Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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June 1

San Diego Union-Tribune

"With the 16th pick overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, San Diego selected 6-foot-2, 274-pound defensive end Larry English, who will play outside linebacker in the NFL. Did the Chargers front office lose their minds? After all, they already had Merriman -- a player who had earned the nickname "Lights Out" for his devastating hits -- and the highly talented Shaun Phillips anchoring the outside linebacker spots. Mock drafts across the internet had been projecting that San Diego would use that pick on a true defensive end or an offensive tackle. What in the world were the Chargers thinking? Well, what you have to figure into the equation is that Merriman is in the last year of his contract. And ..."

Is IR system in line for a change?

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May 21

Boston Globe

"When the NFL adopted its system for placing players on season-ending injured reserve, the main issue was stashing. Teams had long been allowed to place players on injured reserve and bring them back later in the season. But some felt that clubs were circumventing the rule by placing players who weren't truly injured on IR, opening a roster spot for someone else. Thus, a competitive advantage was scored. Colts president Bill Polian remembers high-profile coaches and personnel executives, such as Don Shula and Jim Finks, pushing for a change to combat stashing, and it finally came in 1993, when the league made two significant adjustments. At that time, players placed on injured reserve would ..."

Receiver Floyd signs one-year contract

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May 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Malcom Floyd wanted to be back with his team. "I didn't see any positives out of missing more time," Floyd said. "It was time to come in and get it rolling." And so a pseudo-holdout ended Friday with Floyd signing his one-year, $1.54 million contract in time for the start of coaching sessions Monday. "I feel great," the receiver said. "It's a lot of stress off me." The Chargers put the second-round tender on Floyd, a restricted free agent, in February. On the advice of his agent, in the hopes of getting a trade or bargaining for a long-term deal, Floyd did not sign the tender and skipped the team's conditioning sessions and this month's minicamp. He remained in town, working with Todd ..."

Veteran right guard Forney looking for his shot to start

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May 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Kynan Forney wasted no time after last season letting Chargers management know he wanted to be back. He had spent a year in the locker room and on the practice field. He knew what their need was at the position he plays. He observed a stunning December comeback, and since he knew he wanted to get back into a starting lineup, he figured this one would be best. "The opportunity, the talent, the excitement with these guys," Forney explained of his decisions to essentially forgo free agency and sign a two-year, $4.8 million deal with the Chargers. Forney, who started 89 games for the Atlanta Falcons from 2001-07, has long been in the Chargers' plans for 2009. Signed in September after the ..."

Rough draft of what awaits the Chargers

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March 14

San Diego Union-Tribune

"(Editor's note: Union-Tribune Chargers beat writer Kevin Acee is averse to mock drafts, knowing just how little he and everyone else know about what various teams are really thinking. But in an attempt to feed fans' insatiable need for information regarding the draft and mindful that this pick is an important one for the Chargers, Acee agreed to provide periodic mock drafts during the next seven weeks. So here goes his first mock of the first half of the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.) Teams have just started zeroing in on who they will take, as their coaches pore over video of potential draftees and their personnel men travel the country to attend pro days at various campuses. Asked ..."

With talks in 'final stages,' signs point to LT staying

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March 10

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It's close. Will he stay or will he go? Indications are that we'll know sooner rather than later. Talks regarding a restructured contract are ongoing between LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers, and those talks reportedly are in the "final stages." It would appear that the continued discussions are good news for those who want LT to stay in San Diego. Both sides have always said they want Tomlinson to be a Charger in 2009. The team believes Tomlinson, if healthy, has at least another year of being an elite running back. Tomlinson lives here, likes it here and would like to stay in the same uniform his entire career. That's best for him now and probably best for his legacy. The ..."

Saints' quarterback Drew Brees would love to 'snatch' Chargers tailback LaDainian Tomlinson if he comes free

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March 9

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"If it were up to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, he'd love to be reunited with close friend and former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson if the San Diego Chargers cut the former MVP tailback loose. While discussing Tomlinson's contract standoff on San Diego radio station XX 1090 AM, Brees said the "best case scenario" would be for Tomlinson to stay in San Diego because of what he's meant to the team, the fans and the community. But he also admitted, "I'm just waiting for the opportunity if he is available to come and snatch him away." When asked if he has discussed that possibility with Tomlinson, Brees said, "I think that's pretty obvious, don't you think?" When the radio hosts jokingly brought ..."

Stay or go? Decision now in LT's hands

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March 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It's been almost two weeks since the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson's agent began the back and forth of a contract restructure for the iconic running back. The back and forth is finished. This is up to Tomlinson now. It's a matter of whether he wants to play for less money in San Diego. Information is coming in this saga like water from a drippy faucet. But my understanding is that Tomlinson has the Chargers' final offer. That offer could be for two years or three years. Whatever it is, it will be for less money than the $24 million he is scheduled to make by 2011. What form the new money takes (signing bonus, roster bonus, incentives) is not known. We heard Thursday on 1090-AM from ..."

Burnett close to being a Charger?

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March 4

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Got a text from Cowboys linebacker Kevin Burnett about midnight last night and he said he is real close to being a San Diego Charger. Burnett is hopeful that everything will be finalized Wednesday. If so, he will be the second unrestricted free agent to leave the Cowboys for more money and potentially greener pastures in the past four days. Defensive end Chris Canty signed a six-year, $42 million contract with the Giants on Sunday. Burnett's departure will be no surprise either. His financial demands were too rich for the Cowboys and his on field goals didn't line up with Coach Wade Phillips. He wants an opportunity to start, while the Cowboys see him as more of a nickel linebacker and ..."

Bills sign cornerback Florence

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March 4

Buffalo News

"The Buffalo Bills said hello to one cornerback and goodbye to another. The Bills and veteran cornerback Drayton Florence reached an agreement on a two-year contract, NFL sources said Tuesday night. The Bills haven't confirmed it, but according to league sources, Florence's deal is worth $6.6 million and it could increase to $7.3 million if he reaches unspecified incentives. His arrival likely means Jabari Greer's days in Buffalo are over. An unrestricted free agent, Greer has been visiting other teams after he and the Bills failed to come to terms on a new contract. Undrafted out of Tennessee, Greer started 26 games in five years with the Bills. He had 38 tackles and returned two ..."

Florence could make comeback with Chargers

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March 3

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Drayton Florence could be a Charger again. Released by the Jacksonville Jaguars after just one season - and after they had paid him $8 million of a $36 million, six-year contract signed a year ago tomorrow - Florence has expressed interest through his agent in coming back to the team that drafted him and employed him as a cornerback from 2003-07. A source said the Chargers are "very interested" in signing Florence and a deal could be in place by next week. Florence, who visited the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, is reportedly also considering other interested teams. "We have a couple players we are considering at this time," General Manager A.J. Smith said when asked if the Chargers would ..."

Chargers talking to Florence

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March 3

San Diego Union-Tribune

"On his way to a team-record 10 interceptions in 2007, Antonio Cromartie supplanted Drayton Florence as the Chargers' starting right cornerback. Now their correlation may be coming full circle. According to league sources, the Chargers plan to put Cromartie on the trading block if they can sign Florence as a free agent. After Cromartie's Pro Bowl campaign in '07, Florence was allowed to leave via free agency. He signed a six-year, $36 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. But he was released last month and notified the Chargers through his agent he would like to return. The sides are talking now, and a deal could be in place this week."

No decision today: Tomlinson's status remains unclear

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February 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson's future with the Chargers is still up in the air. "All I can tell you is everything is ongoing," Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said Thursday in delivering his state-of-the-Chargers address. "I've got nothing more to add at this time. But I will add this: We would love to have him. We hope he returns." The Chargers are hoping to restructure Tomlinson's contract, which has three years remaining, to reduce the $6.725 million owed the former league Most Valuable Player for next season, with Tomlinson receiving a new signing bonus to be paid over five years."

LT's fate could be decided Thursday

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February 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Amid indications the LaDainian Tomlinson saga could be resolved Thursday, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith will address the media at noon. Silent since last week about Tomlinson and, really, all things regarding his team, Smith will talk the usual injury specifics and be vague about plans for free agency and the draft. He will announce topics he refused to confirm or deny Wednesday, including the retention of restricted free agents Malcom Floyd and Cletis Gordon, both given a second-round tender, which guarantees them $1.45 million. (The Chargers did announce the re-signing of guard Kynan Forney to a two-year deal potentially worth $4.5 million.) There could be a surprise or two, as ..."

Risky business for Chargers, LT's reps

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February 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers and representatives for LaDainian Tomlinson are talking to each other. But no word regarding progress, or lack thereof, is coming out of either camp. As the two sides negotiate over how the future Hall of Famer could remain in San Diego, questions linger about how long it will take and under what terms Tomlinson could stay. With the NFL scheduled to have no salary cap in 2010, a deal heavily laden with incentives seems unlikely because those incentives would count against the 2009 cap if reached. Any restructuring - which would reduce Tomlinson's base salary for 2009 and beyond - would likely include a new signing bonus that could be spread out over five years for the ..."

Tomlinson talks are expected to heat up this weekend

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February 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Even before the principals began arriving here Thursday for the NFL Scouting Combine, meetings between the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson's agent were set for this weekend. Ed McGuire, Chargers assistant general manager, was scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis on Friday night, and sources said a series of discussions between him and Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, will take place after that. (McGuire is the team's chief negotiator; General Manager A.J. Smith rarely speaks directly with agents.) A source said Thursday that a meeting was set between McGuire and Condon for Sunday, but that likely will be just one of several components of a back-and-forth between the sides over a ..."

Fabiani says Chargers won't be exercising exit clause in 2009

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January 28

San Diego Union-Tribune

"If the Chargers are going to leave town, it won't be in 2009. That much at least has been made clear. Between Feb. 1 and May 1, the team can inform the city that it is moving out of San Diego by paying a lease-termination penalty of $56.2 million. But Chargers general counsel Mark Fabiani, who has been in charge of the team's search for a new stadium, says that isn't going to happen. "We will not be bringing a termination notice to the City of San Diego between Feb. 1 and May 1," Fabiani said Tuesday. The Chargers have signed on with the Wasserman Media Group, a prominent Los Angeles marketing firm, prompting more speculation they could be moving. "It's a Catch-22 for us," Fabiani ..."

Handicapping the NFL's return to L.A.

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January 27

Los Angeles Times

"Scouting NFL teams that could relocate to L.A.: San Diego Chargers Beginning Sunday, a three-month window opens that would allow the Chargers to relocate to another city. That window will now open each year. The team can leave its current home provided it pays a $56-million lease-termination fee that decreases over time. The Chargers have spent seven years exploring stadium options in San Diego and say they have spent $10 million doing so. Although a move probably would bring significant political objections in San Diego, the Chargers might not encounter those at the state level because theirs would be an in-state move. Odds of relocating: 5 to 1. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars, who have ..."

A new lease on life for NFL in L.A.?

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January 27

Los Angeles Times

"The NFL is willing to consider a return to its Los Angeles roots. Evidently, so are the San Diego Chargers. While the league is kicking around the notion of playing the 50th Super Bowl in L.A. -- where the first one took place -- the onetime L.A. Chargers appear to be inching closer to a possible return to their birthplace. As is always the case with the on-again, off-again saga of the NFL's flirtation with the nation's second-largest market, nothing is written in stone. In fact, it's more like murky skywriting, completely at the mercy of the fickle winds of change. But more smoke signals came Monday when the Chargers signed a deal with Los Angeles-based Wasserman Media Group to market the ..."

Chargers say new marketing deal isn't sign of move to L.A.

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January 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers are starting a marketing push aimed at wealthy interests in Los Angeles and Orange counties, but they say it is not a prelude to moving the team north. The team signed a deal with the Wasserman Media Group on Monday to reach companies willing to purchase pricey luxury suites and club seats, as well as to ink sponsorship deals for Qualcomm Stadium advertising. With a stadium project gaining traction outside Los Angeles - with no team to play in it - Chargers officials know that the marketing pact will ignite speculation about a possible move. But Mark Fabiani, the team's general counsel and point man on stadium issues, said, "This has nothing whatsoever to do with the team ..."

What the San Diego Chargers Need To Do for 2009

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January 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"While we all speculate and predict what happens to the future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, we should also speculate and predict what happens to some of the other San Diego stars such as linebacker Shawne Merriman, backup running back and special-teams weapon Darren Sproles, and defensive tackle Jamal Williams. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that LaDainian is going to have a very long offseason. If he's traded, there's going to be a lot of talk, debates, and criticism everywhere. Should AJ Smith-San Diego Chargers General Manager-decide to keep the running back, there STILL may be trouble regarding his age, productivity in the past two seasons and his consecutive ..."

Cardinals' rise gives hope to teams like the Chargers

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January 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox grimaced just a little and shook his head. "God bless 'em," he said. He was referring to the Arizona Cardinals, who ended his team's season en route to Super Bowl XLIII here Feb. 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Cardinals, seeded fourth in the NFC, went to Carolina as 10-point underdogs and routed the second-seeded Panthers by 20 points in the second round of the playoffs. Already having beaten the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona then went home and held off the Philadelphia Eagles to win its first conference title and become the first team in 29 years to advance to the Super Bowl despite winning only nine regular-season games. The Cardinals ..."

LT can resolve his predicament by making a cut – in his salary

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January 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"LaDainian Tomlinson's latest move is a misdirection play. In announcing that he has "absolutely no control" should the Chargers decide to trade him, LT has omitted an important detail: Everything is negotiable. If Tomlinson is disinclined to take a hike, he could volunteer to take a pay cut. He could acknowledge that an NFL running back who will turn 30 as a recurring injury risk no longer merits the highest base salary at his position. He could declare and then demonstrate that dollars are a secondary consideration at this stage of his Canton-bound career. He could seize the initiative from A.J. Smith, back the Bolts into a more awkward position than they already occupy, and free up ..."

Tomlinson: ‘I have no intentions of leaving San Diego’

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January 21

NFL.com

"If LaDainian Tomlinson has any say in the matter, he’s staying with the Chargers. Amid published reports last week that the Chargers were weighing their options on Tomlinson’s future with the team — which include options from keeping him at his current salary level to attempting to renegotiate his contract, trading him or releasing him — the five-time Pro Bowler responded Wednesday with a message on his personal Web site. “I have been getting a lot of messages on my site regarding me leaving San Diego,” Tomlinson wrote. “I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have NO intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my career started and where I’d like it to end. I have nothing ..."

Talks will begin soon on new deal for Rivers

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January 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"As the LaDainian Tomlinson situation percolates, another key component to the Chargers' offseason and salary cap machinations is about to commence. General Manager A.J. Smith confirmed Tuesday that the team soon will begin negotiations with quarterback Philip Rivers on a long-term contract. "You offer a contract and hope for the best," Smith said while watching a Senior Bowl practice. "We'll have a contract (offer) and hope it's successful. If not, we have the franchise (tag)." This is not a surprise, but it is certainly significant. The roots of Tomlinson's possible departure are based in the large chunk of salary cap he would currently take up, as the team has several key players ..."

L.A. mayor's visit doesn't mean team's exit is coming

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January 18

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Nick Canepa

"Uh-oh. Spotted in the Qualcomm Stadium owner's box the night of the Chargers-Colts playoff game was none other than Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Amazingly, someone actually recognized him. But, to the knee-jerk uninformed, it was like the devil attending a baptism. What was Villaraigosa doing there? Did his chauffeur get lost in L.A. traffic? Was he here to blatantly woo the Spanos family, pointing out the perks that would come to their NFL franchise should they choose to move into his smoggy proximity? "No," says Chargers general counsel Mark Fabiani, who for years has been working in the team's employ trying to get a new stadium built - and often finding the process about ..."

Weighing the options will decide LT's fate

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January 17

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers - meaning President Dean Spanos, General Manager A.J. Smith, Vice President Ed McGuire and head coach Norv Turner - will consider four options with regard to LaDainian Tomlinson's future with the team. Within the next month, they will either keep him at his current salary level, approach him about a contract renegotiation, try to trade him or release him. All four options - releasing him or attempting to work out a new contract, or both, appear to be the most likely scenarios - will be weighed with several factors in mind. And all those factors can really be boiled down to one objective. "How do we do all the things we need to do," Smith said Friday. "That's what we have to ..."

Spanos' words to Tomlinson: 'Don't jump to any conclusions'

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January 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers president Dean Spanos spoke with LaDainian Tomlinson on Thursday and then addressed the furor surrounding his iconic running back. "We talked about the situation and I just tried to explain everything that must be considered," Spanos said on the team's Web site. "I told him we haven't even started our discussions and won't for awhile, so don't jump to any conclusions. And I told him I would call him personally to make sure he's aware of everything that's going on." Spanos declined further comment. Tomlinson, who is traveling for another opinion on his injured groin, did not return a phone message. According to a source, Spanos expressed to Tomlinson that the team has not ..."

Rivera set to interview

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January 14

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera will interview with the Detroit Lions today for their head coaching job. It was reported Rivera was interviewing Tuesday, but he was at the Chargers complex all day. He will head to Detroit this morning. The Lions reportedly have interviewed Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles and Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray. Schwartz has interviewed twice, and Frazier reportedly will return for a second interview Thursday. The Lions went 0-16 in 2008. Rivera is signed with ..."

Lions interviewing Schwartz; Rivera of interest, too

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January 12

Detroit News

"Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz was in town today for his second interview for the Lions' head coaching position. Schwartz was meeting with Lions officials, who traveled to Nashville on Jan. 3 for the initial interview during Tennessee's playoff bye week -- that was the only option due to the NFL's anti-tampering rules. But the Titans were knocked out of the playoffs Saturday, freeing Schwartz to interview again. Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. was expected to take part in Monday's interview, as the Lions pare their list to two or three finalists. Meanwhile, San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera was scheduled to interview in Detroit on Tuesday, NFL.com ..."

L.T. looking ahead to future

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January 12

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson Sunday missed his first-ever start due to injury. "It's not a good feeling," he said afterward. Having to watch much of the Chargers' past four postseason games, sidelined last year by a sprained knee and this year by a torn tendon in his groin, has Tomlinson unsure but motivated about his future. "What I'm looking forward to is proving I can play every game again," Tomlinson said after the Chargers' 35-24 playoff loss to Pittsburgh. "I've always prided myself more than anything on being there every game. For me, I want to get back to that point where I'm playing every game." The man who could not be stopped for so many years - gaining more yards and scoring more ..."

L.T. may miss rest of playoffs

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January 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"While they're using phrases like "day to day" and "we'll see," no one in the Chargers organization truly expects LaDainian Tomlinson to play Sunday at Pittsburgh. But the Chargers will not place Tomlinson on injured reserve, in the hope that he still could play in the postseason. "He might be able to play in another week if we were able to go on," coach Norv Turner said. "Or maybe he could play in another week after that." The likelihood, according to sources, is that Tomlinson's severely strained groin will keep him out the rest of the postseason and will require surgery. But Turner reported Sunday that the injury "is not any worse" after Tomlinson played on it Saturday. Michael ..."

Source: Tomlinson has torn tendon, will attempt to play

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January 3

ESPN.com

"San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has a detached tendon that connects one of his adductor (groin) muscles to his pubic bone, according to team sources. Tomlinson has been listed as a game-time decision against the Indianapolis Colts in Saturday night's AFC wild-card playoff game with a groin strain, and sources say he is going to attempt to play because physical therapy has given him some relief. His playing status is expected to be determined after he tests the injury during a pregame warmup. Doctors discovered through scans that Tomlinson had an "avulsion" on one of three adductor muscles, meaning a tendon that connects the muscle to the pubic bone has detached, team ..."

Deadline deal for Raiders running back falls through

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October 15

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers came close to making another deal at the trading deadline, league sources said Sunday. Raiders running back Michael Bush was almost a Charger before the Raiders backed out just before the 1 p.m. deadline, sources said. According to a Bay Area source, the sides were close on terms, believed to be a second-day pick, before the Raiders pulled the deal. Asked about the negotiations, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith neither confirmed nor denied there had been talks. Smith has worked a deal three of the past four trading deadlines, including high-profile swaps of draft picks for receiver Keenan McCardell in 2004 and receiver Chris Chambers in 2007. Smith also traded Toniu Fonoti ..."

Ex-Bengal plans a recruiting visit

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September 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Willie Anderson was leaving Baltimore yesterday afternoon even as his agent awaited a contract proposal from the Chargers. The 12-year veteran right tackle, released by the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, is comparison shopping. He is scheduled to visit Tampa Bay, and his agent said a visit to San Diego could happen this week. Terry Bolar said his client has narrowed his choices to the Chargers, Bucs and Ravens and will make a decision "pretty quickly." Bolar said Anderson had a good visit in Baltimore and passed the Ravens' physical. "I think he's very excited about San Diego as well," Bolar said. It would seem Baltimore and Tampa Bay have more of a need for a right tackle than the ..."

Hardwick expects to go on PUP list, for a while

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July 24

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Nick Hardwick will likely be declared Physically Unable to Perform today or tomorrow, but the Chargers center is confident he won't be so designated by the end of training camp. %u201CI really feel like I'll be back before that list allows,%u201D said Hardwick, who had surgery on his right foot in March. %u201CI don't want to be sitting that long.%u201D A player placed on the Active/PUP list cannot participate in training camp or in exhibition games. The player can attend meetings and do rehab. The team, however, can declare him active any time before the final roster cut the week before the regular season starts. If a player is on the Reserve/PUP list when the season starts, he must ..."

Cason doubts he'll be in Chargers camp on time

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July 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers first-round draft pick Antoine Cason remained unsigned Sunday night and didn't sound optimistic he'd be at the first practice of training camp. “I'm not sure. It doesn't look like it as of now,” Cason said by phone. “I don't know.” “I mean, we're we were making progress, of course,” said Cason, a cornerback from Arizona who went to the Chargers with the 27th overall pick. “I've kind of just heard little details of it from my agent. I just control what I can control, my play on the field.” Cason is the Chargers' only draft pick who hasn't agreed to a deal."

Parker to be traded or released

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June 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The signing of Mark Jones yesterday, in itself, is not a big deal. Jones, a receiver and punt returner, faces a major challenge making the Chargers' opening day roster. But the presence of the four-year veteran gives the Chargers yet another option at receiver, where they will by training camp be without one of their most prolific and dependable pass catchers over the past five years. Sources said yesterday the Chargers have fielded calls from several teams about trading Eric Parker and that Parker will be traded or released by the start of training camp next month."

Miami's Taylor may like Bolts, but the feeling's not mutual

May 24

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor has passed word through friends that he wants to play for the Chargers. It won't happen... The Chargers are forbidden from talking about a player under contract, but sources familiar with the thinking of the team's decision-makers have said emphatically that the Chargers have no interest in the Miami Dolphins defensive end and aspiring actor."

Thomas is latest Dolphins rookie to sign

May 24

Miami Herald

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"It should come as no surprise that rumors began to feverishly swirl Friday around the NFL about potential landing places for defensive end Jason Taylor if indeed he gets traded. But it doesn't appear that any of those rumors have much credibility. The Dolphins have not gotten any offers better than a fourth-round pick, which isn't enough for Parcells to justify pulling the trigger. That's why various reports tying Taylor to the Baltimore Ravens, the Washington Redskins and the San Diego Chargers Friday are unlikely to turn into immediate deals."

Bolts' Osgood no-show for offseason session

May 20

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers began offseason coaching sessions yesterday, and everyone was present except three players who primarily contribute on special teams. Kassim Osgood was true to his word and did not show up. Osgood said earlier this spring that since he is not used as a receiver by the Chargers, he would stay in Florida to train instead of wearing his body down here running pass routes. The two-time Pro Bowler as a special-teamer is not happy with his role and has asked to be traded. General Manager A.J. Smith has said Osgood will remain a Charger through 2009, when his contract ends."

Center insurance?

May 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

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"The Chargers are concerned enough about Nick Hardwick not being able to start the season that they are targeting veteran center Jeremy Newberry for a possible signing after June 1, numerous sources confirmed. Newberry is an unrestricted free agent, but he would not count against the Chargers when it comes to getting compensatory draft picks next year if they sign him after June 1. No deal is in place, sources said, but the Chargers are the front-runners for Newberry's services."

Nix has no plans, except to play golf

May 1

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Numerous NFL insiders said in the past couple of days that there will be work in a personnel department somewhere for Buddy Nix. And those who know him say he has for a few years desired to be a general manager. But Nix said yesterday he has no immediate plans to take another job. Back home where the rest of the people talk with his same charming lilt, Nix was preparing to play golf yesterday morning. “I've got no idea what I'm going to do,” Nix said by phone from Tennessee. “It's only been one day."

Chargers' top scout Buddy Nix, 68, retires

April 30

San Diego Union-Tribune

"A short while after the Chargers completed their draft Sunday afternoon, Assistant General Manager Buddy Nix informed General Manager A.J. Smith he was retiring. At 68 years old, after 15 seasons in the NFL and 32 years before that as a college coach, the travel and other demands had become somewhat burdensome, Nix said. Buddy Nix It remained unclear last night whether Nix actually retired or left with the intention of getting another job."

Numbers game

April 22

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It would not be a surprise if the Chargers don't exercise the 27th selection, as they continue to attempt to acquire more picks by trading down. They appear, according to sources, to be trying to pick up a second-and third-round pick for the rights to the 27th spot. “I'd love to have two players in the first three rounds,” is all Smith will allow."

Chargers: No plans to move to new L.A. stadium

April 18

San Diego Union-Tribune

"A Los Angeles developer who announced plans to build a football stadium Thursday is a friend of the Spanos family, owners of the Chargers, but the team has no plans to move there, according to a team spokesman. Edward Roski Jr. has discussed his plan to build an $800 million stadium in a suburb east of Los Angeles with San Diego Chargers President Dean Spanos and also inquired about the team's availability, said Mark Fabiani, the team's general counsel and spokesman on stadium issues."

Falcons a 'contender' for Turner

March 2

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"Top free-agent target Michael Turner watched the Arena Football League season debut of the Georgia Force Saturday with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, coach Mike Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff. The steady backup to San Diego All-Pro tailback LaDainian Tomlinson is considered the best running back in free agency."

Jets aren't done

March 2

New York Post

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"Surely, the Jets aren't done. They have inquired about Chargers right tackle Shane Olivea, according to his agent, Kenny Zuckerman... With Gibril Wilson gone for riches in Oakland, a safety stopgap could be 32-year old Sammy Knight, a durable 11-year veteran who yesterday met with the Broncos in Denver and will soon pay a visit to the Giants."

Falcons court free-agent RB Turner

March 1

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"The Falcons spent Friday, the first day of free agency, wooing Turner, who is considered the top running back available. Tennessee free agent tight end Ben Hartsock also met with the Falcons, and Jacksonville offensive lineman Maurice Williams was involved in contract talks with the team."

Lions show interested in Chargers RB Michael Turner

March 1

Detroit Free Press

"The Lions appear interested in Michael Turner, considered the top running back in free agency, although it was unclear Friday whether they would have a real shot at signing him. Turner was visiting Atlanta."

Chargers Trade Rumors