Mauck in line to replace Houck

Full Story Here: "The Chargers could have a replacement for departed offensive line coach Hudson Houck as early as today if veteran coach Carl Mauck agrees to join them.

Mauck spent parts of the past two days meeting separately with head coach Marty Schottenheimer and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., and might decide as early as today whether he wants the job.

Mauck previously worked for the Chargers from 1992 through '95 and was the line coach when San Diego made its only Super Bowl appearance, in the 1994 season. After leaving the Chargers, he spent two seasons with Arizona, three with Buffalo and three with Detroit, where his contract was not renewed when it expired after the 2003 season."

Dolphins lure valuable coach from Chargers

Full Story Here: In addition to searching for players during practices this week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith will be on the lookout for a new offensive line coach after Hudson Houck yesterday signed a three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins that could pay him in the neighborhood of $2.5 million.

"I'm kind of excited about the whole thing," Houck said by phone from Mobile. "I'm very excited about the organization. I think it's got a lot of potential. I think there's nothing but an upside from here. They won four games last year, but I think with Nick Saban going in there (as head coach) – he's an awfully good football coach. I think this thing will be turned around quickly

Chargers secure coaches

Full Story Here: "Coach Marty Schottenheimer yesterday reached an agreement in principle with the Chargers on a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2007 season.

Financial details were not disclosed, but a source familiar with the negotiations said Schottenheimer could earn between $8 million and $9 million over the two-year extension."

Hank's Tale

Link Here: Hank Bauer, former Chargers running back and current color commentator for the Bolts’ radio broadcasts, offers his final take on the Chargers’ season, including their playoff loss to the New York Jets and the road ahead.

The first thing I want to address before I get into anything else is the backlash from the fans after the Chargers’ playoff loss. I love it. I think it’s so great that so many fans care now. Apathy is the worst thing in the world when you relate it to an NFL franchise.

I walked through the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot before the game last Saturday around noon. Honestly, I’ve never seen it like that, ever. The fact that so many people are reacting in different ways, positive and negative, I think is incredible. It shows that it matters to people. The Chargers’ fans have such a passion for the team. I’m not always going to agree with what is said, but the fans aren’t always going to agree with me, either.

Needless to say, I was shocked that the Chargers lost. But I warned everyone that this wasn’t going to be the easy game that everybody thought it would be. The Jets played great defense. It started up front. Four of the five defensive linemen in the Jets’ rotation are first-round draft choices. To me, that was one of the big differences in the game. The Chargers still moved the ball, but I didn’t think they scored the amount of points that they needed to score. The reason is because of the Jets’ front seven. I don’t think 17 points is enough against the Jets. They deserve all the credit for playing well.

Another thing I mentioned is that 50 percent of all playoff games are decided by a play in the kicking game. There you have it. The Jets had a field goal that they missed wide right from 33 yards. Then Doug Brien made a 42-yarder that dinged off the right upright and went in. The Chargers, on the other hand, had one 40-yarder that just missed. That was another difference in the game.

So I’m surprised that the game didn’t go the Chargers’ way because we were at home—the crowd was amazing—and we didn’t have to travel and the team was rested. But the things that decided the game didn’t surprise me at all. It was exactly what I thought.

One of the major criticisms I’ve heard is of Marty Schottenheimer’s play calls leading up to the field-goal attempt in overtime. I said it on air that I would’ve liked to see a couple more passes to get it closer. I’m not going to backtrack on what I said. Looking at it from Schottenheimer’s perspective, though, the Chargers were in field-goal range. Secondly, you have the best running back in the world and you’re hoping he’s going to bust one for 5-10 yards sometime in three carries. That didn’t happen. So the odds say that the Chargers did the right thing.

Regardless of what people may think about the Chargers’ choice of plays, I truly believe that Marty is the right man to be head coach. He did an unbelievable job with this team. I don’t believe in teams overachieving. When you achieve something, you achieve it, period. You earned it. This team earned everything they got. But I think this team can get a whole lot better quickly, because I do think there are some needs that can be fulfilled.

Other than Steve Foley, who had a nice year off the edge, I don’t see a dominating pass rusher on the Chargers. I don’t think the Chargers have a guy like Shaun Ellis, who had an overpowering performance for the Jets Saturday night. I think the Chargers need to build up front so that they can put more fear into teams in long-distance situations. Teams that have those types of players—like the Colts’ Dwight Freeney or the Bucs’ Simeon Rice—absolutely make it easier on their secondary because they consistently get pressure on the quarterback. I think we have some guys that have that type of potential, but in order for the Chargers to take it to the next level, they need that production.

Since the game last weekend, I’ve run into at least three of the players. If you think you are feeling shocked and empty, multiply it by 100,000 and that’s what these guys are feeling. They invested so much in this season, and to have it end so suddenly really hurts them. I saw Steve Foley at the driving range the other day. He doesn’t even play golf, but he didn’t know what to do with himself.

Another player that’s taking the loss hard is Nate Kaeding. He is a tough guy. I’ve talked to him a bunch of times. It’s good that he’s taking it so hard. Like the fans who are upset, it shows that he cares. It bothers him. If he blew it off and acted like nothing happened, then I’d be concerned. I told him, in your first year, you’ve already gone through everything. Now, you just have to build on it. The next time you need to hit an onside kick, or you kickoff in inclement weather or you attempt a game-winning field goal in the playoffs, you’ve done it already. It’s called experience, and you can’t put a price on it.

All in all, I think what these guys need to do is just spend time with their families, which they would normally do. Go to the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl and enjoy some of the festivities. Be proud of what they accomplished and just shut it down physically and mentally for a month, or at least three weeks. It would take me three months after the season to raise my arms over my head when I was playing. I’m exaggerating a little bit, but the point is that you get so beat up during the season. You need a rest. After that, the players should get right back at it and start training for 2005.

The nucleus is here to have a winning team for many years ahead. What the team has to do now is be very judicious in which players to re-sign and which new players to bring into the family. The one thing this team has more than anything else is chemistry. You want to add to that. You don’t want to take away from it.

With two No. 1 draft choices and room under the salary cap this offseason, as well as the confidence from last year and the chemistry I just mentioned, the future is bright for this team. Most importantly, they’ve set the bar high for upcoming years. The Chargers are definitely back and it’s a beautiful thing!

*Hank’s views do not necessarily reflect those of the organization.

Chargers reward Schottenheimer with two-year extension

Link Here: "SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Marty Schottenheimer, who guided the San Diego Chargers to their first AFC West title in 10 years, agreed to a two-year extension Friday that keeps him under contract through the 2007 season.

The Chargers were the biggest surprise in the NFL this season, going 12-4 after winning just four games in 2003. San Diego's season ended last week in a 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Jets in a wild-card playoff game.

'I'm extremely pleased and proud of Marty, his staff and the entire organization,' Chargers president Dean Spanos said. 'They overcame a very difficult 4-12 season in 2003 and turned this franchise around. I'm already looking forward to next season.'

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Named Chargers coach in 2002, Schottenheimer has a three-year record of 24-24 in San Diego, including 8-8 in his first season.

'The franchise took a giant step forward this past season,' he said. 'This success is a product of every person in the organization pulling together in the same direction. I appreciate the opportunity to continue to build on what we've achieved together over the past three years.'

Schottenheimer, 60, ranks first among active coaches in wins, improving his career mark this season to 177-117-1. He also has coached the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins.

However, Schottenheimer has been haunted by his playoff failures. Last week's loss dropped his postseason record to 5-12."

Chargers have surprised in the past

Link Here: "San Diego Chargesr coach Marty Schottenheimer gives that reassuring smile, that one that says everything will be all right.

But he's in the minority as the Chargers' heartbreaking loss to the Jets is lingering like the black clouds which have circled Southern California the past two weeks.

Maybe Schottenheimer is so at ease because he has been through this drill so often. The latest loss dropped his postseason mark to 5-12 and it was his fifth straight loss in the playoffs.

So he tried to stay upbeat, while those around him wore long faces.

'I'm excited about the prospects for the future,' Schottenheimer said. 'This has been a great year for our football team. While the disappointment exists here, and I know it lingers until the end of the postseason, we have a lot of things we're looking forward to building on.'

Whether that building block includes Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees remains to be seen.

Brees, who is becoming an unrestricted free agent, is thought to want to come back. The team, which is $21 million under next season's cap, can afford to pay him the $9 million for a year and let Philip Rivers age once more year.

Or will it?

Time and again Schottenheimer was given a chance to say he thought Brees might be back or that he would like Brees to be back or wouldn't it be grand if the Chargers could figure a way to bring Brees back and on and on.

But somewhat strangely, Schottenheimer never took the bait. He said so much more with what he didn't say, that he did with what coachspeak he spouted.

'In due time, all of this will be sorted out,' he said.

Hardly a ringing endorsement. It makes some think Brees isn't coming back, or if he does, the team will sign and trade him.

It's difficult to tell this early in the ball game. But what was clear is that the Chargers are leaving themselves wiggle room if in fact their 2005 roster doesn't included Brees. 'I think you are better served"

Healing process

Full Story Here: The feelings that Chargers players and coaches have experienced the past few days include pride in a season where they overcame gloomy predictions to win the AFC West and finish with a team-record tying 12 wins, as well as disappointment with their 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Jets in the first round of the playoffs.

The one emotion that they have not endured is self pity.

In the final team meeting of the season Monday, Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer relayed his sentiments on the season, making it clear that the players should hold their heads high for what they accomplished, even if they aren’t satisfied with the final result.

Chargers kicker is at a loss

Full Story Here: "Everyone keeps telling him to forget about the miss, but as hard as rookie kicker Nate Kaeding tries he can't escape the image of the football sailing wide right on his 40-yard field goal attempt Saturday against the New York Jets.

A few yards to the left and the Chargers would have spent yesterday preparing for a second-round playoff game at Pittsburgh instead of cleaning out their lockers and going through individual exit meetings with coach Marty Schottenheimer.

'If there is one guy on this football team who could manage the disappointment of this, it's Nate Kaeding,' Schottenheimer said later. 'He is something.'"

Brees wants long-term deal from Chargers

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Drew Brees wants a little loyalty and commitment from the San Diego Chargers.

``I think the organization knows how I feel. I think I've made that known that I want to be here and I want a long-term contract,'' the Pro Bowl quarterback said Monday after the Chargers held their final team meeting.

``So really now, it kind of falls in their court. It's up to them to decide what they want to do.''"

Chargers Hand Out Team Awards

Link Here: "On Monday, the San Diego Chargers handed out their team awards, as voted on by the players. Quarterback Drew Brees picked up honors for Chargers MVP and Most Inspirational Player, Antonio Gates won Offensive Player of the Year, Jamal Williams won Defensive Player of the Year and Best Lineman and Mike Scifres earned Special Teams Player of the Year.

It was a record-setting season for Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees . He tossed 27 touchdowns to just seven interceptions and his 104.8 passer rating was the highest in team history. His status was uncertain entering the year and he led the Bolts to a 12-4 mark despite the enormous pressure that he faced.

Antonio Gates capped his year by making it into the NFL record books. He caught 13 touchdown passes in a single-season, a new record for tight ends. He caught 81 passes and ranked second in the NFL with 30 catches on third down. He was named a starter on the Pro Bowl squad.

Jamal Williams quietly manned the middle of the Chargers 3-4 defense. Although he does not get the stats other players collected, he was instrumental to its success. Williams commanded double-teams and opened up lanes for his linebackers to make plays. The Chargers ended the year third against the run, thanks in large part to Williams' contribution. He also led all linemen with four sacks. Williams was voted a first alternate to the Pro Bowl squad.

Punter Mike Scifres finished second in the NFL with a 38.4-yard net punting average and was called 'a weapon' often by head coach Marty Schottenheimer . His ability to pin the opposition deep and prevent returns was a big reason for the Chargers success in 2004. Only 23 of his 69 punts were returned, fewest in the league for players who punted in all 16 games, and 29 of his 69 punts landed inside the opponent's 20-yard line, the highest ratio in the NFL. Scifres also was voted a Pro Bowl first alternate."

Building blocks

Full Story Here: "Running back LaDainian Tomlinson was watching the Indianapolis Colts whip the Denver Broncos on a television in his Poway home yesterday, but at times his vision of the screen was clouded by images of the Chargers' 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Jets the previous night.

'I've been replaying it in my mind,' Tomlinson said. 'Usually there are games where you can say, 'Well, we lost because we turned the ball over or we didn't play well here or there.' But you can't really say that with this game."

A Sunny Season, Overall

Full Story Here: "They probably won't feel like it today, or even next week or next month. But at some point in the not-too-distant future, anyone connected with the Chargers will sit back and marvel at the 2004 season.

How could they not? Putting aside the disappointment of Saturday night's AFC wild-card playoff loss to the New York Jets, it was a season to remember for the Chargers. Especially when all they had done over the last eight years was to produce one season to forget after another."

Chargers look ahead

Full Story Here: Marty Schottenheimer stood at the lectern in the press conference room deep beneath the Qualcomm Stadium stands moments after the Chargers’ season abruptly came to an end with a 20-17 overtime loss Saturday night to the New York Jets. He didn’t waste words when asked what he said in the locker room to his players.

Schottenheimer, who earlier in the day was named the NFL Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, said, “I told them, ‘Words are kind of hollow right now. It’s very understandable the disappointment that exists in the locker room and in the stadium. I think that it is important to understand that in the passing of time there will be an appreciation for what this football team, this organization has achieved in 2004. That is the cornerstone on we which we move forward into the future.”

Heartbreaker

Full Story Here: "In one of the most heart-wrenching playoff games in Chargers history, the Bolts staged a furious fourth-quarter comeback, but came up short in a 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Jets in front of 67,536 fans at Qualcomm Stadium.

With the game tied 7-7 at halftime, the Jets scored 10 unanswered points in the third period. Nevertheless, the Bolts tied the game after quarterback Drew Brees led the offense on a game-long 14-play scoring drive, passing to tight end Antonio Gates for a one-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left in the contest."

The MartyParty ends shockingly for Chargers

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Coach of the Year Marty Schottenheimer still has quite a bit of work to do, with his team and his own behavior.

The San Diego Chargers' surprise turnaround season melted down Saturday night in the kind of shocking fashion that fit right in with Schottenheimer's many other playoff failures."

Chargers season ends in overtime

Full Story Here: "It came down to a field goal - actually two. The first chance in overtime belonged to the San Diego Chargers but Nate Kaeding missed wide right from 40 yards out and gave the New York Jets a second life. Doug Brien converted his shot with five seconds left in overtime, hitting from 28 yards out to give the Jets a 20-17 overtime victory at Qualcomm."

Jets prove doubters wrong with victory

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Eric Barton really did breathe a sigh of relief, thanks to his teammates.

Chad Pennington engineered a marvelous game-winning drive after the San Diego Chargers missed a field goal that would have won it, vaulting the Jets to a 20-17 overtime victory in the wild-card game Saturday night."

Chargers get no kick out of playoffs

Full Story Here: SAN DIEGO – The same New York Jets who backed into the playoffs were the latest team to usher Marty Schottenheimer into the offseason.

Doug Brien kicked a 28-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in overtime to get linebacker Eric Barton off the hook for a huge penalty and give the Jets a 20-17 upset over the Chargers in a wild-card game Saturday night.

It's Over Time

Full Story Here: "Drew Brees threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, but in the end was saddled with his first playoff loss. Crissy Pascual / Union-Tribune

Right guard Mike Goff wore a white undershirt and a look of disbelief as he sat at his locker following the Chargers' game last night. Like many of his teammates, there was never a doubt in his mind that this magical ride of a season would carry them into the second round of the playoffs next weekend, then into the AFC Championship Game the following weekend and, finally, into the Super Bowl two weekends after that."

Schottenheimer reverts to caveman football at end

Full Story Here: "LaDainian Tomlinson turned his back to the field and trudged solemnly toward the tunnel. His stride was sure, but his shoulders sagged. En route to the exit, the Chargers' extraordinary running back pulled a towel over his head to shield his face from the spectators.

Tomlinson has known disappointment in professional football, but this time it ran deeper."

A perfect, typical victory for Jets

Full Story Here: "All that was missing was a laugh track. This is no knock on the Chargers, just the raw truth. They were so happy to be alive in the spooky mist, so thrilled to still be grunting hard in January, they didn't even hear the approaching bus, careening out of control."

Jets' goat loses horns after miss

Full Story Here: "Eric Barton had written his own epitaph.

'Barton Blows It.'

'I had the headlines all written out in my head,' the Jets linebacker said last night after making, in his words, 'the worst play possible at the worst time imaginable.'

On what should have been the Chargers' last gasp in regulation, Barton got a roughing-the-passer personal foul for drilling Drew Brees after the quarterback lofted an incomplete pass into the end zone on fourth down with the Chargers trailing 17-10 and 16 seconds left on the clock."

Pennington strong-arms Bolts

Full Story Here: "On the evening's first play from scrimmage, Chad Pennington stepped back and lofted a pass downfield that traveled 33 yards from his point of release until it touched the ground, incomplete.

No matter. The New York Jets quarterback had sent a message to the Chargers: that his arm was a good deal more lively than reports had suggested."

MartyBall now MartyBawl

Full Story Here: "Marty Schottenheimer gave away a touchdown by showing an uncharacteristic lack of control and perhaps let the game get away with a characteristic conservative approach at the end.

After another playoff loss in an otherwise distinguished career pockmarked by the postseason, the Chargers coach did not manage a smile, but he did offer a lighthearted assessment of his personal regret over last night's 20-17 AFC wild-card overtime loss to the New York Jets."

Wide-right kick takes wind out of defense

Full Story Here: "They'd given up just 17 points in more than four quarters of the franchise's first postseason game in nine years, certainly done a good enough job to keep the Chargers in position to beat the New York Jets in overtime.

And when the winning kick sailed wide right, they were the ones who had to go back out right away and shut down the New York Jets."

AFC Wild Card Matchup - Jets at Chargers

Full Matchup Here: "New York Jets (10-6) vs. San Diego Chargers (12-4) at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Saturday, 8 p.m. EST


Coaches' playoff records: Herman Edwards, New York 1-2 Marty Schottenheimer, San Diego, 5-11

Last meeting: September 19, 2004 at San Diego Curtis Martin rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 34-28 victory. Chad Pennington threw a pair of second-half touchdown passes as the Jets opened a 34-21 lead in the fourth quarter. Pennington completed 22-of-29 passes for 258 yards. Santana Moss had four catches for 97 yards for the Jets. San Diego's Drew Brees suffered a concussion early in the game following a hit by free safety Jon McGraw. Brees was replaced by veteran Doug Flutie with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Bress finished 8-of-19 for 146 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble."

Playoff fever

Full Story Here: The sellout crowd rose to its feet on Sunday after the Chargers’ second touchdown of the game gave them a 17-3 lead over the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Watching intently from the sideline, linebacker Donnie Edwards heard the Chargers’ retro-style theme song blaring from the stadium speakers, and then lost himself in the moment.

“It was surreal,” said Edwards, who grew up in Chula Vista. “I remembered where I was 20 years ago, sitting in the stands, watching Dan Fouts throw a pass to Charlie Joiner for a touchdown and hearing that song, ‘San Diego Super Chargers.’ It was amazing. It brought back some good memories.”

Cautionary tale: Jets no pushovers, but Chargers should win

Full Story Here: "I tire of running alongside the bandwagon, which is SRO now, jammed with Boltaholics, old and fledgling, and running as if Chuck Yeager had the reins. But every so often it stops to let some believers squeeze aboard, and it is then I can put my pulse on the fickle finger of the San Diego sports fan.

Here's what I get: They see Jets lag. The consensus is the Chargers are going to punch New York in its big Adam's apple in tomorrow night's prime-time AFC playoff game, that this could be Tyson-Spinks, over before the final tailgater staggers into Qualcomm.

Even the oddsmakers, enamored with the Bolts because they cover like darkness, make the Chargers a touchdown favorite. And to think five months ago, morons to Mensa members had the San Diegans cruising or putting up preserves with their wives by Jan. 8."

Once maligned, now divine

Full Story Here: "Drew Brees said over and over the day Pro Bowl selections were announced last month that he expected all along he would get an invitation to Hawaii as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks this season.

At one point, an ESPN interviewer stopped him practically midsentence and asked in obvious astonishment, 'Really? Even after they drafted Philip Rivers?'

'Yes,' Brees said simply.

Brees had said the same thing back in May, shortly after Rivers was acquired in a draft-day trade."

Chargers untested in playoff football

Full Story Here: "Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards has a degree in political science from UCLA and is working toward a master's in education. During talks with kids throughout San Diego County, he regularly stresses the importance of school and preaches his belief that knowledge is power.

Yet there stood Edwards on a recent afternoon, talking about how ignorance could be bliss Saturday when the Chargers open the playoffs against the New York Jets at Qualcomm stadium. Only thirteen of the 53 players on San Diego's roster have taken a snap in a postseason game, and Edwards believes the Chargers' overall unfamiliarity with the high stakes and hoopla could work in their favor."

Free-agent-to-be Brees looks for long-term deal

Full Story Here: Quarterback Drew Brees could earn in the neighborhood of $9 million next season if the Chargers designate him as their franchise player.

But during a conference call with the New York media yesterday, Brees gave the impression that a multiyear contract is more important to him than a one-year bonanza.

"I want a long-term commitment from the Chargers – if not the Chargers, then from someone else," he said. " . . . I'm of the belief that I want to be loyal to an organization, and I want an organization to be loyal to me. I understand there's not too much of that left in the NFL because it is such a business, and with free agency and everything else it's a crazy deal. But I want a long-term commitment, I can tell you that."

Tomlinson likes what he's seen of January

Full Story Here: "LaDainian Tomlinson came off the practice field, walked immediately to the interview area, looked at the horde of cameras and reporters . . . and smiled.

'It's nice to see everybody in the postseason,' Tomlinson said.

Four years into his brilliant career, Tomlinson finally was able to take part in a January practice yesterday as the Chargers opened preparations for Saturday night's AFC wild-card playoff game against the New York Jets at Qualcomm Stadium."

L.T. finally makes it to playoffs

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- With a Chargers stocking cap pulled down over his ears on a wet, windy afternoon, LaDainian Tomlinson stepped up to the bank of microphones with a smile on his face.

``Well, it's nice to see everybody in the postseason, all of you guys,'' the star running back said to a group of reporters after practice Tuesday.

It's something new, all right, for both Tomlinson and the Chargers.

The Chargers are usually a few days into their offseason by early January, but not this year. Tomlinson helped turn the Chargers from laughingstocks to AFC West champions, a jump from 4-12 to 12-4."

McCardell Set To Play

Link Here: "Wide receiver Keenan McCardell has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury but the team expects him to be ready to go Saturday against the Jets. Head coach Marty Schottenheimer told the San Diego North County Times that McCardell will play and could have even played last week against the Chiefs if that had been a playoff game."

Redemption game

Full Story Here: Anyone that has followed Marty Schottenheimer this season—or any season— even remotely knows that his most fundamental coaching tenet is to take “one game at a time.” Yet, he allowed himself to depart from his approach last week when he glimpsed at tape of the New York Jets.

“I was not overlooking Kansas City,” Schottenheimer said after beating the Chiefs 24-17 in the regular-season finale on Sunday. “I merely took more time to spend on the Jets than any other possible opponent because the percentages would indicate that is who we would play.”

Big Ones got away

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "Marty Schottenheimer had no intention of running from his past. He stood there like the linebacker he used to be and met the question head-on.

'It is what it is,' he said again and again when asked about his 5-11 record in the postseason. 'I took great pride in the fact we were always in the tournament, but you can't escape the results. We had a lot of tough losses.'"

Brees throws out first game against Jets

Full Story Here: "Chargers quarterback Drew Brees has been confident all season, and it was clear yesterday nothing has changed in the NFL's 'second season.'

The Chargers will open the postseason Saturday against the New York Jets, a team that handled them fairly easily earlier this season in San Diego. But Brees believes the Jets are up against it trying to repeat their victory."

Reserves come through in finale

Full Story Here: "After concluding their second exhibition season in six months, holding off the Kansas City Chiefs 24-17 before 64,920 in Qualcomm Stadium yesterday, the Chargers turned their attention to a game that really matters:

Saturday's 5 p.m. playoff opener against the visiting New York Jets."

Rivers finally gets into game flow

Full Story Here: "Philip Rivers had trouble standing in one place. He bounced on his toes. He shifted his weight from side to side. He paced the sideline and watched the clock. He knew his first extensive action since becoming a Charger was coming, and it was all he could do to maintain his cool."

Flutie works his magic, one final time

Full Story Here: "Doug Flutie got what he wanted.

Told Friday he would be playing in yesterday's regular-season finale against Kansas City at Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers' 42-year-old quarterback said he sought to go out on a good note, just in case it turned out to be his final NFL game."