In Response to Re: Norv Turner & AJ Smith fired... : Off the top of my head: Draft day trades: -Vick for LT and parts, drafted Brees same year. -Swapped Eli for Rivers and parts, and I believe got the better QB. -A bunch of picks to get Eric Weddle Drafted Michael Turner, and got picks for him Drafted Darren Sproles (and let him walk) Antonio Gates Vincent Jackson Cromartie Shaun Philips Ryan Matthews Kaeding Castillo and I'm sure there are a few lineman on both sides I'm not very familiar with Just the above is "ok" for a 10 year period. It's on par with how the rest of the league does, it's certainly no better or worse than the Pats over that same period. Looking at that list I see 4 significant QBs (all but Rivers, ironically, technically drafted by SD), 3 significant RBs, an elite TE, elite WR, elite LB (Philips), overrated CB, good S, elite K, and solid DLineman. Really not that bad. Even still, he's a j e r k and should go.
Posted by ma6dragon9
Posted by ma6dragon9
Since 2006, Smith's drafts have been awful:
1.) 2006: Drafted CB Antonio Cromartie with his #1 pick, 19th overall. After a great rookie season, it became known that Cro was far more interested in making babies than making interceptions. This guy gives new meaning to the term, "head-case". Only one player remains on the current Chargers' roster from 2006 draft class...the oft injured LT, Marcus McNeil;
2.) 2007: Busted out on his #1 pick, #30 overall, using it on WR Craig "Buster" Davis. Davis is no longer in the league. Only one player from the 2007 draft class, safety Eric Weddle, remains on the current roster;
3.) 2008: Use his #1 pick, #27 overall, on CB Antoine Cason. Cason has been in San Diego what Ellis Hobbs was in New England, minus Hobbs' prowess as a kick returner. Unlike Hobbs, Cason is blessed with the physical attributes you want in a CB...6'1", 220 lbs.. But, he's done nothing with it: http://www.zimbio.com/Antoine+Cason/articles/HqWxHDqaRsP/Antoine+
Cason+Benched+Early+Next+Week
He's been hailed as one of the top 5 busts in Chargers' history...though he's still one of their starting CBs: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/658986-nfl-draft-counting-down-the-5-biggest-draft-busts-in-san-diego-chargers-history#/articles/658986-nfl-draft-counting-down-the-5-biggest-draft-busts-in-san-diego-chargers-history/page/3
Here's more on Cason, and on how poorly A.J. Smith has drafted over his era in Chargerville: http://www.zimbio.com/Antoine+Cason/articles/DdsjzJ4JnUd/Chargers+Fail+AJ+Smith+Failed
Only Cason and marginal FB, Jacob Hester, remains on the roster, from this draft class;
4.) 2009: The draft "hits" just keep on coming. as Smith used the 16th overall pick on DE/OLB Larry English. English is also on the list of top 5 draft busts in Chargers' history:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/658986-nfl-draft-counting-down-the-5-biggest-draft-busts-in-san-diego-chargers-history#/articles/658986-nfl-draft-counting-down-the-5-biggest-draft-busts-in-san-diego-chargers-history/page/2;
5.) 2010: The Chargers paid dearly to trade up, in order to select RB Ryan Mathews with the 12th overall pick. Matthews was supposed to replace Ladainian Tomlinson. Though Matthews has been not the impact player that Smith envisioned...he's bounced back from a poor, injury marred rookie season. Here are his stats: http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/13204/ryan-mathews.
Despite these good looking stats, he's been plagued by fumbling issues. As we all know, regardless of stats, a RB who fumbles is a liability: http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/blog/roto_arcade/post/Monday-Dinner-Ryan-Mathews-drops-the-ball-again?urn=fantasy-wp11720
6.) 2011: Smith selected DT Corey Liuget with the 18th overall selection. Liuget has been a major disappointment: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1005207-this-years-biggest-nfl-draft-busts#/articles/1005207-this-years-biggest-nfl-draft-busts/page/4
Throughout the year, many of us, myself included, have been highly critical of BB's draft selections over the past 5 years. But BB's failures seem to pale in comparison to those made by Smith.
One final word. How Smith ever let RB Darren Sproles get away is beyond me. If the Pats do make it to the SB, I'd rather see GB in the Indy-dome, than Drew Brees and Sproles. Plus, Smith chose to hire Norv Turner as his teams' coach...and was instrumental in getting Marty Shottenheimer fired, after a 14-2 season.
