Turner signs three-year extension

Source: Chargers.com

San Diego President Dean Spanos signed Head Coach Norv Turner to a three-year contract extension today, extending his contract through the 2013 season. "I'm extremely proud of the job Norv has done with this team," said Spanos. "In three seasons he's led the team to three division titles. I'm confident that if we strengthen our roster and continue to provide Norv the assets he needs, this team will have continued success."

Turner has the top overall winning percentage in team history at .648 (35-19) as well as the top regular-season percentage (32-16, .667). The Chargers are 13-0 in December under Turner and 4-3 in January. His three playoff wins are tied for most in team history. The team's 13 regular-season wins in 2009 are the second most in team history, and includes a team-high seven wins on the road and a 4-0 sweep of the NFC East. The team committed the second-fewest turnovers (17) and the third-fewest penalty yards (570) during the regular season. Its 78 penalties are the fewest by the Chargers since 1976 when there were 14-game seasons.

Turner's leadership did not go unnoticed nationally as USA Today named him its NFL Coach of the Year.

Lets keep the Rivers flowin'!!

Posted: January 21, 2009

Sporting News staff reports

The Chargers want quarterback Philip Rivers to stay in San Diego.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith told the San Diego Union-Tribune Tuesday that the team will begin negotiations with Rivers on a long-term contract very soon.

"You offer a contract and hope for the best," Smith said. "We'll have a contract (offer) and hope it's successful. If not, we have the franchise (tag)."

Rivers, 27, will play the final year of his current contract next season. In 2008, he threw for 4,009 yards and a team-record 34 touchdowns.

San Diego has several key players whose contracts expire in the next two years, including running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

The newspaper reports another reason San Diego feels the pressure to get Rivers signed to a deal and avoid having to use the franchise tag is the Chargers might want to use the franchise tag on Shawne Merriman in 2010.