Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

No 'snowball' chance in this Chargers visit

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November 7

New York Post

"The Chargers haven't played in Giants Stadium in nearly 14 years, but their last trip was a memorable -- and ugly -- one. San Diego beat the Giants, 27-17, in the regular-season finale on Dec. 23, 1995, but the outcome was nearly overshadowed by the behavior of the Giants' fans in what came to be known as the "Snowball Game." Chargers players and personnel were pelted with snow and ice from the stands throughout the game. "It was a miserable end to a miserable season," said Pat Hanlon, the Giants vice president of communications, who was the director of public relations at the time. "It was an absolute nightmare." The lowlight came when San Diego equipment manager Sid Brooks was knocked ..."

Giants bench Brown; LB Boley could start

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November 7

New York Post

"The Giants have lost three straight heading into tomorrow's game against the Chargers, surrendering at least 40 points in two of them, so something was bound to change on defense. That turned out to be good news for safety Aaron Rouse, who will replace C.C. Brown in the starting lineup. The Giants will find out soon whether it's good news for them. Brown seemed to agree with the decision. "There's nothing for me to get mad about," Brown said after practice yesterday. "I can't try to blame anybody but myself. It's my own fault." Brown was burned on several of the long passes during the Giants' recent slide. That leaves Rouse, who was signed after Kenny Phillips was lost for the season ..."

Ways for Big Blue to turn season around

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November 6

New York Post

columnist Steve Serby

"As the Yankees ride down the Canyon of Heroes today, the Giants hunker down inside their bunker and try to right a season gone terribly wrong and teetering ominously on a tightrope. New York's unrequited love belonged to them only two years ago, and they yearn for another exhilarating ride into the city's heart and soul, and do not care to wait nine years as the Yankees did. Even as we celebrate the Yankees today, we fix the Giants: YOU CAN'T BE ELI-TE IF YOU'RE NOT EFFICIENT: We're talking to you, Eli Manning. Just because you have single coverage deep down the sideline doesn't mean you should automatically take the shot EVERY TIME. If you need four yards for the first down, resist the ..."

Foundering Giants need to regain winning swagger

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November 6

New York Post

"So what has gone wrong for the Giants during their three-game slide? How about everything, says Sirius host and Giants' play-by-play man Bob Papa. "The thing that sticks out at me is they are breaking down in all phases," Papa said. "It's kick coverage, missed throws, missed blocks, missed tackles, guys out of position — it's un-Coughlin like to be honest with you. It's a lot of little things that have added up to big headaches and that's what they are dealing with right now." The Giants were 5-0 and considered by some to be the best team in the NFL. But that was before a home loss to the Cardinals was sandwiched between road thrashings by the Saints and Eagles. Big Blue returns to the ..."

Eli, Rivers to battle for 1st time since draft-day trade

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November 6

New York Post

""With the fourth pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Giants select Philip Rivers, quarterback, North Carolina State." Those words never triggered a rush of excitement from Rivers and never prompted the Giants to envision Rivers wearing their uniform. The intricacies of a draft-day trade necessitated the Giants taking Rivers three picks after the Chargers made Eli Manning the No. 1 overall selection, even though Manning had already stated he wanted no part of playing in San Diego. It didn't take long from there for the details to get ironed out and for the Giants to send three draft picks to the Chargers as the two teams exchanged players they hoped would develop into franchise quarterbacks. ..."

Hardwick unlikely to play vs. Giants

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November 6

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Hardwick, who had surgery Sept. 23 to repair ligaments in his left ankle, practiced for the fifth time. He has progressively done more, and he could be available in an emergency Sunday. Returning next week against Philadelphia or Nov. 22 at Denver is more likely. "I'm just going to listen to my body," Hardwick said. "You have to be able to perform at a high level.""

In a down economy, NFL viewership is up

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November 6

Washington Post

"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."

Rivers, Manning forever linked by draft

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November 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"For all Philip Rivers and Eli Manning have been mentioned together, they have hardly ever met. So much time has passed, and the whole thing never was personal between them anyway. And they don't really play against each other. So this is all a little bit about nothing pertinent, really. Except that one will never be extricated from the other."

Chambers sought legal help vs. ex-girlfriend

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November 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Former Pro Bowl receiver Chris Chambers went from one AFC West Division team to another this week in part because of an ongoing off-the-field situation involving his ex-girlfriend and his wife. The issue dates back at least seven months and includes an extramarital affair, a pending divorce, Chambers' request for a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend and several lurid text messages from the woman to his wife, court records show. Ultimately, Chambers - who admitted the Chargers had told him they had concerns about his personal situation - was released Monday, during a season in which his production was significantly down. He was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday."

Hardwick practices; Sunday return possible

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November 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick took yet another step toward a return to the lineup Wednesday. For the first time since sustaining an opening-game injury to his left ankle, Hardwick delivered snaps during live practice and may be available for Sunday's game against the New York Giants at East Rutherford, N.J. "There's a possibility," head coach Norv Turner said. "We'll see where he's at (today), whether he has any setbacks. I think it'd be hard for him to play this week, but maybe he could play in an emergency situation." As it is, Hardwick is ahead of the schedule that was projected for him, especially after he underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments Sept. 23. His snaps were ..."

Gates was limited in Chargers practice Wednesday.

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November 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick took yet another step toward a return to the lineup Wednesday. For the first time since sustaining an opening-game injury to his left ankle, Hardwick delivered snaps during live practice and may be available for Sunday's game against the New York Giants at East Rutherford, N.J. "There's a possibility," head coach Norv Turner said. "We'll see where he's at (today), whether he has any setbacks. I think it'd be hard for him to play this week, but maybe he could play in an emergency situation." As it is, Hardwick is ahead of the schedule that was projected for him, especially after he underwent surgery to repair torn ligaments Sept. 23. His snaps were ..."

Jackson's DUI case on hold for now

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November 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"In June, Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson tried to have a judge throw out blood-alcohol evidence against him stemming from his arrest on a drunken-driving charge Jan. 6. San Diego Superior Court Judge Cynthia Bashant rejected that request, leading Jackson to appeal her ruling in July. Jackson's appeal attempt delayed the case until recently, when the appeal attempt was dismissed as being "premature." Now Jackson is back to square one in court. He can choose to plead guilty to a charge or head toward trial. Either way, his attorney, Cole Casey, said Jackson won't have to deal with it until after the Chargers season. "I'm just going to continue it until after the season is over," Casey ..."

Chargers' defining time

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November 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"There are certain games that give direction to a season, define a team, make a career. The Chargers are going to the Big Apple - actually New Jersey, but a big stage nonetheless - to play one of those games. And no one can dispute it. Defensive end Luis Castillo, not quite halfway through what has so far been his best NFL season, has been reticent to say much of substance since the start of training camp. He's just trying to make it through a year healthy, helping a team that struggled to a 2-3 start before winning two straight. One of the most engaging and well-spoken Chargers since he came to San Diego in 2005, Castillo has been utterly and purposefully boring. But he did not ..."

Source: Chiefs claim Chambers

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November 3

ESPN.com

"It didn't take long for wide receiver Chris Chambers to find work. The veteran Chambers, released Monday by the San Diego Chargers, was claimed on waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Chargers coach Norv Turner said Monday the Chargers released Chambers because of the emergence of Malcom Floyd and the need to sign a linebacker because of an injury to Tim Dobbins. Because Chambers was claimed, the Chargers won't have to pay the $2.25 million they owe him."

Chargers part ways with Chambers

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November 3

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers parted ways with Chris Chambers Monday. For so many reasons. Officially, and legitimately, the emergence of Malcom Floyd as a dependable target and big-play threat made the struggling Chambers expendable after two years in San Diego."

Source: Chargers waive Chambers

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November 2

ESPN.com

"The San Diego Chargers have waived veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers, a league source said Monday. Chambers must clear waivers in order to play for another team. Each team will have chance to claim him by 4 p.m. Tuesday. If another team claims Chambers, the Chargers won't have to pay the $2.25 million they owe him."

Jackson has rare receiving day against Oakland

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November 2

San Francisco Chronicle

"Raiders coach Tom Cable said the secondary played "too soft" in pass coverage, allowing the Chargers to make big gains on 3rd-and-long situations. Worst of all, Jackson was left completely uncovered in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Cable blamed it on a miscommunication during a blitz call. "It's real shocking," Raiders strong safety Tyvon Branch said. Trash talk: Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman got his first and second sacks of the season, doing the "Light's Out" dance for the first time since last season's knee surgery. Left tackle Mario Henderson gave up both but wasn't impressed by Merriman's "wiggle" moves. "I'm sick right now because it's not ..."

Deja vu, all over again for the Raiders

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November 2

Contra Costa Times

"The Raiders ended the first half of their season Sunday in much the same manner as it started: with coach Tom Cable facing allegations of physical abuse, quarterback JaMarcus Russell struggling and the San Diego Chargers walking off the field with yet another victory against them. Once again, the Raiders played just well enough against the Chargers to feel as if they could have won the game. Once again, they exited the stadium with a loss, this time 24-16 at Qualcomm Stadium. "This is just one of those rivalry games that you always get up for and you know all the fans will be up for this game," Chargers tight end Antonio Gates said. "You just want to let everybody know that San Diego is ..."

LT cashes in on 'wildcat' strike

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November 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It was his turn. Man, was it. After all, he'd already carried the ball roughly 2,700 times since hitting the National Football League, carried it for almost an even 12,000 yards. Over nine years, LaDainian Tomlinson had gotten his hands on the ball just about every other way there is. It was last year that he saw the so-called "wildcat" first-hand, and the Miami Dolphins brought it to San Diego with them this season, the direct snap to the running back. This being the NFL, too, no new idea goes unnoticed or unborrowed."

Raiders just a bit testy after latest loss in the valley

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November 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"As the Raiders saw it after Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Chargers, this was one game they entered Mission Valley expecting to win, but didn't. Chargers win, again. That's been the headline the last 13 times these old AFC West rivals have met. Only the Chargers' inept running game and a fumble by returner Darren Sproles in the third quarter allowed the game to stay mildly interesting to the end. "We're not into moral victories anymore," said Raiders running back Justin Fargas, who had a tough 59 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries."

Chargers still have big issues at goal line

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November 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"With vampires being the American rage these days, it's almost a pity Al Davis no longer can slip under the cover of darkness and go for the jugular. That's almost. Too many moments in the sun obviously have sapped the Raiders' dark knight and his NFL franchise of the strength it once had. Now it's the Chargers, once the Prince of Darkness' own, personal blood bank, who continually drive a stake through his heart. The Raiders have been awful for years -- their mystique, their greatness, a memory -- and San Diego is average at best. But it doesn't seem to matter. Average rules."

After 22 months, Merriman finally back in the sacking business

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November 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Shawne Merriman was all over the field in Kansas City. He had shown glimpses of being himself against Denver. "I think the last few weeks I've been doing a pretty damn good job," Merriman said. "I was explosive, coming off the edge. I don't put my emphasis on what everyone else's emphasis is." But now everyone knows he's back. Even Merriman."

Humility is in the blood for Byrd

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November 2

Buffalo News

columnist Jerry Sullivan

"Gill Byrd played 10 seasons in the NFL, all with the San Diego Chargers. He was a cornerback, a two-time Pro Bowler. He holds the Chargers' career record with 42 interceptions. Byrd knows a thing or two about playing defensive back. The first requirement is an ability to put the bad plays behind you. You need to have a short memory to survive as long as Byrd did as a cornerback. But he doesn't remember ever having to tell his son, Jairus. "But I know he got it," Byrd said from Chicago, where he is a secondary coach for the Bears. "A lot of the things you convey to your kids aren't taught. They're caught. It's not what you say directly, but how you live your life, the way you treat other ..."

Blitzing, pressure worked for defense against Chiefs

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October 30

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers free safety Eric Weddle ran around Chiefs left tackle Wade Smith as if he were standing still, taking down Matt Cassel from behind for the first sack on a day in which the Chargers would have a season-high five. That was on Kansas City's sixth offensive snap, and already Weddle had blitzed three times. By the time the third quarter was finished - and the Chargers had pulled back the throttle a tad on defense - Weddle would blitz five times. He and his fellow defensive backs (safety Paul Oliver and nickel back Steve Gregory) would blitz a total of 12 times in 45 plays. Head coach Norv Turner had been pushing for more pressure from his defense for a while, becoming increasingly ..."

Chargers in rush to get running game fixed

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October 30

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Jacob Hester blocked a safety out wide, Brandon Manumaleuna and Brandyn Dombrowski walled off the end inside, and Louis Vasquez sprinted across to bowling ball a linebacker and another safety as LaDainian Tomlinson squirted past on his way into the end zone. But then, that never officially happened, as referee Peter Morelli didn't register Dombrowski reporting as an eligible receiver. The Chargers were moved back 5 yards."

Hardwick back at practice, 35 days after surgery

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October 29

San Diego Union-Tribune

"This being the week of Halloween, Chargers center Nick Hardwick was back yesterday in what he called "the costume." That would be a practice jersey and helmet, and though Hardwick might still be at least a couple weeks away from game action, his presence with the team on the practice field was a welcome sight for the Chargers. Hardwick was limited to only individual work, but called it "an exciting small step." "It felt good to get back in the costume," Hardwick said. "We don't know how close or far I am yet. It just depends on how I feel tomorrow, and then we'll go stress it again tomorrow and see how I feel. It's a process.""

For now, Gregory's gain is Cason's loss

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October 29

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Steve Gregory experiment having worked out in its first incarnation, Norv Turner this week made a point to portray the switch at the nickel back position as a sort of change of scenery for all involved. "When you make a move like we did, you can either look at it and say it's a positive move for Steve Gregory and our football team," the Chargers head coach said, "or you say it's a negative because we've moved someone." Antoine Cason, while determined to accept the former, seethes quietly. He most definitely sees the latter much clearer."

Nose tackle seems to have the right mix

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October 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers may have found their balance at nose tackle with a rotation of Travis Johnson, Ian Scott and Ogemdi Nwagbuo. No longer able to count on the dominance of Jamal Williams, who is on injured reserve after surgery on a torn triceps, the Chargers are rotating that trio in the middle of the defensive line. All three weigh more than 300 pounds and can be physical enough for up to about 20 plays a game. Add those three to right end Jacques Cesaire, playing better each week as he recovers from a calf strain, and left end Luis Castillo, who is having his best season, and the Chargers are much improved against the run. Ranked 27th in rushing yards allowed per game (151) and 23rd in ..."

To know Norv is to love him (no, really!)

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October 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Norv Turner is The Accidental Dichotomy. Nothing about him is controversial, while everything about him is controversial. And he really doesn't have to try hard to be either. Those who know the Chargers head coach love him. Those who don't, or those who think they might and don't, flatly can't stand him and would prefer his next outfit be made of tar and feathers. Interesting. When the Chargers lose, I hear from dozens of Anti-Norvites within minutes of the final whistle. Not even Satan should hear some of this stuff. But, when they win, as they did convincingly Sunday in Kansas City? Very little. The immediacy of a win has a way of muzzling the detractors – until it wears off. When the ..."

Chambers just hasn't caught on in 2009

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October 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chris Chambers was acquired at the trading deadline in 2007 and became arguably the single-biggest catalyst to a turnaround that saw the Chargers advance to that season's AFC Championship Game. He caught almost everything he got his hands on, making remarkable and crucial catches seem routine. Now, Chambers is on the clock. Indications are that the veteran receiver will be given more time to right himself but also that there is not infinite patience with his inability to get open, make catches and become a reliable target once again. "We've got to get him going," head coach Norv Turner said Monday. "He's got to get right.""

Chiefs take a step back in loss to Chargers

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs were still feeling good about themselves when reality intervened. It wasn't so much the fact that their winning streak was stopped as the way it happened. They reverted to early-season form Sunday in a 37-7 loss to San Diego at Arrowhead Stadium. That type of defeat, coming one week after their feel-good victory in Washington, seemed to blindside everyone in a throwback Dallas Texans uniform. "I think it did," running back Larry Johnson said. "I don't know what was going through our heads at the time. I don't know whether it was false happiness or thinking that … San Diego was just going to lie down because they played the Monday night game. "I don't know what it was." The ..."

Chiefs blunder as the Chargers thunder to a 37-7 victory at Arrowhead

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"So much for any momentum generated from the Chiefs' only win of the season. The Chiefs surrendered a multitude of big plays by the San Diego Chargers and lost 37-7 today in front of a rain-soaked crowd announced at 69,337 at Arrowhead Stadium. A week after the Chiefs' victory at Washington, they couldn't handle San Diego's playmakers and fell to 1-6 going into their bye week. It was the Chiefs' worst loss since a 34-0 defeat at Carolina in week five of last season. The Chargers snapped a two-game losing streak and evened their record at 3-3. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers riddled the Chiefs with three touchdown passes, and backup running back Jacob Hester applied the final touch by ..."

Defensive lapses lead to Chargers' big plays

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October 26

Kansas City Star

"There wasn't much to say. The big plays happened, the Chiefs were blown out, and a group of discouraged and overmatched defenders struggled to explain why. San Diego used six plays that gained at least 20 yards, including two 51-yarders that made Kansas City's secondary look bad - and the team's locker room look discouraged and confused after the Chargers' 37-7 walloping at Arrowhead Stadium. "That was pretty embarrassing," Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr said. "To get beat by that large margin." For the first three quarters, before San Diego finally let off the accelerator, the Chiefs looked disorganized, confused and out of place against the Chargers' talented offense. And for the second ..."

After struggles, safeties get in sync

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The embattled Chargers safeties yesterday played, well, the way they're supposed to. "We made tackles, we covered the right people and we got pressure on the quarterback," free safety Eric Weddle said. " .?.?. Everyone was doing their job. When everyone does that, you can see what we're capable of." Blitzing at least 10 times among them, the safeties accounted for an interception, a sack and a quarterback hurry. Add in safety-turned-nickel back Steve Gregory's half-dozen blitzes, interception, sack and hurry, and it was a day to be encouraged by and learn from."

Beating good team will be true test

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Turns out ... The Chargers can run. They can stop the run. Their safeties can make plays. They can get off the field on third down. They can pressure a quarterback. They can protect their own quarterback. They can do a lot of things. Against the Kansas City Chiefs."

Smilin' in the rain

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers were smiling as they ran in from the rain. Powder blue-clad fans, pretty much the only ones left in Arrowhead Stadium yesterday, lined the stands above the tunnel to the Chargers' locker room, cheering Norv Turner's team in the house that Marty built. Team President Dean Spanos stood outside the locker room, congratulating every player and coach that passed. It was a victory. "It's one game," LaDainian Tomlinson said after the Chargers beat the Chiefs 37-7. "We're building the confidence. I think we're going to continue to build from here, and hopefully we continue to play well.""

Bolts regain some grip, take big chunks off Chiefs

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October 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"If the bellyaching Chargers fans are looking for real pangs in their breadbasket, then they should come here, to America's breadbasket, and nosh on the inedible Chiefs. A few weeks of these guys would have them scrambling back home, begging for forgiveness from the merciful San Diego football gods. "Honest, honest, I'll never say anything bad about the Chargers or Norv Turner or A.J. Smith or the Spanoses again. Please don't send me back to Midwestern hell." OK. We're not going to get into one of these things, that the Chiefs stink - and do - so there can be no other reason why the Chargers came into Arrowhead Stadium yesterday and put a 37-7 whippin' on their hosts."

Basically, Chargers have lost their way

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October 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

"If it's not going to do some things well against this Chiefs team, the 2009 version of the Chargers will probably never do them. Win today, there is life, a pulse to monitor. Lose, and it is safe to book January vacations. At 2-3 entering their game against the Chiefs (1-5) at Arrowhead Stadium, where the Chargers will try to win for the third straight year - something they have not done since 1981 - the Chargers are creeping up on a junction."

Kaeding: Kicking accuracy record 'not very significant'

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October 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Nate Kaeding is probably a good two games away from regaining his spot as the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history. But with the Chargers' red zone woes, who knows? Not that he cares. "It's not very significant," Kaeding said of being the most dead-eye kicker the game has ever known. "I really, really try hard to not get caught up in relative thinking. ... There are 31 other kickers that can make all their field goals from here to the end of time. All I can do is control the kicks I'm put in front of.""

LJ understands LT's slow start

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October 23

Kansas City Star

"It was only three seasons ago that LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson were at the top of the pile of NFL running backs. Neither will be anywhere close to that Sunday when Tomlinson's Chargers and Johnson's Chiefs meet at Arrowhead Stadium. Johnson is 22nd in the league with 309 yards but is averaging a feeble 2.7 yards per carry and doesn't have a touchdown. Tomlinson has been held back by injuries and with 140 yards isn't among the league's top 50 rushers. He has only one touchdown. "His experience is a little bit different," Johnson said." He's been hurt, he's been nicked up. "He always started slow sometimes. The next thing you know he's down for five touchdowns, six touchdowns. It ..."

Cromartie bruises knee; secondary shuffled

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October 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers have made another move official in the secondary and appear to have dodged a bullet in the defensive backfield, too. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie left practice yesterday after tweaking his knee and had an MRI last night, sources said. The MRI confirmed there were no tears but that Cromartie has a slight bruise under his kneecap. A serious injury to Cromartie, coming off one of the best games of his career, would have played havoc with a secondary in flux."

For Chargers, not many (good) numbers in safeties

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October 22

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers safeties walked from the field, with their position coaches and defensive coordinator, almost 10 minutes after the rest of the team filed into the locker room following Wednesday's practice. Their extra work was on man coverage, lining up with a receiver and stopping him. That is a facet of the game safeties don't often work on, but opposing offensive coordinators have identified the Chargers' safeties as vulnerable, and they likely aren't going to quit picking on them until the safeties make them. "We feel teams are going to do that to us," Eric Weddle said. "We need to be better prepared for it. It's going to be on us to stop it.""

Special teamers take Bronco's kick returns personally

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October 22

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers special teams players call punt coverage "15 seconds to hell." In that span, they sprint headlong down the field, engaging in high-speed boxing matches before hurling their bodies at a ball carrier racing at them. The collisions are frequently violent. "You have to be a little bit extra crazy to run down full-speed on a return and run into a 340-pound man when you're only 240," said fullback Mike Tolbert, a special teams veteran. "There has to be a screw loose up there.""

It's too early to count out these Chargers

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October 20

Orange County Register

columnist Marcia C. Smith

"Anyone who has ever followed or invested in the late-model San Diego Chargers knows it might be too premature at six weeks into the NFL season to count this team out. After all, they put the paddles to their own chests and yelled "Clear" to recover from the flat lining state of a 4-8 record last season. Everyone thought they were goners. The sheets were pulled over the heads, their toes tagged. And then — beat, beat, beat, beat — they won four in a row, finished a .500 team and captured a third consecutive AFC West title before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. The Chargers made their critics look silly. But what are the chances ..."

LT doesn't get call to run the ball

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October 20

San Diego Union-Tribune

"His job is to run the ball, not make the call. The call was for him not to run the ball. If there was an offensive play that seemed to really put the Chargers behind the 8-ball in Monday night's 34-23 loss to Denver at Qualcomm Stadium, it wasn't an incomplete pass or any single breakdown in the offensive line, though there were plenty of both. Rather, it was a third-and-goal in the first quarter that fairly screamed the words "LaDainian Tomlinson," especially since he was running Monday night like he'd seldom run this season. Instead, Tomlinson was on the sideline, watching with everyone else as Darren Sproles took the handoff and continued forward. He was promptly stopped cold at the ..."

Tables have turned for Chargers

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October 20

San Diego Union-Tribune

"What they said was resolute. What you heard was resignation. What the Chargers must do is what they have previously done. They must find a way to find a way when their season looks to be lost. Only this time it will be much more difficult. This time, the Denver Broncos are not a house of cards, but a football team of strength and substance. This time, the Bolts don't have enough blocking and not nearly enough pass rush to sustain a surge that could carry into the postseason."

Broncos defuse Chargers 34-23

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October 20

Denver Post

"Perception could be different from reality. It's possible the Broncos don't become stronger, faster and better in the second half. Maybe what happens is as the Broncos pound, blitz and attack the game of football like a pack of dogs who missed dinner, their opponents eventually get weaker and slower. Those big, bad, lippy San Diego Chargers don't seem so tough anymore. Not around the new brand of rugged, aggressive, contact-loving Broncos, they don't. Realizing Eddie Royal couldn't return every kick or punt for a touchdown, the Broncos beat and beat down the Chargers in an AFC West showdown 34-23 on Monday night by once again dominating the second half."

Broncos, Chargers rumble before game

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October 20

Denver Post

"Fight! Fight! Well, not really a fight. It was more like: Oh, yeah! Yeah! As the Broncos' linemen came out on the Qualcomm Stadium field for their pregame warmups, they entered on the side of the field where the Chargers were already going through drills. The Broncos gathered for their motivational huddle on the sideline, still in Chargers' territory. Chargers linebacker Tim Dobbins, otherwise known as the player who wasn't credited with a fumble recovery on the Ed Hochuli blunder last season, was among those who took offense. A shouting match between 15 to 20 Broncos and 15 to 20 Chargers ensued, with some minor pushing and shoving. Kenny Peterson was in the middle of the Broncos' army. ..."

Chargers aim to make fast work of their tepid starts

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October 19

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It wasn't so much what he said. He was stating the obvious. It was in the way he said it, and in the repetition. "We have to come out and try to start fast," cornerback Quentin Jammer volunteered recently when talking about how the Chargers defense could fix the things that ail it going into tonight's oh-so-crucial game against the Denver Broncos. Jammer's voice reflected a weariness. He shook his head. "We have to start fast," he said. Easier said than done, clearly."

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