San Diego Chargers Game Ball of the Week: Norv Turner
by John Gennaro on Oct 4, 2011 9:12 AM PDT
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I'm calling an audible this week. Instead of the San Diego Chargers game ball going to the best player of the week, I'm giving it to the Bolts' Head Coach: Norv Turner.
In an odd little stat, so odd that I fell in love with it, the Chargers had started every year under Norv Turner 2-3. Strength of schedule didn't matter, nor did early or late bye weeks. The Chargers could be playing the Seahawks 5 times or the Patriots 5 times, I was certain that after 5 weeks of Chargers football we could rely on San Diego's record to be 2-3.
Well, here San Diego sits at 3-1 heading into Week 5. The odd little stat is now an impossibility, and with the 1-4 Broncos as the next opponent the Chargers have an actual shot at a "fast start" to the season under Norv.
When, exactly, was the last time a Norv Turner team started 3-1? The answer is the 1999 Washington Redskins, led by Brad Johnson and Stephen Davis on offense, who went on to finished 10-6 and win the always-tough NFC East division. That 1999 team went on to win a playoff game as well.
Norv was fired from his Head Coaching position with the Redskins the following season. New Owner Dan Snyder was not a fan of Turner's and jumped on the first opportunity to let him go, when the team lost 4 out of 5 games and sunk to 7-6. Norv would eventually be replaced by Marty Schottenheimer.
Congrats, Norv. All the odd changes you made in training camp and the preseason seem to be paying off. The team might not seem to be playing much better than in years passed, but games they used to lose late are not being won late.
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Norv-haters fall silent for one more week
(Myself included.)
On a more-worthy note, I can’t wait for your “The Chargers will lose to the Broncos” post. Pessimist John is 2-0! Game ball to YOU, my friend!
lol I would support this game ball, if John hadn't been serious the past couple weeks
Although, as a Charger fan, I can’t help feeling like the team will have a letdown vs Denver and end up 3-2 going into the bye week.
This post was predictable
Two sheep, one profile
"9 out of 10 Americans believe that out of 10 people, 1 American will always disagree with the other 9" -Colin
by Lmbs2slaghtr on Oct 4, 2011 10:12 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Game ball for Rivers throwing more TD's than picks?
and playing like the normal Rivers we all know! hooray!
Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."
by Superduperboltman on Oct 4, 2011 10:13 AM PDT reply actions
Finally i can say something good about Norv...
without chapstick.
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
Good start record wise,
But does anybody else still feel like they are not playing their best football yet. I can only hope that the sloppy play doesn’ t come back to bite them before they get it together
Yes, You and everyone else that listens to Hacksaw has that sentiment.
Oh internet, what a wicked web you weave.
If they're 3-1 while playing their worst football
imagine how good they’ll be when they peak.
"The biggest thing..." - Norv Turner
by Cake or Death on Oct 4, 2011 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
0-12?
Bolts from the Blue // "I eat cereal out of a giant novelty wine glass because it makes me feel fancy." - Britney Wade
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan
Yup.
it’s funny when we complain, we get the “it’s early, still plenty of football” comments. well it only seems appropriate that we apply it to the 3-1 start. “it’s early, still plenty of football left to play”. the Chargers are 3-1 against some piss poor teams with those wins. despite the “good start” we’ve seen how this ends, over the last 4 seasons. So before we start cheering “Norv for president” let’s realize, he did a good job, and the team looked good against the Dolphins. “The Dolphins”. (a non playoff team)
Not so hot against the Patriots.(an actual playoff team)
The peanut gallery has spoken!!!
I'm Cringing
Every time someone says “and they play the Broncos this week so they’ll probably go to 4-1!” We know how this team plays when they start buying into that.
"You play to win the game."
Give Norv credit for doing his best impression of Marty Ball against the Dolphins
Seriously. They ran for almost 100 in the last half. Instead of airing it out, they were content to run the ball and to keep kicking field goals to extend the lead to two scores. It wasn’t flashy, but even Rivers admitted to focusing on playing the percentages and to not to turn it over or take a sack on third down in the red zone. It wasn’t the prettiest win, but when you’re in a position to take a two score lead in a game you’re mostly controlling, you do it. The Chargers did it twice at the end of the game. Good job Norv.
It’s funny how this team has to apologize for being 3-1.
Yup
Sometimes it’s good to have multiple identities.
The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'
by Brian (DaBolts) on Oct 5, 2011 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions
My biggest gripe is the bad starts in the 1st Quarter
I actually think Norv is an above average coach, and he makes adjustments in a fantastic way, and is a very solid play caller. There is always a but, and for me the major but, is the energy level and tempo of this team at the start of games.
This team’s first offensive series, is basically a 100% lock it will result in no points. And we know the run up the middle to start the game. This team plays slow, has false starts and delays of game, the tempo is so slow to start the game, how about some no huddle offense to start the game, establish a tempo and a higher energy level, and god forbid get a lead to start the game.
by TJBOLT on Oct 4, 2011 4:22 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
i remember the days of the long ball on the first play too...
but defenses expect it… Norv is reliant on his abilities to adjust, he feel’s it out at first and goes for the weakness.
"Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow."- Zappa
The thing I liked during the game was the sequence of 5 straight pass plays on 1st & 10
The team looked darned near unstoppable and the ’phins D never really seemed aggressive or able to assert themselves at after that sequence.
North Texas REALLY needs a Rubio's franchise.
It just seems to require the chargers get behind and have a sense of urgency
If you see the Patriots that urgency is hard wired all the time, their no huddle is so fast, some teams fake injuries just to keep up. But it takes the chargers to get behind, and you almost sense it, they start in the shotgun and start throwing the heck of the ball. But not until they fall behind, frustrating and irritating!!
I've said before
that they need to go do something pre game to fire up .Naked paintball, wrestle a shark, insult each other’s mothers, whatever it takes.
It does however give Norv more adjustments to make. Maybe that’s the plan.
It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.
by The Land Of Real Beer on Oct 4, 2011 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I've heard several times
Norv goes through a systematic set of plays to start to the game to see how the defense is going to line up against different offensive personnel. Then he decides how to to attack it and starts mixing it up. I’m sure some coaches know this are are looking for a certain set of plays to start the game. He might need to find another way of feeling out the defense.
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