It took until the fourth quarter, but the chants were rather clear to hear. “MAR-TY, MAR-TY, MAR-TY.”
Fans of the San Diego Chargers made it obvious late Sunday afternoon in the team’s 30-16 home loss to the AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs that they’re not happy with current head coach Norv Turner. Somewhere, former Chargers and Chiefs leader Marty Schottenheimer must have had a small smile on his face.
After winning their opening game over the NFC champion Chicago Bears, the Chargers have now lost three straight, including Sunday’s debacle.
After jumping out to a 10-0 lead, the Chargers were outscored 30-6 over the remainder of the game to drop to 1-3. It was the most points scored on the season by a struggling Kansas City (2-2) offense.
For a team that went 14-2 just a season ago, the Chargers have now lost three games, with a number of tough games remaining on the schedule.
Staring at dates with opponents like Super Bowl champion Indianapolis (Nov. 11), another matchup with the Chiefs on the road at always difficult Arrowhead Stadium (Dec. 2), trips to Jacksonville (Nov. 18) and Tennessee (Dec. 9) and a pair of games with rivals Denver and Oakland, the losing is likely not over.
Turner and QB Philip Rivers took the brunt of the fans’ unhappiness in the loss to the Chiefs, with Rivers being booed on a number of errant throws and turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble for the day).
Afterward, star running back LaDainian Tomlinson said he could understand the frustration voiced by the fans.
Noting they have a right to have their opinion heard, LT said he couldn’t blame the fans, especially with the Chargers play to date.
After a 24-yard field goal by Nate Kaeding gave the team a 3-0 lead, it was Tomlinson who ran it in from five yards out late in the first quarter to make it 10-0. With the Kansas City offense struggling early, it looked like the Chargers would have no problems covering a 12 1/2 point spread that favored them. Then again.
After three Dave Rayner field goals got the Chiefs to within 16-9, Kansas City tied the game at 16 on a 22-yard strike from Damon Huard to tight end Tony Gonzalez. With the catch, Gonzalez tied former Denver star Shannon Sharpe for the all-time TD lead for tight end catches at 62.
Kansas City took the lead early in the fourth quarter when Huard connected with Dwayne Bowe on a 51-yard pass play.
The Chiefs ended the disaster as cornerback Tyron Brackenridge was off on a 50-yard run to the end zone after Rivers was stripped of the ball by linebacker Derrick Johnson.
San Diego tried to rally late in the game, but a fourth-down pass from Rivers was knocked away in the end zone by Jarrad Page. The Chiefs were then able to run out the clock and send those in the blue and gold home with memories of Schottenheimer.
Time will tell if Charger fans have run out of their “MAR-TY, MAR-TY, MAR-TY” chants.
San Diego will visit Denver this Sunday in a 1:15 p.m. matchup on CBS.