Yesterday morning San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner said that his roster compared very favorably to previous teams and had a real chance to be something special.  When I read this I knew the Chargers were in trouble and likely wouldn't perform well against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. 

It turns out I was right.  Turner's Chargers played a terrible game and lost to a significantly inferior opponent.  Is Norvie to blame?

Not completely, but Turner's misuse of the diminuitve Darren Sproles continues to be a major problem.  Memo to Turner: Spoles is not a short yardage running back.  Period.  When the defensive line is stacked and/or the field shrinks in a goal line situation, Sproles belongs on the bench.  It is unfathomable to me why Turner can't recognize this and employ a different strategy.   

Rugged first round pick Ryan Matthews, fullback/human bowling ball Mike Tolbert and even Jacob Hester would have been better options than Sproles when the game was on the line with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter.  Facing a 2nd and goal at the Chiefs four yard line, Turner opted to hand the ball off to Sproles out of a shotgun formation.  The result: a loss of two yards. 

I love Sproles as a player.  In the open field between the twenty yard lines Sproles is a definite weapon.  However, in goal line, 3rd & 2 and 4th & 1 situations Sproles has always been ineffective.  Always.  The man is 5'6" and running him behind a guard or off tackle is pure insanity. 

Last night on a wet field in the driving rain made it an even worse decision.  Sproles relies on speed and quickness to gain yards.  On the wet turf he did virtually nothing all game (5 carries for 3 yards, 2 receptions for 2 yards and was a virtual non-factor on returns).

Norv, how many times does he have to fail for you to realize there are better alternatives?  I'm on my hands and knees.  For the love of God, please do not play Sproles in short yardage situations.  

Am I confident Norv will figure it out and mix in a play action pass at the goal line?  Absolutely not.  Although it's not time to panic yet about the Chargers' playoff prospects, I have a sneaking suspicion that it could be a long year in America's Finest City.  I hope I'm wrong.