Will the Chargers finally shake their slow starter tag?
Why are the San Diego Chargers such notoriously slow starters? Why, over the past eight years, have they only been above .500 three times entering the second half of the season, despite making the play-offs on five separate occasions? And, more importantly, can they shake this title and get off to a fast start in 2011?
Since Norv Turner took over at the helm of the Chargers in 2007, he has steered the franchise to the postseason every year apart from the last – when they just missed out on the play-offs with a 9-7 record. However, in ‘07 they were 1-3 in ‘08 they were 0-2 and in ‘09 2-3.
In each of those seasons they recovered to finish 11-5, 8-8 and 13-3 respectively. 2007 saw the team go 7-1 in the second half of the year, including an unbeaten run in December, in ‘08 they went 5-3 and in ‘09 they were perfect: 8-0. In fact, the only time they have lost in December under Turner was last year, when they were beaten by both the Raiders and the Bengals.
So what’s the problem? Is it Norv? Are the players not in the right shape physically, or even mentally? The only thing that will interest Chargers fans is whether their franchise can prove the doubters wrong and finally put together a strong start. So, looking at the 2011 schedule, can they do it?
The first eight games of the year see them hosting the Vikings, Chiefs, Dolphins and Packers, and visiting the Patriots, Broncos, Chiefs and Jets. Looking at those fixtures, it would be reasonably fair to assume Philip Rivers can lead his team to at least a 6-2 start.
Travelling to Gillette Stadium in New England will be tough, as will facing the Jets and welcoming the reigning Super Bowl champs. But beyond that, it would be disappointing not to come away victorious when considering how hotly tipped for Super Bowl glory the Chargers have been in recent years.
Yes, Kansas City are the current holders of the AFC West, but, when the Chargers are on their game, it is hard to see the Chiefs matching them like they did in the season opener last year. Todd Haley’s young guns probably need a couple more years to grow and develop before they can be considered a perennial play-off bound team.
And judging by their weak schedule in the second half of the season, if the Chargers do start 6-2 there is every possibility that they could finally walk into the play-offs as number one seeds in the AFC for the first time since 2006, on the back of a 14-2 or 13-3 record.
Content courtesy of Sam Tonkin
