This Makes Things... Better?

News came out today that former Charger Antonio Cromartie fathered seven children by six different women in five states, four in bed, three in a car, two in California, one he actually likes, and zero condoms (Hint: only the first three numbers are true, and possibly the last). The New York Jets organization has fronted Cromartie half a million dollars to settle an upcoming paternity suit before training camp. And suddenly, the Charger organization's reasons for the trade have become a little clearer. There had been rumors of Cromartie being a trouble maker before (anyone remember the bottle throwing incident back in November?) but this suggests that the former Charger may have been as stupid as he was reckless.

Now I'm going to use this to deal with a much bigger issue that has angered me for a while. And that's the concept of the "high character team." Everyone seems to think that character and chemistry are these magical concepts that guarantee winning regardless of talent. You want to know what happened to the Chargers when Cromartie was traded last week? Net character went up, and net talent went down. The end result? The Chargers are a worse team now than they were at the end of the season. As long as guys in the locker room aren't killing each other and everyone is willing to do their job, chemistry means nothing. People always point out success stories like the 2009-10 Saints or the 2007-08 Boston Celtics as teams that got along really well and won championships, but the fact is it's the other way around. It's simply easier to get along when you're winning. You know who's a great group of guys? The Indiana Pacers. Players like Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Granger are by all accounts some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. But they still suck, because Granger is the only guy on the team capable of putting the ball in the basket. Antoine Cason could be the second coming of Gandhi, but if he can't cover a receiver as well as Antonio Cromartie (which he can't) the Chargers secondary just got worse.

Wow. Awesome.

Two seasons removed from the greatest 10 game stretch any cornerback has ever posted, Antonio Cromartie is headed to the New York Jets. So... Yeah. Really smart, AJ. With the window closing on a team that many pick for the Super Bowl each year, you've traded a key piece for a 2011 3rd round pick that becomes a 2nd round pick if he plays well, so at least there's that. It's your show now, Cason. Try not to perform like another promising former Wildcat.

I dislike this team. A lot.

UPDATE: The Bolts also released DT Jamal Williams, because he wasn't one of the best nose tackles in the NFL when healthy or anything. Oh wait. He was.

Something Happened Today that We Already Knew Was Going to Happen

Today the San Diego Chargers released an aging and underperforming running back, thereby saving $3 million in salary and another $2 million bonus that was due to him in March.

He just happened to be the greatest Charger in team history.

Moment of silence.

Tomlinson released by Chargers [ESPN]

Meh.

According to the Bolthype blog - my favorite because Rop Zepeda was nice enough to send me a lengthy email with blogging advice (ahem, Joel Price from Charger Blog and Ray from Bolttalk) - the Chargers are likely to draft Defensive Tackle Dan Williams out of Tennessee. Williams fills a need on the defensive line where a man called Jamal Williams used to play. He is also seemingly a very nice prospect whose teammates in Rocky Top (that's where the University of Tennessee is located, layman) called him "unblockable." But that's not saying much considering the quality of UT's offensive line. Offensive Tackle Cory Smith once described coach Lane Kiffin as "a real tough assignment. Very shifty."

But the quality of the Williams pick is not the issue here. It's simply another safe defensive pick from a Chargers front office that refuses to take risks on playmakers. It's what I call the Larry English Effect, and here it is in movie form.

Two young men, TYLER and DAN, are sitting on a couch watching a San Diego Chargers football game. TYLER is young, dashing, and clearly very intelligent. He also has a very nice haircut. DAN does not matter.

TYLER sees Larry English lying on the top of a running back two yards past the line of scrimmage. English has clearly not actually made the tackle, but will be credited with it.

TYLER

Larry English! First round draft pick doin' work!

DAN

Yup.

The game continues.

That happened a total of 23 times this year. And while English is not a bust by any means (he is a solid player and should start for the Bolts for years to come) he does not excite and he definitely will not win you a Super Bowl. On the other hand C.J. Spiller and Jahvid Best - while they do represent risks - have the potential to be number 1 or 2 guys on a championship contending team.

So in conclusion... Grow a pair, A.J. Smith, and for once in your life take a risk with that 28th pick.

Chargers Unlikely To Pass Up Tennessee's Dan Williams [BoltHype]

I Don't Ask For Much...

Please, A.J. Trade up, whatever you need to do, just get this guy. If he doesn't work out you can blame me. Just get him.

Three More Years of This?

Norv signed a three-year contract extension yesterday, so clearly not enough of you bought our shirts.

As a staunch proponent of people being good at their jobs, this really rubs me the wrong way. There's this weird tradition in the NFL where you reward mediocrity, but forget success rather quickly. It's why we see Super Bowl-winning coaches get fired because they're at odds with the owner, a perennial playoff punching bags like Norv get extensions. And it sucks. It really does. Norv is brilliant in the regular season, imaginative in his play calling, and completely unable to prepare a team for the post season.

So, San Diegans, look forward to three more AFC West Championships, and exactly zero more Super Bowls. That's the way it'll always be with Norv.

All hail the Wet Blanket.

It's Not Your Fault, Nate

It's not your fault Nate.

NATE: Oh, I know

It's not your fault.

NATE: I know

It's not your fault.

NATE: I know

It's not your fault.

NATE: Don't fuck with me here!

It's not your fault.

NATE: I know!

It's not your fault.

NATE: (Cries)