If Fred Dean stays with the Chargers in '81

[74_75_78_79_]

In my opinion, SD still does not best Cincy in such a hypothetical. The Charger D surrounding Dean still digresses; and if they couldn't get by Oakland the year before...

Perhaps SD wins a couple more games in '81, don't need the Bears to do them that favor in the finale, their win at Miami not so..."Epic" (if the game is even in Miami instead of Jack Murphy). and maybe they play a bit better in their two games vs the Bengals, but IMO not better enough. Neither game a nail-biter, in the end.

But what happens in the NFC in such an event?? Is there anyone who thinks that 'the Genius' still has his team finish on top anyway considering that Dean wouldn't be their only addition in '81 - Hacksaw and the new, drafted secondary for starters? I guess most of you will see Big D, and also Cincy, as both being better than San Fran in '81. I lean that way as well.

And to those who feel that the Cowboys & Bengals would have been better, do you think that other playoff teams as well would have been better? Or is that going too far? Maybe it’s not a case of “going too far” to think that, but I opine that those other playoff teams would not have been better. San Fran even without Dean, I think, would have still been better than a Charger team with him.

[7DnBrnc53]

SD does win a few more games, but they don't beat Cincy in the regular season or the AFC Title Game. Also, Dean's absence in SF ends up costing the 49ers a SB berth (they had only 24 sacks without him).

[SeahawkFever]

SD does win a few more games, but they don't beat Cincy in the regular season or the AFC Title Game. Also, Dean's absence in SF ends up costing the 49ers a SB berth (they had only 24 sacks without him).

In this hypothetical do you think the Cowboys or Bengals win the Super Bowl?

[74_75_78_79_]

SD does win a few more games, but they don't beat Cincy in the regular season or the AFC Title Game. Also, Dean's absence in SF ends up costing the 49ers a SB berth (they had only 24 sacks without him).

In this hypothetical do you think the Cowboys or Bengals win the Super Bowl?

Been discussed here quite a few times before.

https://www.profootballresearchers.org/ ... php?t=6010

I'm still torn!

[Brian wolf]

This situation has been discussed before and I still feel with Dean, the Chargers get home-field over Cincy ... the Niners dont make the SB without him.

[CSKreager]

If the Chargers don't trade Fred Dean but still essentially replace Jefferson with Chandler (at least they got some semblance of value in return whereas the Dean trade was anything but), it depends on how much he swings their 6 losses

I don't think it swings the Denver/Seattle/Cincy blowouts unless Dean's impact basically results in a 23 point swing. That doesn't change the 100 yard pick 6, and even if that never happens it's probably 34-24

they had trouble winning in Denver even with Dean save for 1980, and the Seahawk game on MNF saw the Chargers outrush Seattle but were undone by 4 turnovers and 13 penalties for 138 yards

Even the Chicago game, SD allowed only 17 points through regulation (their only loss of the 81 season in which they allowed under 27 points)

I think it depends on how much he swings the other 2 losses- MIN/BUF

His presence up front means they probably gets just enough of a pass rush against Minnesota (Kramer threw for 444 yards and was sacked once), whether they recover the late onside kick or not

Remember the same day as Vikings 33-Chargers 31 was........... Fred Dean's 49er debut in the 45-14 Dallas game where he had 3 sacks

Methinks a few extra sacks probably changes the outcome of that MIN/SD game

Buffalo- BUF ran for less than 100 yards and SD had 2 costly turnovers, plus the Bills won at San Diego the previous October WITH Dean

If they go 12-4, Miami instead goes TO San Diego and probably it's less humid in comparison

If they go 11-5......... unless you change that Miami/Jets tie, it doesn't change anything

[Brian wolf]

Sorry, but I dont underestimate the impact of Fred Dean. This Charger defense was bad but Dean could wreck blocking schemes as well as anyone and could set the edge against the run as well. The Chargers record would have been at least two wins better and he could have been a factor in both Cincy games.

Sometimes, it just takes a truck-driving brother to know your true worth ...

[JohnTurney]

Sorry, but I dont underestimate the impact of Fred Dean. This Charger defense was bad but Dean could wreck blocking schemes as well as anyone and could set the edge against the run as well. The Chargers record would have been at least two wins better and he could have been a factor in both Cincy games.

Sometimes, it just takes a truck-driving brother to know your true worth ...

I agree. I don't know if it would be 2 wins -- or 1 in reg season ... but he was a guy who needed motivation and when he wanted to could turn it up a notch, and I think having him could turn an AFCCG and a Super Bowl ...

[Brian wolf]

The Chargers were of course lucky to win their division and beat the Dolphins in postseason Miami, but could have challenged for home-field advantage with Dean. I feel that game in Miami affected them against Cincy and had Dean played--whether in SD or Miami--would have been a blowout, but who knows with that slow secondary?