Norv Turner Should Be Fired During The Bye Week

When Norv Turner was hired to be the head coach of the San Diego Chargers before the 2007 NFL season started, fans knew that it was a high risk move.

Turner had a 49-59-1 record as head coach of the Washington Redskins while he had a 9-23 record as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Turner got off to a surprising start during the 2007 season when San Diego made it to the AFC Championship game.San Diego has been declining since this season because they lost in the second round during the 2008 season, lost their only playoff game in 2009 and did not make the playoffs in 2010 or 2011.

While San Diego went from an 8-8 record in 2008 to a 13-3 record in 2009, success is ultimately determined by postseason victories.  San Diego had a 3-1 record in the playoffs under Turner, but lost their last two postseason games.  The Lightning Bolts went from a 13-3 record in 2009 to a 9-7 record in 2010 to an 8-8 record last season and currently have a 3-3 record heading into their bye week.

Monday’s inexcusable loss to the Denver Broncos should be Turner’s last game as head coach in San Diego.  While Turner is not completely responsible for San Diego blowing a 24-0 lead and losing 35-24, Philip Rivers is closer to peaking as a quarterback than Turner is as a head coach.

Rivers is one of two quarterbacks who threw for at least 4,000 yards from 2008-2011 along with his predecessor Drew Brees.  San Diego’s inconsistent offensive line continues to allow Rivers to be sacked which could lead to hurried throws at times and interceptions.

There are only four teams that have allowed more sacks than the Chargers this season.  San Diego’s offensive line allowed 28 sacks in the first 11 games of last season as well.  It is time for a change to happen in San Diego, and Monday’s loss should be the breaking point.