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CHARGERS: Construction zone
This story has been corrected since its original posting
General manager Smith in process of building 2008 Chargers
By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
While the NFL scouting combine takes place below, A.J. Smith is spending most of his time in a suite high above the end zone at Indianapolis' RCA Dome ---- and he's not just thinking about which collegiate players impress him.
The Chargers' general manager is finalizing his game plan for the offseason and analyzing what the team needs for the 2008 season.
While his Chargers won a dramatic playoff game over the Colts in the same building just six weeks ago, Smith is more interested in a different type of building ---- the construction of the 2008 Chargers.
There is a meeting room adjoining the Chargers' suite, and it is there that Smith is seeking input from the organization's coaches, scouts and personnel people.
But no matter how long the discussions go, one thing is clear: There won't be a lot of movement this offseason, not with 37 players signed through at least 2009.
"It's pretty obvious to look at our team and know that more than the majority of the people are here," Smith said. "Our team is pretty much built. There's always a little bit of change but we're beyond a lot of change."
The Chargers made their first offseason addition on Sunday by signing inside linebacker Derek Smith to a two-year contract. The 34-year-old Smith was recently released by San Francisco.
But basically, the roster that played in last month's AFC Championship Game will remain intact. The AFC title game appearance was just the fourth for the Chargers in the NFL's 42-season Super Bowl era. They notched their first two playoff victories since the 1994 postseason before losing to the New England Patriots.
Smith is happy to see that the team's playoff victory drought is over, but the hard-charging GM is not the type of person to relax and rest on his team's laurels. He craves winning what he terms a "world championship."
"So close to a Super Bowl," said Smith, "so I have to reflect back and say we're making progress. I like where we're headed and hopefully we can learn and grow and get into '08 and keep moving forward. I like the direction that we are going in now.
"I feel we have a chance. The fact that we won a bunch of games and ended up in the AFC Championship Game, we did have a chance to go to the Super Bowl. We just didn't get it done in Foxborough. So that year is over and a new year begins."
Smith is waiting until Thursday to talk specifics in terms of his offseason plan. He will meet with the media that day, close the door on the 2007 season and look forward to the ensuing campaign.
But here's a look at the Chargers' roster:
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers (2009), Billy Volek (2007; unrestricted free agent), Charlie Whitehurst (2009).
Rivers is rehabilitating the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is projected to be ready when the Chargers begin the 2008 season. Volek is a free agent and could become a valued commodity in a market that is thin in quality quarterbacks.
Whitehurst, entering his third season, could be ready for the backup role.
Running backs
LaDainian Tomlinson (2011), Michael Turner (2007; unrestricted free agent), Darren Sproles (2008), Lorenzo Neal (2010), Andrew Pinnock (2010).
Tomlinson has won back-to-back rushing titles but also will turn 29 in June, which means he's getting up there in running back years. With valuable caddy Turner leaving, perhaps Tomlinson's eventual replacement will be found in April's NFL draft.
Sproles is a valuable reserve but isn't viewed as an every-down back. Pinnock will supplant Neal as the team's main fullback; Neal could become an ex-Charger later this week.
Receivers
Chris Chambers (2009), Vincent Jackson (2009), Eric Parker (2010), Craig Davis (2011), Legedu Naanee (2010), Kassim Osgood (2009), Malcom Floyd (2007; exclusive rights free agent).
Chambers was an excellent midseason addition and Jackson stepped up with a terrific postseason. Parker missed all of last season with a toe injury and could be a valuable third-down weapon. Davis was forced into action last September before he was ready, but the team remains high on his potential. Naanee is an intriguing prospect. Osgood's value lies solely in special teams, while Floyd could be hard-pressed to make the roster in 2008.
Tight ends
Antonio Gates (2010), Brandon Manumaleuna (2009), Scott Chandler (2010).
Gates appears headed toward toe surgery and is expected to be fully recovered by the time the season rolls around. Manumaleuna is a bruising blocker and a fine complement to Gates. Chandler will find it hard to get on the field unless there are injuries to Gates and/or Manumaleuna.
Offensive line
LT Marcus McNeill (2009), LG Kris Dielman (2012), C Nick Hardwick (2011), RG Mike Goff (2008), RT Jeromey Clary (2007; exclusive rights free agent), T Shane Olivea (2011), C Cory Withrow (2009), OL Scott Mruczkowski (2007; restricted free agent).
McNeill played in his second consecutive Pro Bowl and Dielman just made his first, so the left side is in good shape. Hardwick is one of the top centers in the NFL and Goff is a fierce warrior. Clary supplanted Olivea as a starter; the two will likely battle for the right tackle spot. Withrow is a versatile reserve.
Mruczkowski, who has one start in three seasons, could receive some interest in the free-agent market. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Chargers scanned the free-agent list in search of depth.
Defensive line
Jamal Williams (2010), Luis Castillo (2009), Igor Olshansky (2008), Jacques Cesaire (2010), Ryon Bingham (2010), Brandon McKinney (2007; exclusive rights free agent).
Williams continues to accumulate nicks and bruises but has another good season or two left in him. Finding an eventual replacement for Williams will eventually become a priority. Castillo missed several games with an ankle injury for the second straight season. Olshansky is coming off his best season and entering the last season of his contract. He's looking for a big payday.
Cesaire and Bingham are valuable reserves. McKinney provides depth behind Williams.
Linebackers
Shawne Merriman (2009), Shaun Phillips (2012), Stephen Cooper (2010), Matt Wilhelm (2011), Derek Smith (2009), Marques Harris (2007; restricted free agent), Jyles Tucker (2008), Anthony Waters (2010), Brandon Siler (2010), Tim Dobbins (2009), Carlos Polk (2008).
Merriman's contract has two years to run but the closer he gets toward free agency, the harder he will be to sign. He'll still be just 25 years old when his contract runs out. Phillips, Cooper and Wilhelm are all locked up for at least three more seasons. Wilhelm could be challenged this offseason by the newly signed Smith, a former mainstay of San Francisco's defense.
The Chargers are high on Waters' potential and Siler is a tough hard-nosed player. Dobbins is a capable reserve and valuable special teams player. If Harris were to depart, Tucker's second-half emergence would soften the blow. Polk's main value is on special teams.
Secondary
Quentin Jammer (2012), Antonio Cromartie (2010), Drayton Florence (2007; unrestricted free agent), Clinton Hart (2008), Marlon McCree (2010), Eric Weddle (2010), Paul Oliver (2010), Cletis Gordon (2007; exclusive rights free agent), Steve Gregory (2007; exclusive rights free agent).
Jammer had a solid season and Cromartie led the NFL with 10 interceptions, so the starting corners are set. Finding a capable third corner with Florence leaving will be important, since it is unknown whether Gordon is ready for the role. The club is expected to sign Hart to a contract extension and part ways with McCree; the latter move would make Weddle a starter.
Oliver could be moved to safety, while Gregory is solid on special teams. Adding a veteran safety through free agency could happen.
Specialists
K Nate Kaeding (2012), P Mike Scifres (2011), LS David Binn (2008), K Dave Rayner (2007; restricted free agent).
Kaeding is a dependable kicker, Scifres is one of the game's top punters and Binn is one of the best long snappers. Rayner, signed to handle kickoffs after Kaeding fractured his plant leg, will be seeking employment elsewhere.
Correction: The Chargers have made four appearances in the AFC Championship Game.
Johnny wrote on Feb 25, 2008 10:46 AM:Say what you want about AJ. He's hard headed. You can hate on the Norv Turner hire. But he is without a doubt the best talent evaluator in the game. Even better than Pioli. And that's coming from a Jet fan.
Northernmost Bolthead wrote on Feb 25, 2008 11:46 AM:Fans have long ago stopped expecting player loyalty -- or team loyalty to players. And it's not the FA/cap systems alone to blame. Wasn't it the Patriots who first created the "RE-build thru the draft" approach where you use a player until they are due big bucks, then you release him and bring on someone who's waiting in the wings a few years?
It works until you run out of stock.
Then you have to hire premium players as FAs, at premium prices. But it seems to work fine for the Pats, Bolts, Colts etc. Is it linebackers who are most susceptible to this cold-blooded turnover?
Shamrock wrote on Feb 25, 2008 12:06 PM:"The AFC title game appearance was just the second for the Chargers in the NFL's 42-season Super Bowl era."
You need to check your facts. Go look at the following seasons:
1980, 1981, 1994, 2007
Coit wrote on Feb 25, 2008 2:08 PM:I think the Steelers under Cowher were first there. The Pats were the first team to win championships with the model though. It also works on the moneyball model--you find free agents whose strengths are undercompensated in the market and fit them in to your scheme.
Stan_The_Man_12 wrote on Feb 25, 2008 5:07 PM:Sham,
As usual you are the man, you beat me to it, as a fan of 30+ seasons and still only 40, I remembered a couple of other instances when the Bolts were a stones throw away from the big game but where denied by the weather [see Cincy game] or the hated Losers from Oakland.
Whoever Mike Sullivan is or his fact checker, they apparently have not been around the Chargers long enough to write a decent story.
BoltDan wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:19 AM:I see us getting rid of McCree and starting Weddle as a good thing. Also chucking old PI Florence can only help. I like the new pick up of the LB from the niners. He will take the job from Wilhelm who should not have had that job except for AJ's ego. Getting rid of Donnie was a mistake and now he is covering it. Wilhelm could not cover Faulk (the other one) in that championship game. So they dinked and dunked us to death with the RB. we needed a sure tackler and speed in the middle and Wilhelm is not it. YES Jammer had a breal out season. Will he continue??? I hope so!!! Cro is the corner we faithfull have been waiting for. He isn't a tackler (like Jammer) but he sure can cover.
flash19sd wrote on Feb 26, 2008 8:47 AM:AJ Smith is a great talent evaluator for sure but as far as working the cap to re-sign the big name guys whose contracts expire in '09, the real heroes will be Ed McGuire the team's "capologist" and, of course, Dean Spanos. In fact, the moves we make right now have a future bearing on those future negotiations with Merriman, Rivers, Castillo, McNeill, Chambers, etc. So, the team must draft and evaluate FAs very carefully this year to prepare for those negotiations. Many fans lose this perspective and want the team to make big FA moves and make outlandish trades to move up in the draft right now but this is not possible if you keep one eye on the future and want to keep your current superstars down the road. Otherwise, you suffer like the team did from 1996 to 2003. This team most certainly will look different next year..better. And with a soft-ish schedule, better understanding of Turner and Cottrell's systems, and an urgency to win now, this is the Super Bowl year we've all been waiting for..Super Bolts '08!
scottdee wrote on Feb 26, 2008 5:06 PM:Dear BoltDan, take a look at the game film from the AFC Championship Game vs. Pats. It was Weddle, NOT Wilhelm, who was out of position guarding RB Faulk, especially on those two critical 3rd down plays Faulk made on that last drive. Wilhelm was hurt in pre-season and tried to come back too soon, thus re-injuring himself to start the season. For Gosh sake, he ended up the 2nd leading tackler on the team (Coop 1st), despite missing 3 games! Matt Wilhelm will have a fine year this coming year and it was a great pickup by AJ to acquire newcomer LB Derek Smith to back up Coop. The cold, hard reality is that Donnie Edwards, one of my favorite former Chargers, did nothing to live up to his KC contract this past year let alone the contract he was seeking from the Chargers before the season began. Sure, it would have given us all a warm, fuzzy to see Donnie retire a Charger but pro football is a cold business, not a Hollywood fluff story. It would have been a waste of money yielding poor value to re-sign him at his asking price...nice non-move AJ! At times you make valid remarks in this forum, especially since softening your stance on Norv, but too often your thoughtless rants rank up there with "Bobby" with all your AJ hating. Until you get over this "AJ-ego fixation" problem (deal with it dude, Marty's gone and it was the right move) you and Bobby will never have the complete credibility needed to be taken seriously by others in this forum. Just offering some friendly advice and I'm glad to have you on-board as a fellow fan but do your homework.
Zach wrote on Feb 26, 2008 7:01 PM:One more high quality wide receiver should put this team over the top!!!
TroySD wrote on Feb 28, 2008 9:12 PM:Is it time we get a real safety? It is.
Im saying another corner, 10 or 15 lbs
of bulk on jammer or a REAL safety puts our defense on top.
TroySD wrote on Feb 29, 2008 5:40 PM:Im an offensive line freak I think it is the priority position when building a team. I can see jammer switching to safety Igor to nosetackle as we already put pressure on opposing Qbs a true pass rushing star at defensive end would be a huge step for us. Brutal O line a defense I liken to a wood chipper the rest should take care of itself. I feel that we are already close to these things plus we have LT a Qb who I like alot I hope his maturation continues. Let me be clear as I am new to this site I bleed blue and gold. I pace in front of the tube for a length of time according to the severity of the crucialness of what beating an opposing team means each week.
Interested in any opinions about the chargers from anywhere.
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