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Looking more like Smith will join Turner out the door
As the winds blowing through San Diego seem intent on whisking Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith out of town along with head coach Norv Turner, league sources made it clear this week that Smith will at least be a candidate for other GM jobs expected to open around the league.
Chargers President Dean Spanos, according to those around the team and around the league, feels he has “no choice” but to go in another direction at head coach and that Turner will be fired at season’s end.
Sources close to Spanos say the boss is still grappling with whether to fire Smith. But league sources familiar with Spanos’ thinking contend the GM will almost certainly be fired due to the owner’s concern over the maelstrom that has taken hold of the fan base, essentially demanding the owner lop off the top of his football operation management.
“The decisions are not made,” said one team source, “but everything is lined up.”
Optimism is almost nonexistent that the Chargers will salvage the season, but it is believed a miracle run to the playoffs would save the jobs of Turner and Smith.
One source, who like the rest was speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said “The needle on (Smith’s possible firing) has moved from 50/50 to 75/25.”
Smith, who would come at a bargain basement price due to the fact the Chargers will owe him $6 million over the next three years, might not land far from San Diego.
Those fans who believe Smith has sunk the Chargers might get a chance to watch him work with another team near and dear to their hearts.
The early developing denouement of the Chargers’ season has given the rest of the league ample time to evaluate the situation, watching from afar and gathering intelligence. While at this point it can be difficult to cull reality from mere chatter, several people connected to the Chargers and other organizations have indicated Turner and Smith will be fired and will be considered for jobs elsewhere.
And Smith, according to league sources, will be on the list of candidates to become the Oakland Raiders general manager in 2012.
Too many questions about the Raiders GM position remain to accurately estimate Smith’s chances, but one source assured “he will be on the consideration list for sure.”
It is possible that Raiders head coach Hue Jackson could retain the personnel role he assumed as late owner Al Davis’ health deteriorated. Former Raiders coach and iconic broadcaster John Madden will be one of the advisors to Mark Davis, Al Davis’ son, and could join Raiders CEO Amy Trask in favoring bringing in a general manager with decision-making power regarding personnel versus entrusting it all to Jackson.
While Smith had an excellent professional relationship with Al Davis and has long-term ties to multiple people in the Raiders organization, it is not known how Mark Davis or Trask would feel about Smith as GM. And the current coaching staff, which includes Smith cronies, is expected to endorse Jackson remaining in both roles.
Smith has not been seen watching practice this week and has declined to speak about the team’s performance or about his job status.
However, it is known he wasn’t even certain about retiring when his contract runs out in San Diego following the 2014 season. So he will certainly want to continue working in the league, and word is that he will be considered by at least two teams who are likely to be among those in the market for a personnel chief.
Sources said that St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke has all but made up his mind to part ways with his coach and general manager at season’s end and that Smith will be on the list of potential replacements if Kroenke is looking for a new GM.
The irony in that is that current Rams GM Billy Devaney could be a candidate in San Diego. Devaney was the Chargers director of player personnel from 1990-2000, and his amicability with the media and public would certainly fit the revamped front office image Spanos is said to be exploring.
Devaney coming back to town is nothing more than speculation at this point, but it time to start thinking about what direction Spanos will go as he inches toward the decision to part ways with Smith.
Source: signonsandiego.com