Bolting away?

San Diego, CA

The San Diego Chargers are a franchise on the fritz. After being ousted from the playoffs by the now Super Bowl XLIII bound Steelers 35-24, the only news from Charger Nation has been bad news. Star running back LaDainian Tomlinson is still recovering from a torn adductor tendon and toe injuries. General Manager AJ Smith has been in the news, the bad news of course, for mocking the words of Tomlinson after L.T. stated on his website he wanted to stay in San Diego.

"I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have NO intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my career started and where I'd like it to end. I have nothing but love and the upmost respect for this team, the players, and the Spanos family. Me being traded is completely out of my hands. I have ABSOLUTELY no control in that decision making. All I can do is wait and see how it all plays out. As for now, I am a Charger and will be until I am told otherwise..."

General Manager AJ Smith countered just days later with this,

"My first reaction was we both have similar feelings," said Smith. "I have no intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my GM career started and where I'd like it to end. I also have nothing but love and the upmost respect for this team, the players and the Spanos family. I have absolutely no control over how long I will be with the Chargers. As for now, I am the Chargers' GM, and I have major decisions to ponder for the organization now and in the future. My recommendation to Dean Spanos will be what's in the best interest of the team - both short and long term. That's my job. That's what Dean hired me to do."

Seems like a pretty clear sign of mockery to me. Maybe you'll read something else into it, but I feel Mr. Smith crossed the line in this case. L.T. is and has been the consummate professional since he came into the league in 2001. One of the classiest men in the NFL and a role model for what we want our own children to grow up to be. Tomlinson is very active in charity events throughout the San Diego community as well as back in Texas. He is also on his way to being a first ballot Hall of Fame player, rewriting the history books every time he puts on that #21 jersey. 

This whole debacle with Tomlinson needs to be resolved whether the team decides to keep him or not. L.T. will account for $8.8 million against the salary cap next season and is under contract until 2010. The team is also still needing to make a decision on speedy back-up Darren Sproles, an un-restricted free agent, status for 2009 and beyond. 

On the upside, expect our defense to get an overhaul and be back amongst the league's best next year. First things first, we just acquired two new defensive specialists. On Tuesday, the Bolts agreed to terms with two more assistants. Steve Wilks and Don Johnson will join the team. Both coaches have worked with Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera in Chicago. Johnson will become the teams new defensive line coach and Wilks will head the Charger's secondary. When the two coaches last worked under Ron Rivera in 2006, the Chicago Bears led the league in takeaways and finished the season 5th in total defense. That Bears team won the NFC Championship and played in Super Bowl XLI. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the Chargers are getting back a guy by the name of Shawne 'Lights Out' Merriman. He's pretty good too.