Bozo wrote on Jan 21, 2007 11:49 PM:Mr. Scholfield's argument makes sense from top to bottom. Mr. Nelson's argument, on the other hand, is based on a knee-jerk reaction. Mr. Nelson wrote a column immediately following the Chargers' loss to the Patriots calling for Mr. Schottenheimer's head on a platter. And now that Marty lives to coach another day, Mr. Nelson appears to be bitter. Well, it's obvious the Chargers ownership/management evaluated the situation and took the appropriate action by asking the coach to return next season. It was the right decision, and Mr. Scholfield explains why it was with thoughtful insight. Mr. Nelson, on the other hand, wants to hold on to his guns and come out blasting and accusing the Chargers ownership/management as being bunch of clowns. Far from it. That's a reason why it will be that much more sweeter next season when the Chargers go to the Super Bowl with Schottenheimer at the helm.

Natoma56 wrote on Jan 22, 2007 3:28 AM:You're right 14-2 is a great season but as a coach you must ALSO have the abilty to win big games(Balt.)-prepare your team for them. He can not and he does not have that ability.He can't finish bottom line.

To Loren Nelson wrote on Jan 22, 2007 8:21 AM:I have three questions for you: 1. Who dropped the punt and instead of covering it tried to pick it up, Marty or Eric Parker? 2.Who intercepted a pass on fourth down instead of batting it to the ground and then fumbled it, Marlin Mc Cree or Marty? 3. Who lost his composure and head-butted a person on the other team, Drayden Florence or Marty? My point is that these mental mistakes cost the Chargers at least ten points and if you give a player like Brady extra chances, he will beat you. A perfect example, Colts vs Patriots. Brady throws INT,the player falls to the ground so as not to risk a fumble. I've been a Charger fan since the early sixties when I was young enough to say "Raiders Suck" and remember those years Scholfield talk about. You don't fire a coach who takes you 14-2, when the player's mental mistakes lost the game. Without those three mental mistakes, the score ends up at 21-14 in favor of the Chargers.

dennis wrote on Jan 22, 2007 10:41 AM:The head coach is resonsible for all his team does or fails to do! Marty has had more than enough time to show he can coach a team to win in the playoffs. A 5 -13 record amply demonstrates he can not do it. He may be able to get you there ...sometimes...but that's it. Good teams win in tough times. They don't consistently make boneheaded decisions.

Solana Local wrote on Jan 22, 2007 11:05 AM:Absolutely...if your a Raider fan......this organization is doomed for years of failure.....small time players make small time plays..........

Langston wrote on Jan 22, 2007 12:30 PM:Even though the Chargers didn't make it to the Super Bowl -- they are still a winning, top caliber team. People can criticize Marty, but the days of old where the Chargers would be lucky to have an 8-8 season are not that far in the past. San Diegans should be proud of the fact that their team went 14-2 this year, which is no small feat. We tend to focus on winning "the big one" -- because that is our nature as Americans. Regardless, Marty has created a winning team that is a contender. For that reason alone, we need to keep him.

Jan wrote on Jan 22, 2007 3:26 PM:If the Chargers make the playoffs next year (nothing is guaranteed)-we will be talking about how Marty's post-season record is now 5-14. The team was not prepared mentally to play a post-season game, which has been the knock on Schottenheimer for his entire head coaching career. It IS the coach's job to get his team prepared. Just review the Patriot game and watch the team celebrating on the sidelines when they were up 21-13. That is the coaches' fault that they weren't in the game. Add the bone-head plays, bad play calls, dropped passes and poor time-out management and you have the result. He did a good job to get the Chargers to this level--but his past record amply shows that he can't go any further.

Bozzmania wrote on Jan 24, 2007 10:41 AM:When can anyone remember a better Charger season? I've been a fan since they came to town and I can't remember a better year. They were one play from winning every game they played. No one in football (except Idaho St) can make that claim. If that's not good coaching what is?

Bosum wrote on Jan 24, 2007 2:43 PM:Mr. Nelson's arguments were really on target and I almost bought into his side of the debate. Then he whips out the famous line from the movie 'Tin Cup' (the $2 folding lawn chair reference). OK - so he is a hack who likes to quote movies. Can't buy his argument now. By the way, what made that line funny is the point that cheap lawn chairs DON'T fold easily. Which is actually the reverse of the argument he was trying to make. So is Mr. Nelson now saying the Chargers will do better in the next post season? YOU DECIDE!

kevin lee wrote on Jan 26, 2007 5:48 AM:im 42,been a charger fan since i was 10.born in san diego but have lived in michigan since i was 18. I have NFL sunday ticket. Im prbably the biggest charger fan ever.people that say marty should have been fired obvoiusly know nothing about football or there reasoning is just plain stupid. do they think that there is some mysterious force that just rises up at playoff time and stops marty ? get realistic people.its the team at that particular time, circumstances,and fate. Bill parcells won the big one twice, yet in 3 years with the cowboys he couldnt get it done. so what do you say about him,,? At 14-2 you dont fire your coach unless your a moran.If he was fired it would be a huge step backwards,,especialy when we will be most likely losing both coordinators. how much time do you think L.T has to install a new. please dont dog my chargers.After the superbowl is over ,I will still be able to say that the chargers are better..and when the chargers move they will still be in san diego county. Nice try. GO BOLTS

Mike wrote on Jan 27, 2007 12:43 AM:Look at history, when the Chargers have a weak schedule the do well. This year was a weak schedule. Next year they will play a first place schedule and will go 9-7. If they are lucky. Now with losing Cam Cameron and possibly Wade Phillips. They should have gotten rid of Marty and just started over top to bottom. The year after next could be a complete disaster with the overhaul in coaching that will be inevitable. Why wait they should have done it now.

Bosum wrote on Jan 30, 2007 12:42 PM:The players will post another AFC West Championship next year IF Marty is the head coach everybody gives him credit for being. Now will be the time that we get to see how good he is. He will have a few months to get new assistants in and trained up in the system - he likes being a teacher he says. C'mon Mike - it's not time for doom and gloom. If Marty can teach his assistants well (Shelmon won't really need all that much attention), the teams we play against won't matter as much. By the way - have you seen the list of teams we are playing against next year? All very beatable opponents.