As the Superbowl begins in less than a week, I wonder if and when the San Diego Chargers will be participants again. Its going on 17 years now. During that period the Chargers have been to the post season 5 times. In 2006 a 14-2 team that supposedly was going to the Superbowl, lost a first round playoff game to a above average Patriots team. In 2007, the team actually came pretty close to the Superbowl, if not for
A) 16-0 Patriots Team
B)Injuries to Gates, Rivers, and LaDanian Tomlinson
C)Another Kicking choke job by Nate Kaeding.
The final score in the game was 21-12, which was the closet the Chargers have come to the Superbowl since 1995. In the following four seasons since the Championship game, they have made 2 playoff appearances. The Chargers Record over the past 4 seasons:
2008: 8-8 (Playoff appearance, 1 win)
2009: 13-3 (Playoff Appearance, 0 wins)
2010: 9-7
2011: 8-8
2012 might be one of the last runs the current team and management staff will have at getting the Chargers to the promise land. With the addition of John Pagano as Defensive Coordinator, might bring us back to the 2006 style of defense, and a healthy offense will hopefully compliment the D, to bring the Chargers back to the playoffs.
Big questions going into 2012, who remains from the playoff contender teams of 2006-2011
- Vincent Jackson? Probably not with the high price tag.
- Nate Kaeding? Probably not after an artful choking job here over the years
- Kris Dielhman: Probably retiring due to concussions
- Marcus McNeill: Maybe, but neck issues could end his career
What is needed for 2012 success?
- Better Defensive End to compliment Shaun Phillips, either in the draft or Free agency
- Improved Play of Corey Liguet
- Better Secondary support for Weddle and Jammer
- Healthy Line backing core: Larry English is pretty much gone
- Healthy O-lineman: Tackle and Guard
We will see what the 2012 spring and summer bring to help the Chargers win or Norv and AJ will be free agents next summer.
