Football Chargers will fire Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the end of the season. - Page 5

ChiefsandO'sfan · 12-06-2012, 03:05 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.

Nightfyre · 12-06-2012, 07:14 PM

Nepotism may destroy the Chargers. Let's hope so.

whoman69 · 12-06-2012, 07:18 PM

I'm shocked (no pun intended)!

tk13 · 12-06-2012, 07:34 PM

The unspoken part of this is that Rivers just doesn't look right. Maybe a coaching change will magically fix it, but he's not putting great zip on his passes. I actually joked last weekend that he kind of looks like Gannon out there... so maybe Gruden should be the guy.

Either way, you're going probably have a hard time convincing coaches to come live in Kansas City over San Diego.

Branden Albert's Huge Balls · 12-06-2012, 07:36 PM

Rivers doesn't look right because their receivers are dog shit and so is their OL.

He'll be fine with some talent around him.

JD10367 · 12-06-2012, 08:17 PM

It'll be sad to see Craterface go. It was a yearly guarantee that my Patriots would have one less obstacle to the Super Bowl. The Chargers have spent the past decade looking like Tarzan in the regular seasons and playing like Jane in the playoffs.

MahiMike · 12-06-2012, 08:47 PM

Well, DUH!

-King- · 12-06-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

The unspoken part of this is that Rivers just doesn't look right. Maybe a coaching change will magically fix it, but he's not putting great zip on his passes. I actually joked last weekend that he kind of looks like Gannon out there... so maybe Gruden should be the guy.

Either way, you're going probably have a hard time convincing coaches to come live in Kansas City over San Diego.

Don't know, SD is a city that can't even sell out when they're playing well. Don't know if coaches really want to go to a city that doesn't give two shits about football.

Dave Lane · 12-06-2012, 09:09 PM

Lucky bastards. I have a sinking feeling ***** is going to survive and I'm gonna spend Sundays doing something else.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-07-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spokane Chief Fan

Was Jimmy Raye our offensive coordinator under Marty?

I think the old man was. Not too impressed with him back in the day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD10367

It'll be sad to see Craterface go. It was a yearly guarantee that my Patriots would have one less obstacle to the Super Bowl. The Chargers have spent the past decade looking like Tarzan in the regular seasons and playing like Jane in the playoffs.

It'll be sad to see Brady eventually retire. The greatest lottery ticket in the history of the NFL will have expired, and all of the Belichecking in the world won't keep the ship afloat.

GoChargers · 12-07-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD10367

It'll be sad to see Craterface go. It was a yearly guarantee that my Patriots would have one less obstacle to the Super Bowl. The Chargers have spent the past decade looking like Tarzan in the regular seasons and playing like Jane in the playoffs.

It'll be great to see Belicheat and Brady finally leave the NFL, just so the most obnoxious bandwagon in football can finally shut up for good.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-07-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChargers

It'll be great to see Belicheat and Brady finally leave the NFL, just so the most obnoxious bandwagon in football can finally shut the **** up for good.

I'm sorry GC, I had to make a minor correction ^^^^

Sorter · 12-07-2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChargers

It'll be great to see Belicheat and Brady finally leave the NFL, just so the most obnoxious bandwagon in football can finally shut up for good.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-07-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorter

That's what Pats fans will be saying to the rest of the NFL, with that same sour expression on their faces, when they return to the Land of Obscurity.

Which in my estimation should be about 4 to 5 seasons from now, yes.

Sorter · 12-07-2012, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth*****Satan

That's what Pats fans will be saying to the rest of the NFL, with that same sour expression on their faces, when they return to the Land of Obscurity.

Which in my estimation should be about 4 to 5 seasons from now, yes.

While I'm not a Pats fan, I do love watching Tom play. That guy has literally busted his ass every day.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 12-07-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorter

While I'm not a Pats fan, I do love watching Tom play. That guy has literally busted his ass every day.

Some classic LJ for you:

12-06-2012, 03:05 PM
ChiefsandO'sfan MVP Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $1368403	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: 12,475

12-06-2012, 07:14 PM	#61
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ft. Rucker, AL Casino cash: $68227	Nepotism may destroy the Chargers. Let's hope so.
Posts: 13,838

12-06-2012, 07:34 PM	#63
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $100878	The unspoken part of this is that Rivers just doesn't look right. Maybe a coaching change will magically fix it, but he's not putting great zip on his passes. I actually joked last weekend that he kind of looks like Gannon out there... so maybe Gruden should be the guy. Either way, you're going probably have a hard time convincing coaches to come live in Kansas City over San Diego.
Posts: 31,078

12-06-2012, 07:36 PM	#64
Branden Albert's Huge Balls ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In the Soup Nazis Kitchen Casino cash: $152593	Rivers doesn't look right because their receivers are dog shit and so is their OL. He'll be fine with some talent around him. __________________ Alex Smith's career record when the opponent scores at least 24 points: 2-27-1
Posts: 150,377

12-06-2012, 08:17 PM	#65
JD10367 Snowciopath Join Date: May 2009 Location: RI Casino cash: $45389	It'll be sad to see Craterface go. It was a yearly guarantee that my Patriots would have one less obstacle to the Super Bowl. The Chargers have spent the past decade looking like Tarzan in the regular seasons and playing like Jane in the playoffs.
Posts: 11,036

12-06-2012, 08:47 PM	#66
MahiMike Good Luck Andy! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $60447	Well, DUH! __________________ Relax. We'll re-sign Bowe and Albert then draft Milliner. We'll be top 10 in offense and defense...someday.
Posts: 6,587

12-06-2012, 09:09 PM	#68
Dave Lane Space Cadet Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kansas City, Mo, USA Casino cash: $2197504	Lucky bastards. I have a sinking feeling *** is going to survive and I'm gonna spend Sundays doing something else. __________________ Matt Cassel - 58.9 completion %, 13,495 yards, 82 TD, 57 INT, 24 Fumbles, 80.4 Passer Rating Alex Smith - 59.3 completion %, 14,280 yards, 81 TD, 63 INT, 36 Fumbles, 79.1 Passer Rating Do you realize the backups we have to this second coming of Matt Cassel have NEVER EVER** thrown a regular season pass.
Posts: 19,333

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