Issues with the Chargers? (1 Viewer)

[ConstruxBoy]

Anyone else read the blurb in Sporting News about players being upset/not talking to AJ Smith for letting Brees go? Is this just the media making a story out of nothing or could it become an issue?

 

[Chaos Commish]

Anyone else read the blurb in Sporting News about players being upset/not talking to AJ Smith for letting Brees go? Is this just the media making a story out of nothing or could it become an issue?

Maybe it's media generated. Talk radio here has a constant barrage of anti-AJ callers. AJ is/was shopping Donnie Edwards very hard. Edwards is the leader of the defense, loved by his teammates, loved by the community. That's the same thing Brees was to the offense. AJ is making some tough decisions, and his approach isn't diplomatic. Edwards has grieved publicly. AJ has quoted stats putting Edwards in a bad light. It makes sense that several players would have a problem with the GM, but other than Brees and Edwards it's speculation-- educated speculation though.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Anyone else read the blurb in Sporting News about players being upset/not talking to AJ Smith for letting Brees go? Is this just the media making a story out of nothing or could it become an issue?

Maybe it's media generated. Talk radio here has a constant barrage of anti-AJ callers. AJ is/was shopping Donnie Edwards very hard. Edwards is the leader of the defense, loved by his teammates, loved by the community. That's the same thing Brees was to the offense. AJ is making some tough decisions, and his approach isn't diplomatic. Edwards has grieved publicly. AJ has quoted stats putting Edwards in a bad light. It makes sense that several players would have a problem with the GM, but other than Brees and Edwards it's speculation-- educated speculation though.

Do you think it could linger into the season and affect the team's performance?

 

[NoFBinLA]

AJ has moved some popular players before - so it wouldn't shock me if some felt annoyed that someone who I THINK was pretty popular in the locker room was moved like that (or rather let go)

Also the vets might have felt they had a better shot with Brees at the helm.

But hell, how often does the press stir up crap where there is none.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Anyone else read the blurb in Sporting News about players being upset/not talking to AJ Smith for letting Brees go? Is this just the media making a story out of nothing or could it become an issue?

I'd be grateful for a link.The only thing in the Sporting News I can find about this topic is this:

Philip Rivers, already roundly accepted by teammates for his outgoing personality, work ethic and the way he handled the past two seasons as Drew Brees' understudy, showed on draft weekend another reason why there is no doubt he will deftly step in as a leader. He text messaged and/or called each of the Chargers' first three draft picks and then went to the team's complex on Sunday to personally meet each of them.

Everything I've seen from every source I've found has been along those same lines. The players all loved Brees and were sorry to see him go. But they all love Rivers as well, and are excited about the team's prospects under him. From what I can tell.

 

[cstu]

Anyone else read the blurb in Sporting News about players being upset/not talking to AJ Smith for letting Brees go? Is this just the media making a story out of nothing or could it become an issue?

Maybe it's media generated. Talk radio here has a constant barrage of anti-AJ callers. AJ is/was shopping Donnie Edwards very hard. Edwards is the leader of the defense, loved by his teammates, loved by the community. That's the same thing Brees was to the offense. AJ is making some tough decisions, and his approach isn't diplomatic. Edwards has grieved publicly. AJ has quoted stats putting Edwards in a bad light. It makes sense that several players would have a problem with the GM, but other than Brees and Edwards it's speculation-- educated speculation though.

I don't agree with getting rid of Edwards since he's not expensive (like Brees) and is the heart of the defense. The Chargers are well under the cap still and it smacks of cheapness to try and trade Edwards.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Edwards is the leader of the defense, loved by his teammates, loved by the community.

He's a local kid who played his highschool ball in San Diego, and he has done a lot of great things for the community. So he's generally well liked around these parts. But I've read that teammates quietly resent the fact that Edwards is always talking about how he's underappreciated. And hardcore fans have noticed the drop-off in his play recently.I really don't know how the Edwards thing will play out. If I had to guess, I'd guess that no team will offer a high enough draft pick for him, so he'll play unhappy again for the Chargers this season just like he did last year, and then leave as an unrestricted free agent in 2007.

 

[cstu]

Edwards is the leader of the defense, loved by his teammates, loved by the community.

He's a local kid who played his highschool ball in San Diego, and he has done a lot of great things for the community. So he's generally well liked around these parts. But I've read that teammates quietly resent the fact that Edwards is always talking about how he's underappreciated. And hardcore fans have noticed the drop-off in his play recently.I really don't know how the Edwards thing will play out. If I had to guess, I'd guess that no team will offer a high enough draft pick for him, so he'll play unhappy again for the Chargers just like he did last year, and then leave as an unrestricted free agent in 2007.

I agree, but why would AJ think he could get much out of him? If we noticed it then I'm other teams noticed it and wouldn't offer much more than a 2nd day pick. I say keep him as long as they can and find another ILB to eventually take over.

 

[BoltBacker]

I say keep him as long as they can and find another ILB to eventually take over.

Agreed.Even if he's miserable he'll be playing for his next(last?) contract so it's not like he's going to give less than 100%. BTW imo even if Edwards has lost a step he's still a step better than a vast majority of LB's in the NFL.

 

[cstu]

I say keep him as long as they can and find another ILB to eventually take over.

Agreed.Even if he's miserable he'll be playing for his next(last?) contract so it's not like he's going to give less than 100%. BTW imo even if Edwards has lost a step he's still a step better than a vast majority of LB's in the NFL.

The 3-4 is very good for him and he's still solid tackling and in coverage. That's about all you can ask for an ILB.

 

[Sinrman]

Yeah, a lot of the players really like Brees, and liked how he turned things around in 2004 after being given one last shot. LT especially liked him, since they were both drafted the same year, and was NOT happy when the Chargers drafted Rivers, feeling they were giving up on Brees too easily and blaming their offensive woes mainly on him.

It wouldn't surprise me if it lingers for a little while, but all signs point to them getting over it and going with Rivers. I mean, it's not like they have much of a choice. They can cry, cry, cry, but it's their job to play, no matter WHO is at the helm.

Personally, I think both Brees AND Rivers will excel...

 

[TS Garp]

I read a tidbit in ESPN Magazine indicating that not only has the Brees' departure (and the way it happened) caused a rift between Schottenheimer and Smith, but that many of the players aren't taking to Smith, either. ESPN Magazine also ran a full story a couple of issues ago about how the whole thing went down, and the fact that Smith lied to Brees, Schottenheimer wanted Brees to stay etc. Who knows if there's anything to this, but the rumors are out there.

 

[BoltBacker]

and the fact that Smith lied to Brees

Do you remember the specifics of the lie? I'm not saying you're incorrect, it's just the first I've heard of it.

 

[cstu]

Yeah, a lot of the players really like Brees, and liked how he turned things around in 2004 after being given one last shot. LT especially liked him, since they were both drafted the same year, and was NOT happy when the Chargers drafted Rivers, feeling they were giving up on Brees too easily and blaming their offensive woes mainly on him.

It wouldn't surprise me if it lingers for a little while, but all signs point to them getting over it and going with Rivers. I mean, it's not like they have much of a choice. They can cry, cry, cry, but it's their job to play, no matter WHO is at the helm.

Personally, I think both Brees AND Rivers will excel...

Maybe they gave up on Brees too soon, but it's pretty convenient that he blew up when he suddenly had the best TE in the NFL. I don't want to downplay what he did but I think most of the QB's in the NFL would have had similar success in the Chargers offense.

 

[Despyzer]

Anyone else read the blurb in Sporting News about players being upset/not talking to AJ Smith for letting Brees go? Is this just the media making a story out of nothing or could it become an issue?

I'd be grateful for a link.The only thing in the Sporting News I can find about this topic is this:

Philip Rivers, already roundly accepted by teammates for his outgoing personality, work ethic and the way he handled the past two seasons as Drew Brees' understudy, showed on draft weekend another reason why there is no doubt he will deftly step in as a leader. He text messaged and/or called each of the Chargers' first three draft picks and then went to the team's complex on Sunday to personally meet each of them.

Everything I've seen from every source I've found has been along those same lines. The players all loved Brees and were sorry to see him go. But they all love Rivers as well, and are excited about the team's prospects under him. From what I can tell.

Still waiting for that link.... I get TSN every week and don't recall seeing this.I did see this though:

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson has assumed a greater leadership role since QB Drew Brees left the team. Tomlinson has been around the Chargers' facility a lot more than in the past and is an everyday participant in the workout program. L. T. used to work out with the team about half the time. Tomlinson always has been one of the hardest-working Chargers in the offseason, but he hasn't always done all of his work with teammates.

 

[Sinrman]

Yeah, a lot of the players really like Brees, and liked how he turned things around in 2004 after being given one last shot.  LT especially liked him, since they were both drafted the same year, and was NOT happy when the Chargers drafted Rivers, feeling they were giving up on Brees too easily and blaming their offensive woes mainly on him.

It wouldn't surprise me if it lingers for a little while, but all signs point to them getting over it and going with Rivers.  I mean, it's not like they have much of a choice.  They can cry, cry, cry, but it's their job to play, no matter WHO is at the helm.

Personally, I think both Brees AND Rivers will excel...

Maybe they gave up on Brees too soon, but it's pretty convenient that he blew up when he suddenly had the best TE in the NFL. I don't want to downplay what he did but I think most of the QB's in the NFL would have had similar success in the Chargers offense.

Well, it's like a lot of QBs out there -- give them the tools, and just about anyone-not-named-Ryan-Leaf can succeed. The only weapon Brees had from '01-'03 was LT. Their O-line was atrocious, their TE-play was not good, and their WRs weren't even average. Once you saw the emergence of Gates, snagging McCardell, etc. things started to shape up...

 

[Tackling Dummies]

and the fact that Smith lied to Brees

Do you remember the specifics of the lie? I'm not saying you're incorrect, it's just the first I've heard of it.

I think it was in the previous issue of ESPN (a Brees story) that covered the conversation that Brees had w/ Smith and where he stood in the franchise's plans. I do not have the isue anymore, but it was pretty clear that the effort to retain Brees was very minimal.

 

[Slinger]

If Rivers performs well then everyone in SD will be like "Brees who?".

 

[Family Matters]

From a NFK fan perspective, it seems that getting rid of Brees was Smith's way of saying this is my team and I'll do whatever I want. To let Brees go for nothing was foolish. If you feel you have 2 good QB's and want to risk going with 1 then get some value for him. If he had been traded for a pick or player that helps the team then that would make sense. Based on his actions Smith was more concerned with proving his point than he was about the welfare of the team. There really is no other explanation for it.

And to think that Rivers will just step in and perform at the same level or better is foolish. It's a rare day when a first year player leads his team to the playoffs. Big Ben had great circimstances and maybe Rivers will too.

At the end of the day you want a QB that lead your team to the palyoffs and poss a championship. The team drafted Brees and he had proven his value. But Smith wanted the guy he drafted (Rivers) over Brees in spite of Brees success.

But from my unbiased perspective I think it was a power play by Smith to let Brees go and put Rivers in charge. How anyone sees this as what was best for the Chargers is beyond me. MAybe Smith could have sucked up his pride a little and did what was the best for the team rather than what he did.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Anyone else read the blurb in Sporting News about players being upset/not talking to AJ Smith for letting Brees go? Is this just the media making a story out of nothing or could it become an issue?

I'd be grateful for a link.The only thing in the Sporting News I can find about this topic is this:

Philip Rivers, already roundly accepted by teammates for his outgoing personality, work ethic and the way he handled the past two seasons as Drew Brees' understudy, showed on draft weekend another reason why there is no doubt he will deftly step in as a leader. He text messaged and/or called each of the Chargers' first three draft picks and then went to the team's complex on Sunday to personally meet each of them.

Everything I've seen from every source I've found has been along those same lines. The players all loved Brees and were sorry to see him go. But they all love Rivers as well, and are excited about the team's prospects under him. From what I can tell.

Still waiting for that link.... I get TSN every week and don't recall seeing this.I did see this though:

Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson has assumed a greater leadership role since QB Drew Brees left the team. Tomlinson has been around the Chargers' facility a lot more than in the past and is an everyday participant in the workout program. L. T. used to work out with the team about half the time. Tomlinson always has been one of the hardest-working Chargers in the offseason, but he hasn't always done all of his work with teammates.

Sorry, guys. As posted above it was ESPN the mag. I generally block that mag out of my mind, so I thought it was TSN. Someone above posted what was said.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I read a tidbit in ESPN Magazine indicating that not only has the Brees' departure (and the way it happened) caused a rift between Schottenheimer and Smith, but that many of the players aren't taking to Smith, either. ESPN Magazine also ran a full story a couple of issues ago about how the whole thing went down, and the fact that Smith lied to Brees, Schottenheimer wanted Brees to stay etc. Who knows if there's anything to this, but the rumors are out there.

Thanks Garp. This is what I was refering to MT. Sorry about the mix up.

 

[mad sweeney]

If Rivers performs well then everyone in SD will be like "Brees who?".

But they'll still know what a jerk AJ Smith is. He came in and replaced John Butler when he died of cancer. After Butler it's almost imppossible to be liked, but Smith is a ham fisted jerk. IMO, he was brought in to be the ####### and get the team out of SD. And it seems all his actions are geared towards it. Bashing/moving popular players like Edwards and Brees, taking hard stances against players (remember the Gates suspension week 1 that probably doomed their season before it started, and the Merriman negs), and an increasingly large rift between the head coach who turned in 3 of the best seasons the Chargers have had since getting whupped in the SB.

 

[TS Garp]

and the fact that Smith lied to Brees

Do you remember the specifics of the lie? I'm not saying you're incorrect, it's just the first I've heard of it.

I read the article a while ago, but I believe it was that Brees always made it clear that he wanted to stay, and he had a conversation with Smith from his cell phone in an airport where Smith made it absolutely clear that Brees was their guy and that they wanted him to stay. The article essentially claimed that Smith ran Brees out of San Diego and that Schottenheimer, Tomlinson, and most of the players wanted him back.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

and the fact that Smith lied to Brees

Do you remember the specifics of the lie? I'm not saying you're incorrect, it's just the first I've heard of it.

I read the article a while ago, but I believe it was that Brees always made it clear that he wanted to stay, and he had a conversation with Smith from his cell phone in an airport where Smith made it absolutely clear that Brees was their guy and that they wanted him to stay. The article essentially claimed that Smith ran Brees out of San Diego and that Schottenheimer, Tomlinson, and most of the players wanted him back.

I remember something about that too. Might have been ESPN mag as well.

 

[Despyzer]

From a NFK fan perspective, it seems that getting rid of Brees was Smith's way of saying this is my team and I'll do whatever I want. To let Brees go for nothing was foolish. If you feel you have 2 good QB's and want to risk going with 1 then get some value for him. If he had been traded for a pick or player that helps the team then that would make sense. Based on his actions Smith was more concerned with proving his point than he was about the welfare of the team. There really is no other explanation for it.

And to think that Rivers will just step in and perform at the same level or better is foolish. It's a rare day when a first year player leads his team to the playoffs. Big Ben had great circimstances and maybe Rivers will too.

At the end of the day you want a QB that lead your team to the palyoffs and poss a championship. The team drafted Brees and he had proven his value. But Smith wanted the guy he drafted (Rivers) over Brees in spite of Brees success.

But from my unbiased perspective I think it was a power play by Smith to let Brees go and put Rivers in charge. How anyone sees this as what was best for the Chargers is beyond me. MAybe Smith could have sucked up his pride a little and did what was the best for the team rather than what he did.

Your perspective might be unbiased, but it's also uneducated. Brees played out of his mind two years ago and Smith tried to get something for him after that season. No one was willing to trade away what a Pro-Bowl Quarterback was worth for a guy who had only one good (at the time, perhaps fluky) season. Smith wasn't sold on Brees after one perspective season either, especially with a guy on the bench who was making serious cash and who the whole organization felt was the future of the franchise.During the season, when Brees proved that he wasn't a fluke, Brees (understandably) wasn't interested in negotiating a long-term deal while the season was underway.

Brees suffered a Pennington-type injury in the last game of the season, and suddenly Brees had very little value. Smith couldn't really franchise or transition the guy at that point because Brees would have definitely signed the contract, and nobody would have been willing to trade for him then. His only option was to try to offer him a contract that was fitting of a guy who had been good but may not have much of a future considering the extremity of injury (which still hasn't been clearly determined).

When did Smith really have a serious opportunity to get much of anything for Brees?

 

[Despyzer]

If Rivers performs well then everyone in SD will be like "Brees who?".

But they'll still know what a jerk AJ Smith is. He came in and replaced John Butler when he died of cancer. After Butler it's almost imppossible to be liked, but Smith is a ham fisted jerk. IMO, he was brought in to be the ####### and get the team out of SD. And it seems all his actions are geared towards it. Bashing/moving popular players like Edwards and Brees, taking hard stances against players (remember the Gates suspension week 1 that probably doomed their season before it started, and the Merriman negs), and an increasingly large rift between the head coach who turned in 3 of the best seasons the Chargers have had since getting whupped in the SB.

No, he was brought in to make the team a winner, and in his only two full seasons as a GM, he has done just that. For a franchise that had only four winning seasons in non-strike-shortened years since 1981, that is QUITE an accomplishment.

 

[JohnnyU]

If Rivers performs well then everyone in SD will be like "Brees who?".

That won't happen in 2006. I expect Rivers to struggle this year (growing pains), and San Diego to take a step backwards. I'm not saying Rivers won't be good, hell, he could be a Pro Bowl QB for all I know, but that delivery of his sure is ugly.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

When did Smith really have a serious opportunity to get much of anything for Brees?

The Chargers will most likely get a third-round compensatory draft selection for Brees in the 2007 draft. That's way more than they could have gotten in a franchise-and-trade deal (post-injury).

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

No, he was brought in to make the team a winner, and in his only two full seasons as a GM, he has done just that.

They went from among the least talented teams in the league when AJ took over just three years ago, to among the most talented teams.It seems funny to me to hear someone say that he's more interested in making some kind of power play (he's already the GM!) than in building a winner. I agree with all the decisions he's made, so I guess I'm on some kind of power trip as well? Only, I have no power and I never will; so that can't be right.

 

[cstu]

If Rivers performs well then everyone in SD will be like "Brees who?".

But they'll still know what a jerk AJ Smith is. He came in and replaced John Butler when he died of cancer. After Butler it's almost imppossible to be liked, but Smith is a ham fisted jerk. IMO, he was brought in to be the ####### and get the team out of SD. And it seems all his actions are geared towards it. Bashing/moving popular players like Edwards and Brees, taking hard stances against players (remember the Gates suspension week 1 that probably doomed their season before it started, and the Merriman negs), and an increasingly large rift between the head coach who turned in 3 of the best seasons the Chargers have had since getting whupped in the SB.

No, he was brought in to make the team a winner, and in his only two full seasons as a GM, he has done just that. For a franchise that had only four winning seasons in non-strike-shortened years since 1981, that is QUITE an accomplishment.

AJ has actually made it a possibility that the Chargers will stay in SD. Had they kept losing it would have been a foregone conclusion that they'd be gone. If it weren't for the local government in SD being such a mess then they'd have a new stadium by now.

 

[mad sweeney]

If Rivers performs well then everyone in SD will be like "Brees who?".

But they'll still know what a jerk AJ Smith is. He came in and replaced John Butler when he died of cancer. After Butler it's almost imppossible to be liked, but Smith is a ham fisted jerk. IMO, he was brought in to be the ####### and get the team out of SD. And it seems all his actions are geared towards it. Bashing/moving popular players like Edwards and Brees, taking hard stances against players (remember the Gates suspension week 1 that probably doomed their season before it started, and the Merriman negs), and an increasingly large rift between the head coach who turned in 3 of the best seasons the Chargers have had since getting whupped in the SB.

No, he was brought in to make the team a winner, and in his only two full seasons as a GM, he has done just that. For a franchise that had only four winning seasons in non-strike-shortened years since 1981, that is QUITE an accomplishment.

Yeah, with guys like Edwards, Brees and Shottenheimer, who Smith is trying to get rid of. And don't forget Gates who was suspended because he was not under contract and was the best TE in the game, and selfishly wanted to make more than 350K a year. And don't forget the increasing distance between team and city over non-onfield FO decisions.

 

[Family Matters]

From a NFK fan perspective, it seems that getting rid of Brees was Smith's way of saying this is my team and I'll do whatever I want. To let Brees go for nothing was foolish. If you feel you have 2 good QB's and want to risk going with 1 then get some value for him. If he had been traded for a pick or player that helps the team then that would make sense. Based on his actions Smith was more concerned with proving his point than he was about the welfare of the team. There really is no other explanation for it.

And to think that Rivers will just step in and perform at the same level or better is foolish. It's a rare day when a first year player leads his team to the playoffs. Big Ben had great circimstances and maybe Rivers will too.

At the end of the day you want a QB that lead your team to the palyoffs and poss a championship. The team drafted Brees and he had proven his value. But Smith wanted the guy he drafted (Rivers) over Brees in spite of Brees success.

But from my unbiased perspective I think it was a power play by Smith to let Brees go and put Rivers in charge. How anyone sees this as what was best for the Chargers is beyond me. MAybe Smith could have sucked up his pride a little and did what was the best for the team rather than what he did.

Your perspective might be unbiased, but it's also uneducated. Brees played out of his mind two years ago and Smith tried to get something for him after that season. No one was willing to trade away what a Pro-Bowl Quarterback was worth for a guy who had only one good (at the time, perhaps fluky) season. Smith wasn't sold on Brees after one perspective season either, especially with a guy on the bench who was making serious cash and who the whole organization felt was the future of the franchise.During the season, when Brees proved that he wasn't a fluke, Brees (understandably) wasn't interested in negotiating a long-term deal while the season was underway.

Brees suffered a Pennington-type injury in the last game of the season, and suddenly Brees had very little value. Smith couldn't really franchise or transition the guy at that point because Brees would have definitely signed the contract, and nobody would have been willing to trade for him then. His only option was to try to offer him a contract that was fitting of a guy who had been good but may not have much of a future considering the extremity of injury (which still hasn't been clearly determined).

When did Smith really have a serious opportunity to get much of anything for Brees?

Not sure I agree with what you're saying. This sounds like what Smith wants everyone to think. Fact is he used the injury as a way out. Isn't it interesting someone else could offer him a fair market contract but S.D. couldn't? Like you explained, he's a Pro-Bowl type QB. Not sure how you explain around that with a serious tone.

 

[cstu]

If Rivers performs well then everyone in SD will be like "Brees who?".

But they'll still know what a jerk AJ Smith is. He came in and replaced John Butler when he died of cancer. After Butler it's almost imppossible to be liked, but Smith is a ham fisted jerk. IMO, he was brought in to be the ####### and get the team out of SD. And it seems all his actions are geared towards it. Bashing/moving popular players like Edwards and Brees, taking hard stances against players (remember the Gates suspension week 1 that probably doomed their season before it started, and the Merriman negs), and an increasingly large rift between the head coach who turned in 3 of the best seasons the Chargers have had since getting whupped in the SB.

No, he was brought in to make the team a winner, and in his only two full seasons as a GM, he has done just that. For a franchise that had only four winning seasons in non-strike-shortened years since 1981, that is QUITE an accomplishment.

Yeah, with guys like Edwards, Brees and Shottenheimer, who Smith is trying to get rid of. And don't forget Gates who was suspended because he was not under contract and was the best TE in the game, and selfishly wanted to make more than 350K a year. And don't forget the increasing distance between team and city over non-onfield FO decisions.

Funny though how Gates ended up signing a 6 year deal to stay in SD while Hutchinson conspired to get out of Seattle.

 

[jetsman]

Smith tried to get something for him after that season. No one was willing to trade away what a Pro-Bowl Quarterback was worth for a guy who had only one good (at the time, perhaps fluky) season.

so he got maybe a 3rd round pick for a Pro Bowl QB, Are you saying he couldnt have traded Rivers ? He had other options he chose not to exercise. He could have traded out of the 1st pick and not gotten into the whole Manning situation. It looks to me like AJ Smith got into a stare down with the Manning's and when Eli started to show he was the real deal this year, Smith decided He had to get his boy on the field to show he wasn't the guy who had the number one pick and and wasted it on a backup QB. I'm not privy to the dynamic in San Diego, I'll admit that.... but it appears to me that Smith has been in an ego contest with Schottenheimer and the players, trying to prove he's the one with the Biggest winky..

just mt 02 cents

 

[BoltBacker]

The Chargers will most likely get a third-round compensatory draft selection for Brees in the 2007 draft.

Why?

 

[jetsman]

The Chargers will most likely get a third-round compensatory draft selection for Brees in the 2007 draft.

Why?

depending on who they signed in free agency, as compensatory draft picksA third is best you can get and since Brees is a Pro Bowler it figures

 

[BoltBacker]

Yeah, with guys like Edwards, Brees and Shottenheimer, who Smith is trying to get rid of. And don't forget Gates who was suspended because he was not under contract and was the best TE in the game, and selfishly wanted to make more than 350K a year. And don't forget the increasing distance between team and city over non-onfield FO decisions.

1) I don't think it's possible to suspend a player that's not under contract with your team.2) Gates wasn't under contract, but was being offered more than 350k a year to sign a contract.

3) The only reason Gates is on the team is because AJ brought him in(for next to nothing). If it wasn't for AJ giving Gates the opportunity(and Gates obviously capitalizing on the opportunity) we would never have heard of Gates.

4) Distances between teams/cities are directly proportional to winning. If SD gets into the second round of the playoffs there won't be many fans that remember whether Donnie Edwards was shopped or not. I didn't hear many PIT fans complaining that sure, they won the superbowl but they were still really steamed that Hines Ward wasn't rewarded for his play on the field before the season began with a contract extension. If you win all that stuff is forgotten.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

1) I don't think it's possible to suspend a player that's not under contract with your team.

Correct. It's not. Gates wasn't suspended.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Are you saying he couldnt have traded Rivers?

Why would they want to trade Rivers? Should the Giants have traded Eli Manning instead of letting Warner leave?

 

[Chaos Commish]

1) I don't think it's possible to suspend a player that's not under contract with your team.

Correct. It's not. Gates wasn't suspended.

What was the official terminology for his one game... er... absence? Was he benched? Punished? Suspen... er? What's the difference?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

1) I don't think it's possible to suspend a player that's not under contract with your team.

Correct. It's not. Gates wasn't suspended.

What was the official terminology for his one game... er... absence? Was he benched? Punished? Suspen... er? What's the difference?

When a player doesn't report to the team at the beginning of training camp, but a team still has his exclusive rights, the player counts against the roster limit even though he's not under contract and hasn't reported.A team can get a roster exemption for him by notifying him that if he doesn't report by the date set by the league, he will go on the roster exempt list, which means he is barred by the league from suiting up until after the third game following his report date.

The Chargers sent the notification.

Gates said he missed his flight, so he got to S.D. a day after the date set by the league, despite trying to get there on time.

Since he reported a day late, he was barred by the league from playing in either of the final two preseason games, or in the regular season opener.

It wasn't a suspension. "Suspension" implies that the team didn't want him to suit up, or barred him from suiting up as some kind of disciplinary measure. But that wasn't the case at all. The Chargers would have loved for Gates to suit up -- and in fact he would have if he hadn't missed his flight. The Chargers certainly never barred him from playing; he was barred according to league rules once he failed to report by the date set by the league after he was giving the roster exemption notice.

 

[BoltBacker]

Meh, explain it another thousand times Maurile.

I'm convinced there is a large segment that will never be able to comprehend it.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Meh, explain it another thousand times Maurile.

I'm convinced there is a large segment that will never be able to comprehend it.

I understand it. I'm just not convinced that Gates truly "missed" his flight. I think he was trying to make a statement, not realizing that the Chargers could do nothing about it. And now they're spinning it as though he honestly missed his flight.

 

[BoltBacker]

Meh, explain it another thousand times Maurile.

I'm convinced there is a large segment that will never be able to comprehend it.

I understand it. I'm just not convinced that Gates truly "missed" his flight. I think he was trying to make a statement, not realizing that the Chargers could do nothing about it. And now they're spinning it as though he honestly missed his flight.

I'm not sure who "they" are in that statement. I do know Gates apologized for missing the deadline.If you are able to understand it you are in the minority I can assure you. If you pay close attention I'm sure you'll see plenty of people post that AJ/SD "suspended" Gates the first game of last season.

I actually agree with you. If a pro-athlete with all his resources can't find a way to get from point A to B in the country given several days notice there is something severely wrong. My guess is he got some really, really bad advice from an agent that was ignorant as to the rules as they applied to Gates and other players in a similar situation. Wouldn't be the first time an agent gave a player very bad advice but you'd think he'd at least educate himself as to the ramifications of the advice he's giving his client.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

I'm just not convinced that Gates truly "missed" his flight. I think he was trying to make a statement, not realizing that the Chargers could do nothing about it. And now they're spinning it as though he honestly missed his flight.

What are you basing this on? And who is "they"?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

My guess is he got some really, really bad advice from an agent that was ignorant as to the rules as they applied to Gates and other players in a similar situation.

His agent was inexperienced, and he was mistaken about how the rules worked. He thought that once Gates showed up, the Chargers could petition the league to restore his eligibility for the first game. But it doesn't work that way.

 

[BoltBacker]

My guess is he got some really, really bad advice from an agent that was ignorant as to the rules as they applied to Gates and other players in a similar situation.

His agent was inexperienced, and he was mistaken about how the rules worked.

Well, that's just another strange part of that whole situation.Let's see, you feel you're the best player in the league at your postion and will likely be signing the largest contract of your life for a sum of $ you could only dream about before a year ago.... who needs an experienced agent that knows what they're doing anyway? Let's learn on the fly how all this works!

I like Gates, I really do but he made some strange decisions last summer as much as I'd like to lay all the blame on his agent.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I'm just not convinced that Gates truly "missed" his flight. I think he was trying to make a statement, not realizing that the Chargers could do nothing about it. And now they're spinning it as though he honestly missed his flight.

What are you basing this on? And who is "they"?

My personal opinion. Sorry MT, no link to that. But based on BoltBacker's comment, I don't think I am alone.

 

[mad sweeney]

Yeah, with guys like Edwards, Brees and Shottenheimer, who Smith is trying to get rid of. And don't forget Gates who was suspended because he was not under contract and was the best TE in the game, and selfishly wanted to make more than 350K a year. And don't forget the increasing distance between team and city over non-onfield FO decisions.

1) I don't think it's possible to suspend a player that's not under contract with your team.2) Gates wasn't under contract, but was being offered more than 350k a year to sign a contract.

3) The only reason Gates is on the team is because AJ brought him in(for next to nothing). If it wasn't for AJ giving Gates the opportunity(and Gates obviously capitalizing on the opportunity) we would never have heard of Gates.

4) Distances between teams/cities are directly proportional to winning. If SD gets into the second round of the playoffs there won't be many fans that remember whether Donnie Edwards was shopped or not. I didn't hear many PIT fans complaining that sure, they won the superbowl but they were still really steamed that Hines Ward wasn't rewarded for his play on the field before the season began with a contract extension. If you win all that stuff is forgotten.

4. Not fan support, city and front office relations. Stadium leases, practice facilities, and the impending move of the team (whether to Chula Vista or Escondido or Los Angeles or wherever)3. Not everything he does is bad.

2. My bad, I believe it was closer to 650K. Either way it was millions too little for Gates to sign.

1. It may not have been a dictionary suspension, but that's essentially what it was. It was a hardball punitive measure used as a negotiation lever against Gates. It was dirty pool, and it cost them a game.

 

[Tau837]

Smith tried to get something for him after that season. No one was willing to trade away what a Pro-Bowl Quarterback was worth for a guy who had only one good (at the time, perhaps fluky) season.

so he got maybe a 3rd round pick for a Pro Bowl QB, Are you saying he couldnt have traded Rivers ? He had other options he chose not to exercise. He could have traded out of the 1st pick and not gotten into the whole Manning situation. It looks to me like AJ Smith got into a stare down with the Manning's and when Eli started to show he was the real deal this year, Smith decided He had to get his boy on the field to show he wasn't the guy who had the number one pick and and wasted it on a backup QB. I'm not privy to the dynamic in San Diego, I'll admit that.... but it appears to me that Smith has been in an ego contest with Schottenheimer and the players, trying to prove he's the one with the Biggest winky..

just mt 02 cents

After last season, if they traded Rivers, they would have taken a 10M+ salary cap hit and been left with Brees as the only experienced QB in the offense, with no certainty as to how his rehab would go and how well he would recover from his injury. Instead, they have a great young QB and a lot of cap room.I felt they should go with Rivers after the 2005 season and felt they should do it after the 2006 season even before Brees was hurt. But it truly became a nobrainer after Brees's injury.