We all need to take a step back

[blahblahblah]

Why, are you satisfied with the state of the defense? I really don't understand why some of you on here feel the need to tell posters what they can and cannot post about. MGB took the time to take another cheap shot at AJ and I pointed out that TT was the one who decided whom to keep and whom to let go. Like it or not this is TT's roster and at least a few of us have consistently questioned his decisions regarding the defense since before the draft. Maybe it is that you just don't like the fact that we were right?

Yes, yes, we all know you long for the days of a less than mediocre defense full of aging vets. They were definitely going to improve.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

I don't mind the shotgun in red zone, BUT if we are going to pass it, they should do more WR screens. You line up Gates and Green along with Royal or Woodhead out wide in a stacked formation and let them block. Much higher percentage play and it takes advantage of the safeties generally doubling Gates so he would take them off the line.

I don't know about screens, specifically, but it seems to me that there ought to be a role for Green down there. Gates doesn't have the short area speed anymore. Allen and Brown don't seem to have the ups. I don't recall seeing Green in the game much at all Sunday, but his role needs to expand generally and I think goal line packages are a no-brainer for him.

[thelightningwill]

Yes, yes, we all know you long for the days of a less than mediocre defense full of aging vets. They were definitely going to improve.

Are our young defensive players improving?

I'm not saying I want Shaun Phillips back, but he looks better this year than he has in any recent years. He's definitely better than English is or likely ever will be.

Not sure how Jammer, Cason, Bigby, and Franklin are doing. I don't even think some of those players are playing. But, maybe with the exception of Wright, their replacements all suck even worse than those players did last year, and hopefully most of those replacements will not be with the Chargers much longer.

Maybe Den60 doesn't long for the days of having a less-than-mediocre defense with a bunch of old players. But the current situation, on defense, seems worse. A lot worse? No. But maybe we could have won one of those close games if the defense had sucked just a little less.

[Panama]

But the current situation, on defense, seems worse. A lot worse? No. But maybe we could have won one of those close games if the defense had sucked just a little less.

(sigh) I wonder how you missed all those countless threads and posts rehashing this. With last year's defense, we *might* have won an extra couple of games this year. That would not have made us legitimate championship contenders. The team needed a reboot. Yes, the defense is worse this season, in the short term, but in the long term the team should be better off. This is a retooling year. Any wins are just gravy. While I would love to make the playoffs this season, we shouldn't do it by mortgaging our future -- and holding on to aging, declining players in order to make a push this season would have been mortgaging our future.

[TTK]

Are our young defensive players improving?

I'm not saying I want Shaun Phillips back, but he looks better this year than he has in any recent years. He's definitely better than English is or likely ever will be.

He's playing better than English but that isn't saying much at all.

[Panama]

I'm going to catch flak for this, but I think our OLB rotation next year ought to be Ingram, Johnson, Freeney, Williams, Keiser. All but Ingram replaceable by any upgrades brought in via draft or FA. Yes, I would let Freeney finish his contract with us. What's Johnson's contract status?

[BoltBalls]

Hank Bauer on the radio this morning definitely didn't defend that playcalling on the 1 and said we needed the beef out there with I formation, McClain and even Ronnie Brown punching it in there since Brown is the heaviest RB at 230 lbs. The general consensus is that the team is overachieving with McCoy but he needs to get more experience and improve in the pressure situations. I agree with this, both Telesco and McCoy are only 8 games in on their respective careers at these positions so there is plenty of room for improvement. The bright side with McCoy vs the Broncos is that he should know that team very well, especially the offense.

[ArtistFormerlyKnownAsBKR]

I'm going to catch flak for this, but I wouldn't have been too upset to see Ronnie Brown out there running the wildcat at the one.

[TTK]

I'm going to catch flak for this, but I wouldn't have been too upset to see Ronnie Brown out there running the wildcat at the one.

Hey, that would have been better than to roll Rivers out or call another Woodhead draw. That's for sure.

[TABF]

Regardless as to what has happened prior to today, we need to muster up some wins over the next 5 games to give oursleves a shot at one of the coveted tournament spots (AKA Playoffs).

• Sun, Nov 10 vs. Broncos 4:25 PM (ET)
• Sun, Nov 17 @ Dolphins 4:05 PM (ET)
• Sun, Nov 24 @ Chiefs 1:00 PM (ET)
• Sun, Dec 1 vs. Bengals 4:25 PM (ET)
• Sun, Dec 8 vs. Giants 4:25 PM (ET)

If we can somehow get 3 wins (from above) going into the final three games of the season (two of which are home games), that shouuld give us a pretty damn good reason to attack those final 3 games. 9 wins may be enough to get that final spot. (that was the fan speaking).

The NFL Analyst in me sees it this way....

HUNT FOR THE 6th SEED:

• NYJ Currently 5-4 and have a super soft schedule with a 26W-32L remaining schedule.
• Titans Currently 4-4, own a tie break over us and have 3 really tough games ahead (Indy x2 and Denver). The rest is just meh with a 28W-38L remaining schedule...
• Dolphins are currently 4-4, 31W-37L remaining scheudle. We can handle the H2H possibilities if necessary.
• Chargers 4-4 and we have a 45W-20L remaining schedule (BRU-TAAAAL)

[Den60]

Yes, yes, we all know you long for the days of a less than mediocre defense full of aging vets. They were definitely going to improve.

Look at the roster and tell me we have much more in the way of young talent than we had last year? And are guys like Patrick the future for us because if that is the case, God help us.

[SFW]

Look at the roster and tell me we have much more in the way of young talent than we had last year? And are guys like Patrick the future for us because if that is the case, God help us.

It's ironic to me that this thread is about telling fans to take a "step back" but to me you are the only fan that needs to take a step forward (now that Yubaking is gone).