A. J. Smith
Encyclopedia
A.J. Smith is a professional American football
executive, currently serving as the Executive Vice President and General Manager
of the San Diego Chargers
.
Smith was a part-time scout, full-time scout, assistant director of scouting, director of scouting and assistant general manager before being promoted to his current position with the Chargers.
in Warwick, Rhode Island
where he was a standout on the [football] and track
teams. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2003.
Smith earned a degree in health and physical education from Kentucky Wesleyan College
in 1971. In 2005 Smith returned in order to attend a dedication in his honor, during which he received a plaque of commemoration which will be placed in the new A.J. Smith Weight Room inside the Woodward Health and Recreation Center.
After graduating from college, Smith began his career in semi-professional football with the Attleboro Kings of the Eastern Football League as a wide receiver
from 1972-1974. Smith was given a tryout with the Washington Redskins
in 1974, but was never offered a professional contract. Smith was eventually inducted into the American Football Association's Minor/Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Smith put his college degree to work between 1971–1985, during which he taught physical education in the Providence (R.I.) junior high school system.
.
(in which the Chargers held the #1 Overall pick), University of Mississippi
quarterback
Eli Manning
declared he would not play for the Chargers if drafted by them. Smith elected to ignore Manning's threats and select him #1 without straying from his objective. Less than an hour later, Smith completed a trade with the New York Giants which sent Manning to New York in exchange for North Carolina State University
quarterback Philip Rivers
(drafted 4th overall), as well as a 3rd-round pick in 2004 (used to select kicker Nate Kaeding
), a 1st round pick in 2005, and a 5th round pick in 2005. In 2005, the Chargers used the first round pick acquired from the Giants to select Shawne Merriman
12th overall. Merriman went on to win the AP's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Manning went on to become the MVP
of Super Bowl XLII
Antonio Gates
was signed as an undrafted free agent
in 2003 and had emerged as an All-Pro
tight end in 2004 while leading the Chargers to a 12-4 record. Prior to the 2005 season, Gates held out of training camp, seeking a long-term contract
. Smith would eventually give Gates an ultimatum
; end the hold out by 12:30 PM on August 20, or be placed on the Roster Exempt List. Gates failed to meet the deadline and as a result missed the team's first regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys
which resulted in a 28-24 loss. Gates and Smith would eventually reach an accord and Gates was signed to a 6-year, $24 million contract.
suffered a torn labrum in the final game of the 2005 season against the Denver Broncos
which immediately resulted in the reconsidering of signing Brees to a long-term contract. Many assumed the Chargers would offer Brees the franchise tag
for the second consecutive year. However, with second-year quarterback Philip Rivers on the team, Smith elected to offer Brees a heavily incentive-based contract which Brees rejected. Subsequently, Smith allowed Brees to become a free agent much to the dismay of Charger fans who had considered Brees a fan favorite due to his work ethic and comeback story. Brees would eventually sign a 6-year, $60 million deal with the New Orleans Saints
on March 14, 2006. He went on to place 2nd in the voting for the NFL MVP the very next season with the Saints and was awarded the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year award. He became the MVP
of Super Bowl XLIV
The Chargers received no compensation from New Orleans for Brees, but were offered the first overall compensatory pick (pick #97) in the 2007 NFL Draft
, spent on linebacker Anthony Waters
.
. franchise tag
During the 2007 off season, Chargers General manager
A.J. Smith stated that the Chargers would be willing to trade Turner in exchange for both a first and third round draft pick. However, one day after 2007 NFL Draft
, Smith declared that Michael Turner would remain a Charger for the 2007 season
. He would no longer be accepting trade offers from other NFL teams for Turner. On April 26, 2007, Turner signed the $2.35 million, one-year tender he received from the Chargers after becoming a restricted free agent
. On March 2, 2008, the Atlanta Falcons
signed the 26-year old Turner to a six-year, $34.5 million contract with $15 million guaranteed. He finished the year with 1,699 yards (a 4.5 ypc avg) and 17 rushing touchdowns, which set a team record for touchdowns in a season. On December 16, 2008, Turner was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl. The Chargers received no compensation from Atlanta for Michael Turner, though the NFL gave the team two compensatory picks in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft
for Turner and cornerback Drayton Florence
. These picks were used to draft halfback Gartrell Johnson
and a Canadian football standout, defensive end Vaughn Martin
.
, who was hired by his predecessor Butler just before he died, which ended with Schottenheimer's firing in February 2007. Schottenheimer had the support of his players and a 14-2 regular season record, but neither of these were enough to save his job in the wake of a 3 point loss to the Patriots in the playoffs. After initially stating that Schottenheimer would be retained as head coach after the playoff loss, Dean Spanos, the owner of the Chargers, changed his mind after losing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron
and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips
to head coaching positions at the Miami Dolphins
and Dallas Cowboys
, respectively. It was widely reported that Schottenheimer was fired for disobeying a direct order from both Smith and Spanos regarding interviewing his brother, Kurt Schottenheimer
, for the Defensive Coordinator position vacated by Phillips. Publicly, Schottenheimer did not fault Dean Spanos for the decision. “Dean had a very difficult decision to make, and I applaud him for it,” Schottenheimer said. “This is his football team.” Smith was equally respectful when asked about the conflicts, saying “Coach and I both want to win a world championship. We had different ways of approaching that.”
, Smith and the Chargers traded their second-round selection (62nd overall), their third-round selection (93rd overall), their fifth-round selection (167th overall), as well as their third rounder in 2008
to the Chicago Bears
for their 2nd round pick (37th overall) in order to draft University of Utah
safety Eric Weddle
.
, Smith and the Chargers selected cornerback Antonio Cromartie from Florida State. However, an ACL injury his junior year resulted in him missing that entire season. That year, Cromartie joined the draft and after he was selected by the Chargers, many criticized the selection. He was taken in the first round despite only starting one game his entire time at Florida State. However, in the 2007 season, the critics were silenced after Cromartie recorded an NFL leading 10 regular season interceptions as well as two in the post season, and was named All-Pro and selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team. But eyebrows were once again raised due to the subpar play of Cromartie his following seasons (2008 & 2009).
where he ranks 20th in school history with 1,054 yards on 64 career catches and was All-Gateway Conference honorable mention choice and the team's offensive MVP. Kyle was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings
after the 2006 NFL Draft. Daughter Andrea graduated cum laude from Cortland State and was an AVCA All-America honorable mention outside hitter as well as Conference and Team MVP. She currently works in San Diego for the San Diego Padres
as the Account Manager - Premium Seating Services.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
executive, currently serving as the Executive Vice President and General Manager
General Manager (American football)
In the National Football League, the general manager or GM of a team typically controls player transactions and bears the primary responsibility on behalf of the team during contract discussions with players....
of the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Smith was a part-time scout, full-time scout, assistant director of scouting, director of scouting and assistant general manager before being promoted to his current position with the Chargers.
Education and early career
A.J. Smith is a graduate of Bishop Hendricken High SchoolBishop Hendricken High School
Bishop Thomas Francis Hendricken High School is a Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school located in Warwick, Rhode Island, in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence....
in Warwick, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
where he was a standout on the [football] and track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
teams. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2003.
Smith earned a degree in health and physical education from Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. KWC is just 40 minutes east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee, 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 4 hours east of St. Louis, Missouri...
in 1971. In 2005 Smith returned in order to attend a dedication in his honor, during which he received a plaque of commemoration which will be placed in the new A.J. Smith Weight Room inside the Woodward Health and Recreation Center.
After graduating from college, Smith began his career in semi-professional football with the Attleboro Kings of the Eastern Football League as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
from 1972-1974. Smith was given a tryout with the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
in 1974, but was never offered a professional contract. Smith was eventually inducted into the American Football Association's Minor/Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
Smith put his college degree to work between 1971–1985, during which he taught physical education in the Providence (R.I.) junior high school system.
Reputation and management
Due to public perceptions that he brings an arrogant approach to contract dealings and that his strategies involve high-risk/high-reward, Smith has been both widely praised and criticized by fans and mediaMass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
.
2004 Draft
In April 2004, a week prior to the NFL DraftNFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
(in which the Chargers held the #1 Overall pick), University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
declared he would not play for the Chargers if drafted by them. Smith elected to ignore Manning's threats and select him #1 without straying from his objective. Less than an hour later, Smith completed a trade with the New York Giants which sent Manning to New York in exchange for North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
quarterback Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers
Philip Rivers is an American football quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers played college...
(drafted 4th overall), as well as a 3rd-round pick in 2004 (used to select kicker Nate Kaeding
Nate Kaeding
Nathaniel James Kaeding is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football at Iowa...
), a 1st round pick in 2005, and a 5th round pick in 2005. In 2005, the Chargers used the first round pick acquired from the Giants to select Shawne Merriman
Shawne Merriman
Shawne DeAndre Merriman is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft. On November 2, 2010, the Chargers waived Merriman...
12th overall. Merriman went on to win the AP's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Manning went on to become the MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
of Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
Antonio Gates
Tight endTight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball at Kent State University...
was signed as an undrafted free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 2003 and had emerged as an All-Pro
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
tight end in 2004 while leading the Chargers to a 12-4 record. Prior to the 2005 season, Gates held out of training camp, seeking a long-term contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
. Smith would eventually give Gates an ultimatum
Ultimatum
An ultimatum is a demand whose fulfillment is requested in a specified period of time and which is backed up by a threat to be followed through in case of noncompliance. An ultimatum is generally the final demand in a series of requests...
; end the hold out by 12:30 PM on August 20, or be placed on the Roster Exempt List. Gates failed to meet the deadline and as a result missed the team's first regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
which resulted in a 28-24 loss. Gates and Smith would eventually reach an accord and Gates was signed to a 6-year, $24 million contract.
Drew Brees
Quarterback Drew BreesDrew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....
suffered a torn labrum in the final game of the 2005 season against the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
which immediately resulted in the reconsidering of signing Brees to a long-term contract. Many assumed the Chargers would offer Brees the franchise tag
Franchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
for the second consecutive year. However, with second-year quarterback Philip Rivers on the team, Smith elected to offer Brees a heavily incentive-based contract which Brees rejected. Subsequently, Smith allowed Brees to become a free agent much to the dismay of Charger fans who had considered Brees a fan favorite due to his work ethic and comeback story. Brees would eventually sign a 6-year, $60 million deal with the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
on March 14, 2006. He went on to place 2nd in the voting for the NFL MVP the very next season with the Saints and was awarded the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year award. He became the MVP
Super Bowl MVP
The Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award, or Super Bowl MVP, is an award presented annually to the most valuable player of the Super Bowl, the National Football League's championship game. The winner is chosen by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and...
of Super Bowl XLIV
Super Bowl XLIV
Super Bowl XLIV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion New Orleans Saints to decide the National Football League champion for the 2009 season. The Saints defeated the Colts by a score of...
The Chargers received no compensation from New Orleans for Brees, but were offered the first overall compensatory pick (pick #97) in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, spent on linebacker Anthony Waters
Anthony Waters
Anthony D. Waters is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Clemson.-College career:Waters attended Clemson University for college...
.
Michael Turner
Running back Michael Turner was drafted by the Chargers in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft2004 NFL Draft
The 2004 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 24-25, 2004 at the theater at Madison Square Garden...
. franchise tag
Franchise Tag
In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag and one...
During the 2007 off season, Chargers General manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
A.J. Smith stated that the Chargers would be willing to trade Turner in exchange for both a first and third round draft pick. However, one day after 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, Smith declared that Michael Turner would remain a Charger for the 2007 season
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
. He would no longer be accepting trade offers from other NFL teams for Turner. On April 26, 2007, Turner signed the $2.35 million, one-year tender he received from the Chargers after becoming a restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
. On March 2, 2008, the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
signed the 26-year old Turner to a six-year, $34.5 million contract with $15 million guaranteed. He finished the year with 1,699 yards (a 4.5 ypc avg) and 17 rushing touchdowns, which set a team record for touchdowns in a season. On December 16, 2008, Turner was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl. The Chargers received no compensation from Atlanta for Michael Turner, though the NFL gave the team two compensatory picks in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
for Turner and cornerback Drayton Florence
Drayton Florence
Drayton Florence, Jr. is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
. These picks were used to draft halfback Gartrell Johnson
Gartrell Johnson
Gartrell Godfrey Johnson, III is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
and a Canadian football standout, defensive end Vaughn Martin
Vaughn Martin
Vaughn Martin is a Jamaican-born Canadian professional gridiron football player, who currently plays defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the first Canadian university football player...
.
Marty Schottenheimer
Smith had a contentious relationship with head coach Marty SchottenheimerMarty Schottenheimer
Martin Edward "Marty" Schottenheimer is the current head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He has the most wins of any NFL coach...
, who was hired by his predecessor Butler just before he died, which ended with Schottenheimer's firing in February 2007. Schottenheimer had the support of his players and a 14-2 regular season record, but neither of these were enough to save his job in the wake of a 3 point loss to the Patriots in the playoffs. After initially stating that Schottenheimer would be retained as head coach after the playoff loss, Dean Spanos, the owner of the Chargers, changed his mind after losing offensive coordinator Cam Cameron
Cam Cameron
-External links:...
and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips
Wade Phillips
Wade Allen Phillips is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans and former head coach for the National Football League's Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an interim head coach for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...
to head coaching positions at the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, respectively. It was widely reported that Schottenheimer was fired for disobeying a direct order from both Smith and Spanos regarding interviewing his brother, Kurt Schottenheimer
Kurt Schottenheimer
Kurt Schottenheimer is the special teams coordinator for the Virginia Destroyers.He was hired by the 49ers on January 18, 2010, and was dismissed following the departure of Mike Singletary as head coach. He is a former defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and...
, for the Defensive Coordinator position vacated by Phillips. Publicly, Schottenheimer did not fault Dean Spanos for the decision. “Dean had a very difficult decision to make, and I applaud him for it,” Schottenheimer said. “This is his football team.” Smith was equally respectful when asked about the conflicts, saying “Coach and I both want to win a world championship. We had different ways of approaching that.”
Eric Weddle
In the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, Smith and the Chargers traded their second-round selection (62nd overall), their third-round selection (93rd overall), their fifth-round selection (167th overall), as well as their third rounder in 2008
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
to the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
for their 2nd round pick (37th overall) in order to draft University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
safety Eric Weddle
Eric Weddle
Eric Steven Weddle is an American football safety for the San Diego Chargers in the National Football League.-Early years:...
.
Antonio Cromartie
With the Charger's first round (19th overall) pick of the 2006 NFL Draft2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...
, Smith and the Chargers selected cornerback Antonio Cromartie from Florida State. However, an ACL injury his junior year resulted in him missing that entire season. That year, Cromartie joined the draft and after he was selected by the Chargers, many criticized the selection. He was taken in the first round despite only starting one game his entire time at Florida State. However, in the 2007 season, the critics were silenced after Cromartie recorded an NFL leading 10 regular season interceptions as well as two in the post season, and was named All-Pro and selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team. But eyebrows were once again raised due to the subpar play of Cromartie his following seasons (2008 & 2009).
Family
A.J. Smith currently resides in Rancho Santa Fe along with his wife Susan. A.J.'s son, Kyle, played wide receiver and punt returner for Youngstown StateYoungstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
where he ranks 20th in school history with 1,054 yards on 64 career catches and was All-Gateway Conference honorable mention choice and the team's offensive MVP. Kyle was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
after the 2006 NFL Draft. Daughter Andrea graduated cum laude from Cortland State and was an AVCA All-America honorable mention outside hitter as well as Conference and Team MVP. She currently works in San Diego for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
as the Account Manager - Premium Seating Services.