Markus wrote on Dec 26, 2007 6:42 AM:Thanks AJ.... another fine mess you've gotten us in!! Who else did you get in that foul draft class? Merriman, Jackson, Sproles, Dobbins, Bingham, ... The Beathard School would like to revoke your license. Oh yeah, and BobbyBoy would like your head

Jaque wrote on Dec 26, 2007 8:09 AM:Sorry kids enjoying Christmas RE MARKUS: Since you post your name I can at least direct my laughter at a face. I admire your passion Markus, although you have a lot to learn, my friend. Maybe the best place to start would be to clear your mind of some of your preconceived notions about people and how the world works. And don't flatter yourself; you're not that difficult to figure out. I'm just tired of listening to your sophomoric ranting.

BoltDan wrote on Dec 26, 2007 8:14 AM:BUT Markus will you be mad when AJ starts getting rid of those good players for what ever reason he deems to??? will you then be mad at an ego-maniac... oh I forgot you (not you Markus only all AJ lovers) are the kool-aid drinkers that buy everything AJ feeds you people... Yeah.

Markus wrote on Dec 26, 2007 8:53 AM:just trying to draw the poison from the stew...the rats from the thicket ... squeek...

SDBoltfan wrote on Dec 26, 2007 9:45 AM:Good job luis welcome back. We will need all our guys health and ready for the playoff run. With a little luck we will accomplish what has alluded for so long. And Oh no here come Jaque and Dan too ruin the party. Alright charger fans lets keep winning and support our winning team and enjoy a nice large glass of kool-ail. I like the tropical punch how about you guys? Go Chargers. 11-5 to start

Gibbs wrote on Dec 26, 2007 9:55 AM:Is AJ a jerk? Maybe, who knows? Has he had the most success picking players since '04 of any GM. UNQUESTIONABLY. Does he know how to pick a coach? I hope so. Are his skills more valuable/rare than any coach, including Belichek? Yes! Are we lucky to have him? Oh, yeah. Anybody who doesn't understand that AJ is the man, doesn't know football. Period.

BoltDan wrote on Dec 26, 2007 9:57 AM:Castillo is a welcome site and will be needed in the post season... with that said, I try and keep my remarks positive at the beginning of the year. NOrv and AJ made that hard to do this year. I love my Bolts and love to see them do well. I am a firm believer that AJ is not the second coming nor is he that wise of a GM that he couldn't be replaced with someone who likes all the people on his team, Not just the people he drafts. Now I know you AJ lovers out there will bash that we shouldn't talk of these things going into a play-off game, etc... but I feel you should. If we win this whole thing then you guys wil have lots to bag on... "OH Aj is great" and "Oh, You AJ haters were so wrong" he was the greatest.... but now if by chance he isn't then you all will be here smack talking. Go Bolts and beat the Faiders... Castillo must be drooling at the bit for some Faider QB sandwich.

SDboltfan wrote on Dec 26, 2007 10:29 AM:Hear you dan and I get what you are saying but why would you be positive at the beginning when we were losing and be negative now that we are winning. Don't get that at all. I think the players/coaches that were let go were for a reason. Each has a chance to stay but in their way did not. I don't think AJ cuts everyone like you think. Example: Marty offer extention but did not take it and let all his cordinator go. Try to hire his brother D cordinator against policy no family. Donnie was cry for extention after 2nd yr of 5 yr contract. Try to force AJ hand trough radio friends and want to be paid top LB money not happening not good enough. Brees even admitted to leaving for more money with Saints and was offer a SD contract extention. All other players marginal don't need to talk about. If you don't believe me check it out, I have been following all the story for yrs. Love all past player and coach but am moving on with this winning team and supporting them from top to bottom. AJ is not perfect and has an ego but maybe that is what it take to build a winning team. Took NY for all they are worth and turn it into great picks. Bellicheat is an egomaniac and keeps winning and all patriot fans love him. Get the point dan. Go Bolts

IN-AJ-WE-TRUST wrote on Dec 26, 2007 10:48 AM:At least a few you people understand that AJ is probably the best GM the chargers has ever had, just look at his drafts. We all suspected he didn't know what he was doing when he passed on Vick for some guy named LaDainain Tomlinson who very few people knew about and well you know the rest. How about the Eli B.S. he still drafted the bum anyway and look at EVERYBODY we got out of that deal i can go on and on you gotta believe he know what he's doing , but i will admit he does have issues on other things i will not mention, but go CHARGERS #1

Markus wrote on Dec 26, 2007 11:24 AM:it's a slow day, so I'll retort, BoltDan. Yes, AJ is an egomaniacal, bully. As an inveterate pacifist/woosy, I am not usually drawn to these types. But I also remember as a child when the only excitement and pride anyone could derive en route to a 2-12 misery was when Don Woods threatened the league rushing title and won Rookie Of The Year. I remember the Craig Whellihan (sic) era. Remember Babe... Mark Malone... Johnny Unites... Harlen Svare...? This franchise has suffered far more than it has celebrated; like 5 to 1. So the pug-nosed bully is petulant and combative. So he didn't play nice with Shotty and Donnie. So he made a tough stand with Gatsey. Made a franchise critical call with Brees and Rivers (and I know that hasn't played out yet, relax). Bottom line: This team has more talent top to bottom, offense to defense than it EVER has. EVER!! Fouts era, Humphries era, Tobin Rote, Bambi... And they have 3 starters out of 22 who are over the age of 28. Hell, he has 2-3 more drafts to shore up 3-4 positions (SS, DT, OT, RB, DE..) You think he might be able to find some more players with those 20-22 picks??? Why would anyone who has suffered with this Team through decades of misery want to run this guy out of town????

Joe wrote on Dec 26, 2007 12:01 PM:AJ Smith is a great talent evaluator. It remains to be seen if hiring Norv over Marty was the right decision however we will find out soon enough. In order to be more successful than Marty was last year Norv MUST win TWO playoff games. Marty's excellent record of 14-2 gave them a bye the 1st
week which may have, in hindsight, not been good as they may have been rusty and out of sync being used to playing games back to back throughout the season except for the one bye week. If Norv can win TWO GAMES then it will prove to be an upgrade over Marty. Win one game is a wash and one and done it is a step backwards. Winning the 1st playoff game at home would only put them in the same situation as they were in last year with the bye the 1st week of the playoffs. They MUST ALSO WIN the SECOND game for AJ to be proven correct about hiring Norv. What is not known is whether Marty would have had a
better record than Norv this year and whether he would have taken them farther in the playoffs this year than Norv does, or does not. Are you ready for some playoff FOOTBALL?

Tom wrote on Dec 26, 2007 12:05 PM:"Why would anyone who has suffered with this team want to run this guy out of town?"...because his Hawiian shirts are old and faded!

BoltDan wrote on Dec 26, 2007 1:30 PM:Markus: out of anybody ever on this or any other blog you made more sense out of the AJ thing then anybody. Bravo. You almost make me like the guy. YES I hold grudges and did not like the way he has rid this team of people as was evident by SDBOLTFAN above... he named but a few of the reasons why I dislike him. But you my friend have given me hope to at least for now trust him... who will he have an issue with next is what worries me but I don't have to worry because he won't do anything untill after this season. So for now you got to me and I will just shut up about him (even though he hired Norv) Sorry couldn't help it, It just slipped out. So go Bolts beat the faiders and take it to whoever we play in the post season. To SDBoltFan though: Donnie also said he would take the San Diego discount in the end but AJ's ego was already bruised...he is the CEO of the company so I guess you don't cross him. Sorry there I go again...

BoltDan wrote on Dec 26, 2007 1:32 PM:I do like what Joe said too... maybe AJ should be our talent scout?

Joe wrote on Dec 26, 2007 2:33 PM:Thank you sir BoltDan. At least you did not call me an imbicile like our good buddy Jaque. Remember everybody, Norv must win TWO playoff games in a row to have a better season than Marty did last year and to vidicate AJ's decision. Now that they are in the "tournament" let's see if they can "make some noise." Off topic but what did you guys think about Miami hiring The Tuna Parcells? Man, I'll bet everybody around there is now walking on egg shells not to get in HIS dog house. Cleo Lemon did look better on Sunday than Volek has but then again, who hasn't? As my high school coach used to say, the way Volek has played he couldn't even play for the "little sisters of the poor."

Jaque wrote on Dec 26, 2007 2:34 PM:Joe, yours are reasons why I am so harsh on the Chargers. If they win 2 playoff games you'll satasfied? Or you'll be convinced it was a good move to bring in Norv? If they do win, it won't be in spite of him, it would be for the spite of him. But moreover, Charger fans set their sights too low. I for one expect nothing less than going to the Superbowl, and with the inconsistant play of this year, is why ... alot. If they play to thier capacity, noone can be them. But if you don't go for the jugular, pedal to the metal so to speak, the Chargers will just be another statiscal nightmare.

Richard wrote on Dec 26, 2007 2:50 PM:I could not agree anymore with most of the posts. I really think a super bowl win is the only way novr and teddy keep their jobs. "or so i hope they are not here next year". this is all my opinion I personally felt the coaches were the wrong choices. so before you rag on me about this post. I have seen this happen before being a fan for 38 yearsand still going and going and going................................

SDBoltfan wrote on Dec 26, 2007 4:46 PM:Finally I can agree with what Jaque says. Go for it all we can do it. No less will do.

Sam wrote on Dec 26, 2007 6:19 PM:Check the depth chart Haters...Note the second day draft choices and undrafted free agents...that's the result of that dude AJ knowing what the Hell he is doing...Note the youth and the depth which has to be at least top three in the NFL. You run AJ out of here and I'll guarantee you some owner is going to give him top dollar to build a winner and a winner he will build.

As far as Donnie being let go...look you can't pay everyone top dollar...at some point Vets have to go that's just the way it is...If Joe Montana can be let go...guess what, Donnie Edwards can be let go and no, Donnie Edwards does not equal the value of a Joe Montana....Seau was released, Harrison released...vets get let go that's just the way it is...and before you go off about Seau and Harrison, know this, they were let go when Butler was alive and Marty had a lot to do with those releases...he said himself, his biggest mistake was Rodney Harrison...can't blame AJ for that can we?...I'm sure some of you ignoramuses will...oh and check Wilhelm and Edwards stats this year...Wilhelm in a landslide...

He re-signed Gates didn't he...Dielman right?...what do you want?...He does what he has to do...Florence is gone unfortunately, because he's great in the slot...but AJ has got it covered with Paul Oliver and Cletis Gordon...He's gotta plan for McNeil, Cromartie, Merriman when they are up... Sign's Bingham (7th rounder) who's turned into a good ballplayer...McKinney, undrafted are you kidding me?...that's a skilled GM...gambles on Cromartie...takes a flyer on Sproles...also, Siler is a lot like Harrison when he was young and with the Chargers...a monster on special teams and a passion for the game, you knew he was going to be a player at some point...I guarantee you at some point if he's got it upstairs, Siler is going to be a monster...and you can thank AJ for finding the guy in the 7th round...THAT'S WHAT A GM DOES!

AJ or Marty?...HELL, I'D TAKE AJ any day of the week.

BoltDan wrote on Dec 27, 2007 8:58 AM:You will take him anyday? Until he gets rid of that talent you were just talking about. He is as stated above a good talent finder but lousy at letting his people go. You LIKE Florence???? Jammer and Florence last year were what? 28th in pass defence... now that Cro is in we are at least 15th (I think) and Yes AJ found CRO.... so lets stop complaining about AJ (even though he hired Norv) and watch the rest of the season. Then you all can defend the great AJ/NORV/Jammer... because with hindsight everything is 20/20...

Joe wrote on Dec 27, 2007 12:33 PM:Jaque, I did not say that I personally would be statisfied if the Chargers won 2 playoff games. I am stating the fact that according to AJ Smith, the main reason he let Marty go (besides their "dysfunctional relationship") was that he did not win in the playoffs and it was his decision to bring in Norv who he thought could do better than Marty. Well, Marty "won" the 1st game last year by not having to play it due to his stellar and league's best 14-2 record. Therefore, to meet AJ Smith's criteria for being more successful in the playoffs than Marty, Norv has to win at least 2 games in a row and get to the AFC Championship game. With the ever-closing "window" the Chargers have with LT and this cast of excellent players they need to WIN THIS YEAR. Unfortunately they are up against one of the greatest teams in history in the Pats not to mention the defending SB champ Colts. This year's Chargers deserve a huge amount of credit for fighting through massive coaching changes, a terrible 1-3 start, inconsistent defense, O line and quarterback play early in the season and injuries to the likes of Eric Parker. I have had my share of critiques of AJ Smith but he very well may have "saved the day" by bringing in Chris Chambers and the superb play and professionalism he has demonstrated. If you wonder why they are running the ball better I would submit it is in large part due to defenses now having to respect Chambers's fantastic play-making ability and playing a more honest defense and not stacking the box as much. To use Norv's FAVORITE word, OBVIOUSLY the improved play of Vince Jackson and contributions of Buster Davis and better O line play have helped in that regard as well which in turn has helped Rivers. Now that they are in the "tournament" let's see if they can "make some noise."

Paul wrote on Dec 27, 2007 2:11 PM:Man I usually never read blogs, but you guys take the cake. Let me start by saying that I am not an AJ hater or lover I think the man has done his job as GM. You have to make some popular and unpopular decisions in which he has made over the years i.e. . Brees.. I have been a Charger fan for 35 years now and I never seen a team that has this mutch talent and is winning by the way. I have better things that to over anaylize it at this point. I just hope we keep winning and bring a Super Bowl trophy back home. GO CHARGERS!!!

PAL52 wrote on Dec 27, 2007 10:52 PM:Just who did AJ NOT bring to this team? Gates, the guy he signed to an extension two years ago? Jamal, who he signed to an extension? He didn't draft Jammer, but he clearly gets along with Jammer and signed him to an extension. Your arguments against AJ are weak, weak, weak. And old.