It is a big game for Schottenheimer, no doubt, since he has a rather large monkey on his back in an otherwise remarkable career. Let me also add that a lot of what has happened to him in the post season were not his fault. Some where coaching mistakes for sure, but it's so easy to lay the blame on him when players don't perform in the clutch.
That aside, this is blown out of proportion more than you know. Schottenheimer and Spanos get along fine. Him and AJ Smith not so good. But AJ's a smart guy... he's going to give serious consideration to firing the only coach we've had in the last 10 years that have led us to a winning record. Even before this flood of new talent he did well with the Chargers after our disastrous episode with Ryan Leaf that should have set us back for many years. Even if Schotty doesn't win, it would b a very very tough decision to let him go and if he did leave, he'll have a job next week. I wouldn't worry too much about Schottenheimer. Worry about the 53 players you'll be facing come Sunday.
