the best Chargers team of the past decade
by: Borna Nazari
![Picture](/uploads/8/5/0/5/85056568/topper-patriots-0.jpg?463)
LT celebrates his NFL record 28th rushing TD in 2006
I woke up a couple days ago reminiscing on some of the great chances the Bolts had in winning it all. I went year by year and roster by roster thinking which team gave us the best chance to win. At last, I narrowed it down to two options. The 2006-2007 San Diego Chargers led by the notorious Marty Schottenheimer and the 2009-2010 Chargers led by Norv Turner.
2006-2007 Bolts:There isn't enough to say about this team. Offensively, a 25-year-old Pro Bowler Philip Rivers, 1st-team All-pro 27-year-old LT, 26-year-old 1st-team All-pro Antonio Gates, and so many more names that dominated on the offensive side led the team to a 14-2 record. Pro Bowler Marcus McNeill, RG Mike Goff, and Pro Bowler Nick Hardwick highlighted this extremely talented offensive line.
But wait Chargers fans, there's more! Let's flip to the other side of the ball. Highlighted by 1st-team All-pro Shawne Merriman, Quentin Jammer, 22-year-old Antonio Cromartie, 1st-team All-pro Jamal Williams, the San Diego Chargers defense was ranked 10th overall.
Winning their last 10 games of the NFL season, many saw the Chargers as the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Unbeaten at home during the regular season, the Bolts hosted the Patriots in the Divisional Round. The favored Chargers contained nine Pro Bowlers and five All-Pro players; however, four total turnovers led to the downfall of this historic season losing to the Patriots 24-21.
Reche Caldwell's 49-yard Reception set up Gostkowski's game-winning field goal.
2009-2010 Bolts: Being the #4 offense and the #11 defense, the 50th-anniversary Chargers were arguably not as talented due to everyone getting three years older, and the depletion of constantly losing in the playoffs. However, this team proved everyone wrong after winning 11 straight to end the season after starting 2-3. The emergence of new Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson and the best season for Nate Kaeding were two players that got the team in great playoff contention. Though the declining 30-year-old LT would spend his last season with the Bolts, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates were still Pro Bowlers. Further, the rise of Darren Sproles as an all around weapon caused havoc for many teams. Luis Castillo, Shawne Merriman, were two Bolts who held down the anchors of the D.
Earning a first-round bye and hosting the NY Jets in the divisional round, the Chargers, who were favorites, looked to end their long drought and punch their ticket to Super Bowl 44. After the Bolts led the Jets 7-3 heading into the fourth quarter, the New York Jets went up 17-7 after a touchdown from Dustin Keller and a 53 yard TD run by Shonn Greene. During the game, All-pro Kicker Nate Kaeding missed field goals from 36, 57, and 40 yards.
San Diego Chargers Nate Kaeding misses three field goal attempts against Jets.
If you're a true Chargers fan, you know that these two games may have caused tears, broken remotes, or whatever you do when reacting to your team. Now I ask you, which team do you think had the better chance to win the Super Bowl?
Will BRandon Flowers have a Bounce-back Year? By: Borna Nazari
In 2014, Brandon Flowers led the Chargers with three interceptions, finished with 52 tackles and had a total of 11 pass breakups. A four year 36 million dollar contract was a result of his impressive 2014 campaign. Since, however, everything has spiraled downhill for the Virginia Tech product.
Now playing behind Jason Verrett and arguably Casey Hayward, the Chargers cornerback is coming off the worst season of his eight-year career. Before the 2015 season, Flowers stated that he had gained around 12 pounds during OTAs after eating the same food as his pregnant girlfriend. This resulted in sporadic absences in OTAs causing lingering issues with his knee and back. This was the beginning to a horrific 2015 campaign. The rise of Pro Bowler Jason Verrett made Flowers' struggles look even worse as Verrett began covering the opponent's best receiver, most notably shutting downAntonio Brown on Monday Night Football.
Week 2 in Cincinnati was an unforgettable nightmare for Brandon Flowers. He allowed three touchdown catches and was inactive for next week's game vs. Minnesota. All in all, he was placed on IR on December 12th because of the lingering knee issues that began before the regular season.
Brandon Flowers allows three TDs vs. the Bengals in Week 2.
Let's fast forward to today. The knee is healthy. Flowers can walk without feeling pressure from the knee that has caused him so many issues the last couple of years. Chargers fans, I ask you, will Brandon Flowers have a bounce-back year? It also depends on what you mean by "bounce-back." Pro Bowl? Not getting beat on every pass attempt? Or in between a Pro Bowler and his 2015 form. Answer in the poll below.