Confirmed: Dolphins hire Cameron

[Jens1893]

www.espn.com
San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has signed a four-year deal to become the Miami Dolphins' new head coach, ESPN.com has learned.

Figures of the deal were not available, but a 7 p.m. ET press conference was scheduled to announce the hiring.

Cam Cameron

Cameron

When Cameron returned to the Dolphins' complex Friday accompanied by general manager Randy Mueller, it raised speculation the team might be on the verge of hiring him. Team owner Wayne Huizenga and chief executive Joe Bailey arrived earlier at the complex ahead of Cameron and Mueller.

Chan Gailey, also considered a strong candidate, said Friday he's staying at Georgia Tech. Gailey also interviewed for the coaching job in Pittsburgh.

Cameron has been in South Florida since Wednesday, when he began a second round of interviews. The Dolphins, looking to replace Nick Saban who left for Alabama on Jan. 3, said Thursday they hoped to make a decision by Saturday.

Timing is an issue because of next week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., where teams scout college prospects and assemble coaching staffs.

Cameron, who first interviewed with the Dolphins shortly after Saban left, became available when San Diego was eliminated from the playoffs last Sunday.

"Good for Cam," Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "I think he'll be a very fine, winning NFL coach. He has done a terrific job for us, obviously. We're excited that he has been given this opportunity. I know that there's a lot of work for him to do, but he'll measure up to the task."

Dolphins defensive coordinator Dom Capers, former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora and former Alabama coach Mike Shula, the son of ex-Dolphins coach Don Shula, also had been considered candidates to replace Saban.

Cameron was coach at his alma mater, Indiana, from 1997-2001 and has directed a high-powered attack the past five years at San Diego. The Dolphins might opt for a coach with an offensive background because a sputtering offense is a major reason Miami failed to make the playoffs the past five seasons.

The Dolphins interviewed at least 13 candidates in their most extensive coaching search since the franchise's first season in 1966.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen, ESPN.com NFL senior writer Len Pasquarelli and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Mediator12]

That is great news for the Broncos! He really had a lot to work with in SD and is a very good playcaller. Losing him this late will be hard for SD to replace with equal or better coaching.

[ol number 7]

That is great news for the Broncos! He really had a lot to work with in SD and is a very good playcaller. Losing him this late will be hard for SD to replace with equal or better coaching.

Marty, your on your own.

[Inkana7]

Marty, your on your own.

Martyball will be back with a vengence.

[Jens1893]

This also pretty much guarantees good, old Wade will be front runner for the Chargers HC vacancy in 12 months. And I was beginning to get worried about them for the next 2-3 years :yayaya:

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Martyball will be back with a vengence.

It doesn't take a genius to hand LT the ball 30 times a game.

[Jens1893]

Post updated. Cameron has signed.

[TheDave]

Good for us! Now let's see who they get to replace him.

[Jens1893]

Good for us! Now let's see who they get to replace him.

I bet they are going to promote from within.

[Mtbrncofn]

This also pretty much guarantees good, old Wade will be front runner for the Chargers HC vacancy in 12 months. And I was beginning to get worried about them for the next 2-3 years :yayaya:

I heard something on ESPN news today about Wade Phillips being the front runner for the Cowgirls job if Parcells decides not to return.

[Killericon]

I wonder what Cameron's going to be able to with Culpepper and Ronnie Brown...

[Play2win]

So, I guess Marty is going to have to start wearing his Headset again...

That is, if he can still remember how it goes on...

[bpc]

He did a great job for SD... I'm loving this.

[boltaneer]

Good for Cameron. He deserves a head coaching position.

He's a great OC no doubt but he has made some head scratching playcalls at times. But I would have liked to see him stay one more year. Oh well...

[That One Guy]

Boltaneer, are the Chargers better or worse off without him?

[400HZ]

It depends on who replaces him, obviously.

[Dukes]

This is great news for everyone except for SD. I love the idea of Wade Phillips possibly becoming the HC next year.

[BigBad]

IMO our offense's success was more of a product of opposing defenses obsession with LT then Camerons play calling. I honestly think we can do better.

If any of you think this will cause a drop off, then all I have to say is 21! As long as he is back there anyone can call the plays.

I think James Lofton may be the man for the job.

[cutthemdown]

IMO our offense's success was more of a product of opposing defenses obsession with LT then Camerons play calling. I honestly think we can do better.

If any of you think this will cause a drop off, then all I have to say is 21! As long as he is back there anyone can call the plays.

I think James Lofton may be the man for the job.

Just think how good Chargers could be on offense with 1 or 2 good wr.

[Donk]

I heard something on ESPN news today about Wade Phillips being the front runner for the Cowgirls job if Parcells decides not to return.
Wade won more then he lost.

[BigBad]

Just think how good Chargers could be on offense with 1 or 2 good wr.

Tell me about it.

Our WR's are horrible. If you really look at what defenses are doing. They bracket Gates and key on LT and our WR's still dont do crap. Vincent Jackson is showing some promise. I really think we need a burner to stretch the defense to make LT even scarier. Ted Ginn Jr. would be nice because we could also use his punt return skills.

[Mtbrncofn]

Wade won more then he lost.

It's odd to think about that. It felt like a colossal failure.

[Pendejo]

It's odd to think about that. It felt like a colossal failure.

Phillips' Broncos went 9-7, and 7-9...he had more success record wise in Buffalo where he was quite a bit over .500. I think 10 or eleven games over.

People forget that it was under Phillips that Jim Fassel was able to help reinvigorate a tired John Elway. The Donks also pulled the trigger on getting Zimmerman, and Habib from Minnesota under his watch. Both starters on Denver's initial championship team.

[Xenos]

Cam helped a lot and his playcalling was pretty good for the most part. He will be missed. But I sometimes wonder if he's as good as some think he is or if he's doing so well because of the talent. It's probably a combination of both. He will probably be replaced by someone inside the organization probably Lofton or the running back coach (forgot his name but Cam had him call some plays during preseason).

[RhymesayersDU]

Tell me about it.

Our WR's are horrible. If you really look at what defenses are doing. They bracket Gates and key on LT and our WR's still dont do crap. Vincent Jackson is showing some promise. I really think we need a burner to stretch the defense to make LT even scarier. Ted Ginn Jr. would be nice because we could also use his punt return skills.

I couldn't disagree more, to be honest. Granted, your WRs are terrible. But who does New England have at WR? Literally nobody. While you guys would improve with better WRs, you don't need them with Gates and LT. As Rivers grows and matures, it won't matter who is out there.

Kansas City has proved it as well. When Green was healthy and protected, all they needed was Gonzales and Priest/LJ.

I haven't watched the Chargers enough to know what your weakness is, who you need to draft, etc... And hell, you went 14-2 so maybe your biggest weakness is WR and no other positions... But even if you didn't get anybody new at WR, it wouldn't be the end of the world, IMO.

[BigBad]

I haven't watched the Chargers enough to know what your weakness is, who you need to draft, etc... And hell, you went 14-2 so maybe your biggest weakness is WR and no other positions... But even if you didn't get anybody new at WR, it wouldn't be the end of the world, IMO.


WR is our biggest need on offense and safety is on defense. The thing is when Rivers had his "struggle" toward the end of the season the WR position was why. Everyone got dinged up. In the Seattle game we were literally down to just Vincent Jackson. McCardell was useless after he got hurt, Parker mised a handful of games, and Floyd went on the IR. If we got a speeder opposite of Jackson our offense would be set.

BTW IMO a go to WR is essential in the Playoffs. How many Super Bowls did Trent Green in K.C. win?

[Jens1893]

WR is our biggest need on offense and safety is on defense. The thing is when Rivers had his "struggle" toward the end of the season the WR position was why. Everyone got dinged up. In the Seattle game we were literally down to just Vincent Jackson. McCardell was useless after he got hurt, Parker mised a handful of games, and Floyd went on the IR. If we got a speeder opposite of Jackson our offense would be set.

BTW IMO a go to WR is essential in the Playoffs. How many Super Bowls did Trent Green in K.C. win?

Don´t you think it´s about time to change or update your signature? I´ts almost been a week and more than one guy has pointed it out to you. You should at least have that much decency to have a complete signature, especially as you were so quick to update it before.

[BigBad]

Happy.

Actually I was going to do an LT one when I get around to it.

[Jens1893]

:approve:

[400HZ]

Cam helped a lot and his playcalling was pretty good for the most part. He will be missed. But I sometimes wonder if he's as good as some think he is or if he's doing so well because of the talent. It's probably a combination of both. He will probably be replaced by someone inside the organization probably Lofton or the running back coach (forgot his name but Cam had him call some plays during preseason).

You're thinking of Clarence Selmon. I didn't see the preseason games that he called, but I've heard a lot of good things about him. I'm against elevating Lofton at this point.

[Rohirrim]

How much of Cam's success could be attributed to the "LT effect?" The last time the guy headed a program (Indiana), he went 18 and 37. Gaaak! Unfortunately, I suspect that this doesn't hurt Sandy Eggo at all (depending who they hire), but keeps Miami on the road to mediocrity. That's okay. They're used to it.

Would they ban me at Finheaven for saying that? ;D

[broncs2bowl]

Dude this is great. Now I dont think Phillip "my face looks weird" Rivers can be very effective anymore. The guy was never very good against us anyways. LT, we usually shut down. Rly both the game we played we held him in check on the GROUND! Better pass rush will force Rivers to not have enough time to check down to LT

[RhymesayersDU]

WR is our biggest need on offense and safety is on defense. The thing is when Rivers had his "struggle" toward the end of the season the WR position was why. Everyone got dinged up. In the Seattle game we were literally down to just Vincent Jackson. McCardell was useless after he got hurt, Parker mised a handful of games, and Floyd went on the IR. If we got a speeder opposite of Jackson our offense would be set.

BTW IMO a go to WR is essential in the Playoffs. How many Super Bowls did Trent Green in K.C. win?

Considering that KC offense put up like 30+ points a game, I'd say it wasn't due to lack of WR's. It was because their defense had a group of guys not qualified to even play backup in the NFL. They didn't have Shawn Merriman, etc.

IMO at least, if there were a stud safety and a stud WR, I'd take the safety if I were the Chargers. You have two major play makers on offense, and a quality QB who will only get better. The better that defense gets, the better overall you'll be.

[400HZ]

Dude this is great. Now I dont think Phillip "my face looks weird" Rivers can be very effective anymore. The guy was never very good against us anyways. LT, we usually shut down. Rly both the game we played we held him in check on the GROUND! Better pass rush will force Rivers to not have enough time to check down to LT

Did you watch the games this year?

[boltaneer]

Did you watch the games this year?

Phillip Rivers gets no respect on this board. I'm not really sure why. He put up great stats, had the best 4th quarter rating in the NFL and helped lead the team to three fourth quarter victories this year. He's not lighting the world on fire the entire game, but he has been clutch when the game is on the line. That's what you want a quarterback to be.

I think it's wishful thinking that he doesn't develop. Everyone wants him to become another Ryan Leaf.

And this excuse that defenses had to key on 21 all the time, doesn't hold water. Because defenses sure didn't shut him down. The Chargers went a little 'Martyball' at times but overall had a nice balanced attack this season.

[Paladin]

One thing was quite clear: Whenever the Pats generated pressure on Rivers, he folded like a cheap chair. I would imagine the tapes will be his biggest enemy next year, and I do not expect him to be nearly as effective as he was in most of the regular season games.

Whether he is able to get beyond that will depend on his position coach and the OC. LT is a marvelous player. But I know that Denver has contained him in the past, and I would think the fast LBs are the key to his containment. The new D in Denver might be a whole new experience for Rivers next year.......

Frankly, I hope Marty decides to call his own plays.....

[400HZ]

One thing was quite clear: Whenever the Pats generated pressure on Rivers, he folded like a cheap chair. I would imagine the tapes will be his biggest enemy next year, and I do not expect him to be nearly as effective as he was in most of the regular season games.

Whether he is able to get beyond that will depend on his position coach and the OC. LT is a marvelous player. But I know that Denver has contained him in the past, and I would think the fast LBs are the key to his containment. The new D in Denver might be a whole new experience for Rivers next year.......

Frankly, I hope Marty decides to call his own plays.....

I don't see where you're coming from. You guys didn't slow down LT OR Rivers.

[Inkana7]

I don't see where you're coming from. You guys didn't slow down LT OR Rivers.

Rivers had a bad game in Denver, and LT didn't have a good game at all in San Diego. Sure, he had the TDs, but its not like he was any kind of force to be reckoned with. He had below 4 YPC.

And Rivers closely resembles the leader of a Girl Scout troop when the blitz comes.

[boltaneer]

Rivers had a bad game in Denver, and LT didn't have a good game at all in San Diego. Sure, he had the TDs, but its not like he was any kind of force to be reckoned with. He had below 4 YPC.

And Rivers closely resembles the leader of a Girl Scout troop when the blitz comes.

I don't know how you came to that opinion but Rivers has shown to be good against the blitz this year, as the stats show. Also the more men the defense puts on the line, the higher his quarterback rating goes up. This is the biggest difference between the San Diego offense Brees ran and the one Rivers ran. Aggressive blitz happy defenses like the Broncos, Eagles and Redskins last year knew how to defend San Diego's offense. Stack the line and put 8-9 in the box and blitz Brees. They knew Brees struggles against the blitz and those were the worst games we had in 2005.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/splits?playerId=5529

2006 Rivers against the blitz:



CMP ATT YDS CMP% TD INT SACK RAT
66 112 854 58.9 10 2 13.0 105.3



http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/splits?playerId=2580

2006 Brees against the blitz (for some reason his previous year splits are not available on ESPN.com):


CMP ATT YDS CMP% TD INT SACK RAT
64 116 832 55.2 4 4 5.0 75.1

[400HZ]

Rivers had a bad game in Denver, and LT didn't have a good game at all in San Diego. Sure, he had the TDs, but its not like he was any kind of force to be reckoned with. He had below 4 YPC.

And Rivers closely resembles the leader of a Girl Scout troop when the blitz comes.

Most people consider 100+ yards plus 3 TDs a pretty good game. Rivers started off slow in Denver (just like the rest of the team.) Then he lead the Chargers to 28 second half points. Remember?

[Inkana7]

Most people consider 100+ yards plus 3 TDs a pretty good game.
That plus equals 3 yards, and he had it on 28 carries. Not exactly an MVP like performance. And the TDs weren't 10-20 yard runs or anything, just tiddly 1-5 yarders that Neal could have easily run in himself too. He got shut down.


Rivers started off slow in Denver (just like the rest of the team.) Then he lead the Chargers to 28 second half points. Remember? Yes, I was really impressed by his ability to throw to an Ekuban-covered LT and cash in on a failed 4th down conversion inside the 30.

I was even more impressed by the pick 6 he threw, which was, by the way, in the 2nd half. Remember?

[400HZ]

That plus equals 3 yards, and he had it on 28 carries. Not exactly an MVP like performance. And the TDs weren't 10-20 yard runs or anything, just tiddly 1-5 yarders that Neal could have easily run in himself too. He got shut down.


Yes, I was really impressed by his ability to throw to an Ekuban-covered LT and cash in on a failed 4th down conversion inside the 30.

I was even more impressed by the pick 6 he threw, which was, by the way, in the 2nd half. Remember?

You have some pretty high standards if you consider 103 yards and 4 TDs getting shutdown. I wish that LT would get shut down like that every game.

Like I said about Rivers, he started off slow just like the rest of the team. Then he lead the Chargers to 28 second half points. There is no possible way that you can spin that into "Denver owning Rivers" or whatever you said. And remember the second game? 15-23, 279 2 TDs, 0 ints. Please "own him" that bad next game.

[Ron Mexico]

Losing Cam Cameron is a bigger deal than any Kool-Aid drinkin' Super Chargers fans are admitting in this thread. Earlier this week many of you would have said how great things were going to be if Marty had been fired and Cam was your new head coach. Now I read several of you dismissing him and saying everything will be great without him. So much was made out of Marty not wearing a headset so Cam could do his job and "Martyball" wouldn't happen again. Seems like there are still a few ways to make bad decisions without a headset. The person who said it doesn't take a genius to hand the ball to LT is exactly right - and that's what you can expect much more of. Just like Herm is running LJ into the ground in KC. I like LT and hate to see Marty probably try to ride him into the ground and the Super Bowl all at the same time just to go out on top next year. If I was a Charger fan, I would have wanted Marty to go and Cam to stay. Aside from handing the ball to LT, the other guys may have to learn a new system and that wouldn't have happened if Cam had stayed. Just what Rivers needs in his 2nd year as starter, huh? It's ok to admit you will miss Cam and it does seem like a big loss right now.

Of course, if the Chargers fans in this thread were the type to take an unbiased clear-cut look at things, they probably wouldn't be the type to discuss their team on a Broncos board.

[Xenos]

That plus equals 3 yards, and he had it on 28 carries. Not exactly an MVP like performance. And the TDs weren't 10-20 yard runs or anything, just tiddly 1-5 yarders that Neal could have easily run in himself too. He got shut down.


Yes, I was really impressed by his ability to throw to an Ekuban-covered LT and cash in on a failed 4th down conversion inside the 30.

I was even more impressed by the pick 6 he threw, which was, by the way, in the 2nd half. Remember?
Of course I remember that pick. The 2005 game where Drew got picked off by Champ came immediately into my mind. It was deja vu all over again. But I also remembered what happened after that pick, which is the most important part. Unlike the 2005 squad, we were able to comeback from that big mistake.

[Xenos]

Losing Cam Cameron is a bigger deal than any Kool-Aid drinkin' Super Chargers fans are admitting in this thread. Earlier this week many of you would have said how great things were going to be if Marty had been fired and Cam was your new head coach. Now I read several of you dismissing him and saying everything will be great without him. So much was made out of Marty not wearing a headset so Cam could do his job and "Martyball" wouldn't happen again. Seems like there are still a few ways to make bad decisions without a headset. The person who said it doesn't take a genius to hand the ball to LT is exactly right - and that's what you can expect much more of. Just like Herm is running LJ into the ground in KC. I like LT and hate to see Marty probably try to ride him into the ground and the Super Bowl all at the same time just to go out on top next year. If I was a Charger fan, I would have wanted Marty to go and Cam to stay. Aside from handing the ball to LT, the other guys may have to learn a new system and that wouldn't have happened if Cam had stayed. Just what Rivers needs in his 2nd year as starter, huh? It's ok to admit you will miss Cam and it does seem like a big loss right now.

Of course, if the Chargers fans in this thread were the type to take an unbiased clear-cut look at things, they probably wouldn't be the type to discuss their team on a Broncos board.

Of course losing Cam is important. What can you do now though except hope for the best though? If they hire from within then the effect should hopefully be minimal.

[Xenos]

I don't know how you came to that opinion but Rivers has shown to be good against the blitz this year, as the stats show. Also the more men the defense puts on the line, the higher his quarterback rating goes up. This is the biggest difference between the San Diego offense Brees ran and the one Rivers ran. Aggressive blitz happy defenses like the Broncos, Eagles and Redskins last year knew how to defend San Diego's offense. Stack the line and put 8-9 in the box and blitz Brees. They knew Brees struggles against the blitz and those were the worst games we had in 2005.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/splits?playerId=5529

2006 Rivers against the blitz:



CMP ATT YDS CMP% TD INT SACK RAT
66 112 854 58.9 10 2 13.0 105.3



http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/splits?playerId=2580

2006 Brees against the blitz (for some reason his previous year splits are not available on ESPN.com):


CMP ATT YDS CMP% TD INT SACK RAT
64 116 832 55.2 4 4 5.0 75.1

I don't know. Rivers still seem to have problems recognizing the blitz though. I suppose that's why he performs better from the shotgun. A year under his belt should help him out for next season.

[boltaneer]

I don't know. Rivers still seem to have problems recognizing the blitz though. I suppose that's why he performs better from the shotgun. A year under his belt should help him out for next season.

He takes care of the football though and is willing to take a sack rather than turn the ball over.

He's playing years ahead of his actual experience IMO and will only improve.

As for losing Cameron, I think it's a huge blow but it was expected. I think we were lucky to have kept him for this year.

I agree with you about the OC hire being internal. It should hopefully minimize the loss of Cameron.

[BigBad]

Most of Rivers blitz problem are actually on his right side, not his blind side. Our RT Olivia is pretty much crap.

[usedupbraids]

No charger fans please

[BigBad]

Ive been here three years longer than you. LOL!

[400HZ]

Most of Rivers blitz problem are actually on his right side, not his blind side. Our RT Olivia is pretty much crap.

Most of the blitzes come from the right too. Blitzers seem to have trouble clearing Mt. McNeil on the left :strong:

[Pendejo]

He takes care of the football though and is willing to take a sack rather than turn the ball over.

He's playing years ahead of his actual experience IMO and will only improve.

As for losing Cameron, I think it's a huge blow but it was expected. I think we were lucky to have kept him for this year.

I agree with you about the OC hire being internal. It should hopefully minimize the loss of Cameron.

I disagree...especially when you look at his performance the final 6 weeks of the season (playoff game included). He was terrible. He talks a lot of yang...he throws tantrums on the field...and this year your team won despite him the last month and change.

This was Rivers' third year in the league...which is when any decent quarterback should be able to completely grasp the system. He was flat out sh!tty the final third of the season.

He was horrible in the playoff game too...but I think LT only touching the ball 9 times in the second half is what got the Bolts beat...more so than their thug attitude on defense, or Rivers completely sucking.

[BigBad]

I disagree...especially when you look at his performance the final 6 weeks of the season (playoff game included). He was terrible. He talks a lot of yang...he throws tantrums on the field...and this year your team won despite him the last month and change.



Dude are you just looking at stats? ALL except 1 WR were hurt. He had no one to throw to on the outside. Think that had something to do with his output dropping?

[Ron Mexico]

Of course losing Cam is important. What can you do now though except hope for the best though? If they hire from within then the effect should hopefully be minimal.

Can't argue with that. You might want to tell this Kool-Aid drinkin' homer:

IMO our offense's success was more of a product of opposing defenses obsession with LT then Camerons play calling. I honestly think we can do better.

If any of you think this will cause a drop off, then all I have to say is 21! As long as he is back there anyone can call the plays.

I know Denver is worrisome for SD every year, but I still have to ask: If everything is so great for SD right now, why are you on a Broncos message board trying to convince us?

[boltaneer]

I disagree...especially when you look at his performance the final 6 weeks of the season (playoff game included). He was terrible. He talks a lot of yang...he throws tantrums on the field...and this year your team won despite him the last month and change.

This was Rivers' third year in the league...which is when any decent quarterback should be able to completely grasp the system. He was flat out sh!tty the final third of the season.

He was horrible in the playoff game too...but I think LT only touching the ball 9 times in the second half is what got the Bolts beat...more so than their thug attitude on defense, or Rivers completely sucking.

Big Bad has a good point about the WRs being injured late in the season. McCardell was either hurt more than he let on or he got old quickly right before our eyes. He was invisible for the second half of the season. Floyd got put on IR, Parker played but was hurt and wasn't very effective at all. Osgood doesn't belong on the field outside of special teams and Jackson is not ready to be a starter yet.

But Rivers didn't have all bad games at the end. He had good games against the Broncos and Cardinals (and he played that game injured). He had bad games in Buffalo and Seattle. I don't know if the weather was the main factor there or what but he came through in the clutch in Seattle and won the game. He played fine against New England IMO. Outside of that one bad decision which led to the interception, you would have to dig pretty damn deep to place any blame on him for the loss.

The Chargers have been playing with fire with their WR corps for too long and it finally burned them. They've been mostly getting by with an aging vet and undrafted receivers for several years now. WR looks to be a top priority this season. Jackson got a good amount of playing time this year and may finally be ready to break out but Parker is best suited for a slot receiver and they need to find someone to take over the number two spot.

There aren't many attractive free agent WRs available this time around but I'm expecting them to try to sign one FA or maybe work out a trade somewhere. They could very well spend a high draft pick on a WR but they usually take time to develop.

[Xenos]

I disagree...especially when you look at his performance the final 6 weeks of the season (playoff game included). He was terrible. He talks a lot of yang...he throws tantrums on the field...and this year your team won despite him the last month and change.

This was Rivers' third year in the league...which is when any decent quarterback should be able to completely grasp the system. He was flat out sh!tty the final third of the season.

He was horrible in the playoff game too...but I think LT only touching the ball 9 times in the second half is what got the Bolts beat...more so than their thug attitude on defense, or Rivers completely sucking.
Exaggerate much pendejo. He threw his helmet on the sidelines once because he was frustrated at his performance just like Drew Brees did when he got dragged off the field in the 2004 Jets game.
I also find it funny that people bring up how he slided towards the end when Brees' number also started to decline as the season winded down.
River's worst game was against the Raiders, Chiefs, and Seahawks.
And if you actually watched the playoff game, you'll realize that he didn't have a bad game, his receivers did. They dropped perfectly thrown balls and fail to pull in a TD catch that 90% other receivers in the NFL would have made.

[Xenos]

Big Bad has a good point about the WRs being injured late in the season. McCardell was either hurt more than he let on or he got old quickly right before our eyes. He was invisible for the second half of the season. Floyd got put on IR, Parker played but was hurt and wasn't very effective at all. Osgood doesn't belong on the field outside of special teams and Jackson is not ready to be a starter yet.

But Rivers didn't have all bad games at the end. He had good games against the Broncos and Cardinals (and he played that game injured). He had bad games in Buffalo and Seattle. I don't know if the weather was the main factor there or what but he came through in the clutch in Seattle and won the game. He played fine against New England IMO. Outside of that one bad decision which led to the interception, you would have to dig pretty damn deep to place any blame on him for the loss.

The Chargers have been playing with fire with their WR corps for too long and it finally burned them. They've been mostly getting by with an aging vet and undrafted receivers for several years now. WR looks to be a top priority this season. Jackson got a good amount of playing time this year and may finally be ready to break out but Parker is best suited for a slot receiver and they need to find someone to take over the number two spot.

There aren't many attractive free agent WRs available this time around but I'm expecting them to try to sign one FA or maybe work out a trade somewhere. They could very well spend a high draft pick on a WR but they usually take time to develop.
He did fine in Buffalo. That 8 minute drive comes to mind.