Chargers general manager A.J. Smith received a lot of criticism for making the Eli Manning trade on draft day three years ago. Manning didn't want to go to the Chargers because he and his family didn't believe the Chargers would amount to anything. After taking him with the first pick, Smith boldly made a trade that may go down in history as one of the greats of all-time.
Smith's success was chronicled during the Pro Bowl voting. Quarterback Philip Rivers, linebacker Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding all made it as starters. That's three Pro Bowlers for one player, and the timing of this couldn't be better for the Chargers. Manning didn't finish in the top six for NFC quarterbacks even though he had a playoff season in his first year as a full-time starter and is in the playoff hunt this year.
Smith was the big winner in Tuesday's voting. He had nine Chargers make the Pro Bowl, a league high. Five more made it as top alternates, including three -- left tackle Marcus McNeill, guard Kris Dielman and punter Mike Scifires -- as first alternates. All three were drafted by Smith. Defensive end Luis Castillo ended up as a second alternate and probably would have challenged for a Pro Bowl spot had he not missed about a month with a high ankle sprain. Linebacker Shaun Phillips was also a second alternate.
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John Clayton
