Nick Canepa: A.J. Smith will forever be known for his spine, stubbornness — and success

Sez Me …

A.J. Smith was Scotch he distilled himself. Not everyone imbibed. An acquired taste, undrinkable for many. And he didn’t give a damn about what you thought. You weren’t getting a sweet cocktail at his saloon — or at his backyard tiki hut in Del Mar.

A.J. passed away the other day at 75 after a prolonged bout with prostate cancer. I talked to him dozens of times during his successful tenure as general manager for The NFL Team (the Judases) That Used To Be Here, and in his retirement. I didn’t know he was sick.

But then he wouldn’t have broadcast his illness. I never saw him leave his own skin. If he didn’t like you, or you did him wrong, A.J. was done with you. Period. No second chances.

Professionally, there was no bend to him. Boss Fredo and media carpenters were not going to sand off his rough edges. He didn’t suffer fools or foolishness.

Such as his hatred for HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” Even with NFL suits angry urging, he refused to allow his training camps to be disrupted by the talking heads and cameras. When the lights go on, people don’t always act like themselves.

“It’s a phony,” he said. And he was right. He remains right.

He made mistakes — as have you and I — but he was right plenty. And, while I know he hardly was liked by everyone, he was by me, which is all I cared about. We enjoyed many of the same things outside the lines.

He read a lot, and loved the great people of history, the generals and leaders, and their quotes. He especially admired Churchill, as do I, and he had examples of the great man’s quotes framed in his office.

In 2008, when the team went to London to play New Orleans, we met one morning at the fabulous Churchill Museum, which remained exactly how it emptied on VE Day. I don’t believe I ever saw him happier. He lived the moment that morning.

A.J., who came here from Buffalo, N.Y., with his friend John Butler as John’s deputy GM, took over the full-time general manager job after John died of cancer in 2003. Although he had tremendous problems working alongside head coach Marty Schottenheimer — similar to Bobby Beathard and Bobby Ross — by 2007, he had put together the most powerful roster in the NFL, the deepest in team history.

“My problem is,” he told me after the core of his team began to loosen due to losing players the team no longer could afford, “is that I’ve drafted too well.”

The Schottenheimer sore began to fester when Smith, who early on paid closer attention to finding players instead of dealing with coaches, said to himself he had to be in charge, not Marty. Maybe it started with the 2003 draft, when A.J. wanted to draft future Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu, and the head coach thought Troy too small. Marty got his way.

It never happened again. The team traded down and drafted corner Sammy Davis, a bust. By 2006, Smith had his team stacked with the best talent in The League, and he had trimmed Marty’s feathers, with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips coaching the team and calling the shots on game day.

The team went 14-2, and Marty was but a figurehead — except for the famous playoff game with the Patriots, when Schottenheimer did get involved. A month later, Marty was gone. A.J. hired Norv Turner, a man he could deal with. It didn’t work out. But I’ll always be convinced Marty wasn’t winning a Super Bowl here.

“If we ever get the Lombardi Trophy,” A .J. said, “he can hoist it over his head, I’ll give him all the credit, and then wish him well in retirement.”

Churchill said history would be kind to him because he was writing it. A.J. Smith never got around to writing his memoirs.

I’ll just write that I liked him a lot, always enjoyed his company and his honesty (he wouldn’t lie, just give me a no-comment), and he was exceptional at what he did. Five division titles.

He got the players but couldn’t coach them. He was really good. And he had a spine the size of Florida. …

As a rule, Scottie Scheffler is one of the PGA’s best drivers. …

That’s at least two top golfers in this century to have trouble behind the wheel. I realize tournaments loan cars to players, but give the keys to the caddies and agents. …

Why is Scottie so good? As with Tiger, he can block out the bad. Great athletes can do that. I don’t know what it’s called now, but it used to be focus and concentration. After the PGA incident, Scottie, facing a felony, shoots a 66. …

I know Padres fans love their little team. But they have to boo more effectively. Practice at home. Watch old Cubs games. …

The PGA needed Odin to make Valhalla less welcoming. …

Fernando Tatis Jr. should watch film of Fernando Tatis Sr. Manny Machado should watch Manny Machado. X Bogaerts should watch X Schauffele. …

If Mike Shildt had been PR guy for Three Mile Island, he would have spun it into a family barbecue. …

People who run baseball teams have to tell their scouts checking out catchers to at least find one who can catch and block pitches. Maybe even throw. …

Fast doesn’t always do it. Randy Jones couldn’t throw 100 mph from the back of a train. He was a psychological thriller who threw slow pitches rapidly. …

My favorite Randy moment came in 1976, his Cy Young year, when he was going for his 20th win. His first two batters lined out to center field. The remaining 25 outs were recorded by infielders. …

I’m thinking of the difficulty the Chiefs face opening the season vs. Baltimore and Cincinnati, but I’ll wait to get the official word on it when Taylor Swift announces her availability. …

Kirk Cousins says it’s not constructive to dwell on the Falcons’ draft of Michael Penix Jr., his presumed quarterback replacement. All Kirk has to do to avoid getting replaced is one thing. Play well. …

The NFL will place two Christmas Day games on Netflix. Pony up, wagerers. You know you will. …

Soon it will cost more to watch the NFL on TV than in person. Not kidding. …

There’s a tape out there showing Darrell Green walking down the likes of Eric Dickerson and Tony Dorsett, who were spotted big leads. On that film, no player has been faster on a football field. Pure greatness. …

“I’m so mean I make medicine sick.” — Ali …

RIP, Jack Milks. One of Don Coryell’s best early players at San Diego State (Chargers, 1966). And a good guy. …

Music, Man. Stevie Wonder has turned 74. Little Stevie Wonder. A talent that cannot be adequately described. …

Tom Brady says he wouldn’t do The Roast To End All Roasts again, due to how it affected his kids. Seven Super Bowls don’t translate to real life. …

Joan Crawford, asked why she dresses like a movie star when she leaves the house: “If you’re looking for the girl next door, go next door.”