Turner: Bolts can be better by Jerry Magee

[SuperBowlBolts]

By Jerry Magee
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

March 28, 2007

PHOENIX – His first 30 days as the team's coach, plus a few, are complete and Norv Turner has arrived at a conclusion apt to send a shiver through the NFL.

The Chargers, 14-2 a year ago, are in a developmental period. They have not just two or three players but a considerable number who could be better than they were when the club was assembling the NFL's best regular-season record.

“I look at them and I say, 'Hey, these guys can get a lot better,' ” Turner said yesterday. “It's not a veteran team that you say, 'OK, we've got to take care of these guys so we can get another year out of them.'

“These are some guys who are going to play 10 more years. I think you take advantage of the youth and excitement and energy that this team has. That's going to be my big emphasis.”

Turner, appointed Marty Schottenheimer's coaching successor Feb. 19, detailed his thinking during what was a breakfast-in-the-round – the AFC's head coaches, engaging in dialogues with the media from round tables set up on the lawn of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, site of the NFL's winter meetings.

In listing the athletes he believes can improve, Turner included tight end Antonio Gates. “As scary as it sounds, I think Gates, as well as he has played and as good a player as he is, can grow,” the coach said.

To Turner, quarterback Philip Rivers, linebacker Shawne Merriman, linebacker Shaun Phillips, wide receiver Vincent Jackson and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill are others who he expects to improve.

“Rivers has played one season,” Turner said. “He is nowhere near the quarterback he is going to be in three or four years.”

In sum, Turner believes the Chargers have talent comparable to the Dallas Cowboys when he was serving as an assistant to coach Jimmy Johnson in the early 1990s. Those Cowboys teams captured three Super Bowls within a four-year interim.

Turner itemized the similarities between Dallas' champions and his squad. “A strong offensive line. A great runner. The tight end is one of the two or three best in the league. Obviously, we'll see where we go with Philip. He's a young guy who got off to a good start as a first-year starter. He needs to build on that.”

What Turner said has most impressed him concerning the Chargers is how their personnel is distributed. The team can be viewed as thin at wide receiver, but Turner said he is hopeful that one of the young receivers can develop into an elite receiver.

“They are young guys who all showed signs of making big plays and doing good things,” Turner said in an apparent reference to Jackson and Malcom Floyd.

Turner feels his first 30 days in his current position were rewarding ones. “There is a sense that there is some unfinished business,” he said.

It can only be finished in the playoffs. The regular season is not Turner's thrust. What is most meaningful to him, he said, is the postseason, getting there and, once there, knowing how to proceed.

“It's a style of play, and continuing to grow, doing the little things throughout the year that make a difference when you're playing the best teams,” Turner said. “When you're playing one of the three or four best defensive teams in the league, which I assume you will be in the postseason, do you still play at a high level? Do you still do you things you do against a team ranked 25th in defense?”

That so much is expected of his squad does not dismay him, Turner said.

“I haven't coached on a team where they didn't expect you to win,” he said. “I understand the quality of the football team. If we don't go out and have great success, everybody is going to be looking at me, but I don't think about not having success.

“I think about how good we can be. I think about the young guys who can get a lot better and play better than they did a year ago.”
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20070328-9999-1s28chargers.html

Kinda scary that he still thinks Gates can grow as player. Get imagine what thats gonna be like?

[R4PT0R]

good read thanks

[BoltMark]

“Rivers has played one season,” Turner said. “He is nowhere near the quarterback he is going to be in three or four years.”

This is what a LOT of people don't realize!!! :17:

[Gobolts1]

I can see this offense getting even better this year and the next year too. That's going to be scary for the rest of the league.

All we need is a real #1 Wr and we'd be set for years.

[LT4PRESIDENT]

i think vincent jackson is a legit #1 reciever...hes big fast and strong...juss give him sometime to develop and watch the guy work his magic...i think its our #2 and #3 recievers that need work and thats y we have the draft...for these kind of reasons but not to get off topic...i think we have a legit number 1 reciever

[SD_Tailgater]

VJ isnt a ligit #1 until he can prove himself, he has the potental to be a #1 but hes not until he proves himself to be more consistent. He cant keep dropping balls like he has in clinch time.

Floyd has some potental too, but hes got to stay heathly to prove durability.

Parker is catching machine that had a bad day against the Pat's, but hes proven hes a go to guy. He's always going up the middle and making the big catch then takes the big hit. Parker is a stud.

Rivers need to learn go to Gates more, instead of always looking down field. I remember an interview last year where Rivers said Gates should be happy with the # of catches he gets considering hes a TE. Get Gates more involved this year and the WR's will make some bigger plays.

IMO getting another good young WR in the draft is a must, it will push VJ, and MF to get better plus its a good back up plan, just like keeping Turner this year instead of trading him just in case LT gets hurt.

Its exciting to that the Chargers are signing there young guys to long term deals, but in a couple years we're going to be in trouble and wont be able to keep signing them, so this young team had better put it in high gear and start willing playoff games NOW.

My Draft wish list is: WR or S in the first and second rounds, then go for DT to mentor behind JW, more depth at OG, depth at LB, and a FB to mentor behind LO.

[SDFaiderHater]

VJ isnt a ligit #1 until he can prove himself, he has the potental to be a #1 but hes not until he proves himself to be more consistent. He cant keep dropping balls like he has in clinch time.

Floyd has some potental too, but hes got to stay heathly to prove durability.

Parker is catching machine that had a bad day against the Pat's, but hes proven hes a go to guy. He's always going up the middle and making the big catch then takes the big hit. Parker is a stud.

Rivers need to learn go to Gates more, instead of always looking down field. I remember an interview last year where Rivers said Gates should be happy with the # of catches he gets considering hes a TE. Get Gates more involved this year and the WR's will make some bigger plays.

IMO getting another good young WR in the draft is a must, it will push VJ, and MF to get better plus its a good back up plan, just like keeping Turner this year instead of trading him just in case LT gets hurt.

Its exciting to that the Chargers are signing there young guys to long term deals, but in a couple years we're going to be in trouble and wont be able to keep signing them, so this young team had better put it in high gear and start willing playoff games NOW.

My Draft wish list is: WR or S in the first and second rounds, then go for DT to mentor behind JW, more depth at OG, depth at LB, and a FB to mentor behind LO.

the fullback is a dying breed, and i dont really see that being a position really used very soon. so i dont think its going to be really used...anyway, i think we get a safety in the first, because WR is incredibly deep this year.

[SD_Tailgater]

Your right FB is a dying breed. BUT because we like to use that postion in our running attack, we need to look for a guy now that can learn the position behind the BEST in the game.

[Rivers+LT=SB]

VJ isnt a ligit #1 until he can prove himself, he has the potental to be a #1 but hes not until he proves himself to be more consistent. He cant keep dropping balls like he has in clinch time.

Floyd has some potental too, but hes got to stay heathly to prove durability.

Parker is catching machine that had a bad day against the Pat's, but hes proven hes a go to guy. He's always going up the middle and making the big catch then takes the big hit. Parker is a stud.

Rivers need to learn go to Gates more, instead of always looking down field. I remember an interview last year where Rivers said Gates should be happy with the # of catches he gets considering hes a TE. Get Gates more involved this year and the WR's will make some bigger plays.

IMO getting another good young WR in the draft is a must, it will push VJ, and MF to get better plus its a good back up plan, just like keeping Turner this year instead of trading him just in case LT gets hurt.

Its exciting to that the Chargers are signing there young guys to long term deals, but in a couple years we're going to be in trouble and wont be able to keep signing them, so this young team had better put it in high gear and start willing playoff games NOW.

My Draft wish list is: WR or S in the first and second rounds, then go for DT to mentor behind JW, more depth at OG, depth at LB, and a FB to mentor behind LO.
I don't remember that interview... Also that Doesn't sound like something Rivers would say.

[SD_Tailgater]

Well remember it or not, I do, and he did. The questioning was around Gates getting the ball more, and he said position wise Gates gets the ball as much if not more than the top TE's in the NFL, and that TE's they arent WR's and shouldnt expect to get the ball the same amount. If I remember right it was sometime around the Browns game, or maybe alittle after it by a week or two.

[StevenSD]

Well remember it or not, I do, and he did. The questioning was around Gates getting the ball more, and he said position wise Gates gets the ball as much if not more than the top TE's in the NFL, and that TE's they arent WR's and shouldnt expect to get the ball the same amount. If I remember right it was sometime around the Browns game, or maybe alittle after it by a week or two.

That's funny, I'm sure more than just you would've heard that line on these boards.

[mccharger]

That's funny, I'm sure more than just you would've heard that line on these boards.I just cant get over the irony in your sig everytime I see it. You tell me to get a life for having your quote on your mind for a couple hours yet you made my Quote your sig so you get to think about it everytime you log on. Its pretty comical. But like I said Im over it . Ive been over it. I think it was a stupid thing to argue about. Like I said in my other replys no hard feelings. We are all Charger fans here.

[StevenSD]

Lol I don't put things in my sig because i like looking at it.

If you wanna discuss this, just PM me and I'll explain everything in it.

[gzubeck]

My feeling about this are...Phil, go back and watch tapes of how much Dan fouts used Kellen winslow...I remeber a few games where Fouts to winslow was the show...Use whoever is open and sure money catches.

[StevenSD]

Use whoever is open and sure money catches.

I'm sure that's what Rivers was doing during the season. Gates wasn't ALWAYS open. Rivers actually through it to him a couple of times when in some tight or close coverage. Remember the Steelers TD catch? The defender was right next to Gates. And the Denver TD in San Diego, where Rivers pretty much through it towards Darrant Williams AND Champ Bailey but somehow Gates boxed them out for the TD.

[Kenney86]

Awesome article--Norv makes a GREAT POINT---my gosh--the Chargers could be soooooooooooooo good--and I think they REALLY WILL BE IN 2007!!!!!

[puertoricanrobb]

Well remember it or not, I do, and he did. The questioning was around Gates getting the ball more, and he said position wise Gates gets the ball as much if not more than the top TE's in the NFL, and that TE's they arent WR's and shouldnt expect to get the ball the same amount. If I remember right it was sometime around the Browns game, or maybe alittle after it by a week or two.

So we don't have to provide links to anything anymore? AWESOME, in that case...


...Puerto Rican Robb was just named Secretary of Defense for the United States of America.

Don't worry, I remember reading it, it was right after Barak Obama decided to run for president, or maybe a little after by a week or two.

Lol I don't put things in my sig because i like looking at it.

If you wanna discuss this, just PM me and I'll explain everything in it.

Again you are being a hypocrite, "If you wanna discuss this, just PM me and I'll explain everything in it." Why not just post your NEW sig on your desktop so only you have to view it and nobody else. You are OBVIOUSLY trying to prove some sort of point to somebody or everyone.

Don't say you're not either, why do I have me Pwning Bolt Cola in my avatar, because I WANT EVERYONE to know that I Pwned him. The difference between you an I, B_C and I are boys, we're friends and if he did it to me I wouldn't call him out for it. You're doing the same thing, but you made a stink when McCharger pondered your words for a little while, only to turn around and paste his words in your signature for the forum to see.

What a waste of bandwith...

[nvcharger]

So we don't have to provide links to anything anymore? AWESOME, in that case...


...Puerto Rican Robb was just named Secretary of Defense for the United States of America.

Don't worry, I remember reading it, it was right after Barak Obama decided to run for president, or maybe a little after by a week or two.



Again you are being a hypocrite, "If you wanna discuss this, just PM me and I'll explain everything in it." Why not just post your NEW sig on your desktop so only you have to view it and nobody else. You are OBVIOUSLY trying to prove some sort of point to somebody or everyone.

Don't say you're not either, why do I have me Pwning Bolt Cola in my avatar, because I WANT EVERYONE to know that I Pwned him. The difference between you an I, B_C and I are boys, we're friends and if he did it to me I wouldn't call him out for it. You're doing the same thing, but you made a stink when McCharger pondered your words for a little while, only to turn around and paste his words in your signature for the forum to see.

What a waste of bandwith...
easy brother easy , so what is the first thing your gonna do as Sec of Def? ha just kidding.:Beer: :Beer:

[puertoricanrobb]

easy brother easy , so what is the first thing your gonna do as Sec of Def? ha just kidding.:Beer: :Beer:

NVCharger is like my lil Jiminey Cricket, I swear...

My first act as Secretary of Defense is to kick everyone in the face who is NOT a Chargers fan!!! http://www.nflfans.com/x/images/smilies/ROTF.gif

[mccharger]

So we don't have to provide links to anything anymore? AWESOME, in that case...


...Puerto Rican Robb was just named Secretary of Defense for the United States of America.

Don't worry, I remember reading it, it was right after Barak Obama decided to run for president, or maybe a little after by a week or two.



Again you are being a hypocrite, "If you wanna discuss this, just PM me and I'll explain everything in it." Why not just post your NEW sig on your desktop so only you have to view it and nobody else. You are OBVIOUSLY trying to prove some sort of point to somebody or everyone.

Don't say you're not either, why do I have me Pwning Bolt Cola in my avatar, because I WANT EVERYONE to know that I Pwned him. The difference between you an I, B_C and I are boys, we're friends and if he did it to me I wouldn't call him out for it. You're doing the same thing, but you made a stink when McCharger pondered your words for a little while, only to turn around and paste his words in your signature for the forum to see.

What a waste of bandwith...Well said my friend ...thank you.

[StevenSD]

Again you are being a hypocrite, "If you wanna discuss this, just PM me and I'll explain everything in it." Why not just post your NEW sig on your desktop so only you have to view it and nobody else. You are OBVIOUSLY trying to prove some sort of point to somebody or everyone.

Don't say you're not either, why do I have me Pwning Bolt Cola in my avatar, because I WANT EVERYONE to know that I Pwned him. The difference between you an I, B_C and I are boys, we're friends and if he did it to me I wouldn't call him out for it. You're doing the same thing, but you made a stink when McCharger pondered your words for a little while, only to turn around and paste his words in your signature for the forum to see.

What a waste of bandwith...

He understands, I think. The difference between you and I are this, you joke about things with buddies... I joke about things with people who aren't my buddies.

[mccharger]

He understands, I think. The difference between you and I are this, you joke about things with buddies... I joke about things with people who aren't my buddies.Oh come on buddy....:rolleyes:

[SD_Tailgater]

The interview was on TV. I wish I had a link. I really dont care. Point is Rivers needs to get Gates involved in the game more. Brees threw the ball all the time to Gates when he was being covered by two or three guys. Gates is BIG he came down with the ball. Rivers need to trust Gates to come down with it. Gates shines when the pressure on. I would much rather see the ball thrown to Gates than Big Foot Jackson, Gates is proven to rise to the occation Jacksons hasnt. Throw the ball to Gates more and your going to see the Wr's make bigger plays, thats if they can stay healthy and catch the ball.

[StevenSD]

The interview was on TV. I wish I had a link. I really dont care. Point is Rivers needs to get Gates involved in the game more. Brees threw the ball all the time to Gates when he was being covered by two or three guys. Gates is BIG he came down with the ball. Rivers need to trust Gates to come down with it. Gates shines when the pressure on. I would much rather see the ball thrown to Gates than Big Foot Jackson, Gates is proven to rise to the occation Jacksons hasnt. Throw the ball to Gates more and your going to see the Wr's make bigger plays, thats if they can stay healthy and catch the ball.

Brees also had 15 interceptions in 2005, probably a result of throwing it to Gates a lot in double and triple coverage?

[SD_Tailgater]

No most of Brees interception were do to under throwing his WR's or in and out of the WR's hands, or just point blank throwing to the wrong guy because he was to short to see the defender.

[kerr76]

today on cold pizza they hosted Lorenzo Neal and asked has the chargers passed their window for the super bowl. the idoit (not Lorenzo) on there said yes for 3 reasons
1) because they paid an aging blocking back so much $ for 3 years (Lorenzo Neal)
2) they hired Norv Turner not a head coach
3) I cant remember I was just pissed that he said there was 3 reasons and the ones that he named blew my mind.
what kind of crap is this, the team is young and still learning and growing. Lorenzo Neal has proven himself as one of the best and right in his face told him he's a mistake... I dont think I would be that dumb to say that to the face of a man that trains in the off season with a ultimate fighter. anyway I was a little peaved with that moment what kind of idiots do they hire to say this kind of stuff.:Bolt:

[mccharger]

today on cold pizza they hosted Lorenzo Neal and asked has the chargers passed their window for the super bowl. the idoit (not Lorenzo) on there said yes for 3 reasons
1) because they paid an aging blocking back so much $ for 3 years (Lorenzo Neal)
2) they hired Norv Turner not a head coach
3) I cant remember I was just pissed that he said there was 3 reasons and the ones that he named blew my mind.
what kind of crap is this, the team is young and still learning and growing. Lorenzo Neal has proven himself as one of the best and right in his face told him he's a mistake... I dont think I would be that dumb to say that to the face of a man that trains in the off season with a ultimate fighter. anyway I was a little peaved with that moment what kind of idiots do they hire to say this kind of stuff.:Bolt:He saisd that with Neal sitting right there? Thats messed up. What did Neal say?

[Dr. Bolt]

turner is in the hands of the titans? tenn. is looking at him now. i just read it.

[SP17BOLT]

Great article... imagine Gates, Rivers, and Merriman playing better than last year.

[WHTROVER]

Just have to point this out...people saying that Jackson has never shown up in the clutch obviously didn't see the Seattle game last year.

[copman40]

When are you guys going to trade Turner to the Bills??????

[IceBowlBoltsFan]

When are you guys going to trade Turner to the Bills??????

You should check out the Turner Trade Speculation thread in the General Discussions section. IMO Turner will probably be traded to the Bills or another team willing to trade a first round pick and nobody will offer that much until Draft Day. If nobody offers a first round he will remain a Charger.