Tomlinson thinks Norv Turner, A.J. Smith have failed Philip Rivers
Posted by Michael David Smith on October 31, 2012, 6:49 PM EDT
Former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson sees San Diego struggling this season, but he doesn t think quarterback Philip Rivers deserves the blame.
Instead, Tomlinson said on NFL Network s Around the League Live, it s General Manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner who have failed to build a complete team that Rivers can lead to a title. Asked if Rivers has enough talent around him, Tomlinson answered, I don t believe he does, and Tomlinson noted that the Chargers let offensive playmakers like Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles get away.
When you look at the people they have lost over the years and Philip Rivers numbers have gone down because of the guys he has lost, Tomlinson said. You talk about a guy like Vincent Jackson, who has picked up where he left off in San Diego now in Tampa Bay leading that team in receptions. You talk about Darren Sproles who is doing a phenomenal job in New Orleans right now. Some of the offensive line that you don t have any more he has lost a lot of talent around him. I said it last year, there is too much pressure on Philip Rivers. He needs guys around him to help him win games.
Tomlinson said he believes that if the Chargers miss the playoffs, Turner and Smith will be out of work.
We heard the rumblings out of San Diego last year when they had the poor season [and] didn t make the playoffs for the second straight year, Tomlinson said. At that point, Dean Spanos really thought about making a change, but he didn t. He said he would give them one more chance to try to right the ship. So here we are at the point where the San Diego Chargers are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year. At that point, the way this organization has worked, you fired Marty [Schottenheimer] after a 14-2 year. [After] many successful years in San Diego, you fire a coach like Marty Schottenheimer. How can you justify keeping A.J. Smith and Norv Turner when you don t go to the playoffs three straight years?
That s a good question. And the likely answer, if the Chargers don t turn it around, is that Spanos can t justify keeping Smith and Turner.
> Tomlinson thinks Norv Turner, A.J. Smith have failed Philip Rivers
> Posted by Michael David Smith on October 31, 2012, 6:49 PM EDT
> Former Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson sees San Diego
> struggling this season, but he doesn’t think quarterback Philip Rivers
> deserves the blame.
> Instead, Tomlinson said on NFL Network’s Around the League Live, it’s
> General Manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner who have failed to
> build a complete team that Rivers can lead to a title. Asked if Rivers
> has enough talent around him, Tomlinson answered, “I don’t believe he
> does,” and Tomlinson noted that the Chargers let offensive playmakers
> like Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles get away.
He may be right but Rivers is playing so badly it's impossible to
tell. He had only one bad throw in the first half of the KC game and
got booed roundly headed into the locker room.
On Nov 1, 8:15 pm, Zombie Hampster <Z...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Nov 2012 18:59:02 -0700 (PDT), ScottW <Scott...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > He may be right but Rivers is playing so badly it's impossible to
> >tell. He had only one bad throw in the first half of the KC game and
> >got booed roundly headed into the locker room.
> He got booed for a HORRIBLE decision on his part,
> that can NOT be blamed on anyone else.
> But NO boos now, and that's what counts.
The boos from Denver and NO are still echoing across the country.
One game against a really bad team isn't a big positive IMO.
Sure they needed this game...but now they go on the road.
The next two games will decide the season. Beat Tampa and make the
game in Denver count.
Still Cason can't cover and Manning has gotten comfortable in the
Denver offense so I don't expect much...I can only hope.
On Nov 2, 4:27 am, Zombie Hampster <Z...@mouse-potato.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 1 Nov 2012 20:30:50 -0700 (PDT), ScottW <Scott...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > The boos from Denver and NO are still echoing across the country.
> In YOUR ears maybe, NOT in mine OR in any of my friends.
Did you hear Rivers post game? He said he played the best half of
his career and was never booed louder as he left the field.....now was
that just because of one bad pass? I don't think so.
