Schottenheimer Deserves Coach-of-The-Year Honors [Archive] - The Official San Diego Chargers Forum

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sdjase

11-18-2006, 01:16 PM

Nov. 17, 2006, 1:21AM
ON PRO FOOTBALL
Chargers showing they have Super Bowl potential
High-scoring team a new twist for Martyball

By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

What a season this has become for San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Going into training camp, there were reports Schottenheimer's job was in jeopardy because of his well-publicized feud with general manager A.J. Smith, but going into the 10th game of the season, he's a candidate for coach-of-the-year honors.

Not only is Schottenheimer not going to get fired, but he should be in line for a long-term extension from owner Alex Spanos.

Right now, San Diego might be the second-best team in the AFC and the most likely candidate to keep Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning out of Super Bowl XLI.

Just imagine if the AFC Championship Game comes down to the Chargers vs. the Colts — Schottenheimer vs. Dungy — and one of the popular Super Bowl-starved coaches finally would be rewarded. What a great story that would be.

We're a long way from the playoffs, of course, and the Chargers and Colts face tough road games Sunday. By the time San Diego kicks off at Denver, the Chargers and Broncos will know if the Colts won or lost at Dallas.

The biggest game of the weekend isn't Indianapolis at Dallas. It's San Diego at Denver — the NFL's highest-scoring team against the team that has allowed the fewest points. Thank goodness for the new flexible schedule.

First place on line
The Chargers and Broncos are 7-2 and tied for first place in the AFC West.

One of the most unusual things about this season is the top-scoring team in the NFL is coached by Schottenheimer. Martyball is a nickname coined because of Schottenheimer's conservative nature, especially in the playoffs, which have been a disaster for him.

The Chargers rank fourth in offense, but they're first in scoring, averaging 33 points a game. In their last five games, they're averaging 38 a game. They've scored at least 27 points in seven of their nine games. They've scored at least 32 points five times.

Schottenheimer is reaping the benefits of great coaching jobs by offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Perhaps the best thing Schottenheimer has done this season is allow Cameron the freedom to run the offense without interference.

After the season, Cameron is going to be one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in the league. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson ranks second in rushing and first with 18 TDs, including 16 rushing.

Cameron has done a terrific job coaching Philip Rivers, who is in his first season as a starter. Rivers has 13 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. His 100.4 rating ranks third.

Dealing with distractions
Phillips has done an even better job. He lost outside linebacker Steve Foley, who was shot, and outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was suspended for four games. Safety Terence Kiel has a felony hanging over his head. Still, the Chargers are ranked eighth in defense, and they're second with 33 sacks.

That's not good news for Denver quarterback Jake Plummer. Twenty-seven quarterbacks are rated ahead of Plummer, who has 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Broncos fans are trying to run him out of Denver, and they just might if he stinks it up Sunday night.

Though the Broncos have won seven of eight, and their defense has allowed only eight TDs, few would be surprised if they lose to San Diego.

But if the Chargers are going to win, they better put it away early because the Broncos have scored 54 points — 36 percent — in the fourth quarter. The offense hasn't been all that impressive except when the game is on the line.

This is the first of two games between the Chargers and Broncos. The rematch is Dec. 10. By the time they play again at San Diego, we'll have a better idea if the stars are going to be aligned properly and Schottenheimer might finally be matched up with Dungy for an opportunity to coach in his first Super Bowl.

John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com.

IGOR RULES

11-18-2006, 01:21 PM

Nov. 17, 2006, 1:21AM
ON PRO FOOTBALL
Chargers showing they have Super Bowl potential
High-scoring team a new twist for Martyball

By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

....
Dealing with distractions
Phillips has done an even better job. He lost outside linebacker Steve Foley, who was shot, and outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was suspended for four games. Safety Terence Kiel has a felony hanging over his head. Still, the Chargers are ranked eighth in defense, and they're second with 33 sacks.

.....
John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com.

the NFL revised a play and they rewarded Carlos Polk afterwards with a sack. The Chargers have 34 sacks in total and are tied for first in the NFL. This just for the sake of precision.

Lord Revan

11-18-2006, 01:27 PM

I don't think Marty should get COTY, just because the Bolts have so much talent that if we wern't an elite team it would be a blunder by the coaching staff. However, he does have as good of a shot as anyone to win that elusive SB ring! :D

JCDavey

11-18-2006, 01:40 PM

you can't give out COTY in november....

but if the chargers win the afc west, i think he'll be a candidate, and if new orleans wins their div i think payton's a lock.

sdjase

11-18-2006, 01:49 PM

you can't give out COTY in november....

but if the chargers win the afc west, i think he'll be a candidate, and if new orleans wins their div i think payton's a lock.

I agree. I thought this was premature too. I just think it's always funny to see how people elsewhere seem to like our coach more than a lot of Chargers fans.

Unless they go deep in the playoffs, I don't think he's got a shot. I am hoping for good things like a Playoff domination, a Super Bowl appearance, and an extension for The Schott.

JCDavey

11-18-2006, 03:08 PM

I agree. I thought this was premature too. I just think it's always funny to see how people elsewhere seem to like our coach more than a lot of Chargers fans.

Unless they go deep in the playoffs, I don't think he's got a shot. I am hoping for good things like a Playoff domination, a Super Bowl appearance, and an extension for The Schott.i go to other boards, and from what i see , everyone pretty much thinks he's bad in the playoffs and doesn't want him.

that's just what i've seen from the few boards i've visited.

JCDavey

11-18-2006, 03:10 PM

COTY doesn't take what happens in the playoffs into account.

If marty gets us the superbowl , give him whatever extension he wants.

TCUFAN5

11-18-2006, 03:15 PM

if marty leaves here i dont think he will get another job.. unless he goes to Arizona..

FanSince1979

11-18-2006, 03:21 PM

We might lose Cam if he isn't promoted. I would much rather have Cam at HC than Marty. I, however, would prefer Cam to stay at OC, because I don't know how good he would be at HC.

Farmer808

11-18-2006, 03:51 PM

He definitely deserve a shot at the award, but there's no way in hell he will beat Sean Payton.

FanSince1979

11-18-2006, 03:56 PM

He definitely deserve a shot at the award, but there's no way in hell he will beat Sean Payton.I agree, Sean Payton has a lock on it right now.

sonorajim

11-18-2006, 08:59 PM

i go to other boards, and from what i see , everyone pretty much thinks he's bad in the playoffs and doesn't want him.

that's just what i've seen from the few boards i've visited.
Local Raider fans would give their left nut for Marty as their HC.

MadMadigan

11-18-2006, 10:26 PM

Local Raider fans would give their left nut for Marty as their HC.They are alone in that want, Unfortunately i visit dozens of other boards and the verdict is the same as JC described, Hope Marty gets his ring(s) and shuts everyone up, because history is history, until it changes.

JCDavey

11-18-2006, 10:42 PM

They are alone in that want, Unfortunately i visit dozens of other boards and the verdict is the same as JC described, Hope Marty gets his ring(s) and shuts everyone up, because history is history, until it changes.you know what's great is, if marty really does get his ring this season, odds are that will only boost the legend that rivers is slowly becoming :Beer:

Thunderstruck21

11-19-2006, 12:23 AM

marty deserves mention if we get the 2-3 seed, if we are a wild card team than no he doesnt, but it doesnt matter if the saints finish 500 or better payton gets and deserves the award.

TJ21

11-19-2006, 06:54 AM

Sean Payton.

paul.almryde

11-19-2006, 08:27 AM

:Bolt: Marty has done good this tear and does need to be consider COTY. I think he finally realize he needs to go through the air.:Bolt: Go Chargers

o-line protag

11-19-2006, 08:42 AM

you know what's great is, if marty really does get his ring this season, odds are that will only boost the legend that rivers is slowly becoming :Beer:
I would agree, but also think that there is nothing slow about PR as a rising star. He is the the real cut of cheese, no processing involved baby!

JtBoY20

11-24-2006, 11:44 PM

SuperBowlBolts

11-24-2006, 11:49 PM

I think Marty should be a top candidate for COY because he had a QB that was starting his first NFL Season as a Starter and already the Chargers are 8-2 and two games ahead in the division. These last couple weeks could be real fun to watch. San Diego seem to be the team to beat and it will take a lot to beat San Diego cause they are HOT!! GO CHARGERS!!
yah but then you got Sean Payton coaching the turn around of the Saints if you told anyone at the beginning of the season the Saints would win 6 games they'd laugh at you but look 10 games in and the Saints have won 6 and find themselves in the race for their division/wildcard spot. Saints were a joke coming into the season now they can come in and at least put a scare on any team

Chargerizer

11-25-2006, 12:02 AM

yah but then you got Sean Payton coaching the turn around of the Saints if you told anyone at the beginning of the season the Saints would win 6 games they'd laugh at you but look 10 games in and the Saints have won 6 and find themselves in the race for their division/wildcard spot. Saints were a joke coming into the season now they can come in and at least put a scare on any team

At the beginning of the season, a lot of people were saying the Chargers would be lucky to go 9 - 7. They also started the season with a rookie at left tackle, protecting a first year starting QB. With our depleted defense, we are still winning. The years not over though. Let's see what these guys do from now on.

boltfanutah

11-25-2006, 12:20 AM

at the beginning of the year I threw down $50 bucks for the chargers to win the superbowl(actually after the 2nd game) 10 to 1 odds back then. Looking pretty good for me now!! Go SDsuperchargers!!!

JtBoY20

11-25-2006, 02:07 AM

yah but then you got Sean Payton coaching the turn around of the Saints if you told anyone at the beginning of the season the Saints would win 6 games they'd laugh at you but look 10 games in and the Saints have won 6 and find themselves in the race for their division/wildcard spot. Saints were a joke coming into the season now they can come in and at least put a scare on any team

I have to agree with you. Without a good QB (Brees), 2 good RBs (McAllister and Bush) and a new coach the Saints have surprised everyone. If they kept Brooks didn't draft Bush or even get a new coach things would of been differently

merrimonster

11-25-2006, 12:38 PM

Shotty deserves it just because he hates the Raiders...Go Chargers

SDBoltsGirl

11-25-2006, 12:46 PM

Shotty deserves it just because he hates the Raiders...Go Chargers

i agree a hundred times over.. :Bolt: :Bolt: :Bolt:

TJ21

11-25-2006, 12:49 PM

SDBoltsGirl

11-25-2006, 01:06 PM

I agree with the post above me.. not much else to say other than that.
this isn't the first year martys been our coach.. it's just the first year we've done very well.

merrimonster

11-25-2006, 04:04 PM

No he doesn't. This team was 9-7 last year. As for the playcalling, Marty (for the millionth time) has a very limited say in it.

When things go well, Cam deserves the credit for the playcalling and when things go bad (as they did after Baltimore... apparently) he deserves the scrutiny. Obviously there's some kind of stubborn mentality that when this team is winning, Marty is just a bystander, and when it's losing he's to blame. Neither is true. He's the HC of a team.

While I agree with your post I think that your selling Marty short. Marty has done an excellent job keeping this team focused with all the off field issues and injures. Plus many of the players have talked about how he was able to motivate them at halftime with one of his famous speeches during the record setting comebacks. That and he hates the Raiders. Go Chargers...

ChargersPhan

11-25-2006, 05:06 PM

Hes got my vote

SillyBoltsFan

11-25-2006, 06:07 PM

I agree with the post above me.. not much else to say other than that.
this isn't the first year martys been our coach.. it's just the first year we've done very well.
*cough* I guess winning the AFC West two years ago wasn't very good to you then? *cough*

Or what about changing the entire atmosphere around the club house and the team's outlook and psyche when he first got here?

People may disagree with his decisions sometimes, but he is both an excellent teacher and motivator :Beer: :Bolt:

TJ21

11-25-2006, 06:42 PM

While I agree with your post I think that your selling Marty short. Marty has done an excellent job keeping this team focused with all the off field issues and injures. Plus many of the players have talked about how he was able to motivate them at halftime with one of his famous speeches during the record setting comebacks. That and he hates the Raiders. Go Chargers...
I hardly am. I'm grateful to Marty for the turnaround he executed for our team and the high level of quality and dignity with which he coaches. I want to see him on the Chargers sideline next year too, with a Lombardi under his belt. ;)

JCDavey

11-25-2006, 07:05 PM

I hardly am. I'm grateful to Marty for the turnaround he executed for our team and the high level of quality and dignity with which he coaches. I want to see him on the Chargers sideline next year too, with a Lombardi under his belt. ;)i think he's done enough to convince ownership to keep him on, whether he wins the lombardi or not. i think the only way he doesn't make it back is if we have another 'baltimore massacre' in the playoffs.

Chargeroo

11-25-2006, 08:21 PM

I think if they win the Super Bowl this year Marty will retire.

IgorUnchained

11-25-2006, 08:23 PM

chiefsgal

11-25-2006, 08:47 PM

you know what's great is, if marty really does get his ring this season, odds are that will only boost the legend that rivers is slowly becoming :Beer:

my eyes must be worse then I thought, I simply cannot be reading this right..:rolleyes:

badmary

11-25-2006, 08:49 PM

Its the Media machine, What can I Say .

SillyBoltsFan

11-25-2006, 08:49 PM

I think if they win the Super Bowl this year Marty will retire.
I don't know about that one Roo... he seems to be greatly enjoying being around this group of players. I think he would stay at least one more year :Bolt:

backgammonnn123

11-25-2006, 09:50 PM

Boltsfan

11-25-2006, 10:16 PM

You guys are kidding about the coach of the year thing right. MY GRANDMA COULD WIN with the team that the grandmaster MR. AJ SMITH has put together. I told all my friends the best chance we have of winning games is if marty takes a day off every sunday and goes down to teh local bar and has a drink. I mean come on. In fact coaching the best team talent wise in the nfl is such an easy job i might just apply for that position next year and im a moron when it comes to coaching. What turnaround has marty been responsible for? This is a joke.

WOW... I am impressed with the tone of arrogance in you... what makes you think you are qualified to be the HC of the Charger's, much less any other football team? Care to share your "experience" and credentials? Your short sighted memory seems to forget thet this team, yes this Charger's football team, was a LOOSER squad before Marty came here.

This coach TAUGHT this team how to win football games... And since it's Thanksgiving, just be grateful that this team is now a winner...

A better coach than Marty... give me a break!!!

Der_BlitzSchlag

11-26-2006, 12:15 AM

I think if they win the Super Bowl this year Marty will retire.

I would replace the word will with the word should. I am not denigrating Marty and I hope for our sake and his sake, that the Chargers win the Lombardi trophy this year, and If they do it, Marty will be at the pinnacle of his illustrious NFL career. However, I think that Marty being Marty, he will go for a repeat or a three-peat for all those years of misery in the play offs.

JCDavey

11-26-2006, 12:27 AM

i think if the saints get to the playoffs payton's probably a shoe-in, but if they don't and san diego wins the west, it's probably marty, they'll take into consideration the fact no coach has ever had a team lead a 17 point comeback in back to back games in the history of the nfl.

Chargerizer

11-26-2006, 01:11 AM

benji929

11-26-2006, 01:31 AM

You guys are kidding about the coach of the year thing right. MY GRANDMA COULD WIN with the team that the grandmaster MR. AJ SMITH has put together. I told all my friends the best chance we have of winning games is if marty takes a day off every sunday and goes down to teh local bar and has a drink. I mean come on. In fact coaching the best team talent wise in the nfl is such an easy job i might just apply for that position next year and im a moron when it comes to coaching. What turnaround has marty been responsible for? This is a joke.
Yep, NFL coaching is a cakewalk. It's obviously incredibly easy. I mean, how hard can it be? Dealing with professional athletes, egos in the locker room, memorizing the playbook, easy, right? We really should just let this guy coach the team. This is a joke.

What turnaround has Marty been responsible for? Have you seen the team's record before he became coach and the record after? Much of that is due to AJ Smith, but Marty deserves some of the credit as well. And two amazing second half comebacks? They don't happen by themselves. Coaches have to make adjustments in the locker room and are a big part of the comebacks. Oh, and the suspensions, injuries, off-field crap. No big deal right? Come on! :rolleyes:

JerryinCA

11-26-2006, 01:50 AM

Marty has done a great job. If the originator of "MartyBall" has truly let Cam and/or Philip play the kind of offense that we have seen, that is a HUGE trick for that old dog to learn! He is a great coach.

That said, I think that Sean Peyton (sp?) for the Saints should get Coach of the Year honors. He didnt have nearly as much to work with or to build on. The Saints would have been THE success story of the league in my eyes....even without the Breeser.

yeah I agree, I love Marty as most here know lol but this year isn't like the last year he won it when we went from 4-12 to 12-4. The saints have really turned around this year and if they do end up winning their division I think that coach should get COTY. I'd give Marty AFC coach of the year if we can seperate it like that though lol

IGOR RULES

11-26-2006, 01:58 AM

Yep, NFL coaching is a cakewalk. It's obviously incredibly easy. I mean, how hard can it be? Dealing with professional athletes, egos in the locker room, memorizing the playbook, easy, right? We really should just let this guy coach the team. This is a joke.

What turnaround has Marty been responsible for? Have you seen the team's record before he became coach and the record after? Much of that is due to AJ Smith, but Marty deserves some of the credit as well. And two amazing second half comebacks? They don't happen by themselves. Coaches have to make adjustments in the locker room and are a big part of the comebacks. Oh, and the suspensions, injuries, off-field crap. No big deal right? Come on! :rolleyes:

The first two games of this regular season (Oakland and Tennessee) Marty Schottenheimer protected the young quarterback and eased him to a safe start in the NFL. Schottenheimer knew what Rivers was able to do (he coached him for the TWO previous years) and saw him also during the whole training camp and the preseason games.

Marty knew as well how hard and difficult the NFL can be for a new starting QB. The fact that he reverted to "Martyball" in the first games was - in my opinion - more a result to PROTECT the new QB and to have the team step up. The team around Rivers did it very well in the first two games, the Chargers missed some good opportunities in Baltimore. By then Schottenheimer realized that he was overprotective and he allowed Cameron to play Rivers to his strenghts.

A head coach like Schottenheimer, which has the foresight to protect his best assets (Rivers and the rookies in the team) during the difficult first games, deserves the honors - at least of the fans.

Schottenheimer eases also the first year rookies into the game: he did not immediately let Merriman and Cromartie have starting jobs. He thinks also about the impact a new starter has on the locker-room athmosphere and how strong a rookie is able to handle also the media pressure.

This is the responsability of the head coach to protect ALL his players. The fact that the locker-room chemistry is VERY GOOD is for sure one of the most important achievements of Marty Schottenheimer. Do you see players complain, finger-point at each other, whine, act as primadonnas? No? Then revert to Marty Schottenheimer who is able to create the right chemistry where everybody can play to his maximum strenght.

This will be probably not enough to win the Coach of the Year honors, Schottenheimer won already the respect of a whole team! This is more paramount for the goals the Chargers have.

Props to Schottenheimer!:Bolt:

FanSince1979

11-26-2006, 02:31 AM

baphamet

11-26-2006, 03:04 AM

I wonder if all of AJ's excellent drafts and this years easy schedule has anything to do with all of "Marty's" success this year. Especially since he supposedly doesn't have any input on the play calling.

ofcource it does, it has alot to do with it. also if your going to bash Marty for every time we lose or for every bad play calling decision then you must give him credit when he has success.

personally, i give cam and wade most of the credit with playcalling good and bad. i also give the entire coaching staff a ton of credit for changing things up in the second half and totally out coaching alot of our opponents.

i think this is one of the areas we improved upon alot this year as opposed to last, we are out coaching and out playing teams and i don't think there is any denying it.

but I'm sure as soon as we lose and there are a few questionable/conservative playcalling in our next loss there will be people calling for Marty's head again. :rolleyes:

as far as the schedule is concerned, you have a point...it does have something to do with the success he has had in my opinion.

but riddle me this, how is it we were able to go into cinci and denver and totally out coach and outplay both those teams in their house, with the huge comebacks we had? i don't think the easy schedule had anything to do with that, but that is just my opinion.

SteelBlue

11-26-2006, 10:54 AM

Igor Rules - you nailed it. You can't convince people to like Marty. Many have never liked him and never will. All he does is keep winning - go figure.

FanSince1979

11-26-2006, 12:09 PM

Igor Rules - you nailed it. You can't convince people to like Marty. Many have never liked him and never will. All he does is keep winning - go figure.The problem is that there are too many people that credit Marty for the wins, but not for the losses.

benji929

11-26-2006, 01:10 PM

The problem is that there are too many people that credit Marty for the wins, but not for the losses.

Is this a joke? Have you been to this MB after a Chargers' loss? And have you ever given Marty credit for the wins?

FanSince1979

11-26-2006, 02:07 PM

Is this a joke?No.
Have you been to this MB after a Chargers' loss? And have you ever given Marty credit for the wins? Yes. I didn't say all, I said too many.
And have you ever given Marty credit for the wins? Yes. I give him credit for both the wins and the losses, even though so many people try to say that he has no say in the play calling. To a lesser extent vs. a weak schedule though.

Who do you give credit to for last years performance? You know, the year that the press nominated the Chargers as the best team to not make the playoffs.

Was Marty correct when he got upset at AJ for not re-signing Brees and said that Brees provides the team with the best chance to win?

baphamet

11-26-2006, 05:48 PM

The problem is that there are too many people that credit Marty for the wins, but not for the losses.

heh, i see far more people and topics bashing Marty for the losses than i do praising him for the wins...its not even close.

when we win how many threads you see poping up about Marty vs how many you see bashing him after a loss?

you might see one or two threads praising Marty and hundreds praising the players (and rightfully so).

but when we lose you mainly see fire Marty threads, Marty this Marty that....no the real problem is just the opposite, to many people bash Marty when we lose but don't even mention him when we win.

FanSince1979

11-26-2006, 06:10 PM

heh, i see far more people and topics bashing Marty for the losses than i do praising him for the wins...its not even close.

when we win how many threads you see poping up about Marty vs how many you see bashing him after a loss?

you might see one or two threads praising Marty and hundreds praising the players (and rightfully so).

but when we lose you mainly see fire Marty threads, Marty this Marty that....no the real problem is just the opposite, to many people bash Marty when we lose but don't even mention him when we win.I agree. The only game this season that really peeved me was the Ravens game. The KC game just kind of sucked, and I didn't blame that on Marty.

I was just pointing out that before people anoint Marty as the Coach of the Year that they might consider the other contributing factors: AJ Smith's great drafts and the weak schedule. That's all.

baphamet

11-26-2006, 06:23 PM

I agree. The only game this season that really peeved me was the Ravens game. The KC game just kind of sucked, and I didn't blame that on Marty.

I was just pointing out that before people anoint Marty as the Coach of the Year that they might consider the other contributing factors: AJ Smith's great drafts and the weak schedule. That's all.

yep i agree with that as well, we have awsome players because of AJ and i also agree people had a right to blame alot of the ravens loss on coaching...even though it wasn't the only reason, it sure as hell played a big role in the loss in my opinion.

Chargeroo

11-26-2006, 07:07 PM

If I had to vote for coach of the year today, I'd vote for the Jets and Saints coaches. Both of those teams are way better than they were a year ago and the coaches deserve some credit for it.