The section at the end is cut and pasted from Bill Simmons article published before the game with the Chiefs. The actual checklist was written in 2005. Despite my best efforts, Bill Cowher won’t return my e-mails and my offer that he can stay at my place for free if he will just take over for Norv next week. I’ve offered to pay for his food, alcohol, utilities and even let him use my car. No bites yet.
“The 2007 Chargers have clearly given away their “Super Bowl contender” status and become this year’s test case for the time-proven phrase, “Coaching matters.” Which reminds me …
A few readers e-mailed me about this: When Norv Turner was coaching the Raiders in 2005, I created a Norv Turner Second-Half Collapse Checklist. Three games into Norv’s tenure with the Chargers, we already have six of the nine categories checked.
• Guys arguing on the sidelines? (CHECK)
• Embarrassing losses at home? (NO)
• QB getting sacked and throwing the ball up for grabs? (CHECK)
• Just an ungodly amount of penalties? (NO)
• Steady stream of excuses? (CHECK)
• Players taking veiled shots at the coaching staff? (CHECK)
• General malaise and dissatisfaction within the fan base? (CHECK)
• Local columnists taking shots at him? (CHECK)
• Big coaching name looming in the background as a replacement? (NO)
(Basically, we’re a penalty-filled upset loss to the Chiefs, followed by rumors of Bill Cowher taking over the Chargers, from the entire Norv Turner Second-Half Collapse Checklist getting filled before the baseball playoffs start. I think this is amazing.)”
