Eli: 57.9%
Philip: 59.7%

Were you surprised by the release of Chambers?
Yes, but only because I didn’t think they’d eat his huge contract just for the roster spot. He’s been outplayed by Malcom Floyd (who took his starter’s spot officially last week) and Legedu Naanee all season, and for most of 2008 as well. Chambers is not a viable starting WR in the league anymore and will have a hard time finding a home with all of his dropped passes.

How is Merriman playing or not as the case maybe?
Just as I had hoped, Shawne has gotten better every week. In the beginning of the season, he was practically dragging his leg around and definitely wasn’t in “football shape” (he was bulky and not very flexible or quick). As the season has gone on, his knee has gotten noticeably better and he’s regained most of his quickness. I’ll idiotically point out that he had huge games against the Chiefs and Raiders, but it’s better than nothing. The Giants offensive line will be the first real test since Shawne and the team has declared him 100%.

Has LT lost it and is Sproles better as a change of pace back or as a starter?
A question I seem to get every week. You first have to define what “it” is. Tomlinson is certainly capable of being a good RB in the NFL, ala Fred Taylor in 2007-08, but he’s no longer capable of being an every-down back and certainly won’t compete for the MVP award anymore. He’s a valuable player, but not a game-changing weapon.

Sproles is not a starter. Never was, never will be. The few games he’s had to start in place of LT have made this very, very obvious. Darren is at his best when he gets around 10 offensive touches per game (usually something like 6 rushes, 4 catches).

If he’s been as bad as you guys say, he’ll be targeted often. The Chargers’ offense this year has been one based around big plays in the passing game, specifically deep balls thrown by Rivers (our receivers aren’t very dangerous after the catch). That will test any team’s safeties.

Speaking of the QB position, with Drew Brees and the success he is having in NO, do you think that the Chargers made the right call in letting Brees go and putting the future in Rivers?

Absolutely not. First of all, if you compare what Rivers has accomplished and line it up with what Brees had done at this point in his career…..there’s no question that Rivers is the better QB. Therefore, Rivers still has the potential to be as good, or better, than Drew Brees. Actually, you could argue that Rivers had the better season in 2008 since he posted a higher QB rating.

Secondly, Drew Brees was offered the same contract from the Chargers that he eventually signed with New Orleans. He chose to leave because he didn’t want to compete with Rivers for the starting QB job.

Third, Brees already had questionable arm strength and was coming off major surgery on his right shoulder (that he injured in the last game of the season). To say that there were questions of whether he would ever be an effective QB again is an understatement.

Fourth, considering the Chargers were already investing time and money into Rivers, it wouldn’t have made sense for the team to fall all over themselves trying to get Brees back.

This

That said…Rivers will show me nothing I don’t already know…he’s a great QB. The thing I see with the Chargers..aka, Cowboys West (not fanbase…talent and failed expectations wise).

The thing I wanna know..do the Chargers show something different this year? They’ve been a contender since Rivers started coming along…yet they just haven’t put it together. Does this team show anything different than previous seasons to show that THIS Chargers team may be the one to win it all?

My family moved to San Diego when I was 13 and I became a football fan that same year. I moved back to Philly 8 years later, but I’ll forever be a Chargers fan.

Exactly. I like Norv because he’s had more success than Marty when it matters. The team always seems to start the season slow and have a bunch of injuries, but I think if there’s anything wrong it’s that Norv doesn’t run a good camp and wasn’t able to hire a good defensive coordinator because by time he was hired there was nobody left (Marty kindof screwed us that way). I think Norv is an excellent coach, and specifically an excellent offensive coach. He just needs a few breaks and maybe for a great D coordinator to fall in his lap.

which team do you guys hate the most? I know the traditional rivalry is Chargers-Raiders, but with how bad the Raiders have been lately, I wonder if maybe now you hate the Broncos more, or maybe even the Pats, Colts, or Steelers?

Probably a tie with the Broncos and Steelers.

at the start of the season I thought that the Chargers running game would be well lets be honest not good. Has that been the case?
Yes it has. However, part of the reason is Nick Hardwick being out for all but the first half of Week 1.

Also will Sproles be able to make it through an entire season getting the amount of carries he is getting?
I think so. He’s really not getting that much. In games where LT is healthy, Sproles has been getting less than 10 offensive touches per game. I think he’s on pace for about 100 carries, but if Tomlinson stays healthy he’ll come in under that. That’s not a big jump in touches for him over 2008.

Its been a tough couple of years for LaDa, is he regaining the form he once had or is it gone??
He’ll never have that form again. He has too many miles on his legs. Production wise, LT can fall anywhere between 2007-08 Fred Taylor and 2007-08 Edgerrin James. We’re still not real sure which one he’s going to be.