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LOREN NELSON COMMENTARY: Time to cut ties with Norv
By LOREN NELSON - Staff Writer | ∞
A disappointed Chargers coach Norv Turner looks on during fourth-quarter action Sunday against the Falcons. (Photo by Bill Wechter - Staff photographer) SAN DIEGO ---- Before we bury him, let's remember Norv Turner was the right man for the job.
The emphasis there ---- heavy, bold, underlined and in ALL CAPS ---- needs to be on was.
And with that, Turner's eulogy now comes to a close.
Certain losses, given the circumstances, are of the sort that coaches cannot overcome.
Seventy to seven against New Mexico comes to mind.
This was one of those.
Playing in their most important game of the season, playing for their playoff lives, the Chargers could not beat a first-year head coach and rookie quarterback.
Playing against a defense that is far from formidable, the Chargers' offense could not score a touchdown.
Playing with a 3-0 advantage in turnovers (house money), the Chargers still found a way to go bust.
In the end, it was Atlanta Falcons 22, Chargers 16. And make no mistake, this is the end.
Gone are the Chargers' playoff hopes, already on life support when the day began. Gone, after the season, will be a significant chunk of their roster.
Gone, too, should be Turner.
There hasn't been a Chargers' loss this embarrassing in a game that mattered since their infamous Mission Valley Meltdown ---- a 2007 playoff implosion against the New England Patriots.
A certain coach, whose name shall not be mentioned, received a vote of confidence from management after that pratfall. And was fired a month later.
The botching of Le'Affair Schottenheimer, completed long after every other NFL coaching vacancy had been filled, forced the Chargers to rummage through the bargain bin for his replacement. Out popped Turner, the best of the castoffs, and all he did was guide the Chargers to last year's AFC Championship Game.
Turner, unsuccessful at NFL stops in Oakland and Washington, bought himself some credibility with that run. That check was cashed on Sunday.
Two weeks ago, Turner received a thumbs-up from general manager A.J. Smith and owner Dean Spanos. That was when the Chargers, playing in the anemic AFC West, were staring at three straight home games and a realistic shot of stumbling into the postseason.
Now the Chargers, after three straight losses, are 4-8 and playing for a high draft pick. That, and pride.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson gave a "Let's not embarrass ourselves," speech after the game. Of all the Chargers, he was the most blunt in assessing the team's death.
"You have to be able to block and tackle," he said. "There is a reason why the offensive and defensive lines are the most important guys in football."
Certainly, Turner cannot be faulted for an offensive line that, at its best, has been mediocre this season. Blame for that goes higher up the food chain.
Still, it is Turner's job to scheme around his team's weaknesses. Instead, game after game, opposing teams have exploited them.
Sunday was more of the same.
"I know the guys in this locker room," tight end Antonio Gates said. "I've been playing with them for years now. What was displayed today is nowhere near the character of guys that I know, including myself."
Underachievement does not begin to describe what has happened to a Chargers team brimming with Pro Bowlers.
"Oh yeah, I'm very surprised (the Chargers are struggling) knowing all the talent they have on the team," Falcons running back and ex-Charger Michael Turner said. "They have a high-powered offense where guys can score at any time. The defense usually plays great, but the team is struggling this year and it is a shock."
In the end, Tomlinson, who has a future as a coroner when his football career ends, made the precision cut when assessing the downfall of the Chargers.
"We got our butts kicked," he said. "Plain and simple, we got our butts kicked today."
As for his coach, Tomlinson said, "We know Norv will be back, so what do you do? You have to make a change with the players."
The players, to a man, shouldered blame for the bludgeoning. They did the right thing.
Now the Chargers, in assessing the future of their coach, must do the same.
Contact sports editor Loren Nelson at (760) 740-3551 or lnelson@nctimes.com.
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St. Louis wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:22 AM:Living in a City where football for the most part is horrible I am shocked by this organization. A.J. Smith is your problem. He ran off a coach who wins. Yes he may have trouble in the playoffs but so did John Elway. Then he brought in his guy Norv Turner who has lost everywhere he has been a head coach. Norv is a good co-ordinator. It is not to late get A.J. out get Norv out and bring in someone who can coach. You still have a good team.
sportsfan wrote on Dec 1, 2008 11:24 AM:name me a san diego team that is dedicated to winning?? It ALL about putting YOUR money in the OWNERS pocket. Its business, not sport. How do you think these owners get to be billionaires. how many san diegoeans do you see whos kids need shoes but ole dad is wearing a $120 charger shirt.
Dianne wrote on Dec 1, 2008 12:28 PM:Now I know why Eli Manning wouldn't come to San Diego. This organization is not commited to winning! You run out a coach that goes 14-2,then you run off Donnie Edwards, and let Lorenzo Neal go,
I'm a 17 year season ticket holder that is frustrated as _ _ _ _!! Do I need to say more?
JJbolt wrote on Dec 1, 2008 1:34 PM:Well, if they won't change the coach then why bother to go to a game to see losing? One could watch a better game at a local pub or at home. No spending more $$ if you don't have to. It's amazing that such a promising and pridefuld team can come down to this in 2 short years. This isn't all Norv's fault. He accepted a job that was offered. Perhaps we should look at the intelligence of those who offered the job to him. One thing Dean, if you want to win then get better opinions. If one person can't play nice in the sandbox perhaps it wasn't the coach who should have been fired. All I see is an AJ team that lacks heart and enthusiasm for playing the game. Heck, my grandma could give just as much enthusiasm as these chargers can. She probably could block better in her wheelchair. It starts at the top and should trickle down. Since you can't get rid of the owner and he doesn't want to let go of AJ, then it comes to the bargain basement coach that we got stuck with.
keb59 wrote on Dec 1, 2008 1:46 PM:The Charger PLAYERS have given up - period. You can call it team chemistry or you can say that there are players not giving 100%. Norv takes the heat, because he's the HC. But. Tomlinson, Rivers and a lot of others aren't earning their paychecks either!
Finish the run LT!
A Bolt fan since '68, this team rivals the stink that existed with Ryan Leaf hanging around.
LOYAL FAN wrote on Dec 1, 2008 2:36 PM:LETS GO CHARGERS MAKE THE CHANGES YOU NEED, AND HANDLE BUSINESS NEXT YEAR! GO CHARGERS!!
Smart wrote on Dec 1, 2008 3:50 PM:Guys, Norv Turner has failed everywhere he has coached as a head coach. As a Cordinator he has been fantastic. AJ is not a very good GM. If he was he would have never made this hire. Say all you want about the players quiting, if the team were coached by Belicheck, Parcells, Cowher and yes I will say it Schottenheimer they would be at worst 11 and 5 by the end of the year. Too much talent on this team. Until you have an owner that will make solid decisions then oh well. Well at least you have the Raiders in your division!!!!!!!
Andrew K. wrote on Dec 1, 2008 4:53 PM:While this is a sad collapse for a team with such great potential, it's what AJ deserves for letting Marty go in such a classless display of arrogance. Marty leads the team to a 14-2 season, and AJ decides to blame Marlon McCree's idiotic turnover on Schottenheimer? What a moron.
You reap what you sow AJ... enjoy the coming years in San Diego, which now appear to be very very bleak. The funny thing is, you'd probably have a Super Bowl ring right now if you'd have kept your personal issues to yourself, and Marty on the sidelines.
Marty - wherever you are - I hope you are smiling. For you deserve the last laugh.
b.craig wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:43 PM:i love the chargers with all my heart...however, unfortunately the spanos' own the team. A.J. is doing exactly what owners want him to do....run this team into the ground(norv turner is the perfect coach for this) in order to alienate the fan base so they can move the team. its similar to what the LA RAMS did. 2013 SAN ANTONIO CHARGERS?????
personally....stay classy san diego!!!
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