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Taking a Look at A.J. Smith's Past Charger Drafts
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Feb 8, 2010 5:30 AM PST
in NFL Draft
41 comments
So, the football season is officially over. Now is the time when the thoughts of every red-blooded football fan turn to the upcoming draft. Sure, we'll have free agency before then, but every quality team in the NFL gets the majority of its players, the backbone of its team, through the draft. A lot of the reactionary fans tend to either blindly claim that A.J. Smith is either the biggest genius or the biggest idiot they have ever seen assemble an NFL football team. The only way to really be objective about this is to take a look at past drafts. AJ admitted last year at this time that he had to do better, so let's take a look back as see how he has done.
Keep in mind that you typically need three years to evaluate a draft. By the third year, a player can be accurately evaluated as to their NFL potential. For some players it comes earlier, but typically we need to give a player three years. I've looked at every player we've drafted since 2001, plus any draft slots we traded away and what we got for them. I've also included Undrafted Free Agents (UDFA) who we picked up after the draft and made an impact (either here or elsewhere in the league).
Each player is objectively measured on a scale from "made team" to MVP. A full time starter is any player who earned a starting spot and held on to it. Guys who started a long time yet were just injury replacements will not be categorized as full time starters (like Mooch this year), but guys who knocked someone out of their starting position and held onto it will be categorized as full time starters (like Ellison this year). Anyone who was either selected to the pro bowl or made it there as an injury replacement gets marked as a pro bowler (If David Garrard continues to go to the pro bowl I will need to rethink this). A player name formatted with strike-through is no longer on the team.
So, let's get to it!
41 comments | 2 recs |
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints, specifically Drew Brees, Sean Payton, Lynell Hamilton and Reggie Bush (who all have San Diego ties), and to the city of New Orleans.
Who Dat.
Comments and congratulations below.
Open Thread: Super Bowl
by John (obviousman) on Feb 7, 2010 1:30 PM PST
in Game Day Open Threads
0 comments
Something new and different for the Super Bowl open thread. Instead of doing it here, amongst a handful of Chargers fans, we're going to be doing it over at SBNation among thousands of other football fans. I'll be over there commenting on games, commercials and the haltime show (along with anything else that comes up). I hope you guys will join us.
0 comments | 0 recs
Serious Business: 2/7 Chargers Links
by Richard Wade on Feb 7, 2010 3:00 AM PST
in Daily Links
6 comments
Hall of Fame passes over Don Coryell - SignOnSanDiego.com
Coryell, 85, was for the first time among the 15 finalists considered by the selection committee on the Saturday prior to the Super Bowl.
Tailgating gets boot in stadium plan - SignOnSanDiego.com
It’s not something team officials are touting as they try to drum up support for a downtown stadium, but the loss of tailgating could arguably be the biggest change facing fans if the Chargers move across town.
No movement on NFL labor talks - ESPN
NFL owners have met for several hours to discuss the labor situation, although it appears they are no closer to reaching an agreement with the players' union for a new collective bargaining agreement.
A look at those who didn't make the cut - AFC West Blog - ESPN
Why: This was a very stacked class. Ultimately, getting a coach in who never went to the Super Bowl was too difficult of a task.
Stampede Blue has a beer with Peter King: Part II - Stampede Blue
A fantastic interview with Peter King that involves the phrase "F**k! You should have credentials!" when he hears of how SB Nation blogs differ from other sports blogs.
6 comments | 0 recs |
"To be honest with you," Durkin told me, "I don't think LT's performance has dropped off that much. When I train him, his strength, speed and power is still there. What I see is a change in organization. The commitment to run is no longer what it used to be."
Tomlinson's Trainer Says He Hasn't Lost A Step
Keep in mind that this is somebody who gets paid by Tomlinson as long as LT in the NFL.
Serious Business: 2/6 Chargers Links
by Richard Wade on Feb 6, 2010 3:00 AM PST
12 comments
Playoff perseverance - SignOnSanDiego.com
In his final team meeting nearly three weeks ago, the day after the Chargers were stunned in the playoffs by the New York Jets, head coach Norv Turner reminded his players who it was that knocked the Indianapolis Colts from the previous two postseasons.
Coryell’s big imprint ingrained in football - SignOnSanDiego.com
Just let me say at the top that Don Coryell is, in my mind, the most important football coach since Paul Brown. Because he isn’t going to go away.
For Tomlinson, all that's left is the goodbye - SignOnSanDiego.com
LaDainian Tomlinson has taken his bows and taken his lumps. Now it is time for him to take his leave.
Points for Carney as mentor - SignOnSanDiego.com
To hear the Saints now, he is currently serving in an even more important role — as a kicking consultant helping second-year kicker Garrett Hartley in every facet of his game.
LT Says He’s Leaving The Chargers
Craig and Chris agree that the time has come for the Chargers and L.T. to part ways, but in their latest podcast, the 619 Sports guys wonder if the split could have been handled better, and if Tomlinson is taking enough responsibility for his reduced production:
12 comments | 0 recs |
Serious Business: 2/5 Chargers Links
by Richard Wade on Feb 5, 2010 3:00 AM PST
in Daily Links
0 comments
LT vents on Bolts issues, outlook - SignOnSanDiego.com
LaDainian Tomlinson is not going quietly.
3 Reasons The Chargers Wont Trade Their Players
Here are three reasons why the Chargers might not trade their guys away.
Mel Kiper's lastest 2010 Big Board (ESPN Insider)
ESPN NFL draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. ranks the top 25 pro prospects on Feb. 4, 2010. The Board now becomes the subtext for the mock draft. This is where you want to go to determine just how much value your team is getting at a certain spot.
Patriots' Thomas frustrated by season
Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas said Thursday his falling out with head coach Bill Belichick started after the first week of the season and suggested he does not want to return to New England next season.
Tomlinson: 'I Don't Believe I'll Be Back In San Diego' - SB Nation
LT might go down in history as the greatest Chargers player ever and Drew Brees is playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday. I'd say John Butler made the right move in trading that number 1 draft pick.
0 comments | 0 recs |
Saying Goodbye to a Legend
by Jeff (sliderockmpc) on Feb 4, 2010 9:03 PM PST
112 comments
Even if it's not officially done, there's no question that LaDainian Tomlinson's career in San Diego has come to an end. Personally, I'm already exhausted with all of the "breathless" media coverage surrounding this; it's been an open secret since last spring that he was not likely to return.
Over the last few weeks, I've argued with family and friends about why Tomlinson isn't coming back. Most of the reaction I get from people is that it's Norv Turner's fault for not using him correctly, or the offensive line went soft / sucked against the run, as well as delusional people who think that once Tomlinson gets "completely healthy," he will return to All-Pro form.
It pains me to say that Tomlinson is no longer an every-down back in the NFL. It has been frustrating to watch him this year, knowing that the desire was there, and that he knew what to do, but that his body wasn't capable of doing it anymore. There were no great jump-cuts to break into the open, no long sprints down the sideline for TDs, and for the first time since his rookie season, he was a liability in the passing game.
As of now, I'm forgetting about all of that. I'm choosing to remember the player who carried this franchise from the depths of Ryan Leaf Hell and back to legitimacy. I'm remembering the player who finished 8th on the all-time rushing yardage list, and was the 3rd greatest TD scorer in NFL history. I'm remembering him as possibly the best player to ever wear the uniform in San Diego, with only Dan Fouts and Lance Alworth in the discussion.
Below are my 10 favorite LaDainian Tomlinson moments. Add more if you think of any that I've missed. Let us Chargers fans at Bolts From The Blue give the NFL's All Decade Back a worthy monument of thanks.
112 comments | 9 recs |
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