DAVID WRIGHT, La Mesa

YO, ADRIAN: That beating was so bad that, if it had been a boxing match, the referee would've called it in the fourth round and the losing boxer would've immediately announced his retirement. Norv? Adrian Peterson was a joy to watch.

K.C. ALFRED / Union-Tribune Three Chargers fans at the Metrodome sum it all up with their expressions during their club's beatdown at the hands of the Vikes and an impressive rookie running back by the name of Adrian Peterson.

296 STEPS: Where's the D? A few steps forward . . . then 296 back!

WOODY ALDRIDGE, Ocean Beach

MOVE THE PIECES: The Chargers need to play someone on defense who can tackle. I suggest Kasim Osgood. I also think Antonio Cromartie could take a few snaps on offense.

AL CLAVIN, Carlsbad

CHECK, MATE: Outcoached, outplayed, out of sync. Someone take this team to a rugby game so they can learn how to tackle.

THOMAS GALLOWAY, Vista

GO TO MIRROR, BOY: Somebody needs to buy a really big mirror so Philip Rivers can take a long look in it and see his big head. Maturity sends a man looking to himself for answers, not whining at referees when he needs to call a play and get his team lined up. Underthrown balls. No poise. So overrated.

STEVE CLARK, San Diego

PAGING DONNIE EDWARDS: Who needs a linebacker who can ONLY make tackles behind the line of scrimmage? Overrated stat, huh?

WES BRADDOCK, San Diego

SMALL FAVORS: You allow the single greatest rushing performance ever? You allow a third-string QB to pick apart what is supposed to be a menacing defense? What a horrific display of football. The only good thing is that eight wins will likely take the AFC West.

BRIAN GILLESPIE, Santee

CHARGERS UNREAL: Watching real teams like Colts/Patriots points out even further the difference between them and the Chargers. They come to play full out every Sunday and every play.

DAVE ELHOFF, Mt. Helix

NO MOJO, A.J.: The Chargers, led by the three wise men (Norv, Ted and A.J.), continue to be the most unprepared, uninspired, undisciplined team in the NFL week after week. They have gone from one of the league's elite teams to an absolute joke. Thanks, A.J.

GARY FRANK, San Diego

SHAKE YOURSELVES: Never in the history of the NFL have so many players thought so highly of themselves and possibly been so wrong. If the talent doesn't show itself soon, we will be out of the playoffs and out of believers.

RAY STEINWEHE, Pacific Beach

CROSSED SIGNALS? Norv Turner has a reputation for being a guru for quarterbacks. Has he ever talked to Philip Rivers?

RICHARD MORTON, Coronado

YULE LOVE THIS: I now know what I want for Christmas: the 2006 Chargers team. The game yesterday gave us no tackling, no blocking, no inspiration and no Antonio Gates. They were outplayed in every way. It's going to be a very looooong year.

DAVE GROSCH, Poway

MORE GRATE THAN GREAT: Three things come to mind: 1. Despite all the preseason hype, the Chargers are merely a good team, certainly not great. 2. Despite all the preseason hype, Philip Rivers is merely a good quarterback, certainly not great. 3. Man, do I miss Wade Phillips and his “turn the dogs loose” style of defense.

DAVID W. TAYLOR, South Park

BLESSINGS, SORT OF: For the second time this season the Chargers were intimidated by tougher ballplayers who played smash-mouth football. We are so lucky not to have to compete in the NFC North Division and play each of those teams twice a season. . . . Adrian Peterson is the real deal and it's a good thing LT doesn't have to face that type of defense every week. Oh well, things can only get better the next three weeks with Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Baltimore. A walk in the park.

TOM OSVOLD, Escondido

FIRST, FIELD A TEAM: Dear Chargers Brain Trust: Pardon the oxymoron above, but where was it you wanted that new stadium? Sorry, that was a rhetorical question and one, following (yesterday's) game, any Bolts fan could most likely answer for you.

DAVE W. DIAL, San Diego

SOFT-PEDDLING IT: The Chargers talk about being a physical team. That's the one thing they do well, talk. They are the softest running and run-stopping team in the NFL. They were exposed by a 2-5 team in a weak division in a weak conference. Thanks, Chargers, for showing your true selves so I can now stop deluding myself that you'll make a run at the playoffs. When management sends the letter for playoff tickets next week, I'll decline. I'd rather my money earn interest in my bank.

MATT COYLE, Clairemont

NEEDED: 2 ANSWERS: Two questions: Is there anyone in the NFL who does not know that the Chargers are going to run right up the middle on first down? Clearly, Antonio Cromartie is the best athlete on the team. Why can't the offensive gurus consider playing him at wide receiver on occasion?

TOM HARPLEY, San Diego

ROAD WORRIER: Norv Turner's play-calling for road games makes Martyball seem daring and innovative. A.J., I thought your choice of Sammy Davis over Troy Polamalu would prove to be the worst personnel move of your career; you've proved me wrong.

TIM PRINCIPE, San Diego

FREE ADVICE: I would be ashamed to pick up my check after (yesterday's) showing. Can someone let Norv Turner know it is not mandatory on first down to have LT run up the left side. Pathetic performance against a regular team. You cannot win with a losing coach – it's that simple.

PETER SMITH, Cardiff

A SONG IN HIS HEART: Chargers' new theme song: “I Left My Heart in San Diego” or possibly “Manic Depression.” Anything but “San Diego Super Chargers.”

RANDY POGUE, San Diego

PURPLE REIGN: Broken records, broken tackles, broken dreams. Purple People Eaters? More like Purple Charger Eaters. What a pathetic performance.

EDUARDO CHAVEZ, Santee

SPEAKING OF HITS: I am not sure what I saw (yesterday), but it was not the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers were totally dismantled and outplayed. Someone needs to tell the offensive line it is OK to block somebody.

JAMES PATTERSON, Philadelphia

13TH FLOOR, MAYBE? Well, it appears as if the coaching changes to get the Chargers to the “next level” are working. Who knew it was the next level down?

STEVE BENNETT, Santee

2-5 WAS UP: For all you Norv Turner fans riding high the last three weeks, what do you say now? How can a team loaded with so much talent – Tomlinson, Gates, Chambers, Merriman, Castillo and Cromartie – look so bad? Oh yeah, we were playing a real team and not the Texans or the Raiders.

MARK GOHL, Carlsbad

PICKING ON PICKERS: After viewing the Chargers-Vikings game I have come to a conclusion that Magee, Canepa, Sullivan, Zulgad and Carney have no idea about rating games.

CURTIS NYGARD, San Diego