Martyball was Smartyball
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by user JuTMSY4
Don’t blame this on Marty Schottenheimer, this, alas, was not his fault. Marty finally had it all put together. Marty was using Martyball the best way he knew how, with a (essentially) rookie QB and the best damn back in the NFL. Marty had everything lined up, everything in place, and once again, his hopes were dashed, but it wasn’t Marty’s fault, he wasn’t even calling the plays!
The game came down to a Nate Kaeding miss, a far kick, over 50 yards and as far angled as possible (on the hash), but certainly doable for a pro-bowl kicker. But even I can’t blame a pro-bowl kick for missing a 50 plus yarder, especially against the wind. You’ve got to put him in position to win it, and the San Diego Chargers failed.
The vaunted defense truly was a let down at the end of the game. Marlon McCree had the game in his hands and made pretty much one of the biggest mistakes a defender can make, giving up the ball. With that fumble, any momentum the New England Patriots might have lost via the Tom Brady interception was back and magnified. Now, with a fresh set of downs and a short field in front of them, the Pats marched on for 8 (you read that right) points.
Now, with less than 1 minute 10 left, Marty is forced away from Martyball (he now has the headset on, but who knows who was calling the plays) and he allows Phil Rivers to show what he’s made of. Rivers attempts to bite the field in chunks, but it was to little to late and we’re back to mocking Marty.
So what did Marty do wrong. LaDainian Tomlinson touched the ball 25 times (23 rushes, 123 yards, 2 TDs, 2 receptions 64 yards) and Phil Rivers showed some moxy, going 14/32, 230 yards and an interception. Those numbers look a little below average eh, maybe they wouldn’t if 6 passes weren’t dropped. Phil Rivers, [[Eric Parker, and Marlon McCree each had fumbles that led to points, but only McCree’s led to a touchdown (14 points total off turnovers).
Tom Brady had 3 interceptions (New England had no fumbles). San Diego did not score of any of Brady’s 3 turnovers. Tom Brady was sacked twice, neither of which had a significant impact on the game.
It’s the players on the field that made the game what is was and it’s the players who should be ultimately responsible for the outcome. San Diego Chargers failed to execute in the game (dropped passes are not a coach’s fault, they’re professionals). Marty clearly gameplanned well, taught well, explained well, everyone just didn’t play well.
To interject a little of my own opinion, the San Diego Chargers are a more talented team than the Patriots. You see where that got them. If you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best (and execute!)
So if Marty has the best back in the NFL and he uses him, and a strong solid defense and he lets them play and his QB is a rookies and his receivers clearly can’t catch, what was wrong with Martyball?
Nothing.
In the first half, why did SD go for it on 4th-and-11 from the Pats' 30 instead of going for a field goal (which proved to be the winning margin)?
Why did Marty waste a challenge/timeout on the McCree interception-fumble play, when it was obvious that the call on the field would be upheld?
Why did San Diego waste so much time on their final drive (4-yard passes to Gates, etc.)?
Where does the buck stop for Schottenheimer? If not Marty, then who do you blame for the Chargers' collection of coaching miscues?