Will Gordon replace Cromartie this year?

I think it is quite possible that Gordon will replace Cromartie as a starting CB this year. After watching fan fest and witnessing Gordon's outstanding and consistent defensive array of talants, it looks as if Gordon is going to be a starter. While Cromartie is extremely talented but lacks focus and takes plays off. Giving opponents wide open deep pass plays for TD's, like when VJ beat Cromartie down the sideline for an easy TD at Fan Fest. There was no reason for it but lazyness by Cromartie to allow VJ to beat him like that and Merriman gave Cromartie a verbal lesson that he will not be allowed to take plays off. Merriman wants a Super Bowl and so does the rest of the team, taking plays off, like Cromartie likes to do, will only work to find himself on the bench.



CHARGERS NOTES: Gordon's chief concern is making more plays

SAN DIEGO ---- Cletis Gordon made a pair of interceptions that didn't matter
much. The fourth-year defensive back picked off two passes during Saturday
morning's practice, making excellent reads and breaks on both.

Despite having a good day, Gordon wasn't ready to pat himself on the back. He knows that it takes an entire training camp to make a real impression on the coaches who determine playing time. But in the first few weeks, Gordon has put his best foot
forward.

He's consistently making plays and forcing coaches to include him
in key packages. It's an uphill climb for Gordon, who has Quentin Jammer,
Antonio Cromartie and Antoine Cason ahead of him on the depth chart.
"I'm not really concerned about how and exactly where I fit in with the other guys,"
Gordon said. "I'm only worried about how I'm doing and how I can progress as a
football player."

Gordon has grown in each of the last three seasons and
could well be playing himself into more playing time.
"That's obviously the goal," Gordon said. "I'm gaining confidence and am comfortable with what we're doing right now. I've made some plays, but I have to remain consistent throughout camp."

Chargers should try for Home Field Advantage in the Playoffs

I believe the Chargers should try for enough wins this season to land home field advantage throughout the playoffs if they want to go to the Super Bowl. It is a huge advantage to play at home especially in the winter months. I know the teams can win on the road in the playoffs but it is really a big advantage to play at home. Below is the feelings of John Clayton on the subject:

Q: The San Diego Chargers are approaching what seems to me like the final trip to the proving grounds for our great city of San Diego. Can they finally break
through the AFC barriers that they have been plagued by in the past
(Patriots, Colts,
Steelers)?

From Matt in Poway, Calif.

A: The Chargers can break through,
but the key for them is stockpiling
wins during the regular season. They
need home-field advantage. You see how the
AFC is going. The Patriots have
the edge on the Chargers. At times, the Colts
seemingly had the edge on the
Patriots. Classic battles result when the
Steelers, Colts, Chargers,
Patriots, Ravens and Titans are involved. The key is
getting the home field
for the playoff matchups. If the Chargers can win 12
games, and the Patriots
win 10 or 11 because of their tough schedule, the
Chargers have a chance
because they get New England at home. The AFC has the
elite of the elite.
Although home-field advantage doesn't always work, it's a
great
ally.

AJ Smith wants a fast Start to the Season

AJ is looking for the Chargers to start fast this year and keep ahead of the standings in wins all the way to the Super Bowl, he does not want the players reading their own press clippings and believing they can win the easy way. The games will have to actually be played and the players will have to actually win it all on the field, where the other teams want to win too, and they are all Pro Football Players. I believe the Chargers players have finally matured and realize this year is theirs only if they earn it, press clippings mean nothing before the games actually played.

"It's, 'We're the Chargers!' " said Smith, sitting in his office overlooking the
sprawling practice fields. "It's, 'Well, we could have won the game against
Carolina, last second. Well, [referee Ed] Hochuli took the other game away.
We're the Chargers. Everything's going to be fine.'

"Hey, boys, you're 4-8."

"We'd like to start off this year with the mind-set of, let's have a decent
beginning here," he said. "Let's not put our backs against the wall and create
this awful situation where you're fighting for your life to get in. If we're a
playoff-caliber team, let's prove it in a normal fashion."

"From what I'm hearing nationally and from what people are telling me," he
said, "people are still picking us to go to the Super Bowl, and some people are
even going to pick us to win the Super Bowl. Television guys that will be making
predictions later on have already made up their mind and told me."After last
year, I thought we'd be so far under the radar that we wouldn't have to worry
about any of that. I was wrong."