A Bolt of Embarassment

I'm done defending Norv Turner.

 I already know all the easy excuses for this morning because I know what I would say. I've been loyal and forgiving far past the point where most San Diego sports fans have grown exasperated.

Payton Manning is a Hall of Fame quarterback. That is excuse number one, just like last week it was "Drew Brees is a Hall of Fame quarterback." Both statements are absolutely true and it also true that the average NFL quarterback would not have led either of the comebacks. However, Manning and Brees are also surrounded by teams that are not the equal of the teams they have led in the past.

There's more. This official here, or this lineman getting hurt there. But the end result is unfortunately familiar. If there is one defining characteristic of recent Charger teams it is that they don't handle success nearly as well as adversity.

This isn't limited to a single player or even group of players either. Personnel has turned over several times within this period. This flows from leadership.

Marty left for two reasons...only one of which was a personality conflict. The other was that he couldn't win in the postseason, as Bolt fans experienced against the Jets and Pats. Norv can win in the playoffs. But can you imagine a Schottenheimer team letting an opponent up off the mat two weeks in a row, regardless of circumstances? Nope. Me neither.

These guys simply don't know how to strike that final blow. They can't seal the deal, they can't close the sale. And it is on offense, defense, special teams...veterans and rookies alike. That is a leadership issue, and the only leader that has been there through the whole time (besides A.J., for whom accountability is not an issue. Humanity, yes.)is Norv Turner.

 Time to make a change.