A.J. Smith is known as a high risk/high reward general manager, and one of these moves turned out to be a good thing for the future, but was a gamble at the time it happened. This is in no particular order in terms of where they rank. They are just the ones that came to my mind first.
1. Failing to re-sign Drew Brees: Brees suffered a torn labrum in 2005, and the Chargers chose to move on with Philip Rivers. Since then, Brees has made it to five Pro Bowls in six years, has led the NFL in passing yards three times, led the NFL in touchdowns three times, led the Saints to a Super Bowl title and was named Super Bowl MVP.
2. Hiring Norv Turner: Turner had a .414 career winning percentage in nine seasons as a head coach before he was hired.
3. Placing Shawne Merriman on waivers: Merriman made the Pro Bowl in 2005, 2006 and 2007, was injured in 2008, had a subpar season in 2009 and was injured again in 2010 before being placed on waivers. This move worked out, but it seemed like Smith...
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