2009 Bolts and Donks: Deja Vu All Over Again

Ordinarily I'd prefer to show a Charger-centric photo but this one said it all: Penalty Flag.

Editor's Note:
So I started this on Sunday and...... well.......it's late. Pizza always tastes good the next day, although this is two days late..... so if you get the "runs", we apologize.

Seriously? The Chargers have won their last four games and the Broncos have lost their last three. This phenomenon has positioned the Bolts to take sole possession of 1st place in the AFC West next Sunday at Mile High. Nice! Very Niiiiiiiiiice!!!

How sad for you. Hope you enjoyed the weather.

Quick notes regarding our beloved Lightening Bolt chuckers.

• The play calling from Norv was pretty dynamic when you subtract the two occasions where he tried to run the little fella on 3rd and short. Give it to LT.....or Tolbert.....or Hester...or even Manemalauna (did I spell that right?) in those situations. Just don't hand it to Sproles. He's small......seriously.....really small.
• Loved seeing Legedu in the Wildcat. One more wrinkle for teams to prepare for.
• LT got holes. LT got yards. Thus endeth the lesson.
• Addendum: offensive line created holes.
• Huge drive by Philip and the offense to eat up the clock and extend the lead to 8 points.
• "Good Teams" win at home. Perhaps we can now be discussed in that realm.
  

Negatives:

• Obviously seeing the offense give up 45o yards through the air hurts but while the D was bending all day it did not break. Red Zone defense yielded FGs not TDs.....and just like that I've turned the negative into a positive.
• Were we helped more by Philly shooting itself in the foot with penalties or by our performance? Eh...don't care.
  
• The Bud Light I was drinking was from the summer so it had exceeded its born-on date and just didn't taste that great. I instead had to enjoy the cool taste of Victory.
• We won and have a shot to take sole possession of first---there are no more negatives.

On to talk of the Denver Debacle:
We have a small contingent attending next week's game and it looked like it may be an uneventful trip around mid October but boy have the tides turned! They've turned so much so that Kyle Orton (injured on the play below) will more than likely be replaced by Chris Simms next Sunday. Chris Simms. Another resounding, SWEEEEEEEEEEET!

We're here to bring the funny and when we can't we look to Denver Broncos coach, Josh McDaniels to do it for us. Listen to the opening line of his post game press conference, after the Redskins game. Think he's got Bolts on the Brain? Thanks to Glorify the Past for the heads-up on this one.

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.

On Our Way To Denver, Where Everyone Must Feel Dead

The best Denver related song there is. How you feelin' Denver?

Defining Moments: Week 10, Chargers v Eagles

Last week the Chargers did what all "Good" teams must stand up and do from time to time: win a tough game on the road.

Regardless of the fact that the Giants were in a bit of a tailspin at the time it was still a great test because the Chargers' primary weakness (stopping the run) would be attacked by the Giants' strength (running the ball). OK so perhaps we were lucky that Coach Coughlin decided to abandon the run and let ShE-LI do the heavy lifting......who cares, the game was three time zones away and the Chargers' had a defining moment.

Today is the time for another defining moment. The Bolts' are home against another tough NFC East team and to keep pace with the foundering Denver Donkeys a victory is called for.

How good are the Eagles? I don't know, who does? They lost to the Raiders and destroyed the Giants so who can definitively say. Here's all we need to know: the Chargers are at home and they must do what all "Good" teams do.......WIN AT HOME. The Chargers are 2-2 at home and that is not the mark of a "Good" team but today they have the chance to prove themselves worthy of the pre-season hype. Defining moments.

I don't care who the opponent is today.
I don't care if PETA is protesting the return of Vick or if he's featured in a Wildcat set.
I don't care about Brian Westbrook's health.
I don't care about Andy Reid's game plan.
I don't care about ANYTHING.......
Except the fact that the Chargers are at HOME.

"Good" teams win at home. Are the Chargers good?

For more Bolt/Eagle previews:

Eagles-Chargers: Predictions, match-ups, and more [Philly.com]
Eagles-Chargers: What To Watch For [619Sports.net]

Acee Advance: Chargers versus Eagles

Hate For The Humpday: the guessing game

Hey, don't call us fruity for the screen scrape......these guys are the ones gettin' cozy!

Guess the object of hate: [click]

Charger Fan In Donkey Land: Week 9 Giants

Week Nine in the Chargers' season took us cross country to meet our rival, the New Your football Giants. Well, they're not really our rival, however we will always have an association with them as long as Rivers and Manning are at their respective helms......you know this because you all heard it over.... and over.... and over.... and over....... this past week.

(Time to Digress)
Not to bore anyone, but I have to make one last comment on this topic before I move on. EARTH TO THE MANNINGS! You are NOT bigger then the game and you do NOT have the right to act as though you are bigger than the Game, stating that you will not play for a certain team, specifically our BOLTS.

"wonk, wonk,wonk"

BUT THANK ALL THAT IS HOLY THAT HE WAS GIVEN THE RIGHT TO DO IT BACK ON DRAFT DAY; NEVER WANTED YOU! Henceforth, you will experience a RIVERS running through your defense, each time our teams meet. Get used to it!

So we looked to last week as a true test against a reasonable opponent, even with them coming off a 3 game losing streak. They talked it up in NY stating it was a must win and the game would take on a playoff atmosphere. Well we look at every game as an opportunity to get another win and we feel confident going up against anyone.

We didn't look unstoppable by any means, but good teams find ways to win week in and week out. No one ever said that had to be pretty, but that last drive in the 4th sure was pretty if you ask this Bolt fan.

A few less dropped passes and this game isn't even close. We released Chambers, but apparently he shook hands with Gatesy and Malcom Floyd, unexpectedly passing on the butterfingers. Glad that is out of our system.......(it is isn't it?)

The play that has to stand out in your mind was when there was an injury timeout and the camera angle panned over to LT, Rivers and Norv talking on the sideline and LT appeared to suggest a play. That play was the next one called and it wasn't for him; it instead went to .43 cent running out of the back field in man to man coverage and getting open for a 25 yrd gain. Nice call LT ; and even better execution by Rivers and .43 cent. However, the biggest shout out has to go to Norv for taking advice and trusting his players and letting them make that call.

Games like these build the character needed for teams moving into the second half of the season. Knowing that your 2 minute drill is capable and knowing that we have shown how we can utilize our weapons to move down the field with the game on the line breeds confidence.

I must say it was hard not to wipe the smile off my face seeing the defensive side of the ball begin to show itself. Seeing the ol' Lights Out dance was nice, not once but twice on Sunday. Weddle also had a good game. I liked seeing the defense show some desire and get to the quarterback with our blitz packages.

They may be baby steps but they're just what the team needs to build confidence, and attitude.

We have another good opponent, in the Iggles, coming to Jack Murphy Field on Sunday. Our House, which we must protect by any means necessary. It is important we get this victory against the Iggles this week and continue the attack all teams that step before us.

They say it is a game of inches and that is exactly what we are away from the lead in the AFC WEST.

Lets get these Iggles, continue on our way, and destroy all who stand in our way. That's how this Charger fan abroad sees it.

Charger Fan In Donkey Land
BOLT PRIDE

Was last night's game in Denburgh?

I hope when our war party of Avengers attend the Chargers game in Denver on November 22nd we're as cozy as these Steeler fans. Look at how many Steeler fans made it to Mile High.

Denver Post columnist, Woody Paige, had some choice words for Bronco season ticket holders in today's column, Paige: Whose stadium is this anyway?:

The 20,000 season-ticket holders who sold their seats — in every section, on every level — to the Steelers' true loyalists should be ashamed. That wasn't a home game for the Broncos. It was a neutralized site.

With 2 1/2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the stadium had been emptied out — of orange pompom party poopers. All who remained were Women & Men In Black waving the Terrible Towels in victory.

Sick effort, Denver. If you don't want your tickets, at least scalp them to people who bleed orange, blue, mustard and brown.

I agree Woodrow! Pathetic display! Firstly, why wouldn't you want to see your 1st place team play against the defending champs? Secondly, this game was as important as they come; the Bolts are on a three game winning streak! Hey Woody, what have the Broncos done while the Bolts have climbed their way back into the AFC West race:

The Broncos are 6-2 at the midway juncture of the season but should have a better-feeling texture, because few outside or, even, inside the locker room believed the Broncos would be so lofty on Nov. 9. But the performances in Baltimore and at home (home?) this month have been more septic tank than antiseptic salve.

The Broncos have been outscored 58-17 and have permitted the Chargers to get back in the race.

Just as alarming, the Broncos have not scored in five of their past eight quarters; they have yet to score a touchdown on their first possession this season (but did burp a field goal after the opening kickoff against Pittsburgh); and the only touchdown scored on Monday night was not by the offense, but on a scoop-and- score fumble return.

One offensive touchdown in two games! That efficient offense managed by Orton has become ineffective and unmanageable. New school has become old-fashioned.

That's right the Chargers are back in the race. Now we just need to turn the city of Denver into Jack Murphy Field at Mile High. Get yourselves to Denver Bolt Backers! Woody, you go film another segment of ESPN's Around the Horn.

Oh, Woody Paige....seriously, have you ever watched this show? Train-wreck-ish.