Chargers GM A.J. Smith Mocks LaDainian Tomlinson's Heartfelt Blog Post

It's not clear if Chargers general manager A.J. Smith is hip to the whole bloggin' revolution, but he's aware of running back LaDainian Tomlinson's recent post in which he proclaims that he has "NO intentions of leaving San Diego."

Quick backstory: there's speculation that the team could release or trade LdT because of his huge salary-cap hit and his recent struggles to stay healthy. And at this point, it's just that: a bunch of people with no say in the matter pontificating on what might happen this offseason.

Understandably, Tomlinson's not thrilled with the talk and decided to address them on his website. And via the San Diego Union-Tribune, Smith reacts:

"My first reaction was we both have similar feelings," Smith said. "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 utmost 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."

Ah, yes, I see what Smith is doing there -- mocking Tomlinson. That should help assuage any concerns LdT might have about his future with the Chargers. As the Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee writes, however, "Smith empathized, yet was typically unmoved by the sentiments expressed by LaDainian Tomlinson on his Web site Wednesday."

That sounds about right, particularly in light of Brinson's post yesterday -- Smith isn't one to get all sentimental, even with the franchise's best player. Which is why he might ask Tomlinson to take a pay cut. and, as the North County Times suggests, "go in a different direction should negotiations go south."

This is the same guy who rushed for more than 1,300 yards in six of the last seven seasons. Just in case you forgot: the NFL is a business.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-22-2009 @ 3:14PM

victoriouskw said...

Ladainian is a big baby. The NFL gets tired of walking hand in hand with these spoiled athletes that never perform during crunch time. Looks like he should have done the Madden cover, cause he has still been injury prone since winning the MVP Honor. I thought he was a great player until he started to show his on-field tantrums. Good Riddance Ladainian.

1-22-2009 @ 5:20PM

Redskins0492 said...

If you have no idea what you are talking, I think its a good idea you don't talk. LT had done nothing but sacrifice himself for his organization. He's been a leader for his team for years now, and he didn't miss a single game last year AND had 1100+ yards last season. NFL is a contact sport...people get banged up. Cut the guy some slack. The Chargers should be glad he didn't go all Shaun Alexander on the them.

1-24-2009 @ 1:45AM

YouFaceTheTick said...

LWhiner didn't sacrifice anything. He was paid to do a job. They paid him extremely well. Now it's time for him to move on.

1-22-2009 @ 8:00PM

pdevilmang04 said...

yep, aj, it's a business. and it won't be good for your business if you continue to treat your franchise's most popular player and future hall of famer with such disrespect. go to a charger's game, and all you see are powder blue #21's. get rid of him, and your team had BETTER go further in the playoffs than it did this year or it'll be your head. the spanos's love LT, and i doubt they'll be too happy about this.

1-22-2009 @ 10:45PM

horatiowrd said...

AJ...I hope your right....You move a former MVP after mocking him, I just hope your right, cause you just gave him motivation to make you look like a damn fool next year if you move him.

1-23-2009 @ 9:58AM

Red Lapple said...

The Charger's biggest problem is A.J.SMITH!!!!

1-23-2009 @ 5:11PM

chargertom said...

How come A.J. doesn't address the fact that the whole staff, top to bottom, has allowed LT to get soft and injury prone. He doesn't play a down in the preseason then takes four games to get in playing shape. He runs for 15 yards or more and takes himself out of the game for four or five plays. LT is looking for "longevity" so that, over time, he can set all the NFL RB records. All of that's fine EXCEPT ... he is allowed to dictate his playing time and style and he STILL gets hurt. Junior was "untouchable" too but he also became more important than the team and free-lanced his own plays. Remember, the ORGANIZATION, from Spanos to Norv caused this and the organization includes A.J. Smith. Who holds the organization accountable?!?! P.S. Can you imagine Lorenzo Neal blocking for Michael Turner (The Burner) and Darren Sproles, WOW!!!

1-24-2009 @ 12:11AM

anthony said...

Only an idiot would let LT go or trade him! LT IS the San Diego Chargers. He has done so much for this team and community! So just because he got injured these past 2 seasons in or close to the playoffs is not a reason to get rid of your star player. When a player exerts himself to 100% every game injuries can happen. He was injured and still got over 1000 rushing yards. he is not done or washed up, so get those stupid assumptions out of here. Example, go watch his intensity on the last regular season game vs denver, done.. case closed..

o and victoriouskw shut up! and go back to pee wee ball!

1-24-2009 @ 1:44AM

Anthony, maybe you missed the 2008 season. LWhine was a non-factor. He was injured all of 2008 - from the playoffs, through the entire 2008 season and into the playoffs this year. He played the second denver game - half of it - healthy. That's all.

His production has dropped for two years while Rivers production has skyrocketed. LWhiner is not the team. He's the weight holding them back. He's washed up and this is rivers' team now.

1-25-2009 @ 11:24AM

kris2sunshine said...

The Spanos are stupid to extend AJ Smith contract last year. The worst mistakes AJ made was to get rid of Marty, Brees, Neil, Turner, Edwards had no replacement. Now Merriman & L.T job is jeopardized, our defense sucks and our running game isn't what it use to be from 2006, I give Sproles kudos but who knows what's going to happen to him, his contract expires this year. Another question I have why do we keep Norv, gee ask Jerry Rice what he thinks of Norv, the worst coach he ever had. With AJ Smith running the show this team/ players and Norv will NEVER win a super bowl, I had more faith we would get there with Marty 14- 2 record.

1-25-2009 @ 2:42PM

I just keep shaking my head when I hear (read) from all the "Chargers fans" who are really just "LT" fans. This is NOT about a single player; it is about a TEAM. LT is NOT "the team." NO player is "the team." When a fan becomes narrow-minded and buys in to all the hype about a player and then refuses to see the truth about the player's contribution (or lack thereof) to the team -- with all due respect -- the "fan" is an idiot. It is not about what you used to do for the team. It is not about what you want to do for the team. It is not about what you are going to do for the team in the future. It is about what have you done for me lately and the TRUTH of the matter is that LT has done little to nothing for the team lately. Let it go. There will be a next player that does good and the media tells you is "the team" and you can idolize him, and buy his jersey -- and you will forget about LT. He was great but .... let it go.

1-27-2009 @ 8:08AM

vince said...

If LT does get let go..i wouldnt be suprised to see him with the Colts..

1-27-2009 @ 7:11PM

becarefulangel said...

The Chargers are my second-favorite team behind the Pats, and I always enjoy watching their games. LT is an amazing player with a bright future, and I don't see him leaving San Diego. They're morons if they let him go.

1-28-2009 @ 2:40AM

Robert said...

Why is it people write "he has done so much for the team and the community?" He gets paid VERY well to play! What has he done for the community? Sounds good to say but it's doubtful he's done much.
Back to football. El Me had less than a 3yd per carry average last year. He no longer uses a straight arm, he won't lower his shoulder instead he runs out of bounds, he avoids hits be "slipping" so he can fall down. The only thing he did this past year was he got up off his b-tt to cheer the team in the playoffs. After a certain age your body cannot stay in playing shape while an injury heals. he is at that age and now gets hurt a lot. He does a good job of keeping his injuries out of the media. Restructure his contract so it's primarily incentives, he will no longer be the starter. Sproles to start with El Me as backup. Use highest draft pick or trade for a good RB and work him into the games. If Sproles can't carry the team all year, use the new RB more. See if El Me can or will perform. If he doesn't, trade him asap. He has become a cancer on this team!

1-28-2009 @ 2:41AM

robsphase said...

Okay. El Me finally said it! On Jim Rome he said he wants to be in shape for next year so he can show he's still one of the elite players in the NFL. He said he doesn't care if it's with the Chargers or not. Elite player??? He played close to the level of an elite player in 2005 and 2006, that's IT!!! He had an excellent line for a few years, he has NEVER been able to run unless he has great blocking. Any decent back can get yards with good blocking. It's the "ELITE" backs that get the yards with little or no blocking. LT to El Toe to El Me has proven over and over that he can't run without great blocking! TRADE HIM!!!!

2-10-2009 @ 8:30PM

Gary H said...

Fire A. J. Smith!!! The man is a scum bag of a general manager! A. J. Smith is the reason that the Charger's haven't won or played in Super bowl. A General Manager can win championships or dismantle good teams. Smith will never win a championship, but he will dismantle any hope of a team to win one. Before he can do further harm to the San Diego Charger's Dean Spanos should fire A. J. Smith.

2-14-2009 @ 5:31PM

PoTTeR said...

I agree with Gary H

2-18-2009 @ 5:30PM

greatr said...

A.J. Smith, has rid the Chargers of Brees, Turner, Edwards, Neil and others. Brees 5000 YARDS LAST YEAR, Turner led running backs, Neil again made 1000 yard backs of ordinary talent, etc. Would the mighty Chargers be 9-9 with those three All Pros? No. 13-5 or better. Smith simply gets rid of players who are succesful and don't take his crap. He would much rather be 9-9 with some one like Norv than win with a real coach. When you are cursing Norv as most Charger fans do, remember he has to clear every move with Smith and Smith makes the decisions upstairs and in the club house. Its a damn shame we wasted the best years of what could have been a great team but now we are just pathetic.