January 25 - Jean Lefebvre is finding out that being a GM is not only tough in the USAFL, but especially tough in the AFC West division of the USAFL. Lefebvre sat down with our staff at his new home in Montreal and treated us to a wonderful view of the skyline. He was quite candid with his thoughts about the San Diego Chargers and the escalating salaries of the free agents in the USAFL.

Thanks for inviting us out to your new home. The view here is simply marvelous. So, you live here in Montreal and fly back and forth to San Diego? How have the Charger fans responded to having a commuting GM?


It's my pleasure. Are you talking of the view of the Montreal's downtown or the view on that girl sunbathing below my window ?

I've been living in Montreal my whole life and unfortunately, the league hasn't planned any expansion in my city yet. The only way i could manage a team was in an other city. In this way, colleague Fred Hurtubise has showed
us the way.

Chargers fans have been great with me so far. They know I came here to win and as long as I'm putting efforts in a way of making this franchise winning .. they'll give me all their support. SD fans are waiting to see their team in playoffs for many years, nobody got the job done yet .. I'm here to prove i can rebuild this team and win. Fans deserves a winning team.

Congratulations also, on the Myron Hazelton signing. He should be a great addition to your West Coast scheme you guys are running out there.


Thanks. We're currently building a core of players that will bring us many wins. Our offensive coordinator Jacques Hurtubise (no relations with TB GM Fred Hurtubise) ask management to acquire a premium running back. Being probably the best running back in the league, Hazelton will be the centerpiece of our offense.

You, Green Bay's Aaron Streepy, and the Jets' Martin Lemay, all came into the league around the same time. Most of the fans in the league are anxious to see which of you three will be the first to gain entry into the post season. Especially since the Chargers and the Jets have NEVER been to the post-season. What are your chances of making to the post-season before them?


SD is now at the beginning of the 3rd year of our 5 year rebuilding process. This all started in 2009 with not renewing contracts of 18 players and by putting many rookies as starters. Making playoffs before 2012/2013 sounds almost impossible, young players must polish their play first... but who knows ? i think we can be serious contenders in AFC west for 2014 season.

As for which of NYJ/GB and me will make it first to post-season ... I'd say NYJ is playing in the toughest division in te league, while Green Bay plays with former super bowl champion Bucs. But if i would have to put money on any of our teams .. I'd put it on us !


This could be a turning point off-season for you guys, especially with your starting QB, John Belcher, and starting DT, Alfred Fryar, retiring. Is QB Kendrick Gillette gonna start for you guys, or are you gonna turn the reins over to a rookie QB?


Both Belcher and Fryar has done a great job for the franchise through the years. But our rebuilding process has to start with youths. That's why we tried to give some of our veterans (like Bryan Groot and Floyd Fine) a possibility the play for a championship contenders, unsuccessfully we must add.

With Belcher gone, Gillette has the starting job and will not likely losing it unless we can get a veteran QB on the free market.

It's really the beginning of a new era for the Chargers.


The past couple of drafts, you seem to have impressed the experts with your Draft Scouting ability. What goes into your preparation and decision process when it comes to determining who will become a San Diego Charger?


Since 2009, SD had the opportunity to get early rounds drafts picks, this means great talent. Great scouting was essential in order to rebuild a franchise. It becomes very important for picks made during the supp draft.

Basically, we're looking at pure talent first, then overall skills. We especially like players with great speed an acceleration. We're looking to be the fastest team in USAFL. How goes our decision process ? With many holes to fill, we're simply taking the best player available, position wise.



The last five USAFL Champions have come from either the AFC East or the NFC West. A team from the NFC West last won a championship in 2005. The NFC East has yet to have a Super Bowl Champion. What is it going to take to unseat the dominance that teams like Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Denver, and Cleveland seem to have over the rest of the league?


Those teams have great managers. They're likely models for us, new managers. It seems that each year when one of those teams is losing a key players, there's always one replacement player that has immediate impact. They got a lot of depth.

In my opinion, a good way to unseat the dominance of those teams would be to sign some of their players during the free agent market. Make our teams better while weakening theirs. 



You are going into your third season now as GM of the Chargers. 3-11 in 2009 & 2-12 in 2010. Last season you slipped a bit, but you were able to beat a playoff team, Seattle 20-17 in week 5. What are your expectations for 2011? Are you starting to feel the pressure of assembling a winning franchise?


I don't feel any pressure of winning right now. In order to succeed in our rebuilding process, we must follow our plan. 2011/2012 should be difficult seasons .. the core of the team is made with rookies, they're still learning and improving their skills. But, we know that Degrange, Merriweather, Kozerski, Zilkoski, McElroy and probably our 1st pick next Monday will all be great players.

For now, we don't want to put too much pressure on them.



What are your thoughts on the amount of money that is being spent in the Free Agency Market? It seems each season we reach a new high in the total amount spent.


First, I don't believe in a plan of building a team with only Free agents.

If those guys gets high salaries, it's mainly because managers are giving a load of money. Personally, i think this is insane. As for now, i don't figure how SD management could give to a unique player more than 20% of the team salary cap.


Speaking of money, rumors around the league is that your first ever draft selection as a GM, LB Ernie DeGrange, might become the Chargers' first ever Franchise Player in 2012. Is that true? Will DeGrange remain a Charger for the rest of this career?


DeGrange is a great kid, highly appreciated by Chargers fans.

We're having serious discussion with DeGrange since he's been drafted. As for now, there are now official commitment to be made. We're looking to continue contract discussion with him during the next off-season. For now, he's really our unofficial "franchise player"


On Monday evening, you will get the opportunity to draft the #1 overall player in the 2011 College Draft. Any hints on who you will be selecting? What about the pressure with having to make that selection and the risks of picking a player that won't develop into a super star?


We're still undecided about who will be the 1st player picked on Monday's draft. There are some great kids out there, especially on offensive liners.

There's always risk that a player may not develop in what scouts have expected. 1st round picks may not develop into super stars, late round picks may do. Overall, we've been very successful so far, there are no reasons why this would change on next Monday.



Thanks again for inviting us out to the new digs. Good Luck in the coming season and we are looking forward to seeing what the Chargers can do in 2011.


It's been a pleasure. Thanks for coming by, take some time to visit my home town .. a wonderful city !

Now come with me, we'll take lunch at "chez Parée"