Notice how one local sports columnist often refers to Chargers’ General Manager A.J. Smith as John Wayne?
These days, he’d be better off calling Smith another “John Doe.”
In the “what have you done for me lately category,” the answer for Smith is simple:
Not much.
A.J. took much credit for building the Chargers with such free agent moves as bringing in veteran linebackers Randall Godfrey and Steve Foley in 2004 (not to mention drafting Philip Rivers in 2004 and Shawne Merriman in 2005.)
But when you look at the recent free agent/draft picks of the Chargers, it makes you wonder.
How about No. 1 draft pick Buster Davis from 2007? He’s a bust.
How about free agent linebacker Derek Smith, signed before the 2008 season? He’s no longer here.
And how about running back Michael Turner, who left the Chargers through free agency for the Atlanta Falcons?
He’s far superior this year to LaDainian Tomlinson, whose presence led to Turner’s departure.
Smith pounded his chest when the Chargers were successful under Marty Schottenheimer (at least during the regular season.)
Now he should hide his head in shame for hiring Norv Turner, who only makes the playoffs twice a decade as a head coach.
As much as Smith always wanted to take the credit, he certainly must take much of the heat for the team’s downfall in 2008.
Sunday selection:
Atlanta 24, Chargers 20 (Falcons win game on last drive!!!)
These days, he’d be better off calling Smith another “John Doe.”
In the “what have you done for me lately category,” the answer for Smith is simple:
Not much.
A.J. took much credit for building the Chargers with such free agent moves as bringing in veteran linebackers Randall Godfrey and Steve Foley in 2004 (not to mention drafting Philip Rivers in 2004 and Shawne Merriman in 2005.)
But when you look at the recent free agent/draft picks of the Chargers, it makes you wonder.
How about No. 1 draft pick Buster Davis from 2007? He’s a bust.
How about free agent linebacker Derek Smith, signed before the 2008 season? He’s no longer here.
And how about running back Michael Turner, who left the Chargers through free agency for the Atlanta Falcons?
He’s far superior this year to LaDainian Tomlinson, whose presence led to Turner’s departure.
Smith pounded his chest when the Chargers were successful under Marty Schottenheimer (at least during the regular season.)
Now he should hide his head in shame for hiring Norv Turner, who only makes the playoffs twice a decade as a head coach.
As much as Smith always wanted to take the credit, he certainly must take much of the heat for the team’s downfall in 2008.
Sunday selection:
Atlanta 24, Chargers 20 (Falcons win game on last drive!!!)
4 comments:
A.J. is running this team into the ground. Him and Norv need to leave in a package deal.
Can't Spanos see that AJ is a problem now? It was Marty, not AJ, who made the Chargers go from pathetic to good. Now it's time for AJ to go -- and get someone new to run the show!
Why can't A.J. and Norv leave as a package deal? This team is the biggest embarrassment in the NFL. Sad:(
Chargers GM John Butler drafted LT and Brees. It was Butler who took a 1-15 team and turned them into a playoff contender in two years. It was Butler who hired Marty, Cam and Wade.
A.J. Smith drafted WR Buster Davis, traded 2nd round picks for washed up WR Chambers and S Weddle. Signed Derek Smith (released) and hired Norv (.430 winning pct) Turner and Ted Cottrell (a guy so bad as DC that he was out of the NFL).
Post a Comment