So, Charger GM A.J. Smith...

[Doc JS]

How is that firing a coach who had won over 200 games in the NFL and bringing in someone who has proven at two different NFL stops that he Peter Principles out at offensive co-ordinator working out for you?

A better question might be: Have you started to pack your shit yet? Because unless things turn around in a hurry for the Bolts, your ass is gone at the end of the year!!!

I guess the only guestion will be: Will they give Norv another year?

Somewhere Marty is smiling...

[SBR Lou]

I'd can his ass if they don't put up a good showing in the playoffs. The problem is should they do that, it's once again going to be another adjustment for the team, as other coaches under Norv will likely hit the road too. They really dug a hole getting rid of Marty.

[bigboydan]

A.J. should have put his personally feeling aside for Marty for the betterment of the team.

I can see this Chargers team set out to better there own personal stats, and say goodbye to the team concept Marty instilled in them.

[Dark Horse]

A bad start to the season, but far too early to panic. If Denver loses today (behind 7-17 at halftime) the Chargers are just one game behind. KC and OAK are no competition.

The offense was fine today. Rivers has a good game. The normally impregnable defense missed some key players and it showed. As long as the Chargers make the playoffs this slow start won't matter one bit. Still, it's going to take time to start clicking with all the coaching changes. And Norv looks out of place.

[SBR Lou]

I really wanted to punch the television as they kept panning to the sideline to show Norvs expressionless face. Someone needs to wake him up.

[tullamore]

I was never a big Marty fan, so I can understand the reason for making a change. But I can not understand Norv Turner, he is a great offensive mind, but he is not a Head Coach. I never understood why some of this coaches keep getting shots. How many times do you have to fail, before someone says there must be someone better than Norv.

[Doc JS]

A bad start to the season, but far too early to panic. If Denver loses today (behind 7-17 at halftime) the Chargers are just one game behind. KC and OAK are no competition.

DH
You're right. It's not a strong division. It is too early to panic. It is not too early to be concerned.

As long as the Chargers make the playoffs this slow start won't matter one bit.

You're wrong about this. Just making the playoffs won't be enough. The Chargers were 14-2 last year in the regular season. Anything less than a Super Bowl will be a major disappointment in San Diego.

Still, it's going to take time to start clicking with all the coaching changes. And Norv looks out of place.

The clock is ticking...

[Doc JS]

I was never a big Marty fan, so I can understand the reason for making a change.

I won't argue this one with you. If the front office truly felt that Marty had taken the team as far as he could, then getting rid of him was probably the right thing to do.

But I can not understand Norv Turner, he is a great offensive mind, but he is not a Head Coach. I never understood why some of this coaches keep getting shots. How many times do you have to fail, before someone says there must be someone better than Norv.

You'll get no argument from me on this one. Some folks are head coaches material. Some aren't. It sorta, kinda looks like Norv isn't.

I *think* the Chargers felt like the needed to bring in a NAME after getting rid of Marty. We'll see how it turns out at the end of the season.

[Dark Horse]

DH
You're wrong about this. Just making the playoffs won't be enough. The Chargers were 14-2 last year in the regular season. Anything less than a Super Bowl will be a major disappointment in San Diego.

I didn't say that making the playoffs will be enough. I indicated that for the Chargers, because of last year, the real season starts with the playoffs. They don't need another 14-2 record.

[Seattle Slew]

They likely will win that division, but looking at road playoff games at NE, Indy or Pittsburgh means they are going nowhere.

[SBR Lou]

No matter how incredibly talented or well coached a team, 14-2 is unrealistic in the NFL. Even with all the scrutiny now, they will be judged on how they finish. We can speculate on that, I personally think the coaching changes were awful, the mistakes from last year could have been corrected, this team could have went farther this year under Marty's leadership.

It's a shame watching all that talent struggle, especially realizing how bad the coaching changes were, unless somebody else sees something in Norv Turner that most of us can't. I think they are good enough to get into a groove as players, but they are doomed to run into the wall when it really counts this year.

[Seattle Slew]

As bad as Norv is, Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator is a joke. These Chargers coaches all have one thing in common. They've been fired from multiple jobs. Cottrell was awful with the Jets and Minnesota.

No matter how incredibly talented or well coached a team, 14-2 is unrealistic in the NFL. Even with all the scrutiny now, they will be judged on how they finish. We can speculate on that, I personally think the coaching changes were awful, the mistakes from last year could have been corrected, this team could have went farther this year under Marty's leadership.

It's a shame watching all that talent struggle, especially realizing how bad the coaching changes were, unless somebody else sees something in Norv Turner that most of us can't. I think they are good enough to get into a groove as players, but they are doomed to run into the wall when it really counts this year.

[slacker00]

I'm a big fan of Favre & the Packers, but I'm also a realist. Watching the GB offense cut up SD's defense is a bad sign of things to come for SD this season, IMO. Maybe SD has just been in a funk or whatever, but they better get it fixed. They are already 2 games behind Indy, NE, & Pitt, and those 3 don't look like they'll be slowing down anytime soon. I know, I know, SD winning their division is VERY realistic after Denver's showing today, so the sky is indeed not falling. But, if SD's path to the Super Bowl is already paved through the wildcard round at best.

[Doc JS]

No matter how incredibly talented or well coached a team, 14-2 is unrealistic in the NFL.

Agreed.

Even with all the scrutiny now, they will be judged on how they finish.

Agreed.

We can speculate on that, I personally think the coaching changes were awful, the mistakes from last year could have been corrected, this team could have went farther this year under Marty's leadership.

Couldn't agree more!

It's a shame watching all that talent struggle, especially realizing how bad the coaching changes were, unless somebody else sees something in Norv Turner that most of us can't.

I honestly think Smith was looking for a "Yes man" when he hired Norv. Somebody who would keep his nose and opinions out of the front office.

I think they are good enough to get into a groove as players, but they are doomed to run into the wall when it really counts this year.

Crazy, I think you've got this covered like a fat lady on a marble!

[french189]

how do wake up a stiff??

[ritehook]

I was never a big Marty fan, so I can understand the reason for making a change. But I can not understand Norv Turner, he is a great offensive mind, but he is not a Head Coach. I never understood why some of this coaches keep getting shots. How many times do you have to fail, before someone says there must be someone better than Norv.

Huh? Dallas is 3-0 under a head coach who bombed out twice before as NFL hc.

[ritehook]

Here's the facts:

(1) Marty last January lost yet another playoff game, bringing his lifetime postseason record to 5-13. In short, he's lost over twice as many games as he's won, when it counts. He was the main goat ("prevent defense") in Elway's now legendary "The Drive."

(2) Marty was canned for this prime reason: the Chargers were willing to let him stay on for the last year of his contract, namely this year.

But Marty, not understanding that getting a team as talented as is SD into the playoffs is not nearly enough, insisted on being given a fat, new contract. AND, having his son named as Charger's offensive co-ordintor!!

In short, Marty is a professional asshole.

The late firing was Marty's doing, his wierd belief that having a 12-4 team bounced early in the playoffs was fine and dandy.

And the late hiring of Turner was a necessity - all the other viable candidates were gone.

The only commentary in this thread that does not scream of puerility is that of D Horse - and I know that he himself strongly disagreed with Schotty's firing.

Who knows if SD under Turner can turn the ship around and fly right? But to portray this as Evil Smith vs Good Marty is kindergarten stuff.

[MJFtheGenius]

marty is an idiot

[r2d2]

I'd can his ass if they don't put up a good showing in the playoffs. The problem is should they do that, it's once again going to be another adjustment for the team, as other coaches under Norv will likely hit the road too. They really dug a hole getting rid of Marty.

Playoffs? They better worry about winning their game next week agaisnt the chefs. The playoffs are a long ways off for this team.

[Doc JS]

marty is an idiot

Can't be an idiot and win over 200 games in the NFL.

Now, he may not be a rocket scientist, but he's obviously a good football coach.

[Doc JS]

Here's the facts:

(1) Marty last January lost yet another playoff game, bringing his lifetime postseason record to 5-13. In short, he's lost over twice as many games as he's won, when it counts. He was the main goat ("prevent defense") in Elway's now legendary "The Drive."

(2) Marty was canned for this prime reason: the Chargers were willing to let him stay on for the last year of his contract, namely this year.

But Marty, not understanding that getting a team as talented as is SD into the playoffs is not nearly enough, insisted on being given a fat, new contract. AND, having his son named as Charger's offensive co-ordintor!!

In short, Marty is a professional asshole.

The late firing was Marty's doing, his wierd belief that having a 12-4 team bounced early in the playoffs was fine and dandy.

And the late hiring of Turner was a necessity - all the other viable candidates were gone.

The only commentary in this thread that does not scream of puerility is that of D Horse - and I know that he himself strongly disagreed with Schotty's firing.

Who knows if SD under Turner can turn the ship around and fly right? But to portray this as Evil Smith vs Good Marty is kindergarten stuff.

Well...I guess we're just going to have to disagree on this. But I do give high marks for breaking out "puerility"!

Here are the facts:
Smith fired Schottenheimer, a proven winner as head coach at multiple stops in the NFL.

Smith hired Turner, someone who has not proven he can win as a head coach in two NFL stops.

Smith will have to live (and possibly) die with the results that Norv delivers.

And don't kid yourself. If the Bolts somehow miss the playoffs (and I'll give you that's unlikely given how weak the AFC West is), Smith will be fired (and possibly Norv along with him).

[Doc JS]

Huh? Dallas is 3-0 under a head coach who bombed out twice before as NFL hc.

RH,
I'm asking because I honestly don't know. What is Phillips overall W/L record in the NFL?

My sense is it's better than Norv's but I guess I could be wrong.

Addendum:
Wade Phillips (from Wikipedia)
Phillips is also a former head coach of the New Orleans Saints, where his record was 1-3, the Denver Broncos, where his record was 16-17, the Buffalo Bills, where he was 29-21 and led the Bills to the playoffs in two of three seasons, and the Atlanta Falcons where he posted a 2-1 mark. His career winning percentage as a head coach is .533.

Norv Turner (from Wikipedia)
In seven seasons with the Redskins, he went 49-59-1. They made the playoffs only once, in 1999, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round. He was released during the 2000 season of the Washington Redskins on December 4, 2000 following a 9-7 loss to the New York Giants where this dropped them to 7-6 on the year despite starting off with a 6-2 record. Turner was replaced for the final 3 regular season games by Interim Head Coach Terry Robiskie. The Redskins finished with a disappointing 8-8 that made them ineligible for the postseason. Following his tenure with the Redskins, Turner went on to serve as offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers in 2001 and for the Miami Dolphins in 2002 and 2003.

When the Oakland Raiders fired head coach Bill Callahan following the 2003 season, owner Al Davis hired Turner to replace him. Turner went 5-11 in 2004, followed by a 4-12 record in 2005, and was fired on January 3, 2006.

So, it looks like Norv's overall record is 58-82-1 for a winning % of .414

[Seattle Slew]

I wouldn't say Phillips bombed, and I'm no fan of his either. He went 9-7 and 7-9 in 2 years with Denver (bad teams with a great QB) and did make the playoffs twice in 3 seasons with Buffalo, going 11-5, 10-6 and 8-8.

0-3 in playoff games.

Huh? Dallas is 3-0 under a head coach who bombed out twice before as NFL hc.

[Doc JS]

I wouldn't say Phillips bombed, and I'm no fan of his either. He went 9-7 and 7-9 in 2 years with Denver (bad teams with a great QB) and did make the playoffs twice in 3 seasons with Buffalo, going 11-5, 10-6 and 8-8.

0-3 in playoff games.

SS,
That was my sense, as well. Certainly not HOF material or anything like that. But with a .533 winning %, not exactly a bomb either.

[ritehook]

Well...I guess we're just going to have to disagree on this. But I do give high marks for breaking out "puerility"!

Here are the facts:
Smith fired Schottenheimer, a proven winner as head coach at multiple stops in the NFL.

Smith hired Turner, someone who has not proven he can win as a head coach in two NFL stops.

Smith will have to live (and possibly) die with the results that Norv delivers.

And don't kid yourself. If the Bolts somehow miss the playoffs (and I'll give you that's unlikely given how weak the AFC West is), Smith will be fired (and possibly Norv along with him).

Even if SD misses the playoffs, Smith WILL NOT BE FIRED. Take it to the bank.

He's been recognized by his peers as one of the best judges of college talent in the game. And that's where it all begins, in the draft.

I personally didn't like his last two first round picks (a DB who never started in college and severely tore a knee in last year and a WR - from LSU - known as having "alligator arms") but I can't argue with his success.

There are two dozen NFL franchises that will swallow field turf to have Smith running their organizations. (And btw, check Marty's record as the HC at Washington)

[mrmark]

Norv Turner Is one shitty coach! someone must be drinking in San Diego!

[Seattle Slew]

Interesting stat on Wade Phillips. Last team in the NFL to make the playoffs after an 0-3 start?

1998 Buffalo Bills coached by Phillips in his first season. Finished 10-6.