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Chargers GM Smith partially to blame for Rivers' struggles

November 7th, 2011 9:31 AM
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  • San-Diego-Chargers-tight-end-Antonio-Gates-scores-on-a-reception-during-the-third-quarter-against-the-Green-Bay-Packers.-Mandatory-Credit-Christopher-Hanewinckel-US-PRESSWIRE
  • San-Diego-Chargers-wide-receiver-Vincent-Jackson-catches-a-touchdown-pass-during-the-fourth-quarter-against-the-Green-Bay-Packers.-Mandatory-Credit-Christopher-Hanewinckel-US-PRESSWIRE
  • San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers reacts during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE
  • San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates scores on a reception during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE
  • San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson catches a touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

    • The San Diego Chargers fought valiantly against the best team in the NFL on Sunday, but ultimately came up short against the Green Bay Packers in a 45-38 defeat. It was yet another tough game for Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns, but also had three interceptions on the day, two of which were returned for touchdowns. It was a continuation of what has been a nightmare season for Rivers, who now has 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions, and through eight games is just one pick shy of matching his career-high.

    However, Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports writes that a big part of the blame lies with San Diego GM A.J. Smith, who has failed to surround Rivers with the kind of talent that he has had in the past. He cites wide receiver Vincent Jackson as the only offensive player apart from Rivers who would be highly-sought after if put on the trading block, as even All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates has been criticized for being out of shape and looking “old and fat.”

    Smith came under fire last year for playing hard ball with Jackson in his contract negotiations, resulting in the Pro Bowl receiver sitting out the first 11 games as the Chargers failed to win the division for the first time in 5 years. Meanwhile, Smith’s drafting has been sub-par as well, as a look at the past four years shows just one player — running back Ryan Mathews — who has made an impact at a premium position, and even then, it’s not as if Mathews is a Pro Bowl caliber halfback.

    It’s fair to say at this point, if the Chargers continue to struggle, that Smith could be on his way out of town.

    The challenge was daunting: Defeat the best team in football, a green-and-gold-clad crew of talented, undefeated, still-hungry champions led by a nearly unstoppable quarterback.

    Read the original post from profootballtalk.com

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