Dean? AJ? Norv? Post It Here

[El Tee]

I agree with last post on PG 1.

We were lucky to make playoffs at 8-8 when Denver choked beyond all choke jobs. When you truly look at it, we've had five seasons under Norv, and basically three of them haven't been good (I'd say "3 haven't been winning", but technically 9-7 is).

So I'll argue that... that 3 seasons haven't been winning seasons. I mean Norv REALLY got us just two playoff chances in five years and Denver GAVE us one.

Now I'm just stating Norv was the coach. I am not saying it is all on him.

I don't think our talent has been there, especially on defense, since 2008. I don't care what the stats say, good or bad. We've lacked playmakers defensively.

Offensively, we have struggled too. Last season Rivers had a terrible year by his normal high standards.

It seems like we got into a real funk dating back to our last playoff game, a 17-14 possum the Jets that was ours for the taking too many times to count. We beat ourselves and it caused something to break.

If we truly play our best football in 2012, I see at least AFCCC potential. But we somehow have to avoid the two traps that have haunted us- the injuries and the dumb luck choices that are made on gameday.



.

[Thunderstruck]

The #1 thing that happened was Jamaal Williams got old. The #2 thing that happened was Shawne Merriman broke. The rest is history.

[DirtyBlack310]

The whole change of culture. No rushing attack is a key issue here. You can't keep the defense honest when you can't gain yards on the ground. You can't gain yards on the ground without an at least average run block O-Line or at least a FB that can at least block a safety. We had non of the Hester could even block a CB let alone a LB or a DE. Or O-Line never really improved. Norv's playcalling has always been questionable but it digresses every year. You can't split carries between 2 running backs when one is clearly way better then the other one. Give Matthews the rock please. Injuries and holdouts did not help the cause either. There is a lot of things that have gone wrong lately. But as far as roster I see some slight improvements. That special teams problem should gone. I just think it's awful with that K.O. rule makes it almost impossible to run one back. Cause Royal can run a few back but with that new rule makes it very hard. All in all I hope we can improve soon.

[sonorajim]

Injuries. We were one game, one more good play out of the playoffs in 2010 and 2011.

Improved depth was an obvious area of need. AJ's been working on it. Meanwhile our young draft picks have been growing and learning. I look forward with considerable anticipation to seeing our final roster this year.

[thumper300zx]

Injury, Special Teams, Defense/Oline, and Rivers fumbling a snap

And losing coordinaters year after year after year.

[Dutch Charger]

A down year after the Vets left and injuries. But not just injuries to our side. Last year we injured a lot of players of opposing teams before our division rivals had to play them.

[sonorajim]

Originally Posted by Strife9878

Injuries are a part of the game and teams need to be prepared for it with solid backups. Packers won a Super Bowl recently with a massive IR list, Texans one a playoff game with a 3rd string QB... we failed where other teams suceeded.

The Pack & NYG were lucky to make the playoffs at 9-7 but did step up to the plate in the post-season tourney. We didn't. They were one play, one game better in reg season. There's room to improve but the margin of difference is small.

Make the playoffs any old way, have a few key guys step up when you're there.

[OC-Chargerfan]

Originally Posted by The Stig

Almost spit my coffee out all over my desk!!

[Bigbirdsd]

What I saw on the field was a lack of execution. I'm a firm believer in players playing to their potential. If they don't play to their potential it's either a lack of motivation/lazyness or a lack of preparation.
Both problems can be related to the coaching staff, but again I feel a man is responsible or his own performance. Unless the players say they are not being prepared by the coaching staff then it's on the players or the leader of the players while on the field.
I don't think it's a lack of talent on the roster or the offensive and defensive schemes, I think they have the tools they just don't use them.
Poor tackling, weak blocking, fumbles and watching the play instead of participating during the play on both sides of the ball are why we aren't the team we should be.
Other than that, it's still all about outscoring your opponent every week that causes a losing record.

[medafor]

everyone knows we are the bad boys in the AFC west, I think every since Rivers and Norv came in we dominated this division. sometimes I think the mentality of the team was "we got this, easy", being in a not so competitive division. mentally that could have set us back. hopefully with Manning's entry to this division it will boost the morale of the players wanting to be the best again! the blackouts didn't help either, shows less support since LT left.

EDIT, the true answer to this thread is, IT'S THE LT CURSE!!! noooo! haha