I'm sure many people will think this is a crazy question given the Chargers successful regular season, but there were things that stuck out in the playoff loss to the Patriots. 1. The Chargers never should have tried to convert on 4th and 11 instead of trying for the 50 yard field goal in the 1st quarter. 2. They never should have challenged the interception by Marlon McCree in the 4th quarter that ended up costing them a timeout.
The bottom line is Schottenheimer is a great regular season coach, but is 5 - 13 in the postseason. I just get the sense that his teams always look scared and nervous in the playoffs. I know people will argue that it's the players' stupid mistakes and mental errors and that may be true. But you have to admit, these mistakes never seem to happen on teams coached by winners like Bellichek.
They should promote Cam Cameron to head coach, he calls the plays now anyway. The Chargers lost to the Ravens when Marty called the plays and won after Cam took over.
2007-01-16 05:04:52 · 14 answers · asked by Bodie 2 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Just to clarify, I'm not arguing that Marty deserves to get fired over one game. I'm arguing that he should be fired because over the course of his career he has shown that he cannot win in the playoffs.
As a Charger fan, I really do like Marty and would feel bad for him if he were fired after going 14 - 2, but I want what is best for my team. If the Chargers never experience success in the post season and win a Super Bowl, than what is the point in being great during the regular season?
I agree with many of you that Cam Cameron might only be successful at the coordinator level a la Norv Turner, but we will never know unless we give him a chance. We already know what Marty gives us - a great regular season, followed by an early exit in the playoffs. My biggest fear is that Cameron will go coach somewhere else and Marty will be calling all the plays again. Please no more Martyball!
2007-01-16 08:23:34 · update #1
You are so right, a coach can mismanage his players by not having the courage to trust in the player's talent to make the needed play. Once this continue to happen the players starts to doubt himself, even if it is subconscious and starts to play that way. If the other team continues to play hard with confidence, well you know the outcome. The team with doubt will lose in the end most of the time. Some coaches need to step back, and let capable coaches make the calls. I missed the game Sunday, I was in church. I believed the Chargers was talented enough to overcome Marty's shortcomings.
2007-01-16 05:34:24 · answer #1 · answered by bigslick60 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I hate to say it, but yes. He is too set in his ways. At this point is just a figure head. He does not wear a headset. How does he provide input? As a head coach you cannot do that. I was blown away that they lost the same way they lost the Jets game in 2004. I remember when he had the number 1 seed in KC and made the same mistakes. He just cannot let go of Marty Ball. It was obvious they made no half time adjustments during the game. I am not a professional NFL player. I did play in college and I even know that the matchups were not working. He had a game plan that he just refused to adjust for. The Patriots were able to expose the weakness with the blitz and the corners were getting exposed. The middle of the field was wide open and that showed the Patriots where to go. Why on earth after you intercept the ball try to run with it when you are blanketed? Stupid penalties, the teams emotions were too high and Marty as the coach failed to ring them in and regain their focus. There was poor clock management in the 4th quarter. Ultimately it falls on the coach. Marty did not do enough to let his team win. By not kicking the field goal. He did not give the Chargers a chance to win. With 14-2 record and home field advantage all set. It is inexcusable. At the very least he should have won that game. I believe if he at least won that game people and management would have forgiven him. As a Charger fan I will never forgive him for that absolute crap of a game plan. The man needs to go and he needs to retire and stay retired. I am all for giving Cam a shot. I just hope he does not prove to be like the St. Louis Rams experienced with Mike Martz. Great coordinator but not a great head coach. Norv Turner the same way. You just never know? I think the Chargers must be sick to think of all the what it's. The bottom line is Marty was out coached on every level. Knowing the Spanos family they will not fire him. He will step down after 1 more year and will likely retire or go into TV or Radio. Cam or maybe Cowher will be the next Chargers coach in 08.
2007-01-16 13:32:50 · answer #2 · answered by Mario L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The ultimate call comes from the head coach. However, Philip Rivers begged Schottenheimer to challenge the McCree interception, and where were Marty's guys upstairs. Why didn't they tell him that not to challenge. Even the ref was basically telling him not to challenge. Marty had nothing to do with the guys on the field no playing heads up football. Parker and McCree should have fallen on the ball. The entire Charger team seemed to think their four point lead was insurmountable. However I do think he will undeservedly get the axe because of public opinion.
2007-01-16 14:43:08 · answer #3 · answered by Jimmy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that he should be fired. I think that Mario really broke down that game and what went wrong. They made too many mistakes and that freaking Marty Ball came out. Man, I knew that would happen. No more Marty and NO more Marty Ball. Get rid of that guy! Just do not hire a defensive coach. Cam would be good.
2007-01-17 16:20:20 · answer #4 · answered by Wise One 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, he shoudn't be fired. He gave the Chargers their best season ever and helped make L.T. a recordbreaker.
It's amazing how many people are now down on the Chargers. They lost a playoff game yet were the best team during the regular season. Isn't it funny how just two weeks ago, there were a ton of people out there who loved the Chargers to death and now they are calling for the head of Schottenheimer. I bet most of them have jumped off of the Bolts' wagon and are now headed for the Saints' wagon. They'll be diehard Saints fans until either they lose to Chicago or in the Super Bowl because the Saints are considered a sentimental favorite.
2007-01-16 13:30:33 · answer #5 · answered by kenrayf 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think the Chargers should fire Marty Schottenheimer for losing a playoff game that ended their season & I think it's a little too premature just to say that a coach will get the boot just for losing one single game. I think the Chargers will keep him & he'll just keep rebuilding the team untill they get it right.
2007-01-16 14:39:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should be fired. He ranks up there with former Vikings coach Bud Grant and former Broncos/Falcons coach Dan Reeves as the biggest "Big-Game" flops in N.F.L. history.
Not only was his team undisciplined (mental mistakes panelaties), he cost them a valuable time-out when he challenged a clearly correct call. Why wasn't he wearing the head-set so the guys upstairs could advise him ?
And lastly, why didn't L.T. get the ball in the 4th quarter ?
2007-01-16 13:22:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fire Marty, Parker, and McCree. They are all idiots. Oh and Jammer too, always seem to leave guys open during the clutch
2007-01-17 16:00:25 · answer #8 · answered by socalrider81 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That organization is a mess. The head coach and GM don't talk. That can't happen. Someone has to go. Maybe whoever decided Brees isn't any good should be run out of town.
2007-01-16 13:14:43 · answer #9 · answered by Boilerfan 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That would be a nice touch; promote Cam Cameron to head coach or......give the job to Bill Cowher.
2007-01-16 13:17:53 · answer #10 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋