Clipper Nation
12-06-2012, 05:50 PM
Norv Turner, A.J. Smith reportedly out at season's end
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By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League editor
Published: Dec. 6, 2012 at 05:26 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 6, 2012 at 05:46 p.m.
The housecleaning is coming. And the San Diego Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD) won't go halfway.
Kevin Acee of the U-T San Diego reported Thursday that general manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner (http://www.nfl.com/player/norvturner/2527724/profile) will be fired at the end of the season (http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/dec/06/smith-will-join-turner-out-door-end-chargers-seaso/). Acee's sources said that Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD) president Dean Spanos "essentially decided at least a month ago" that Turner would be let go. Spanos also decided recently that Smith will be let go.
Similar rumblings occurred late last season, but Spanos changed his mind and kept Turner around.
"Those with knowledge of plans that are already in motion said it seems certain there will be no last-minute change of heart this time," Acee wrote.
Smith's track record as a talent evaluator has taken hits in recent years, especially with free-agency mistakes, like signing Robert Meachem (http://www.nfl.com/player/robertmeachem/2495676/profile) and Eddie Royal (http://www.nfl.com/player/eddieroyal/1990/profile). Smith has also failed to keep talented players like Vincent Jackson (http://www.nfl.com/player/vincentjackson/2506400/profile) and Darren Spoles.
He's found some good defensive players, like defensive tackle Corey Liuget (http://www.nfl.com/player/coreyliuget/2495483/profile) and linebackers Donald Butler (http://www.nfl.com/player/donaldbutler/496903/profile) and Melvin Ingram (http://www.nfl.com/player/melviningram/2532870/profile) in the draft as of late, but the offense has decayed. Still, the succession plan after Smith doesn't inspire confidence.
Acee reports that Director of Player Personnel Jimmy Raye is in line to take over for Smith. The owner's son, John Spanos, is expected to eventually take over the Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD)' football operations.
If nothing else, this report will be popular among Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD) fans. Even if it's a year too late.
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By Gregg Rosenthal
Around The League editor
Published: Dec. 6, 2012 at 05:26 p.m.
Updated: Dec. 6, 2012 at 05:46 p.m.
The housecleaning is coming. And the San Diego Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD) won't go halfway.
Kevin Acee of the U-T San Diego reported Thursday that general manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner (http://www.nfl.com/player/norvturner/2527724/profile) will be fired at the end of the season (http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/dec/06/smith-will-join-turner-out-door-end-chargers-seaso/). Acee's sources said that Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD) president Dean Spanos "essentially decided at least a month ago" that Turner would be let go. Spanos also decided recently that Smith will be let go.
Similar rumblings occurred late last season, but Spanos changed his mind and kept Turner around.
"Those with knowledge of plans that are already in motion said it seems certain there will be no last-minute change of heart this time," Acee wrote.
Smith's track record as a talent evaluator has taken hits in recent years, especially with free-agency mistakes, like signing Robert Meachem (http://www.nfl.com/player/robertmeachem/2495676/profile) and Eddie Royal (http://www.nfl.com/player/eddieroyal/1990/profile). Smith has also failed to keep talented players like Vincent Jackson (http://www.nfl.com/player/vincentjackson/2506400/profile) and Darren Spoles.
He's found some good defensive players, like defensive tackle Corey Liuget (http://www.nfl.com/player/coreyliuget/2495483/profile) and linebackers Donald Butler (http://www.nfl.com/player/donaldbutler/496903/profile) and Melvin Ingram (http://www.nfl.com/player/melviningram/2532870/profile) in the draft as of late, but the offense has decayed. Still, the succession plan after Smith doesn't inspire confidence.
Acee reports that Director of Player Personnel Jimmy Raye is in line to take over for Smith. The owner's son, John Spanos, is expected to eventually take over the Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD)' football operations.
If nothing else, this report will be popular among Chargers (http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD) fans. Even if it's a year too late.