Former Chargers GM A.J. Smith: Drafting Philip Rivers, Signing Antonio Gates Elevated Franchise

San Diego, California United States of America
A.J. Smith, former San Diego Chargers GM passed away on May 12, 2024 at the age of 75 due to a seven-year battle with prostate cancer.
Smith is best known for drafting Philip Rivers first overall in 2004 and signing Antonio Gates as an undrafted free agent in 2003.
Smith was dismissed as GM after a 7-9 finish in the 2012 season.
Under Smith's leadership, Chargers reached the postseason perennially and made it to the AFC Championship Game in Norv Turner's first season as head coach in 2007.
Former Chargers GM A.J. Smith: Drafting Philip Rivers, Signing Antonio Gates Elevated Franchise

Former San Diego Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith, who is considered the architect of one of the most successful eras in franchise history, passed away on May 12, 2024 at the age of 75 following a seven-year battle with prostate cancer. Smith's son Kyle, who currently serves as assistant general manager for the Atlanta Falcons, made the announcement on behalf of the family.

During his tenure with the Chargers from 2003 to 2012, Smith oversaw a period of great success for the team. He is best known for overseeing the franchise's transition from Drew Brees to Philip Rivers. In 2004, Smith drafted Rivers first overall despite Eli Manning and his father's request not to do so.

Smith also made significant moves in free agency, signing Antonio Gates as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Gates went on to become the all-time franchise record holder with 955 receptions, 11,841 receiving yards and 116 touchdowns.

Under Smith's leadership, the Chargers reached the postseason perennially and made it to the AFC Championship Game in Norv Turner's first season as head coach in 2007. However, they were unable to win a playoff game during this period.

Smith was dismissed as general manager after a 7-9 finish in the 2012 season and spent two seasons as a consultant and senior executive for Washington before retiring at age 66.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos released a statement following Smith's death, saying: 'Belying a tough, matter of fact and no nonsense persona -- one synonymous with that of a true football guy -- was A.J.'s softer side which included a tremendous love for his family, the NFL and the Chargers. The architect of one of the greatest chapters in franchise history, A.J. made everyone around him better with a singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization.'


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

100%

Doubts
  • None.

Sources

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Former Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith dies at 75

NBC Sports News Website Josh Alper Sunday, 12 May 2024 20:03
  • Unique Points
    • Smith served as the Chargers’ General Manager from 2003 to 2012 before working as a consultant for Washington.
    • He spent 15 years working for the Bills.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

A.J. Smith, winningest GM in Chargers history, dies at 75

NBA Nuggets (Mar 7, 2024) Game Recap - ESPN Issue of the Site: NBA Issues Of The Site. This is a sample name for this site. Sunday, 12 May 2024 23:38
  • Unique Points
    • A.J. Smith drafted Eli Manning first overall in 2004 but traded his rights to the Giants for Philip Rivers and other picks.
    • Smith signed Antonio Gates as an undrafted free agent in 2003, who is now the all-time franchise record holder with 955 receptions, 11,841 receiving yards and 116 touchdowns.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Chargers former GM AJ Smith dead at 75, family announces

Fox News Channel Scott Thompson Sunday, 12 May 2024 23:39
  • Unique Points
    • AJ Smith drafted Philip Rivers first overall despite Eli Manning and his father’s request not to.
    • ,
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

A.J. Smith, longtime NFL executive and former Chargers GM, dies at 75

National Football League (NFL) News Site: nfl.com/news/super-bowl-lviii-picks_1027954863001.html Michael Baca Sunday, 12 May 2024 23:39
  • Unique Points
    • A.J. Smith drafted Philip Rivers first overall in 2004 despite Eli Manning and his father’s request not to.
    • ,
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

A.J. Smith — architect of Philip Rivers-era Chargers — dies at 75

Yahoo Sports Jason Owens Sunday, 12 May 2024 23:40
  • Unique Points
    • A.J. Smith oversaw one of the most successful eras in Chargers history from 2003-12.
    • Smith died at the age of 75 following a seven-year battle with prostate cancer.
    • He is best known for overseeing the franchise’s transition from Drew Brees to Philip Rivers.
    • The Chargers used the No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, acquired through a trade with Eli Manning, to select linebacker Shawne Merriman who made three Pro Bowls.
    • Rivers took over as starting quarterback after Brees suffered an injury and went on to make eight Pro Bowls and lead the Chargers to four straight AFC West championships from 2006-09, including a record of 14-2 in the 2006 season.
    • Smith was dismissed as general manager after a 7-9 finish in the 2012 season and spent two seasons as a consultant and senior executive for Washington before retiring at age 66.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states 'Per the statement, Smith died following a seven-year battle with prostate cancer.' This is an appeal to authority because the statement is attributed to 'the Falcons' without any explanation of their qualifications or expertise on the matter. Additionally, there are several instances of inflammatory rhetoric used to describe A.J. Smith, such as 'one of the most successful eras in franchise history', 'architect of one of the greatest chapters in franchise history', and 'singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization'. These statements are not objectively verifiable and can be considered an attempt to manipulate the reader's emotions.
    • ]Per the statement, Smith died following a seven-year battle with prostate cancer.[
    • one of the most successful eras in franchise history
    • architect of one of the greatest chapters in franchise history
    • singular focus and intensity that elevated our organization
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication