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The firing of Marty Schottenheimer seems like something Al Davis might do, writes columnist Michael Ventre.

But then the Chargers lost five assistants, including two coordinators. That was the cockeyed reason given by Spanos as to why the team decided to oust Schottenheimer now. Said Spanos in a statement: “When I decided to move ahead with Marty Schottenheimer in mid-January, I did so with the expectation that the core of his fine coaching staff would remain intact. Unfortunately, that did not prove to be the case, and the process of dealing with these coaching changes convinced me that we simply could not move forward with such dysfunction between our head coach and general manager.”

Huh?

That sounds like Raiders logic. I picture a chimpanzee pecking away at an old Underwood to craft that statement while the Three Stooges hit each other over the heads with mallets.

Assistants leave all the time. Good assistants. They get better jobs. In this case, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron left to take the head coaching position with the Miami Dolphins. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips departed to become head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski was hired as offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns. Linebackers coach Greg Manusky left to become the defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers. And the strength and conditioning coach left to join Cameron in Miami.

Aside from that last one, the other four all left to move up the coaching ladder. Who can blame them? It wasn’t a mutiny against Marty. It wasn’t a bailing out on a sinking ship. And even if it was, who’s to say it didn’t happen because they were sick and tired of being employed by Spanos and Smith?

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No, if you lose assistants, you hire new ones, even if coach and GM aren't on the same page on the choices. There are lots of bright candidates out there. You work it out. You make compromises. That line of bull was part of a charade.

This was a Raiders move by the Chargers. This illustrated that as close as they think they are to a Super Bowl, they’re really much closer in philosophy to Al Davis’ franchise and its commitment to pestilence.

Apparently it’s Super Bowl or bust for the San Diego Chargers. After they kicked Marty Schottenheimer out the door because of extreme pettiness, the bet here is on bust.

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