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San Diego Chargers News

Other fish in sea is what makes VJ a likely castoff
February 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Even after he had seven interceptions, made the Pro Bowl and was named All-Pro, there is an acknowledgment by the Chargers decision makers that they overpaid to some extent to re-sign Eric Weddle last summer. They were committed to doing it, knew they had when they gave him $8 million a year, and they would do it again. The Chargers felt there were no better safeties on the market, Weddle knew their system and was on the verge of becoming the game-changing type of player he began to manifest in 2011."
Chargers have room to move
February 8
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Another Super Bowl has passed; the offseason has officially begun. The Chargers brass will spend the next two weeks prior to the NFL Scouting Combine and into March finishing up their evaluation of the current roster and figuring out who to bring back and bring in. One thing the Chargers are not concerned about is where they'll find the money to make the necessary improvements. The Chargers were one of two teams to not take advantage of a provision in the NFL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement that allows teams to carry over cap room from this year to next."
Leaf surprise visitor at Super Bowl
February 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Trying to hawk a book or not, it takes a certain fortitude to show up and proudly walk around at a Super Bowl in a city grateful you never called it home. The only place where Leaf's failure would have been more symbolically in his face is San Diego. But we don't host Super Bowls anymore, so Leaf hopped a plane from Montana and arrived Wednesday night at the Super Bowl that Peyton Manning built. Leaf was in bed shortly after arriving. A decade too late for the Chargers, he doesn't do late nights anymore. Leaf showed up on Radio Row on Thursday, hat in hand. And plenty of books in hand, too."
Charger sued in 2009 bottle incident
February 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"A man has filed a lawsuit against San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips alleging the player broke a Champagne bottle over his head at a Pacific Beach bar in 2009. Kam Saran filed the lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court in November. The suit says Phillips struck or dropped the bottle on Saran's head at Bar West. Saran, then 24, suffered a laceration and closed-head injury as a result, according to the suit. Phillips' attorney responded to the suit in December, denying all allegations."
NFL expands Thursday schedule
February 4
New York Post
 
"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"
What if Bolts kept Eli instead of trading for Rivers?
February 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Kevin Acee
"They are questions as unfair to Philip Rivers and impossible to answer as they are logical to ask at this time. But they are all Chargers fans have now. What if Eli Manning were playing for the team that drafted him No.?1 overall in 2004 rather than the team he was traded to 45 minutes later? Would the Chargers be playing for a second Lombardi Trophy to place in that lobby case that currently houses various lesser mementos? Would Manning be on the doorstep of immortality, as he is now, already the MVP of one Super Bowl and perhaps days away from becoming just the 11th quarterback in history to ever win two of the game's most-coveted rings?"
Chargers' Jammer lists two homes for sale
February 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Quentin Jammer, cornerback for the Chargers, and his wife have listed two homes for sale for a combined asking price of roughly $2.4 million, property records show. The Jammers are asking $1,275,000 for one property and $1,095,000 for a golf villa in the Crosby community. Both are east of Rancho Santa Fe in 92127. One estate, 15610 Hayden Lake Place, was put on the market Wednesday, while the other house, 16906 Blue Shadows Lane, was listed in August, the listings show."
Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams
February 3
CBSSports.com
 
"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."
Chargers see countywide stadium vote in 2013
February 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani told a roomful of regional leaders Wednesday that a new football stadium is more likely to get built with political and financial support from around the county, and that a public vote on the venue would almost certainly slip to 2013 — when a fresh crop of politicians would be joining the debate. "We think we would do better on a countywide vote than we would in just a citywide vote," Fabiani said. "So our lawyers have already advised us, and will continue to, about the kinds of things that would justify a countywide vote.""
Rivers' path for cause of needy children taking QB to Indy
February 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
""Forever mom and dad." "Forever family." "Forever home." Clearly the well-nurtured product of a loving household, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is the father of six children with wife Tiffany, all born with a sense of deep-rooted permanence. When talking about the kids he works with away from the football field and away from his own home, though, Rivers uses the word "forever" as if it's the most powerful, most important adjective in the language. "(There were) these two little girls who had bounced from home to home," said Rivers, recalling his early involvement in the cause of foster children. "I got to hear their story. That's when I knew. The story they shared was of a social"
Gilbride trying for second ring, but Chargers his only head job
February 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Kevin Gilbride is perplexed. He wonders why his success as New York Giants offensive coordinator, a gig that had him seated in Lucas Oil Stadium on Tuesday at his second Super Bowl Media Day in five years, has not led him to another chance at being a head coach despite the fact that so many others have been hired in recent years. "Disapppointed," Gilbride said of not being one of the seven new head coaching hires in the NFL this year or one of seven hires in 2011 or 28 hires over the past four years. "I thought the body of work we have is worthy ... There were certainly some worthy, deserving candidates. Certainly, I was hopeful of getting a look and a chance to talk to some people. You"
Dielman's decision could determine if Chargers rise above par
January 29
North County Times
 
"One look and you couldn't help but feel sorry for that poor back tire. A golf cart shot past at the Farmers Insurance Open patrons with Chargers guard Kris Dielman testing its weight limits. Well, him and a couple other similar-sized guys. Dielman said he was "doing great" after a concussion prematurely ended his season and left him to contemplate retirement. He has yet to decide if he'll play next year but hinted he hoped to soon. Any other clues? Leaning one way or the other? "Not really,'' he said. "We'll see.'' The Chargers need to know, as their offensive line remains the biggest red flag flapping in these delightfully warm January breezes. Not only is Dielman's future uncertain, but"
Chargers looking for pass rusher
January 25
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Sitting in the stands at Ladd Peebles Stadium here Tuesday afternoon, A.J. Smith was turned and had his binoculars trained on the one-on-one drills going on between linemen. "Oh yeah?" he said when asked later about his clear intentions. "You think I was looking for pass rushers?" He was laughing. But that smile paled in comparison with how his face alighted when asked point blank a while later what he thought of Alabama defensive end/outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw. "He's a good player," Smith said."
Rivers finalist for NFL Man of Year
January 23
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is one of three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, the only league award that recognizes community service as well as on-field performance. The other finalists are Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk and Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman. The winner of the award will be announced Saturday, Feb. 4 in Indianapolis, the site of Super Bowl XLVI."
Chargers had few bargains
January 22
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Adrian Cannon represents dead money for the Chargers. The undrafted receiver out of Maryland was signed last July 28 and waived on Aug. 13. But he will be on the Chargers' books for another year. His $500 signing bonus was paid immediately. But for salary cap purposes, it was prorated over three years. Since he was cut, the Chargers will absorb the final $334 of that in 2012. That is but one of the quirks discovered when examining the Chargers' payroll — from Philip Rivers' $13.51 million cap number down to Cannon's $166 — for last season. Most pertinent is the amount of money spent on players that suffered significant injuries."
A little help for Norv is good idea
January 21
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Nick Canepa
"Public persona aside — which in this case is where it should be — Norv Turner is a brilliant football mind. Not a genius. Coaches don't always mix well in the intellectual cocktail. They're running sports teams, not nuclear reactors. But Norv has some absent-minded professor in him. He says "obviously" a lot, so we'll say he obviously needs help. He can do it alone, he just can't do it well enough alone to finish the job he's been hired to complete. Holmes had his Watson, Lewis had his Clark, Fred had his Ginger, Parcells had his Belichick, Frick had his Frack, and now Norv has his Steve, as in Steve Fairchild. Everyone needs help and the Chargers head coach certainly does. In Fairchild —"
Chargers' Kaeding ahead of schedule, looks forward to resuming role
January 18
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Nate Kaeding has been kicking for three weeks and is confident he will be better than ever when he returns as the Chargers placekicker in 2012. Yes, when he returns. "I absolutely expect to come in and pick up where I left off," said Kaeding, who missed all but the first play of 2011 with a torn ACL in his left knee. Indeed, discussions with those who have a hand in personnel decisions at Chargers Park indicate that Nick Novak might have kicked himself out of a job while Kaeding didn't get a chance to."
Spanos to Bolts fans: "Can't do it without you"
January 18
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Chargers president, CEO and owner Dean Spanos fielded questions from season ticket holders during an hour long conference call Tuesday afternoon. Thousands of fans heard what he said, and countless others followed along on Twitter, where season ticket holders and non-season ticket holders could converse about the conversation."
Amid uproar, Charger drops Twitter account
January 18
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Chargers cornerback Shareece Wright pulled his Twitter account Tuesday, a day after his tweets on the team's possible move to Los Angles caused a stir. A Chargers fan retweeted what may have been Wright's final tweet. It read: "Misspoke last night, I apologize, I love San Diego and all of the Chargers fans. SD gave me an oppurtunity (sic) to make a dream a reality.""
Rivers spoke up for Turner, and now needs to show up in next postseason
January 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Philip Rivers is to Eli Manning as Dan Fouts is to Phil Simms: Better numbers, except where it counts the most. Rivers is to Tom Brady as Dan Marino is to Joe Montana: More advance hype, much less history. Rivers is to Alex Smith as Drew Bledsoe is to Steve Young: Steadier progress, earlier peak. Rivers is to Joe Flacco as Warren Moon is to Jim McMahon: All defenses are not created equal."
Goodell: NFL to consider some full-time officials
January 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Aiming to ensure NFL rules are enforced the same way from game to game, the league will consider making about 10 officials full-time employees next season. As of now, all game officials are part-time employees. Responding to a question about consistency in officiating while speaking to a group of about 75 fans before Sunday's playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the proposal would bring a group of officials to the league offices in New York to help review game films and evaluate the calls. They then would be spread out among the crews at games."
Time for Chargers to reward VJ for playing game
January 12
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Vincent Jackson kept up his end of the bargain. He didn't think he owed it to anyone to do so, but he did it anyway. And now there should be no impediment. Yes, he made a tidy stipend of $11.4 million in 2011 while serving out his probation. Nonetheless, even with a chip on his shoulder and despite various nagging injuries, Jackson has done what has been asked of him on and off the field. His agents -- very capable, yet extremely excitable fellows -- have stayed quiet since the attacks of October 2010. You can't ask more of that side."
Chargers' Shelmon leaves coaching
January 11
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"A spot is open on the Chargers coaching staff, as longtime offensive assistant Clarence Shelmon has resigned. It is believed Shelmon, who made the decision to leave based on some health concerns, is going to take at least a year off from the profession he has been in for almost four decades. Shelmon served as offensive coordinator since 2007, though head coach Norv Turner has always called the offensive plays. His primary role was as an advisor in the run game, as he was a respected running backs coach before Marty Schottenheimer named him offensive coordinator shortly before Schottenheimer was fired."
Weddle's All-Pro season explains big contract
January 11
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Nick Canepa
"Eric Weddle sits on his couch in his Escondido home, daughter Brooklyn in his lap, looking offseason-comfortable, a bag of golf clubs a few steps away. The Chargers free safety is a young athlete who has become very much his own man, secure within his own hide and hardly surprised by his success as a football player. Talking with Weddle reminds me of conversations I once had with Drew Brees. Unabashedly confident, Brees was way out there, but Weddle's close. Eric Weddle believes in Eric Weddle, and will tell you so."
Sanders, Chargers closer to new stadium plan
January 10
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Officials with the San Diego Mayor's Office and the San Diego Chargers moved closer to an agreement on building a downtown football stadium Monday even as the team suggested that a public vote on how to pay for it may slip several months to spring 2013. In a joint statement, Sanders and Chargers owner Dean Spanos announced the team would not pay the city nearly $24 million to break its lease and move to another city this year. Each year until 2020, from Feb. 1 through May 1, the team is able to relocate by paying San Diego a fee that decreases about $2 million to $3 million a year."
Chargers to stay in '12, but new stadium still needed
January 9
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"For those local Chargers fans upset with the club's retention of head coach Norv Turner and General Manager A.J. Smith, look at it this way: At least you won't have to dislike them from a distance, but can loathe them face-to-face for at least another year. The football team seeking a new stadium is staying put in 2012. The Chargers' Qualcomm Stadium lease with the City expires in 2020, but each year, from Feb. 1 through April 30, the franchise can trigger an out clause and negotiate with other cities or move as it sees fit. This morning, in conjunction with Mayor Jerry Sanders' office, the Chargers will formally announce they have no intention to exercise that option and will play its"
Chargers will clean house before remodeling
January 8
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"We know who's not going anywhere. Now we wait and see what moves Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith and Head Coach Norv Turner conspire to make in order to try to win enough to spare the axe again in 2013. It has for months been believed that the Chargers need a good tweaking, and the past week brought forth that acknowledgment from the men still entrusted with shaping a roster that last year started with cracks and quickly spring leaks. We have been told by Smith that there will be "significant personnel changes." And Turner said, "There's certainly going to be some real tough decisions with players." Those can be one in the same, and they can also be separate movements. Before they"
Antwan Barnes fined $25,000
January 7
ESPN.com
 
"The NFL has fined San Diego Chargers linebacker Antwan Barnes $25,000 for bumping a referee Sunday in the Chargers' 38-26 win at Oakland. Barnes was ejected from the game after he made contact with an official. A league spokesman said Friday that the specific reason for the fine was unnecessary physical contact with an official. Barnes had a breakout season for the Chargers in 2011, finishing with 11 sacks."
Chargers fire, hire defensive coordinator
January 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"John Pagano was passed over for the job as Chargers defensive coordinator last spring in favor of one of his closest friends. When that friend, Greg Manusky, took the fall for a disappointing defense on Thursday, Pagano was there to take his place, ecstatic to be given a chance he was frustrated at not getting last year yet wrought with sadness for getting it this way. "First and foremost, it's an exciting day for me," Pagano said. "But it's a very sad and humbling day for me. (Manusky) is a dear friend of mine. I've got a brother in Baltimore, and my other brother, Greg, is right here. It's a bittersweet day for me. It's a (bad) part of this business.""
Chargers fire defensive coordinator
January 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Despite a defense by Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner — twice — this week, defensive coordinator Greg Manusky has been fired. A source at Chargers Park and a league source told UT San Diego that Manusky was informed this morning. Another source indicated that Chargers linebackers coach John Pagano is in line to replace Manusky."
Running team by popular vote not as easy as it looks
January 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The idea is 60 years old, still undefeated and indisputably appealing: Leave the strategy up to the spectators, and they have no one to blame but themselves. Grandstand Managers Day was a Bill Veeck brainstorm, a promotional stunt he pulled exactly five days after deploying the 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel as a pinch hitter for the St. Louis Browns. It was Aug. 24, 1951, a Friday. The Browns were opening a series against the Philadelphia A's a mere 39?1/2 games out of first place. In an effort to promote these lackluster proceedings, Veeck held a contest allowing fans to vote on the Browns' starting lineup."
Free agency provides opportunity for Chargers, Vincent Jackson
January 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Maybe you've noticed, but A.J. Smith sort of does things his own way. While acknowledging in no uncertain terms that he has made mistakes and saying he could do things differently in some areas going forward, he made a point on Tuesday, the day of his reprieve, to say his philosophy on the all-important topic of free agency has not and will not change. "It hasn't," he said. "It's the same." So, while it would seem the pressure is on Smith to make a splash in free agency, he probably doesn't think so. It says here that the perfect storm is upon the Chargers to do just that – what is expected to be an excellent crop of available veteran talent coupled with an abundance of Chargers' needs."
Spanos made right call on coach, GM
January 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Nick Canepa
"It may turn out to be a bad business decision. What Chargers boss Dean Spanos did Tuesday was impossible. He made the angry villagers — the vocal minority — even angrier. And he may feel it in his wallet, at the gate, at the polls, and in perception, where he's being viewed as a spineless Mr. Lubner for not erasing the canvas and making a bold stroke. But keeping General Manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner on the payroll after a second consecutive flop was bold, a solid, thought-out football decision. If anything, it proved Spanos is very much his own man, a vertebrate, who runs his company as he sees fit, consulting with people who know football, not the haters who rule"
Chargers' owner goes against fans' wishes
January 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Tim Sullivan
"Dean Spanos has become a walking contradiction by standing still. He has dared to be different by resisting change, his leap of faith purely figurative and plenty problematic. The Chargers president invited the ire of his customers Tuesday by sticking to guns that have lately been shooting blanks, announcing his decision to retain General Manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner despite declining performance and increasing exasperation."
Chargers President Spanos explains reasons for keeping Turner, Smith
January 4
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Norv Turner and A.J. Smith were pardoned. The Chargers head coach and general manager got "time on" for what club President Dean Spanos deemed good enough behavior. Citing "stability" and his belief that Turner and Smith give the Chargers "the best chance to get back to the playoffs," Spanos on Tuesday announced his decision that both men will return in 2012."
Chargers to retain Turner, Smith
January 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Chargers have announced that head coach Norv Turner and General Manager A.J. Smith will return in 2012. "Bottom line, I believe these two men give us the best chance to get back to the playoffs," club President Dean Spanos said in a statement posted on the team's website. "A.J. Smith is the best man to improve our roster, and Norv Turner is the best man to lead that roster on the field. "Together, we have stability and experience that's hard to find in the NFL. They've both been in this league a long time. I don't think there is anything they haven't seen or experienced. They've led us through some difficult situations."
Spanos seems ready to keep his guys
January 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Dean Spanos will take at least until Tuesday and perhaps even wait until Wednesday before letting us know once and for all the fates of A.J. Smith and Norv Turner. While so many of his team's fans ask "What's taking so long?" Spanos is pondering some other questions. Anyone taking the temperature on Sunday after the Chargers finished their season with a victory in Oakland would have to believe the No. 1 thing the Chargers President is asking himself is how he can justify doing what he's leaning toward doing – keeping both of them."
Dielman done dealing?
January 3
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"In order to use his head, Kris Dielman first has to completely clear his head. The question in Dielman's own mind is whether he'll ever don a football helmet again, a decision the perennial Pro Bowl guard admitted that he's going to be weighing in the early parts of an offseason that started Monday. Dielman said family considerations are the major factor in his contemplation of retirement after a decade with the Chargers. "It's not just me anymore," said Dielman. "I've got two little boys and a wife, so things need to be all right with me. I'm going to see some doctors still and make a decision.""
Fisher eyes coaching return; Rams, Chargers loom as options
January 2
NFL.com
 
"Jeff Fisher is ready to return to coaching, according to sources with knowledge of his thinking, and will be looking for a job with, first and foremost, a stable situation at quarterback. That's one reason why the former Tennessee Titans coach is expected to have the San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Rams at the top of his list, should those jobs become available. Beyond the presence of quarterbacks Philip Rivers in San Diego and Sam Bradford in St. Louis, Fisher has roots in Southern California and a relationship with Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff (whose father, Marvin, represents Fisher). One source insisted that Indianapolis shouldn't be ruled out. Fisher has a strong"
Victory almost makes season harder to swallow
January 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It doesn't matter, really. In fact, Sunday's results here and elsewhere only made the failure of this season sting more acutely. "Aaaaah," was a pretty good representation of the reaction from numerous Chargers players on Sunday evening after they had beaten Oakland 38-26 and learned of the Denver Broncos' 7-3 loss to Kansas City. With a healthy Malcom Floyd, healthier Antonio Gates and healthy enough Vincent Jackson, not to mention a reconstituted offensive line and subtle adjustments, the Chargers finished 2011 with a resounding victory over the Oakland Raiders, keeping their fiercest rivals from the playoffs and accentuating the Chargers' if factor. If only Philip Rivers hadn't fumbled"
Chargers rip Raiders to finish 8-8
January 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"To the victor went the spoiler role. But, well, not much more. With their 38-26 win over the arch-rival Raiders on Sunday at O.co Coliseum, the Chargers drew some consolation in personally making sure Oakland joined San Diego as non-participants in the postseason. Since Denver lost to Kansas City, the Raiders could have captured the AFC West with a victory. Instead, Oakland joined the Chargers and Denver at 8-8, but the Broncos won the tiebreaker with a better record against common opponents. The victory brought to an end a season of futility for the Chargers, who spared themselves one final indignity, their first losing record since 2003. The Chargers now embark on an offseason that's"
Rivers clear — he wants Norv to return
January 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It's Philip Rivers' locker room, so the quarterback has every right to speak in a loud, passionate tone to an intruder — in this case, yours truly. And who knows? Maybe his voice will be heard upstairs, where Chargers boss Dean Spanos has some deep decision-making to do. "You guys are making the wrong assessment, Nick," Rivers, wrapped in a towel, yelled back at me over his shoulder as he headed for the training room, the very private domain. "Did you see that little guy (Darren Sproles) running in New Orleans today? He used to be on our team!" A short time later the quarterback came up and said he was just kidding around, that he knew I could take it (he was right; I'm well past my"
Spanos will take time to decide fate of Smith, Turner
January 2
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Many well-placed people in and around the Chargers insisted that Norv Turner's fate was all but sealed a month ago and cemented on Christmas Eve. Turner, himself, seemed as though he'd be surprised if he got another season as head coach, all things considered. Yet one man is making the decision on Turner's future. And Dean Spanos has decisions yet to make. That much seems all that is certain."
Firing Turner probably won't solve some of Chargers' biggest problems
January 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 columnist Tim Sullivan
"Daniel Snyder was looking for "some serious leadership" when he fired Norv Turner. What he has found has been futility. Counting Terry Robiskie's three-week "interim" cameo, Snyder has hired six coaches for his Washington Redskins since he sacked Turner on Dec. 4, 2000. Not one of them has compiled a winning record. Not Marty Schottenheimer. Not Steve Spurrier. Not the second coming of Joe Gibbs. Not two-time Super Bowl winner Mike Shanahan — at least not yet."
Fisher eyes coaching return; Rams, Chargers loom as options
January 1
NFL.com
 
"According to sources with knowledge of his thinking, Jeff Fisher is ready to return to coaching and will be looking for a job with, first and foremost, a stable situation at the quarterback position. That's one reason why the former Tennessee Titans coach is expected to have the Chargers and Rams at the top of his list, should those jobs become available. Beyond the presence of quarterbacks Philip Rivers in San Diego and Sam Bradford in St. Louis, Fisher has a relationship with Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff (whose father, Marvin, represents Fisher) and roots in Southern California."
Smith's status still up in air
January 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Well, evidently, A.J. Smith's leverage has disappeared. Jon Gruden was quoted in the Tampa Tribune on Saturday and planned to announce on Monday's telecast of the Outback Bowl that he is remaining in the broadcast booth for 2012. Unlike Bill Cowher and contrary to what many believe, Gruden was very much on the radar of virtually every owner with a job opening and did very much consider a return to coaching in 2012. But he likes what he is doing, is making too much money and enjoying the benefits of the lifestyle too much to leave TV. So, despite a report in this very space earlier in the week that Gruden could join Smith in running the St. Louis Rams, Smith will have to hope for mercy from"
Turner era coming to close as many predicted it would
January 1
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"It began with a collective "Huh?!" and will end with a resounding "Finally!!" The era that was never expected to have a chance will come to a close Sunday in Oakland. Norv Turner, the man whose winning percentage is tied as the highest among the 14 head coaches the Chargers have ever employed, is all but certain to be fired next week."
Players vote for team awards
December 31
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Chargers players on Friday morning learned who they had voted as their team award winners. For the fourth straight season, quarterback Philip Rivers was named by his teammates as the Most Valuable Player, a nod to his importance to their success and his perseverance in what was his worst statistical season. Perhaps the most interesting, though, was the selection of Mike Tolbert as the Special Teams Player of the Year. Tolbert was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2010. "I'm loving it," said Tolbert, who in one game this year scored a touchdown and then made the tackle on a kickoff. "It shows the respect my teammates have for me. I enjoy playing football, whatever it is.""