Wolverines Fan Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I found this on Profootballtalk. Yeah, I know it's just PFT speculation, but it surprised me. http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm SMITH PLANNING TO DUMP MARTY? There's talk in league circles that Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith secretly is planning to fire coach Marty Schottenheimer after all head coaching vacancies are filled. The suspicion is that, after the Raiders make their hire (in April, perhaps) Smith will scuttle Schottenheimer and promote defensive coordinator Wade Phillips (after, or course, satisfying the Rooney Rule by interviewing James Lofton or Ted Cottrell or the cook from South Park). Several weeks ago, Jay Glazer of FOX reported that Smith had discussed with ownership the possibility of dumping Marty, but that a decision was made at the time to stay the course. Tensions gradually have been rising between Schottenheimer and Smith. Last season, Smith traded backup quarterback Cleo Lemon without consulting Schottenheimer, even though was a Marty favorite. They also butted heads sharply in the past regarding Doug Flutie, a Smith guy. There also were rumors that Schottenheimer opted for a starter-heavy lineup in the regular season finale even though the then-9-6 Chargers were eliminated from playoff contention (and even though backup quarterback Philip Rivers has gotten precious few live reps in two seasons) because Schottenheimer's contract provides for a hefty bonus if he leads the team to ten wins. Starter Drew Brees emerged from the game with a serious shoulder injury, throwing a wrench into the team's options for managing their quarterback situation in an offseason in which Brees will hit the open market, absent a one-year tender in the neighborhood of $10 million. It looks like Schottenheimer could be hitting the open market as well, but after all of the jobs for 2006 are filled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebartender Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I heard a few weeks ago from Adam Caplan on Philadelphia Daily News Live that Marty's job could be in trouble due to his strained relationship with Smith. Very classless of the Charges if they wait until all teams have coaches IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 This "news" came out a few weeks back and was discussed in the local SD newspaper as well as on these boards. I have seen or heard nothing more about this in SD since then. I think that if the Chargers were going to dump Marty they would have done it by now. My impression is that the media just wanted to spread another rumor and tried to make more out of the this than was really there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonorator Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 it would be no great loss. he's lost it (if he ever had it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vet Posted January 27, 2006 Share Posted January 27, 2006 I could see him getting one more year and if they don't win at least one playoff game he's gone. San Diego might be a good place for Fassel if Shotty gets the boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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