Jaque wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:15 AM:They better make some changes. Speaking of wide reciever, does Eric Parker start for the Bolts next year?

Noodles wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:48 AM:The receiving corp really hasn't come together until this year. As the season went on, they had done a much better job catching balls, especially after the acquisition of Chambers.

That all being said, the QB and the receivers are still not on the same page. Very few balls have been thrown so that the receiver can catch it in stride and advance the ball. The receivers are often wide open waiting for the ball to come to them and by the time the ball gets to the receiver, the DB is able to recover and make the tackle.

I don't know if it is strictly a QB issue or a receiver issue, but the timing isn't there yet. That all being said, it looks like the receivers and the QB have made significant strides this year.

I really don't understand why Lofton was let go, given that significant progress has been made.

Good work NORV! wrote on Jan 23, 2008 7:16 AM:Fire the two coaches who ACTULLY DID THEIR JOBS! Here we go noow the WORST COACH in NFL is going to try and change something that was working yet due to injuries didn't click this once. Norv was handed the keys to a well oiled machine and now this idiot wants to tweak it by throwing away the good parts?!?!?
We'll probably go 1-15 next year!!!

BoltDan wrote on Jan 23, 2008 7:55 AM:I concur with "Good work" above... except Norv is just the lacky for AJ... He is the puppet master and everybody loves him so everybody loves Norval. Lofton was and is a great coach and to be just let go is pure stupidity. But that is what AJ does. Maybe Norv will bring his brother in to be the Recievers coach...oh isnt that what Marty was fired for???

Bobby wrote on Jan 23, 2008 8:26 AM:If their smart they will use Parker the same way the Pats use Welker.
Just more proof the Spanos want to move the team! It's a long list, Smith, Norv, Teddy, Lofton. S.Davis, Kiel, Buster, Waters, Brees, Edwards, Marty, Boston now Flo and Turner,,,,,Just to name a few of Spanos blunders. No one saw the movie Major League???

chris wrote on Jan 23, 2008 9:36 AM:Uh..Bobby? How is this proof they want to move the team? They just made the AFC Championship. If you believe that, find an argument that actually applies. There are certain people who simply dont want to be pleased.
That said...the Lofton firing is weird. The Simon firing not weird. Norv must have someone in mind, and that is the way this league works. Coaches want their people in there.
Norv AJ's lackey? That is just dumb.

paul wrote on Jan 23, 2008 10:08 AM:James Lofton is a true professional and a great coach who did a fine job. Whichever organization hires him will be getting a great talent.

Jose wrote on Jan 23, 2008 10:49 AM:Norv Turner has every right as head coach to hire and fire the coaching staff he feels is necessary regardless of the fact we agree or not.

Maybe not firing Lofton and Simon sooner was Norv's idea of maintaining some semblance of continuity from the old Marty regime. Imagine the scandal that he would've caused early on this season? One popular coach canned and a newbie let go without having a chance to prove themselves...not wise.

As the adage goes: "What's done is done" and so go the Bolts in a different direction. And sure some folks can speculate the ulterior motives of the Spanos family (recalling the comment in '94 as the Chargers go to superbowl when Senior Spanos said it was a great day for the city of Stockton...hmmm). I for one don't know if relocation is sill an option for the Spanos. I just want to see the Bolts do well and win the big one.

I also hope that Norv's decisions turn out to be wise ones and the coaches he hires take the Bolts to the next level not the other way around. Time will tell. I wish Lofton and Simon well in the future endeavors.

And Norv, let's see if this season's success wasn't a fortunate flash in pan. It would really be a crying shame to find out down the road that you dismantled the best team the San Diego area has seen.

Lastly, AJ Smith please don't forget what happened to Bobby Bethard when undid the Bolts a decade ago with unwise player/personnel moves? Let's pray history doesn't repeat itself...hmm?

Larry wrote on Jan 23, 2008 11:51 AM:How do any of you know if Lofton is a 'great coach'?? How do you know? Are you there at every practice and team meeting? Are you qualified to recognize a great coach if you saw one? It is amazing that some many people know sooooo much more than the actual people who do it for a living, and successfully. If AJ Smith said Mother Teresa was wonderful you all would say was Mother Teresa a stupid, egotistcal nun that didn't have a clue what she was doing and just a lacky of AJ. Lofton was a very good receiver because his statistics prove that out. We have no idea whether or not his was a GREAT coach.

RICHARD wrote on Jan 23, 2008 2:10 PM:Fired the wrong coaches should have fired Norv Turner and Ted Catrrel. I knew this was going to happen blame everyone else. except yourself norv.this looks like another redskin, raider down fall. next year is going to be a unbelivable. we will see how many of you stick with norv.iwill be here also and taking the pain like everyone else. good luck to the true fans all of us

Dan wrote on Jan 23, 2008 2:49 PM: I agree with Larry, who knows weather or not these were good coaches. Further more i think over the last 6 years that Lofton has been here,we haven't had a great receiving year until Chambers came on board. Maybe its the coaching of Chambers who really made the great strides this season, and Lofton looks like the one who got them this far. Chambers brought in competion, along with leadership, and are receivers woke up as the coach was allowing them to sleep. That being said I can't believe there are still Norv haters. Why don't you Fair weather fans dig threw your closets, and find your old teams jerseys, and go comment are there site how much you hate the Chargers. Tired of the wanna be fans. Fan since 1982!!!!

SEAN C. wrote on Jan 23, 2008 3:26 PM:Charlie Joyner has been hire`d by the Chargers. Why not bring in a fresh perspective? Norv & all the players that AJ has signed were just one game short of the superbowl. Chris, there is no reason to respond to Bobby`s incoherent ramblings. Parker will make the team if his toe is healed but I doubt he would start over the dynamic duo of Jackson/Chambers, he will split time with Buster for the 3rd option. The question is what do we do with the 1st pick 27th overall If there is an earth mover available with the physical talent of say Toniu Fonoti that would be my choice ensuring another rushing title for Tomlinson. If not, maybe another runstuffer. Jaque?

No worrys mates wrote on Jan 23, 2008 4:31 PM:No disrespect to Lofton but the hiring of Charlie Joiner is a huge coup for AJ, Norv & especially the wide recievers . Check out his resume on the Chargers website its very impressive.

Longboard Spikeman wrote on Jan 23, 2008 5:08 PM:Charlie Joiner was the dna that held
air coryell together, very selfless
gifted and grateful...These receivers
Respected lofton, Charlie's a Ledgend
of the lighting bolt that they'll Love.
THIS IS A GIFT CHARGER FANS!!!

BoltDan wrote on Jan 23, 2008 5:27 PM:Lofton was and will be a great coach you dimrods... he was interviewing for possibly head coaching jobs last year. I think we can take from that he is a good coach. Now with that said I like the replacement with Joiner... but we shall see if he is a great coach. He was a great reciever so....

Oak Park Bark wrote on Jan 23, 2008 5:57 PM:Wish James the Best, No reason
with his background not to be HC.
Charlie's impressive, guy doesn't
need a resume, Bolt Dan how many
game did you watch charlie play?
ya that's what I thought! but like
me you can have a point of view
I just think it puts the offense
in better hands...Charger HANDS!

Louie K. wrote on Jan 23, 2008 5:57 PM:This was a good move for the team, Lofton has had 6 years working with the receivers and evaluating talent. Looking at some of the decisions regarding personal over that time (Wes Walker) makes me question his abilities. It wasn't until Chambers arrived here that the receivers started making other teams respect our passing game other than Gates. CC probably was as instrumental in "coaching" Jackson and getting him to relax and play the game as much as JL. I can hardly wait to see how well these guy's do with Parker and Gates at full speed. This team need to shore up the O'line and give PR the time to look around to pick the Defenses apart. Go Chargers good move bringing in fresh "old" blood.

Bolt Doctor #14 wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:04 PM:one word: CHARLIE JOINER = LEDGEND!!!
good job norv, the backgrond of relatedness in the space of charger
football just improved!! Now make some
more calls>>>>>

Boltgal#43 wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:Dad had tears in his eyes when
he heard Charlie "Mr Dependable"
Joiner was coming home, Dads had
it rough with our house gone, the
building buisness in dire straights
and no job prospects, the playoff game
was the last time he smiled....until
Today!! Welcome Home "CHARLIE".

McpatCrawford 81' wrote on Jan 23, 2008 7:27 PM:The Patriots are a great Team but
its the ideal that they all bought
into of being a part of something
special, Charlie is someone that
experienced that as a charger and
won't need to hard sell any body
he just has to be charlie and be
the example he has always been.
check out the interview at team site.

JOLT-IN-THE-BOLT wrote on Jan 23, 2008 8:57 PM:Just when I was starting to have confidence in Norv Turners coaching abilities he pulls out a skunk from his duffel bag. It wouldn't surprise me if A.J. Smith told Norv to fire Lofton because he doesn't want any coaches remaining from the Schottenheimer staff. You would think Norv would be a bit more rational about firing the popular Lofton due to his experience of getting the hook at Washington and Oakland. The firing of Lofton and maybe Simon doesn't make much sense at all. The whole matter stinks just like the skunk in your duffel bag!

Nickmann B. wrote on Jan 23, 2008 9:23 PM:who's coaching RB?

ktchargers wrote on Jan 26, 2008 9:00 AM:Relax LOLT-IN-THE-BOLT. Norv made a good move and Charlie not only good rec
but alse a good person too