Know Thy Enemy: Week 16-Jets vs. Chargers

Oct 23, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan (left) greets San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner after the game at Met Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Farrell/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

In this week’s edition of “Know Thy Enemy”, we talk to Ernie Padaon, editor of boltbeat.com, the Fansided site dedicated to the Chargers. Here is what he had to say about his team, and Sunday’s game:

THE JET PRESS:How much truth is there to the rumor that Norv will be out at season’s end?

BOLT BEAT:He will definitely be free for any team to pickup as an offensive coordinator. Feel free to take your shot on him as an OC. We all are sick and tired of his coaching style here in San Diego.

TJP:What’s gone wrong with this team? Can you pinpoint it to something specific, or is it a combination of things?

BB:It is not just one thing. Norv Turner is a problem for one. We have lost games with huge leads at the half and I can only blame the coach for that. The offensive line is crap. We had no weapons on offense for Philip Rivers either. Vincent Jackson is in Tampa and none of the replacements have panned out.

TJP:Normally I look forward to a matchup on the outside, but this week it’s different. The Jets safeties have made a huge difference against tight ends this season, and you guys have one of the best in Antonio Gates. How do you see that matchup going?

BB:Gates has been a big decoy. If your safeties have done great, then Gates will probably disappear with the rest of the offense. He has been far from the Pro Bowl player that other teams think he is this year.

TJP:For what it’s worth, the Jets have done a good job against the pass, despite the loss of Darrelle Revis. How do you think Philip Rivers will fare against the Jets defense on Sunday?

BB:He has been bad all season. I can only expect the same. His decision making has been the worse of all. When under pressure, he seems to loft the ball up in the air for anyone to catch. He also tends to fumble the ball a ton too. He isn’t Mark Sanchez, but he has been close.

TJP:How about a prediction?

BB:Somehow we both lose this game. Both teams have just looked ugly. Time to prep for 2013.

Thanks to Ernie for his time. Check out boltbeat.com for all things Chargers.