Turner lobbies for Coryell

Norv Turner joined the lobby for Don Coryell on Thursday.

Turner referred to the letter Dan Fouts sent to Hall of Fame voters and said "no one is in more agreement than me" that the former Chargers coach belongs in Canton.

Turner spoke at a Hall of Champions luncheon. He spoke of his optimism regarding his team, but his most compelling comments were about the offensive system he employs and the man who wrought it first on college and then NFL defenses.

"If you create something that would stand the test of time and still be relevant after 50 years,it's pretty amazing," Turner told the crowd at the Hall of Champions. "It was cutting edge in the 1960s and it's still cutting edge."

Turner urged fans to contact Hall of Fame voters.

"You look at guys he coached against ... and if they could vote I promise you Coach Coryell would be in the Hall of Fame."

Turner has credited Ernie Zampese with effectively teaching him Coryell's offense. Zampese was in the audience Thursday.

Speaking of today's Chargers, Turner defended his commitment to the run and also his commitment to his main runner throwing the ball.

In response to a question, Turner pointed out LaDainian Tomlinson has thrown just nine career passes in eight seasons. One of those passes was with Turner as coach.

"We do want LT to throw the ball," Turner said. "If I have a choice I'll have Philip (Rivers) throw ... We'll have it ready to go if we need it."

Turner praised the offseason performances of draft picks Larry English, Louis Vasquez, Kevin Ellison and Brandon Hughes.

I was talking to a couple veterans on offense yesterday and they too were particularly impressed with English, Vasquez and Ellison so far.

As Turner has been saying all spring, he told the Hall audience that he was pleased with his team's maturity. He thinks they've learned from past overconfidence.

"I think our guys have outgrown that," he said.

Link

All anyone who is on the fence regarding Coach Coryell's HOF credentials should go to the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. They have the "lineage" of the West Coast offense, from Sid Gillman to Don Coryell and on to today, showing who uses a version of it. It's amazing how this is traced.