What Did Marty Schottenheimer Say During Loss to Patriots?

Any time you hear an NFL player or coach who's wearing a microphone during a game, that microphone is controlled by the NFL. Although the TV networks can broadcast what the players and coaches say during a game, you'll notice that there is always a gap of at least a few minutes before the TV networks play anything that's said on the field. That's because first an NFL Films official -- a league employee -- has to approve it.

I offer that preface because it's important to understand that if a player or coach who's wearing a microphone says something that would be embarrassing to the league, we fans are never going to hear it. And so what follows is gossip that will likely never be conclusively confirmed.

Via Larry Brown Sports, I learn today that Steve Czaban of FOX Sports Radio and WTEM in Washington D.C. is quoting an anonymous league source who says he knows what former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said during his team's playoff loss to the New England Patriots.

You'll remember the infamous 4th and 11 call that probably doomed SD in the first quarter. This was the exchange that was heard "down-the-line" between Marty and Cam Cameron.

Marty: We're going for it.

Cameron: No f'ing way coach, we're kicking.

Marty: Find a play. We're going for it.

From then on it was a huge argument with cursing left and right. They had to call a time out and when Rivers came over he said, "What's going on, why aren't we kicking the field goal?"
So early in the second quarter, Marty yells into the mic, "Goddamnit, I'm so hyped up someone needs to get over here and calm me down." So the special teams coach comes over to him and talks to him and Marty says, "I was pulling into the parking lot today and I decided we were going to be aggressive. People don't think I can be aggressive but I decided driving in that we were going to be." And the ST coach says, "Coach. You can't let the outside stuff get to you."

Again, the NFL controls the audio, so it's highly unlikely that we'll ever find out for sure. But if true, this certainly lends credence to the idea that Schottenheimer "chokes" in the playoffs.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

2-16-2007 @ 7:03PM

TANK said...

ITS FOOTBALL DAMMIT WHAT DO YOU EXPECT

2-16-2007 @ 8:32PM

billy club said...

Charger fans should be rejoycing now that loser marty is fired

2-16-2007 @ 8:47PM

marcomike said...

Well that sounds accurate for sure! On the Inside the NFL show on HBO; Marty the knucklehead was shown shouting on the sidelines to his players: "Men we are kicking there ass, but we need to be more physical!!!!" Well I thought WTF is he smoking? His players are amped out of there minds as it is (note some of those stupid penalties) he should have been saying come on

2-16-2007 @ 8:45PM

k p said...

I think the Chargers are going to sorely miss Marty Schottenheimer. He is an outstanding coach and did not deserve the treatment he was given. Ultimately it is the players on the field who must perform. The fourth quarter, is a good example, the muffed punt returns ??? Marty was not fielding those punts.. It was a bad break, but thats why they play the game>>

2-16-2007 @ 8:48PM

Well that sounds accurate for sure! On the Inside the NFL show on HBO; Marty the knucklehead (after the Pats loss) was shown shouting on the sidelines to his players: "Men we are kicking there ass, but we need to be more physical!!!!" Well I thought WTF is he smoking? His players are amped out of there minds as it is (note some of those stupid penalties) he should have been saying come "Men we are winning, but we need to play smart, no stupid penalties!" One other thing for all of you people out there that think he such a wonderful coach, with the talent on that team ANYONE could have guided them to the playoffs and I mean ANYONE. The best coach in the NFL BY FAR is Belichick, I mean with the cast of characters he had on defense against the Colts, it was a freaking miracle the Pats went to the AFC championship game and almost won!

2-17-2007 @ 1:13PM

Ask the Cowboys and Jerry Jones about "anyone" coaching their teams in the playoffs. After he let Jimmy Johnson go and got his buddy Switzer to coach ?where are them Cowboys now. Right where the Chargers wil be next year. Sorry Chargers, hate to see you go.
Bring back Jimmy to the Cowboys, Thats what I say.

2-17-2007 @ 7:56AM

Robert Cloud said...

To Dale(Evens)Hanson,
If the owner, Jerry(Lewis)Jones, spent all those millions on top linemen, instead of TO, stands for, to only catch, and place kicker, forgot his name, Romo might have had time,and protection, to throw to a receiver. Think of our running backs getting blocking.
Guys, we had the coach, it still goes' back to Jerry(Lewis)Jones. He can't coach, he can't Pick players, he can't organize a football team, and keep it. Remember Jimmy Johnson?
The man can't even get a good Doctor for a face lift. He has forgotten what class is. Remember Tom Landry?

2-16-2007 @ 10:17PM

Gino said...

Another example of Marty losing it was his decision to challenge a call that wasn't even close, thus losing a huge timeout at the end of the game. He is either dumb, out of control of the game, or he was getting really bad information.

2-17-2007 @ 1:18AM

bob dean said...

For me being a charger fan, and having a bad back, seeing this team dismantle like this is heartbreaking, and a shame. Marty might not have ever won the big one, but he's a fine coach. This not only hurts my heart, but makes by back ache everytime I think of the chargers playing next year. All the people like me who suffer from chronic back pain and having a sorry team. Order your pain meds now so you wont feel so bad.

2-16-2007 @ 10:55PM

Cliff Sneyers said...

I love Marty although I think that I could be tougher than him - he needed to kick some asses like I do every day at work to get the most out of these high paid prima donnas.

2-17-2007 @ 1:25AM

For all the Marty haters, better order your pain meds now, cause the chargers season next year will be dismal.

2-16-2007 @ 11:41PM

abelomega said...

chargers suck anyways. RAIDER NATION!!

2-17-2007 @ 1:29AM

George B Vieto said...

Hate to second guess the coach but any football coach should stick to a game plan and have the attitude that what does the outsiders know about football coaching. Marty simply wasn't focused on sticking to playing with the cards he had in his deck. He allowed outside forces to be more aggresive and it backfired. Well Marty did it his way.

2-17-2007 @ 1:43AM

Zach said...

Is it a good time of year to rebuild a coaching staff? Does A.J. Smith work well with others? Did Marty have any stupid penalties... or fumbles? Many things besides a dumb challenge and an aggressive call, early, contributed to the Chargers loss to the Patriots. Why didn't Bellichick shake hands with Peyton Manning? The Chargers have a very entertaining schedule next year, despite who the coach is they will be competitive. I hope Lt does a dance on the Patriot at Gillette in Foxboro, but he is a real pro.

2-17-2007 @ 2:39AM

Tim Burns said...

Sleazy rumors...An anonymous league source...Just what I've come to expect. Keep up the good work. Moron.

2-17-2007 @ 3:44AM

Bill James said...

If Marty wanted to be aggresive, he should have told defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips. As a long time Chargers fan, I'm sick and tired of seeing our championship oportunities go down the drain because of the fricking prevent defense.At the end of each half, they bend and break !!!

2-17-2007 @ 5:17AM

Kathy Battle said...

I'm so sick of the NFL's Instant gratification policy. What have the Browns done since Marty left?? What has K.C. done since Marty left?? Give a good coach like Marty (and so many others) the time needed to build a team and coaching staff necessary to go all the way. How many of you want your careers judged based on your supervisors, CEOs, or co-workers or a few ill-advised decisions you've made?

2-17-2007 @ 8:00AM

2-17-2007 @ 8:24AM

Robert Butler said...

As a long suffering Browns fan, I would LOVE to have Marty back as head coach. He took us to 2 championship games ( yeah, we lost both, THE DRIVE AND THE FUMBLE ). San Diego made a big mistake. In Cleveland, we are starving for a winner or even a playoff contender.

2-17-2007 @ 8:35AM

I've got a question? Why do all professional sports have Umpires, Referees, men that are paid, so they stay together as a group. To manage and call games.All have this except Pro Football. When you have a team of men that can make a difference in a Sport like Pro Football, it just makes sense to have this. They work together to get better at what they do. You wont have groups of men huddled together for longer discussions that hold up games longer than it should be, and for Gods sake have them take care of the New Footballs. They should be the one that rub down the footballs and not some trainer on the opposite team. Men that work together year round do better at what they are paid for. Can you see the Bat Boy taking care of the baseballs in pro Baseball.
Robert Cloud