Los Angeles Chargers fans are frustrated, and as it turns out, past players are not immune from that frustration.
Former Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the way the team is playing after a 45-0 blowout loss to the New England Patriots.
Changes have to be made point blank, you can’t have this much talent and have 0 points. The Patriots aren’t even a good team this year.
— Shawne Merriman (@shawnemerriman) December 6, 2020
While even Chargers fans would struggle to disagree with the content of his tweet, the New England fan base may take offense to Merriman saying the Patriots “aren’t even a good team this year.”
Are the Patriots a Good Team?
This is definitely not the New England team we have come accustomed to seeing the last 20 years.
They are 6-6, in 3rd place in the AFC East, and their offense currently ranks 23rd in points and 22nd in yards — their worst in both categories since Bill Belichick took over in 2000.
Last season, they finished 7th and 15th in those categories, and the general consensus in 2019 was that the Patriots were having a down year.
Until last year, Belichick hadn’t coached an offense that ranked outside of the top 5 in points since 2009 where they ranked 8th with Matt Cassel at quarterback.
There is no question that this offense looks much different as Cam Newton has forced them to become a more run-oriented team.
On the defensive side though, this Patriots defense holds its own against New England defenses of the last decade.
They rank 7th in points allowed and 12th in yards allowed.
In 2018, they ranked 7th in points and 21st in yards.
They went on to beat the Rams in the Super Bowl that year.
The Patriots do lead the league in one category.
Eight Patriots chose to opt out of this season due to health concerns with COVID-19.
Six of the eight play on the offensive side of the ball.
What Changes Will Be Made?
As for the Chargers needing to make changes, it appears that that the their current star on defense Joey Bosa agrees with his predecessor:
Joey Bosa: "There's things we need to fix that I don't have the answers for right now." #Chargers
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 7, 2020
While confidence in Anthony Lynn’s coaching ability was high two years ago when he led the team to a 12-4 record and a first round win against a hot Lamar Jackson led Ravens team, it appears to be as low as it has ever been lately.
However, his role will not be reevaluated until after the 2020 season according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Sources: As disappointing as the #Patriots loss was, no #Chargers head coaching change is imminent. The organization has a tremendous amount of respect for Anthony Lynn, always has, and would prefer to evaluate everything at the end of the year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2020
Daniel Popper, a Chargers beat writer for the Athletic, reports two different stories from the quarterback and head coach when both addressed Lynn’s decision to leave a struggling Herbert in the game during the blowout.
Herbert said he cannot remember any specific conversation with Lynn. https://t.co/VlejtBPlPN
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 7, 2020
The Chargers currently sit at 3-9 and in 4th place in the AFC West.
If they continue on this slide, it will be the second year in a row the team has finished last in the division which certainly would not bode well for Lynn’s future with the team.
NEXT: 3 QB Options If The Patriots Move On From Cam Newton