2007 San Diego Chargers season
| 2007 San Diego Chargers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Norv Turner |
| General manager | A.J. Smith |
| Owner | Alex Spanos |
| Home field | Qualcomm Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 11–5 |
| Division place | 1st AFC West |
| Playoff finish |
Won Wild Card Playoffs (Titans) 17–6 Won Divisional Playoffs (Colts) 28–24 Lost Conference Championship (Patriots) 21–12 |
The 2007 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to equal their 2006 regular season success (14–2) and avoid another early departure in the playoffs. After a struggling start under new head coach Norv Turner (5–5), they finished the regular season strong, with six straight wins, an overall record of 11–5, and the AFC West title. More important, they went further in the playoffs than the previous year, but fell again to the undefeated New England Patriots, this time in the AFC Championship game.
For the second consecutive season, star running back LaDainian Tomlinson led the NFL in rushing with 1,474 yards.
After a postseason loss to the New England Patriots, offensive and defensive coordinators Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips left for new coaching jobs with the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys respectively. Marty Schottenheimer, after originally being told he would stay as head coach, was fired in February. Replacing Schottenheimer was Norv Turner, who was signed to take over the helm later in the month. Turner, who installed the Chargers current offensive set when he was the Chargers' offensive coordinator in 2001, was selected to be the head coach largely due to the fact that he would maintain the offensive game plan that led the team to its best regular season record in team history. Turner also agreed with general manager A.J. Smith on the hiring of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, who had worked with Phillips when both were with the Buffalo Bills and later was the defensive coordinator with the Bills.Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who interviewed for the Chargers' head coaching job, was hired to coach the Chargers' linebackers instead. Smith also re-signed Charger free agent offensive guard Kris Dielman to a six-year contract that will virtually guarantee him almost $17 million and put him around $40 million over the life of the deal.Linebacker Donnie Edwards was not offered a contract and signed with his former team, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers released veteran wide receiver Keenan McCardell during the offseason along with safety Terrence Kiel.
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