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Last night the San Diego Chargers put together an evening of epic fail as they gave up the biggest road comeback in NFL history to the Denver Broncos. The Chargers led 24-0 at the end of the first half and proceeded to give up 35 unanswered points to the Broncos.
Normally I do not wish misery upon others. I figure there might be things like karma and the like that could come back and bite me in the butt. However, Norv Turner is the one guy who has worked his way onto my short list of people to whom I do not wish success. There is some measure irrationality to this, but I also think I have a relatively sound reason for my annoyance with Norvell. And yes, I realize that being irrational is probably why I can justify my reason as relatively sound!
Back in 2006, Norv Turner was the 49ers offensive coordinator. That season, Alex Smith and Frank Gore's second years with the 49ers, the team had a sizable resurgence. Frank Gore put together the greatest single season of rushing in 49ers history, and Alex Smith took a nice step forward from an abysmal rookie campaign. Smith still had a lot of growing to do, but a lot of us were optimistic by the end of the 2006 season. If you don't believe me, check out the 2006 and 2007 NN archives.
Unfortunately, things went south fairly quickly after the season. Norv Turner was eventually hired as the Chargers head coach after interviewing there and in Dallas. The timing of it left the 49ers in a bind, and they ended up promoting QB coach Jim Hostler.
While I realize there too many ifs and buts to say anything with certainty, I remain convinced that this was a huge turning point in the development of Alex Smith. In my mind, if Norv Turner sticks around, the trajectory of Alex Smith's career changes. I could very well be wrong, but I will go to my grave believing this.
And so, seeing Norv's coaching career continue on the same path it has for some time, I am not disappointed. I realize this is cold and a little cruel, but I am just riding the bitter bus. I don't generally hold grudges, but somehow this has stuck in my craw.
The Chargers have now blown back-to-back games and instead of being tied with the Ravens and Texans atop the AFC at 5-1, they are tied with seven teams at 3-3 and in a world of hurt. They have a pair of winnable games coming up at Cleveland and at home against Kansas City, but given their recent struggles, losses in there would not surprise me at all.