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Post by joshjones1 on Jul 31, 2010 15:06:24 GMT -8
Wow, sounds like something I said on the old Aztec board. AJ apologists who think he can do no wrong because he had a few good drafts (but don't notice holes he STILL hasnt filled years later) will applaud him as "determined" or what not....but the bottom line is the man has been an executive for 20 years and has no Super Bowl ring. Odd. I'm sick of AJ Smith. Get him out of town. He brought in some talent, sure.....but he also has let his ego effect the roster, and will never hire a succesful, strong minded man as head coach. The Norv hire was to get a Yes Man in there. sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jim_trotter/07/31/chargers/index.html?eref=sihp |
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Post by joshjones1 on Jul 31, 2010 15:10:07 GMT -8
For the second time in six seasons Smith appears poised to jeopardize a potentially promising season just to prove he's the alpha male. He calls it business, but from afar it looks like egoRead more: sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jim_trotter/07/31/chargers/index.html?eref=sihp#ixzz0vIvj9B1HAnyone who doesn't think McNeill should get a lucrative extension, simply doesn't understand the economic structure of the game. Making $600K after what...two Pro Bowls? Due to be an unrestricted free agent except for some technicality? Pay the man.
Smith's tough-guy stance is nothing new. He did the same thing in 2005, when he suspended star tight end Antonio Gates for Week 1 against Dallas after Gates held out in training camp for a new deal. The sides ultimately came to terms before the opener, but Smith upheld the suspension anyway. San Diego lost 28-24 after failing to cross the goal line on four plays from inside the Cowboys 8-yard line in the final minute. The previous year Gates led all tight ends and tied for fifth in the league with 10 TD catches. Think he could have helped in that game, the outcome of which contributed to the Chargers missing the playoffs? |
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Post by k5james on Jul 31, 2010 15:26:54 GMT -8
The chargers have said everyone had to get in line behind gates for an extension and it's done so don't be surprised if big mac is extended before the season. Say what you will about his attitude but the dude turned this franchise from a laughing stock to a perennial contender.
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Post by joshjones1 on Jul 31, 2010 16:29:48 GMT -8
The chargers have said everyone had to get in line behind gates for an extension and it's done so don't be surprised if big mac is extended before the season. Say what you will about his attitude but the dude turned this franchise from a laughing stock to a perennial contender. He did...but Butler set the thing in motion. Hell, Butler drafted LT, and brought AJ with him. AJ is a good GM....doesn't mean he should get a free pass on everything, James. Can you provide a link where a Chargers official, on or off the record, says the other contracts will be addressed after Gates? Just curious. And, it doesn't mean he had to act like a hardass and reduce the minimum tender to a stud like McNeill well deserving of a contract extension. Franchise left tackles don't grown on trees. We've had two in 25 years. |
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Post by joshjones1 on Jul 31, 2010 16:36:19 GMT -8
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Post by k5james on Aug 1, 2010 10:06:37 GMT -8
I think Jackson would have been gone this year either way. I think we'll be fine with a guy like Legs stepping in for him. I'd contend Jackson wasn't our main threat last year anyway. Gates is Philip's #1 guy and anyone after that is just another weapon.
I definitely don't think AJ makes "all the right moves" but I think he makes them more often then the average GM.
People talk about his attitude alienating players but it hasn't stopped our best players that still have anything left in the tank from resigning, ie Rivers, Gates, Dielman, etc...
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Post by aztecsrule72001 on Aug 1, 2010 14:07:33 GMT -8
What's your definition of an executive?
Winning a SB isn't easy, no matter how good you are. Polian took 20 years (as GM) and he's one of the best if not the best in the NFL.
You may not like AJ's hard ass personality but the facts don't lie, this team is almost entirely AJ's and we haven't had a losing year since 03 (not an easy thing to do btw).
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Post by joshjones1 on Aug 1, 2010 17:06:19 GMT -8
What's your definition of an executive? Winning a SB isn't easy, no matter how good you are. Polian took 20 years (as GM) and he's one of the best if not the best in the NFL. You may not like AJ's hard ass personality but the facts don't lie, this team is almost entirely AJ's and we haven't had a losing year since 03 (not an easy thing to do btw). You and James definitely make good points. Ones I can agree with. I just feel, personally, that the best executives in any business.....are able to seperate personal from business decisions. On top of that, I think we were all impressed with some of his early drafts....but the last few have been underwhelming. "Bust" Davis was a wasted high pick, I saw right tackle (since Oliveas good year) and safety holes go unanswered for 3-4 years, and while some like Weddle....I don't like him in pass coverage at all. Of course, that may be why the pass D has been ranked where it was the last couple of years. Also, is English going to be a bust, or a player? We'll know more after this season. Anxious to see how Mathews looks this season. |
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Post by joshjones1 on Aug 1, 2010 17:08:47 GMT -8
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Post by joshjones1 on Aug 1, 2010 17:13:37 GMT -8
What's your definition of an executive? Winning a SB isn't easy, no matter how good you are. Polian took 20 years (as GM) and he's one of the best if not the best in the NFL. You may not like AJ's hard ass personality but the facts don't lie, this team is almost entirely AJ's and we haven't had a losing year since 03 (not an easy thing to do btw). True on Polian....I'll give you that. But then, he did build the Bills franchise that went to 4 straight Super Bowls, and then built the Panthers into NFC contenders in 2 years, then of course....the Colts. AJ hasn't been to a Super Bowl yet as the head man. Polian went to four before winning one. Maybe I am too hard on Smith...but he seems like an egotistical pr*ck and has had plenty of swings and misses the last few years. Just in the last 3 seasons, we've had years of dead last in running the ball (last year), and dead last or close too in pass D. |
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Post by joshjones1 on Aug 1, 2010 17:16:46 GMT -8
I think Jackson would have been gone this year either way. I think we'll be fine with a guy like Legs stepping in for him. I'd contend Jackson wasn't our main threat last year anyway. Gates is Philip's #1 guy and anyone after that is just another weapon. I definitely don't think AJ makes "all the right moves" but I think he makes them more often then the average GM. People talk about his attitude alienating players but it hasn't stopped our best players that still have anything left in the tank from resigning, ie Rivers, Gates, Dielman, etc... VJ is arguably a Top 10-15 WR in the league, and given his youth, I'd love to get him under long term contract. |
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Post by aztecsrule72001 on Aug 1, 2010 18:38:33 GMT -8
What's your definition of an executive? Winning a SB isn't easy, no matter how good you are. Polian took 20 years (as GM) and he's one of the best if not the best in the NFL. You may not like AJ's hard ass personality but the facts don't lie, this team is almost entirely AJ's and we haven't had a losing year since 03 (not an easy thing to do btw). True on Polian....I'll give you that. But then, he did build the Bills franchise that went to 4 straight Super Bowls, and then built the Panthers into NFC contenders in 2 years, then of course....the Colts. AJ hasn't been to a Super Bowl yet as the head man. Polian went to four before winning one. Maybe I am too hard on Smith...but he seems like an egotistical pr*ck and has had plenty of swings and misses the last few years. Just in the last 3 seasons, we've had years of dead last in running the ball (last year), and dead last or close too in pass D. I'm not claiming that AJ is better than Polian, Polian is clearly the best or one of the best in the game, but even he took 20 years to win a SB. You can't really say it's his fault, you can assemble the best team talent wise but that doesn't always equal a SB. You need luck along the way. If Kaeding makes a fg or 2 we go farther, if LT, Gates and Rivers don't get hurt we probably beat the 17-0 Patriots etc. I mean no matter what team you are losing your best 3 players will hurt any team. AJ's style isn't the norm, he can be a prick/dick whatever you want to call him and I can understand why he'd rub people the wrong way, but not all of those circumstances are all AJ's fault. As far as the running game goes, AJ wanted to let LT go, Dean wanted to keep him, we know who'll win in a battle between those 2. Hopefully having Mathews will improve our running game but he's only a rookie. As far as our pass defense goes, it's not from a lack of trying, 4 1st rounders spent on CBs since AJ came to the Bolts, for whatever reason that seems to always be a weakness (with an exception in 07), hopefully that changes. Also I'm not as down on Buster as you are, he's shown he has talent, hopefully he displays it while VJ is out. English was a smart pick especially with the Merriman bs. AJ has cleaned house this year, and as a result he's looked like a bigger prick than normal, but can you blame him after the debacle against the Jets? |
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Post by joshjones1 on Aug 1, 2010 21:11:55 GMT -8
True on Polian....I'll give you that. But then, he did build the Bills franchise that went to 4 straight Super Bowls, and then built the Panthers into NFC contenders in 2 years, then of course....the Colts. AJ hasn't been to a Super Bowl yet as the head man. Polian went to four before winning one. Maybe I am too hard on Smith...but he seems like an egotistical pr*ck and has had plenty of swings and misses the last few years. Just in the last 3 seasons, we've had years of dead last in running the ball (last year), and dead last or close too in pass D. I'm not claiming that AJ is better than Polian, Polian is clearly the best or one of the best in the game, but even he took 20 years to win a SB. You can't really say it's his fault, you can assemble the best team talent wise but that doesn't always equal a SB. You need luck along the way. If Kaeding makes a fg or 2 we go farther, if LT, Gates and Rivers don't get hurt we probably beat the 17-0 Patriots etc. I mean no matter what team you are losing your best 3 players will hurt any team. AJ's style isn't the norm, he can be a prick/dick whatever you want to call him and I can understand why he'd rub people the wrong way, but not all of those circumstances are all AJ's fault. As far as the running game goes, AJ wanted to let LT go, Dean wanted to keep him, we know who'll win in a battle between those 2. Hopefully having Mathews will improve our running game but he's only a rookie. As far as our pass defense goes, it's not from a lack of trying, 4 1st rounders spent on CBs since AJ came to the Bolts, for whatever reason that seems to always be a weakness (with an exception in 07), hopefully that changes. Also I'm not as down on Buster as you are, he's shown he has talent, hopefully he displays it while VJ is out. English was a smart pick especially with the Merriman bs. AJ has cleaned house this year, and as a result he's looked like a bigger prick than normal, but can you blame him after the debacle against the Jets? Good post man, I am with you on a lot of that......not ready to give up on English after 1 year of course, I hope he can bring it this year. To me, Davis is a bust. We'll see if I was wrong. He hasn't been able to crack the depth chart yet. But so what..even the best of GMs miss on guys...i dont put it all on AJ. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2010 10:57:47 GMT -8
Our roster is good enough to win the super bowl. It was last year, and if we get VJ and McNeil back, it will be again this year. That's as much as you can ask from your GM. The rest is up to the players and coaches.
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Post by AztecTom on Aug 2, 2010 12:34:50 GMT -8
Our roster is good enough to win the super bowl. It was last year, and if we get VJ and McNeil back, it will be again this year. That's as much as you can ask from your GM. The rest is up to the players and coaches. Have to agree with tec on this. |
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Post by joshjones1 on Aug 2, 2010 18:19:35 GMT -8
Our roster is good enough to win the super bowl. It was last year, and if we get VJ and McNeil back, it will be again this year. That's as much as you can ask from your GM. The rest is up to the players and coaches. Is it? And you say that because we have a franchise QB and some Pro Bowlers? I may disagree. I don't see how a team with the worst running game in the league is good enough to win the Super Bowl? We got outed at home by the wild card team. A few years ago we were in better position. The line has major question marks, we run a 3-4 yet have no idea if we have a nose tackle that can play yet (jury is and will be out on Cam Thomas), although the 3-4 absolutely requires a very solid nose, we don't know who will step up and replace Cromartie, who had his own issues at corner........I'm not sold on our corners in a league moving towards a pass first league. Brady will have Welker back , the Jets added Santonio Holmes, and The Ravens acquired Anquan Boldin. Those are three teams we have an excellent shot of meeting up with in the early rounds. Can Vasher and Cason handle the other side? I think we're painfully thin at corner, D-End, and the O-line that couldnt push Betty White around last year still has concerns. How about OLB....another critical part of the 3-4. Is Tucker healthy? Merriman is a no-show. A TON of pressure on English to have a strong 2nd season. Do I expect a perfect roster? No. Was I bit harsh in calling for AJ's head? Yes. I realize that now. I am not sure this is a "Super Bowl roster", but I am convinced that it's closer to one with McNeill and VJ, who both arguably deserve an extension. At least McNeill. I'm just sayin....AJ should have some heat on him. |
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Post by aztecmusician on Aug 3, 2010 1:19:33 GMT -8
I am going to wait and see how this pans out before I condemn the Charger front office. It is very possible the holdouts could be in camp before the opening. The team could also make the playoffs without them, stranger things happen in the NFL every year.
I am certainly not going to lose any sleep over who the Chargers start from week to week.
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