Defending A.J. Smith’s Logic

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So Vincent Jackson is still a San Diego Charger after GM A.J. Smith decided he’d rather receive a 3rd round pick from the NFL in 2012 when his Pro Bowl WR walks rather than receiving a 2nd round pick for next year and a conditional pick provided Vincent Jackson ended up signing a long-term deal with the Vikings. Makes no sense, right? Not so fast.

What no one is talking about in this whole ordeal is that A.J. Smith has an entire team to oversee. Too many professional athletes have the attitude of: Complain about the organization you’re with and they’ll trade you right away. After all, that’s how it worked for the Denver Broncos. And not once, but twice. Both of them difference makers. Jay Cutler publicly complained about Josh McDaniels tossing his name around in a possible trade and a couple of weeks later he’s a Chicago Bear. Brandon Marshall griped about missing Cutler and having to play in a new system then this offseason he’s sent to the Miami Dolphins. Maybe Smith seeing his division rivals go through this thought he didn’t want to create a domino effect with his unhappy stars. Nor would he lower his demands on what he thought they were worth. After all, Brandon Marshall needed a new contract and was traded for two 2nd round picks. One could easily argue that Marshall and Jackson are similar caliber WRs. Now is Smith stubborn, absolutely. Can we be upset with him for taking this hardball stance, no.

So in the end Vincent Jackson is right were he was weeks ago. Unhappy, suspended and not donning purple. I’ll also be the first to admit that I’m worried about our current passing game and that our active WRs won’t keep defensive coordinators up at night. But when the last thing we’ve heard from Jackson’s agent is “Archie Manning had it right. They call A.J. Smith ‘The Lord of No Rings’ for a reason.” it makes you wonder if this is someone we really want to part with high draft pick(s) over and then have to re-sign for $50 million a few months down the road.

Jon Merckle may be followed on Twitter @thevikingpig