Waiting for 2014

2014 is a long ways away, but it is the light at the end of the tunnel for the San Diego Chargers, it is the year GM AJ Smith's contract is up. Until then the Chargers will continue to have players who will leave their blood and sweat on the field while their GM waits to give them the boot or hide behind a letter with a stamp on it.

As the Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill saga continues, we continue to see the arrogant business side of AJ Smith.  He who notified his two star players, that if they did not sign their RFA tender, they're salaries would be reduced to peanuts, and they were. Being a great professional he "communicated" this to his players by sending a letter, no visit no call that we know of was made.

That is not how you treat your franchise left tackle, the one who protects your $90 million dollar quarterback, and according to holdout reports both players are willing to hold out until November and only return to play the last 6 games of the season. Which will allow them to become free agents and leave the following season. If the Chargers are to play like this for 10 games, Rivers would be in danger EVERY play, backup Tra Thomas is exactly that, a backup, he won't stand a chance against Dumervil, Seymour and Hali of the AFC West. Not to mention the effect on the running game, is Ryan Matthews supposed to run to the right side only?

The loss of Vincent Jackson would mean Antonio Gates sees more  double coverages, less space for the big man to operate in. Floyd was a revelation last year but his success was based on the attention Jackson receives.

The division is still the Chargers to lose, none of the other teams seem capable of overtaking them for first anytime soon, but this is building up to be another one playoff game and out season, which would be no surprise around here. This team has been nothing but a playoff disappointment since 2004, tagged as Super Bowl favorites many times only to be a bust one or two games in.

Back to AJ, how hard would it have been to go meet with his two players? Give them a nice little speech saying, "Hey we've got a chance to do something special here, our time is now, but we need you guys, " with some "The CBA is an issue so we can only offer you this for this year, but once its all worked out we will make sure you guys get paid". That was a little much, never going to happen but I can only wish, and coming out of AJ's mouth it would have been a great big lie. He signs his franchise quarterback this past year but fails to sign his LT after 5 years? And how about Luis Castillo's contract? Not only does he draft him after taking roids in college, he then proceeds to extend him three years after he's drafted. Before Rivers, Jackson, McNeill, MERRIMAN and numerous others.

If anyone deserved a extension in 2006-2007 it was Merriman, it was his play that lifted the Chargers mediocre defense, he helped Cromartie put together that incredible season. We saw the Merriman effect the following year where teams ran and passed all over while he was gone, and its no surprise AJ tries to trade a guy who is so important to this team.

And today AJ comes out saying " It hurts" not having his players this season? Was that a joke? Sarcasm? I don't believe it one bit, if he was so hurt he would go visit his players like Mike Holmgren did in Seattle, explain some things. But he must be too good for it, or must not want to wast gas due to the BP oil spill, who the heck knows what goes on in his mind.

Now I'm just ranting, but its what happens when you love a team this much, and as much as it pains me to say it, we will continue to suffer as long as AJ is GM. And my last painful thought.
The Chargers will not win a Super Bowl as long as AJ Smith is the GM.