Thank you San Diego!

The Chargers hired Norv Turner to be their new head coach today. This is excellent news on two fronts - (1) the team with possibly the most talent in football just hired a coach with a 58-82 lifetime record and (2) Rex Ryan will return as the Ravens' defensive coordinator.

Norv Turner has proven over and over again that he's a great offensive coordinator but a lousy head coach. Everywhere he's gone as an offensive coordinator he's had success. But everywhere he's gone as a head coach he's had trouble controlling an entire team. At best, the Chargers will have a pretty major adjustment period (4 other coaches from their staff left), which could hurt their seeding for the playoffs. At worst (or best in the Ravens' case), Turner will work his magic and bring the team down significantly.

Losing Rex Ryan to the Chargers would have been more damaging to the Ravens next season than the likely loss of Adalius Thomas. Last year's Ravens "D" was one of the most dominant in recent NFL history despite starting 4 players drafted in the 5th round or later (including AD) and starting 2 rookies. By comparison, the dominant Ravens defense in 2000 had only 2 players drafted in the 5th round or later (both of whom were on the D-line, coached by Ryan) and no rookies. Ryan has an incredible ability to get the most out of players, both from a scheme and motivational standpoint. It's just amazing that retreads like Norv Turner and Wade Phillips got jobs this year while Ryan didn't. Reminds me a little of 2001, when Buffalo (Gregg Williams) and Cleveland (Butch Davis) both passed on Marvin Lewis. (Both of those teams are on their 3rd coaches since then.)