VJ Signs With Tampa, Chargers Sign Meachem

The Chargers did what most had expected...the let their #1 wide receiver and player they franchised last year, Vincent Jackson, sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The Bucs signed him to a 5 year deal worth $55 million...more than the Chargers wanted to dole out to him.

But don't fret Charger fans, the Chargers then promptly signed (former) Saints wideout Robert Meachem. We'll have to see if Meachem can fill the role of being a #1 wide receiver, so I am a bit leery about this acquisition because to me, the receiving corps of the Chargers (currently) seem to be lacking.  VJ was really the only bright spot last year with everyone else getting hurt...so this year it is suppose to be Meachem filling the void while the rest of the Charger scrubs fight each other for spots on the bench?  To put it another way, other than VJ, what wide receiver from the Chargers would get signed to a nice contract some where else?  The answer: none.  Now the Chargers sign a number 2 wr from another team and high expectations are placed on this player.

So far, after less than one day of free agency the Chargers are doing exactly what most thought they would...bargain shop and shake the dice on 2nd stringers...the only surprise is that they actually signed a player within the first 24 hours...

NFL Free Agency Begins Today - Chargers Look To Stick With Crap

This afternoon the NFL free agency period begins today and really it has been a "non-day" for the Chargers and their fans.  While other teams tantalize their fans by swooning high profile free agents that could be the final piece to the puzzle for their squads, the Chargers GM, AJ Smith, will likely continue to not sign any impact free agents. What Smith and the Chargers will likely do is target veteran players that are now "damaged goods" or players that were essentially second or third string players on other squads.

There is a faction of vocal Charger fans that are sticking by the owner's decision to retain Smith and head coach Norv Turner....I am not one of those fans.  I am tired of the same old "plan" that AJ Smith has employed...that hasn't produced anything and I am sick of Norv Turner having this team completely unprepared to play football on most Sunday's.

There is nothing that this team has done in the past 12 months that makes me feel optimistic about next season and, in fact, I think the team will be even worse than it was last season...as it stands right now.