Is it time for a change?

San Diego, Ca

The Chargers (4-7) have lost four of their last five games. This last loss 23-21 to Indianapolis, was the fourth time this year they have lost in the last 25 seconds. Due to an unexpected Denver upset loss to Oakland and the poor division we play in the Bolts remain only two games out of first place after Sunday's home loss. When a team that was favored to go to and possibly even favored to win the Super Bowl at the start of the season falls this hard, questions have to be asked. You might start with, Why?, How?, or even Who let this happen? I can not say anybody knows exactly why the Chargers are under performing so much this season. The team did lose Pro Bowl players Lorenzo Neal (free agency) and Shawne Merriman (knee surgery). Not change enough.  After a dismal start to the season where the defense looked terrible head coach Norv Turner decided to make some changes. He fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and replaced him with line backers coach Ron Rivera. The defense has stepped up over the last three weeks, even claiming it's first turnover in 42 days when Quentin Jammer picked off Peyton Manning in a losing effort this past Sunday. Was this change enough for a team who's window at a title shot might be closing sooner than expected, with injuries to key players like Merriman and LT? Not in my book, 1 turnover in 42 days, come on.  Maybe the real question should be, is A.J. Smith ready to admit Turner was a mistake, and fire him? I am not too keen on mid-season coaching changes, especially in the NFL where new coaches often try and bring a new identity or culture ideals to a team. I might make an exception to that way of thinking here, at the very least so that by the beginning of next season, the Chargers are firing on all cylinders. I am not however stating his firing is best for this franchise, I am just one of the many that wants to know the answer to that question. Like you, all I can do is speculate what is best for San Diego and its fans. Often when I'm trying to evaluate something, I use the time old trick of one Benjamin Franklin. I fold a paper in half and write all the pros and cons on each side. It doesn't look that good for Turner when I recently did this, especially in the, What have you done for me lately?, NFL. To give you a few of each; on the plus side Turner did lead us to our 1st two playoff wins since '94, he also led the Cowboys to two back-to-back titles as offensive coordinator, and is largely credited with shaping Troy Aikman's Hall of Fame career, something I really thought he would, and could still do for Philip Rivers. On the downside; he has a 72-89-1 record as head coach, he has only tasted the post season twice as the top man, and most importantly, he has made terrible decisions in close games this season. Assuming, that with the support of GM Smith, Turner keeps his post until the season ends some changes need to be made regardless. LT and the run game need to become more of an option, the defense needs to keep improving under Rivera, Rivers needs to protect the ball better, and Turner needs to be better in all aspects of play calling and clock management. If this madness continues and must make a change? My first vote is to get Bill Cowher off the T.V. and onto the sidelines. In a dream world, Turner might even resign and stay on as a a coordinator or quarterbacks coach.