Norv Turner has been assured by club management that he'll be back next season, and the Chargers coach said Wednesday he's looking forward to a more productive campaign by the team in 2011.
The Chargers (8-7) had won three consecutive AFC West titles under Turner before being eliminated from playoff contention last Sunday with a loss in Cincinnati. San Diego finishes off its season on Sunday at Denver.
In a conference call with Denver-area reporters, Turner said he believes team president and CEO Dean Spanos, along with general manager A.J. Smith, understood that the team's injury-riddled season had a lot to do with the Chargers' falling short of the playoffs.
San Diego lost such stars as tight end Antonio Gates, wide receivers Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, Patrick Crayton, kicker Nate Kaeding and running back Ryan Mathews to injury at various times. In addition, the Chargers had to cope with the prolonged absence of left tackle Marcus McNeill and wide receiver Vincent Jackson due to holdouts.
"I think they appreciate the fact that we played 73 different guys," Turner said. "You know, we've been through a lot of different things in terms of preparing different people for different games and the uncertainty of it.
"It's not making excuses. We had opportunities to overcome some situations. We didn't quite get it done. It's nice to compete again next year. We won the division three years in a row. It hurts not to do it again."
Strong all season on both offense and defense despite their injury problems, the Chargers never really recovered from a 2-5 start that was due in large part to failings on special teams.
"We had a lot of guys playing at a real high level," Turner said. "Our issues and it has been well documented: We had five punt blocks, we had kicks returned for touchdowns and our backs fumbled the ball inside the 20 in close games, I think, four different times. We just didn't take care of the ball and didn't take care of the kicking game the way we have in the past."
Through it all, Turner said, he has maintained a solid working relationship with Spanos and Smith and welcomed the opportunity to work with them again.
"I believe we're all on the same page," he said. "We've been on the same page. I think Dean and A.J. have a great understanding of the different things that happened as the season goes on."
Meanwhile, Turner said even though there's no postseason stake in Sunday's matchup against the Broncos (4-11), he planned to go all-out and he intended to play all of his healthy starters.
"We're going to play our guys," he said. "We're going to play the game. Since I remember starting playing, whether it was junior high playing Pop Warner or playing in high school, I've never heard of a meaningless game. Guys that love to compete, that's what we're talking about. The Champ Baileys, the Philip Rivers that love to compete. We're playing a lot of guys because we've had to. We've had a lot of starters out. If they are dressed, they will play."
Norv Turner Turning Page on Tough Season, Eager to Tackle Job Next Year
Dec 29, 2010 – 6:29 PM
LIVE: NBA Finals Game 6
Michael Hastings Dies In Car Crash At Age 33
House Passes Major Anti-Abortion Bill
Banks Caught In How Many Mortgage Settlement Violations?
House Committee Advances Immigration Bill Over Dem Objections
4 U.S. Soldiers Killed In Attack On Afghanistan Air Base
'I Know Four People Who Have Been Shot'
Google Is Using The First Amendment To Push Back Against The NSA
Official Claims White House Wasn't Involved In IRS Scandal
REPORTS: Patriots TE Questioned By Police In Murder Probe
Young Adults Want Health Insurance, Which Is Good News For Obamacare: Survey
Serena Makes Inflammatory Remarks About Steubenville Victim
Major City Closes In On Plastic Bag Ban
WATCH: 'Daily Show' Skewers Evangelical's Claim That Gays Bully Christians
U.S. To Start Talks With Taliban
Huge Savings Predicted From Immigration Bill
Fineman: Bachmann's 'Got A Point' On Syria
Congressman To Challenge IRS In Court
Same-Sex Couples Face Significant Housing Discrimination, Historic Government Study Says
LOOK: Iran's New President Makes Important Statement In New Tweet
U.S. Companies Lobbying Furiously To Save Tax Loopholes
Hadiya Pendleton's Parents Discuss Addressing Chicago Gun Violence
BREAKING: Tornado Touches Down Near Denver Airport
Study: The Minimum Wage Is Worth $2 Less Today Than It Was In 1968
Dem Rep: 'However Inarticulate, I Think Miss Utah Was On To Something'
Walmart PAC's Political Spending Revealed
Mika Admits 'Hypocrisy' Over NSA Scandals
PHOTO: Brazilian Officer Pepper-Sprays Female Protester In The Face
The Next City To Legalize Weed?
Cameron: WWII Bomb Found At G8 Summit
Anti-War Bomber Says Obama Should Be Tried For War Crimes
