Redemption Failed

Well okay I'll admit it, I was wrong. They couldn't do it.

Once again the New York Jets came into San Diego and dashed the Chargers Super Bowl dreams and the consensus in San Diego one day removed from the game is that Nate Kaeding should be ran out of town.

And frankly, I would have to agree with them. Up until yesterday's performance, I would have argued against anybody who said that Nate Kaeding wasn't the best kicker in the NFL.  Coming into the game yesterday Kaeding had made 67 straight field goals from inside the 40 yard line. He was 32 for 35 on field goal attempts throughout the season and his 91.4 field goal percentage was the best in the NFL.

You wouldn't have known that yesterday, Kaeding missed all three of his field goal attempts, one, to be fair, was a 57 yard attempt before halftime, but the other two were only from 40 yards out, a spot where he has kicked like clockwork from, for 67 straight attempts.

The final blow was his third field goal attempt with 4:38 left in the fourth quarter when he missed a 40 yard attempt that proved to be crucial after the Chargers rallied for a touchdown after stopping the Jets.

Not one of these attempts looked like they were going in when the came off of his foot. Anyone watching could instantly see that.

Regardless of Nate Kaeding's sullied efforts, it was the Chargers failure to capitalize when they had the ball that ultimatley cost them the game. In the first half the New York Jets faced six punts on six possessions and the Chargers only managed to score once, on a touchdown pass to third string Tight End Kris Wilson.

"We moved the ball and challenged them in ways they haven't been before, but we just didn't turn those into points" said Quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw an unusual two interceptions on the day, including one that put the Jets on the Chargers 20-yard line and set up a short touchdown drive for Mark Sanchez and company.

Ladainian Tomlinson also failed to get anything going on his 12 rushing attempts for a meager 24 yards and zero touchdowns.

Sadly, the man that was once the most feared player in the NFL has now failed to rush for a single 100-yard game this season. This also marks his first NFL season where he has rushed for less than 1000 yards.

The biggest post-season question will in fact be the fate of Ladainian Tomlinson. Sources are saying that L.T. has most likely had his last carry donning the blue and gold. The problem is no team is going to want a Running Back who performed like he did this season. I can't remember how many times this season that I saw Tomlinson run up the gut for a gain of 2 yards, I was frustrated, but I can imagine that no one is more frustrated than Tomlinson himself. He wants to go out and help his team, but there will be no place for him if he keeps on rushing for a 730 yards on the season.

Now that the off-season is upon us, we here at "We'll Always Have Oakland", will do our best in bringing you up to date coverage on Chargers off-season news, but will also be incorporating any sport we want to talk about.

It's our blog, we can do what we want.

Anyways, I'm going to close the season with the one thing that my father says to me every year when the Chargers lose in the playoffs.

Only 31 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training.