Football Chargers will fire Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the end of the season. - Page 2

ShowtimeSBMVP · 12-06-2012, 04:05 PM

Pro Football Weekly ‏@ProFootballWkly

Per @UTKevinAcee, the #Chargers will fire Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the end of the season.

It will be finished.

Not only will head coach Norv Turner be gone at the end of the season, but general manager A.J. Smith will be fired as well, as the Chargers make a monumental break from an era that was arguably the most successful and most disappointing in team history.

Sources said this week that Chargers President Dean Spanos essentially decided at least a month ago that Turner’s time was drawing to a rapid close. Spanos, sources said, has more recently resigned himself to the fact that Smith can’t be kept in the current environment of plummeting performance and fan unrest.

And unlike last year, when Spanos found enough reason for clemency in a strong finish and past accomplishments, those with knowledge of plans that are already in motion said it seems certain there will be no last-minute change of heart this time.

Spanos is waiting until after the season, more because that is his preferred time to make such moves than due to any faith in the Chargers’ microscopic playoff chances.

It is not known who will take over for Turner, but current Director of Player Personnel Jimmy Raye is the apparent replacement for Smith. Raye, who has been with the Chargers for 17 seasons, will ascend to a job much like Smith’s but with his new right-hand man being the owner’s son, John Spanos.

The younger Spanos, currently the team’s Director of College Scouting, has long been in line to take over the Chargers’ football operations, but the plan was for that to not happen until the expiration of Smith’s contract after the 2014 season.

People familiar with the discussions say Raye has occasionally dissented in personnel matters over the years. Perhaps most notably, Raye fought to draft inside linebacker David Harris over Buster Davis in 2007. Davis, drafted 30th by the Chargers, was limited by injury to two starts and is now out of the league. Harris was taken by the New York Jets with the 47th overall selection, and has started 80 games. He was an All-Pro in 2009.

That is merely one instance, but there are myriad examples of Smith’s golden touch in the draft having all but vanished, as his top picks in 2009 and ’10 have been largely disappointing.

The Chargers will owe Smith $4 million for his remaining two years and Turner $3 million for the final year of his contract.

Smith joined the Chargers as Assistant General Manager in 2002, joining longtime friend and mentor John Butler. Spanos tabbed Smith as Butler’s successor following Butler’s death in April 2003.

The Chargers went 4-12 in 2003, but Smith dramatically remade the roster prior to the 2004 season, and the Chargers won the AFC West with a 12-4 record that year.

They would go to the postseason four straight years, from 2006 to 2009, winning 14 games in 2006 and 13 in 2009. Their 67 regular season victories from 2004 to 2009 were fifth-most in the NFL.

However, the Chargers made it to the AFC Championship just once, in 2007, and this will mark the third straight season they have not been to the playoffs.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-06-2012, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

First off, this is nothing more than a rumor (although extremely probable).

Since Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting this news, I'd say it's 99.999999999999999999% correct.

Ceej · 12-06-2012, 04:34 PM

If this does happen..

Domino effect...

Please, please, please!!!!

ToxSocks · 12-06-2012, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Since Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting this news, I'd say it's 99.999999999999999999% correct.

I could report this news and it would be 99.99999999999% correct.

It was pretty common knowledge that this was their last chance.

Deberg_1990 · 12-06-2012, 04:39 PM

The Chargers should have kept Marty to coach the regular.season,.then.brought in Norv to coach the playoffs.
Posted via Mobile Device

GoChargers · 12-06-2012, 04:46 PM

Chief_For_Life58 · 12-06-2012, 04:46 PM

my dentists mistress younger brothers cousin told me norv and al are looking for a house together in leawood right this second!

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-06-2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJizzles

If this does happen..

Domino effect...

Please, please, please!!!!

More like "Welcome to your new home KC"-effect, if we continue trending in our current upward direction...

GoChargers · 12-06-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otter

It's weird Norv don't have a couple rings in SD by now. Wow!

No, it's not particularly weird at all. He is a terrible, terrible excuse for a head coach.

Can't motivate his players, way overconservative, coaches from the fetal position, horrendous time management, an offense that hasn't changed since 1992, etc.

He should be kissing the ground that Aikman, Irvin, and Emmitt walk on, because they've kept him in this league for almost 20 years past his sell-by date.

Ceej · 12-06-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthPioliSatan

More like "Welcome to your new home KC"-effect, if we continue trending in our current upward direction...

Hey!!!!

I'm trying to be optimistic.

MAYBE this will force Hunt to do something about Dumb and Dumber if Norv and AJ are gone.

Chief_For_Life58 · 12-06-2012, 05:00 PM

cant wait till norv is calling our plays next year

**BigMeatballDave** · 12-06-2012, 05:27 PM

Are you paying attention, Clark?

chiefzilla1501 · 12-06-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChargers

No, it's not particularly weird at all. He is a terrible, terrible excuse for a head coach.

Can't motivate his players, way overconservative, coaches from the fetal position, horrendous time management, an offense that hasn't changed since 1992, etc.

He should be kissing the ground that Aikman, Irvin, and Emmitt walk on, because they've kept him in this league for almost 20 years past his sell-by date.

I've always said he's like Romeo. Very good coach, but absolutely horrible head coach material.

I still think he'd make an excellent offensive coordinator, especially if Geno Smith is our QB. Keep in mind that AJ Smith took a wrecking ball to Norv's offensive talent. Replaced Sproles/LT with Ryan Matthews. What used to be Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, and Malcolm Floyd at a distant third is now Floyd at first and a worn down beaten up version of Gates.

If you surround him with a head coach who handles the discipline and game management, surround him with talent, and allow him to focus primarily on being an offensive coordinator, think he would do very well as a coordinator.

Coogs · 12-06-2012, 05:44 PM

From SI.com

Quote:

Jon Gruden, Chip Kelly, Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid and David Shaw are expected to be considered to coach the Chargers.

UhhHmm, Clark. Snooze, you loose buddy!

Sorter · 12-06-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

From SI.com

UhhHmm, Clark. Snooze, you loose buddy!

Wow, 4 WCO guys. That's kinda rare to see so many all applying for a former non WCO place. Pretty cool IMO

Sorter · 12-06-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

From SI.com

UhhHmm, Clark. Snooze, you loose buddy!

That means at the worst Kelly or Shaw will be available for us...

12-06-2012, 04:05 PM
ShowtimeSBMVP Chiefs Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $1226009	Chargers will fire Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the end of the season. Pro Football Weekly ‏@ProFootballWkly Per @UTKevinAcee, the #Chargers will fire Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the end of the season. It will be finished. Not only will head coach Norv Turner be gone at the end of the season, but general manager A.J. Smith will be fired as well, as the Chargers make a monumental break from an era that was arguably the most successful and most disappointing in team history. Sources said this week that Chargers President Dean Spanos essentially decided at least a month ago that Turner’s time was drawing to a rapid close. Spanos, sources said, has more recently resigned himself to the fact that Smith can’t be kept in the current environment of plummeting performance and fan unrest. And unlike last year, when Spanos found enough reason for clemency in a strong finish and past accomplishments, those with knowledge of plans that are already in motion said it seems certain there will be no last-minute change of heart this time. Spanos is waiting until after the season, more because that is his preferred time to make such moves than due to any faith in the Chargers’ microscopic playoff chances. It is not known who will take over for Turner, but current Director of Player Personnel Jimmy Raye is the apparent replacement for Smith. Raye, who has been with the Chargers for 17 seasons, will ascend to a job much like Smith’s but with his new right-hand man being the owner’s son, John Spanos. The younger Spanos, currently the team’s Director of College Scouting, has long been in line to take over the Chargers’ football operations, but the plan was for that to not happen until the expiration of Smith’s contract after the 2014 season. People familiar with the discussions say Raye has occasionally dissented in personnel matters over the years. Perhaps most notably, Raye fought to draft inside linebacker David Harris over Buster Davis in 2007. Davis, drafted 30th by the Chargers, was limited by injury to two starts and is now out of the league. Harris was taken by the New York Jets with the 47th overall selection, and has started 80 games. He was an All-Pro in 2009. That is merely one instance, but there are myriad examples of Smith’s golden touch in the draft having all but vanished, as his top picks in 2009 and ’10 have been largely disappointing. The Chargers will owe Smith $4 million for his remaining two years and Turner $3 million for the final year of his contract. Smith joined the Chargers as Assistant General Manager in 2002, joining longtime friend and mentor John Butler. Spanos tabbed Smith as Butler’s successor following Butler’s death in April 2003. The Chargers went 4-12 in 2003, but Smith dramatically remade the roster prior to the 2004 season, and the Chargers won the AFC West with a 12-4 record that year. They would go to the postseason four straight years, from 2006 to 2009, winning 14 games in 2006 and 13 in 2009. Their 67 regular season victories from 2004 to 2009 were fifth-most in the NFL. However, the Chargers made it to the AFC Championship just once, in 2007, and this will mark the third straight season they have not been to the playoffs.
Posts: 23,832

12-06-2012, 04:34 PM	#17
Ceej BOOM!1! Join Date: Aug 2004 Casino cash: $6605541	If this does happen.. Domino effect... Please, please, please!!!!
Posts: 19,230

12-06-2012, 04:39 PM	#19
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $164454	The Chargers should have kept Marty to coach the regular.season,.then.brought in Norv to coach the playoffs. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 68,621

12-06-2012, 04:46 PM	#20
GoChargers Dean Spanos is a Traitor Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $10013554	__________________ Disclaimer: my username refers to the SAN DIEGO Chargers only. I will never cheer for the LA Chargers as long as the Spanos family owns the team.
Posts: 3,620

12-06-2012, 04:46 PM	#21
Chief_For_Life58 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: KC Casino cash: $9925938	my dentists mistress younger brothers cousin told me norv and al are looking for a house together in leawood right this second!
Posts: 3,859

12-06-2012, 05:00 PM	#25
Chief_For_Life58 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: KC Casino cash: $9925938	cant wait till norv is calling our plays next year
Posts: 3,859

12-06-2012, 05:27 PM	#26
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Are you paying attention, Clark?
Posts: 59,997