Where do we go from here?

by El Guapo on Nov 21, 2011 10:26 AM PST

For Bolts fans, the season is pretty much a wash. With the handful of games remaining, the Chargers will be lucky to win 2, maybe 3 games and end up second in the AFC West behind the Raiders (again, if were lucky). Then we can sit back and watch the playoffs without worrying if we will make it past the first round. But then what? Next year promises to be more of the same. A.J. will no doubt let Vincent Jackson slip away and in true A.J. form, his replacement will probably be some underperforming, injury prone player that came cheap. The O line will lack depth and halfway through the season Rivers will be picking himself up off the turf with ever increasing regularity, Antonio Gates will get rounder and more irrelevant, special teams still won't be so special, and we will become more and more comfortable living with the excuses. Sadly, Norv will probably be gone and replaced by a coach that A.J. will have securely under his thumb. Bright spots? You betcha! Rivers is in his prime and will show that he is still El Capitan, Vincent Brown is a diamond in the rough (and getting better every game), and our running back trio of Hester/Tolbert/Mathews are the equal of any in the league. But unless some fundamental changes are made, the San Diego Chargers will continue to be a team that players only sign with if there isn't any better offer out there. A team that is continually at war with its GM (does this sound familiar to any Detroit Lions fans out there?). I realize that Dean Spanos isn't a football guy and never will be, but if he wants to hang on the coattails of a team that can live up to its hype, then he needs make changes and those start at the top. A.J. Smith needs to go and he needs to go now. He has had far too many years to prove himself, and the only one that thinks he is doing a superb job is his ego. Until he is gone and replaced by a guy that truly understands football and the people that play and coach it, the San Diego Chargers will remain a 'might have been that never was'.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

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One thing to keep in mind about AJ and the Chargers

Is that AJ has put together a team and an organization that has had 7 consecutive non-losing seasons (one 8-8 year). Historically, that is only matched by Sid Gillman in the AFL days. The Coryell and Ross years maxed out at 5 straight. While we haven’t won the SB, there is no doubt that we are living in the good old days right now…

I agree that heads must roll if this season ends up like it seems like it is going to, but I’m a little worried about where we are going to end up if we cut loose AJ.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Nov 21, 2011 10:57 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

The coming month will determine a lot

If the Bolts do their usual Norvtastic December, then both AJ and Norv are safe for another excruciating year.

If, as we suspect because the “signs point to no turnaround,” the team limps through the rest of the season with 1-2 more wins, then I truly believe we can expect changes. But they will be reluctant changes. They may be as small as Manusky, but I can’t imagine them being any larger than Norv. AJ will need to save his own skin, and to do so, he’ll throw Norv under the bus.

I highly doubt — immensely highly doubt — AJ will be fired. This will be only one truly crappy year on AJ’s resume. Hard to rationalize his firing with that resume (as Stephen has just said above me which popped up as I’m typing this).

by Andy (allfield) on Nov 21, 2011 10:58 AM PST reply actions

Agree with both of you guys!

Agree, agree, agree! I highly, immensely doubt (and can pretty much guarantee) A.J. is going anywhere and that he will be quite happy to throw Norv under the bus, and thats really unfortunate. I think Norv has got what it takes to be up there with the best if given the tools, autonomy, and personnel to get the job done which he (or any other coach) will never get under Herr Smith. To be honest, I think, regardless of how the rest of the season shakes out, Norv will be with us next year. I really, truly wish him luck!

by El Guapo on Nov 21, 2011 12:06 PM PST reply actions

if we miss the playoffs. i mean. When we miss the playoffs

blow this thing up, its not working. start from scratch.

canadas marriage is like their money, or military, no one takes it seriously

by bot on Nov 21, 2011 2:14 PM PST reply actions

that would be silly.

by The Train on Nov 24, 2011 10:28 AM PST up reply actions

keep AJ, ax Norv

I was in the pure hate mode on AJ, and a lot of that is justified (hiring Norv, drafts 2007-2008, drafting Rivers when we had Brees, contract hold outs in 2010, etc).

But his drafts in 2004-2006 were some of the best in football, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. At least for another season or two.

Norv, on the other hand, has to go. He seems like a nice guy, and not sure why he is an effective OC but not HC, but he has to go. If AJ does not ax him assuming our season continues to suck, then that flaw cannot be overlooked and he needs to go.

by jayman66 on Nov 21, 2011 3:12 PM PST reply actions

Norv

is relatively small minded. As OC your ONLY focus is the offense. AS a HC you have to broaden your focus to all team aspects as well as more media availability. Some people either can’t delegate tasks to others with confidende or are just to overwhelmed to be on point with all the little details which all add up to overall team success. As for AJ why are we still shooting our load over his drafts 5 YEARS AGO! This is not an iconic franchise that can woo FA every year. And having a GM with a reputation as a hardball playing prick isn’t going to help. If he wants to be the furer with FA then he cannot afford to blow drafts to be successful. A new GM and HC is the way to go, and hopefully that will be enough to retain V Jax. This team has to many other holes to fill to start adding starting WR to the list.

by Eman3737 on Nov 25, 2011 7:31 AM PST up reply actions

If AJ lets VJax go and thinks Bryan Walters can take his place

I will jump off a bridge and take AJ Smith with me.

by riversonfire on Nov 21, 2011 5:30 PM PST reply actions

can i join?

canadas marriage is like their money, or military, no one takes it seriously

by bot on Nov 21, 2011 5:45 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Misery -and pissed off Charger fans- love company.

by riversonfire on Nov 21, 2011 9:22 PM PST up reply actions

As long as I get to push AJ

canadas marriage is like their money, or military, no one takes it seriously

by bot on Nov 21, 2011 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

LA with new ownership

Likely the best chance at this club ever winning it all.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Nov 22, 2011 6:38 AM PST reply actions

My Thoughts Exactly!!

There is no doubt in my mind that the only way the Chargers will ever win a championship is for NEW owners to step in. Whether that means moving the team to LA or not, the ownership change is key formula to success for the Chargers. Too many years of the current owners lack of engagement in building a winner. Too many years of passivity and the lack of commitment from the ivory tower. Too many years of the lack of understanding of the game and what it takes to form a winner on the field, not just off the field. If you are a true owner of something, then you MUST own it in every way, and not rely on others to run it for you. The only way the Chargers will find success is to have ownership that is visible, engaging, passionate, intelligent, and have a true understanding of the game at every level.

by AJ Turner on Nov 24, 2011 9:03 AM PST up reply actions

Not sure

how moving to L.A. will change things. Spanos has already said that the team isn’t for sale (if you can really believe him), and even if they pack up and leave, Smith will no doubt go with them. Same song, different location.

by El Guapo on Nov 22, 2011 9:42 AM PST reply actions

Did you read the title of my post?

I stipulated that a change in ownership needs to happen.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Nov 22, 2011 3:29 PM PST up reply actions

Start the rumor

We just don’t need a coach or new gm… We need a new philosophy, vision and way of football life in San Diego. Look at the changes made at St. Louis, Seattle, Arizona and especially New England, perennial losers for years. But over the past decade have made appearences in the Super Bowl.

Packer and Steeler type teams are not created over night. But, a commitment to the team is demanded by the front office, which fosters a winning is expected mentality and builds loyality with its fans.

Someone like Joe Philbin (oc for Packers), who was groomed with tradition, given the secrets of success and allowed to grow with his team. And then find a gm with a similar foundation, this could help (apprentice) John Spanos with the future growth of this franchise…

by SD Klepto 6 on Nov 22, 2011 2:15 PM PST reply actions