That's not even a song lyric, FAITHFUL READER. It's just reality. As I have written time and time again, I don't think the loss at Jacksonville was the problem. It was the symptom. I wrote a ton last season about how I didn't think there was a shot for the team to salvage matters after they lost in Las Vegas. Yet, they picked themselves up off the mat against Tennessean and Miami. Once Staley played the starters in Denver, however, that told me all I needed to know.
Last Thursday was a net positive. I will never not root against the Raiders, but kept the game on without sound. As Sam drifted off, even I was a little gobsmacked by what I was seeing. No matter what the players said, they were dialing it the fuck in. I am sure some of them will look better on their next team. Every time I see Rashawn Jenkins make a play for the Jaguars I am reminded of that. Of course, I also notice that plays that would absolutely be penalties when he was a Charger aren't called. I really do believe that players earn the right to get the benefit of the doubt on calls. Michael Davis could have even gotten more calls against him on Thursday. I am sure he'll be decent at his next job. The same goes for Ekeler. They truly do need to blow this thing up entirely. It is reminiscent of when John Butler came in and pushed guys like Wiley out the door for a "culture change."
A lot has come out over the last week about Staley and "his guys." Sadly, none of it is surprising. Lynn also played guys based on his own preferences. Kenneth Murray, who Lynn wanted to draft so badly, was forced into the lineup time and time again by Staley. The last game of the 2021 season immediately comes to mind. Now that he's finally gone, I still don't believe that Staley's timeout that game cost a playoff spot. I do think a million other things he did were to blame, however.
What is most upsetting is that Staley had enough say to push linebackers like Kyzir, Chenna, and Tranquill away but not enough authority to coach a good team. I don't mind him playing tough guy for the cameras, but it clearly didn't work for the team. As I write this, three hours from what should have been a meaningful game, it dawns on me what a waste the season was. The story about Staley pissing Bosa off enough to smash his hand before the Baltimore game may or may not be true. I bet it is. It's just upsetting that Staley was allowed to egotistically run this team into the ground. It will be interesting to see if ownership does actually change their tune with this next hire.
The impression everyone now has is that they simply care enough to make money and not enough about winning. The statement from John Spanos (whether he wrote it or not) at least speaks to the fact that they know what people are saying about the Chargers. Will that translate to action? Time will tell. Despite what people say, there are Chargers fans. Also despite what people say, there were problems long before the team moved or before Alex Spanos bought it. Those are just convenient narratives.
I still can't believe we play Buffalo, Denver, and KC and means nothing. All in the name of improvement, I guess. Now we all get to see Bills fans take over our stadium on Peacock. They fired their OC, had a coach use 9/11 terrorists as inspiration for a pep talk, and seem to be doing just fine.
RIP, Andrew Braugher. Anyway, these are getting more and more difficult to write. Maybe the offseason will be easier. Of course, we will eventually have to pick a coach. This has been my favorite time since once we hire a guy the disappointment usually sets in. All we can do is hope for something different, right?
Anyway, I will also be putting some stuff up in this space in connection with my second book, American Standard. Even if you aren't a Cheap Trick find, I hope you check it out.
We'll talk this week. Merry early Xmas.
JIC,
RLW
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