Sunday, January 20, 2008

AFC/NFC Title Game Thoughts

1. LaDainian Tomlinson = overrated. There, I said it. I didn't think this day would actually come, but what a completely heartless, disgraceful no show by the former league MVP. Two carries, one catch, and a whole lot of time standing on the sideline while Michael Turner came in and showed that the Bolts don't necessarily need Tomlinson and Philip Rivers gutted out the game on a partially torn ACL and Antonio Gates played the whole game with a broken toe. Tomlinson talked big about his first championship opportunity and then didn't show up. LaDainian, that was the time to play hurt, to put your team on your back and at least try. He didn't once lobby the coaches to put him back in the game.

2. Now that's the Norv Turner I know and love. Here's a thought: You're down two scores with less than 5 minutes to go. You're at the 40 yard line facing a 4th and 10. You have the league's best running back, but he's moping on the bench, so he's a non-factor. But you do have a terrific backup in Michael Turner, a receiver playing to his potential in Chris Chambers and a decent, if injured, quarterback in Philip Rivers. You've moved the ball against the Patriots defense for most of the day. You're playing against the best offense in the league, against the most dangerous playoff quarterback in the league. All you need is 10 yards. Sure, let's punt instead. The Chargers never got the ball back. Brady and company worked the clock and the Chargers couldn't stop that Pats offense.

3. The return of Bad Brett Favre at the worst possible time. I actually don't have a lot to say here. I would have loved to see him play against the Pats in the Super Bowl.

4. Eli??!!?? in the Super Bowl?!?!?!? WTF?!?!? How did this happen? It all started in the last week of the season, when Eli came out and played like gangbusters against the Pats. The Patriots gaveth Eli confidence. Will they take it away in the Super Bowl?

3 comments:

Jfunkthemonk said...

you know jason sanchez, i disagree with you about lt.

i think it takes more to say i would hinder my team. the injury he has, sprain or torn mcl, it doesnt matter, prevents the injured player from getting a push. it prevents the player from getting effective strength from the legs.

now phillip rivers has guts...but thats no downgrade on lt...he is going to have his best season next year.

The Idiot Fan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Idiot Fan said...

i think he could have at least gone on the field as a decoy. it wouldn't have worked for more than three plays tops, but in the red zone, where the Chargers had so many problems scoring, it might have made a difference. Of course, that also could have been more Norv's fault than LT's. LT's body language on the sideline didn't help at all though. He was moping and not cheering on his team. And I doubt he went to Norv and said find some way to make me effective. Even Randy Moss has, at times, called to be used as a decoy, both with the Vikings in his last year with that team when he was injured and his first year with the Raiders when he was hurt.