Did Chargers solve their defensive woes with three quality draft picks? General manager A.J. Smith followed up a successful navigation of the 2012 free-agency market with an excellent draft class that has the potential to return the Chargers to elite status in the AFC. After dynamic South Carolina pass-rusher Melvin Ingram fell into their laps at No. 18, San Diego found more value in the second and third rounds in Connecticut defensive lineman Kendall Reyes (49th overall) and LSU safety Brandon Taylor at No. 73. Ingram was a top 10 player on some draft boards, making him potentially the steal of the draft. "I was at his pro day, and everyone in the crowd couldn't believe his workout," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. "He can play standing up, and in San Diego he will be moved everywhere on the field. This is a playmaker." Smith didn't think the Chargers would sniff Ingram in the middle of the first round. "I consider this a part of luck," Smith said, "because when I see what I consider a bonus pick, outside our cluster, it's luck. He’s a mean, nasty man, extremely physical with a great motor." The Bolts moved up in the third round to secure Taylor, who they liked enough to consider grabbing in the second round, according to ESPN.com. Smith and the Chargers obviously believed it was their defense that held them back during a disappointing 8-8 campaign in 2011. It makes perfect sense they would concentrate on that side of the ball, especially with Peyton Manning now taking up residency in the AFC West. Link
Smith likes to use the word cluster an awful lot. I see it as the first part of a hyphenated two word phrase if the Chargers finish .500 or lower again.
As in "clusterfuck", which is what AJ has created in our organization the last several years. Hopefully this draft can start to pull ourselves out of the mess he created
Whether we drafted because of Manning or not, we needed a serious upgrade. Let's see what happens in camp.
Smith used the draft to do one thing and one thing only: to keep himself employed! Somebody once said that if A.J. got fired, 31 other teams would line up to hire him. I wish I could remember who made THAT statement!
If Manning was the catalyst for having a passable draft this year, I welcome him with open arms. Too bad it's not true.
Manning had nothing to do with our draft. It was all about AJ trying to cover his ass and save his job period.
I think Barnes, Phillips, English would have been adequate had the division remained the same. AJ knows that you give Manning time and he can pick apart the best secondary, let alone our mediocre secondary. I think going defense the first 3 picks, although was not 100% determined by, was influenced by Manning's arrival.
