When we last heard from Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith, he was firing shots at Peyton and Archie Manning. This time around, Smith is sending his message a bit more subtly.
Hours after former Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson agreed to terms with the Buccaneers on a five-year, $55,555,555 contract that pays $26 million in fully guaranteed money over the first two years, Smith signed receiver Robert Meachem to a four-year deal reportedly worth $25.9 million.
So Smith is basically saying to Jackson and his agents, “I got Meachem for four years for less than what the Bucs paid you for two.”
Meachem, 27, is only two years younger than the Jackson, but Jackson has been the far superior player. Though their numbers surely will be compared over the next two seasons or more, the impact of Meachem’s speed won’t show up on the stat sheet -- except in the catches made by other receivers who have more room to move underneath while Meachem pulls coverage deep.