That Was Ugly. Seriously, Where Do We Go From Here?

[SDBORN]

Bolts had some good redzone scoring percentages with LT here. In fact we were the top team in 04,05 and 06. I think in 08,09,10,11 we were top 10. We scored quite a bit with those teams. I think fans are extra sensitive now because we got so spoiled with those teams and our ability to score. Rivers was part of that. I think fans are mourning that production. Obviuosly none of that matters if we are not producing the high caliber wins in the post season.

Yep. I can't pinpoint it to an exact point in time under Rivers tenure for red zone struggles, but it's been a good portion of this decade. Maybe 2012 on?

Whiz was here for a good majority of that but Rivers Has been here all along. So I'm just trying to eliminate variables.

I think one of the main reasons could be the lack of a top notch run game this decade when we get in that goal zone. We seem to get stuffed often when we get there. Rivers decision making/vision on the shorter field (in red zone doesn't) isn't great at this point in the passing game.

[Fleet]

Yep. I can't pinpoint it to an exact point in time under Rivers tenure for red zone struggles, but it's been a good portion of this decade. Maybe 2012 on?

Whiz was here for a good majority of that but Rivers Has been here all along. So I'm just trying to eliminate variables.

I think one of the main reasons could be the lack of a top notch run game this decade when we get in that goal zone. We seem to get stuffed often when we get there. Rivers decision making/vision on the shorter field (in red zone doesn't) isn't great at this point in the passing game.

Basically when LT left. A monster run game has always been Rivers best friend. I crunched the numbers years ago and they were telling. His efficiency numbers were through the roof in games where he threw 25 passes or less and we produced something like 125 yards rushing. The more he has to do the more erratic he becomes. And if your defense isnt stout and we get behind he has to make it up. And starts to force things. Either he panics. Or he starts to see ghosts because he is always harassed. A guy that knows he can move if he has to may be best on a team that simply doesnt know how to build an OL.

I think Telseco has brought in a lot of good players at a lot of positions. But the injuries. And the inability to create an OL make me almost want to move on. You have to build the trenches. The weapons...and hes found a bunch of great skill guys....mean nothing if you cant protect...block, stop the run and rush the passer.

I like telesco a lot...but why do so many of our young players hes drafted get hurt so early and often? And the OL. He may not be the guy. Its just something i wonder about. Especially the OL.

Ill leave it at this. If he is still the GM after the year i wont be shocked. I also wont be shocked if hes not. Hes done good things. But you have to be able to build the trenches and see the positive results consistently. Starters and depth.

[blueman]

Interesting no one has called out the D. And totally agree, we have not been a scoring O in a very long time, regardless of what the D is doing.

O sucks. Rebuild.

[Midwestbolt]

Interesting no one has called out the D. And totally agree, we have not been a scoring O in a very long time, regardless of what the D is doing.

O sucks. Rebuild.

The Offense was the problem last year too. But for the most part the defense played well, the offense didn't turn the ball over as much, and we had an efficient run game.

Think if MG holdout/drama didn't happen and turnovers were reduced this year, the Chargers record would be different? I'd wager my paycheck they would be contending for the Division.

Can't put this all on injuries, coaching, or even the less than stellar oline play. The wins were well within reach. Need the QB to quit throwing it to the other team.

[chargeroo]

Interesting no one has called out the D. And totally agree, we have not been a scoring O in a very long time, regardless of what the D is doing.

O sucks. Rebuild.

Actually, in the last two games the D gave up a fourth quarter score that made it more difficult on our O.

Unlike most others, I don't blame Rivers for the final pick because it was a Hail Mary play with few ticks left in the game. On that kind of play sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. The great Bret Farve used those Hail Mary plays to win several games but the truth is - those passes were up for grab. Understand, I'm not saying that to excuse PR, he had a bad game and we lost largely because he was off. But, I don't fault him for that game ending pick as most do.

[wu-dai clan]

Seeing that stat...we all knew...but it is so stark.

Would a mobile QB have mattered ?

In 2019 why have we not used MW in the red zone ?

Do we need a short yardage specialist ?

Circa LT, his halfback passing was a significant option to keep defenses guessing wrong.

If you think about it, our red zone offense this year
has really been a disaster movie.

[Boltjolt]

How many of those 64 did we have the lead and the defense have up a TD very late? Id guess half or better.
It only didn't happen last year. Before that it was every year.

[ChargingBolts]

Okay, I'm going to throw this out here ... 2019/2020 playoffs?

after a few days of depression I started looking at the wild card teams and a lot of them play one another and can end up 8-8 (even the 7-3 Bills have a brutal final 6 games and can end up 8-8)

so ... we have the bye, we aren't a horrible team as witnessed by all the close games ...

perhaps the bye, the frustration, Rivers plays lights out, and possible luck gets us on a roll and we win all the close games and end up 9-7 and get a wild card playoff spot??

[jamrock]

Yes. When Marty/Norv fed LT we were good.

We did have some struggles during the LT years, but I would wager your statement holds out. That is, our woes escalated post-LT.

according to Fleet we were the top of the league in 04, 05 and 06.

[pacstud]

according to Fleet we were the top of the league in 04, 05 and 06.

Shocker, when we score TDs we win games!

[wu-dai clan]

Shocker, when we score TDs we win games!

Post is sufficiently snarky.
Although sometimes it is the idiot kickers fault.

[jamrock]

Shocker, when we score TDs we win games!

No, top of the league in red zone offense.

you said we struggled for decades and it pre-dated Rivers and even Brees. That was false.