Marty Schottenheimer might be fired by the time I wake up, and I’m not sure how I’ll feel about that. If you’d have asked me a couple of weeks ago, Marty would have been, in my mind, bulletproof. He’s been phenomenal for the Chargers through his tenure, even as the GM made moves that Marty didn’t want him to make… but I may be changing my mind on that.
And it’s not that I blame Marty for the loss yesterday… I don’t. The first half 4th-and-11 seemed a little bit goofy, maybe, but I’m certainly not pinning the loss on one play call. I just feel an awful lot now like I felt when it was rumored that the Pistons were about to fire Rick Carlisle. You’ve got a coach who’s solid, and who has accomplished a lot, and is a great coach in a lot of ways… but sometimes, one guy takes a team as far as he can take them. I don’t know if that’s the case or not, but… I’m not convinced that it isn’t.
So if Marty is gone… I don’t know, I haven’t completely made up my mind on that. For the time being, I don’t think I’ll despair or celebrate, no matter what happens.
Anyway, I wasn’t planning on posting anything tonight, but what the hell, it might be therapeautic. In the end, it just came down to mistakes. And that’s not luck, it’s not coincidence… down the stretch, the Chargers made mistakes, and the Patriots made plays.
The Chargers had things like Reche Caldwell muffing a punt in the third quarter, then muffing the attempted recovery. Drayton Florence picking up a 15-yard penalty after a third-down sack that would’ve left Steven Gostkowski with a 53-yard attempt, instead of the eventual 34-yarder that he hit. Marlon McCree fumbling after coming up with a big interception.
And the Patriots had things like Tom Brady lofting a ball over reasonably tight coverage to Reche Caldwell on a 3rd and 10 from the 34 yard line.
That’s not luck, and it’s not coincidence. Even if you feel like ramming a concrete dildo into Tom Brady’s earhole, it’s not a coincidence that he keeps coming up with these plays.
In things like the actual running, and blocking, and throwing, the basics of the game… the Chargers were probably better. Even after the Patriots abandoned their ineffective run game and switched into “spread the field and throw every play” mode, the Chargers acquitted themselves pretty well. Brady had 280 passing yards, which seems like a lot… but for 51 attempts, that’s pretty decent for a defense, especially when you consider the three interceptions. Tomlinson ran well… Rivers wasn’t great, but I don’t think he was terrible, either. He certainly wasn’t the reason for the loss.
Just a couple of mistakes by San Diego, and a couple of plays by New England. That was the difference. It’s not coincidence that Tom Brady and the Patriots keep doing this. And maybe it’s not coincidence that it keeps happening to Marty Schottenheimer either. I don’t know.
The silver lining, though, is that I went to see “Children of Men” last night after the loss, just to stop thinking about football for a while… and it more than served its purpose. I’m not even into futuristic, sci/fi type things, but the direction and cinematography in that thing… off the charts. Was glad I saw it.
Suss Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 4:16 am
So, Larry Brown to the Chargers then?
lopey Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Heard damn good things about that movie, looking forward to seeing it on DVD soon. (Too damn cheap to pay the 10 dollars at a movie theatre.)
My BEARS are movin’ on though, Think they can beat the Saints? Sure would like some snow and freezing weather or somethin to help the Bears.
insomniac Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 8:31 am
Oh, so you’re still alive then? I guess I’d better withdraw my application for weekend editor at Deadspin.
I feel for you, man. You, LT, and the hot ladies of San Diego all deserve better.
Mark Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 9:23 am
I do feel bad for Marty. I hear he’s an ass in the locker room, but is this guy simply never going to go the distance? Is he to be forever stuck in the same category as Dennis Green?
Maybe he has taken them as far as they can go…
Huguenot Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 11:02 am
My condolensces… I was looking forward to the Chargers in the Super Bowl, as I am sure they would have busted out the Baby Blues.
The game was lost yesterday by a stupid and selfish play: the 4th down interception, fumble, recovery, 1st down Patriots. Had the DB simply knowcked the ball down, the Chargers could have played in “keep the lead” mode and ran LT 5-6 times for the win. I realise that DB’s will instinctively try to catch a pass thrown their way, but any football player needs some situational awareness: It’s 4th down, knock it down and your offense gets the ball. Who cares about stats…you lost. Troy Brown showed great awarness by going for the strip rather than the tackle, and it worked.
Other dumb decisions included the 4th down 8 point lead, LT for 6, incomplete, incomplete, Punt, net 40 seconds off of the clock. Why not LT, LT, LT?
The Patriots played well, but this game was more about the Chargers giving it away then having the Patriots beat them.
Coach Janky Spanky Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
In Schottzie’s last season with the Chiefs, he had a meltdown like this one - it was more dramatic, but in a regular season MNF game at Denver.
The type of play he encourages on defense and special teams lacks the discipline that he expects from the offense and before long the stupid 15 yard penalties start piling up.
Dex Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Am I exaggerating when I say that no matter who wins the Super Bowl this season, it’ll be the second season in a row that the Chargers would’ve/should’ve/could’ve beat the champs walking away?
I’m sick to my stomach. Last night, as I was falling asleep, I kept dreaming that we had time on the clock. I hate New England. I’m never eating clam chowder again. Stupid clams.
Bill Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I think Marty can take a team only so far. How many years was he supposed to finally get the Chiefs to the Superbowl? After a while it became a bad joke — some sock puppet proclaiming “this is the year Schottenheimer takes this franchise to a championship,” and you knew it was a load of crap. They’d find a way to blow it, just like always.
I do feel badly for you, MJD, as I think the bolts were the best team in football this season, and deserved a shot at the championship.
And, as a Bears fan, I’ll start commiserating now: I don’t see NO doing anything but dong-whipping the Bears next Sunday. And Lovie Smith will almost certainly get a contract extension. Hopefully, they won’t spend any more money on Ogunleye, though…
Signal to Noise Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Eric Parker was the punt muffer. He and Vincent Jackson also decided to drop most of the passes in their vicinity during that game too.
stopmikelupica Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
I don’t know if Marty is to blame for: the dumb penalties; the strip after the interception (why not just knock it down - it was fourth down); or Phillip Rivers awful pass that was intercepted. But I do know this - all of those were mental mistakes, and if they had occured with, say the Giants team (hell, they did occured all season long), people would be talking about how undisciplined the team is, and how it’s Tom Coughlin’s fault.
And rightfully so - mental mistakes are what a good coach is suppose to prevent.
I like Marty, but, yeah, he might be to blame for this. I wanted him to get that monkey off his back, but you know what… Peyton loses every year, he’s a choker. Same applies to Marty, regardless of whether his team blew it more than he did… and so, if he’s not back, I understand. Question is who is out there that is a better coach (regular season + playoffs) than Marty?
Jake Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Not to say I told you so, but we sort of had this predicted:
http://thundermatt.blogspot.com/2007/01/chips-playoff-picks-round-2-part-2.html
Babs Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
MJD watches non sports-related movies? I’m shocked. Sorry about the Chargers, man.
field negro Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
The Shot man has got to be the worse playoff coach in history. What the f**k did he call for a replay on that interception and fumble for? Geez!
Oh, and LT is right about the Patriots, they have no class.
Damn, I hate those mother fu****s!
Tom Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
Of course Marty has to go. He’s proven he can’t win in the playoffs. Now that might not matter to a team like the Cardinals or the Lions where just getting to the playoffs is a huge accomplishment but for the “best” team in the NFL it’s a waste. Why even make the playoffs if you aren’t going to win at least one game. You’d be better off going 6-10 to get the better draft pick and the easier schedule.
Who gets the job now? It’s the best job in football right now and possibly the best job to ever open up in the NFL (can’t imagine too many 14-2 teams have fired their coach).
Alex Says:
January 15th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
“It’s not coincidence that Tom Brady and the Patriots keep doing this.”
It’s not all luck, but consider this:
Of five fumbles in that game (2 by the Patriots, 3 by the Chargers), the Patriots recovered all of them. Fumble recoveries are random, so that’s a good deal of luck.
Also, Tom Brady’s clutchness must have caused Marlon McCree to intercept a fourth down pass and then fumble it away.
“And maybe it’s not coincidence that it keeps happening to Marty Schottenheimer either.”
Here I’m going to have to agree with you. It wasn’t even overly conservative play calling in this game. Marty Schottenheimer just seems to have a magical ability to lose in the playoffs. Would it be possible to have him as the regular season coach, but then have someone else take over for the postseason? Might have to rework his contract, but it could be worth it.
Joe Says:
January 16th, 2007 at 5:09 am
Hey, wanted to say that I really enjoy reading your blog, especially the Sunday Smorgasbord.
Condolences on the loss. I know how you feel, I am a Steelers fan.
You have to hand it to the Patriots, they are unbelievable. To be able to be that consistently good, year in and year out, for the past five years is unbelievable. That pass that Brady threw to Caldwell near the end was ridiculous. It was a perfect throw. It was perfect.
Are the Patriots that good or is every other team that bad? The Patriots seem to be able to mold players. Their receivers learn to run good routes and their offensive line learn to block.
It was a frustrating game to watch because your QB and your RB did nothing wrong. On the whole, I thought Philip Rivers, LT, and the offensive line played great. But your receivers were dropping passes and not getting separation. My goodness, Eric Parker was bad in that game. There were also so many passes that got knocked down by the Pats secondary. If you look at the 2005 game, the difference was that you guys had 2 TDs from your receivers. In this game, you had none.
This game kind of reminded me of the Vikings and Patriots game last year. The Patriots couldn’t run on you guys at all but they could pass on you.
I honestly have no idea what teams can do against that five receiver set that the Pats employ. If you don’t blitz, Brady’s going to find the open man. If you blitz, and get blocked, Brady’s going to find the open man.
Also, is it me, or did Merriman basically do nothing in that game?
I think it also has to be said that playoff experience probably factored into the game. I am sure some of the players were nervous.
But, heck, you still had a chance to win the game and your kicker, Kaeding, shanked it again. Just like he did with the Jets.
Mr. Bojangles Says:
January 16th, 2007 at 11:35 am
In dire times, it’s good to see a Lebowski reference. It shows hope, a small glimpse of white light at the end of the dark, dreary tunnel that is the offseason.
As for this game - unlike the past, I don’t think any of Schottenheimer’s in-game coaching moves even compared to the stupid mistakes on the field. (Like my Eagles - Andy, you’re fucking KILLING me!) That fumbled interception in particular will haunt these guys - any other outcome on that play, and I’d bet money on a Chargers win.
Ah well. Time to see who’s Super Bowl destiny is destined or whatever shit ESPN is slinging now.
AValko Says:
January 16th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
I’m a San Diego fan too, and it kills me that the Padres and the Chargers always make it so far, but can never take it all the way. I think it’s God’s way of balancing out the universe, because otherwise the people living in America’s finest city would just be too lucky.
WBRS Sports Blog Says:
January 16th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
You can’t blame Marty…Losing to the Pats in the playoffs ain’t that awful of a thing. At least they didn’t rub it in by dancing in front of your face, on your homefield…oh wait.
Dave Ryan Says:
January 16th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Here’s why Marty should be fired:
The first time the Bolts set up LaDT on a screen, he ran it for 60 yards, setting up a TD. The Pats LBs just didn’t have the speed to stifle him, and their safetys were sitting too far back.
So how many more screen — and non-screen — passes were thrown to the NFL MVP during the rest of the game?
One.
Even the Madden CPU on “retard” level doesn’t playcall that poorly. If you can’t do something as basic as utilizing your primary asset effectively, you shouldn’t hold the job. Period.
I’m incensed at Marty’s coaching performance. And I’m a PATS FAN, for god’s sake! (The Bolts are my #2.)
Alex Says:
January 16th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
“Here’s why Marty should be fired”
Well, here’s why Marty should not be fired:
-He brought the San Diego Chargers to a 14-2 record, the most wins in franchise history. Even if you include the playoff loss, they only lost three games, all of them by 3 points.
-He got the Chargers to three straight winning seasons, after they had not had a winning season in the previous 8 years.
-He has some eery similarities to Bill Cowher: Led his team to it’s highest regular season win total ever, but then lost to the Patriots in the playoffs, all while starting a new quarterback (btw, both QBs, Roethlisberger and Rivers, were drafted in the first round of the same draft). Had a great winning percentage in the regular season, but not in the playoffs, leading many to doubt that he could ever “win the big one”. Was often criticized for being overly conservative, only to show much more aggressive play-calling in 2005 playoffs (Marty in 2006, going for it on 4th and 11, etc).
Seriously, people were making the same arguments about firing Cowher before he got a ring last year, and I hope they feel extremely foolish for doing that. And I think they’ll get another chance to look like idiots in the next few years if they keep saying things like that about Marty.
darthmoridin Says:
January 16th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
“Seriously, people were making the same arguments about firing Cowher before he got a ring last year, and I hope they feel extremely foolish for doing that. And I think they’ll get another chance to look like idiots in the next few years if they keep saying things like that about Marty.”
Cowher didn’t have a 5-12 playoff record heading into that Pats loss. Cowher had a Super Bowl appearance to his name. Marty is now 5-13 and no Super Bowl trips.
So yes, people should feel foolish if they were calling for Cowher’s firing after the Pats loss. But Marty will not change. Ever.
*whatever* Says:
January 17th, 2007 at 12:31 am
I’m not even a Chargers fan, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Marty. He has become to football what Greg Norman was to golf. After a while it becomes almost like watching a black-comedy; you should laugh, but it almost makes you feel uneasy.
sebastian Says:
January 17th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Good points, Alex.
The postseason-Patriots play in a different world, they face virtually unbeatable opponents every year and still manage to win somehow.
Belichick has proven that he is a mastermind, especially come playoff time, it seems, like it was said before, they only need Belichick