| CHICAGO — Norv Turner looked happy and healthy as he
walked through the Chicago O’Hare Hilton Tuesday morning. Was he carrying a playbook
or some other paperwork? Nope, he had a new putter in his hand, a gift from a friend. Turner,
the new offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers, was clearly excited to talk about
the Chargers’ improved offense and about working with the team’s new
quarterback, and big free-agent signing, Doug Flutie.
PFW: How was minicamp?
NT: Our minicamp was outstanding. I was really pleased with the way Doug took to the
offense. He really handled everything well.
PFW: How’s Flutie doing?
NT: He’s a real pro. He’s such a hard worker — you know, he came in
early to learn the offense. He seems really open to the way we do things, and that’s
not always the case with veteran players. It looks like this offense really fits him well.
People always think of him making plays when he’s scrambling, but he’s awfully
good in the pocket too. And we’ll mix in some shotgun (formations) for him, too.
PFW: And the rest of the offense?
NT: I feel good about this group. We want to run the ball this season. I know people in
San Diego are concerned about our offensive line, but I like Ed Ellis (a free-agent pickup
from Washington) and Vaughn Parker, who give us two solid tackles. The young guys look
good too. We’re gonna be a fast offense, and we’ll get rid of the ball quick.
We’ll move Doug around so defenses won’t know where he’ll be. … This
can be a real good offense. (TE) Freddie Jones had 71 catches last year, and we expect him
to play a big role. (WR) Curtis Conway is healthy and running great. (RB) Terrell Fletcher
has the quickness we like in a third-down back. (RB) LaDainian Tomlinson has great speed.
PFW: Speaking of Tomlinson, how’d he look in minicamp?
NT: He is very, very fast. Seeing him run in shorts at minicamp really emphasized that.
He also has great power and explosion with great quickness and balance.
PFW: What’s it like working with a mobile quarterback like Flutie after working
with pocket passers like Troy Aikman and Brad Johnson?
NT: I really haven’t been around a QB like Doug, who has the great ability to move
around and improvise. But people forget that Troy and Brad could make plays scrambling
with the ball when plays broke down. That’s when most quarterbacks run anyways —
when the play breaks down.
PFW: Have you worked with the offense regarding Flutie’s ability to improvise?
NT: Yes. We worked on improvisation in minicamp. I think the guys love it because it
just lets them play the game. I mean, we want to make sure that the guy who’s
supposed to go deep does that, and that the guys who are supposed to help Doug short are
there to support him. But when Doug improvises, they’re out there on their own,
making plays.
PFW: What’s the players’ attitude like?
NT: This group has a great work ethic. There are a lot of guys who have had a lot of
success, and there’s a lot of confidence. The key now is putting it all together.
… It obviously helps having an experienced QB — it gives us a feeling of
confidence. Plus, the players know that this offensive system is a proven system and that
if they execute and believe in it, they will be successful.
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