Football Preview Series
Stay Classy San Diego
So let me get this straight. San Diego lost Shottenheimer, Phillips and Cameron as their three main coaches, and replaced them with Norv Turner? Yikes.
To be fair, Turner’s role as an offensive coordinator in San Francisco last season helped turn them in to a potential playoff team. With LT2, P. Rivers and a strong receiving corps, San Diego could be a fool-proof team, even in Turner’s hands.
They will be without the services of veteran receiver K. McCardell, but Gates, E. Parker and V. Jackson are a formidable, if unspectacular, trio. And when LT is running behind that overwhelming offensive line, San Diego will have no problems scoring.
The defense returns in full force. The front three of Williams, Olshansky and Castillo is dominating. Then there’s “Lights Out” Merriman who is quickly becoming the most feared defensive player in football. player in football.
San Diego’s biggest concern remains their secondary, which remains extremely vulnerable. But that’s a small price to pay when the front seven are getting in to the backfield so often. They are third behind New England and Indianapolis to win Super Sunday, and for good reason. Many felt that Marty was becoming predictable and he was unable to produce in the playoffs. Turner proved himself in San Fran as a solid offensive co-coordinator, and the injection of new coaching blood may be what they need.
With Indianapolis taking such a hit on the offensive side of the ball, San Diego will be the biggest threat to New England in the AFC, perhaps the favorite to win the league. Be wary of new coaches though. Only one has ever won the big game with a brand new squad (Gruden and Tampa Bay in 2002)…
