shalhoub too, or you might miss the Pearls of Wisdom from our main man Vencie Glenn! Without further adieu:

On LT passing the legendary Jim Brown on the all time rushing list:
"I like the fact he's a historian, ya know? A lot of these young players they don't know the history of the game. They don't realize that Emmitt Smith didn't invent the running game. There were guys before him. But ya know he's a historian, he understands the guys that paved the way for him. And I really respect that."

On the Chargers' shaky 4th quarter defense:
"They have to learn to close out games. When you got a Brady Quinn and a team you dominated all game and you give up 17 points in the 4th quarter, you can't have that if you're talkin' about making a playoff run.....cuz these teams will eat you up in the playoffs."

"If you're going to win a championship, and La Roi [La Roi Glover] knows this, you have to shut down teams in the 4th quarter......and get off the field."

On upcoming opponent, Cowboy QB, Tony Romo:
"When he plays in December.....is it December yet..... he don't win. The stats don't lie. The stats don't lie. He just can't get it done in December."

Vencie is right. Stats don't lie. We look forward to next Sunday Mr. Romo.

Vencie Glenn pulls no punches. Nor does AJM.

Vencie Says: tellin' it the way it is, each and every week

Vencie Glenn on Philip Rivers' Awesomeness:
"Last week he took a game winning drive and went down and scored. This week he took the ball with 6 minutes and kept the other team from getting the ball back. That is a sign of a QB that is maturing and understands his role and where his team is."

On Next Week's Opponent, Bronco back-up QB Chris Simms, and his lack of Awesomeness:
"PR's gonna give you 28 every game. He gonna give you 28 every game. Simms will not get you 28. He won't even get you 14."

On Bill Belichick's gamble to go for it on 4th down, with a lead, on the Patriots' 30 yard line...against Peyton Manning:
"I just think you take yourself way too serious as a head coach. I just think that was a personal call, had nothing to do with your team trying to win the game, I think he wanted to prove a point, and it backfired and rightfully so it should have and he should be embarrassed."

Vencie Glenn spared Antonio Cromartie this week, but as always, he pulled no punches.

Vencie Says: On the heels of a big win in NYC Vencie Glenn discusses Antonio Cromartie and tackling

There is no better way to end the week than for Sunday Night Football to conclude and Football Night in San Diego to begin.

NBC's channel seven brings us analysis with a critical eye via former Chargers/NFLers and journalists. This week's episode saw host Jim Laslavic team with Vencie Glenn, JR Tolver, and Jim Trotter to break down the Chargers victory over the Giants.

My favorite part of the segment is when former Charger Safety, Vencie Glenn, lays into Antonio Cromartie for being a girly defender. What did Avenging Jack Murphy's Patron Saint, Vencie Glenn, have to say about our athletic cover corner? Enjoy......

"For whatever reason, he is so afraid of getting hurt"

"This guy's gonna get somebody else hurt and he's gonna cost them a big play when they really need it"

"He just don't want to tackle, it's sad in the NFL that you don't want to tackle and be accountable....but that's who he is."

"He couldn't play for me as a Defensive Coordiator....unless he started tackling. I'm gonna be straight honest... as a defensive player it's almost embarrassing to watch a guy run around out there and avoid contact like he does...and I'm not ever going to change that."

Vencie Glenn pulls no punches. Nor does Avenging Jack Murphy

Mike Singletary is to leadership as Norv Turner is to _________?

I have stated many times that my origins are of the Midwestern ilk and as such I happen to think quite highly of Mike Singletary. More precisely---he's bad a**. I think most would agree with that assessment and most would also take it a step further in suggesting: "Man I wish he was the coach of the San Diego Chargers!"

(you would suggest that wouldn't you?)

So in logging out of my email account what do I see but a picture of Samurai Mike and a video entitled: Mike Singletary on Leadership.

Fortuitous timing with the Chargers slipping 3 1/2 games behind the Denver Broncos and the city of San Diego up in arms about the leader at the helm (or lack there of). Why it was just yesterday afternoon that former fullback assassin, Lorenzo Neal, went on Darren Smith's show and railed against Norv Turner after former Charger safety Vencie Glenn* had done the same in the morning with Scott and BR.

So what does the Samurai have to say?

What do you think?

Is Norv leading by example? The lines of communication.....are they clear? What about the message he's selling? Is it being bought by the rank and file? Who knows.....I'm not in the locker room, but after listening to Lo' Neal's interview on XX1090 I'd say a lot of his information and opinion is based on that of an inside source. Maybe a mate from the fraternity of running backs, who he's close friends with? I'm just saying...

*Vencie Glenn, due to his critical but fair comments regarding how the Charger defense takes the field, has become one of the patron saints of Avenging Jack Murphy. Vencie Glenn is a hard man. Vencie Glenn is a wise man.

Week 4: Chargers, Steelers, and C3PO

Pondering a 38-28 loss to the Steelers.....

Here's all I've got: as it relates to being a fan of San Diego sports teams, I quote a sage from a Galaxy, Far, Far, Away: "It is our lot in life to suffer."

Let's not take anything away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They're the defending champs, enjoying some home cooking, and by all accounts had their backs against the wall. They should have won. But that game was ridiculous.

I think if we were forced to trade Philip Rivers away for another quarterback, I'd choose Ben Roethlisberger. He's tough and nearly impossible to haul down in the pocket...or any where on the field for that matter. But c'mon. He completed 79% of his passes! Do you know what kind of QB completes nearly 80% of his passes? No..... the answer is not a "Legend". QBs who complete 80% of their passes are PLAYING AGAINST EXTRAORDINARILY SHITTY DEFENSES!!!!!!! The cushion evident after their receiving corp caught Big Ben's passes was ridiculous. Just really porous defense. An embarrassment.

And Rashard Mendenhall......newsflash, Charger D......he's a former number one draft pick who also happens to carry an adjective that no football player ever wants attached to them: soft. Yes. Soft. A "soft" running back carved you up to the tune of 165 yards and 2 TDs. When he wasn't barreling over defenders, he was bouncing off of those who were completely uncommitted to the tackle.

Antonio Cromartie is a complete joke of a football player. I know he had at least three penalties, continued to tackle like a girl, as well as give obscene cushions to every receiver who came his way. I'm sure there's a lot of other crap he did too, like impregnate some baggage handler on the trip into the 'Burgh. I don't know the human but I HATE the football player.

Norv Turner. Sure, professional football players shouldn't need someone to get them fired up to play the game.....and that's a good thing because Norv is incapable of such a task. But a head coach needs to have his team ready to play from the time of the opening kickoff and Norv fails miserably there. Down 14-0 with the snap of a finger? That's four consecutive games, off to a crappy start. Waiting until it was 28-0 to mount a come back? The Chargers, often described as "one of the most talented teams in the league" (we have talented offensive personnel and a defense that gives up 500 yards---pundits, please stop referring to this team as talented and deep and all of that other crap), haven't scored a TD on the opening drive in over 20 straight games. That's on Norval.

So what's the answer for these Chargers?

There is no answer for them, only you. Get used to the disappointment as both a Charger and Padre fan because it will last in perpetuity. As San Diegans we are a cursed lot of fans. Much like the Red Sox carried the burden of an 86 year curse after the unceremonious dumping of a future hall of famer (all for the purpose of funding a Broadway play), so too do we have a cross to bear. Losing is our penance for being able to wear shorts and flip flops in January. This loss is my penance right now.....being able to eff around after the game and still get a decent night's sleep because I view games in Pacific Standard Time. Well rested fans deserve to lose, as no sacrifice has been offered to the Football Gods. Losing is our atonement, fellow San Diegans.....keep it in mind while others are shoveling their driveways in January and you're working on your foot tan.

Editor's Note:
Former Charger Vencie Glenn pulled no punches in his assessment of the Bolt's D during Channel 7's Sunday Night Football In San Diego after the game. Zero sugar coating. I like Vencie. He too appears to want Cromartie's head on a stick.