Archives
With only three days left until the San Diego Chargers take the stage for the first time in the 2010 season, it is time to take a look at some people who may be feeling the heat this coming season.
Not all of the talk this off season has been about player issues. While Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill, and LaDainian Tomlinson have certainly hogged the limelight in the last few months, there is no doubt that some of the personnel of the San Diego Chargers have drawn attention for their actions both in the off season and in the preceding years.
There are three San Diego staff members in particular who, because of one reason or another, may be on the hot seat in 2010.
1. Norv Turner, Head Coach
Yes, yes, yes, he received a contract extension. Yes, he led the San Diego Chargers to a 13-3 record last season. Yes, he has turned Philip Rivers in to a potential future Hall of Famer. Yes, he can win in the post season.
There is no doubt that Norv Turner has done some good for this team. He has done everything listed above, even in the face of some criticism that is unwarranted.
That having been said, Turner has some reason to feel the heat. The first, and probably weakest, reason is that he is hated by most San Diego fans. His first few seasons as the head honcho in San Diego were rough, not just in the overall record, but in the absolute destruction of the running game.
This leads into the second mark against Turner: the dead of the Chargers’ famous running game.
LaDainian Tomlinson is a household name in San Diego. Lorenzo Neal is still a hero among the Chargers’ faithful. Despite the fact that this league is turning into a passing league, everyone enjoys great running plays, and nothing supports a passing game like a good running game.
While some continue to blame this on the aging of LT, it is clear that there were also changes to the running game that came with Turner. The offensive line changed their blocking, and the Chargers did away with true blocking fullbacks.
Norv Turner will not be dropped at the end of this year. However, if he fails to make a deep playoff run, or at least revive the running game, Turner could be signing his future death warrant.
2. Ron Rivera, Defensive Coordinator
Every Chargers’ faithful remembers the good old days of 2006 and 2007 when San Diego had the most feared defense in the league.
They had a turnover ratio that would make Tom Brady shake in his boots, and put up enough sacks to rattle any offensive line.
Then Wade Phillips left. Shawne Merriman got hurt. Things changed, and they have never come back around.
Ron Rivera was a good hire. He was successful in Chicago, and he has worked with some storied coaches in his past. However, he came into San Diego to coach a team that runs a 3-4 defense.
His previous experience was with a 4-3 and Tampa 2 defense. Problem? Sort of.
Rivera has created a fascinating and dynamic scheme for San Diego. However, it hasn’t quite taken hold yet, and it is failing to turn heads.
If Ron Rivera can’t start bringing pressure to opposing quarterbacks and generating turnovers, he could find himself looking for a new job sometime quite soon.
3. A.J. Smith, General Manager
There has been so much debate over this topic that I can’t even begin to sort through all the opposing viewpoints. So, here’s a point by point breakdown of the things working against him:
- His drafting: While his drafting hasn’t been particularly bad, it hasn’t been as good as it once was. He is much better at seeking out replacement talent than he is at finding it in the draft. It’s hard to estimate how much of that lies on him and how much of that lies on his scouts, but, in the end, it all falls on him.
- His ego: The holdout fiasco with Vincent Jackson, Shawne Merriman, and Marcus McNeill have shown the people of San Diego the true colors of their general manager. AJ Smith is as stubborn as an ox. He wants everything to be on his terms, all the time, no exceptions. While this approach can be helpful at times, his actions so far have hurt the Chargers’ chances at a Super Bowl run, and he has also alienated a lot of former players and fans.
While these three may all make it through the 2010 season with their jobs intact, they will all certainly feel pressure to perform.
If they fail to meet expectations again, they could all be building cases against themselves that could end their time in San Diego in the very near future.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
The NFL is unlike any other sport in that during the preseason, every team’s fan base can be truly hopeful their team can make the playoffs. That being said, some teams have better odds entering the season than others. For instance, it’s easy to see the Dallas Cowboys are more likely to make the playoffs than the Cleveland Browns, but that doesn’t mean that the opposite couldn’t happen. Perhaps the NFL does truly stand for “Not For Long.”
The following is a preseason NFL power ranking of all 32 teams. It is not solely based upon last year, but on predicted success for next season, overall talent level, organizational stability, and team health. However, this is just a preseason ranking, and I still remember when no one thought a former grocery bag boy named Kurt Warner could win a Super Bowl.
Power Rankings
1. Dallas Cowboys
Last season, Tony Romo, Mike Jenkins, and Anthony Spencer all took gigantic steps in their development.
2. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is a monster and B.J. Raji has the potential to be an elite 3-4 nose, further strengthening an already fantastic defense.
3. New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ organization is currently in the midst of perhaps the most intense Super Bowl hangover ever. But hey, it was fun while it lasted.
4. Indianapolis Colts
I have heard rumors this offseason that the Colts are going to diversify their boring and predictable running game. They better.
5. Baltimore Ravens
I am high enough on Joe Flacco and Ray Rice that I am willing to overlook their woeful secondary, for now.
6. New York Jets
Their success depends on whether or not Sanchez can take the next step and the organization stops lying to players about contract extensions.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
If Caron Palmer plays like he did last year, the Bengals are pretenders, however, if Palmer can regain his old form this team is a contender.
8. New England Patriots
Tom Brady is another year removed from his injury and the secondary has terrifying potential.
9. New York Giants
Eli Manning has officially become an elite quarterback and new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is not woefully inept and distant like Bill Sheridan.
10. San Diego Chargers
Would be much higher on this list if general manager A.J. Smith would figure out it’s about winning and not his enormously unjustified ego.
11. Minnesota Vikings
This is assuming Favre returns. Their offensive line and secondary is much weaker than people think.
12. Atlanta Falcons
Without a consistent pass rusher, this team will not make the playoffs. No pressure John Abraham.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Team youth and inexperience is a problem, but they can score points and kill an opposing quarterback.
14. Washington Redskins
Mike Shanahan and Donavon McNabb together is all I need to put them this high.
15. San Francisco 49ers
Alex Smith is on the edge. If he blows it, the team will tank and he might not ever become a starter in the NFL again. If he nails it, his team will make the playoffs and he will get a huge new contract.
16. Oakland Raiders
Great special teams, above average defense, and a stable offense; is this really the Raiders? Maybe Al Davis is starting to remember what made him so great back in the day.
17. Houston Texans
Watching the Texans trying to build their defensive line around Mario Williams reminds me of the Cavs trying to build around LeBron, a massive organizational failure.
18. Detroit Lions
I really do believe in my gut that when all is said and done the Lions will make the playoffs, but logically I can’t justify that.
19. Tennessee Titans
It was a bad offseason for the entire Titans organization. From a coach being stolen, an out of shape Kenny Britt, Vince Young beating a guy, and Chris Johnson’s contract.
20. Miami Dolphins
I love Chad Henne’s arm strength and moxie, but not his inability to manipulate his throwing motion and release point. He will be a player I follow closely this season.
21. Chicago Bears
I expect the Julius Peppers signing and Mike Martz hiring to actually work out. But the lack of overall talent and Lovie Smith being mired in a bad coaching slump is too concerning to overlook.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have had an offseason of horrors. Their best pass catcher was traded for a bag of peanuts and their quarterback was suspended for being sleazy. Also serious injury concerns exist for several key players and their pass protection is still abysmal.
23. Seattle Seahawks
I like the changes that Pete Carroll has made to the Seahawks’ roster and organization, but Tim Ruskell left them in ruins. I mean LeRoy Hill, seriously?
24. Arizona Cardinals
One of Antrel Rolle, Kurt Warner, or Karlos Dansby leaving would have been bad; all three being gone is a catastrophe.
25. Kansas City Chiefs
Their season hinges on whether Glenn Dorsey and Lawrence Jackson can step up to the plate and produce. Obviously I have my concerns.
26. Cleveland Browns
I might be one of the few who believe that Eric Mangini and Mike Holmgren can form a successful long-term partnership. But in the short-term, Jake Delhomme is their staring quarterback.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A talented team, but the Bucs are raw and inexperienced. However Josh Freeman does look like the real deal.
28. Carolina Panthers
Jon Beason moving to the weak side to replace an injured Thomas Davis is the kind of shortsighted, desperate decision-making I expect of an organization on the hot seat.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
Power struggles behind closed doors, rumors about relocation, a coach on the hot seat, an average quarterback, and a bad defense. Not a formula for NFL success.
30. St. Louis Rams
I go to bed at night feeling bad for Steven Jackson, and the dude makes $50 million more than I do.
31. Buffalo Bills
Worst quarterback situation in the NFL and they cut their best defensive player because they wanted to be nice to him. Yeah this will go well.
32. Denver Broncos
Being eaten alive by the injury bug.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
We get it, AJ. You put the team together. You are the mastermind. No one messes with you.
But at some point you need to realize that you are not the great GM that you perceive yourself to be. If Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill do not play for the Chargers next year, kiss the Super Bowl, and your job, goodbye.
AJ’s stubborn nature and rigorous negotiation style has started to erase all of the good things he has done.
Since AJ took over for John Butler in 2003, he was on a roll, drafting well for three years. In 2004, he selected Phil Rivers (through trade), and Nate Keading; in ’05 when he took Shawne Merriman, and Vincent Jackson; and finally in ’06 he got Cromartie and Marcus McNeil.
But look what has happened since then. Cromartie is gone, Merriman is only still here because the Chargers could not get rid of him, and Jackson and McNeill are sitting on their couches waiting for new contracts that they deserve.
In 2004, Antonio Gates was making the league minimum and made the Pro Bowl. He was the most promising young tight end in the NFL.
When Gates came to AJ asking for a new contract, AJ pushed him away, resulting in Gates missing the first 5 games of the season in 2005 while his contract was being sorted out.
There is something wrong about players asking for contracts every year, but what an elite player is making the same amount as a special teams tackling dummy, he deserves a raise.
When AJ pulled this stunt on Gates, it showed his lack of caring for his players, and set precedence that if a player performed well, he would not necessarily be rewarded.
This was when Chargers fans first started to become aware of AJ’s negotiation style of never backing down.
AJ is treating Jackson and McNeill the same way that he treated Gates in 2005. Jackson has had over 1,000 yards receiving the past two years, and has been Phillip Rivers’ main target during that time.
AJ is lucky that VJax didn’t ask for more money after his impressive 2008 campaign. Over the past two years, VJax has been making roughly $630k a year. He was offered a one year tender of around $3.1 million.
That would make him the 32nd highest paid WR in the NFL, which is kind of hard for him to take when he’s coming off of a Pro Bowl year in which he proved that he was one of the top 5 or 10 receivers in the league.
McNeill has been to two Pro Bowls and has been one of the anchors of the Chargers line since he stepped foot in Chargers Park in 2006.
He was offered one year and slightly more than $3 million, while is peer, Chirs Deilman makes 5.5 million, and when you consider Miami’s Jake Grove just received a $14 million signing bonus after having never made a Pro Bowl in 5 years with the Raiders, $3 million hardly seems fair.
AJ has not only made McNeil and Jackson angry, he also led to the bitter departure of LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson has even stated that he would not retire as a Charger if AJ was still active in the organization, because he thinks that poorly of him.
LT’s anger shows that the team is starting to turn on the front office, which is not conducive to winning.
While losing LT will not do much to get in the way of the Chargers’ Super Bowl hopes in the future, if AJ continues to anger the faces of the franchise, the Chargers will be left with a bunch of Eric Weddles and Tra Thomases.
The Spanos family needs to realize that AJ is starting to overstay his welcome in San Diego, and get rid of him before he destroys the Chargers.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
A.J. Smith took over the reins as general manager of the San Diego Chargers on April 11, 2003. With a long and distinguished resume that included 14 years in the Buffalo Bills organization (many of them coinciding with the great Bills teams under Marv Levy), Smith was well qualified to assume the mantle of leadership in San Diego.
He started with a flourish, engineering the much publicized trade of the 2004 draft that sent first overall pick Eli Manning to the New York Giants in exchange for the fourth overall pick in 2004, a third-round selection, and a first the following year.
For Smith, that 2004 draft was the baseball equivalent of a grand slam home run. The Chargers acquired Philip Rivers with the fourth overall pick in the first round, then incredibly went on to draft Igor Olshanksy, Nate Kaeding, Nick Hardwick, Shaun Phillips, Michael Turner, Ryan Bingham, Shane Olivea, and signed undrafted wideout Wes Welker.
The following year, with the second of their first-round picks in the Manning trade, the Chargers took Shawne Merriman, but Smith also brought in Luis Castillo, wide receiver Vincent Jackson, and Darren Sproles. The fact that Merriman went on to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award only served to enhance Smith’s reputation as shrewd and knowledgeable evaluator of talent—and his command of the front office.
Smith’s incredibly astute selections did not go unnoticed: he was named Pro Football Weekly’s GM of the Year in 2004, and, two years later, Forbes magazine declared him the NFL’s top executive following the Chargers’ impressive 14-2 season.
And it didn’t stop there. Adding to a roster that seemed to be bursting at the seams with talent, Smith took Antonio Cromartie in the first round of the 2006 draft and Marcus McNeill in the second. Cromartie electrified Chargers fans with his play in 2007, leading the NFL in interceptions, though his play has not measured up to that standard since then.
However, Smith recruited a fistful of undrafted starters during his early tenure: besides Welker, he signed Antonio Gates, Kris Dielman, Stephen Cooper, special teams stalwart Kassim Osgood, and Jacques Cesaire.
The Chargers teams went 46-18 in the four regular seasons after Smith assumed the general manager’s title, and, to the envy of many other teams, they strongly competed for the AFC West title in each of them, winning three.
Put another way: This was the rise of A.J. Smith.
More recently, however, there are signs that all has not been not well in Charger land. In 2008, the team that Smith assembled struggled dearly, finishing at 8-8 and winning the division only in light of Denver’s late-season collapse. Although the team saved additional face by beating the 12-4 Colts during a wild card matchup, glaring deficiencies abounded a week later when they were steamrolled by the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers: the Steelers ran outside and up with middle with noteworthy aplomb, and beautifully exploited weaknesses in the Chargers line and secondary.
In 2009, after a tenuous 2-3 start, the Chargers effectively ran the table to finish 13-3, riding the golden arm of Rivers, who led the team to a fourth consecutive division title in convincing fashion, sweeping the talented NFC East among other achievements. The Chargers finished the season as the Conference’s No. 2 seed, and at that juncture, perhaps everyone associated with Smith and the Chargers management looked again like geniuses. San Diego entered the playoffs heavily favoured to dispatch the wild card Jets.
But then the wheels came off. The Chargers were embarrassed by the Jets and lost a season-ending playoff game to an AFC East team for the third time in four years.
The loss was a comedy of errors. Players made glaring errors, took undisciplined penalties, and missed assignments.
The loss left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Charger fans, or at least, it left one in mine. But it also left the kind of scar tissue that comes from seeing the same disappointing result bubble to the surface yet again. As John Madden used to say over and over on air, “Great players make great plays to win big games.”
When will a Charger do this? Make a great play to win a big game?
The argument that the Chargers are loaded with talent but can’t quite pull the trigger seems oddly circumspect in light of recent history. Your players either make the plays or they don’t.
Adding to this malaise, one wonders too about the Chargers’ (and Smith’s in particular) more recent performance in player acquisition, particularly in the last three drafts. Although players do require time to develop skills and learn the playbook, it is noteworthy that, since 2007, the Chargers have not produced a single player whose development points to anything we might consider elite.
In 2007, the Chargers selected Craig “Buster” Davis during the first round to bolster their wide receiver corps. While the Cardinals beefed up their wide receiver corps by selecting Steve Breaston in the fifth round, and Vikings beefed up their wide receiver corps by selecting Sidney Rice in the second round, the Chargers beefed up their disabled list with Davis, who has not shown much even when healthy.
In the second round of the 2007 draft, Eric Weddle, for whom the Chargers traded three picks to move up in the draft, was acquired. (After swapping second-rounders, San Diego gave up their third, fifth in 2007, and third in 2008). While Weddle, a safety, rotated in and out of the Charger in 2007, he started every game in 2008 and 2009 when he was healthy.
The verdict: Weddle is serviceable but is certainly not elite. As such, whether he develops into the calibre of player that one considers worth three decent draft picks remains to be seen, but, thus far, one cannot say that Weddle has made Smith’s move look great.
Similarly, in 2008, the Chargers traded up to acquire LSU fullback Jacob Hester in the second round. Hester saw limited action in both 2008 and 2009, sharing time with Mike Tolbert, but the Chargers gave up a second and a fifth in the 2009 draft to get him. Has Jacob Hester shown that he was worth surrendering both a second- and fifth-round pick? He has not, and in fact he seems oddly undersized for a blocking fullback. It doesn’t help either that he can’t block.
What is apparent, then, from both the 2007 and 2008 drafts, is the Chargers did not produce a bona fide star from either year. 2008 first-round choice Antoine Cason has been the nickel back in obvious passing situations the past two seasons, but, in fact, has moved backward on the depth chart, not forward.
In 2009, the Chargers used their first overall selection to take Larry English, an outside linebacker who had 36 tackles and two sacks rotating in and out of the lineup. In the third round, they selected left guard Louis Vasquez, who beat out veteran Kynan Forney for the starting job and turned in a promising season as a rookie.
As for the balance of the Chargers draft that year, two other notable selections were sixth round choice Kevin Ellison, who saw considerable playing time at safety once Clinton Hart was cut, and fourth-round selection Vaughn Martin, who is optimistically called a “work in progress.”
In fact, one would be hard-pressed to convince me that all of the Chargers’ draft choices from 2009 can be classified as anything other than “works in progress.”
Moreover, one also also wonders about the wisdom of trading so many draft choices in the past few years. In the 2008 draft, the Chargers had but four measly picks (plus one compensatory pick). For the record, 2008 produced: Cason, Hester, Marcus Thomas, DeJuan Tribble, and Corey Clark.
While Smith’s tenure is extremely secure with the Chargers, one can’t help but wonder if the lustre of his early years has begun to fade. Clearly, the draft selections in both 2007 and 2008 have not set the world on fire. One Charger from that group that Smith gave a sizable contract to, Jeromey Clary, has been their weakest link on the offensive line.
Though somewhat successful, there are certainly Chargers fans who disparage the fact that Norv Turner, a Smith choice for head coach, has recently been given a contract extension. Further, Smith also recruited Randy Mueller to assume a significant role in scouting prospects, the same Randy Mueller fired by the Dolphins after having a huge GM role in assembling the team that went 1-15 in 2007.
Is it inconceivable, then, that Smith may fall out of favour in San Diego? The short answer to that question may well be yes—inconceivable—but with so many disappointments compounding themselves since the Midas drafts of 2004-05, the pressure to burst the losing bubble has never been greater. Somewhere, perhaps, it’s written that the first sign of a fall is that the ticking of a clock never sounds louder.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
