Oh. My. Goodness.

A.J. did it.

He really did it.

Will A.J. Go Liuget?

What a headline. I'm sure no one else around the country thought of writing something like that.

Looking past yesterday's Padres game, in which Mat Latos was served with his 9th consecutive loss, tonight is the first round of the NFL Draft. I expect big things out of A.J. Smith and the Chargers.

The draft is deep with powerful DE and OLB types, precisely the position the Chargers need. But if I can make a quick plea to A.J.: take Corey Liuget, good sir. You won't regret it. He has the speed, strength, and mean streak to immediately add to the Bolts defense that which they have lacked since the demise of Shawne Merriman, namely the inspiration of fear and dread in opposing offenses.

It's time for the Chargers to draft a monster. Corey is that beast.

J Leman Is A Bolt!

I was just perusing the Chargers list of recent transactions and noticed that on January 12 they signed former Illini monster, J Leman, to a Reserve/Future contract. So choice.

What really blew my mind though is that this is J's third stint with the Bolts. I somehow missed that the Bolts signed J to the practice squad twice before, first in November 2009, and then again at the end of November 2010 for the duration of the season.

You know I love crossovers between and among the Padres, Chargers, and Illini, and J is the perfect ambassador between the teams. As the #6 all-time tackler in Illini history, and a captain on the 2007 Rose Bowl team, no doubt J has regaled his Bolts teammates with tales of Champaign and the Zooker's antics.

Well done, AJ. Well done.

Adios to Mr. Liuget

Corey Liuget is joining Martez Wilson and Mikel LeShoure and tossing his hat into the NFL Draft ring. It's a shame because the guy is a monster run-stuffer and dominant play-disrupter on the defensive line, but it is not a surprise. He looked like an NFL lineman in the Texas Bowl win over Baylor.

I've seen two early mock drafts that have him going in the first round (22nd to Indy or 25th to Seattle). Obviously that's very speculative - Seattle might not even pick in that spot - but Liuget likely will be a mid-to-late first rounder.

The Chargers draft in the middle of the first round. They need a defensive lineman with a mean streak.

Make it happen A.J.!

Marcus McNeill Will Be With Bolts For Awhile

It looks as if Big Marcus and the Bolts are near agreement on a 5-year contract extension that, added to the one year Marcus still has remaining on his current contract, will keep him with the Bolts until 2015.

Details of the contract have not yet been released, but I'm betting the deal puts Marcus into the top 5 paid left tackles in the National Football League.

Now about those special teams ...

Quite A Day For Current And Former San Diego GMs

Quite a day, indeed. First, Kevin Towers is hired as the new general manager of the Diamondbacks, and then, a few hours later, A.J. Smith refuses to lower his demands for a Vincent Jackson trade, and is accused by rival GMs as being "the Lord of no rings."

To me, all this feels like a retread. Though he did not get the job at the time, KT interviewed for the DBacks job a few years ago. Nor is this the first time an agent or rival GM, spurned by A.J.'s tough negotiation tactics, has resorted to name calling. I'm pretty sure A.J. isn't weeping about it right now. He, and KT, are probably both celebrating jobs well done.

Though probably not together.

Let The Ryan Mathews Era Begin

This kid looks like a UFC fighter. Wouldn't surprise me at all if he knows Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or some such other way to make grown men cry.

Congrats go to A.J. Smith for yet another draft day snake, moving up 16 spots to snag Ryan Mathews with the #12 overall pick. Mathews will be in the backfield from snap #1 of the Chargers' 2010 season, and I could not be more excited.

I'm also excited Mathews won't be on the field when the Illini go to Fresno St. this December. Mathews torched the Illini - as he torched most other teams - for 173 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 53-52 Fresno St. victory in Champaign last December 5.

Here is a picture of that fun day:

Chaz Whitehurst No Longer A Bolt

A.J. Smith got it dun again today, trading third-string QB Charlie Whitehurst to the Seahawks in exchange for the 'Hawks' 2011 third-round draft pick. The trade also included a swap of the teams' second round picks in this year's draft, with the Bolts moving up 20 spots to the 40th pick in the second round.

That's a nice haul for a third-string QB.

As has been reported, this is likely a win for all parties involved. The Bolts get some return for a player who likely was never going to see the field. The Seahawks get a quality backup and potential starter in the well-regarded Whitehurst. And, perhaps most of all, Charlie gets some nice caysh and a very good shot at legit playing time with the oft-injured Matt Hasselback the only thing in his way.

Of course the Bolts now have the difficult task of finding someone to replace Charlie as the handsome, rakish third-string QB that never gets his uniform dirty and looks good in a beard and a headset.

Here's hoping its not Tim Tebow.

A.J. Talks

A.J. Smith has - once again - spouted off in an interview with Nicky Canepa, this time calling his Chargers team "soft and bewildered."

I'll say a couple things about this:

- the defense did look soft and bewildered on Sunday night against the Stillers;

- I'm not sure what was more astounding: the amount of time Ben had to throw because of the lack of pressure, or the distance separating Pittsburgh's receivers from the Chargers defensive backs each time they set to catch a pass. Honestly, you'd think one of those things would not happen. Either you're sending a bunch of dudes to get the QB and he has to hurry to throw but a few guys are open, or you only rush four guys but the other seven are covering the receivers tight.

- whether it was a technique problem, a strength and size problem or just a lack of skill problem, the defensive line got overpowered by the Pittsburgh O-Line;

- there are still 12 games left;

- I suspect the Chargers will be 5-2 after November 1, with a 1-game lead in the division;

- Shawne Merriman's comments in response to A.J.'s comments were appropriate. He basically said, "Whatever, I don't care about what anyone else says, I only care about what the players in this locker room think and do."

- I think Merriman's comments will be even more appropriate if he makes a few plays against Denver on October 19th.

Making plays. Making plays.

Big Day, Big Day

Oh man, this is a big day. The weather is absolutely gorgeous here in New York City and I think I'm going to go for a jog and then go have a few, er, toddies at the Hudson Beach Cafe.

How choice is that going to be.

But before I go I have a few things to report.

First, Deron Williams ... what a monster.

Second, Brian Giles ... what a monster (and nice photo by Earnie Grafton).

And finally, A.J. Smith ... get r dun!

Learn To Play Nice With Others

Dear A.J. and LT,

What on God's green Earth is going on with you two? I cannot fathom why you two are playing out your little power-play drama in the media. For the love that is all blessed and Boltly, please please zip your lips and go about your business in the privacy of Chargers HQ.

Both of your jobs are ridiculously simple. Not easy, but simple. A.J.: your job is to find the best talent, draft and sign that talent, and then either keep that talent or turn it over and find new talent. That is all. That is everything you do. Don't worry about cap numbers and all that other jazz, you have assistants for that and they will provide you the information. Nor does your job include talking to the media. I have no idea why you are even speaking with the Jim Trotters and Nick Canepas of the world. You should be out evaluating players, taking notes and then going back to Chargers Park and brainstorming with your assistants and coaches. You certainly should not be talking to the media about you. IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU. It's about the Chargers. Get. With. The. Program.

And LT, you aren't much better. Your job is very simple: you need to prepare and play as hard as possible on the field to help the Chargers win games. That is all. That is everything you do. But over the last few seasons you have shown up your quarterback, Felipe Rios, on more than one occasion. You sat silent and glowering on the sideline in the AFC Championship game. And, in the days before the Colts playoff game, someone from your camp leaked the true extent of your groin injury to the media. Just whose side are you on? The Chargers side? Or LT's side? You need to get in line and come on board for the big win. You are the greatest Charger running back of all time. Along with Dan, Lance, Wes, Kellen and Antonio, you start on my All-Time Charger Offense (I think we'd go with a two TE set on most downs so Kellen and Antonio are both on the field. Talk about matchup problems! I realize that that seems like we would emphasize the pass over the run, and you are right, we would. Deal with it.). IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.

Here's the bottom line, guys. As a Bolts fan all I want is a Super Bowl Championship. Whether or not that happens with either of you in the fold matters little to me. Either do what's best for the Chargers, or get out of Dodge. But in the meantime, for the love of lightning, stop messing around in public with your little of game "who's got the bigger johnson."

Both of you already know the answer to that question. It's Dean Spanos.

Bolts Sign Bennett

A.J. signed Michael Bennett yesterday, adding depth to the Bolts' running back position and insuring against an injury to LT and/or Sproles. It also would seem to indicate that Jacob Hester is not very good at all. Or at least has fallen a bit in the estimation of the Chargers brass.

Be that as it may, I welcome Bennett to the Bolts. Michael, I see from my exhaustive research (I just looked you up on pro-football-reference.com) that you have amassed 3627 yards in your career at a 4.4 yard-per-carry clip. Your best season was in 2002 when, as a Viking, you rushed for 1296 yards and scored five touchdowns, including an 85-yarder. Not too shabby. More recently you had a 4.6 yard-per-carry average for Tampa last season in limited action. I would be pleased if you performed similarly for the Bolts over the final seven games of this season.

Welcome, and good luck. Now get to work.