voiceofsandiego.org: Cheapseats... Chargers and Turner Throw Armchair Quarterbacks for a Loss

The Chargers and Norv Turner vs. the Patriots and Bill Belichick Sunday for the AFC Championship, winner advances to the Super Bowl.

Chargers/Turner-Patriots/Bilichick is a great matchup for football fans and bitter pill to swallow for armchair quarterbacks.

San Diego set up the showdown when they dethroned the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts 28-24 in Indy a day after the Patriots beat the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The public scorn heaped upon the Chargers and Turner when he was hired -- and fueled by a starts of 1-3 and 5-5 before winning the AFC West title with a six-game winning streak that has stretched to eight with two playoff wins -- isn't worth repeating here

But look back to the rap against Belichick when he was hired by the Patriots in 2000. He was considered a loser as a head coach with a dull personality.

He had been fired his only time as a head coach with a 36-44 in five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He had one wining season, 11-5 in 1994, when the Browns won a first-round playoff game before they were eliminated.

Sound familiar?

Turner's personality isn't coarse like Belichick's (and he hasn't been fined by the NFL for videotaping teams' signals), but he had been fired from jobs with the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders.

His career record was 58-82-1 before the Chargers hired him. He had one winning season, 10-6 in 1999, when the Redskins won a playoff game before losing in the next round.

Since then, we all know Belichick has done more than can be expected with three Super Bowl titles.

Now Turner has done what the Chargers couldn't do in 2004 and 2006 - win playoff games and position themselves one win away from advancing to the Super Bowl.

Can we all just watch football for pure joy of sports and competition without questioning the competence of the head coach and the men that hired them? It makes the games a lot more fun.

There are too many armchair quarterbacks that need to relax during the regular season's ups and downs.

-- TOM SHANAHAN

go bolts

Posted by charge | reply to this comment
January 14, 2008 1:50 pm

The Chargers have proven that they are a quality team with quality players. Speaking as a long-time fan, I for one would appreciate it if people would stop attributing their wins to sheer luck and realize that this is a team that is motivated and determined. Rather than stemming the criticism from their detractors, their win against the Colts has merely drawn the ire of those who wanted a Colts/Pats playoff. Enough already! San Diego won because they wanted it more and they played to win. Go BOLTS!!

Posted by Kat | reply to this comment
January 14, 2008 3:12 pm

We're going all the way this year!

Posted by RD | reply to this comment
January 14, 2008 6:05 pm

BLUEHAIR, you ran a blog "fire Norv Turner". You said if he got them to the Conference championship, you'd start a blog to get Norv Turner a raise. Come out, come out wherever you are. Just as I thought. Cowardy cowardy custard.

Posted by Words of Reason | reply to this comment
January 14, 2008 7:12 pm

patriots all the way!

Posted by 19-0 | reply to this comment
January 14, 2008 9:12 pm

This Sunday's game is a win-win for me. I will thoroughly enjoy watching either team get sent home. Patriots for obvious reasons..would love to see them have their undefeated season end..and end at home no less. But, would love to see the Dolts lose due to their fans and players being so cocky and rude. For a team that has never won anything, these players sure do walk around with an attitude. As far as the fans go...I've never been around a bigger group of losers in my life. So, either way..it's gonna be fun.

Posted by Below_Me | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 8:07 am

Being a native New Englander, I have to root for the Pats this weekend. The Chargers deserve a lot of credit though. You SD fans should be proud of your team, win or lose this weekend. They showed a lot of heart and defensive talent against Indy and I wouldn't be surprised to see more of that this Sunday. However, without Rivers or LT, they can't beat the Pats over the course of a full game. End of story. I would prefer to see the Pats get into the Super Bowl with a win against a healthy team, but I think the Chargers took too much of a hit in the Colts game. Good luck!

Posted by Go Pats! | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 8:42 am

What a win over the Colts and with so much confidence with LT and Rivers smiling on the sidelines. I like they ,knew they had the game in hand from the time that Cromartie was unjustly stripped of his TD. Defense wins the big ones,get to Brady and stop the run and double team Moss and we will win.I'd also like to see LT get more fired up than what he has been and Norv to get even more creative and stay on the Offensive.Guys you are only two hours from glory,something you will carry with you for the rest of your lives. Go Norv, Go Bolts !!

Posted by Jack | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 12:19 pm

below_me, go back to wherever you came from! You are just another one of those jerks who want the priviledge of living in San Diego but root for some other team and bash the local team. Why don't you go be rude somewhere else.

Posted by boltdave | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 12:33 pm

I don't care if my Chargers win or lose this game, 2007 has been a heck of a great season. I want to say "Thank You" to both Phillip Rivers and Norv Turner. Rivers overcame the boo-birds and got his team to the AFC Championship. If I could ask one favor of Rivers it would be, PLEASE DON'T EVERY STOP telling the Charger haters exactly where to go find themselves. Norv, you and your coaching staff were truly fantastic this year! All I want to see in this game is one thing, an unleashed Chargers defensive. I'd love to see our defense tee-off on Tom Brady. Send everybody, I mean all eleven the first time Brady takes a snap, give it a short rest, then do it again, and again. GO Chargers!

Posted by boltimeter | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 1:16 pm

Boltdave..you just proved Below_Me's point. Don't take the bait. You fans do have a rep for being a little obnoxious..and you just confirmed it. Next time, try to ignore it. I know the Charger fans are all jacked up about this game because this is as far as you've gotten in many, many years...but try to hold yourselves to a higher standard.

Posted by June_Yer_Say_Ow | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 2:51 pm

Igor, Igor, Igor, tsk.. tsk... tsk.... the Pats are more worried than you guys.... oh, yea, we just love to hear the trash talk up here in New England. when are you guys going to learn. Pats don't talk , they just win.

Posted by RickyJ | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 5:12 pm

Boltimeter is definitely right. Norv and Philip have performed beautifully in the past 8 weeks and it is much appreciated by true San Diego Charger fans. For the Philip Rivers doubters out there especially my fellow San Diegans, it's tough to deny a 25-7 regular season record in his first two years as a starting QB along with consecutive AFC West Division Titles and the first postseason wins since the 94/95 season. He may not be the most likeable guy but he's the QB for the team I love and I support him and Norv Turner 100%. As far as the Patriots are concerned I just finished snooping around their website and they are some pretty stand up guys. They are showing alot of respect for their opponents and I applaud them and their professionalism. It's gonna be one hell of a game come Sunday. Go Bolts!!!

Posted by BoltBacker_619 | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 8:44 pm

Patriot fans, NFL analysts and commentators, and pretty much the rest of America wrote the Chargers off as any real threat immediately after the big upset win against Indy. I probably watched 5 different pre-game shows the week preceding that game and only 1 person out of about 20 different NFL personalities picked San Diego to win, and that was Frank Caliendo on the Fox pre-game show and he's not really an NFL analyst, he's a comedian. All I have to say is that we have the talent, we have the coaching and we have the hunger. Everyone knows the Earth is round, everyone knows it's January and 2 days ago everyone knew the Indianapolis Colts would beat the San Diego Chargers........Go Bolts!!!

Posted by BoltBacker_619 | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 8:54 pm

I GOT TO ADMIT THE PATS GOT A GREAT TEAM THIS YEAR AND ITS GONNA TAKE A TEAM EFFORT AND MAYBE A LITTLE LUCK FOR THE BOLTS TO WIN, BUT HECK THATS PRETTY MUCH HOW THE PATS BEAT US IN THE PLAYOFFS LAST YEAR. LETS GO AHEAD AND TRY A ROLE REVERSAL THIS YEAR! AS FOR THE PATS FANS THEY ARE A LITTLE ARROGANT AND OBNOXIOUS BUT CAN YOU BLAME THEM? THEY HAVE WON 3 SB'S IN THE LAST 7 YEARS, YOU GOT TO LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE. BEFORE THAT WHAT HAS THIER CLUB EVER DONE BESIDES GET KILLED BY THE BEARS IN THE SB. BY THE WAY THE BOLTS KILLED THE PATS IN '63 AFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. BUT I DOUBT ANY OF THESE PATS FANS WOULD KNOW THAT SINCE A MAJORITY JUST RECENTLY JUMPED ON THE WAGON WITHIN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

Posted by ADEE | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 9:57 pm

Why am I out seeing Charger all pro players out partying and drinking six days b4 the AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME??!!!! I want to see my Chargers beat the Pats. But how is that going to happen if players are focusing in more on drinking and partying then on their opponent. The Charger players should be watching film, living and breathing the Patriots. First rule of war is "Know thy enemy". I guarentee the Patriots and Bill are studying the Chargers and finding every possible thing they can do to beat us. Not out getting drunk like they already won the Super Bowl!!!!!

Posted by Dodge | reply to this comment
January 15, 2008 11:19 pm

To have the chance we have now is almost unbelieveable, but so exciting. I was a fan before they went to the SuperBowl in 1994-95? The Chargers have come a long way and I am tried of all the Nay-sayers and doubters, we have a Great team and the fact is the Chargers win because of that! Yes people do get lucky but there is a saying "Luck is the result of hard work/perserverence" and The Chargers have worked hard for it! We cand beat the Pats! it only takes 1 point! We've bet them before so come on Bolts! lets do it again! It has been a great season no matter what happens.

Posted by Paul R. L.A.X90041 | reply to this comment
January 16, 2008 6:17 am

As a native San Diegan of 51 years,I too wasn't too happy about hiring an ex raider coach. I still don't like the way he caoches.I don't think HE rallied the team,I think the team did!He inherited a chanpionship team, he didn't make one.I cringe everytime he runs LT up the middle.LT is best outside deeking and dodging would be tacklers. We have several bulls for that up the middle stuff. 4th and goal at the 1 in a play off game? You have to go for it unless you don't trust your offense to make it. Or defence to keep them from comming out of the end zone.chargers get the ball on the 7? How about that great screen pass that burned them twice for big yardage? No!Lets run a couple up the mid and give manning the ball with 1:30 and 3 time outs! Plain Stupidity!

Posted by Scott O | reply to this comment
January 16, 2008 8:09 am

True Pats fan. All I have to say is "Just wait and See" We don't trash talk. And LT is a little crybaby when the Chargers lose! Muaahahahaha.

Posted by MVPBrady12 | reply to this comment
January 16, 2008 8:32 am

I agree with boltdave..to many people living in SD w/out being a fan. We have everything there and that's why they come; they should leave the attitude wherever they came from. I'm very proud of the chargers and to win this playoff game was critical..win or lose this weekend, i'm so proud of my boys because even thru change and going through the fire, they came out hard. WoooHooo!!!

Posted by SuperCoolChargerFan | reply to this comment
January 16, 2008 8:49 am

All I can say is that the game against the colts was one of the best performance. Why? Its because for the first time in many years, the Bolts played 60 minutes. The key to football is to play 60 MINUTES! That was Cowhers motto and it took the steelers a long ways in good ways. Lets hope the Bolts plan on playing 60 minutes against the Pats.

Posted by LMG | reply to this comment
January 16, 2008 11:37 am

Hey June_yer, why do Chargers fans have to held to standard other fans don't (see MVPBrady12 above). Fans in all NFL cities talk smack, that's just the way it is. By the way, you don't sound like you are from San Diego either the way you say "you fans" "the Charger fans" "hold yourselves". So in order not to sound rude and obnoxious, Please go back to wherever YOU came from. Dodge, Please clarify your statement.

Posted by boltdave | reply to this comment
January 16, 2008 12:12 pm

Chargers and Turner Throw Armchair Quarterbacks for a Loss

Published: Sunday, January 13, 2008 10:39 PM PST