Inkydan wrote on Sep 28, 2007 8:22 AM:All off season I defended the new coaches saying that when LT runs the 50 power sweep who cares who is on the sidelines as long as Neal and Deilman were out in front. I xaid,"What do you think Cotrell is going to do? Stop Merriman from rushing?" It seems obvious to me that I was wrong. It does matter.-

Bobby wrote on Sep 28, 2007 9:36 AM:Cottrell is right, he needs to step down. The Chargers need a DC that is not so far over the hill and been out of coaching so long he can still coach the simple things, like tackle? Never happen fans, Norv is stuck with Smith's buddy untill he is gone in three years and we have the #1 pick again!

Mike D SouthBay wrote on Sep 28, 2007 10:42 AM:First of all, it's only been 3 games so there is no reason to panic. By midseason, our team will be steam rolling the competition. However, I am EXTREMELY bothered by the style of our defense right now...Ted Cottrell needs to get a clue. This defense looks slow and nowhere near as tenacious. Cottrell's defensive philosophy is not consistent with what we were promised when he was hired – an aggressive, blitz-happy D with safety and corner blitzes...I haven't seen a corner blitz all year. Why make Drayton Florence gain 10 pounds of muscle with the anticipation of getting after the QB, if you’re gonna let him sit there and 'keep everything in front of him' and 'make the sure tackle?' Cottrell says: "The idea is just make a damn play every now and then. If we knock a pass down here or make a tackle here, we're talking about how good we played." Are you kidding me? Cottrell isn't even giving his players the opportunity to make big plays in the first place! How can we make a play when our defense plays on their heels instead of attacking the football? We have top talent and attacking the football is what our personnel does best. He should be preaching interceptions and sacks, not knocking passes down. We need a Rex Ryan, Wade Phillips, Ron Rivera – guys who aren’t scared to attack and play opportunistic defense. In fact, Ron Rivera should be leading this defense. I bet he’s irked by Cottrell’s conservative ways. And look at what Wade’s doing in Dallas, they look like the Chargers from last year -- aside from the points allowed, that defense is flying around and making big plays...c'mon Anthony Henry already has like 4 INTs this year....Anthony Henry?? c'mon. As far as I'm concerned, Ted Cottrell is overrated and there must be a reason he was fired by three teams. He needs to get a clue and play a defense that DICTATES the way the opposing offense will play their game, rather than sitting back and reacting to what an offense does. I think this has to do with both the sorry scheme, and the fact that the D is still confused and learning new things. But look at how well Jammer played when given the chance to play man last week. We have physical, athletic corners that don't need to be playing zone coverages. Save the zones for system guys like Ronde Barber and Nathan Vasher. Cottrell is too stubborn and into himself and his so-called creativity. Keep it simple and let the players play. I'm no coach, but like Larry Johnson said: "this game isn't chess - it's checkers."

Mike D SouthBay wrote on Sep 28, 2007 11:03 AM:First of all, it's only been 3 games so there is no reason to panic. By midseason, our team will be steam rolling the competition. However, I am EXTREMELY bothered by the style of our defense right now...Ted Cottrell needs to get a clue. This defense looks slow and nowhere near as tenacious. Cottrell's defensive philosophy is not consistent with what we were promised when he was hired – and aggressive, blitz-happy D with safety and corner blitzes...I haven't seen a corner blitz all year. Why make Drayton Florence gain 10 pounds of muscle with the anticipation of getting after the QB if you’re gonna let him sit there and 'keep everything in front of him' and 'make the sure tackle?' Cottrell says: "The idea is just make a damn play every now and then. If we knock a pass down here or make a tackle here, we're talking about how good we played." Are you kidding me? Cottrell isn't even giving his players the opportunity to make big plays in the first place! How can we make a play when our defense plays on their heels instead of attacking the football? We have top talent and attacking the football is what our personnel does best. Why sit back and let people catch everything in front of you? And why teach his players to 'knock a pass down here' or 'make a tackle here?' He should be preaching interceptions and sacks. We need a Rex Ryan, Wade Phillips, Ron Rivera – guys who aren’t scared to attack and play opportunistic defense. In fact, Ron Rivera should be leading this defense. Look at what Wade’s doing in Dallas, they look like the Chargers from last year -- aside from the points allowed, that defense is flying around and making big plays...c'mon Anthony Henry already has like 4 INTs this year....Anthony Henry?? c'mon. As far as I'm concerned, Ted Cottrell is overrated and there must be a reason he was fired by three teams. He needs to get a clue and play a defense that DICTATES the way the opposing offense will play their game, rather than sitting back and reacting to what an offense does. I think this has to do with both the sorry scheme, and the fact that the D is still confused and learning new things. But look at how well Jammer played when given the chance to play man. we have physical, athletic corners that don't need to be playing zone coverages. Save the zones for system guys like Ronde Barber and Nathan Vasher. Keep it simple and let the players play. I'm no coach, but like Larry Johnson said: "this game isn't chess - it's checkers."

Joe wrote on Sep 28, 2007 12:32 PM:It' ALL on egomaniac AJ Smith now - your coaches, your players and your sycophants. How do you like how he has gone from his mantra of "CONTINUITY" to now it's "WRINKLES". The only "wrinkle" is in his hubris to allow his arrogance to get in the way of losing a great 14-2 200 win head coach and a great middle linebacker who led the team in tackles 5 years in a row. If Dan Qualey "ain't no John F. Kennedy" then Matt Wilhelm ain't no Donnie Edwards. Why did not AJ tell us at first when he sold us on Norval and company and "contiuity" that there would also be "wrinkles" that would cause us to LOSE to teams like the Packers that we were favored to beat? I do think we have the talent to turn it around but am not even close to being sold on the coaching, or serious LACK thereof, or their weakness in motivating and inspiring the players to perform at their highest level every play and every game like Marty had them doing. Time will tell. Go Chargers!

LV FAN wrote on Sep 28, 2007 4:55 PM:Please Joe. AJ is the best thing EVER to happen to the Chargers. Just look at the players he brought in. More over, why in the world would you want Marty? Remember, Marty wasn't fired until AFTER he let (among others) his Defensive Cordinator, Offensive Coordinator, Linebacker Coach, and TE coach just walk away to lead other teams? Marty had his chance and couldn't do anything with the "ferrari." In 04 he went 0-1 in the playoffs (at home), in '05 he led "the best team NOT to make the playoffs," and last year he went 0-1 (at home again) in the playoffs with the best team in football. He did the same thing in KC and the same thing in Clevland. He takes average teams and makes them better then CHOKES. He hasn't won a playoff game in 2 decades. I am so sick of people blaming Norv and Cottrell for giving away the season and blaming AJ for firing Marty. As far as I am concerned, we gave away 2004-2006 because of Marty. This season is just starting. So stay on the wagon, and give these coaches and players your support- at least until they truly blow it- like Marty did from '04-'06. =

Joe wrote on Sep 28, 2007 7:10 PM:I don't see why anybody would want a coach (Marty) who coaches his team to a 14-2 record and whom his team plays PASSIONATELY for which is something sorely lacking from Norval and "get a clue" Cotrell. LV FAN I respect your opinion and can share some of your sentiment however I do blame AJ for playing such hardball with Gates (who yes he found and he is good at finding players but the jury is still out how good he is at finding coaches) that Gates did not play against Dallas that year and his ALL UNIVERSE presence in that game could logically have helped us enough to WIN that game which would have gotten us into the playoffs. As many posters have said that you can't WIN in the playoffs unless you GET to the playoffs. It is still early in this season and hopefull Norval, who no pundit would ever put in the same class as a 200 win coach, will wake up and teach Philip how to audible out of another dead play running LT into an 8 man brick wall. Go Chargers` =

rich wrote on Sep 29, 2007 1:36 AM: Please, don´t blame AJ for bad playing and bad coaching. Just ask yourselves: what can Marty do without both coordinators (Wade and Cam)?, he surely cannot repeat the 14-2 from last year . AJ isn´t responsable of the departures on the coaching staff. He couldn´t avoid that. But the new coaches have a lot of work to do. Ron Rivera is a better fit for the defense than Ted Cottrell. Chargers will go 11-5, GO CHARGERS

Zack wrote on Sep 29, 2007 2:34 PM:Tackling is only part of the problem. The secondaries pathetic pass coverage and the inability of the defensive line to pressure the QB are also problems that need to be addressed. I don't like the bend but don't break defense. The secondary is not talented enough to play that defense and even if they were talented enough, the elite teams with excellent QBs are far to patient for that type of defense. Those QBs would just march down the field and score at will. My understanding is that Rivera is not familiar with the 3-4 defense. If he were, then I would be in favor of him running the defense. Herm Edwards knows Cottrell's defenses far too well. I won't be shocked if the Chargers defense plays poorly again this week. Face it, the Chargers are an overrated team that plays well with a soft schedule and plays poorly with a tougher schedule. I am a huge Charger fan, but I don't have a lot of faith in this team. They were overrated from the start.

BOLTFAN78 wrote on Sep 29, 2007 5:02 PM:Zack, How can you be a "huge" Charger fan and say they are overrated? Does overrated = LT, Gates, Merriman, Shaun Philips, Jamal Williams, Igor, Dielman, Osgood, Scifres, EP, Hart, Sproles, Etc.??? It's very early, and yes, NE handed us our A**, but that doesn't mean the Chargers are overrated. It comes down to coaching and getting the team READY TO PLAY!! Marty was awesome at that. AJ Smith does have a big ego, but he is a big reason why we have the players we have. John Butler drafted LT before he died, not AJ. Vick could very well have been a Charger, but Butler recognized the talent of LT. John Butler was quite possibly the best GM and Talent guru in NFL history.

Brian wrote on Sep 29, 2007 5:05 PM:Zack, How can you be a "huge" Charger fan and say they are overrated? Does overrated = LT, Gates, Merriman, Shaun Philips, Jamal Williams, Igor, Dielman, Osgood, Scifres, EP, Hart, Sproles, Etc.??? It's very early, and yes, NE handed us our A**, but that doesn't mean the Chargers are overrated. It comes down to coaching and getting the team READY TO PLAY!! Marty was awesome at that. AJ Smith does have a big ego, but he is a big reason why we have the players we have. John Butler drafted LT before he died, not AJ. Vick could very well have been a Charger, but Butler recognized the talent of LT. John Butler was quite possibly the best GM and Talent guru in NFL history.

Zack wrote on Sep 30, 2007 8:33 AM:Yes, the Chargers are overrated. I like Sproles, but you can't be serious in mentioning him in the same sentence with L.T. Hart doesn't belong in the same sentence either. The Chargers have been successful in recent years when they have played a soft schedule, they haven't been as successful when they have played a tougher schedule. Their is a reason why the Chargers have not made the playoffs two years in a row in a very long time. IMO, it has everything to do with the schedule and what I believe to be a very overrated/soft team. Yes, I am a huge Charger fan. I have been for many years. I would love to see a Johnny Jefferson (WR) in his prime on this squad. Charlie Joiner (WR) in his prime would also be a huge improvement to this squad. IMO, the Chargers have zero play makers in the secondary. It has been one of the weakest parts of the team for many years. How can the Chargers be the most talented team and yet have no play makers in their secondary? I have to call it like I see it. As much as I want to see the Chargers win the Super Bowl, I just don't see this team as having enough talent, or the mind set to do it. They certainly don't have the talent to match up against the Patriot wide receivers. They had all of the motivation in the world to beat the Patriots and they could not get it done. This team needs to get mentally tough and until they do, they will always underachieve. Given how last season ended, the Charger players ought to have enough motivation on their own to play better and more consistently. They shouldn't need to get motivation from their coach. If they do need it, then the Chargers need to get rid of those players and bring in self-motivated ones. I mean, if they can't get motivated after the Patriot playoff game from last year, then what would it take to motivate them? I don't think their was any chance in the world of Vick becoming a Charger. Remember, the Chargers gave up far too much in players, draft picks and money just to draft and sign Ryan Leaf. I can't imagine that they would have wanted to draft another QB that high in the draft again, so soon after the Leaf debacle. Especially with the money involved. Yes, I am aware that Butler drafted L.T. I do wonder how the Chargers would have faired with cap issues if Butler was still around. I want this Charger team to win a Super Bowl, but I don't see that happening unless they get mentally tough. It doesn't matter how many people say that the Chargers have the most talented team in the league. It doesn't mean squat if the Chargers can't even win one playoff game.