Tag: A.J. Smith vs. LaDainian Tomlinson

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune writes that despite what many have perceived, Chargers’ GM A.J. Smith wasn’t mocking LaDainian Tomlinson last week when he repeated (almost word for word) what the running back said on his website about not having any control over whether or not he stays with the team or is traded.

I definitely see where that interpretation comes from. Repeating someone’s words to fashion your own quote would certainly not seem to be an attempt to show respect.

But as the person who elicited the quote, I feel a certain unique ability to interpret Smith’s intent.
For as abrupt, unpolished and even unfriendly as Smith can come off, I assure you he did not mean to mock LT.

Was he unhappy that Tomlinson had once again gone public talking about how badly he wanted to stay in San Diego? Yes.

Might Smith have been better served saying nothing? Yes.

However, what Smith was simply addressing, in his own uniquely straight-forward way, was the reality of the situation.

In a perfect world without limitations on money and salary cap, Smith would have Tomlinson stay a Charger, too. But given all the reasons that have been outlined ad nauseam over the past few weeks, that might not be possible. And tough decisions have to be made – by Smith.
And again, Smith was not meaning to disrespect LT.

If anything, his comments were a shot across the bow of the greater Tomlinson camp – namely agent Tom Condon – and what Smith perceived as repeated attempts to paint a certain picture.

Sure looked like mocking to me. And if it wasn’t, then why go about it that way? If Smith wasn’t trying to mock LT, why repeat almost verbatim what the running back had said on his wesbite? Even, “I’m tired of answering these questions – I’ll let you know when I know more,” would have been better than what Smith did.

And if Smith really wasn’t mocking LT, it’s hard to blame anyone who thought he was because he’s been a jerk throughout his entire career in San Diego. So why wouldn’t he be viewed a jerk in this situation? Again, Smith handled this entire situation poorly and all of this could have been avoided.

In a recent blog entry on his personal website, LaDainian Tomlinson wrote that he had no intentions of leaving San Diego and that he had no control over whether or not he would remain a Charger.

On Wednesday, Chargers’ GM A.J. Smith essentially mocked LT’s website entry when broached about the subject.

Smith empathized, yet was typically unmoved by the sentiments expressed by LaDainian Tomlinson on his Web site Wednesday.

Tomlinson’s statement was actually not anything different than what he had said in previous weeks on the topic of his time in San Diego possibly coming to an end.

The statement read:

“I have been getting a lot of messages on my site regarding me leaving San Diego. I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have NO intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my career started and where I’d like it to end. I have nothing but love and the upmost (sic) respect for this team, the players, and the Spanos Family. Me being traded is completely out of my hands. I have ABSOLUTELY no control in that decision making. All I can do is wait and see how it all plays out. As for now, I am a Charger and will be until I am told otherwise.”

Smith, who has acknowledged he is contemplating whether to release or trade Tomlinson or renegotiate his contract, was later asked about Tomlinson’s statement.

“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.”

Was this a bad joke that just didn’t land or is Smith tired of being asked about the LT situation so he decided to have some fun with reporters? Because this clearly looks like he is trying to mock the player that has been the backbone of the San Diego Charger franchise for almost a decade.