ASCI Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 He was named the NFL's Executive of the Year by Pro Football Weekly and the Professional Football Writers of America. Smith put his personal stamp on a team that improved from 4-12 in 2003 to 12-4 in 2004, and captured its first AFC West title since 1994. Smith earned similar accolades from FoxSports.com, while being named the NFL's Best Front Office Executive by CBS Sportsline.com. Smith bolstered the roster last season by making several key player acquisitions through free agency and trades. Before the season started, he signed free agents Steve Foley, Randall Godfrey and Mike Goff, and pulled off trades to land tackle Roman Oben and cornerback Jamar Fletcher. Then, with the NFL's 2004 trade deadline approaching in October, Smith secured the services of wide receiver Keenan McCardell. Smith's draft-day maneuvers have been a complete success. Smith selected Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning with the first overall pick in 2004 and then traded him to the New York Giants for North Carolina State quarterback Philip Rivers, whom the Giants had acquired with the fourth-overall choice, along with New York's first- and fifth-round picks in 2005, and a third-round choice in 2004. This blockbuster trade gave the Chargers 11 choices in the 2004 draft. Three of the players selected, defensive end Igor Olshansky (second round), center Nick Hardwick (third round) and tackle Shane Olivea (seventh round) all started as rookies. A fourth, kicker Nate Kaeding (third round) set a rookie team scoring record and was named to a couple of all-rookie teams. This year, Smith used the team's two picks in the first round to select linebacker Shawne Merriman from Maryland and defensive end/tackle Luis Castillo from Northwestern. Merriman was chosen with the pick acquired from the Giants. Makes you want to cry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albany,n.y. Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 Actually, his draft day maneuvers have not been a complete success. He would have been better off trading Manning before the Giants picked & trading the 4th pick down. If he had done it correctly, he'd have a guy who is contributing rather than a guy who is sitting on the bench waiting to be traded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Chipper Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 it will be interesting to see what he does with the qb situation in the off season. Either Rivers or Brees has to be dealt so the jury is still out on his pick there and will be until you can see what he gets in return. But you're right the other picks look good. Plus having LT run all over the place will help any gm look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawgg Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 There was no choice in the matter. AJ and JB were best friends. Wherever JB went, AJ would follow. Makes you want to cry! 521664[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Shawne Merriman looks like a great player. I am impressed every time I see him play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 AJ also was part of the reason we were in salary cap trouble. Maybe it was more JB's doing and Alex tried to steer JB away from over paying, but you don't know. They were connected at the hip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sound_n_Fury Posted December 6, 2005 Share Posted December 6, 2005 Makes you want to cry! 521664[/snapback] AJ would never work for Ralph. He burned all his bridges here on the way out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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