[Doc JS]

Here's the link:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7625324

Chargers GM Smith gets five-year extension
Associated Press

Updated: January 1, 2008, 5:17 PM EST

After building the San Diego Chargers into a consistent playoff contender — if not yet a postseason success — general manager A.J. Smith received a five-year contract extension Tuesday that will keep him with the team through 2014.
Details weren't announced, but various reports said the extension was worth $11 million.

Smith didn't return phone calls seeking comment.

Team president Dean Spanos was traveling and unavailable for comment, his secretary said.

Smith's previous contract was due to expire following the 2009 season. He was promoted in April 2003 after John Butler died of cancer.


The Chargers have won the AFC West for the third time in four seasons under Smith. They'll try to break a four-game postseason losing streak dating to January 1995 when they host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in the wild-card round. Two of those playoff losses have come on Smith's watch.

Although it was Butler who drafted star running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Smith has proven to be a strong talent evaluator by drafting star players such as outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, quarterback Philip Rivers and cornerback Antonio Cromartie.

He's also signed undrafted players who developed into Pro Bowlers, most notably tight end Antonio Gates, a three-time All-Pro. Two other free agent pickups, guard Kris Dielman and special teams player Kassim Osgood, have developed into Pro Bowlers.

Smith is probably best known for holding his ground when Eli Manning's representatives told the Chargers just before the 2004 draft that the quarterback wouldn't play for San Diego if it took him with the first overall pick.

Smith drafted Manning anyway, then swapped his rights to the New York Giants for the rights to Rivers, as well as picks he used to take kicker Nate Kaeding later in that draft and Merriman the following year.

Smith also obtained wide receiver Chris Chambers from Miami at this year's trade deadline. The acquisition of Chambers has helped open up the running game.

The Chargers are 50-30 under Smith, but 0-2 in the postseason.

Smith became involved in a front-office soap opera when his relationship with coach Marty Schottenheimer soured to the point that the two men didn't talk to each other.

Schottenheimer was fired by Spanos in February, a month after the top-seeded Chargers fell apart in their playoff opener, a shocking 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots.

The Chargers also lost to the New York Jets in overtime in the 2004 wild-card round, also under Schottenheimer.

Smith hired Norv Turner to replace Schottenheimer. After a stunning 1-3 start, the Chargers head into the playoffs having won six straight and 10 of 12.

It seems a little strange to me that you'd give him an extension BEFORE the playoffs. Or was this done so there would be no calling for his head if the Chargers happen to lose this weekend?

Thoughts??

[bigboydan]

If the Bolts don't win at least 1 game in the playoffs, then A.J. Smith will never hear the end of it from the fans. Because he was the one that fired Marty.

[Doc JS]

If the Bolts don't win at least 1 game in the playoffs, then A.J. Smith will never hear the end of it from the fans. Because he was the one that fired Marty.

Dan,
That's my point. Do you think Spanos gave him the extension so there would be no question that he would be back if they lose this weekend?

Doc

[bigboydan]

Thats exactly why Doc.

[mv09]

Firing Marty and downgrading with Norv does not deserve an extension. Not Yet.

[SBR Lou]

It surprises me how people believe the Bolts are back, namely because of their play down the stretch of the season. Their last 6 wins were all games they should have won. They'll beat the Titans, their playoff run stops there.

This isn't the same team as last year, well, maybe in a sense it's similar because they're going to be eliminated in the divisional round - again.

P.S. A.J., Marty was right about Rivers.

[teazeman]

as a raider fan this is good news to me, with his continuing to make dumb decisions we will at minimum be out of the cellar in 5yrs or less.

[The Seer]

Good thing for AJ as TN can win this game straight up. If it weren't for a mental letdown, they would have already beaten them. The best coaching staff is on the TN sideline. If anything, SD squeaks by.

[Seattle Slew]

I don't think they'll even do that. If Collins plays QB, I like the Titans.

[QUOTE=crazyl;465549]They'll beat the Titans, their playoff run stops there.

[Doc JS]

Firing Marty and downgrading with Norv does not deserve an extension. Not Yet.

mv,
That was my thought exactly.

Let's see how they do in the playoffs before rewarding Smith with a contract extension.