As they make news for retaining head coach Marty Schottenheimer, who declined a lowball contract extension past 2007, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron takes the head coaching vacancy in Miami, I figured now would be a good time to address the San Diego Chargers...
As usual, there are many plays you can point to whenever a team loses double digit fourth quarter lead. The most obvious is Marlon McCree's fumble after a fourth down interception of Tom Brady's pass to Troy Brown. Instead of having the ball with an eight point lead with under seven minutes left, the reenergized Patriots were able to drive down the field for a touchdown and a two point conversion against the demoralized Chargers. This was one of those wacky plays that does seem to occur more often than one would think. Whenever its fourth down, defensive backs would be a lot better simply knocking down the ball.
Among the many reasons why Marty was close to being fired after Sunday's game: LT only touched the ball nine times in the second half, a failed attempt on fourth and eleven that should have been a 48-yard field goal attempt, a dumb challenge on McCree's fumble that cost a valuable timeout, not running a quick pass play to the sidelines with eight seconds lift before Nick Kaeding's missed 54-yard attempt, personal foul penalties showing lack of discipline, and, finally, Marty's cursed 5-13 playoff record.
Tom Brady may have been trailing the entire game, threw three interceptions in 51 attempts, but when it comes down to it, Captain Comeback is nothing but money in the fourth quarter. 12-1 in the playoffs and counting.
