Norvel...Why Has Thou Stunk-Up Joint?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

Sometimes in the NFL (and in all sports) teams just don't play to the same level as they did the previous year. For what ever reason. They loose their edge. Humans are not machines. 14-2 is really really tough to do in the NFL. You have to be really good but you also have to have the ball bounce your way. It looks like the running game is sputtering and the passing came can't pick up the slack although today LT went off. They have a young QB who is turning it over and some WR's that are very questionable. Plus they made a bad mistake and let go of Donnie Edwards. Then you fire Marty and you loose both coordinators. Chargers had nowhere to go but down.

Great post.

Look, Norv is not a good coach, and he's not going to do his team any favors strategically. But if his offenses were able to overcome his lack of motivation (which they clearly did), then theres no way we can blame him for what's happening to his defense or offensive line. Losing his coordinator contributed, but this defensive collapse was predictable by statistical formula (notice the date).

Now should Norv collect some blame for what's happening on the offensive end? Some, yes for sure. But I believe that given time, Rivers is going to get very hot and this team will win 8-9 games this year, which isn't too bad by any standard (also not too good by any standard).

People like to credit Norv for natural player progression, and blame him for natural unit regression, even though he likely has little to do with neither.

He just happens to be an uninspired coach trying to make a living. He is not going to hurt or help his teams win or lose. Thus, it's up to the team leaders to get this ship righted in SD.