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Jimmy on the spot Chargers turn to Johnson to revive franchise
Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King spoke with CNN anchor Bob Lorenz on Sunday about Week 15's storylines on CNN's NFL Preview: Bob Lorenz: Peter, another disastrous year for the San Diego Chargers, just one win ... but could help be on the way? Peter King: The San Diego Chargers have turned to Jimmy Johnson. Chargers President Dean Spanos has taken on Jimmy as a consultant to help with their coaching and front-office situation. Johnson will not serve as a general manager in any way, but he is there to help as needed. Lorenz: Green Bay Packers are hosting the Detroit Lions [on Sunday] at Lambeau Field, and game-time temperature is supposed to be in the 20s. Brett Favre is 25-and-0 at home when the temperature is under 32 degrees, but the Pack right now is on the brink; they could miss the playoffs for the second year in a row. How is Favre handling that? King: I spent some time with Favre on Saturday, and I was surprised at how well he is handling it, and how he likes it in Green Bay at this point in time. Favre said, 'I can't, we can't, expect to win a Super Bowl every year. Right now, I am really happy because this team is in position, with a couple of good years of drafting, to be back on top.' Lorenz: Not only did Norv Turner get sacked in D.C., but quarterback Brad Johnson did as well, losing his starting job. But that's not the only fallout in the nation's capital. What else is going on with the Redskins? King: A couple pieces of business in Washington other than on the coaching front. Number one, when Johnson opened his mouth this week and said that he was upset because his demotion came from up top that in turn really upset the higher hierarchy of the Redskins. In fact the Redskins considered cutting Brad Johnson this week but didn't. Johnson will remain the number two QB for the rest of the year. Secondly, Ray Rhodes the defensive coordinator is really having second thoughts about whether he wants to return to the Redskins next year. Lorenz: You've given us a little bit of insight on Jimmy Johnson's relationship with San Diego, a lot of changes going on there with the 1-12 Chargers, including head coach Mike Riley having talked with USC, what's his future? King: Well, if Johnson is involved with San Diego, which he is right now, there is no way Riley will return to coach the Chargers. Riley is just not Johnson's type of a coach. Riley will most likely end up at USC, and not return to the Chargers. But I think what happens in San Diego is that the Chargers are going to have a wide-open coaching search and they are going to have more of a disciplinarian in there next year. Lorenz: Bills at Colts on Monday night, should be a good game. Peter, who do you like? King: As much as the Colts' offense has been in a funk the last few weeks, their defense hasn't helped them either. And Monday night, I think Chad Bratzke breaks out of his personal sack-slump and gets two or three. I think the Colts will handle the Bills fairly easily. Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL beat for the magazine and appears each Sunday on CNN's NFL Preview.
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