I've been out here in San Diego since 1993 and it's beautiful. The weather you can't beat with a stick. Lots to do: beach, mountains, desert, city, it's all there within two hours drive or less. But football is King and the San Diego Chargers have become my team. One emotional four-and-a-half month ride coming right up.
This one started where last season left of - a kickoff returned for a touchdown by the Minnesota Vikings. Man. Can't believe what I just saw. Deja View all over again. This stuff takes a toll on your emotions! My heart beats faster on game day than at any other time. Can't really be a good thing, can it? Then again, Philip Rivers is the quarterback and you think, sure he can do it. But at the outset, not so sure. They just kept getting out-maneuvered, out-played in all phases in the first half. It ends 17-7. Not much to cheer about.
No, not another slow start.
The second half began with a nice drive for a Charger touchdown. Elation! 17-14. Vikings drive stalls. Got the ball back quick. Anticipation! Drive downfield and then ... interception. Desperation! It's beatin' like a drum. And then I realize - I feel so alive. The excitement is quite the rush. High highs and low lows. No in-betweens, not even during halftime.
Fourth quarter and they get the ball back. Driving the ball with a combination of runs and passes. Looking beautiful while doing it. But the stall drives and they need to kick a field goal to tie. The rub? The place kicker, Nate Kaeding goes out of the game on the very first play - the Viking special teams touchdown. Man, NOW WHAT? But Mike Scifres, yes - the punter, temporarily saves the day by hitting on a field goal from 40 yards out for the tie. Now, I'm dying!!! Relief but anxiety at the same time. Awww, come on. Somebody MAKE A PLAY!!!
Heeheehee. Too much fun.
The defense looks pretty good now. Holding Adrian down OK, even though he's having a pretty good day. Uhoh. Injury. Luis Castillo walks off assisted, but he was on the ground and looked dead there for a moment. What is this? Soccer? Get up and be a man! Bet I can throw this football over that mountain.
Then, moving down the field, and ... TOUCHDOWN!! Great broken play that goes in. Mike Tolbert grabs a pass and barrels head first into the end zone! WOOOO HOOOO!! Excitement! Perhaps they get the fast start that they're looking for. I'm drained but there's still five minutes left.Time to play some "D".
Three and out. A sack included. Three minutes left and a seven point lead. Still, not time to relax. Breathing heavy, heart still racing. Running the ball, Mike Tolbert gets hurt. Oh no. Not more bad luck, and this one looks pretty bad. My enthusiasm for the game is suddenly tempered by reality.
But the Bolts stop the Vikes again, take three kneels, and go home with a win. Minnesota finished the game with 187 total yards, just 26 coming in the second half. That's one heck of an emotional roller coaster. Almost too much to take. Relief is spelled W-I-N!
And it happens all over again next week. I don't know if I can take a full season of this. There are 15 more of these, and we're not even talking playoffs. Shesh!
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