For the first time since 2005, the San Diego Chargers will not win the AFC West ... meaning their quest for the franchise's first Super Bowl title will linger despite the team's loaded roster.
Still, team president and CEO Dean Spanos is quite comfortable with his management team of coach Norv Turner and GM A.J. Smith even though the tandem has not translated its regular-season success into playoff results.
Spanos told The San Diego Union-Tribune:
"I've learned the hard way," said Spanos. "Your GM and coach have to be two individuals who work together. It's very difficult for some teams; I've been through it. I like the working relationship at this level.
"We're as disappointed as anyone. But I look to 1996 to 2003, when we couldn't even get (beyond) 8-8. We've turned it around, to where we're a good team and a good organization. There's a lot of continuity, but we're still short.
"The easiest thing in the world is to start over. Who the hell do I go hire? Blow the whole thing up? We're a pretty good team but we have to make the right moves. We've fallen. It could have been our draft picks or our free-agent moves. But we have a good core, and I don't care what anybody says. I'm not afraid to make changes. If I thought it was warranted, I would do it. We have a good foundation here."
Still, despite the team's talent, Turner has guided it as far as the AFC Championship Game only once during his four-year tenure. And Smith has received criticism for the hardball negotiating tactics he used with Pro Bowl WR Vincent Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill, who both missed much of the season amid dissatisfaction with their restricted free agent tender offers.
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