Five Chargers earn Pro Bowl honors

Quarterback Philip Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates, guard Kris Dielman, kicker Nate Kaeding and special teamer Kassim Osgood were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad Tuesday.

The Chargers’ high-scoring offense saw three players recognized with Pro Bowl honors Tuesday, and one of the NFL’s top special teams units was also well represented when the NFL announced its All Star squads.

Quarterback Philip Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates, guard Kris Dielman, kicker Nate Kaeding and special teams ace Kassim Osgood were named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad. Each of the five players has previously earned Pro Bowl honors.

Rivers’ career-high 4,155 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and just nine interceptions earned him Pro Bowl recognition for the second time in his career. The Chargers’ starting quarterback ranks second in the NFL with a 104.5 passer rating. He’s been particularly impressive during the team’s current 10-game win streak, completing 69.4% of his passes (200-of-288) for 2,636 yards and a rating of 112.6 while throwing 20 touchdown passes and only six interceptions during that span. Rivers’ passer rating over the last 10 weeks is highest in the NFL, while his completion percentage is third.

“It’s an honor,” Rivers said. “Any time you’re a part of the Pro Bowl team and in company with the other great quarterbacks is a big honor. However, me being named to the Pro Bowl is as much about the guys around me as anything. It takes a lot of guys for individuals to get recognized. The quarterback position, more than any other, needs every other guy playing at a high level to make it. If I can’t get the ball off because of pressure or if nobody’s making great catches, I’m not going to have the success I’ve had this season and throughout my career.”

In addition to his teammates, Rivers also credits Head Coach Norv Turner with much of the success he’s enjoyed.

“He’s been huge in my progress. I knew very early on when we first met that we thought a lot alike and have similar approaches to the game. That helped immediately because we were able to understand how each other thinks. Running this system and his ability to coach the position is exceptional. It’s been a great fit.”

Gates earned Pro Bowl honors for the sixth-consecutive year after setting a new career high with 1,145 receiving yards. He leads all NFL tight ends in the category. His 78 catches lead the Chargers, and he’s scored seven touchdowns.

Dielman received his third Pro Bowl nod of his career thanks to a season in which his physical presence once again set the tone for the Chargers along the offensive line. The seventh-year pro has started all 15 games and has played a major role in the NFL’s second-highest scoring offense.

“It’s always an honor,” Dielman said. “I’m lucky to have a lot of great teammates around me that help me. Playing next to Marcus (McNeill) and Scott (Mruczkowski) and Nick (Hardwick), having Philip (Rivers), I know I benefit a lot from those guys. (Offensive line coach) Hal Hunter is another guy that’s really helped me get to this point in my career.”

Kaeding ranks second in the NFL with 135 points scored and is tied for the AFC lead with 29 field goals. He needs just one point to break his franchise record for points in a season by a kicker. Kaeding is a Pro Bowler for the second time. In 2007, he kicked the game-winning field goal on the last play of the game in an AFC victory.


Osgood’s gritty, unselfish play earned him a third trip to the Pro Bowl. He also went following the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Osgood is tied for second on the Chargers with 12 special teams tackles. When he’s not making the tackle himself, he regularly absorbs double and triple teams that free up his teammates to help the Bolts secure strong field position.

In addition to the five players recognized Tuesday, five Chargers were named Pro Bowl alternates. Darren Sproles is the first alternate at kick returner, and cornerback Antonio Cromartie, wide receiver Vincent Jackson, tackle Marcus McNeill and punter Mike Scifres are third alternates.

While happy for his teammates that were honored Tuesday, Rivers was a little disappointed that weren’t more Chargers recognized.

“We had more (players) that are as deserving that didn’t get that call today and I’m disappointed for those guys,” Rivers said. “We’ve got a lot of guys on both sides of the ball and on special teams that I believe are Pro Bowl worthy.”

Dielman shared Rivers’ sentiments.

“There are other guys that should be going,” Dielman said. “With Vincent and Marcus, the proof is in the pudding. They’ve both damn good players. Vincent gets lost in the shuffle because there are so many great receivers in the AFC, but if you’re going to tell me he’s not one of the top three I think you’re sorely mistaken. Marcus gets lost in the shuffle. There’s no one else I’d rather play next to. I think he’s the best left tackle in the league. He makes my job easier and I love playing with him.”

SOURCE: Chargers.com

San Diego Chargers Team Report - 12/27/09

The streaking Chargers aren't showing any signs of letting up.
Win No. 10 in a row came Friday as the Chargers thumped the Titans, 42-17.

"Our guys are playing with great confidence right now," coach Norv Turner said. "That's why you are able to do what you do."

Strangely, this streak feels nothing like one, according to Turner.

"One thing I will say about the run of 10 is that I don't think our guys feel like they're on such a streak," he said. "I believe they feel they've won 10 games one at a time. I know it's cliche, but that's what they've done and that's probably the thing I'm proudest of."

The Chargers can puff out their chest over reaching 12-3 after losing three of their first five games. That rut seems like eons ago as the team's latest triumph clinched the AFC's No. 2 seed.

With that comes a week off during the playoffs' first round and a home game in the divisional round.

"We've done all we can do in terms of positioning ourselves for the playoffs, but there's no need to pat ourselves on the back just yet," said quarterback Philip Rivers, who continues to play at an MVP level. "We all know that what you do in the playoffs matters a lot more than what you do in the regular season."

But Friday's conquest meant a lot in that the Chargers won two games in a week, the second coming off a short week in which they had to travel three time zones away.

The Chargers, though, didn't blink in winning their record-tying 18th straight December game.

"To win like this coming off a short week, playing on the road and spending Christmas away from our families really shows the maturity and the chemistry we've built," Chargers free safety Eric Weddle said. "We put on a great performance. I thought this game was going to be a battle, but we just imposed our will on these guys."

Now the Chargers get to do what most other guys are doing this weekend - put their feet up and watch some football. The team is off three of the next four days before ending the regular-season a week from Sunday against the visiting Redskins.

NOTES, QUOTES

— C Nick Hardwick returned to game action for the first time since injuring his ankle in the season opener.

"It just felt good to be part of this again, to be part of a group that's been preparing the way they have," he said. "It was a good night."

QB Philip Rivers said having the carefree Hardwick in the huddle and then barking out blocking assignments on the line was a welcomed sight.

"He really gets guys going," Rivers said. "It was great to see him back out there. There is nobody that loves it any more, cares about it any more than he does."

— Home for the holiday? Rivers was, as he grew up some 90 miles from Nashville in Decatur, Ala., and that meant the relatives made the trek to Friday's game. Rivers left 70 tickets for the clan.

"I had just about every family member on both my side and my wife's side at this game," Rivers said. "It was a lot of fun. It felt in some ways like I was in my own backyard. As the lead grew, you could hear the Chargers fans. It was really great to play in front of so many family members."

— The Chargers did something this year which has never been done in the franchise's previous 49 season - won seven games on the road. "We wanted to become a real good road team," coach Norv Turner said of the team's 7-1 mark. "These guys have done a great job when we've asked them to prepare." That success on the road as meant the Chargers won't be traveling - or playing - during the playoffs first week as they earned a bye as the No. 2 seed.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

PLAYER NOTES

— QB Philip Rivers sped past 4,000 passing yards for the second consecutive season and set his career best with Friday's performance, giving him 4,155 yards with another game remaining.

— TE Antonio Gates established a career high in receiving yards. Gates finished with three receptions for 74 yards Friday, leaving him with 1,145 on the season. Gates' touchdown catch was the 58th of his career, moving him into a tie for second place with Gary Garrison on the franchise's list for career receiving touchdowns.

— WR Vincent Jackson set a career best in receiving with his first catch Friday. He had five receptions for 70 yards, and has 1,167 for the season.

— RB LaDainian Tomlinson notched his 137th and 138th rushing touchdowns, setting an NFL record for most rushing scores in a single decade. The previous mark was set by Emmitt Smith, who scored 136 rushing TDs in the 1990s.

— RT Jon Runyan saw his most extended playing time of the season in Friday's blow out.

— DE Jacques Cesaire (elbow) wasn't able to play and could be rested one more week.

REPORT CARD VS. TITANS

PASSING OFFENSE: B-plus - Philip Rivers' numbers could have been even more impressive if not just missing on two touchdown tosses. That said, he completed 21-of-27 attempts for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He was pretty much on the mark, as was the pass protection. Backup Billy Volek started the fourth quarter and finished the game.

RUSHING OFFENSE: A — LaDainian Tomlinson collects two more rushing touchdowns; Darren Sproles adds two on the ground as well as the Chargers pile up 166 yards in rushing. The run-blocking, with Pro Bowl C Nick Hardwick back in action, had a purpose. RG Louis Vasquez continues to be spot-on in his rookie year.

PASS DEFENSE: A - One of the best efforts of the season as Eric Weddle had a critical third-quarter interception and the corner play of Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer was of the blanket variety. Big forced fumble from Shaun Phillips as he stripped Vince Young of the ball - it's Phillips' franchise-record seventh forced fumble of the year.

RUSH DEFENSE: C - Chris Johnson got 142 yards but he wasn't able to control the game with any consistency. With DE Jacques Cesaire (elbow) unable to go, the line held up pretty well - DT Ian Scott was solid.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C - The return game still isn't where it needs to be and getting that turned around will be a point of emphasis going forward. The kicking game wasn't asked to do much with the dominating offense hogging the scoring opportunities. Coverage units were fine.

COACHING: A - To win seven games on the road is a testament to a coach who has his team ready away from home - Norv Turner deserves credit for just that. The Chargers were bent on scoring a lot, which helped neutralize the Titans' running game. Ron Rivera continues to patch together a defense - i.e., the defensive line - which is drawing him rave reviews inside and outside the locker room.

Bolts Clinch First Round Bye

The Tennessee Titans made a nice run after starting off 0 - 6 and it would have been a great story if they fought back to make the playoffs but it wasn't to be. Instead the San Diego Chargers vs Tennessee Titans game goes to the Chargers, 42 - 17, and the Titans are officially eliminated from the 2009 playoffs. On the other hand it's all good news for the Chargers as they wrap up a first round bye when the post-season kicks off in two weeks.

After the Titans got off to a good start by taking a 3 - 0 lead it was all Chargers from that point on. San Diego took the lead 7 - 3 on a LaDainian Tomlinson one yard touchdown run and never looked back. Two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers, one to Antonio Gates and one to Darren Sproles, extended the Chargers lead to 21 - 3. A late second quarter touchdown from the Titans kept the game within reach at 21 - 10 going into halftime.

Coming out in the third quarter the Chargers put any hopes the Titans had of coming back to rest as they piled on two more touchdowns to stretch their lead to 35 - 10 heading into the final quarter. San Diego put the exclamation point onto their dominance in this game with another Sproles touchdown, this time a one yard run to make it 42 - 10. A meaningless Titans touchdown late in the fourth capped the scoring as the game ended 42 - 17.

The only thing to note from that late Titans touchdown was that it was Chris Johnson who scored the touchdown on a 30 yard run which gave him 142 rushing yards for the game. This puts him at 1,872 total rushing yards for the season, just 128 yards from that elusive 2,000 rushing yards on the season. If he can tear it up next week in the final game of the season and pile up 234 yards he will break the all time rushing record for a season of 2,105.

So the Titans season is done and the Chargers keep on rolling towards the playoffs as one of the hottest teams in the NFL. They have now won 10 games in a row and sit with the third best record in the league at 12 - 3. They secure the first round bye which history shows is a huge advantage in a run towards a Superbowl title.

Chargers Team Report - 12/23/09

Let's be clear from the start: The Chargers don't like the Titans.

The feeling is probably mutual, and both teams will get to prove their displeasure with the other in Friday's critical Christmas night game at Tennessee.

"They are a physical football team, and we like to believe we are a physical football team," Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips said. "It's going to be one of those ones like we're going to punch you in the mouth and they are going to try to punch us back. That's just how it is going to be."

There is plenty at stake on the Cumberland River banks with a national TV audience looking in.

If the Chargers win, they'd clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round playoff bye.

If the Titans win, they'd keep their playoff dreams alive, trying to sneak in as a wild-card entry after starting 0-6.

But there is more to this tilt than postseason aspirations.

In the Chargers' last regular-season visit, on Dec. 9, 2007, the game got chippy with questionable hits being delivered by both sides. But none was more obvious than when Titans offensive linemen David Stewart and Kevin Mawae blasted Shawne Merriman. The questionable hit -- Stewart and Mawae were fined -- started Merriman's knee problems that led him to miss most of the 2008 season.

"That was when my knee went," said Merriman, who some had thought hit quarterback Vince Young late in that game. "It was done from that point on.

"Luckily, I was blessed enough to finish the rest of the season up, but it was painful as hell. It was tough."

One doesn't have to flick on the tape for the Chargers to remember the Titans.

"They definitely took a cheap shot on Merriman," Phillips said. "They are a physical team, and they felt like they could punk us. And we obviously aren't going to get punked. And they are going to do the same thing."

Merriman is clear that he hates the Titans and all they represent. That only adds spice to a game that figures to distribute as much punch as your favorite uncle's egg nog.

"This game is bigger than me being (ticked) off at them for something they did to me," Merriman said. "We are trying to secure a playoff spot. But if a guy is kicking my (rear) the whole game I'm not going to go out and see if I can get him over a pile and get him hurt or do something extra -- it's not needed.

"Football is a physical game, and that is just the way it is always going to be. But there is a difference between physical and bull ... and they definitely got some bull ... about them."

No bull, the Chargers are smoking hot. It takes a deep breath these days to rattle off their streaks: nine consecutive wins, 17 straight in December, four AFC West titles in a row.

The Chargers have plenty to play for. Getting that first playoff week off is so enticing. And if that weren't enough, the opposing uniform is a target as well.

"You don't go after specific players or do things that jeopardize careers," Merriman said. "And that is the kind of guys they are."

Look for some kind of a game on Christmas.

SERIES HISTORY: 38th regular-season meeting. The Chargers lead the series 23-13-1. The Chargers have won the last six in the overall series, which includes a 2007 wild-card playoff game triumph, 17-6. The last regular-season matchup, during the same season, was a thriller, with the Chargers pulling out a 23-17 overtime victory after erasing a 17-3 deficit. That game was also noted for four players being fined $32,500.

NOTES

—The Chargers are charged with slowing Chris Johnson, the blazing running back who makes defenders miss with regularity. He's not only attempting to put the Titans in the playoff hunt, but he's running for Eric Dickerson's single-season mark of 2,105 rushing yards. Johnson is 375 yards shy of Dickerson, and knowing how poorly the Chargers stop the run, he'll try to put a healthy dent in that deficit Friday.

"He's one of a kind, obviously," San Diego linebacker Shaun Phillips said. "There are not too many running backs in the NFL running 4.2s and 4.3s like he is. He's a special player. He's definitely one of those gifted guys, and again, it's a challenge that we're looking forward to. We play this game for a challenge. If it was easy, if we had Harry Hatchet out there running the ball, it really wouldn't be any fun. The fun part is going against the best. He's supposed to be the best, and we want to get out there and get our opportunity to go against the best."

The Chargers will be going for a franchise-record 7-1 mark on the road on Friday. Why the success away from San Diego this year?

"I think over time when you have the same group of guys here, you develop a mentality, a toughness and an ability to go on the road and play well," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "The best thing we've done is just focus. Our trips have been the same for the most part every trip. The schedule is the same, the routine is the same, and guys approach them as we should, as a business trip. We go and take care of business."

Coach Norv Turner knows the Chargers have quite a challenge in Tennessee in trying to win their 10th straight game.

"We've been there," he said. "It's a tough place to play. They're very good there. They have a guy who is trying to set a record for 2,000 yards or set a record for most yards. Their quarterback is playing awfully well, and they've always been a very, very good defense. They're explosive in the running game, and Vince Young is playing at a higher level. They look very good on tape."

Kicker Nate Kaeding was clutch in Sunday's win with his 52-yard winner, but he knows he can't let his guard down.

"There are a lot of big kicks to be made out here the next month or two," he said. "This one is sweet obviously for us and the whole team, but I'm the last person in the world that's going to get complacent because you look around the league, it's a fragile thing for a kicker, and you've got to stay on top of your game."

The coaches certainly have a history. When Norv Turner was coaching the USC secondary in 1980, Jeff Fisher was one of the cornerbacks.

Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera was a teammate of Fisher's on the Bears.

Few Chargers are nastier than left guard Kris Dielman. What's his take on the history these teams have?

"There's no love lost between our teams," he said. "I love Nashville, but I don't love them."


By The Numbers:

20/20—The Chargers have scored at least 20 points in 20 straight games, including the playoffs. It's the NFL's longest such streak.


Quote To Note:

"These are two real competitive teams, two very good teams. It's a physical style of football. We played them back there and there was some stuff going on there. I didn't see that in the playoff game here. I thought it was handled well the second time we played them."

—Coach Norv Turner, on the bad blood between the Chargers and Titans.

Strategy & Personnel

Keep an eye on the defensive line, as more backup players will have to step up for the Chargers.

DE Jacques Cesaire has a balky elbow that forced him from Sunday's game. He will probably go, but how long he can hold up is a question.

DE Alfonso Boone has been playing well, and he returned last week after missing two games with a knee injury. That knee is worth watching.

Depending on those players' health, backups Travis Johnson and Vaughn Martin—and possibly newcomer Antonio Garay—will see increased playing time.


Player

PERSONNEL NOTES

C Scott Mruczkowski was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

C Eric Ghiaciuc, a four-year pro who was cut at the end of the Chiefs' training camp, signed with the Chargers. Ghiaciuc has 42 career starts, all with the Bengals.

WR Vincent Jackson is coming off his sixth 100-yard receiving game of the season. He has consecutive 1,000-yard seasons now as well.

CB Quentin Jammer has three interceptions, the most he has had since 2006 (four). His knee, though, has been bothering him of late.

QB Philip Rivers will take aim at a struggling pass defense while looking for his career-best 12th straight game with a touchdown pass. Rivers is also a perfect 17-0 in December games.

RT Brandyn Dombrowski is receiving high grades after being thrust into the lineup when Jeromey Clary went down for the season. Friday will be Dombrowski's fifth career start.

S Eric Weddle is looking more comfortable as he returns after missing two games with a knee injury. He was active in his first game back Sunday and is running well.

Game Plan:

The Chargers like to score points, and they have no problem going toe-to-toe in that department. The Titans likely will want to run and play tough defense—not easy against the Chargers.

With Philip Rivers playing as well as he is, the Chargers will go into the air against a passing defense that is nearly at the bottom of the league. With a running game that is still missing, look for the Chargers to use short passes underneath and fling it long to their oversized wideouts.

Considering how weak the Chargers' run defense can be and how quickly Chris Johnson can break off long scoring runs, San Diego's offense will need to carry the day—through the air.

Matchups To Watch:

Chargers run defense, which has been wobbly all year, vs. the Titans running game, featuring Chris Johnson and his quest for 2,000 yards—The Chargers, beset by injuries along the line, can't stop the run with consistency—they are ranked No. 21. And that line could be playing with a banged-up end in Jacques Cesaire (elbow). Counter that against Johnson, who doesn't need much to go a long way. He paces the league's second-ranked running game. With the Titans likely leaning on a running game and defense to win, they figure to give Johnson plenty of chances to prove the San Diego run defense is the soft underbelly of the unit. With Vince Young a threat to take an edge on a scramble, the inside figures to be that much more open for Johnson.

Chargers interior offensive linemen, with No. 3 center Dennis Norman, vs. Titans defensive front—The Chargers are thin inside, with Norman the third man up after injuries to Nick Hardwick and Scott Mruczkowski. And next to Norman is RG Louis Vasquez, who has been playing well but is still a rookie. The Titans counter with Tony Brown, the team's leader with five sacks, and Jovan Haye. The blocking in the middle can be a key with Philip Rivers usually electing to step up and out of harm's way when throwing the deep ball instead of rolling out in either direction. The pocket staying strong in the middle is crucial for the Chargers' long passing game.

Chargers underneath passing game, with TE Antonio Gates, vs. Titans linebackers, missing Keith Bulluck and David Thornton this week—Gates has been on a roll, breaking out spin moves after catches and running like a wide receiver instead of someone his size. And with the Chargers stretching defenses deep, Gates is getting some nice passing lanes. The Titans will counter with a unit missing Bulluck and Thornton for the first time after they went down with injuries.

Injury Impact:

C Nick Hardwick (ankle) worked Tuesday, and the Chargers are hopeful regarding his availability on Friday; he could even start. The Chargers are thin at center.

OLB Shawne Merriman (foot) didn't work Tuesday but will start Friday.

DE Jacques Cesaire (elbow) didn't practice Tuesday but will likely go on Friday.

DE Travis Johnson (groin) was out Tuesday but he will start Friday.

WR Legedu Naanee (foot) didn't practice Tuesday but will go in the game.

ILB Kevin Burnett (neck) worked Tuesday and is on track to play Friday.

P Mike Scifres (groin) kicked Tuesday and is fine.


from Yahoo! Sports

Super Bowl hopes rewrite Norv Turner story

Who is this man nobody wanted?

Who is this man who had a tarnished head coaching track record?

Who is this man they wanted to fire?

The head coach of the Chargers, Norv Turner, is poised for a realistic chance at Super Bowl Sunday and a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

He is quiet, unassuming, egoless — almost introverted.

NFL head coaches come in all sizes, shapes and styles. The great ones carry a unique aura unto themselves.
Tony Dungy, the icon from Indianapolis, was an intellect, rational in thoughts, relationships and spoken word.

New England’s Bill Belichick, is all about possession of ideas and methods, with a mix of paranoia.

Bill Parcells of Giants, Jets, Patriots and Cowboys fame, was dictatorial in style and substance.

Bill Cowher was prototype Pittsburgh — fire and ice, demanding and dedicated.

Tom Coughlin of the Giants is all about details, every minute, every day.

Jimmy Johnson was flare and fury on both sides of the ball during the early-90s Dallas Cowboys heyday.

They were all winners come Super Bowl Sunday — all with different approaches to get to the end result.

Norv Turner is wholly none of the above, yet is working on a platform in which he takes from each.

The Chargers coach is a product of a unique road travelled, one that took him from the Pac-10 to the NFL. A highway that weaved back and forth, working for genius head coaches, gurus, giant egos and oddball idiots. His learning curve to get to this point reads like a Rand McNally Atlas.

Turner cut his teeth working under USC legend John Robinson, where he learned the value of the power running game and intricacies of attacking defenses via “Student Body Right.”

His early indoctrination to the NFL passing game came under Ernie Zampese, the then offensive guru with the Los Angeles Rams. Zampese took everything he could from his days with Air Coryell in San Diego. Turner took the best pages of the Zampese playbook with him.

Turner’s learning curve grew faster as he masterminded schemes to combat the great defenses Jimmy Johnson built with the Dallas Cowboys in practice. Practicing against the best the Cowboys had to offer made his offense the best.

But Turner learned painful lessons, too, as a head coach. If the job were any good, it wouldn’t have been open in the first place.

The road travelled took him to Washington, where he learned quickly that there is a big difference between winning organizations and owners who are losers. He had the Redskins on the right track until Daniel Snyder decided he knew more about football than his football coach. The Redskins have been a miserable failure since.

And his short unhappy stay in Oakland nearly cost him his career. Two years of owner interference from Al Davis almost destroyed his reputation nationwide. He had failed in two places as a head coach, and perception almost became reality. There might never be another chance.

But win-loss records are not the only thing by which coaches are judged. The media viewed Turner, as did the fans, as a coach with a pitiful career record. Some football people, though, knew the real story, of how Turner related to players with a superior approach to Xs and Os. How Turner’s reputation in developing raw skill on offense, outweighed the career marks in unstable organizations. And how his calming approach in the pressurized frenzy of game day calmed everyone.

You knew he was something special, when he got in on the ground floor with Johnson and the Cowboys. In three seasons (1991-93), he built an offense that had been 1-15 in Troy Aikman’s rookie year and wound up with two Super Bowl rings.

The stats are there for everyone to see. Aikman threw 36 picks in two years. Under Turner he threw 49 TDs and 30 interceptions in their three-year run.

Of course Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin played huge roles in that great offense. But Turner had to groom and grow the quarterback so the others would succeed. The running back and receiver combined for 64 touchdowns during Turner’s stay in Dallas.

In Washington, Turner inherited a 3-13 team quarterbacked by journeymen like Gus Frerotte, Brad Johnson and Trent Green. When he was done, he had 3 ½ winning seasons (he was fired in the midst of his final year with a winning record) in six years, but was let go after reaching the playoffs just once.

Washington has since hired Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier, brought back Joe Gibbs and now has Jim Zorn. Those coaches could only manage two winning seasons in nine years under Snyder’s watch.

Turner’s 24-month stay in the Black Hole in Oakland was marked by big statistical seasons by QB Kerry Collins, but marred with a 9-23 record as Al Davis tried to dictate everything. The Raiders are 28-81 since the day they played in the Super Bowl in San Diego in 2003. Turner became a victim like everyone else who has worked there since Jon Gruden left as head coach.

San Diego was much like Dallas. Yes, he inherited talent. Yes, he changed the playbook. Yes, he has been given a gifted quarterback and took over with the greatest talent the league had at running back. But for Turner, it has become a laboratory experiment. Grow Philip Rivers, add greatness at tight end in Antonio Gates, mix and match LaDainian Tomlinson and a host of role-playing receivers.

The end result now is a dynamic, diverse offensive team that can beat you many different ways on any given Sunday, in the regular season or postseason. Everyone, at one time or another, is involved in his 550-page playbook.

Turner is part Parcells-Belichick, paranoid; part-Coughlin-Cowher, attention to every detail; part Johnson, flair on offense and fury from his defense; and part-Dungy, smart, unassuming and ultra-confident.

No one wanted him; no one respected his record; no one wanted to keep him. San Diego does and will as the win in Dallas was reportedly followed with an offer for a contract extension.

Now Norv Turner — good man and good coach — appears ready to be something now no one ever thought possible. A true winner.

Lee Hamilton hosts “Sportswatch” (3-7 p.m.) weekdays on XX-1090, was the longtime voice of the Chargers, broadcasts NFL games for the Compass Media Networks and the San Diego Press club has honored his SDNN columns.

Link

Chargers Injury Report - 12/9/09

Boone, Alfonso (DE) Knee / DNP
Castillo, Luis (DE) Calf / FP
Dielman, Kris (G) Not Injury Related / DNP (baby born - congratualtions)
Hardwick, Nick (C) Ankle / DNP
Jammer, Quentin (CB) Toe / FP
Johnson, Travis (DE-DT) Groin / DNP
McNeill, Marcus (T) Ankle / FP
Merriman, Shawne (OLB) Foot / LP
Naanee, Legedu (WR) Foot / DNP
Phillips, Shaun (OLB) Ankle / DNP
Scifres, Mike (P) Groin / FP
Weddle, Eric (FS) Knee / DNP

Practice Status
DNP = Did not participate in practice
LP = Limited Participation in Practice - Less than 100% of a player's normal repetitions
FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions

Chargers say they need public money for stadium

For seven years, the San Diego Chargers have said they would build a new stadium without using taxpayer money. Thursday, a team spokesman said otherwise.

“It’s almost certainly going to involve some sort of taxpayer money,” said Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani, who has led the team’s stadium search since 2002.

“Now the question is: Can you say to the taxpayers you’re putting in this, but here’s what you’re getting back? And you know, it’s possible you can make that case.”

It’s a significant shift for the team, which has always expressed a desire to finance stadium construction privately and acknowledged via Fabiani the difficulty of getting public support for any kind of taxpayer subsidy.

Fabiani’s latest comments came in an interview after he made a pitch for a new stadium and chief operating officer Jim Steeg touted the team’s value to the community at a morning gathering of the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce at Sony headquarters in Rancho Bernardo.

Fabiani was updating the crowd of 40 or 50 people on early efforts by the city and team to evaluate a potential stadium site in downtown San Diego east of Petco Park.

That location is in the city’s downtown redevelopment area, so it’s possible that the city could borrow money against future property taxes to help finance a stadium.

Mayor Jerry Sanders has long said he would oppose using public funds toward construction of a new stadium, but an aide said last month that the Mayor’s Office is looking at all ways cities have helped with stadium construction, including infrastructure financing and borrowing money against future redevelopment revenues downtown.

Thursday, Fabiani told the crowd a stadium could be built downtown for $700 million to $800 million. In the past, it has been said that the Chargers and the National Football League might contribute $200 million apiece to a stadium, and that the gap would be bridged by nearby ancillary development such as hotels, condos and retail.

The team has set aside that idea because of the poor economy and the small size of the downtown site, which is bounded by 14th, 16th and K streets and Imperial Avenue. Plans call for a 62,000-seat stadium to abut the street and expand to 72,000 seats to accommodate Super Bowls, with little room to build much else in the way of ancillary development.

Fabiani told the crowd Thursday about the need for creative financing and twice said a new financing model was something people must “wrap their heads around.”

Afterward, he said the team has “no interest in obscuring” from people its shift on public financing because it wants support from voters to achieve its goals.

Fabiani again said Thursday that the team wants to put any stadium measure onto a public ballot.

“We have no interest in spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, even into the millions, on this site, and then finding out that nobody wants to support it,” he said. “We think we should lay it out on the table right now that this is a very different kind of site, that it’s not the same model that we’ve used before, that people need to adjust their thinking about that, and that you’re not going to have ancillary development on the same site.”

A push to use public money would face opposition from Donna Frye, the longest-serving member of the San Diego City Council, whose district includes Qualcomm Stadium.

“My main point will always be that the taxpayers don’t foot the bill,” she said last week. “We cannot afford to pay for a Chargers stadium. The city can’t afford it. That would include any money from the redevelopment agency.”

link

San Diego Super Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs injury report

HERE'S HOW THE CHARGERS VS CHIEFS INJURY REPORT BREAKS DOWN TO

Luis Castillo
DE
Calf
Did Not Participate In Practice
Doubtful

Shawne Merriman
LB
Foot
Did Not Participate In Practice
Questionable

Nick Hardwick
C
Ankle
Limited Participation in Practice
Questionable

Vincent Jackson
WR
Ribs
Full Participation in Practice
Probable

Travis Johnson
DE
Groin
Full Participation in Practice
Probable

Shaun Phillips
LB
Ankle
Full Participation in Practice
Probable

Mike Scifres
P
left Groin
Full Participation in Practice
Probable

Chargers sign Runyan, place Clary on IR

SAN DIEGO (AP) -The San Diego Chargers have placed right tackle Jeromey Clary on injured reserve and signed free agent Jon Runyan.
Clary injured a ligament in his left ankle in Sunday's 32-3 win at Denver.
Runyan hasn't played since the end of last season. He wasn't re-signed by the Eagles after having microfracture surgery on his right knee.
Runyan never missed a game in nine years with the Eagles, starting 192 straight regular-season games.
He turns 36 on Friday.
General manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner didn't immediately return calls seeking comment Tuesday evening.
Earlier this month, Runyan said he's considering running for Congress in New Jersey's 3rd District.Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/wires/11/24/2020.ap.fbn.chargers.runyan.0196/#ixzz0Y0JYM6Iz Get a free NFL Team Jacket and Tee with SI Subscription

Chargers receive 24-hour extension

The Chargers received a 24-hour extension from the NFL to reach a sellout and lift the TV blackout for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the shortened work week, the National Football League granted the Chargers a 24-hour extension in an effort to reach a sellout and lift the local television blackout of this Sunday’s Chargers-Chiefs game. The team now has until 1:05 pm PT on Friday to sell the remaining 3,500 tickets.

Tickets are available now at the Chargers’ ticket office at Gate C at Qualcomm Stadium, at www.Chargers.com and through TicketMaster at 800-745-3000.

NFL Preview - Kansas City (3-7) at San Diego (7-3)

It's the AFC West, so something's gotta give.
Just a week after the Denver Broncos' six-game season-starting win streak reached four games on the flip side, the conference's warm-weather division is host to another watershed contest.
Well...sort of.
In one corner, the suddenly white-hot San Diego Chargers, who've turned yet another disappointing 2-3 start into yet another five-game skein that's given them ownership of the division's premier standings spot.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs enter with mediocrity's version of a hot streak after winning two in a row since the addition-by-subtraction move that sent Larry Johnson packing.
First-year coach Todd Haley's squad began turning around a 1-7 start with a not-so-surprising downing of the equally hapless Oakland Raiders in Week 10, then continued the climb with a much-more-shocking OT defeat of the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers seven days later.
Ryan Succop's 22-yard field goal in the extra session capped off a nine-point day Sunday and kick-started another game week's worth of optimism in the Missouri plains.
"I'm a rookie head coach and am passionate about what I do," Haley said. "I live and die every day on how it goes with this team - not just game day. When you care about something, there is going to be some emotion. It's easy to be positive when good things are happening."
The turnaround has registered with the media as well, yielding equally positive commentary from Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock.
"Good things happen when you expect positive results, when you put your mind in a positive place, when you treat the people fighting with you like they have as much invested in the outcome as you do," Whitlock said in a post-game piece Sunday.
"Haley's transformation from coaching mad man to competent leader has been going on for several weeks. Sunday, he finally struck the right balance. His team reflected his new spirit. The players wanted to shock the Steelers as much as their coach, whose father played and worked for the Steelers.
"Are things perfect between Haley and his players? No. But there's been a lot of progress."
As for the Chargers, their late-season brand of progress is hardly new.
Coach Norv Turner and Co. stumbled from the gate an inglorious 4-8 in 2008, then won four straight at the end to catch the Broncos and win the division en route to a second-round playoff appearance.
They began the stretch drive a bit earlier this time around, downing the Chiefs by 30 on Oct. 25 before subsequent defeats of Oakland, the New York Giants, Philadelphia and the Broncos, the last of which came last week by 29 points.
Denver had won the first go-round this season by 11.
The Chargers are 19-4 against the West since 2006 and have won three straight in the division.
"When you go beat a team like that, sometimes people assume, 'You went to Kansas City and you should beat them because they're not very good,' or 'You beat Oakland because they aren't very good,'" Turner said.
"Then you turn around and see Kansas City beat Pittsburgh and Oakland beat Cincinnati, two pretty good football teams, then it starts to reconfirm some of the things I believe. Maybe I haven't lost it completely in terms of understanding completely what this league is all about."
SERIES HISTORY
Kansas City holds a 50-47-1 lead in a regular season series with San Diego that dates back to 1960, when the Chiefs franchise was known as the Dallas Texans and the Chargers resided in Los Angeles. The Chargers have won four straight in the series, including a 37-7 win when they visited Kansas City in Week 7 and a home-and-home sweep of the Chiefs last season. San Diego took one-point nail-biters at both Qualcomm Stadium (20-19) in Week 10 and Arrowhead Stadium (22-21) in Week 15 of last year. The Chiefs last defeated the Chargers in 2007, when they came up a 30-16 winner in their trip to Qualcomm Stadium.
In addition to their regular season history, the teams have met once in the postseason, with the Chargers scoring a 17-0 home victory over the Chiefs in a 1992 AFC First-Round Playoff.
Turner is 4-6 against the Chiefs as a head coach, including 4-1 since taking over in San Diego. Kansas City's Haley is 0-1 against both Turner and the Chargers as a head coach.
WHEN THE CHIEFS HAVE THE BALL
Bereft of its two most identifiable names from the beginning of the season - Johnson and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (suspension) - the Chiefs turned to no- name running back Jamaal Charles against the Steelers and were rewarded with a 97-yard kickoff return TD and a subsequent scoring catch from quarterback Matt Cassel. Recent acquisition Chris Chambers, an ex-Charger, is another key addition and caught four passes for 119 yards, including a game-high 61-yarder. He's averaged 24.9 yards per catch since joining Kansas City. Cassel, who led the New England Patriots to 11 wins in place of Tom Brady last season before a high-profile trade, completed 15-of-30 passes against Pittsburgh for 248 yards and a pair of scores. Cassel is 13-11 as a starter and has 32 TDs and an 84.6 passer rating. Tight end Leonard Pope caught his first TD pass last week since December 2007 with Arizona.
The Chargers continued a recent trend of stinginess against Denver, holding the Broncos to less than 300 yards of total offense to drop their weekly average for the season to a slightly more respectable 321.1. Of that total, 118.5 is on the ground and 202.6 is through the air. Linebacker Shaun Phillips leads a pressure-heavy defense with six sacks, two ahead of fellow linebacker Shawne Merriman. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie has three of the team's 10 interceptions. Linebacker Stephen Cooper, a product of the University of Maine, leads with 77 tackles - 57 solo. Phillips has 5.5 sacks in his last six games against the Chiefs, while Cromartie seeks a third straight game overall with an interception. Yet another linebacker, Kevin Burnett, had two sacks against Denver last week and has registered a career-best three so far in 2009. The Chargers had three interceptions in the teams' first matchup this season.
WHEN THE CHARGERS HAVE THE BALL
Don't look now, but standout running back LaDainian Tomlinson is turning back the clock. The former TCU star rumbled for 73 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos, a week after going for 96 yards and two touchdowns in a defeat of the Eagles. He averages 90.6 yards per game against Kansas City and has 458 yards on 135 carries overall. The rushing attack of Tomlinson and Mike Tolbert provided the bulk of a 203-yard ground attack against Denver. On average, though, San Diego picks up just 87.9 of its 336.2 total weekly yards via rush. In the air, quarterback Philip Rivers needs 379 yards to hit 3,000 for the fourth straight season. He is 9-2 at home against the West with an 84.1 passer rating. Wideout Vincent Jackson is a TD short of surpassing a career-high set last year. Tight end Antonio Gates, who leads the team with 52 catches, has nine TDs against the Chiefs - his most against any foe.
Stoutness hasn't been a hallmark of the KC defense, which has allowed a hefty 389.5 yards per week even with the two recent wins. Nearly 140 come on the ground, while 250.9 are through the air. Even the Steelers gashed the Chiefs, with Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger going for 32 completions, 398 passing yards and three TDs in defeat. A plus-3 turnover margin has helped turn the tide, including four interceptions in the past two games. Linebacker Andy Studebaker had his first two career picks against Pittsburgh and returned one 94 yards. End Wallace Gilberry and linebacker Tamba Hall each have 3.5 of the team's 15 sacks through 10 games. Linebacker DeMorrio Williams has a team-best 84 tackles and has deflected two passes. Helping the field position game has been busy punter Dustin Colquitt, who leads the league with 29 punts inside the 20-yard-line.
FANTASY FOCUS
For the Chiefs, a motivated Chambers is a logical choice against ex-mates, and the suddenly surging Charles is emerging as a much more pleasant alternative to the exiled Johnson. For the Chargers, it's the usual suspects - Tomlinson, Jackson, Gates, Rivers - against what figures to be a generous defense. Speaking of defense, San Diego's is more likely to provide worthwhile points. OVERALL ANALYSIS
OK, we'll bite on a few fairy tales. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, heck... even the Great Pumpkin makes the list. But not the Chiefs on the road against a first-place divisional foe in the season's final stages. The matchups are too heavy in San Diego's favor, even in what some could portray as a trap.
Bottom line, the Chargers are too good. And Kansas City, well... isn't.
Sports Network predicted outcome: Chargers 27, Chiefs 14

Chargers Clip the Eagles 31-23

By the time the Chargers took the field on Sunday they knew that if they were to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, they would be tied for 1st place in the AFC West thanks to the Redskins pulling off the upset and beating the Denver Broncos 27-17.

LaDainian Tomlinson looked like his old self today as he ran for a season-high 96 yards and he also scored twice.

Asked if something happened that gave him motivation, L.T. got a little emotional.
"I don't know if I want to talk about it," he said. "My wife is pregnant. I found out before the game. She left me a gift in my locker. It said, 'Open immediately.' I thought it was a necklace. It was a pregnancy test."

The child will be the couple's first. LaTorsha Tomlinson suffered a miscarriage in 2005.Today Tomlinson passed Thurman Thomas and Franco Harris and moved into 12th place all-time with 12,145 yards. His two touchdowns gave him 146 and moved him past Marcus Allen and into third place on the all-time list.

When LT was asked about his recent accomplishments he said "It's kind of surreal, I grew up watching all those guys. It's mind-boggling that I am third all-time."

Tomlinson has been hearing all the talk about the fact that’s he’s done, that his career is over, but he seemed to really enjoys his play today. As he scored his second touchdown today, the chants of “LT LT LT” could be heard all over the stadium. "I'm still effective," he said. "That's all that counts. Still finding ways to help this team win."

So now the Chargers and Broncos are both 6-3 and they meet each other next Sunday in Denver. It was just four weeks ago that the Chargers season was in jeopardy , 3 ½ games back after losing 34-23 to the then-undefeated Broncos. The Broncos still hold the tiebreaker in the division since they beat the Chargers back on October 19th.

Phillip Rivers was asked about the current AFC West standings "We didn't know it would happen this fast, we believed we could get ourselves back in it."

The Eagles (5-4) had trouble scoring touchdowns once they entered the red zone, they settled for 3 field goals from inside the 10 yard line.

“When you have those opportunities to score we have to pound it in there," McNabb said. "We definitely tried, but credit to them, they stopped us, obviously, from running the ball into the end zone."

Donovan McNabb threw for a season-high 450 yards in today’s loss, completing 35 of 55, and two late touchdowns. His only interception was on the last play of the game when Antonio Cromartie grabbed his pass in the end zone.

Phillip Rivers threw touchdown passes of 20 yards to wide-open fullback Mike Tolbert in the first quarter and 20 yards to Legedu Naanee in the third quarter. Rivers was 20 of 25 for 231 yards and no interceptions, with a rating of 131.8.

“This doesn’t mean anything other than that we’re a 6-3 team that’s made a lot of improvement,” Rivers said. “It doesn’t put us in any category. It doesn’t make us anything other than that, but it does give us a lot of confidence.”

So the Chargers have won 4 in a row and the Broncos have a 3 game losing streak heading into next weeks battle for the lead in the AFC West. There are still issues that need to be addressed by San Diego, but one thing is for sure, they are improving each week and it appears the Broncos are digressing.

NOTES:

Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton had to leave the game today with a high ankle sprain and his status for next week is not yet know.

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook was knocked out with another concussion. He had missed the previous two games during a win against Washington on Oct. 26.

Vincent Jackson only had 1 catch for 10 yards.

Chargers Right tackle Jeromey Clary left the game with a sprained ankle.

Source: http://www.boltbulletin.com/2009/11/by-time-chargers-took-field-on-sunday.html

Chargers knock out Eagles 31-23

Ladainian Tomlinson had a big day running for 96 yards and 2 TD's

Legedu Naanae caught 1 TD and had 3 catches for 42 yards and 10 yards rushing

Mike Tolbert caught 2 passes for 25 yards and 1 TD.

Philip Rivers threw for 231 yards and 2 TD's

The team celebrated in the locker room after they beat the Eagles

Photos from http://www.chargers.com

Chargers vs. Eagles Injury Report

Here's how the injury report breaks down for week 10 vs. the Eagles

OUT
C Nick Hardwick, -ankle-
LB Jyles Tucker, -ankle-


DOUBTFUL
LB Tim Dobbins, -knee-

QUESTIONABLE
LB Shawne Merriman, -foot-
DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo, -ankle-
LB Shaun Phillips, -ankle-

PROBABLE
LB Kevin Burnett, -ankle-
TE Antonio Gates, -foot-
DE Travis Johnson, -groin-
P Mike Scifres, -groin-
RB LaDainian Tomlinson, -hip-