Do you think the Chargers are making a mistake?

[Bob's your Information Minister]

I'm ready for them to fall on their face with Rivers at QB.

I'm just sad Kerry Collins is leaving the AFC West. :(

[SoCalBronco]

I agree on both points.

[orange crusher]

They should have traded Rivers last year and gave Brees a long term contract.

[Kaylore]

They should have traded Rivers last year and gave Brees a long term contract.
Brees is a very good QB. There are no guarantees with Rivers. If he was really better, he'd be the starter by now.

[Bob's your Information Minister]

http://cjonline.com/images/120897/spo_chiefsmain.jpg

http://slam.canoe.ca/97NFLPlayoffsGalleryImages/jan4_4.jpghttp://images.sportsnetwork.com/football/nfl/allsport/chiefs/grbac_elvis8.jpg

[orange crusher]

Brees is a very good QB. There are no guarantees with Rivers. If he was really better, he'd be the starter by now.

I agree. I don't know how you don't go with the proven guy unless Drew's shoulder is messed up more than anyone knows.

[Kaylore]

I agree. I don't know how you don't go with the proven guy unless Drew's shoulder is messed up more than anyone knows.
I think that they signed him for so much meant that they had to lay in the bed they made for themselves. Still pretty stupid.

[TheManeMan]

They should have traded Rivers last year and gave Brees a long term contract.

They should have never even drafted Rivers...Gallery on that line would've been a way better decision...

[broncohaven]

With the QB play they've had in recent memory you'd think they would do everything possible to keep a guy wuth Brees's production around. I don't think Rivers will lead them anywhere significant for a couple of years at least.

[ol number 7]

I agree. I don't know how you don't go with the proven guy unless Drew's shoulder is messed up more than anyone knows.

I'm startin to like A.J. Smith. He's a Bronco fan too. We got rid of Brees for 1 game and now A. J. is going to banish him for good. Who is the coach who put him in against a team with an ax to grind in the finale. Marty. Now you must pay; Marty. Now if Herm could only trade Trent Green it would be obvious. PAT BOWLEN OWNS the AFC West.:thumbs:

[Finger Roll]

Well Brees played his worst games against the Broncos so it could be bad for us when we play them. I don't think his arm is as messed up as people make it out to be. If it was then why are teams like New Orleans and Miami all hard over him?

[Blackened]

I'm ready for them to fall on their face with Rivers at QB.

I'm just sad Kerry Collins is leaving the AFC West. :(
Love it!
Chargers let Bree walk away a free agent^5

Skerry gets his ass shown the door:thumbs:

GOOD TIMES..good times...

[Orange_Beard]

Seeing that they did not even make the playoffs last year I say no.
They invested in Rivers now they need to collect on that investment.

[sirhcyennek81]

I'd say yes, unless Rivers becomes Brees this offseason.

:Broncos:

[Orange_Beard]

Plus I think they must like to "get screwd", look who the coach is.......

[chrisp]

Rivers should suck a** for at least a year even if he turns out to be a pro-bowler, all young QBs are pretty poor for their first full year under center, so for this reason alone it would appear to be a crazy move becuase the Chargers have the talent to win now. The real issue, however, is the discord between Marty and the GM - right now it looks like that is going to kill that team next year.

This is why Shanny has the final word in Denver: any time there is a dispute, it is always resolved in favour of what the HC wants, so Shanny doesn't have crappy personnel decisions like this forced on him against his will. People criticise the setup in Denver, but they forget that Sundquist does all the GM legwork, it just that Shanny has the final say in any dispute.

Maybe the SD GM (Smith? Can't remember his name) wants to oust Marty and get his own guy in, but by the time he does that a playoff-contending team will be in ruins....

Of our three divisional rivals the Chargers are the only team I actually quite like, and would root for them in the superbowl if they were in it, but despite all that I am very pleased to see them fall out of contention for the division title before the opening kickoff. They will always be tough to play, but it seems like internal politics will make that 12-4 playoff season a flash in the pan, rather than the start of something big.

[watermock]

They had to do something. Rivers was making a ton to sit on the bench and franchising Brees wasn't credible either. He's got a busted shoulder but is a good QB. Miami I think.

[boltaneer]

The details of the Chargers contract offer was released by AJ Smith yesterday. What it boiled down to is this:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060311/news_1s11chargers.html

6 years - $50M.

2006 guaranteed money - $2M
2006 Bonus - Plays 75% of snaps - $8M

2007 option/roster bonus - $6M
Guaranteed 2nd year salary if 2007 option bonus is exercised - $6.5M

To me, it seems like a very fair deal for both sides. If Brees is that confident that he'll be ready to play and keep his starting job, he gets $22.5 million over the next two seasons. The problem is he wants a much larger guaranteed amount which AJ Smith was not willing to gamble with. It will be interesting to see what New Orleans, Miami or anyone else will offer him. Will they throw down a big signing bonus to a QB who can't throw a football yet?

[hades]

Remember Ben Rothlesberger, he did OK his first year. Maybe Rivers can do it, maybe not. Not making the playoffs isn't any worse than they did last year. What difference is it if they go 10-6 and miss the playoffs or go 8-8 and miss the playoffs. The ultimate goal is the same, not to just make the playoffs, but win the SB!

[Jason in LA]

The Chargers can't keep them both, and it seems like it would be a major cap hit to trade Rivers. I thought they should have traded Brees a year ago, when they could have gotten a lot for him, and wouldn't of had a big cap hit. Now it looks like he's going to walk for nothing. They knew that Rivers was going to be their guy, because of his contract, so they should have gotten something for Brees.

[Jesterhole]

Getting Rivers was a huge win for San Diego. They absolutely killed New York in the trade, and it brought them a bounty of picks.

However, sticking with him, and not trading him after Brees had that MVP caliber season was a huge mistake. They could have taken the cap hit, and probably gotten a couple of high round picks for the guy.

But instead they sit him on the bench for two years, destroy his trade value, and now they take the incredible gamble of letting a top 10 QB entering his prime leave.

That's why the Chargers are, and always will be, the Chargers.