Jan 14

Lack of Poise Costs Charges Superbowl Hopes

Successful execution of most plays in Sunday’s playoff game against the New England Patriots could not save the Chargers from the underminining effects of poor decisions at crucial moments. Immaturity and poor critical-moment decisions cost San Diego the game, and a big dream.

It is time for the Charger leadership to put an end to the silly and immature, self-centered and aggressive behavior after great plays are made. Those childish in-your-face who’s-yo-mamma antics contributed to the organization’s failure to meet its goals. Are the players on the gradeschool playground or are they professionals responsible for consistent high-level execution in a high-stakes professional sport? Those antics are selfish and individualistic when the welfare of the whole should be a player’s top concern.

A head butt after a great play, unsportsmanlike conduct, and failing to fall on a fumble instead of trying to pick it up and run with it (perhaps the most Football-101 decision every pee-wee leaguer learns around age are prime examples of poor decisions made by players at the crucial moment during Sunday’s game. Maybe too much time is spent on technical skills and not enough on the character of a San Diego Charger player.

Most of the plays the Chargers ran during the day were executed well. But, the mistakes they made were at important times. And, because those mistakes went against the fundamentals and rules of the game, the whole organization paid dearly. May the spectators of San Diego take note: You can dodge the effects of bad decisions only so long before major failure wins. Even our most poised player lost his cool.

San Diego Chargers leadership, in the front office and on the field, should step up and address a major problem with this team: poise. Let’s not kid ourselves, good technical execution will only get you so far. Eventually success comes down to character.

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