Mixed Nutts

Is Norv Turner The Hootie Nutt Of The NFL?

Watching the Sunday night game on NBC tonight, it was almost painful watching the San Diego Chargers try to blow a 23 point lead. And I'm not even a Charger fan. But think about it. Hootie and Norv were both assistants to Jimmy Johnson on teams called the Cowboys. They both have 2 great running backs. Neither can develop a Quarterback. They're both dorks.

The game started with San Diego returning the opening kickoff for a TD. Before you could blink an eye, after a punt return for another TD, the score was 23-0. Then thing s got really strange. Right before the half, Colt kicker Adam Vinatieri, one of the great clutch kickers of all time, hooked a 42 yard attempt wide left.

At the end of the game, the Colts had fought back to get within 23-21 and had an apparent first down at the Charger 6 yard line. Norv the Dork challenged the spot of the ball and got a reversal. It was 4th and about half a yard. I think I would have had to run a QB sneak for the first down with 1:49 still left since a FG would have only given the Colts a 1 point lead. Instead Tony Dungy had his offense try to draw the defense offsides, unsuccessfully.

And like Van Tiffin of Alabama last year, Adam Vinatieri pushed a 29 yard field goal wide right. The Colts got the ball back, but with only :32 left and were unable to get back in FG range and lost. Unlike Hootie Nutt in the 'Bama game this year, even Norv Turner had the good sense not to throw on 3rd and long and stop the clock on the last San Diego possession. That ran an additional 40 seconds off the game clock.

Norv Turner, dork that he may be, at least had the good sense not to elbow the band director out of the way (if they had a band director in SD) or jump into the stands or do anything Hootie-like in celebrating the lucky win.

A real coach is more relieved at winning in such a way instead of jumping around like he just won the lottery ala Nuttcase. Norv Turner is not a real head coach, but one at least has to give him credit for that.