Aug 2, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano (right) pats linebacker Antwan Barnes (98) on the back during training camp at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

It appears as though the Chargers and their fans will have a new general manager in place at some point today. 

The new GM will be a part of the group – which includes Dean Spanos, Ron Wolf, Ed McGuire, and John Spanos – that selects the next head coach of the team. 

I have been on record saying that a lot of changes need to be made.  Changes from the top, upper management, all the way to the bottom, coaching staff and players.  There seems to be a general consensus amongst the fans as well.

One change that I am hoping is not made by the new regime is at defensive coordinator.  John Pagano has done a tremendous job, especially in the second half of the season, with the Charger defense.  Some of that can be attributed to the younger players learning their craft, but they had to be taught how to do so by someone.

I have been in contact with two sources that are very close to Pagano.  They have both reiterated that John would love to stay with the team.  That being said, he is very well aware that it is not up to him.   

His desire to continue to mold this very young and promising defense is not to be downplayed.  The whole family hopes that he will remain in San Diego.  And I couldn’t agree with them more.

Replacing Pagano and all of the hard work he has put into this defense would be a huge mistake.  I was speaking with @Cameron_Statler on Twitter and he said the very same thing.  He tweeted, ” letting him go would be like taking 1 step forward and two steps back.” 

Another fan from Twitter, @HeelBoogie (Jesse) states, “he did an awesome job with the defense too.  I really don’t want to see him go.”

I agree with Cameron and Jesse.  Not only has the impact he has made shown on the field, but per one of my sources, John has great relationships with the players.  That is an ingredient that is not easily replaced. 

Only time, and a new head coach, will tell if Pagano is brought back to keep this defense headed in the right direction. 

By adding a few more key pieces, and retaining Pags, this defense is destined to be a top 5 defense sooner, rather than later.

Thanks a lot for reading.

BoltUp!!!

BoogaP

May 11, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano (left) and linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) at rookie minicamp at Chargers Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Look back at the last few Chargers defensive coordinators: Greg Manusky was a mess! Ron Rivera became a head coach for the Carolina Panthers. Ted Cottrell, TERRIBLE! Wade Phillips was a stud and became the Dallas Head Coach. Now it is John Pagano’s turn to take over the defense.

After last season, the Chargers defense needed to make changes. The changes started at the top with the defensive coordinator and then trickled down to the rest of the roster. We added Jarett Johnson, Melvin Ingram, Kendall Reyes and Atari Bigby to contribute on the defense. Corey Liuget, Marcus Gilchrist, and Donald Butler have one year of experience under their belts. The fans hold an expectation for change. The roster has talent and it will be up to Pagano to put the pieces together.

Norv Turner knows how to put up points with Philip Rivers and company on offense. The defense needs to create more opportunities. The defense needs to make stops and it needs to cause turnovers. Slow down the opposing offense and it should lead to a lot of wins.

Pagano takes over a defense with both Coach Turner and GM AJ Smith under heavy fire. If the defense fails, heads will be rolling.

Let’s start there with the HC, Norval Turner, did any of you know that he was back up to our HOF QB Dan Fouts while at Oregon? They remain good friends to this day. He also came to visit Fouts during training camp and picked the brain of Don Coryell. Yes, that is why his offenses look so familiar to us ‘Old Timers’. His offensive mind is great, but it’s the nuances of being a HC that concern all of us, time outs, 2 min drills ect.  This is where Rich Bisaccia comes in. He is the new assistant HC. With the turn around the special teams made under him last season, I believe he will be a huge help to Norv. My expectations are that he calls the time outs, keeps in Norv’s  ear about time management and helps light a fire under the players @$$. Norv needs to keep his mind on the offense and not be confused by other stuff.

Another concern I have with to coaching staff is Jeff Hurd, the strength and conditioning coach. I know it’s not just me that thinks our guys get hurt way to much, most of it has to do with conditioning. Yes we see them stretch during pre-game but, is that enough? In my mind we have had more problems with nagging injuries since 2007 when he was brought in. (I need to move on from this, I’m trying to publish something positive!!)

Our Oline coach is Hall Hunter. He has been in that position since 2006, his lines have been responsible for LT’s rushing record and TD record. His new roll this year is OC, well we all know that is just a title as he won’t be calling the plays, but he me be able to influence Norv to run just a little more or in certain situations.

We all should know our receivers coach, Charlie Joiner. If you don’t know who Joiner is watch some Bolts games from the early 80’s!

Moving over to defense, we have new DC John Pagano. He has been with the team for 10 years, starting out as an assistant LB coach. He has been able to help mold guys like Shaun Phillips, Donald Butler, Steven Cooper and new assistant special teams coach Carlos Polk. I think learning under Wade Phillips and Ron Rivera along with seeing how Greg Manusky messed up last season will influence his play calling and schemes, not to mention his brother Chuck has ran a great defense over in Baltimore for years and I am sure he has picked his brain at family gatherings. What I expect to see from our D this year is a more aggressive attack the QB, tackle behind the line of scrimmage, man on man defense.

This brings me to Ron Meeks, an ex-DC with Indy and Carolina. The later didn’t fair so well but, from 2002 -2009 Indy had a decent secondary. It is always nice to have coaches with rings to help your team.

We also have a new LB coach in Joe Barry. Barry was Detroit’s DC from 2001 – 2006, they didn’t fair so well but his LB coaching should be just fine as he played and coached at Linebacker U. (That would be USC).

I see some really good things happening this season, particularly the Lombardi Trophy, that has eluded us for so long! I see us having a top 5 rusher, top 5 passing game and back to a top 10 defense.