The unofficial official end of Norv Turner

Robert Meachem obviously wishes he had stayed in New Orleans. So do Chargers fans.

Today was a must-win game for the Chargers.  After consecutive implosions against the Saints and Broncos, a public scolding of the fans by Chargers Director of Public Relations, Bill Johnston, an investigation by the league into potential use of an illegal substance, and setting up the inevitable release of the NFL's most accurate kicker in Nate Kaeding, a win was the only thing that could help slow the bleeding.  The Chargers could not have found themselves in a better situation to put some of their recent failures behind them and get back on the winning track.  The Cleveland Browns were 1-6 and ripe for the picking with a turnover-prone rookie QB and a banged up running game.  How did Norv Turner's Chargers respond to the challenge?  The only way they know how.  They blew it.  Final score: Chargers 6 - Browns 7.

It should have been a gimme win.  Beating Cleveland is not hard, and it should have been even easier for the Chargers without Browns starting DT Ahtyba Rubin clogging the line.  With horrendous weather conditions pelting much of Ohio, it only made sense that the ground game was the way to go.  Minus a fumble in the first half, Ryan Mathews was doing a fantastic job using his speed and agility to pick up yardage on the ground.  Even Ronnie Brown was able to find success with his limited carries.  But we all know that Norv doesn't like to stick to conventional wisdom.  So, to the air the Chargers went, and the passing game...well...it sucked...again.  Philip Rivers, being the panicky giraffe that he is, continued to make bad decisions by throwing into double-coverage, but was fortunate to avoid any interceptions.  Eight weeks of the regular season are in the books, and Rivers has made it painfully clear that he is still not on the same page with his receivers.  Ronnie Brown led the Chargers in receptions (8) and receiving yards (85) while running routes out of the backfield.  Malcom Floyd hauled in four receptions, but was held mostly in check for the afternoon.  Antonio Gates, as he has been for most of the season, was a non-factor with only two receptions for 14 yards.  The passing game failures were highlighted by Robert Meachem's inability to secure a wide-open pass over the middle with nothing but daylight in front of him.  The biggest drop of the game...and the biggest drop of the season.

Every week, the Chargers are redefining the term "rock bottom".  It's one thing to lose.  It's a completely different situation to lose with no hope of a brighter future in sight.  They went toe-to-toe with one of the worst teams in the NFL and couldn't muster a single touchdown.  San Diego has now gone six consecutive quarters of play without finding the end zone.  For those of you that don't care to do the math, that's 90 minutes of futility.

Four days from now, the Chargers will face off against another last place team, the Kansas City Chiefs, at Qualcomm Stadium.  I wish I could say that the Chargers hold the advantage since it is a home game...but I can't.  Norv Turner has lost this locker room.  Any confidence this team might have had has been completely extinguished, and Norv lacks the leadership skills to reignite the flame.  A.J. Smith can't allow his pride and arrogance to deter sound judgement any longer.  Unless the Chargers can beat the Chiefs in convincing fashion on Thursday night, Smith will have to admit he was wrong and show Norv the door.  It would show the fans that failure will not be tolerated and a change is headed to San Diego.  Unfortunately for Smith, that change will likely mean the end of his tenure as Chargers GM, as well.

#FireNorv