In my list of surprising developments from last week, I left off a big one: Norv Turner continued to score interviews for great jobs. His 58-82-1 career record hasn't hurt his stock around the league at all. In fact, he's been chosen to take over the most talented roster in the NFL. Norv Turner is your new coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Turner's shaky career mark provides an interesting contrast to Marty Schottenheimer's 200 career wins and .612 winning percentage. But Marty will be at home in 2007, while Turner gets the keys to a 14-2 team. I hesitate to call the Chargers the best job in football because the owner, GM, and stadium situation is shaky, despite all the talent on the roster.

While this is a much better gig than Oakland, there are some similarities. The Chargers roster had more arrests last season than any team except the Bengals. Turner's "treat them like adults" style didn't work with the wayward Raiders, and he could have trouble controlling these Chargers, now that they've tasted some success.

Turner is expected to hire another coaching veteran (or retread depending on your view), Ted Cottrell, to take over San Diego's loaded 3-4 defense. Cottrell and Turner have a unique opportunity to rehabilitate their careers or prove once and for all that they can't win.

From a strictly fantasy perspective, Turner's hire can work. He develops quarterbacks well, so Philip Rivers is in good hands. We'd rather see more stability with the coaching staff, but Turner's track record pumping out productive running games (look at Frank Gore this year) should ease the fears of LaDainian Tomlinson owners out there.

Turner is often cited as one of the nicest guys in the NFL, and perhaps that helps explain why he keeps getting so many opportunities. With a Super Bowl-ready roster at hand, Turner will be under pressure to win right away. If not, both he and GM A.J. Smith could be looking for work.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Brian Billick says that reports about his contract extension are incorrect. He says he is under contract beyond 2008, which would indicate that's not on the whitehot seat going into next season. The Ravens have a policy of not talking about a coaches contract, which is sorta ruined if Billick ... talks about it.

Regardless of his contract length, I think Billick needs to get Baltimore to the playoffs next year again to keep his job. Wtih half the league changing coaches in the last two years, most of the NFL coaches have reasonable job security. My top five coaches on the hot seat would be ...

1. Tom Coughlin
2. Romeo Crennel
3. Jon Gruden
4. Jack Del Rio
5. Brian Billick

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There has been a lot of talk this week about whether the Rooney Rule is still necessary. Many reports have suggested Mike Singletary only received a chance with the Cowboys so Jerry Jones wouldn't take heat for skirting the rule.

But even if that was Jones' motivation for interviewing Singletary, the rule is still working. Mike Singletary got an opportunity to show his wares, meet Jerry Jones, and try to prove that he was the right man for the job. No matter what Jones thought about Singletary before, the coach had a chance to change his preconceptions. That's all you can ask for.

Mike Tomlin probably wouldn't have earned an interview if not for the Rooney rule and he got the Steelers job. Lovie Smith admitted Tuesday that he owed his job to the Rooney rule. Smith's success shows why the rule is necessary, not why we've outgrown it.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)