What if Brees had stayed in San Diego? (1 Viewer)

[Bri]

They'd be a hell of a lot closer to a Super Bowl than with Philip Rivers.

Specifically, what did Rivers do that has cost the Chargers a shot at a Super Bowl?

More like Nate Kaeding.In January 2005, Kaeding became only the second rookie in NFL history to attempt a potential game-winning field goal in the playoffs in the 4th quarter or overtime. His 40-yard field goal attempt missed, and the Chargers lost in the wild card round to the New York Jets, who won the game on a Doug Brien field goal.

Kaeding's postseason struggles continued in the 2006 NFL Playoffs, when he missed a potential game tying 54-yard field goal attempt against the New England Patriots. He had not missed a field goal at home in the previous two years prior to that 54-yard attempt.

In the 2007 playoffs, Kaeding missed a field goal each in the Wild Card weekend game against Tennessee (which San Diego won) and against the Indianapolis Colts (which San Diego also won). Nate's streak of consecutive playoff games with a missed field goal stood at 4 but was ended with a made field goal from 40 yards against New England.

In the 2009 NFL season, Kaeding connected on 91.4% (32/35) of his field goals, a percentage that led the NFL. His season long of 54 yards came in a Week 15 victory over Cincinnati Bengals. However, in the AFC Divisional Round against the New York Jets, Kaeding's postseason struggles continued as he missed all 3 of his attempted field goals, from 37, 57, and 40 yards. The Jets won the game 17-14. In the postseason, Kaeding is 3-for-9 on field goal attempts at home.

I see you mentioned two 50+ yarders, 54 and 57. Not many K can make those in the regular season and since you replied re-Kaeding not Rivers, I think the QB should get em' closer.BTW this post should make JWB more of a Vinatieri fan

 

[TwinTurbo]

I still can't believe Rivers has reached a high level of success in the NFL with that ridiculous throwing motion. I give him max credit, even though Brees is still better. But I still don't think Brees would have won a SB in San Diego either. There were just too many good AFC teams to get past during that window of opportunity and the SD coaches were too conservative.

 

[Tau837]

BTW this post should make JWB more of a Vinatieri fan

This is a strange comment. The only times I've discussed Vinatieri is in threads where people were foolishly suggesting that he will or should make the Hall of Fame. Kaeding's lousy playoff performance has nothing to do with that, and hasn't changed my opinion on that subject one bit.

 

[cstu]

The bigger question to me is: Why did San Diego give up on Brees after only 1 3/4 seasons as a starter? He may have regressed during his 2nd year as a starter, but is that enough to justify drafting another 1st-round quarterback 6 months later? Why assume that the 1st year was a fluke instead of the 2nd year?

How many other teams have drafted a quarterback in the 1st round after their young starter put up stats similar to Brees?

The Browns are close to doing this with McCoy, who has put up stats very similar to Brees' first two years.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

They'd be a hell of a lot closer to a Super Bowl than with Philip Rivers.

Specifically, what did Rivers do that has cost the Chargers a shot at a Super Bowl?

More like Nate Kaeding.In January 2005, Kaeding became only the second rookie in NFL history to attempt a potential game-winning field goal in the playoffs in the 4th quarter or overtime. His 40-yard field goal attempt missed, and the Chargers lost in the wild card round to the New York Jets, who won the game on a Doug Brien field goal.

Kaeding's postseason struggles continued in the 2006 NFL Playoffs, when he missed a potential game tying 54-yard field goal attempt against the New England Patriots. He had not missed a field goal at home in the previous two years prior to that 54-yard attempt.

In the 2007 playoffs, Kaeding missed a field goal each in the Wild Card weekend game against Tennessee (which San Diego won) and against the Indianapolis Colts (which San Diego also won). Nate's streak of consecutive playoff games with a missed field goal stood at 4 but was ended with a made field goal from 40 yards against New England.

In the 2009 NFL season, Kaeding connected on 91.4% (32/35) of his field goals, a percentage that led the NFL. His season long of 54 yards came in a Week 15 victory over Cincinnati Bengals. However, in the AFC Divisional Round against the New York Jets, Kaeding's postseason struggles continued as he missed all 3 of his attempted field goals, from 37, 57, and 40 yards. The Jets won the game 17-14. In the postseason, Kaeding is 3-for-9 on field goal attempts at home.

I see you mentioned two 50+ yarders, 54 and 57. Not many K can make those in the regular season and since you replied re-Kaeding not Rivers, I think the QB should get em' closer.BTW this post should make JWB more of a Vinatieri fan

Both Jets games were on Kaeding IMOThe Pats loss was on Marlon Mcree

The other pats loss was an undefeated team on the road with Rivers having a torn up knee

The window has closed and I hope Kaeding gets cut, because Novack looks just as good

 

[faulkfan]

Turner would have turnered him into Ryan Leaf

That's it in a nutshell. Payton gives him room and opportunity to do what he does, Turner rarely seems to realize there is a game being played in front of him. But SD is keeping him around another year because I'm sure he's figured it all out now.

 

[Raider Nation]

Hindsight is always 20/20, but looking back, it seems almost impossible that the Chargers didn't recognize Drew's greatness. (Though I suppose you could say the same about the Falcons and Favre). Is Payton THAT much superior to Norv? Or was it strictly a case of them not believing he'd ever fully come back from the injury?

 

[BoltBacker]

Hindsight is always 20/20, but looking back, it seems almost impossible that the Chargers didn't recognize Drew's greatness. (Though I suppose you could say the same about the Falcons and Favre). Is Payton THAT much superior to Norv? Or was it strictly a case of them not believing he'd ever fully come back from the injury?

None of the above. NO built an excellent line in front of Brees. Even this offseason when NO was supposed to be in salary cap hell they lose Carl Nicks which was a big blow but they go out and replace him with Ben Grubbs. That's a franchise that understands you can have all the skill players in the world but if your OL sucks you're done. It's even more important if the best player on your team is your QB. I'd say that 3 starting lineman on SD wouldn't even make the NO roster. Maybe Turner has some say in FA and draft and he's partly to blame for that(though I doubt it because AJ doesn't seem to the type to let a coach dictate his roster moves) but most of the blame should fall on AJ. The ironic thing is AJ gets criticized for letting 3rd down backs get away and letting mediocre #1 WR's go instead of making him the 2nd highest paid WR in the league... but his real mistakes that have cost SD the past several years go unnoticed by most fans that seemingly don't have a firm grasp on why SD hasn't been in the playoffs the past couple years. Put Rivers on a team with a very good OL and have him throw the ball 650+ times/year(even when you are up by 20 points) and this thread is titled "How on earth did SD ever let Rivers get away?". Anyone thinking that Rivers has been holding the SD franchise back the past few years is demonstrating an ignorance with regard to the situation in SD and their knowledge of football in general.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

this is basically all on AJ Smith, he was going to roll with Rivers eventually no matter what, the Brees injury was an excuse to let him walk. Add in that he made a terrible move in Marty for Norv. Now send Marty packing cool but Norv isnt HC material, never was.

Follow that up with bad drafts out of AJ and the teams window closed. Loomis and Payton are better than AJ & Norv.