A.J Smith Keeps Players on Edge

This offseason the Chargers did what they had to do. They signed LaDainian Tomlinson to a long term deal, they kept Darrren Sproles signing him to the franchise tender, they drafted an insurance policy for Shawne Merriman, and they didn’t lose any significant pieces on either side of the ball.

While San Diego GM A.J. Smith didn’t make any splashes this year in the draft or free agency he did what he always does: get talent at value.     

In the last 10 years, no team has had more draft choices go to the Pro Bowl than the Chargers. Smith’s impressive draft history boasts of names such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Cromartie, and Marcus McNeill. 

That being said, even when he has a Pro Bowler at a position, he’s not afraid to draft a back-up. Competition breeds the best product and Smith has made a living drafting competition.  

One thing that Smith does as good as anyone in the league is keep his players on edge. Drafting in two’s has been Smith’s MO.  Drafting the way Smith does lights a fire under players; it gives the players some edge and it gives the Chargers leverage during negotiations. 

When most GMs would have been happy with Drew Brees as their quarterback, Smith continued to push the envelope by trading for Rivers and getting draft picks for him. He drafted Darren Sproles when he had LaDainian Tomlinson, and this year he drafted Larry English when he has Merriman.

Some in the league thought that English was a reach for Smith at the 16th pick in the draft, but with Igor Olshansky leaving to the Cowboys during free agency the pick gave them some depth on the line. This was a good selection for a Chargers team who has forced fewer turnovers and gave up four more points a game than in 2007.

San Diego was plus 24 in the turnover margin in 2007 and led the league in interceptions with 30.  It is very unlikely that English challenges a seasoned Merriman for the spot, but it does give them some depth with three able pass rushers in Merriman, English, and Shaun Philips.

One of the most intriguing picks for San Diego was the defensive tackle out of Western Ontario, Vaughn Martin.

Teams didn’t have much tape on him and questioned the competition he had north of the border, but he did have an impressive workout in his pro-day at Michigan.  Martin could be a development project in the coming years, and with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jamal Williams there to tutor him it could be a gamble that pays off.

Offensively the Chargers are stacked with Rivers coming off his best season as a pro.  He will be handing off to probably the best backfield in football in Sproles and Tomlinson, and then getting back a healthy Gates will only add to last year’s success.  Barring any significant injury to Rivers, the offense should pick up right where they left off last year—at the top of the AFC.

Going into OTA’s and training camp, the biggest question for this year’s Chargers is the health of their pivotal pieces.

Is Tomlinson going to get back to speed? Is Merriman’s knee rehabilitated? Is Cromartie going look like the Cromartie from 2007?

If they can answer "yes" to all three of those questions, then they will be on their way to a third straight AFC West division title, and likely more.