Live Blog: A.J. Smith's Press Conference

The first nugget delivered by A.J. Smith involved the release of two players. Linebacker Anthony Waters and running back Eldra Buckley won’t be back in ’09.

Waters had so much hype. What a shame. I guess this makes it almost certain that we’ll be going after a new ILB instead of promoting from within.

The team won’t pursue Igor Olshansky, Mike Goff, Marques Harris or Jeremy Newberry back.

Newberry did a good job but is old and unnecessary at that money. Olshansky and Goff are expected, Harris not so much. Harris struggled in the beginning of the season and I think eventually got hurt, but he certainly had the skills to be Philips backup. I guess AJ likes the other guys we have better.

Apparently he played the entire season with a hurt neck. He should be back and at full strength by training camp.

Props to these guys for playing hurt all year. I get the feeling this had something to do with Merriman setting a good example.

Asked if he’s started negotiations with Rivers and Sproles on long-term deals. He said he’d love them to be Chargers long term but nothing to report.

AJ was blunt when asked about being in the news for the wrong reasons recently. He declined to address particular individuals, though.

“We’ve got some people who need to get their act together. They know who they are.”

Vincent Jackson, your General Manager is looking in your direction…..

So you can ignore me if you’d like.

Here’s a list of surgeries undergone by Chargers players during the offseason. It was just announced at the Chargers’ noon press conference today:

– OT Marcus McNeill, neck, 5 months recovery time

– DE Jacques Cesaire, shoulder, 4-6 weeks

– FB Jacob Hester, knee, 4-6 weeks

– OL Scott Mruczkowski, shoulders, 4-6 weeks

– WR Kassim Osgood, wrist, 4-6 weeks

– P Mike Scifres, knee, 4-6 weeks

– QB Charlie Whitehurst, shoulder, 4-6 weeks

– LB Matt Wilhelm, shoulder, 4-6 weeks

– NT Jamal Williams, knee/shoulder, 4-6 weeks

Asked again about the LT negotiations:

“They’re ongoing. We’d like for him to return. I’m not going to get into diolouge. Negotiations are underway.”

Things are winding down a bit. The last question he took was regarding possible regrets on contracts he’s done.

“Absolutely not.”

AJ said they haven’t been painted into a corner with LT. He also didn’t take advantage of a chance to debunk ideas people have about Jyles Tucker’s contract, a backup deal dollars-wise that people seem to think carries Merriman money.

Sounds like that’s it. I personally think Tucker’s contract is a backup for Merriman or Philips, not just the threat of them leaving but the threat of serious injury as well. AJ loves having quality depth.

I think if A.J. thought negotiations weren’t going to work out he would’ve taken this opportunity to release LT. I take this as a good sign that something will get done in the coming days.

Then the roster breaks down
On offense:
LT: McNeill, LG: Dielman, C: Hardwick, RG: Forney, RT: Clary, Backups: Mruczkowski, Shelton?
Need: Backup C, Backup G/T
WRs: Chambers, Jackson, Davis, Naane, Floyd?, Osgood?
Need: None, maybe 1 (special teamer) if Floyd or Osgood are gone
TEs: Gates, Manumaleuna, Chandler
Need: None
RBs: Tomlinson?, Sproles
Need: At least 1 backup RB
FBs: Hester, Tolbert
Need: None
QB: Rivers, Volek, Whitehurst
Need: None

For what it’s worth Waters was the best dancer on the team. Dude would get everyone fired up before kickoff.