I have never been a fan of Norv Turner. Some guys were meant to be great coordinators and were just not the guys that make the key decisions. It's that way in business and its that way in sports. Norv was given all the tools necessary to win in Washington and he couldn't come through. He had the players in Oakland and totally decimated that team. Granted Norv should be forgiven for most of his head coaching career shortcomings in Washington and Oakland. Four words: Al Davis, Dan Snyder. Two of the worst meddling owners in football not named Jerry Jones. The game has passed Al Davis by despite being a great coach in his own right before taking on an ownership role in Oakland he was limits his head coaches with his constant second guessing that can undermine a head coaches ability to make sound decisions. Dan Snyder on the other hand is a business man. He has no other association with football other than being a fanatic. And the arm chair quarterback is one of the worst second guessers in football as they have limited understanding of the intricacies of the game and come across like buffoons. So I will forget Norv's history and he will not be the cause for the heavy burden that is on the San Diego Charger's shoulders this season.
The Chargers are an immensely talented football team that is primed for a Super Bowl run. The Chargers are not coming out of the blue they have won four straight AFC West crowns led by future Hall of Fame running back Ladanian Tomlinson. Unfortunately for the Bolts there is no LT lining up behind stud quarterback Phillip Rivers. This year the burden in one the shoulders of a rookie albeit a talented rookie but a rookie none the less.
As Ryan Matthews goes the Chargers will go this season. Matthews a rookie out of WAC contender Fresno State is a big fast rookie running back that has the luxury of running behind a very talented Charger offensive line and big runs could be just as prevalent in San Diego for the former Bulldog star in the NFL as it was in the WAC with the big receivers he has blocking for him on the outside. Everyone knows that big runs are dependent a lot of times on the ability of the receivers often known for their non-physical play but the Chargers have big physical receivers in 6'5" 240 lb Vincent Jackson, 6'5" 230 lb, Malcolm Floyd, 6'2" 220 lb Legadu Naanee and the addition of a very physical former first round draft selection possession receiver Josh Reed who's career has been quiet in Buffalo who could see a re-birth in his career with Rivers throwing the ball in San Diego.
On offense the Bolts appear to have the makings of the most physical team in football. And to be physical you cannot just have Rivers passing the ball to big receivers but the Chargers do need the running attack. In Matthews the Bolts get what else but a big physical 6'0 220lb speedy 22 year old running back that is going to be called upon to break big runs and pound the ball against the defense behind a big physical line in hopes of defending the AFC West title but also to lead the Bolts to the Super Bowl.
to get to the Super Bowl the Chargers are going to need the running game and the upside on Matthews is his age. He is 22. He has not taken an NFL pounding and should be fresh. Problem is how long can Matthews withstand the pounding his first season as it is common for rookies to hit a wall as the NFL season is 4 pre-season games, 16 regular season games, and than the playoffs to claim the ultimate crown. Ryan Matthews has been playing 13-14 games a season during his Fresno State collegiate career so this is going to have to be an issue that Norv will have to be conscious about. Get Matthews the ball, get his confidence up but also limit his number of carries and get Darren Sproles into the game and get Jacob Hester some carries as Matthews will be needed much more in January than he is needed in October and November. Big key will be if the Bolts can get off to a fast start where they can limit Matthews usage during the NFL grind so Norv has the luxury of limiting Matthews before the all important post season.
Prediction in 2010, this will be the year of the Bolts as they are Super Bowl ready.
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