Well, it's been a couple of weeks. I've been healing up from a little surgery I had. Fine now, but man, there has been a lot going on in San Diego sports while I was recuperating. Also, I am going to try a new tactic for the next couple of weeks. Instead of one massive weekly blog, I am going to break it up into three smaller blogs a week. I hope you enjoy this. Please let me know your thoughts. Anyway, on to my thoughts about what is going on.
First, of course, the Chargers; since I last wrote, the Chargers won an amazing, last second road victory against the Giants and got a pretty decisive home win vs. the Eagles. In both cases, we saw the passing game really come to life. However, the real story has been daddy-to-be, L.T. finding a last gasp and the end zone a few times. While other running backs of his generation are ending up on the dump heap, Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, and Larry Johnson to name a couple, L.T. (most likely fueled by the exciting news that he is going to be a first time father), has gone the route that Ricky Williams has in Miami. Each man has shaken off criticism and found themselves; once again, an important factor in their team's offensive. They've got their fear factor back. Yet, I am hopeful that the Chargers will not use and abuse the resurging L.T. Remember, they still have Sproles who can take a lot of the pressure off. If L.T. is going to be a part of the Chargers surge in the playoffs, he'll need to stay healthy. Just because he's showing glimpses of the old L.T. we know and love, the Chargers need to stick to the passing game first, with Floyd (now that freeloading Chris Chambers has been sent to K.C.), Jackson, and Gates while sharing time with Sproles. If they do this, the Donkey's will be left in the dust this weekend.
Another quick note on the Chargers and Eagles game, I was there and the "Q" was packed. However, there was a lot of green in the stands. Is it possible that the Chargers slow starts have to do with the fact that the fans don't show up until the end of the season when they begin to make their run? Qualcomm will be packed in December and January with Charger fans, but September – November, are these the months that we sell our season tickets on eBay, so that we can afford the playoff package in January? Possibly.
Another juicy sports scandal in San Diego is taking place at the SDSU. Disgraced home wrecker, now former Athletic Director, Jeff Schemmel resigned yesterday after, among other things, being caught attempting to get gas and car rental reimbursements for a trip he took to Alabama to see his mistress. Now the school is looking down the 8 to recruit USD's Ky Sndyer to take over the role as the Aztecs main man. SDSU may be able to offer Sndyer a more lucrative deal economically, but the job itself has proven to be a disaster for those who have previous held it. The Toreros are not only keeping up with the big boys at SDSU and UCSD in athletics, but in many cases, surpassing them. Synder's program at USD is a finely tuned machine and it is my hope that he remains. Good luck to the next sucker who takes the job at SDSU.
In positive Padre news, the team is attempting to sign San Diegan, Dick Enberg to become the new voice of the Padres on Cox 4. Enberg's presence would not only bring about a refreshing change, but also a respectability of having one of the greats broadcasting the games, like the Dodgers have. Also, it would be a sign that the new ownership is truly looking to bring the team out of the gutter and create an interest in them again.
Tomorrow, the Lions of the San Diego Jewish Academy will play in their first CIF football playoff game. It will be the first time in history that an all-Jewish 11-man high school football team competes in an American high school playoff. They take on take on Tri-City Christian tomorrow at El Camino High School. Kickoff is at 7:15.
The Chargers are now looking at a possible site next to Petco Park to build a new stadium…if this actually comes up for a vote with the city, get your popcorn and lawn chair ready, the protests will be very entertaining. I hope negotiations with Oceanside reopen. To me, personally, that is the best location. Easy to convince more L.A. and O.C. fans to come down and spend their money while keeping the team in the county.
Shout out to Adrian Gonzalez for winning the NL Gold Glove this season (you can read about Adrian's career through the minor leagues and growing up in both San Diego and Tijuana, in my book…shameless plug). The news must have been a bit bittersweet since the day before, the Padres cut Adrian's older brother Edgar.
A not so cool to Jeremy Tyler, the SDHS basketballer who left high school to play in Israel. Not only is he not playing well, but his coaches are calling him immature and are, for the most part, regretting their decision to sign him. You wanted to go be an adult Jeremy, better start acting like one. Your NBA stock is quickly dropping. When I drive through McDonalds next year, don't forget to give me my sweet and sour sauce.
Finally, what kind of a sports writer would I be if I didn't mention the Bill Belichick call from last weekend's Patriots vs. Colts game? I am thrilled the Patriots lost, but I understand the call and I think, if the Patriots would have got the first down, people would be singing Bill's praises. He is, and it pains me to say this, a great leader and he made a call, that is what leaders do. It did not work out this time, but it has worked out many more times in the past. This will not hurt the Patriots chances to play in the playoffs and there is a chance that the two will meet again than. Can we please drop this now?
As mentioned, I will write the blog three times a week now. I hope you will keep up with me and as always, please let me know your comments and ways you think I can improve this piece. I will post on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
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