Observer wrote on Oct 12, 2007 4:23 AM:If this story is true, why isn't the rest of the team getting sacks? If the opponents are putting 2 or 3 players on one guy then some else should be getting great opportunities to get to the QB, right? Oh yeah, I forgot, AJ in his brilliance got rid of our experienced LB's because he didn't like them or they weren't yes men enough for him! The same reason he got rid of Marty, remember! Maybe that explains it or maybe as the rumors go it is because "lights out" had his lights turn off when he had to stop doping! Yo, Lights Out, it is up to you to build your reputation back after your doping year, pro bowl and records. Can you do it without dope? YOUR public is watching!-

Zack wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:24 AM:If Merriman is being double teamed, then hopefully Cottrell will make the necessary adjustments. If the chargers are unable to put pressure on the QB, then they will lose. Fortunately for the Chargers, they are playing one of the least mobile QB's in the league. This is a very important game for the Chargers. Do they build on their success of last week, or do they take a step back and have a pity party. At this point, no team in the AFC West has any hope of making it to the Super Bowl.-

Larry wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:32 AM:Observer - Your comments are just plain tired. You have no idea what led to Marty's firing nor the facts that led to Donnie Edwards leaving as a free agent. Everyone keeps talking about Aj's ego. How many people have actually met him? Maybe you would rather have Bobby Beathard back or Harland Svare or the countless others that led this franchise years and decades of 4-12 seasons. Give it a rest.-

Northernmost Bolthead wrote on Oct 12, 2007 12:09 PM:Zack said, "One of the least mobile QB's in the league". .. Huh? Doesn't Culpepper, in limited play, have, like 3 or 4 rushing touchdowns already this year? Rivers has one in a year and a quarter. Culpepper's knee seems fine. And "Observer", how can you be so PMS when the Charger turned the Broncos into glue last week?

Observer to Larrrry wrote on Oct 12, 2007 12:35 PM:Have you forgotten Harrison, Seau, and a score of others, all released because aj (yeah,little a little j) had to have the team his way instead of the coaches way! Then he has to get rid of Marty on the same year the Chargers knew they were going to lose most of the coaching staff, just so he AGAIN had it his way. Marty may not have been the total answer but by him not putting aside his mammoth ego he has crushed this team. Now they are lucky to be in the weakest divison in pro football, they may salvage a 9 and 7 record if they are lucky. That may even mean they get into the playoffs just because of the divison they are in. It is certainly not because we have a team that is playing like a team or a coaching staff that has even an outside chance of coaching this team this year! So, thats my 2 cents worth, refute it if you can!!!'

Bobby wrote on Oct 12, 2007 3:05 PM:A.J. Smith is a arogant nut case with a ego the size of Texas. Anyone who thinks he did his job this last offseason needs to look at the facts. He was the only GM in the NFL to bring in NOBODY via FA or trade! His "my way or hit the road" attitude ran off many of good players and coaches! I have owned a company for 38 years and I can tell you, you just DO NOT run off good people for personal reasons like AJ does!

Jamie wrote on Oct 12, 2007 3:42 PM:If you base your opinion of whether or not AJ did his job this offseason upon who he did (or didnt) sign via FA, you haven't paid much attention to his track record. This team rarely, if ever, signs the types of FA's that turn heads. It's simply not how their organization chooses to build the roster - and it hasnt been since Butler died. This team builds its roster primarily through the draft, non-drafted FA's and the occasional, non-descript FA's signing. And, in case you've forgotten, that approach got us a 14-2 season. Look up and down the roster, and you'll see primarily home grown talent. The O-line is all guys AJ drafted with the exception of Goff - and he was a FA signing that no one paid attention to when we got him. Our skill players are all AJ guys with the exception of LT (Butler) and I think Parker. The defense is mainly guys AJ drafted with three exceptions (Hart, McCree, Jammer). You also have to keep in mind that this team was (and still is) widely considered the most talented in the league before the season started. Because of that, there weren't many places to add any big ticket FA's this offseason. Who would you like them to replace? Also, dont forget that when this team has signed big name FA's, it has typically blown up in their faces (see David Boston). As it relates to Seau and Harrison, those were necessary moves. Rodney was always banged up and a liability in coverage in the defense Marty wanted to play. Seau, despite his limited success in NE, should really have retired three years ago. Those had nothing to do with this "my way or the highway" attitude people pin on AJ, they were necessary moves the team had to make in the salary cap era. They were old, making too much money and were providing limited returns production wise. As I recall, they were also very vocal in their displeasure of the way Marty ran things. I believe those moves were largely orchestrated by Marty. If you guys are going to rip AJ, you should at least have some idea of what you're talking about. He has built the most talented team in the league and is still looking for a coach who is capable of getting the most out of them while being open to how he wants things done. You can whine about Marty all you want, but he lost two home playoff games here in three years because of decisions he and his staff made while trying to hold leads. He was not the answer.'

Will wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:06 PM:It's obvious Jamie likes AJ. He is right me must move forward. Five games is not enough games to lay absolute judgement on Norv. The players admit that they were to blame. They are buying in to his plan. I would like to see the recievers step up. I can see the O-line is playing better and even the secondary is coming around. You said "who should we have brought in" Keyshawn maybe. And by the way Junior is having a pro-bowl year. Someone else besides Gates is going to have to start catching passes.

Switch em up wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:50 PM:Observer You will be licking AJ`s Lombardy trophy`s soon enough. And are you even going to the game ??? And what jersey will you be wearing Marinivich? or Gallery? Why not switch Merriman & Phillips from time to time so they never know which side they will be on. Cotrell can you hear me?

fair and balanced? wrote on Oct 12, 2007 9:07 PM:gee, where is my post of about 830am today??

E..Leong wrote on Oct 12, 2007 9:16 PM:LT...the REAL LT...worked through the double teams. Maybe he should Juice it up again...If he was real good like Reggie he would have had more success...funny how he diminished after the cycle wore off.

Joe wrote on Oct 12, 2007 10:28 PM:The Chargers are 2-3 and hoping to get to .500 going into the bye week. It is what it is. Getting Eric Parker back as a possession receiver will be a big help. Apparently having Wilhelm back as the defensive signal caller makes a big and positive difference as both games he was in (Bears & Broncos) we won. I would like to see what Legadu Nanee can do and a little more of Floyd. Use The Burner earlier to beat up the defense and bring Sproles in for a few plays in the 3rd and 4th quarters for a burst a tired defense will have difficulty catching. Please NorvAL, put LT AND Burner Turner in the backfield at the same time for a few plays and see what happens. How about an occasional pass to Manumanaluena (or however he spells it) to keep the defense honest. Let's try a reverse to Buster for a change. Good suggestion by "Switch em up" to flip flop Merriman and Phillips to give a different look to the opponent's O lineman. I am looking for us to OUT PHYSICAL the Raiders on both sides of the ball at every position. WIN the turnover battle! Pass to set up the run instead of the VERY PREDICTABLE run, run, incomplete pass and punt philosophy. Go Chargers! /

Zack wrote on Oct 13, 2007 7:58 AM:Yes, Culpepper is not that fast. Certainly doesn't have the speed he had when he played for the Vikings. He is faster then when he was with the Dolphins, but he was coming off an injury at that point. As for Rivers, I never said he was fast. In fact, I think he is probably one of the slowest if not the slowest QB's in the league. Rivers doesn't need to be timed with a stop watch, he needs to be timed with a calendar.

Zack wrote on Oct 13, 2007 11:58 AM:The one thing that bothers me about the Chargers is that they let too many players go for compensatory picks instead of trading those players away. I do understand that they probably need Michael Turner for this season, but given that Tampa needs a running back and add that to the fact that the Chargers are not a Super Bowl contender, then I would rather trade Turner now and get player/s and/or draft pick/s as opposed to letting him go and at best get a third round compensatory pick. The Chargers may make the playoffs, but barring injuries, I can't think of any team they would beat in the playoffs. Tampa Bay is in a position to make the playoffs in a weak NFC, so I would think that a deal could be struck for Turner. The question is whether there are any players on the Tampa squad that A.J. wants and that Tampa is willing to part with.

yyzlimelight wrote on Oct 13, 2007 12:21 PM:Rivers is the second slowest QB in the history of the NFL, Dan Fouts was the slowest but he turned out pretty well...in Canton, OH

Retxed wrote on Oct 14, 2007 6:11 PM:to Bobby, Now that your a big time owner/operator of your lemon stand and made a ten cent profit why don't you go ask your mommy for a clue and let the adults go back to our football.