In the comedy film "Monty Python's Holy Grail" there's a scene in which a game but outclassed swordsman loses a duel, along with four of his favorite limbs. Each time a body part goes flying off him, he says something like "Just a flesh wound!"
The victories posted this weekend by the Chargers, in their thrilling 28-24 playoff win at Indianapolis, and the San Diego State basketball squad's 72-67 conquest of New Mexico at The Pit are akin to the silly knight winning.
The Bolts? Just dethrone the defending Super Bowl champions with QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson and TE Antonio Gates on the sidelines nursing injuries. The fourth quarter game-winning drive was accomplished with the likes of Billy Volek, Michael Turner and Legedu Naanee.
The Aztecs? At a place where the Lobos have been nearly unbeatable, even in some recent down years -- and at 14-2 this did not appear to be a bad season at all -- they were without starting F Tim Shelton and, more importantly, G Richie Williams.
While the Chargers were merely trying to win their eighth in a row, the Aztecs were trying to overcome their Wednesday night upset at the hands of lightly regarded Northern Colorado. Now, the end of a wonderful weekend of sport here in America's Finest City, the Bolts get to prepare for an AFC Championship Game at New England. The Aztecs are off to a 2-0 start in the Mountain West Conference. Even USD won it's opening game in the West Coast Conference.
If I'm writing something similar next weekend, oh let's not get to far ahead!
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Props to Stephen Cooper, the linebacker in his first year as a starter in the Chargers defense. He had 16 tackles in the game and perhaps saved the win by making like Dennis Gibson -- if you don't know, ask an elder -- to knock down a Peyton Manning pass just in front of the end zone. He's become a keeper, no question.
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The best thing about the Chargers win is it takes fans out of the realm of just being relieved to get this far. Now it's time for pure fun. Win or lose, we get a shot at New England in the title game. It's all you can ask for.
If Manning had brought the Colts back for a late victory, this would have been a long off-season. Recriminations against the secondary for allowing so many opposing receivers to get free, tear wallowing over injuries, hatred toward officials for bad calls.
And the big stuff, of course. The Chargers changed coaching staffs in order to get past this round of the playoffs, so what difference did it make. Maybe Donnie Edwards would have made a difference.
Now, none of that. The Chargers did get past this round, with Norv, without Donnie. Nothing but fun from here on out.
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