It is that time of year again. Time for hard-hitting linebackers to roam free. Time for running backs to glide around the field. Time for quarterbacks to air it out. Time when grown men prepare to hold the Lombardi trophy and cry like little kids at the end of the year.
It is football season. It is dream time. The players dream of a championship. The coaches dream of a championship. The front office dreams of a championship. And best of all, the fans dream of a championship. Is this the year, we ask? I say yes.
THE CHARGERS WILL WIN THE SUPER BOWL THIS YEAR. You can count on it. You can even bet on it (not that I condone gambling). I am guaranteeing it. If they lose…wait, that is not happening. Here is why you should bet the house, Chargers fans! (once again, not condoning gambling)
It is early in training camp, but there is a quiet confidence out there. The players are so focused on the season they are only willing to talk about the first game of the year. In years past there has been a tendency to look ahead. Not with this team. Been there, done that. They are having a tough enough time talking about the first preseason game. It is only about one thing…one day at a time. No looking ahead. You prepare for today. Then you prepare for the next day. They are not looking past anything and that’s because they learned a lot from last year.
They were one of the preseason favorites last year and they got caught up in it. A slow start (1-3) left them in a big hole. It took a closed-door meeting to get the players to focus and play for tomorrow. Before you knew it, they had advanced to the AFC Championship against the hated Patriots. Man, I hate that team! And those fans! With a healthy Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates , and LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers would be defending champs. Dumb Patriots fans still won’t admit it! Man, I hate that team! And the fans! Have I mentioned that already?
Back to this season. Tomlinson is healthy. Rivers says he doesn’t even know what knee he had surgery on. Gates has been seen running on his surgically repaired toe. Chris Chambers now understands the offense and Rivers knows where to find him. Vincent Jackson is a year wiser and 10 pounds stronger. The offense is ready.
As for the defense, well, they are flying around in practice as if it were game time. Merriman actually looks stronger. Is that even possible? Eric Weddle is ready to be the starting safety. Antonio Cromartie looks as if he could have 15 interceptions this year (if the opponents are willing to try!) Quentin Jammer has quietly become one of the best cornerbacks in the league. READ THAT SENTENCE AGAIN, CHARGERS FANS! There is a reason Cromartie made all of those picks last year: quarterbacks were afraid of Jammer. The defense is ready.
It is time to dream of the first championship in San Diego. Sorry, but the Gulls and Sockers don’t count as champs. Get out your checkbooks. Mortgage the house. It is time for the first championship in San Diego. Philip Rivers keeps telling us “it’s a marathon, not a sprint.” The gun has shot off. The marathon has begun.
THE CHARGERS ARE WINNING THE SUPER BOWL? BET ON IT! (not that I condone gambling)
Agree? Disagree? The Mike is open
