For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children...

After far too long, I finally made it out to a trail for a run today. Beneath the shady comfort of a eucalyptus tree, I stretched long dormant muscles and grappled with the incomprehensible shit storm, that is this world....

I am here and I can run.
There are those who cannot and never will again.

Had I began my running a week ago on the south side of Lake Hodges the nature of my reflections would have been conjured in such amazing contrast. Thought replaced by.....

Tomorrow I must run for no other reason than I can.

r.i.p.CK

LaDainian Tomlinson Released After Breathing Life Back Into The Chargers

On the drive home I listened to AJ Smith on Xtra Sports 1360 discuss the release of future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. After he spoke I turned off the radio.

I have yet to read any articles regarding LT's release. I have stayed away from all of the social media so I can only guess as to how San Diego's reacting. For the most part, San Diego has readied itself for this day ever since the protracted AJ/LT drama in February of 2009. I, for one, was ready for this day. Yet it's still a difficult thing to grasp.

LT marks a significant moment in my history as a Chargers fan*. Truth be told, I wasn't much of a Chargers fan before that day in 2001 when the front office decided to opt out of the "Michael Vick Sweepstakes" and traded the rights to draft #1 to the Atlanta Falcons. I became a fan that day as I recognized a sea change in the way the Bolt Brass was choosing to operate. Of course it didn't hurt when they not only drafted LT but snagged Drew Brees at the top of the 2nd round.

I absolutely KNEW it was the wrong move to pick Michael Vick yet how ironic is it now that we are speaking of LT's career ending and Vick's starting over? I think that the seminal Zucker brothers film Airplane said it best when they reminded us that, "Irony......can be pretty ironic sometimes."

So here we are, left to reflect on LT's greatest moments. I'll always remember the Oakland Raider domination as well as the "Raiders Suck" T-shirt that LT famously sported during one Raider week. There were the overtime walk-off TDs against the Redskins, Titans, and Raiders that I'll always recall with excitement and who can ever forget the fantastic rushing game against the Patriots on January 14th 2007 during the playoffs........followed by the midfield melt down at the conclusion of the game with a few Patriot players. As difficult as it was to lose that game it was made easier when LT voiced his opinions so boisterously about the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick.

The luster on LT's star has lost a bit of its shine in the last couple of seasons but it is far outweighed by the good he has done for both the Chargers and the community of San Diego. Forget the bad and remember the good. There was a lot of good, wasn't there?

*In 2001 I was a "fan free-agent". I had drifted out of following my birth team in about 1995 but couldn't commit myself fully to the San Diego home team. I always wished them well but in no way could have been described as a true fan. As is the case, my level of suffering as a Chargers fan is not on the same level as so many tortured fans in San Diego. I feel among the persecuted but I am mindful that while the Chargers have been in existence for 50 years, I have only lived here for X number of years and only followed the Chargers for Y number of years. I am also mindful that this is not a blog about algebra.

Cromartie on the block; eastern philosophy needed

From Kevin Acee's Wednesday UT article, Chargers still seek deal for Cromartie:

Cromartie had 10 interceptions in 2007 but has just five in the two seasons since, and his lack of physicality and a perceived laissez faire attitude has worn on teammates and coaches.

The team is ready to move on from its 2006 first-round draft pick, and Cromartie has told people close to him he would like to be traded.

Perceived laissez faire attitude?

Laissez faire most accurately refers to Thomas Jefferson's thoughts on government interaction with the masses...... not how big of a "Gaping V" Antonio Cromartie plays like. "Perceived" implies that he might actually be on top of things. That he might actually care to win. There is no issue of perception here.

Whether Cromartie is dealt, released, or plays out his contract, the young man needs help. He has financial commitments to an ever growing family and the only way to fulfill these obligations is to perform and then get rewarded with a multi-year contract.

Luckily for Antonio Cromartie, I am currently researching a way for him to emerge from his self created abyss. This research has led me to delve into eastern philosophies and tradition in an effort to restore the shining star of 2007. The research is nearly complete and I believe that if the methodology can be relayed to young Cro' we may be able to avert losing him at all. This intervention may lead to a renewal for our 25 year old quarterback.

Stay tuned, faithful eleven.

Editor's Note:
I also find it laughable that HE WANTS to be traded. If he was playing on the east coast he'd be crucified by the media.... far worse than he gets it here in San Diego. Is it so tough playing for a team that is but a few steps from the Super Bowl? Is it the wrath of Vencie Glenn, Avenging Jack Murphy, and the whole of San Diego that has you lacing up your track spikes?

Run, Cro'. Run.

It's what you do best.

A face for radio: as spring training approaches, the Baseball Bloggers Alliance does its best Ramones impersonation

Last summer, Avenging Jack Murphy, along with a few other San Diego Padres blogs were invited to join the Baseball Bloggers Alliance. The BBA's stated mission was for baseball bloggers to get together and be able to use each other as sounding boards for series previews as well as end of the season awards voting.

After the 2009 season, the members of the BBA voted on the same awards that the Baseball Writers of America vote on as well as the Hall of Fame voting. As we approach the 2010 season, BBA founder Daniel Shoptaw, is bringing another dimension to the bloggers' confederation: podcasting.

Take a look at the below release with all of the relevant links:

The writers of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance would like to announce that they are taking to the airwaves.

Beginning Tuesday, February 16th at 11 pm Eastern, BBA Baseball Talk can be found at Blog Talk Radio. This one-hour show will discuss the big stories of the day in major league baseball and other baseball-related topics. Callers are welcome to chime in at 347-884-8690.

Your hosts for the first edition will be BBA founder Daniel Shoptaw, who writes at C70 At The Bat, and Ron Kaplan of Ron Kaplan's Baseball Bookshelf.

Hosts will rotate on a weekly basis and the time and date of the show may move depending on the requirements of that week's hosts.

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance is a confederation of 132 blogs working together for collaboration and discussion possibilities.

I look forward to hearing the BBA represented on Tuesday night and then listening to the Friarhood on Blog Talk Radio, Thursday evening. Tank from The Matrix said it best; "These are exciting times."

Use the BBA to help you gain insights on who your team plays next because let's be honest....... John Kruk don't know shit!

The BBA wants the airwaves:

San Diego: Rocky Balboa said it best, "The World Ain't All Sunshine and Rainbows."

Ever since the most recent Chargers debacle I've found it difficult to string thoughts together. I have ideas that are Chargers related but just can't bring myself to comment. I have ideas that are Padre related but feel that, for a sense of continuity as well as closure, I need to deal with the football demons first.

This thought process is wreaking havoc with my ability to complete a blog post of any sort.

Alas, I'm excited about the Padres so this post will be a thought organizer, one which should help me to move forward.

Pick yourself up and move forward, San Diego sports fans. It's all we can do......move forward.

Things on my mind:

-Nate Kaeding and how FUCT his head is.
-Shaun Phillips higher education and Twitterpidity.
-Norv Turner's "__________"
-Marty Schottenheimer/Earnest Byner/Useless kickers
-Antonio Cromartie (surprisingly not first on the list)
-LT. Please don't go to New England.
-Eric Weddle and the trampoline effect.
-The incessant "jocking" of Drew Brees by Scott and BR.
-2010 Baseball America Prospects handbook and Padre hope.
-Breakfast Town USA and other T-Shirts.
-Padres Town hall meeting.
-2010 Spring Training Trip.
-Lake Elsinore Trip on Thirsty Thursday.
-Bud Black's (im)-probable opening day line-up.
-Villanova basketball and how awesome of a fan I am.

This is but a cache of the crap that's been coursing through my cerebral cortex (alliteration, people). By listing my thoughts outside of the conventional top five list I hope to spur on some creativity so that I can move on from the horror show known as January 2010.

Actually...I probably should have scaled it back to a list of five so I wouldn't be so overwhelmed. Crap!

The Godfather of Avenging Jack Murphy...may he rest in peace

...and the writing has never been more clearly defacing the wall. Thank you for 9 fun filled seasons, LT.
From Thursday's Union tribune:

“I’m not coming back,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t believe I’ll be back in San Diego. I’ve accepted it.”

The firestorm has really revolved less around the inevitable departure of a future HOFer and more around the following:

Tomlinson also elaborated Thursday on a radio interview he gave earlier this week in which he questioned the team’s mentality, saying players were about themselves and not always focused on the whole. He did not back off and even stated some things stronger than he had previously.

He said there is a direct correlation between things that happen off the field — “nightclubs, stuff at people’s house having parties, stuff that gets out and is a distraction” — and the Chargers’ performance on the field.

Tomlinson said there are “great character guys” on the team but that a lack of focus by certain players contributed to the loss to the Jets, a game in which the Chargers committed numerous costly and uncharacteristic penalties.

“It makes a difference on how you react,” Tomlinson said. “Their focus was somewhere other than where it needed to be — on the field. We talked over and over about that. We had extra sessions on that as players. And then we go out and that stuff happens. So what else could it be?”

He also said there are players overly concerned about their contracts. A number of Chargers have been rewarded in past years with multiyear deals, but some of the team’s stars are without that security.

“That was a big focus,” Tomlinson said. “A lot of guys got the contracts. Guys see that other guys got paid and taken care of and they’re like, ‘Why ain’t nobody talking to me?’ It became a problem.”

Great.
Tomlinson expects Bolts to let him go [Union Tribune-Kevin Acee]

Why I'm Cheering Against the New York Jets Today

Last weekend my goal was to get our little tailgate caravan to section G3. Godspeed to G3. As J-E-T-S fans filtered into our area I was lambasted by my tailgating party: "How could you direct us to this God Forsaken patch of asphalt, laden with a-holes!?!". Then I remembered.....

.....the Union Tribune reported that J-E-T-S fans were directing their faithful to all congregate in the same area (G3). Word of this had spread and the Bolt Complex had urged Chargers fans to prevent this assembly by any means necessary**. This is why I had led my followers into the pit of Hades. But truth be told.......it wasn't that bad. Aside from hearing J-E-T-S, JETS-JETS-JETS more frequently than you can imagine Rex Ryan-buffet-visits it was a great time.

So why am I cheering AGAINST the Jets this afternoon, you ask?

Well it's not because they beat our Chargers. In theory, I should be rooting AGAINST the Colts because their lay-down against the Jets with a perfect season on the line is the only reason the Jets made a trip to San Diego last week anyways. Is it the talk coming out of the Jets locker room? I'll admit the talk from their coach and defensive players is beginning to grate on me, but that's not it either. It all comes back to their fans......

You see, last week when we were enjoying our tailgate and enduring the cacophony of J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS. We were subjected to some chants that crossed into the "No Fly Zone" of trash talk. The problems stemmed from the fact that there were so many Jets fans in G3, they poured out of their designated parking stalls into the driving lane causing a disturbance every time a car needed to get through. Naturally the cars needing to get through were......Charger Fans......thus the trash talk. So there I am drinking my beer and eating my breakfast burrito as chants of........wait for it.......U-S-A/U-S-A/U-S-A/U-S-A/U-S-A/U-S-A began to fill the airwaves. What's wrong with this? Surely nothing wrong with patriotic flair during a truly American game, right?

Well the chant was directed at a contingent of Latinos. That's what I would commonly refer to as, "Bush League Bullshit". The Latino Charger Fans, gave 'em a big F-You, and joined in on the chant because.......well they're AMERICAN!

So here's to karma, New York Jets Fans. I'm cheering against you racist fucks, today!

....and by the way; your Quarterback........is a Mexican American!

**Not really. They suggested Charger Fans get there early and prevent it. I just like to involve Malcolm X as regularly as possible.

Chargers Fall 17-14......Championship Futility Continues

-I attended yesterday's game.
-I've since watched it on DVR.
-I'm nearly ready to say something intelligent (a subjective statement, I know).
-The only thing left to do.........have the foot/shin/leg surgically removed from between my legs.

A Day That Will Live In Infamy: January 14th, 2007

Three years ago today, I went a little crazy.

As a regular, day-to-day human, I stayed relatively "normal" but as a fan of football......I went certifiably, bat shit crazy.

You Charger fans remember the day: a brisk Sunday afternoon that found the 14-2 AFC West Champion Chargers defeated by a multitude of flukes.......and the New England Patriots . Idiot corner backs guilty of penalty flag inducing flying head butts and safeties who couldn't protect their well earned interceptions. Muffed punts and goofy head coaching calls. I suppose it's a wonder that the game was even close for the Chargers considering the aforementioned display.

The conclusion was painful for all. With our Super Bowl dreams newly shattered we were subjected to mid field dancing Patriots and a pissed off Ladainian Tomlinson. The Patriot douchebaggery led to emails, then blogs and ultimately a shadowy organization known as the Anti-Patriot League which deified asterisks and spycams in the name of the New England Patriots and their idiot fans (I've been to Foxborough.......and I know idiots when I see them). Agents of this organization can be recognized by their T-shirts emblazoned with the logo below......

A glorious memorial to the incident known as Spygate, to be sure.

Anyways, this was the email that beget the blog that you see today. Kept for posterity and as a not so subtle reminder that you, good reader, can retain your sanity as it is I who acts as a maniacal proxy on your behalf.

To whom it may concern:
 
For the past five years I have fully supported the New England Patriots and
the success they have earned during that course of time. When the ignorant
masses spoke ill of the Patriots, I was quick to remind them that the
Patriots were everything that was good about professional football: the rare
case where individual achievement was subjugated for the advancement of the
"TEAM". This ideal of "team" has yielded three Superbowl championships and I
have enjoyed supporting the high ideal that the Patriots stood for.
 
After watching the Chargers/Patriots playoff game on Sunday I must say
that I am withdrawing my west-coast support and marking that franchise for
death!
 
Indeed, death is a strong statement so I would be remiss if I did not make
a few clarifications:

1. The Chargers were the more talented team.
2. The Patriots were the more level headed team.
3. The Patriots deserved to win--undoubtedly!
4. The biggest "hand" in the Patriot Victory was Troy Brown (literally and 
figuratively) and I can at   least take solace in knowing that the ultimate 
"team" guy made such a critical play to win the game.
5. The Patriots acted like it was their first time ever winning a big game
and acted like clowns in our back yard.

The Chargers are currently in possession of the classiest player in the
NFL--LaDainian Tomlinson. Not only is he the classiest---he's the best! I
support L.T. and his disapproval of the Patriot Franchise. I can clearly
see that the very ethos that propelled the Patriots to 3 championships is
DEAD. This was more than evident when they chose to dance like clowns in the
center of Jack Murphy Field and stomp on our lightning bolt and then proceed
to disrespect our players. Until that moment the Patriots had always "acted
like they had been there before."
 
Next week, join me in cheering FOR the Patriots so they can ultimately be
stomped by the Bears (like Superbowl XX) or the Saints (Yea Brees!). West
coast support has officially been withdrawn for your elitist franchise and
you now draw the full wrath of my being (For those who know me---think New
York Yankees).
 
In addition to stating my position on that deplorable franchise I would
like to rally the faithful to Join me in Foxborough, Massachusetts next season
so that we can bear witness to the San Diego Chargers avenging this---this
winter of our discontent. As of right now, a date has not been set, but we
are definitely playing in Mass. next season. Join me, where we will drink
far too much, yet maintain our dignity and represent San Diego well.
 
In addition to renouncing my support for the Patriots I am also terminating
my membership in Red Sox Nation. I now hate the Red Sox on par with the New
York Yankees (let's be honest and call a spade a spade...If the Yankees are
the "Evil Empire" the Red Sox are really only a couple of steps behind.... 
the Red Sox are "Mini-Me" to the Yanks "Dr. Evil".
 
I hope my position has been clarified on the things I hate most in the
WORLD:
 
1. New England Patriots
2. New York Yankees
3. Boston Red Sox
4. Terrorism
5. People who don't return their grocery shopping carts to their proper
areas
 
Numbers four and five are a little off topic but I feel it necessary to
finish lists in a top five format.
 
Please respond and join my cause. Direct the negative energy in your lives
to the classless organization in the New England region of our fine country. 
Join me there next fall and don your powder blue!!!!!
 
Sincerely
 

Enormously disgruntled Charger and Padre fan---cultivator of Patriot hatred.


For more of the ensuing email banter [Click here]

Dear Chargers

Please beat Jets. I'm in need of sanity restoration.

Naw. We don't like that call

The old, white dude background dancers make this video. "Hit That Hole" guy and his pal, "Charger Dinosaur" T-Shirt wearin' guy, give this video just the right amount of, "This sh*t ain't too serious, people.". Enjoy.

I like the timing of the release on this video. Loosen up the locker room. LT talked about it on (via Boltsplanet.com) SDNN: [Click Here]