Chargers

Offense

The Chargers have been mentioned as one of the top candidates to move to L.A. in the near future. It appears Indianapolis, New Orleans, Minnesota or an expansion franchise are the remaining candidates.

Smith and current Packers director of football operations Reggie McKenzie are both expected to receive consideration in Oakland. Per the Union-Trib, “some in league circles” have associated Smith’s name with the Dolphins’ potential GM vacancy if Jeff Ireland is fired. It is also “well known” throughout the NFL that Smith is close with ESPN commentator Jon Gruden.

Sources tell the Union-Trib that Spanos was “very much” influenced by the fans’ positive reaction in Week 15. Spanos reportedly still considers GM A.J. Smith the “ideal front man,” and Smith believes in Turner “now as much as he did when he went out on a limb and hired him in 2007.” Should Spanos reverse course, Smith would reportedly be at the top of Rams owner Stan Kroenke’s front-office list in a 2012 house-cleaning while ex-Titans coach Jeff Fisher “would like to align with Smith.”

Turner was widely perceived as gone after a six-game losing streak all but knocked the Bolts out of the playoffs for the second straight year, but his long-time quarterback didn’t hesitate to go to bat for him. It’s extremely doubtful Turner would’ve been retained had Rivers not wanted him back. Both have a lot to prove in 2012.

Fantasy owners can be forgiven if Shelmon’s name doesn’t ring a bell, as HC Norv Turner pretty much runs the Bolts’ offense. Shelmon has coached for 37 years, including the last 10 in San Diego as RBs coach then coordinator. He did play a key role in the ground game, tutoring the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner, Darren Sproles, Mike Tolbert, and Ryan Mathews. “You know when it’s time,” said Shelmon. “It’s time for me to go and do some other things with my life.”

Beat writer Kevin Acee reports Spanos will “almost certainly” fire GM A.J. Smith, as well. Before the Bolts lost to Denver in overtime at home last week, Acee reported it would take a “miracle turnaround” for Turner to save his job. Technically still in the AFC West race, the Chargers need a near total collapse from the Raiders to make the playoffs for the fourth time in five years under Turner.

If true, it would make for Turner’s greatest escape yet, as reports out of San Diego have had Turner’s firing as a formality for over a month. An “NFL source” reported earlier in the day that Philip Rivers was “lobbying” for the Bolts to keep Turner, and it’s possible he’s swayed owner Dean Spanos. The fact that Turner was allowed to conduct his normal press conference Monday could be a sign that his fate is indeed still up in the air. An official resolution to the situation should come within the next 24 hours.

Turner saved some face with the Week 17 win in Oakland, proving that the players still fight for him. The Chargers won four of their last five games. “I’m going to sleep on this for a couple days,” Spanos said. "...There are a lot of things I want to think about.”

Hunter’s responsibilities won’t change drastically. Norv Turner will continue to call the plays and oversee the offense, with Hunter helping to put together game plans from the input of the rest of the position coaches after film study on Mondays and Tuesdays. Former Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild has also been added to the offensive staff.

“It will take a miracle turnaround for Norv Turner to be the coach beyond this year,” said Acee on NFL Network’s Around the League segment on Monday. The Chargers have dropped five straight games and are in last place in the AFC West. ESPN’s Jerry Rice also blamed Turner for the Chargers’ 2011 collapse on SportsCenter Monday. “Norv Turner is one of those coaches that just can’t you over the hump,” Rice said. “I played under this guy.” The Chargers appear headed for their second straight playoffs-less season.