When Norv Turner took the Chargers' head coaching job, pundits acted as though he would cause San Diego to sink into the Pacific Ocean. All he's done is take the Bolts to the AFC Championship game in his first season and keep a wounded ship afloat this year. Now, the Chargers are only a game back in the AFC West. He also out-coached a "genius" last Sunday.
That's really the story about Norval Turner: Always underestimated. There's nothing sexy about the name "Norv" or the press release saying he's your new coach.
Redskins fans blamed him for the team's failure in the '90s despite the aging roster left over from the Richie Petitbon era. Just when Turner turned it around, owner Daniel Snyder decided in 2000 to sign half the 1990 Pro bowl squad. That didn't work out so well.
Raiders fans weren't pleased with Turner either, although there exists a toxic situation in Oakland. Just ask Tom Cable, Lane Kiffin, Bill Callahan, and maybe even Justin Fargas for kicks.
But the bottom line is the man has skins on the wall. Consider:
Once a young quarterback coach for John Robinson's Rams, Turner was hired by the Cowboys in 1991 to improve an offense that ranked a lowly 27 out of 28 in passing. Not to mention 26th in scoring — that's with Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith. Turner's predecessor, David Shula, led the league in alienating his players.
Dallas' new coach brought a "rhythm" approach to practice. He simplified plays. "Norv's tree" was a diagram of pass routes as easy to understand as his method of attack was productive. Aikman, Irvin, and Smith, a.k.a. "The Triplets," all benefited from his presence after a season of disenchantment under Shula. The HOF trio's numbers would increase dramatically under Turner while the offense finished the '91 season seventh in scoring and eighth in passing. In 1992 and 1993, a productive offense turned into a Super Bowl winning machine.
That's exactly what Chargers GM A.J. Smith is hoping for, and Sunday's demolition of the Patriots is a step in the right direction...as was the opening drive of the game.
Film study
A step — or three — is what Vincent Jackson had on corner Deltha O'Neal on the very first play from scrimmage Sunday night. Turner hit the gas pedal on first down ...
The Chargers open the drive in a two-tight end offense with LaDanian Tomlinson in the backfield. With the Pats in nickel, you can reasonably expect a running play.
Vincent Jackson lines up wide right with receiver Malcom Floyd just inside of him. Both tight ends are on the left, suggesting a run towards that side.
Rivers goes play-action.
When Floyd runs a skinny post toward the middle of the field, Pats safety James Sanders, stationed over the top of the two wideouts, slides that way to help Rodney Harrison, who fails to get a good jam at the line. That leaves Jackson running down the right side one-on-one with O'Neal. Rivers delivers a strike...48-yard gain.
Classic Norv.
First, Turner gave the impression of running the ball, especially with all of the reports of L.T. being ticked off about his apparent demise. Second, he created a mismatch by moving his parts so that the Pats defense would react in a specific manner, namely the safety sliding toward the receiver running the post while Jackson went streaking.
On first-and-10 from the Pats' 32, tight end Antonio Gates sets up wide right with two receivers left. When O'Neal plays off of him, Rivers takes the easy five-yard out for a completion.
On the next play, the Chargers change it up again, going trips left with one receiver right. The Pats are playing eight in the box.
OK, four receivers split plus eight defenders close to the line equals pass, right?
Run.
L.T. only gains a couple of yards, but the play serves its purpose, crossing up the defense while not revealing any tendencies.
On third-and-short, the offense lines up in a spread formation as if it's third-and-30. Rivers easily converts the manageable third down to Legedu Naanee. There exists no "how to" manual for how Turner is attacking the defense.
A couple plays later, Turner sends two receivers, both tight ends, and L.T. out on routes, ultimately leaving Jackson isolated on 270-pound linebacker Adalius Thomas. Ten more yards and the beat goes on.
Gates would drop a sure touchdown pass three plays later, causing the Chargers to settle for a field goal. But Turner established that he could create mismatches and drive right down the field.
The offense looked like world-beaters the rest of the night, scoring 30 and giving the defense cushion to control the game.
What I learned
The Chargers were fantastic. Then again, just when you think Team Spanos has it together, they seem to lay an egg. This weekend's game versus the 4-1 Bills on the road should be a good test.
Of the teams the Chargers have played, the Bills are most similar to the Panthers, which beat San Diego on opening day. Both teams rely on the running game and a 4-3 defense that doesn't take too many risks and stops offenses on third down.
The Bills only allow a 28 percent third-down conversion rate — top in the league — meaning defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's unit gets off the field. While not afraid to blitz, Fewell is no Buddy Ryan. The defense generally avoids leaving its corners on an island by sending everyone to the pocket.
Safeties Ko Simpson and Donte Whitner don't allow explosive offenses like the Chargers an abundance of chances to hit big plays either. Bills opponents have to earn their scores with sustained drives.
I expect Turner to use L.T., Gates, and Darren Sproles in the short passing game, creating mismatches within the Bills' coverages, particularly with corner Terrence McGee out. That will also open up the running game.
This is not to say Buffalo's offense and Trent Edwards won't show up as well, but I like Norv this week.
Pick: Chargers
Odds and ends
