Inside The Enemy Camp: San Diego Chargers

Each week we talk to the lead blogger from the Fan Sided site of the next team the Kansas City Chiefs are going to beat. This week it is Ernie from over at Bolt Beat, FanSided’s San Diego Chargers blog.

Ernie has done a fantastic job since taking over Bolt Beat and he has really helped to create a fun and competitive atmosphere among the AFC West blogs. He’s always willing to engage in a little friendly trash talk and he reads AA regularly so make sure you stop by Bolt Beat and give him hell.

Now, we go Inside The Enemy Camp with Bolt Beat!

AA:  How has Chargers Nation reacted to the news that Cassel may not be able to go?

BB: Oh the football Gods are smiling down on us!!

It gives us extra hope on making it to the playoffs. We no longer control our destiny and every little bit helps. The backup QB Brodie Croyle has no wins as a starter in the NFL and he has only 2 wins of the 17 games he has been in. Of those 2 wins, he threw no passes! If Cassel is out for any amount of time, I like the opportunity that it presents for us.

If Cassel guts it out on the field against us, he will take a BEATING. There are some dirty players in this league and when they smell blood, they go after it.

AA:  The Chargers have lost to the Raiders. The Chiefs lost to them too, in Oakland, but SD lost to them at home. Explain yourselves!

BB: Can I take a PASS on this?

First off, they caused us to make mistakes and their physical play beat us down. As much as I hate to say it, the Raiders are getting better. They play a physical style of football and their defensive line can really get after the quarterback. We also may have been looking ahead at the schedule and assumed that the Raider game was going to be a blowout in our favor. Turned out differently.

You all still have to play them at the end of the season in your house and the playoffs might be determined by that game. That will be a crazy week 17!

AA:  We all know Rivers is a stud but has his late season luck finally run out? I mean you can only start off so poorly and come back from it so many times, right?

BB: LUCK!? Isn’t a player allowed to have a bad game?

Philip has carried the Chargers all season long and struggled last week. I doubt that he has as poor of a performance this week or the rest of the season.  He will step it up and lead the team to win its final 4 games. It will be up to the Oakland and you guys to make sure that San Diego doesn’t steal this division back.

AA: If the Chargers falter again and miss the playoffs, do you think Norv Turner will get the boot?

BB: I really don’t think that he gets fired. GM AJ Smith loves him as the head coach and there are too many things that Norv can just put the blame on. We have been riddled with injuries at the receiver position and those special teams goofs can just be put on the special teams coach.

There are not many fans that would agree with this decision though. Most fans feel that we perform below are talent level every season and that a proven head coach could bring us a championship like Phil Jackson had done with the Lakers.

AA: What is the key to defeating the Chargers?

BB: It’s funny that you ask that since I just posted “<a href=”http://blogblitz.nfl.com/san-diego-chargers/entry/a_cheat_sheet_to_beating“>A Cheat Sheet To Beating San Diego</a>”  on NFL.com.

All teams have the same formula in beating the Chargers. We are a considered a “soft” football team, and other teams need to play physical hard-nosed football against us. Don’t get cute with the football, just shove it right down our throats. Beat up our line and hit our quarterback.

Also, if you can get a nice lead early in the game, Coach Norv will abandon the running game and make us a one-dimensional offense. It is a lot easier to play defense when you know how the opposition is going to attack.

AA: Your prediction for Sunday?

BB: The Chargers are going to play some desperation football as their playoff lives depend on this game. If Brodie Croyle is the starter for your team, I will expect the Chargers to blow you all out. He is not a seasoned QB and he will be coming into a HECTIC atmosphere against a desperate football team. If Cassel starts, we still get the victory and I would seriously expect him to be sat back down on the bench by the defense. Would not be smart for him to enter the game. Chargers win and keep their playoff hopes alive…

SIDE NOTE: I think Oakland loses to Jacksonville this weekend also to make both the Chargers and the Chiefs smile!