With Jeff Fisher available in 2012, Norv Turner better make some noise in 2011
In a move that caught the NFL world by surprise yesterday, the Tennessee Titans and former head coach Jeff Fisher parted ways, a situation that should make Norv Turner stand up and take notice. If I am the ownership of the San Diego Chargers, I call Turner in and inform him that he is on a very short leash in 2011.
Fisher was the longest tenured head coach in the NFL at the start of yesterday, but is now currently unemployed. Three weeks ago, Tennessee had to make a decision as to whether keep QB Vince Young or Jeff Fisher, as a rift between the two widened by the end of the regular season, and it appeared that the two of them could no longer exist on the same team. Now, it appears that neither of them will be on the Titans in 2011.
I expect Fisher will join a broadcast team for whatever duration the 2011 NFL season winds up being, but he should be front and center on the lists of NFL teams looking for new coaches in 2012. San Diego had better be one of those team’s with Fisher’s name in big bold letters on the top of that list if Norv Turner fails to deliver in 2011.
And if it’s not Fisher, there will be three other Super Bowl winning head coaches that will also be available and ready to get back to work in 2012. If I am Chargers ownership, Norv Turner is on notice.
Will 2011 be the last season for Chargers head coach Norv Turner?
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner finally failed to produce the late season magic he has been known for with the team and missed the playoffs for the first time in his four years with the club, will 2011 be his last season with San Diego? I’m certain that many fans hope so.
In his 13 year coaching career, Turner has an overall record of 99-105. He has also had head coaching stints with the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Redskins, but the Chargers are the only team he has an overall winning record with, 41-23.
You would think that three divisional titles in four seasons might be enough to afford some job security, however, despite the strong season finishes the Chargers have been known for under his guidence, the team fails to advance in the playoffs.
QB Phillip Rivers is coming into his prime and his talents should not be wasted. 2010 was a very disappointing season, after possessing the league’s number one offense and defense for most of the year.Chargers ownership cannot be pleased with simply divisional titles and quick exits from the playoffs.
I did not expect there to be any movement this season regarding Turner, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the labor agreement and the possibility of a protracted work stoppage and a very truncated offseason, however, I think Turner has to be questioned after 2011, if the Chargers fail to deliver. And at this point, delivery should mean an appearance in the Super Bowl or else.
Will Vincent Jackson return to the Chargers and what is the front office thinking if the answer is no?
Will WR Vincent Jackson return to the San Diego Chargers in 2011 and if the answer is no, what is the front office thinking? Jackson will be a free agent when and if there is a new Collective Bargaining Agreement finalized this off season. But why will the Chargers allow him to slip out of town?
Heading into this season, Jackson along with LT Marcus McNeill were restricted free agents which refused to sign their tender offers. McNeill eventually did and returned to the team prior to Jackson’s return. Jackson did eventually return to the club, in order to gain enough games played this season in order to make him a free agent in 2011.
The Chargers have been steadfast in their reluctance to offer Jackson a new long term contract, which is what he ultimately desires. But the club’s stubbornness early this year, might have actually cost the Chargers a playoff berth. The Chargers finished the 2010 season with a 9-7 record, one game behind division leading Kansas City.
For most of the regular season, Chargers QB Philip Rivers was on a record pace, and was projected to surpass Dan Marino’s single season passing yardage record. As the season wore on though, injuries ate away at the Chargers receiving corps and Vincent Jackson could have been very valuable. His value was showcased in the Chargers-49ers game when he hauled in five receptions for 112 yards and three touchdowns.
Two games could have made a huge difference this season for the Chargers. Couldn’t Jackson have made a difference in the 21-14 defeat to the Chiefs in week one? Perhaps the week three 27-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks? Week 6 20-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams? Couldn’t have Jackson exploited the youthful secondary of the New England Patriots in the week seven 23-20 loss?
There is no guarantee that there will be a “franchise tag” when the players and owners agree to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. And even if there is, if Jackson saddled with the franchise tag while not being offered a new long term contract, would he even report or would he sit out for another season?
It is a very ugly situation either way, but I simply do not understand why the Chargers can’t simply offer Jackson a long term contract making him and QB Philip Rivers both very happy. Otherwise, Jackson will likely join another team and reap benefits for some other quarterback.
Philip Rivers shares his thoughts on Jay Cutler’s injury
During the game between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears on Sunday, QB Jay Cutler suffered a sprained MCL injury which caused him to be removed from the game, which sparked controversy. San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers took some time on Monday to share his thoughts on Jay Cutler and his injury.
There was a perception that Cutler was not engaged in the game while standing on the sidelines in the second half. Cutler’s actions prompted several NFL players watching the game to take to their Twitter accounts and rip Cutler. All of the speculation regarding Cutler was helped along by the image that Cutler has created during his five years in the league.
There has been little love lost between Cutler and Philips since Cutler’s playing days in Denver. Philips took some time to weigh in on the situation on Monday regarding the current Bear’s quarterback.
“It’s unfortunate. You never want to see someone not at their best…We definitely went through that (2007) when we were trying to make a run. From that standpoint,I have (empathy) for him, said Rivers. The Chargers quarterback didn’t stop there however.
“Me personally, I’d have to have been taken off in a cart. That doesn’t mean I’d be right. If they knew he couldn’t throw the ball good, he wasn’t helping anybody…I’ll never say what he should have done. I can’t even say what I would have done in the same position. I do know I’m not coming out unless I can’t do anything, and maybe that’s how it was (for Cutler).
Chargers sign a new special teams coach with great resume
Special Teams coach Rich Bisaccia has agreed to a deal with the San Diego Chargers to replace their fired special teams coach who was let go last week as one of the first order of business.
Bisaccia has been with the Buccaneers since he was brought on board with Tampa in 2002. Special teams play has long been an issue with Buccaneers clubs, but during his tenure, the Buccaneers finally returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and then the following year, returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same year, another franchise first as well.
Bisaccia wasn’t really rumored to be on the outs with the Buccaneers franchise, but perhaps a reason for the sudden move, might have been money related. When you are a highly qualified special teams coach on a franchise which just agreed to a contract extension with your head coach, which is only slated to make $2 million for the next two seasons, that could be motivation to move on down the road.
He will be missed in Tampa Bay. It is believed that Buccaneers assistant defensive backs coach Dwayne Starks will assume the special teams coaching duties according to reports this afternoon.
