Morning Dump

There are football games this weekend? Do you guys even care since we are out of the playoffs?

The San Diego Chargers started out the season 4-1 and fans were optimistic as to where the season was headed. Unfortunately, that was short lived when a six game losing streak hit. Calls for the removal of Chargers coach Norv Turner grew louder and louder. Despite finishing the remaining games of the season at 4-1, the 8-8 record had fans sure that Turner would be out as soon as the last game was over.

Of the factors that convinced San Diego president Dean Spanos to retain coach Norv Turner, none was more significant than the support Turner gained from quarterback Philip Rivers.

That’s not my opinion. It’s the opinion of sources in and around the team.

Chargers kick returner Richard Goodman was named the AFC special teams player of the week, the NFL announced Wednesday.

General manager A.J. Smith, however, has flown under the radar of national scrutiny – until now. It is worth taking a look back at some of his biggest missteps, both in the draft and beyond, that have caused fans to loathe the man known in San Diego as the “Lord of no Rings”.

Biggest disappointment: The Chargers were not happy with the performance of defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. They had a dominant unit under Ron Rivera, whom Manusky replaced after Carolina hired Rivera as head coach. Manusky promised an aggressive defense, but the players never really adapted to his way — and the Chargers were far from a special defense this season.