scottdee wrote on Jan 16, 2007 6:42 AM:You forgot to mention Steve Foley who will probably be physically unable to ever play again. The top of this year's draft is loaded with talent. I really like WR Dwayne Bowe and FS Laron Landry from LSU if either drops to 30th pick. WR Bowe really flew under the radar with Cal Johnson and Dwayne Jarrett getting all the publicity. Bowe is bigger, faster, stronger, and smarter than either of those guys, the kind of player AJ likes. The Chargers weaknesses were exposed in this playoff game: WRs and DBs. And with Godfrey, Edwards, and Foley likely gone, depth at LB suddenly becomes an area of concern. I think it would be wise for AJ and Donnie to swallow their collective pride and work something out. It will cost us just as much to sign another LB who may be younger but Donnie still has the talent, experience, and desire to win for a few more years. The pick he had vs. Pats was made on sheer guile. He let one receiver cut in front of him but did not follow him like Brady thought he would. Then Brady throws it right at Donnie, what a play! The guy who is really ready to start is LB Stephen Cooper. Did you see that play he made on the Pats TE at the goal line to break up a pass and nearly make an incredible pick? WOW! Another guy who quietly had an efficient game vs. Pats was rookie DB Cromartie. If he works hard on technique during the off-season, he will start next year. Look at the top 5 guys we got in the draft last year: OT McNeill, CB Cromartie, LB Dobbins, QB Whitehurst, and TE Manumaleuna (via trade). Dobbins was great on special teams and Whitehurst's contribution was in practice which the public doesn't see. What a great draft it was and with the depth and talent available in this year's draft, we should get even stronger. I agree that the nucleus will be back and brings stability but this team will look much different next year in terms of starters on defense and new faces as backups. I said in training camp this year that '07 would be THE YEAR with Rivers getting a full year under his belt. Sure it hurts now because expectations were high after the incredible regular season we had. But next year, even with a first place schedule, should be the Super Bowl year. Sign Marty to a one year extension and if he blows it, he's gone.

Greg wrote on Jan 16, 2007 7:28 AM:Keep Turner. He's a bruiser that can spell LT and get first downs - and more. Keep Marty. He turned this franchise from losers into winners. Fire AJ Smith, for tossing Reche Caldwell - who burned us badly. Keep Edwards - the only thing he's done wrong - is piss off AJ - an easy thing to do.

qterback wrote on Jan 16, 2007 10:19 AM:History: After Carroll (NE) was fired, Bill Belichick, hand-picked to be Parcells' successor with the Jets, quit after one day as Jets head coach to join New England. In 2000, Belichick's first season resulted in a 5–11 record. (Chargers with Marty finished worst) In 2001, quarterback Drew Bledsoe was injured early in the season on a hit by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis, and was replaced by Tom Brady, a sixth-round draft pick, who then led the team into the playoffs with an 11–5 record (and, in the process, creating a media controversy over who should be the starter after Bledsoe recovered). The Patriots defeated the Oakland Raiders (in the controversial "Tuck Rule" game) and Pittsburgh Steelers and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI, where they defeated the St. Louis Rams on a last-second field goal by Adam Vinatieri. In New England's first Super Bowl victory, Brady was selected Super Bowl MVP. Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the 2002 off-season. Chargers, get rid off Drew Brees (injury) for Rivers, who will lead the Chargers for next 3 years for 3 consecutive championship - just watch! Leave the coach in position and fire A J Smith who was against the coach in the critical time. Obviously distructed the team. Openly fighting the coach? Mastermind conflict at critical first playoff game! The team was just great, and the goof was the media and GM fault. Chargers lost in the last 5 minutes giving up 11 points, what was the result of fault in these distruction management. Unable to resist Brady and Co. at the last minutes. The ship sinked. The captain stayed on. Before the game day, the head of the management should get rid of the "heavy weight" - like - GM so Mr. Spanos should sit on A. J. Smith's mouth, plus fire him later. GM hurt everybody -players - fans - coach - and all sportsmans as general. Let this team go on the roll to not one but a couple of SB! IMO

Scott wrote on Jan 16, 2007 1:10 PM:The Charger's regular season earned Marty the oppotunity for one more year to get to the Super Bowl; if he doesn't, he should go. If he does and wins, he should retire anyway. We must keep Turner; otherwise, if LT gets injured, it will be an 8-8 season and no playoff. Cromartie proved he's ready for the free safety role, which would give the bolt's defensive pass containment a huge boost because of his athleticism.

Jan wrote on Jan 16, 2007 2:56 PM:Get rid of Parker. Get some recievers. What about Jimmie Johnson or Steve Mariucci for the new head coaching spot.? Or maybe Mike Singletary Marty has to go as well. (Check out the comments from the Kansas City sportswriters—he made the same mistakes when he had the Chiefs in the post-season—bad timeout management, poor playcalling, and poor discipline.

Paul wrote on Jan 16, 2007 8:02 PM:Keep Marty. Look at who's out there and try to find someone who doesn't have the same baggage as Marty, or worse. And that includes Wade Phillips. Jim Mora? Chan Gailey's name popped up for the Miami job today, for crying out loud. GMs who are great judges of talent -- and AJ obviously is that -- aren't necessarily great judges of coaches. And certainly the Spanos's have a dubious record when it comes to hiring coaches: Mike Riley? Kevin Gilbride? Ugh. If you elevate Cameron, do you lose Wade Phillips? And vice versa. Any move that puts Marty out creates a mess of some sort. Look, next year they aren't going 14-2 even if they resurrect Vince Lombardi and put him on the sideline. That schedule works out to 11-5 at best, but it still might be good enough to take the AFC West. Keep Marty, draft a wideout with speed, upgrade Kiel's spot and quit worrying.

American-Irish Resident wrote on Jan 16, 2007 8:53 PM:Send McCree back to high school or some or institution that will give him the brains to be a professional football player. Parker and McCardell have to retire. Everybody who says Marty Crap-n-heimer cannot win the playoff games appear to be correct.

Rick wrote on Jan 16, 2007 9:23 PM:I have been a Charger fan for over 40 years and it seems like they are back on track for something good, firing the coach and starting over it is not what we need. If the GM has a problem with the Head Coach that goes 14 -2 then maybe the GM needs to go away. Sign the coach to an extension to show the players and fans that you are serious about winning and sign a reciever that doesnt drop the ball, a defensive back that acts like he has a made a play before and maybe some stick'em. If you intend to start over with a new coach and his system then im sure the owners are are also looking at new locations elsewhere and does not care about the fan.

dj wrote on Jan 16, 2007 10:04 PM:Speaking of a nucleus, Marty is it. The players like him, the managment may have a little heartburn with this. You have to keep a well working machine together and well lubed to keep it working well for a long time. In some casses it may take a little more maintanance,it is worth it so you don't have to go buy another machine that you don't know the history of. Let's keep them together and working for the ultimate goal. Looking foreward to another great season with a different outcome.