[Quesadilla Joe]

San Diego shake-up could be coming


The recent comments from Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith regarding the performance of the team he built weren't merely idle chatter.

Smith and the coaching staff apparently are serious about taking action on the fly to fix the problems that have plagued the team.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Smith is "spending time on the phone" with other teams, possibly in the hopes of swinging one or more trades before the October 20 deadline. (And given linebacker Shawne Merriman's comments from Wednesday, his contract status, and the general vibrations coming from the organization suggesting that he won't be part of the team's future, Merriman possibly could be on the block.)

The Union-Tribune also reports that there's a feeling within the locker room that defensive jobs are "up for grabs." Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera reportedly sent that message to his troops earlier this week.

"I think it was the best thing for our defense," cornerback Quentin Jammer told the Union-Tribune. "You get your [rear end] run through like that, it puts everything in perspective, and I think we'll be better for it. There is going to be changes. You change the way you approach things, change the way you do things. I think it was the best wake-up call for us."

It remains to be seen whether the changes result in any changes in the on-field product when the Chargers return to action on October 19, with a Monday night visit from the Broncos.

Would Chiefs fans want to trade for Merroid?