Is this Marty's last year with the Chargers? (1 Viewer)

[Gr00vus]

I had been pondering this before, but this column from the uniontrib got me thinking about it again.

I see a couple of scenarios that could lead to the end of Marty's time as HC of the Chargers:

1)Retires after winning Super Bowl. He's getting up there, he's accomplished quite a bit. If he won it all he'd be a legitimate candidate for HOF as an HC (probably a topic for another poll). Why not go out top after having nothing left to prove or accomplish? I know he's not talked about retiring, and maybe he'd like to keep adding to his win total, or try to win back to back, so it's pure speculation, but I don't think retiring would be out of the queston.

2)Gets fired after losing in the playoffs again. The article reiterated that there's plenty of tension between A.J. Smith and Marty. Additionally people are snooping around Cameron for an HC job somewhere else. If the Chargers don't get to or perhaps win the SB, I think it's a lock that Marty gets fired and probably Cameron gets promoted to the job if he hasn't signed somewhere else.

I could see it going either way if the Chargers win the Super Bowl, anything less and I think Marty is out of SD.

Your thoughts?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

- I think AJ Smith wanted to fire Marty last year, but Spanos wouldn't let AJ do it. I think it would take a first round exit to get Spanos to let AJ fire Marty.

- If Marty finally does win it all, which I hope, I could easily see him retiring.

By the way I think no matter what happens, superbowl or no, on longevity and 200+ wins that Marty is HOF calibre.

 

[B-Scott]

I think if he wins it all he will retire ,but if they get eliminated again ,he will come back for another season. This particular team has a shot at winning the Super Bowl over the next could of seasons ,i don't know if he could leave this situation before winning a ring.

 

[Gr00vus]

I think if he wins it all he will retire ,but if they get eliminated again ,he will come back for another season. This particular team has a shot at winning the Super Bowl over the next could of seasons ,i don't know if he could leave this situation before winning a ring.

I really think if he doesn't win it all this year they'll fire him and promote Cameron to HC. The alternative is keeping him and quite possibly losing Cameron. Given how A.J. feels about Marty I think the second scenario unlikely given a suboptimal ending to the playoff run this year.

 

[Tau837]

I don't think he will be fired if they lose, unless they were to get blown out, which I don't see happening.

I could see him retiring if they win the Super Bowl, but IMO it will be hard for him to resist the temptation to return and try for a repeat. If they win, they will have gone 17-2, with both losses on the road by 3 points to good teams... with a first year QB who should only be better next season... with a group of receivers who, other than McCardell, are still getting better... and with a young defense that looks like it could grow into an elite defense. I may not be familiar with some key free agents that are likely to depart... do they stand to lose anyone that will hurt?

Anyway, my point is that even if they win, I think he'll return. And since I don't see them getting blown out, I voted that he stays no matter what.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I don't think he will be fired if they lose, unless they were to get blown out, which I don't see happening.I could see him retiring if they win the Super Bowl, but IMO it will be hard for him to resist the temptation to return and try for a repeat. If they win, they will have gone 17-2, with both losses on the road by 3 points to good teams... with a first year QB who should only be better next season... with a group of receivers who, other than McCardell, are still getting better... and with a young defense that looks like it could grow into an elite defense. I may not be familiar with some key free agents that are likely to depart... do they stand to lose anyone that will hurt?Anyway, my point is that even if they win, I think he'll return. And since I don't see them getting blown out, I voted that he stays no matter what.

Nope, most of the core starters and pro-bowlers are locked up.

 

[Despyzer]

14-2 can work in his favor and against him for various reasons.

If he loses that first game then it reinforces everything his critics have said about him, that he can't win in the playoffs no matter how good his team is. That 14-2 record only makes it worse for him. In this scenario I would say there is a 60-70% chance he gets shown the door.

If he wins that first game then they are in the AFC championship game. To me, that would qualify as "deep in the playoffs" like Spanos wanted, which would make it tough for A.J to get his way. 14-2 and a berth in the AFC championship game is seriously overachieving for a team that was mostly picked to be the 3rd best team in the conference. Chance of a Marty ouster: 10-20%

If he gets to the Super Bowl and loses, I think there is almost no chance he leaves for any reason.

If they win it all, then I could somewhat see Marty wanting to get out of this crap with A.J. and hanging it up for a year. There are two coordinators that got interviews last year that wouldn't be able to interview until this game was over, so he would know that he is leaving the club in good hands. Still, he has serious man-love for Tomlinson and he knows the talent on this ballclub and that they could be perched for good things for quite a few years, so he could choose to milk that too. Chance of a Schotty retirement: 30-40%

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I think AJ is really getting nervous right now.

He has a defense that is rock solid...OK the secondary could be upgraded but the front seven are as solid as you will find in the NFL and that take a lot of pressure of the DBs...60+ sacks. And with mostly everybody locked up over the next couple of years the core group of your team is intact.

On offense you have the best RB in football, a good OL that could get better...imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him. it's scary how god this part of the Chargers' team could be.

You have the best TE perhaps in football. You have a QB who is only in his 3rd season and 1st under center...he has tailed off a bit but he looks terrific and plays like he has been in the league awhile. Teams should take note of how good thing turn out when you don't throw your rookie QB to the wolves. The WR need some help but they are also developing, McCardell is on his way out.

Now if Marty cannot take them to the SB, I would hate to lose Cam to the Cardinals when I might just fire Marty and tell Cam, here you go. Th team is very good and the window of opp in the NFL can close quickly. I am sort of rooting for Marty once Mr Dungy is gone from the playoffs. It would be tough if SD loses in the AFC Championship to get rid of marty but AJ seems like he has the intestinal fortitude(hope I am using that right) to make the right calls and decisions. I've been hard on the Chargers the past couple of seasons and when teams prove you wrong, you have to give praise.

 

[Despyzer]

imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him. it's scary how god this part of the Chargers' team could be.

or if both of his hands weren't broken for almost the entire season.

Now if Marty cannot take them to the SB, I would hate to lose Cam to the Cardinals when I might just fire Marty and tell Cam, here you go.

If Cam does get a HC job, I doubt it would be with the Cardinals (although I could easily be wrong). If the Chargers do make it to the SB, the Cards job should be filled before then.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him. it's scary how god this part of the Chargers' team could be.

or if both of his hands weren't broken for almost the entire season.

Now if Marty cannot take them to the SB, I would hate to lose Cam to the Cardinals when I might just fire Marty and tell Cam, here you go.

If Cam does get a HC job, I doubt it would be with the Cardinals (although I could easily be wrong). If the Chargers do make it to the SB, the Cards job should be filled before then.

The Cardinals asked for permission to speak with Cam...it was in another thread. And that is my point. If I am AJ, I really want to keep a guy like CC in case Marty blows up in the playoffs. I am sure most of the team likes CC and would play as hard.

 

[Gr00vus]

On offense you have the best RB in football, a good OL that could get better...imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him. it's scary how god this part of the Chargers' team could be.

Kris Dielman had a pro bowl worthy season. McNeil benefitted from Dielman's play as much as Dielman benefitted from MNeil's. That part of the Chargers' team is already scary, and could get scarier.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

On offense you have the best RB in football, a good OL that could get better...imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him. it's scary how god this part of the Chargers' team could be.

Kris Dielman had a pro bowl worthy season. McNeil benefitted from Dielman's play as much as Dielman benefitted from MNeil's. That part of the Chargers' team is already scary, and could get scarier.

Can you tell me more about Dielman? Was he drafted by San Diego?

 

[Gr00vus]

On offense you have the best RB in football, a good OL that could get better...imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him. it's scary how god this part of the Chargers' team could be.

Kris Dielman had a pro bowl worthy season. McNeil benefitted from Dielman's play as much as Dielman benefitted from MNeil's. That part of the Chargers' team is already scary, and could get scarier.

Can you tell me more about Dielman? Was he drafted by San Diego?

Here's his Chargers Bio.He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent DEFENSIVE lineman 4 years ago. He got the starting gig when Tony Fonotti finally spit the bit two years ago. He'll be a free agent after the season, and there's talk of him getting Hutchinson money and several teams (AZ, Miami) already are rumored to be talking about it.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

On offense you have the best RB in football, a good OL that could get better...imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him. it's scary how god this part of the Chargers' team could be.

Kris Dielman had a pro bowl worthy season. McNeil benefitted from Dielman's play as much as Dielman benefitted from MNeil's. That part of the Chargers' team is already scary, and could get scarier.

Can you tell me more about Dielman? Was he drafted by San Diego?

Here's his Chargers Bio.He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent DEFENSIVE lineman 4 years ago. He got the starting gig when Tony Fonotti finally spit the bit two years ago. He'll be a free agent after the season, and there's talk of him getting Hutchinson money and several teams (AZ, Miami) already are rumored to be talking about it.

Certainly does not have the pedigree of some of the othe NFL OL around the league. I would bet he does not play as well in another system. Cam Cameron has helped him and he played for him in college if I read that bio correctly. Hardwick is great, I also like Olivea...Goff is getting old but Diehlman seems like he would best be served by re-signing with the Bolts. Unless he gets a lot of money...Hutchingson money you say??? I wouldn't want Miami to do that. If $4-5 million a season won't snare him I would probably pass. OL FA don't always work out either. There is a reason they do so well on their previous teams and part of it the cohesiveness of the 5 man unit they line up with every down.

 

[Despyzer]

The Cardinals asked for permission to speak with Cam...it was in another thread.

I had heard that the Cardinals were interested in Cam, but that's hardly the same as officially asking for permission. I'm not sure that teams are even allowed to ask to speak with coordinators of teams that are still involved in the playoffs. I think I'd need to see a legitimate link.

 

[Gr00vus]

The Cardinals asked for permission to speak with Cam...it was in another thread.

I had heard that the Cardinals were interested in Cam, but that's hardly the same as officially asking for permission. I'm not sure that teams are even allowed to ask to speak with coordinators of teams that are still involved in the playoffs. I think I'd need to see a legitimate link.

What kind of fan are you? It's in today's UnionTrib.

Sources: Cards to talk to Cameron

By Kevin Acee

UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

January 3, 2007

Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will interview this week for the Arizona Cardinals head coaching job, league sources said yesterday.

It is also believed Cameron is on the Atlanta Falcons' short list, but they have not formally requested permission to speak to Cameron.

Under league rules, teams have only this week to talk to Cameron, or else wait until the Chargers are out of the playoffs.

Arizona fired Dennis Green on Monday. The Falcons have the only other head coaching vacancy, having fired Jim Mora, also on Monday.

It appears the Cardinals will interview Cameron on Friday, as Arizona is scheduled to interview Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera today, former Packers head coach and Houston Texans assistant Mike Sherman tomorrow and Indianapolis quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell on Sunday.

 

[Gr00vus]

Hutchingson money you say??? I wouldn't want Miami to do that. If $4-5 million a season won't snare him I would probably pass.

I'm just repeating rumors I read here and here.Looks like the OLine free agent market isn't very deep this year in terms of high quality (is it ever?), which may inflate the price some.

 

[Despyzer]

What kind of fan are you? It's in today's UnionTrib.

So they did away with the rule about talking to coaches in the playoffs? When did that take place?

 

[Gr00vus]

What kind of fan are you? It's in today's UnionTrib.

So they did away with the rule about talking to coaches in the playoffs? When did that take place?

No clue - I was surprised and depressed to read that myself.

 

[Despyzer]

What kind of fan are you? It's in today's UnionTrib.

So they did away with the rule about talking to coaches in the playoffs? When did that take place?

No clue - I was surprised and depressed to read that myself.

Any chance Acee is mistaken or mis-worded what he intended to say?

 

[Gr00vus]

What kind of fan are you? It's in today's UnionTrib.

So they did away with the rule about talking to coaches in the playoffs? When did that take place?

No clue - I was surprised and depressed to read that myself.

Any chance Acee is mistaken or mis-worded what he intended to say?

I'm sure there's a chance, but I wouldn't know how good a chance it'd be. I think we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[cstu]

14-2 can work in his favor and against him for various reasons.If he loses that first game then it reinforces everything his critics have said about him, that he can't win in the playoffs no matter how good his team is. That 14-2 record only makes it worse for him. In this scenario I would say there is a 60-70% chance he gets shown the door.If he wins that first game then they are in the AFC championship game. To me, that would qualify as "deep in the playoffs" like Spanos wanted, which would make it tough for A.J to get his way. 14-2 and a berth in the AFC championship game is seriously overachieving for a team that was mostly picked to be the 3rd best team in the conference. Chance of a Marty ouster: 10-20%If he gets to the Super Bowl and loses, I think there is almost no chance he leaves for any reason.If they win it all, then I could somewhat see Marty wanting to get out of this crap with A.J. and hanging it up for a year. There are two coordinators that got interviews last year that wouldn't be able to interview until this game was over, so he would know that he is leaving the club in good hands. Still, he has serious man-love for Tomlinson and he knows the talent on this ballclub and that they could be perched for good things for quite a few years, so he could choose to milk that too. Chance of a Schotty retirement: 30-40%

I don't see Marty leaving until LT retires - he loves the guy and knows that with him on the field the team at least has a shot at the SB every year. Even if Marty wins the SB he'll want to come back and win another one to cement himself as one of the best coaches of all-time.

 

[Despyzer]

I don't see Marty leaving until LT retires - he loves the guy and knows that with him on the field the team at least has a shot at the SB every year. Even if Marty wins the SB he'll want to come back and win another one to cement himself as one of the best coaches of all-time.

I guess the question when considering his possible retirement then is whether his level of love for Tomlinson exceeds the level of animosity between him and A.J.

 

[Gr00vus]

The pressure seems to be mounting on the whole Cameron situation with Miami interviewing him this week too.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

imagine McNeil if he had a better LG next to him.

Although center Nick Hardwick was the Charger OL to make the Pro Bowl, many people -- including Marty -- though that it should have been LG Kris Dielman. There aren't many guards in the league who are clearly better than Dielman.Edit: Groovus covered it.

 

[Marauder]

I think if they lose the first playoff game he gets fired, if he wins the superbowl he retires, anything in between he stays.

 

[Marauder]

What kind of fan are you? It's in today's UnionTrib.

So they did away with the rule about talking to coaches in the playoffs? When did that take place?

They did away with that rule a few years ago. Now, I believe there is a window the first week after the regular season ends where coaches from playoff teams can interview.

 

[stevegamer]

What kind of fan are you? It's in today's UnionTrib.

So they did away with the rule about talking to coaches in the playoffs? When did that take place?

They did away with that rule a few years ago. Now, I believe there is a window the first week after the regular season ends where coaches from playoff teams can interview.

This is correct - after that it's hands off until the team is eliminated, so Cameron will definitely no be talking to anyone next week.

 

[Gr00vus]

As of Feb 13 2007:

Marty stays no matter what 	 [ 23 ]	  ** [53.49%]Marty stays only if the Chargers win the Super Bowl 	[ 3 ] 	** [6.98%]Marty stays only if the Chargers at least get to the Super Bowl 	[ 3 ] 	** [6.98%]Marty stays only if the Chargers at least get to the AFC Championship Game 	[ 3 ] 	** [6.98%]Marty retires if he wins the Super Bowl 	[ 11 ] 	** [25.58%]Marty retires no matter what 	[ 0 ] 	** [0.00%]Marty is fired no matter what 	[ 0 ] 	** [0.00%]

 

[Gr00vus]

2)Gets fired after losing in the playoffs again. The article reiterated that there's plenty of tension between A.J. Smith and Marty... If the Chargers don't get to or perhaps win the SB, I think it's a lock that Marty gets fired.....I could see it going either way if the Chargers win the Super Bowl, anything less and I think Marty is out of SD.

Hmmmmm, took a bit longer than I thought, but.......

 

[chris1969]

I just voted that Marty gets fired no matter what, this being of course after he has already been fired. I think I made a good choice, but it could go either way.

 

[Despyzer]

I just voted that Marty gets fired no matter what, this being of course after he has already been fired. I think I made a good choice, but it could go either way.

I'm still going with a 60-70% chance he gets shown the door, like I posted before.