Brees: Lessons from loss could help in playoffs

Full Story Here: "``I think a lot of guys woke up this morning and realized they don't like that feeling,'' quarterback Drew Brees said Monday. ``It's good to have that winning expectation, to go on streaks like that, where you feel like every time you step on the field you're going to win, and we still feel like that.''

San Diego (11-4) clinched the AFC West a week earlier, so the loss didn't have the sting it could have.

But the Chargers, heading to the playoffs for the first time since 1995, have plenty to learn from this one."

A Chargers loss never looked so good

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers were cruising along with an eight game win streak until they faced the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. They lost the game but have shown that they can learn from their mistakes, as they have in the past.

Prior to Sunday, the Chargers swept through November and most of December with their last loss coming on the road in Atlanta way back on Oct. 17. They realized back then that a full sixty minutes was needed to be victorious in the NFL"

Chargers: Manning record no big deal, as long as Bolts beat Colts

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers know the odds are pretty good they'll be part of NFL history on Sunday.

When Peyton Manning threw just one touchdown pass for the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, it meant that some Chargers defensive back probably will be the unlucky soul who gets burned for Manning's 48th TD pass, which would tie Dan Marino's NFL record set 20 years ago, and maybe his 49th, which would break the mark.

Most Chargers say they can live with that as long as they find a way to upset the Colts when the two division champions, both 11-3, meet Sunday in Indianapolis."

Chargers In The Pro Bowl

Full Story Here: "Fourteen games into the NFL season, the San Diego Chargers are getting some of their due. When Pro Bowl rosters were announced, three Chargers made the roster and three more were named alternates."

San Diego Chargers -- AFC West Champs

Full Story Here: CLEVELAND – Mike Goff walked off the snow-covered field with both arms up, flexing his biceps to no one in particular. Donnie Edwards jogged toward the tunnel, then stopped to make snow angels near the end zone. Steve Foley entered the locker room wearing his helmet, then emerged with a different type of hat. It read:

Division Champions.

2004

AFC West.

Preparing for the Rest

Full Story Here: "The Chargers will win the AFC West this season. A win over the Browns, arguably the worst team in the NFL right now, would all but make it official. With a win in Cleveland this weekend, the only way the Chargers could lose the division is if Denver wins their last three games, San Diego loses their remaining two games, and the Broncos make up 43 points worth of point differential, which would then become the applicable tie-breaker."

Chargers at Browns preview

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers travel to Cleveland to face the Browns this weekend - braving the cold for the first time this year. That will be a challenge for the warm weather team, even if the Browns are not."

Chargers LB Edwards among NFL Players of Week

Full Story Here: "NEW YORK (Ticker) - San Diego Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards, who made another big fourth-quarter play, was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday.

Edwards returned his second interception of the game 30 yards for a touchdown with a 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter to snap a tie and lift the Chargers to a 31-24 victory over Tampa Bay."

Riding the wave

Full Story Here: Now that the Chargers have 10 wins with three games left in the regular season, it’s tempting to run through the various scenarios that would lead to the team’s first playoff berth since 1995. But if you think that’s what Marty Schottenheimer is doing, guess again.

The Chargers’ head coach, a former English major, isn’t one to break down numbers and figure out probabilities. Ultimately, he knows if the Bolts win out, everything else will take care of itself.

Donnie on the spot

Full Story Here: Plenty of times Donnie Edwards has enjoyed special moments in an NFL career that includes playoff seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and a Pro Bowl trip with the Chargers in 2002, his first homecoming season in San Diego.

But the kid from National City who grew up watching and celebrating with the Air Coryell Chargers has never enjoyed a moment quite as special as his 30-yard interception return for a touchdown that was the decisive play in Sunday’s 31-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Qualcomm Stadium.

SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers -- Scifres looks like average guy, punts like Ray Guy

Full Story Here: "Sling a backpack over Mike Scifres' shoulder and you half expect him to head for biology class. He is that unpretentious, that ordinary in his appearance and attitude. He is the guy who delivers your pizza, if not for that cannon that doubles as a leg.

It makes perfect sense. In the improbable journey that is a Chargers season of so many exceptional individual efforts, the most significant might be a second-year punter who spent last season strictly as an apprentice to Darren Bennett."

Win, and Chargers may be in playoffs

Full Story Here: "When it comes to the playoffs, the Chargers will acknowledge only one thing: They're in the best of positions.

'We don't have to wait for anyone to lose,' linebacker Donnie Edwards said yesterday. 'If we just win these next three games, we definitely win our division.

'That's what we want. That's what we've been working hard for, back in the offseason, back in training camp and throughout this year. I just hope we can continue and take care of business like we want to.'"

Chargers rookies disprove truism

Full Story Here: "It's one of the oldest adages in the NFL book, right in there with 'On any given Sunday' and 'We're just taking 'em one game at a time.'

This one isn't quite as familiar, but anyone who has spent any time around an NFL team has heard someone say how it's more difficult for a rookie to succeed on the offensive line than at any other position except quarterback."

Imagine if Tomlinson were actually near 100 percent

Full Story Here: "LaDainian Tomlinson is not himself. Kindly disregard any claims to the contrary.

There's been a subtle downshift in his stride, a passing gear lost to a tender groin. In the terminology of his fellow Texans, LT has what is known as a slight hitch in his giddy-up.

Lucky for him he happens to be great."

Cleaning up a mess of their own making

Full Story Here: Now how would a wine connoisseur judge this particular bottle of Chargers-Bucs? "A bit hard on the palate, with a hint of iron, flint, scrambled eggs and banana peel, but a surprisingly sweet finish. Drinkable, but do so right away. Don't lay it down."

This was not vintage 2004 Chargers, what took place yesterday in Mission Valley – it hasn't been simple or easy for a month. San Diego's 31-24 victory was difficult, as expected against a desperate Tampa Bay team with some skill, but hardly crisp and far too sloppy for a team with playoff aspirations.

Edwards unwraps Foley's slow rap

Full Story Here: "From the south sideline at Qualcomm Stadium, Drew Brees watched it all unfold.

He watched Donnie Edwards drop into coverage, watched him read Brian Griese's eyes, watched him break on the ball and watched him make the interception that 30 yards later would give the Chargers yet another victory.

Like few others inside the packed stadium, the Chargers quarterback knew exactly how Griese, his counterpart with Tampa Bay, had been victimized."

Penalty on field goal trips up Buccaneers

Full Story Here: "'Poof!' Like that, the air went out of a football team.

The team was the Tampa Bay Bucs, who had to have believed they had taken a lead over the Chargers in the second period yesterday on a 20-yard Jay Taylor field goal. The points had been posted on the Qualcomm Stadium scoreboard for 65,858 to see: 'Tampa Bay 10, San Diego 7.'"

Chargers report card week 14: Tampa Bay

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers got one step closer to living the dream on Sunday with a 31-24 victory over Tampa. It was the defense that came up with two huge turnovers late in the game to give the Bolts the win."

Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Chargers can clinch long-sought playoff berth on Sunday

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- It's been a long time since either the San Diego Chargers or coach Marty Schottenheimer were talking playoff possibilities this late in the season.

The unimaginable can become reality on Sunday for the Chargers, who can win the AFC West based on two scenarios, or at least clinch a playoff berth under two other scenarios."

Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Chargers 31, Buccaneers 24

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Whether it was at UCLA or in the NFL, Donnie Edwards always heard he'd never make it because he was too small and too slow.

Somehow he's made it into a ninth NFL season, and somehow he made two interceptions for his hometown San Diego Chargers on Sunday.

The biggest came with 4:09 left against Tampa Bay, when he picked off Brian Griese's pass and returned it 30 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the Chargers' 31-24 win, their seventh straight in what's turned out to be a charmed season."

Words to dine on

Full Story Here: It's difficult to have a formal conversation with Marty Schottenheimer. The Chargers coach won't always tell you what you need – or want – to know. He often says just enough for you to get by. He's a pro who knows the drill.

He doesn't wear a white tie and tails or pretend to be something he's not, a stubborn coach who has seen hundreds of Sundays. He's about as pliable as titanium.

And I don't know that he should be. He has won 174 NFL games, the 174th coming Sunday against Denver. When given a chance, he has a knack of getting it done. Not many coaches do, or have.

Tomlinson: Chargers players want Brees back

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: SAN DIEGO – The day after the Chargers assured themselves of their first winning season since 1995, LaDainian Tomlinson made a pitch for the front office to bring back quarterback Drew Brees next year.

Brees has been the biggest catalyst in the Chargers' surprising turnaround from NFL doormat a year ago to the brink of clinching their first playoff berth in nine seasons.

Asked about Brees on Monday, Tomlinson said there's no question the players want him back.

Players remain low-key for stretch drive

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "As the time remaining in the Chargers' showdown with the Denver Broncos decreased Sunday, LaDainian Tomlinson's heart rate increased.

'I thought I was going to have a heart attack,' he said after San Diego held on for a 20-17 win. 'I don't know if I ever wanted to win a game that bad. Ever! I knew how much it meant. It was just incredible.'"

The new Chargers

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO -- Say goodbye to the old San Diego Chargers. You've got to like these new guys.

The old Chargers would have lost Sunday's AFC West showdown against Denver in any number of ways. The fourth-quarter fade pass by Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer that was tipped by cornerback Drayton Florence would have gone into the hands of Rod Smith instead of Chargers defensive back Jerry Wilson.

Drew Brees
Drew Brees and the Chargers have won six straight games.
In the old Chargers days, referee Ron Winter would have ruled that there was inconclusive evidence to oveturn a third-quarter play in which Broncos cornerback Kelly Herndon tipped a Drew Brees pass off the ground to safety Kenoy Kennedy, who ran 95 yards for an apparent touchdown. The new Chargers actually got the right call. Winter sided with the Chargers. That wouldn't have happened in the past."

Role reversal

Full Story Here: The Chargers’ offense carried the team through its five-game win streak, averaging 31.8 points and easing the burden on the defense. On Sunday, it was the defense’s turn to return the favor.

In rainy conditions at Qualcomm Stadium, the Bolts’ defense recorded a season-high four interceptions, allowed only 74 rushing yards to the NFL’s sixth-ranked rushing offense, and sacked quarterback Jake Plummer twice to give the Chargers a 20-17 win over the Denver Broncos.

San Diegans climb on 'Boltwagon'

Full Story Here: "You can't call San Diego Chargers fans fair-weather anymore.

At least you couldn't say that yesterday when 65,395 people watched the Chargers beat the Denver Broncos 20-17 on a cold, windy, wet afternoon that saw the Bolts take a two-game lead over Denver in the AFC West."

Brees can't fine his groove on rainy day

Full Story Here: Quarterback Drew Brees figured to cool off at some point, and it happened on a 58-degree afternoon yesterday.

Matched against a Denver defense that kept him in its crosshairs, he threw an interception for the first time in six games, 27 quarters and 195 passes. He also struggled to reach triple digits in passing yards, finishing with a season-low 106 on 14-of-27 passing. He had only 5 yards passing in the fourth quarter and just 20 in the second half.

But you never would have known it by Brees' demeanor. He didn't appear to be disappointed or frustrated. The bottom line to him was that the Chargers won – 20-17 – and he was on the field to direct them.

Liquid Plummer

Full Story Here: "Football on the Chargers' 7-yard line. Denver driving, momentum sweeping it along, the Broncos having begun this advance with successive gains of 12, 11 and 39 yards against a defense that seemingly was tiring.

At that juncture, with 4:23 left in a wet and raw afternoon at Qualcomm Stadium, quarterback Jake Plummer had an option, assigned him by coach Mike Shanahan: to hand off or, given a certain defensive coverage, to arch a pass on a fade route toward wide receiver Rod Smith.

Plummer looked. He saw the defensive alignment for which he had been alerted, what he would call 'bump-man.' He chose to exercise his option. And as his actions would for him throughout the afternoon, this one turned out disastrously."

Bouncing ahead

Full Story Here: "In about as long as it takes to fire off that game-ending cannon at Qualcomm Stadium, the sense of relief turned to triumph to ecstasy. Then it would turn to downright giddiness.

To be sure, first place does funny things to a fellow. To a team. Heck, to a city. Especially after a full decade."

Fantasy football

Full Story Here: "Before taking the field for their AFC West showdown with the Denver Broncos yesterday, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer gathered his players and told them to close their eyes for 10 seconds and envision what their locker room would be like after the victory.

Presumptuous? Perhaps.

Effective? Absolutely."

Chargers' interceptions common against Denver

Full Story Here: "Think the rain wasn't a factor? The two teams combined for 67 pass attempts and only completed 30, good for 44.7 percent. There were five interceptions and three fumbles in the game."

Chargers' knockout punch

Full Story Here: SAN DIEGO – In the cinematic sense of things, it was one of those insignificant moments that would have hit the cutting room floor. But when the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos settled up Sunday, the scene ended up impacting everything.

In fact, it changed a game, a division race and the playoff picture.

Chargers claim two game lead

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers fought through a rainy day to beat the Denver Broncos. They took advantage of four Jake Plummer interceptions and came away with a 20-17 victory as Denver could not make head way on their final drive of the game.

The Chargers needed one first down to end the game but could not convert a third down with two minutes to go and almost lost the game when Drew Brees was sacked by John Lynch and fumbled the ball. Brees was able to secure it but the Bolts had to punt and give Denver the ball back.

Denver converted a fourth and ten to get the ball to the San Diego 46 with twenty seconds to go. They were forced into another fourth and ten but this time just eight ticks remained on the clock. Jake Plummer hit Darius Watts but the rookie turned his route inside instead of going out of bounds as the clock ran out on Denver and gave San Diego a two game cushion atop the AFC West."

Unsung Heroes

Full Story Here: "Sunday's game was a game of unsung heroes. Everyone was talking about Antonio Gates and Drew Brees, and last year their names were not even mentioned in the same breath of a Pro Bowl season. It was the play of unsung heroes like Drayton Florence who came in for an injured Sammy Davis and played a good game that made the difference and could be the difference again this week."

Chargers 20, Broncos 17

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers' long nightmare is coming to an end.

And if the Chargers do go on and break their eight-year playoff drought, they can thank their anonymous defense.

The Chargers -- yes, the Chargers -- took firm control of the AFC West by hanging on to beat the Denver Broncos 20-17 in a wild one on Sunday. San Diego's defense saved the day by intercepting Jake Plummer four times, including in the end zone in the closing minutes, and LaDainian Tomlinson ran for two touchdowns."

Clash of wills

Full Story Here: "Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer usually bypasses silver linings faster than offensive linemen step past salad lines. He prefers to see athletic performance in black and white. Either you did or you didn't. There is no good in being bad.

But after watching his run defense get gashed in Kansas City last week, Schottenheimer read from a different script. Instead of ripping his defense, he pointed out a potential positive from the negative that was 5.5 yards allowed per rush against the Chiefs."

Statistics validate growth of Brees

Full Story Here: "Chargers quarterback Drew Brees ranks third in the NFL with a 108.0 passer rating. That's 40.5 points higher than his 67.5 rating last season.

If he maintains his efficiency, it would mark the largest one-year increase since the NFL adopted the current passer-rating system in 1973."

Brees still cool under pressure

Full Story Here: "The heir apparent to the throne has been literally just that as Philip Rivers warms the benches for the San Diego Chargers while Drew Brees has a lit a fire for the team and kept it warm all season long.

The reasons for Drew Brees ' success are many, as the quarterback readies the Chargers for their showdown with the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium: he has a better understanding of the offense, he has better players around him and he is playing with a chip on his shoulder, after the Chargers gave up on him and acquired Philip Rivers ."

Struggling secondary on the island against Chargers

Full Story Here: "DENVER (AP) -- A Denver secondary that couldn't stop the Oakland Raiders now has a new, more difficult challenge: Going against one of the top receivers in the NFL.

He is San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, and one of the biggest questions of the week is how Denver will cover him. With a zone? With a linebacker? With Champ Bailey?"

Chargers seek to widen gap

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers didn't expect to be leading the AFC West at this point in the season. And the Denver Broncos probably didn't expect to be trailing the Chargers in the standings.

But that's where the Broncos are, a game behind the NFL's most positive surprise, as they head to San Diego for Sunday's NFC West showdown.

The Chargers are favored by three points -- the measure of home-field advantage by oddsmakers -- over a team that beat them 23-13 in Week 3. Since then, San Diego has won seven of eight, including its current five-game winning streak."

Man on a mission

Full Story Here: Drew Brees doesn’t need to be reminded of his career-high 21 touchdown passes, or his AFC Offensive Player of the Week award or his team-record 193 pass attempts without an interception to realize the difference one year has made. All he has to do is go out in public.

Different Brees to face off against Broncos

Full Story Here: "We wanted to force the Chargers to put the ball in Drew Brees' hands."
– Broncos linebacker Al Wilson, after Denver beat the Chargers 23-13 on Sept. 26

With the Broncos coming to town Sunday for a rematch that could ultimately decide the AFC West title, Drew Brees insisted yesterday he wasn't offended by Al Wilson's remark. He also said he wasn't bothered by similar remarks from other Broncos after that game.

Hitting his stride

Full Story Here: "If you've paid close attention the last two weeks and still have doubts about the progression of Drew Brees as a professional football player, then you've missed the wonderful poise and control that he has exhibited throughout this season.

As the clocked ticked down in the third quarter my heart began to race, and visions of late game (and late season) collapse began to fill my mind as they have in years past; these images grew as a Kerry Collins pass found the waiting arms of Oakland tight end Teyo Johnson in the end zone. The momentum had shifted, the Coliseum rumbled as if you were in the heart of Rome, amidst a great battle. A two point Charger lead no longer felt like a lead at all. To say I was skeptical is an understatement, but one thing we have learned from these Chargers is that they truly are a team, and do not appear kin to those of recent past."

Broncos Face New Supercharged Opponent

Full Story Here: "DENVER - What, in the name of Dan Fouts, is going on here? The Denver Broncos (news) head into December facing a key game against a tough division opponent. That's nothing new. The opponent is the San Diego Chargers (news). That certainly is."

Learning from the past

Full Story Here: The Chargers are 8-3 and standing atop the AFC West. Denver, the division’s preseason favorite, sits one game back of the Bolts as the teams prepare for Sunday’s game before a sellout crowd at Qualcomm Stadium.

If that sounds eerily familiar to two years ago, when the Chargers were 8-4 and the Super Bowl-bound Oakland Raiders came to town, beating the Bolts 27-7 to start a four-game slide toward an 8-8 record and no postseason bid, the Chargers acknowledge the similarities without expecting the same results.

Chargers vs. Broncos: Scouting report

Full Story Here: "1:05 p.m. Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium

Had they beaten Oakland on Sunday, rather than blowing an 11-point lead in the final 61 1/2 minutes, the Broncos could have all but wrapped up the AFC West by defeating the Chargers this week. Instead, it's Denver that is in danger of virtual elimination, since a loss would put the Broncos two games behind with four games to play. That won't be easy for Broncomaniacs to accept, considering that just five games ago their team was 5-1 and two games ahead of San Diego."

Charger sign cornerback to active roster

Link HereSAN DIEGO – The Chargers activated cornerback Robb Butler from the practice squad on Tuesday.

The move came two days after cornerback Sammy Davis sustained a hairline fracture in his right leg.

The Chargers also signed wide receiver Carl Morris and cornerback Jonathan Cox to the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the Chargers waived tight end Billy Baber from the active roster and running back Ahmaad Galloway from the practice squad.

Denver game looms as the season maker, or breaker

Full Story HereThere was a time when trying for a ninth victory would be a historic milestone for the Chargers – any time in the past eight seasons, for instance.

Not now. Not with Roman Numerals in their sights.

"The No. 1 thing is to know where you're at and know where you're trying to go," tight end Antonio Gates said. "We've overcome a lot of adversity and different kinds of controversy and people not believing we're going to win more than two games. Now we're at 8-3.

Davis has hairline fracture, is out indefinitely

Full Story Here KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chargers won a game but lost a starting cornerback indefinitely. Sammy Davis sustained a hairline fracture of his lower right leg in the second quarter of yesterday's 34-31 victory over the Chiefs and might be sidelined for the rest of the regular season.

One to hold on to

Full Story HereKANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chargers had no intention of characterizing yesterday's 34-31 win over the Chiefs as just another victory. This one was special to them. It ended a seven-year losing streak in Arrowhead Stadium and turned grown men into little boys.

In the locker room afterward, some players cheered, others hugged and a few of them wiped their eyes after reflecting on what it feels like to be a postseason contender so late in the year.

Chargers 34, Chiefs 31

Full Story Here: "KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Strip away the great plays and the wild action and San Diego's 34-31 victory over Kansas City is reduced to a simple fact: big plays.

The revitalized Chargers (8-3) showed why they keep winning and the distraught Chiefs (3-8) showed why they continue to lose. San Diego made the big plays Sunday, got expert quarterbacking from Drew Brees and let tight end Antonio Gates and running back LaDainian Tomlinson carry most of the load.

The Chiefs gave up big plays, sustained costly penalties and turned the ball over at the worst possible time."

Chargers win in Arrowhead, 34-31

Full Story Here: "A sea-saw battle between the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs took it to a new level in the fourth quarter. The Bolts put 17 points on the board while Kansas City netted 14 and Nate Kaeding - almost a goat - turned into the hero as the Chargers erased the demons of Arrowhead and won 34-31."

Chargers at Chiefs Preview

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers have had a tough time figuring out the Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead. Considered one of the toughest places in the league to play, it has lived up to its hype when linked to the Bolts. This year, the teams are heading in opposite direction and the Chargers hope that allows them to pull out a victory in Missouri, especially since Priest Holmes will sit this one out."

Minus Priest, Chiefs hope Green can save them

Full Story Here: "It remains to be seen whether the absence of Chiefs running back Priest Holmes will be a positive or negative for the Chargers when the teams meet Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium.

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Since signing with Kansas City as a free agent in 2001, Holmes has been a big problem for the Chargers, accounting for 810 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in five games. Twice he has run for more than 160 yards, and on two other occasions he has exceeded 95 yards in receptions."

Rivers sits while Brees rolls on for Chargers

Full Story HereSAN DIEGO – Philip Rivers' introduction to life in the NFL was the same as for most newly rich rookies.

His veteran San Diego Chargers teammates took him along to dinner at a fancy steakhouse in La Jolla and, as is tradition, made the young multimillionaire quarterback pick up the check – for a whopping $25,000.

Tight end meets power forward

Full Story Here KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It was Kellen Winslow who redefined the tight end position, giving it a shape and dimension that before him it had not possessed.

Enter Tony Gonzalez. He is doing the same things Winslow did when he was with the Chargers, only faster.

Basketball traits well-serve Gonzalez, Gates

Full Story Here: "Tony Gonzalez went to five Pro Bowls in his first seven NFL seasons and is good enough to be regarded as one of the greatest play-making tight ends to don shoulder pads and cleats.

Yet he acknowledges he can learn something from a second-year tight end who didn't play organized football in college.

'He's impressed me,' Gonzalez said of the Chargers' Antonio Gates. 'He's a great football player . . . I'd be a fool not to watch Gates. I'm looking forward to seeing him play in person because he's been doing some pretty good things this year and he can help me out in my game.'"

Destiny's darlings? Chargers hope so

Full Story Here: "They missed a PAT and a field goal. They lost a fumble inside the Oakland 5-yard line and failed to score a touchdown after having a first-and-goal at the 1. They routinely allowed receivers to get free in the end zone and even allowed Ronald Curry to get behind the secondary for the potential go-ahead score with under five minutes to play.

Oh, yeah . . . they also won."

Schottenheimer: Chargers 'got away with one'

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Things are going so well with the surprising San Diego Chargers that they're asking season-ticket holders for playoff deposits and one of their least-known players is dating Pamela Anderson.

So leave it to Marty Schottenheimer to snap things back to reality.

Schottenheimer didn't like much about the Chargers' 23-17 win at Oakland on Sunday, except for seeing LaDainian Tomlinson run the best he has in six games."

Raiders fall to Chargers

Full Story Here: "Ronald Curry had a dream scenario but not the outcome he desired in the Oakland Raiders 23-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers Sunday in Oakland.

The Oakland Raiders had the ball at their own 38-yard line and were poised for a game-winning drive. Quarterback Kerry Collins launched a pass down the middle of the field with Curry having beaten his defender. Curry, however, dropped the ball. The Raiders had to punt three plays later and the San Diego Chargers ran out the clock."

Bolts complete Raiders sweep

Full Story Here: "OAKLAND, Calif. - Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said all week that the Oakland Raiders were a better team than what they showed in their 42-14 loss to the Bolts three weeks ago at Qualcomm Stadium. On Sunday afternoon, the Chargers found out just how much better the Raiders are as they gave the Bolts all they could handle in a 23-17 Chargers' win in front of 46,905 fans at Network Associates Coliseum."

Just barely, baby

Full Story HereOAKLAND – If the Chargers took glee in whipping the Raiders by four touchdowns three weeks ago, it was nothing compared with the pleasure some of them derived from beating them by six points yesterday in Network Associates Coliseum.

The Chargers did just about everything possible to hand the game to their hosts, but still found enough ways to walk off with a 23-17 victory that produced their first season-series sweep since 1992.

Chargers 23, Raiders 17

Full Story Here: "OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- San Diego's slow, uninspired start nearly cost the Chargers a share of first place.

And they knew it.

Antonio Gates had eight receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown, LaDainian Tomlinson ran 37 times for 164 yards and a score, and the Chargers won their fourth straight game, 23-17 over the Raiders on Sunday.

Drew Brees passed for 226 yards and also ran for a touchdown to help the Chargers (7-3) beat the Raiders for the second time in three weeks after their 42-14 win on Halloween."

A leader of the San Diego Chargers' pack

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers talked about bringing in veteran leadership to mentor the young team they assembled. They made a few such moves but one that is panning out in its entirety is the addition of Keenan McCardell to the wide receiving corps.

Keenan McCardell has been around. And when the veteran wide receiver looks around the Chargers' locker room, he likes what he sees.

'We're pretty good,' he said. 'But it's up to us to stay good.'

The Chargers have had a good rest, and now crank it up again with a visit to Oakland on Sunday. Three weeks after demolishing the Raiders, 42-14, they try to stay hot by proving they can do it on the road."

What is different this year? Solidarity

Full Story Here: "Linebacker Steve Foley has heard so many stories about the Chargers' struggles last season he almost feels as if he were in the middle of it. The tales began filling his ears shortly after he signed as a free agent in the offseason. He heard how there were cliques here and there was controversy there. How wins were harder to come by than personal accountability.

'I heard how last year there was a lot of finger-pointing and guys not willing to take the blame for their mistakes,' Foley said. 'They'd find some kind of scapegoat or some reason to put it on someone else.'"

Oakland Raiders Scouting Report

Full Story Here: Less than three weeks ago, the Chargers hosted the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on Halloween in one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. While the intensity reached a fever pitch during warmups, it went up another notch when the Bolts scored two touchdowns in the opening period and cruised to a 42-14 win over their fierce rivals.

The win gave the Bolts their fourth victory in five games, while the 28-point margin was the team’s largest since beating the Cincinnati Bengals 34-6 in the 2002 season opener. The last time the Chargers beat the Raiders by that many points was in 1981, when they ran away with a 55-21 win at Oakland.

The waiting game

Click Here For Full Story: While some Bolts players enjoyed their bye week in Las Vegas and others remained glued to their couches, running back LaDainian Tomlinson spent most of his time in the Chargers’ training room.

Tomlinson was at Chargers Park for countless hours this past weekend receiving treatment on his injured groin and rehabbing with Chargers Head Athletic Trainer James Collins.

It may not sound like the most glamorous way for a professional athlete, let alone the highest paid running back in NFL history, to spend his time off, but Tomlinson’s determination to regain his prior form wouldn’t allow him to do anything else.

LT to practice? Let the healing begin

Full Story Here: "Running back LaDainian Tomlinson has said he won't really know how much his strained groin has healed until Sunday's game at Oakland. But the injury must be healing, because coach Marty Schottenheimer said he expects Tomlinson to practice today.

If Tomlinson does participate, it would be the first time in more than a month he has practiced on Thursday. In previous weeks he sat out the workouts to receive treatment."

Smith refuses to gloat, but he should

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: A.J. Smith acknowledges it was a difficult offseason. The Chargers not only were coming off a 4-12 record that tied for last in the NFL, but also were humiliated by Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning, who said he would sit out the season and re-enter the 2005 draft if the Chargers selected him with the first pick.

Things weren't much better in training camp. Almost every major publication ranked the Chargers last in the league.

Nine games into the season, the Chargers are back in the headlines – for the right reasons. They're arguably the NFL's biggest surprise this season, winning five of their past six to improve to 6-3 and remain tied with Denver atop the AFC West.

Raiders still haunted by Halloween nightmare at the Q

Full Story Here: "The Raiders were frighteningly bad the last time we saw them, just 2 1/2 weeks ago in a 42-14 Halloween loss to the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium that was every bit as bad as the final score indicated. It was Oakland's fifth straight loss (allowing 30 or more points each time), its 13th straight on the road and its 16th in its past 20 games overall."

The final stretch

Full Story Here: "After a four-day break for the bye weekend, the Chargers reconvened at the practice facility Monday to shake off any cob webs that gathered and begin preparations for the Oakland Raiders.

Although seven players missed the team period of practice, including running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the team seemed rejuvenated and refocused to make a run in their final seven-game stretch."

San Diego Chargers -- Powder blues still considered stylish

Full Story Here: "Don't look now, but your San Diego Chargers have officially made it into the world of high fashion.

This month's issue of GQ magazine names the 20 best and five worst professional sports uniforms of all time, and the Chargers' powder-blue jerseys, circa 1967-71, came in at No. 3 on the best list."

Brees likes Raiders game after bye

Full Story Here: "Quarterback Drew Brees couldn't think of a better opponent to face coming out of the bye week than the Raiders, who will play host to the Chargers on Sunday.

Mention the word 'Raiders' around Chargers Park and it immediately gets people's attention. Pulses race. Brows furrow. Intensity surges."

Chargers get 'Super' man in Steeg

SignOnSanDiego.com > Full Story Here: "In a move that was about the future as much as the present, the Chargers yesterday named Jim Steeg executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Steeg, 53, will oversee all business operations for the team, including its push for a new stadium. He has been involved with the NFL for 29 years, the past 25 as its vice president for special events. In that role he was responsible for organizing and overseeing every Super Bowl since 1980."

Tomlinson feeling better after weekend off

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- LaDainian Tomlinson can't wait to regain his shiftiness and elusiveness.

``I think it'll be all at once,'' the San Diego Chargers' star running back said Monday.

Whether it happens Sunday at Oakland remains to be seen. The Chargers had last weekend off, giving Tomlinson a chance to rest his strained groin, which has hampered him for five straight games."

Chargers hire NFL Super Bowl guru Steeg

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Jim Steeg, the NFL official who's been in charge of the Super Bowl for a quarter century, is taking on another Herculean task -- trying to get a new stadium built for the San Diego Chargers.

Steeg was hired Monday as the Chargers' executive vice president and chief operating officer. He'll take over the team's business operations, and his main task will be continuing the Chargers' difficult push to replace Qualcomm Stadium."

Still work to be done

Full Story HereAt first glance, the Chargers’ remaining schedule appears easier than the first half. Only two of the six teams—Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts—have winning records, while the other four teams (the Bolts play the Kansas City Chiefs twice) have a combined record of 12-21.

Run stoppers

Full Story HereWhen defensive coordinator Wade Phillips arrived this offseason, he implemented a 3-4 scheme, which is generally a tougher defense to run against than the 4-3 alignment.

The results have been impressive. The Chargers rank second in the league, allowing only 81.1 rushing yards a game, and they’re the only team in the NFL to have not given up a run of more than 20 yards. The run defense certainly has come a long way since last season, when they gave up an average of 138.6 yards per contest.

Midseason recap

Full Story Here: "Coming off a 4-12 season with a re-built offensive line, a new defensive scheme and one of the youngest teams in the NFL, the Chargers entered training camp with a lot of uncertainty. The team made no bold promises or predictions, but did vow to work hard, take one game at a time and let the chips fall where they may."

Seau not prepared to call it a career

Full Story Here: "His season is over, but not his career. Linebacker Junior Seau says he plans to return for a 16th NFL season next year if the Lord and Seau's body are willing.

'This is not it,' Seau said from his Mission Valley restaurant this week, a few days after undergoing surgery in San Diego to repair tears of his right pectoral muscle and biceps. 'I'm going to assess everything once I fully recover, but I definitely left something on the table."

Wait watcher

Full Story Here: "During a recent afternoon at the San Diego Hall of Champions, Chargers rookie quarterback Philip Rivers fidgeted in his chair. He leaned forward, then back. He tugged the jacket of his black, pin-striped suit closed, then flipped it open.

His uneasiness had nothing to do with what was happening in the Hall and everything to do with what was happening in his belly and heart. An emotional tug-of-war was taking place."

Chargers sign TE Baber

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - Tight end Billy Baber has a new home in the AFC West.

Waived by the Kansas City Chiefs on November 2, Baber signed a one-year contract Wednesday with the San Diego Chargers.

A 6-4, 260-pounder in his fourth season, Baber spent three years with the Chiefs after being selected in the fifth round out of Virginia in the 2001 draft.

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Primarily a blocker, Baber played in 29 games for the Chiefs, including two starts, and caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown. He began the 2004 season on Kansas City's reserve-injured list."

Final Scoreboard, Saints-Chargers 11/7/04

The San Diego Chargers ran away with their fourth consecutive home win 43-17 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November7, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

The San Diego Chargers ran away with their fourth consecutive home win 43-17 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November7, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

Charger Cheerleaders 11/7/2004, Saints vs Chargers

The San Diego Chargers ran away with their fourth consecutive home win 43-17 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November7, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

The San Diego Chargers ran away with their fourth consecutive home win 43-17 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November7, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

The San Diego Chargers ran away with their fourth consecutive home win 43-17 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November7, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

The San Diego Chargers ran away with their fourth consecutive home win 43-17 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November7, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

The San Diego Chargers ran away with their fourth consecutive home win 43-17 over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, November7, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif.

Starring role

Full Story HereThe Chargers’ Kassim Osgood offers one name to explain how he has readily accepted his role as a special teams player and blocking receiver in the NFL after etching his name in the NCAA record book at San Diego State.

Hines Ward. He’s the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver who caught only 15 passes his rookie year in 1998 but has since evolved into a Pro Bowler.

Bolts look to re-charge

Full Story HereMost teams welcome their bye week as a reprieve from the daily grind of an NFL schedule and an opportunity to rest up and recuperate before the season’s final stretch.

The Chargers feel the same way, for the most part.

Similar to how a basketball player that has hit five of six three-pointers wants the ball, the Chargers, who have won five of their past six games by a combined 99-point margin, want to keep playing.

Chargers.com - All for one

Full Story HereThe Chargers of 2004, similar to the Air Coryell Chargers of two decades ago, are among the NFL’s highest scoring teams. That’s a comparison made with increasing frequency as quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Antonio Gates continue to put up numbers that have them ranked among the NFL leaders in offensive categories just as Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow were in their day.

Hope whispers

Full Story Here: "As much as the Chargers try to walk in step with their head coach, reciting cliche's about playing each game as it comes and not getting too far ahead of themselves, there are moments when the curtain parts and their real feelings materialize.

Several such instances occurred after Sunday's 43-17 rout of New Orleans. The victory was the Chargers' fourth in a row at home and fifth in six games overall, pushing their record to 6-3. And with no opponent to focus on this week because of a bye, some of the Chargers leaders allowed themselves to gaze beyond November and December."

Schottenheimer: Chargers not among elite in AFC

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- All that talk of swagger and playoffs was gone when the San Diego Chargers reconvened Monday.

That's what happens when Marty Schottenheimer is the coach.

The high-scoring Chargers head into their bye week at 6-3 after a 43-17 rout of the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. As impressive as they've looked in winning three straight and five of six, Schottenheimer doesn't want his players to get too far ahead of themselves."

Bolts send Saints marching home

Full Story HereIt’s tough to outdo a career-high five-touchdown game, especially when it comes in a runaway win over a fierce division rival, but quarterback Drew Brees came awfully close Sunday afternoon against the New Orleans Saints.

After being named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his role in the Chargers’ win against the Oakland Raiders last Sunday, Brees gave the 59,662 fans at Qualcomm Stadium a superlative encore performance. He passed for 257 yards and four touchdowns on 22-of-36 passing in leading the Chargers to a 43-17 win over the Saints.

Lightning-fast starts

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "A quick summary of the Chargers' recent performances at home: four games, four fast starts, four blowout victories.

Coincidence? Not a chance."

San Diego Chargers -- Flood Gates

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "After sacking New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks early in the fourth quarter yesterday, Chargers linebacker Steve Foley stood over his fallen opponent and acted as if he were wiping dirt from the bottom of his cleats.

Foley drew a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, but it's doubtful there was a better metaphor for what the Chargers are doing to opponents in Qualcomm Stadium this season. After having sand kicked in their faces for so many years, they're doing a little kicking of their own."

Chargers 43, Saints 17

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- These clearly are not the San Diego Chargers of the recent gloomy past.

They can pass. They can catch. They can play defense. And even with LaDainian Tomlinson hurting, they can win big.

In routing the New Orleans Saints 43-17 on Sunday, they even showed a bit of a swagger."

Chargers rain on Saints parade

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers won convincingly for the second straight week, beating the New Orleans Saints 43-17 with sporadic rain drops raining down. They built up a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter and cruised the rest of the way."

Offensive line is no punch line

Full Story Here: "They are five men with one mind. They come from different backgrounds, different cities, even different countries, yet they share a common objective when the bottoms of their cleats hit a football field.

'They want to be the best offensive line in the league,' wide receiver Tim Dwight said of his Chargers teammates. 'They want to give up the fewest sacks; they want to have the rusher go over 2,000 yards for the season; and they want Drew (Brees) to be able to play well at quarterback.'"

Chargers' Tomlinson returns to practice

Link Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson practiced for the first time this week Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday's game at New Orleans.

Tomlinson, 10th in the league in rushing with 653 yards, has been nursing a groin injury. Since sustaining the injury on Oct. 3 in a win over Tennessee, he has practiced sporadically and hasn't rushed for 100 yards.

He was upbeat after Friday's workout.

``It feels better and better every week,'' Tomlinson said. ``It went good today.''

The Chargers are 5-3. The Saints are 3-4."

Half and have

Full Story Here: "The Chargers have been one of the NFL's bigger surprises this season. Predicted by many to be among the league's worst teams at the start of the season, they have won four of five and are tied with Denver atop the AFC West at 5-3. Quarterback Drew Brees ranks third in passer rating, the defense is No. 1 against the rush and the young punter and kicker have been among the best at their positions."

Saints at Chargers preview

Full Story Here: "The New Orleans Saints are the back half of a two game homestand for the San Diego Chargers this Sunday. After the game the Bolts head into their bye week and have a chance to get healthy for the stretch run."

Brees earns Offensive Player of the Week

Full Story Here: "San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees has had a lot of firsts this year. He is playing consistently well for the first time. He has the support of the city for the first time. And he backed it up with Player of the Week honors for the first time and should be a finalist for Player of the month of October."

DeQuincy Scott celebrates after sacking quarterback Kerry Collins - Photo: Getty Images

The San Diego Chargers take on the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on October 31, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Raiders 42-14. (Chargers Photo/Mike Nowak)

Marty Schottenheimer press conference

Link Here

Chargers: Scouting report

Full Story Here: "San Diego will face its third consecutive sub-.500 team. But unlike the Panthers and Raiders, who entered Chargers week with losing streaks of at least three games, the Saints are coming off a win, albeit against the same horrible Oakland club San Diego just routed."

Pick your poison

Full Story HereThe quarterback, Drew Brees, hit 88 percent of his passes to set a Chargers record. His quarterback rating of 151.3 nearly maxed out the highest possible score of 158.3 in the Bolts’ 42-14 win over the Oakland Raiders Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

One QB too many?

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "The better Drew Brees plays, the more often people wonder aloud what will happen with him in the offseason.

Understandably, the Chargers are as evasive as a cornered politician when confronted with the matter. They've won four of five and are tied with the Denver Broncos atop the AFC West at 5-3, so the last thing they want is for something to break their focus or rhythm.

But Brees has played so well the last five weeks, throwing 11 touchdown passes against only one interception, that questions about his future dominated coach Marty Schottenheimer's news conference one day after the Chargers routed the Raiders 42-14."

Brees is near perfect in rout of Raiders

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal joked during the week that the playing field might be the safest place in Qualcomm Stadium when the Raiders come to town.

He was right, unless you were an Oakland player or coach yesterday.

The Chargers whipped the Raiders so thoroughly before a crowd of 66,210 that San Diego supporters could have mocked the Silver and Black with 'Drew's Your Daddy' instead of 'Who's Your Daddy?'

Behind five touchdown passes from Drew Brees and a suffocating performance by the defense, the Chargers won for the fourth time in five weeks, burying the Raiders 42-14 in a game that wasn't as close as the score."

Raiders' like vanilla, especially on offense

Full Story Here If it looked as if the Chargers defense knew what was coming yesterday from the Oakland offense, well, there was a reason.

"We felt we had a good game plan against them," safety Jerry Wilson said. "We studied them pretty well, and the things we studied were the things we saw. They pretty much went according to what we saw on film."

Previous teams the Chargers played this season looked familiar, but not identical, to what the Chargers saw on film. The Raiders were almost like Memorex – an exact copy.

No wonder San Diego had little trouble handling Oakland's offense, holding the Raiders to seven points and 126 total yards through the first 42 minutes. By the time the Chargers stepped off the gas, the offense had rolled up a 42-7 lead en route to a 42-14 blowout at Qualcomm Stadium.

Raiders of a lost cause

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "This time, Al Davis wasn't summing up the ambitions of the team he has created in his image as 'Just win, baby.'

The Raiders had not won yesterday. They had been, in a word many of them chose, embarrassed. They had played so poorly that it was difficult to accept that they were, indeed, the team that has measured its triumphs not by games but by decades.

Yet after everything, after a 42-14 victory for the Chargers, after a fifth consecutive defeat this season for the Raiders and a 16th failure in their last 20 games, Davis still was defiant."

A softer, gentler Schottenheimer?

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "Attitudes aren't the only things changing with the Chargers. So are coach Marty Schottenheimer's rules. Schottenheimer acknowledged yesterday that he broke one of his longstanding commandments by allowing running back Jesse Chatman and wide receiver Tim Dwight to play against the Raiders even though they did not practice during the week."

Chargers 5-3 at midpoint and looking for a lot more

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- After last season's nightmare, who could have imagined the San Diego Chargers with a winning record, a reinvigorated quarterback and one of the NFL's highest-scoring offenses?

Yes, the Chargers are a surprise at this season's halfway point, and they'll be an even bigger one if they can finish their respectable start by actually making it to the playoffs."

Chargers Report Card: Week 8 Oakland

Full Story Here: "When the San Diego Chargers beat the Raiders this thoroughly, it is tough to find fault anywhere on the field. Even the miscues have a rosy tint to them as the Bolts sent the black hole spiraling into the abyss. Raider fans had to leave the game early for fear of ridicule, eureka!"

Chargers roll, 42-14

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers handled business in style and the arm of Drew Brees was the catalyst to a 42-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders.

The Chargers scored 14 points in each of the first three quarters as they cruised to victory over the Raiders at Qualcomm."

Tomlinson practices, expected to start against Raiders

Link Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson practiced Friday and is expected to start against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Tomlinson has been bothered by a strained groin the last three games and failed to gain more than 65 yards in any.

Two of Tomlinson's five biggest games as a professional came against the Raiders in 2003. He had a career-high 243 yards in a home win in the season finale, and 187 yards in an overtime loss at Oakland on Sept. 28.

His backup, Jesse Chatman, has played well, although he has a turf toe and has been held out of practice. Chatman is listed as probable on the injury report, although coach Marty Schottenheimer said it will be a game-time decision whether he'll play.

Sammy Davis is expected to regain his starting job at right cornerback. Drayton Florence started at right cornerback in last Sunday's win at Carolina, but sprained an ankle."

Black and blue rivalry

Full Story HereIf there were any authority on the subject of playing the Raiders, Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer would be the one. During his 19 years of head coaching in the NFL, he has a 21-7 record versus Oakland. In 10 of those 19 years, Schottenheimer was with the Kansas City Chiefs, whose rivalry with the Raiders is also legendary.

On Monday, Schottenheimer declared the next five days before the game “Raider week.” When asked what he thinks about the throng of Raiders supporters that often descend upon Qualcomm Stadium once a year, Schottenheimer offered his usual candid response.

Still feeling LT's burn marks, Raiders should be 'keyed up'

Full Story Here': "LaDainian Tomlinson had a queasy stomach, but it was Oakland defenders who looked ill as they left the field after a 21-14 loss to the Chargers last December in Qualcomm Stadium.

Only once before had the Raiders been gashed as badly as they were that afternoon, when Tomlinson made a mockery of their 'Commitment to Excellence' motto by running for 243 yards. That was 23 yards shy of the record total ran against the Raiders by Seattle's Shaun Alexander in 2001 and 23 more than the franchise single-game record Tomlinson set in 2002.

Sunday, Tomlinson and the Chargers will face the Raiders for the first time since that game. And though the Raiders have changed coaching staffs and some personnel, the desire for redemption figures to remain as great as ever for an organization that likes to define itself by the words pride and poise."

Chargers future is clear

Full Story Here: "The Chargers welcome the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, for a Halloween treat. While the Raiders are scuffling along with four straight losses and a 2-5 mark, the Chargers are headed the opposite direction. They've won three of four, and at 4-3, have matched last year's win total.

But the Chargers would be wise not to overlook the Raiders and peek too far down the road.

Of the nine games against the seven remaining teams on the schedule (they play the Chiefs and Raiders, twice) just two squads show a winning mark: the Colts and the Broncos.

Other than that, it's a bunch of sub-.500 teams, greasing the road for the Chargers to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995."

Chatman has been super subbing for Tomlinson

Full Story Here: "Chatman used to have one of the NFL's most obscure jobs until Tomlinson strained his groin four weeks ago. Since then, there's been little dropoff when the obscure substitute replaces the superstar for the surprising Chargers (4-3)."

Chargers cite chemistry as a reason for progress

SignOnSanDiego.com >Full Story Here: "The Chargers are preaching trust and togetherness after finishing 4-12 last season, and there were doubts about whether Ball was of the same mind. He had a run-in with management in the offseason when it declined to sign him to a long-term contract despite Ball starting 21 games his first two seasons, and he admittedly was upset last week when he was benched after rookie Nick Hardwick returned from a knee injury to reclaim the starting job.

The last thing the Chargers (4-3) want at this point is a player who isn't pulling the rope as forcefully in the same direction as everyone else. They've won three of their past four entering Sunday's game against visiting Oakland (2-5) and believe chemistry is as responsible for their surge as anything."

Raiders at Chargers preview

Link Here

Tomlinson expects to play Sunday against Raiders

Full Story Here: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- LaDainian Tomlinson missed practice Wednesday and will probably sit out Thursday because of a strained groin, but the San Diego Chargers running back expects to play against the Oakland Raiders.

Tomlinson has been playing through the injury the last three weeks, and does not want to miss the big home game Sunday.

``I consider the Raiders our biggest rival because everybody around town loves that game,'' Tomlinson said. ``That's the game you look forward to playing.''"

Oakland Raiders Scouting Report

Full Story Here: "It has been only two seasons since the Oakland Raiders won the AFC Championship and faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII at Qualcomm Stadium. But it seems like the 2002 season was decades ago.

Since then, the Raiders have switched head coaches and struggled to a 6-17 record."

Chargers tryout four

Full Story Here: "Tuesday is the day off for NFL players but that doesn't mean the San Diego Chargers front office has closed shop. First they signed Bob Hallen and released Jason Ball. Four other players also worked out for the Chargers on Tuesday. A look at the players making the trek through Murphy Canyon shows another signing may be coming soon."

Chargers cut center Ball, won't specify why

Full Story Here: "General Manager A.J. Smith wouldn't specify the reasons for the move, but apparently there was concern inside the organization about the center's attitude after last week's move that put rookie Nick Hardwick back in the starting lineup and Ball on the bench."

Chargers-Raiders Set-Up

Link Here

Chargers release center Jason Ball, wide receiver Micah Ross

Full story here: "The Chargers have released center Jason Ball, who lost his starting job to rookie Nick Hardwick while boycotting training camp and the start of the season because of dissatisfaction with his contract situation"

NFL labor negotiations get into revenue sharing

Link Here: "NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL players union wants major additions to the revenue pool used to determine player salaries, making negotiations to extend the current contract more difficult than in the past.

Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director, will meet in Detroit this week with owners on the league's management council. He is expected to outline a proposal that would add revenues to the television and base ticket sales now used to determine player salaries.

``We're concerned about the growing disparity between the haves and the have-nots,'' Upshaw said, a concern voiced in a different context by owners such as Dan Rooney of Pittsburgh, Ralph Wilson of Buffalo and Jim Irsay of Indianapolis. ``And we're concerned that a lot of revenue that should go to players is not being included in the pool.''"

(Chargers Photo/Mike Nowak)

(Chargers Photo/Mike Nowak)

(Chargers Photo/Mike Nowak)

(Chargers Photo/Mike Nowak)

San Diego Chargers defeat the Carolina Panthers 17-6 in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (Chargers Photo/Mike Nowak)

Marty Schottenheimer press conference

Marty Schottenheimer press conference transcript

Defensive dominance

Link here Fans watching the Chargers’ 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday could’ve mistaken the Bolts for two different teams.

In the first half, the Chargers allowed 88 rushing yards—three yards more than their season average—despite the fact that Carolina was without their top three running backs. Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster and Rod Smart were inactive due to injury.

The Bolts’ offense, on the other hand, held possession of the ball for only 9:09, managed just 80 yards of offense, had one turnover, six first downs and didn’t score in the first two quarters.

Chargers Report Card: Week 7 Carolina

Chargers Report Card: Week 7 Carolina

Tomlinson injury treatment is rest - More News & Notes

Link here: "The diagnosis hasn't changed much on the sore groin of LaDainian Tomlinson, which means more of the same for the Chargers running back:

Rest when he can, play through the pain, and know his coaches and teammates are saying an extra prayer or two each night."

Chargers opening eyes with 4-3 start

Full story here: "A year ago, the Chargers were the NFL's worst team and missed the playoffs for the eighth straight season. Now they've won as many games as they did all of last year, improving to 4-3 with a 17-6 road win over last year's surprise team, the Carolina Panthers."

Chargers win ugly

Link Here

Drunken entry:

Horrible first half... penalties killed them... Tomlinson was ineffective.....

2nd half... defense held..... Chatman saved the day... again....

Brees looked good, McCardell will only improve this team....

Raiders next, at home....


Go Chargers!

Fresh legs

Full Story Here: "Joining the second-youngest roster in the NFL that has an average age of 25, wide receiver Keenan McCardell, a 13-year NFL veteran, must feel like an old man, right?"

NFL - Mastering Their Trade

Full Story Here: "The San Diego Chargers are finally making the most out of their draft picks, and they are doing it by trading them away. For the fourth time this season, the Chargers have been involved in a big-time trade. Each of them has involved both players and picks changing hands, and each has given a much needed facelift to a historically underachieving Chargers franchise."

Total Lunar Eclipse to Grace World Series Game 4

Full Story Here: "A unique date in the annals of baseball history will be recorded Wednesday, Oct. 27 when for the first time a total lunar eclipse will occur during a World Series game"

McCardell could start for Chargers

Link: "SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Newly acquired wide receiver Keenan McCardell will make his season debut on Sunday and might even start for the San Diego Chargers in their road game against the Carolina Panthers."

More than third of Turkish women justify beatings by husband

Link Here: "ANKARA, Oct 21 (AFP) - More than a third of Turkish women believe they deserve being beaten if they argue with their husbands, deny them sex or burn the meal, according to a survey carried by Anatolia news agency on Thursday.

The survey found that 39 percent of women in Turkey believe their husbands are right to beat them for at least one of the following reasons: burning the meal, disputing the opinion of their husbands, spending money unnecessarily, neglecting the children or refusing to have sex.

In rural areas, 57 percent of women said their spouses had a right to batter them in at least one of the above circumstances.

Arguing with the husband topped the list of justified reasons for domestic violence, followed by too much spending and the negligence of children.

The poll was conducted among 8,075 married women by Ankara`s Hacettepe University and was funded by the European Union and the Turkish government.

The European Union, which Turkey is seeking to join, has put pressure on the Ankara government to better protect the rights of women.

Florence's focus fast as his feet

SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers -- Florence's focus fast as his feet
Chargers cornerback Drayton Florence was near the front of the line when the football gods were handing out athletic ability. At 6 feet, 205 pounds, he has excellent size and speed, and an aggressive temperament that's ideally suited for press coverage.

But while his physical gifts are a blessing in one sense, they were a curse for him last year as a rookie reserve because he tended to rely on them too heavily. He was so confident in his athleticism that he overlooked the importance of being mentally prepared. He might take a false step here, or look at the wrong landmark there and – boom! – the receiver was off and running free.

This season, teammates contend they have seen a more mature and focused Florence. He had an interception in each of the past two games and now is in line for his first pro start Sunday when the Chargers (3-3) meet the Carolina Panthers (1-4) in Charlotte, N.C. Coach Marty Schottenheimer has yet to announce his starter at right cornerback, opposite Quentin Jammer, but Florence has been taking the majority of the reps in practice and could get the nod over incumbent Sammy Davis and backup Jamar Fletcher.

"No one has said anything to me, but I'm just excited that I'm getting an opportunity now to at least be considered as a starter," Florence said. "I've just got to take it and grab it and keep it and not let it go."

If he plays as well this weekend as he did against Jacksonville and Atlanta, it could be hard to keep him out of the lineup. Florence picked off Byron Leftwich while playing a deep zone, then rolled off the slot receiver to intercept Michael Vick along the sideline last weekend.

If he took anything other than the football away from those games, it was the importance of being mentally prepared.

"The physical is all there," said Florence, the first of the Chargers' two second-round picks last year, out of Tuskegee. "It's just taking it from the study room to the field and applying it; that's where I've made the most improvement. I think that's where Marty said he's seen the biggest improvement, too, focusing on the little things."

Schottenheimer isn't alone in that assessment. Teammates who marveled at his athleticism now are applauding his concentration.

"It looks like he's more focused," free safety Jerry Wilson said. "I think he figures it's for real now. He has an opportunity to really step up and break the starting lineup, and it seems like it's something he's really hungry for. It didn't hurt that he had a couple of good games back-to-back, with a couple of picks; and now it seems as if he's trying to build on it. He's looking good out there.

"I feel comfortable seeing him to the right of me because I'm talking to him out there and he's responding. He's playing the technique I'm expecting him to play. He's making receivers go where I want them to go. So, he's putting himself in good position, and that's all I can ask for."

Florence's attention to detail didn't start this week when he was told he had a shot at starting. It started after last season, when following an impressive training camp he struggled to get off the bench because of repeated mental mistakes. During his postseason exit meeting with Schottenheimer he was told he had the physical tools to excel but needed to improve in the details that come with playing the position.

So, Florence studied and learned. When the rookies went through a three-day minicamp before summer workouts, Florence was the only veteran to attend as a spectator. He took a spot along the sideline and studied the defense in general and the secondary in particular.

It is only now, 22 games into his young career, that he said his feet are outracing his mind.

"The game is a lot slower for me," Florence said. "(Last weekend) it felt like college, really. I've been able to take what I'm learning and apply it on the field. If they come out in a certain set, you basically know they're going to run this or run that. (Last week) the receiver ran the out and I sat underneath it because I knew what to expect."

He has done nothing during the week to diminish the coaching staff's expectations this weekend and said he is feeling no added pressure about having an opportunity to start.

"I know they're watching me a lot closer than they were the weeks before, but actually it's motivation," Florence said. "If somebody told you that you had a chance to start, how would you take it? I'm just working like I've been working, and if things happen to work out to where I'm starting, I'm starting. If they don't, then I just play the role I've been playing."
Nuts 'n' Bolts
Schottenheimer said he's uncertain whether defensive end Adrian Dingle will play Sunday. Dingle, who ranked second on the team with six sacks last season, hasn't played the past two weeks because of pain and weakness in one of his knees.

"It's still not at a point where I'm confident that he can give us 30, 35 plays," Schottenheimer said. "And in the absence of being able to do that, it's hard to have him be active because you end up really in effect going in with five guys . . . I'm a little bit concerned because it hasn't gotten better at this point."

If Dingle is out, Schottenheimer said Jacques Cesaire would start. Eric Downing also could see action after rookie end Dave Ball was placed on IR this week with a broken toe.

Wideout Tim Dwight (toe) was the only player not to practice, but he's listed as probable on the injury report.

Running game motivated this week

Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Running game motivated this week: "Is there anything finer than watching LaDainian Tomlinson take off for a long gainer? This may be the week his rocket ship takes off again.

It's a pairing that is too difficult to resist: LaDainian Tomlinson 's health against the Panthers' run defense.

Tomlinson is back at nearly full strength, after pulling himself out of two games with a groin injury. But Sunday in Atlanta, he reportedly wasn't bothered by it, which is a good sign for the Chargers.

Tomlinson is also motivated to spit out some big numbers after being kept 2 yards under his season average when trying to solve the Falcons' tough run defense.

He won't be facing a similar stout unit on Sunday.

Now the Chargers may start the game cute -- with passes, reverses and a little trickery. But the rubber meets the road, the ball will meet Tomlinson's gut.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

The Chargers' wobbly pass defense vs. the Panthers' passing game.

Thou shall not run is a good way of describing the Chargers' run defense, which is best in the AFC. But stopping rivals through the air is another matter. That's why the secondary will likely be tested by Jake Delhomme . No doubt, Delhomme will zero in on the right cornerback spot, which has allowed more than its share of big plays. Jamar Fletcher and Sammy Davis and Drayton Florence will rotate there and who will start remains an unsolved mystery; Delhomme could be due for a big game, as he has struggled throughout most of the season. He's 25th with a rating of 71.3 and has thrown a league-high nine INTs. But plenty of quarterbacks have gotten well this year when facing the Chargers' pass defense. Keep an eye on rookie WR Keary Colbert -- you can bet Delhomme will. The Chargers' run defense vs. the Panthers running game.

DT Jamal Williams ' numbers don't leap from the stat page -- 14 tackles -- but he's doing something more. He is taking care of the blockers along "

Man Wears 'Cocaine' T-Shirt in Court

Man Wears 'Cocaine' T-Shirt in Court: "HONG KONG - It was not the best legal defense strategy: A Hong Kong man appeared in court on drug charges wearing a T-shirt that said 'cocaine' and drew a stern rebuke from the magistrate, a newspaper reported Thursday."

Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Chargers at Panthers Preview

Yahoo! Sports - NFL - Chargers at Panthers Preview: "The suddenly surging, despite a loss last Sunday, San Diego Chargers believe they can win their next three games and head into the bye week with a 6-3 record. The first test occurs this week against the Carolina Panthers."

SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers -- McCardell blossoms in rain

If McCardell was thrilled to be in San Diego, the Chargers (3-3) were almost giddy to have him. They lost leading wideout Reche Caldwell to a season-ending knee injury Sunday in Atlanta, and acquiring a two-time Pro Bowler such as McCardell – plus veteran receiver Bobby Shaw, who signed a one-year deal Tuesday – was an excellent comeback, although coach Marty Schottenheimer was unwilling to commit to playing either player Sunday at Carolina.


SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Chargers -- McCardell blossoms in rain

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Yankee magic disappears

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Yankee magic disappears

In conclusion... Go National League!

mozdev.org - weatherfox: index

mozdev.org - weatherfox: index

Another fun extension... Weather Fox

Updated right-click BlogThis for Firefox (and Mozilla)

phil ringnalda dot com: Updated right-click BlogThis for Firefox (and Mozilla)

Finally found a tool to better update my more regularly! And as I mentioned before... Firefox, the best browser is the reason!

Chargers Lose By 1 To Falcons

he Chargers held the greatest quarterback the NFL has ever seen, (sarcasm, my friends, sarcasm) Mike Vick, to meager stats through 3 quarters...and his final numbers were anything than impressive, but the Chargers defense, mis-managed timeout situation and penalties were the ultimate demise for the team and will help Vick again descend to super-human status.

A one point road loss to many teams wouldn't appear to be all that bad, and especially for the Chargers who are often on the receiving end of double-digit drubbings when on the road...or even at home for that matter. But this year is different already for the Chargers. Proving that LaDainian Tomlinson is not the only Charger you need to defend against, Drew Brees, Antonio Gates and Reche Caldwell have shown why you can no longer neglect the pass against the Chargers.

But this loss was one that the Chargers could have easily avoided...up 17-7 at half the Chargers could not get any offense going...only 3 first downs and 3 points in the second half. Then having squandered all their timeouts the defense couldn't stop the Falcons as they held the ball for the final 6 minutes of the game.

My Notes:

- Those that preach Vick is the messiah, he has clearly shown the past three weeks that if he is indeed the greatest quarterback in the world (as many tout), then there are a lot of quaterbacks that are better than Jesus.

- Nate Kaeding kicked a career long 53 yarder. Not since John Carney have the Chargers had a kicker that could kick for distance, accurately. He had enough leg to go another 5 yards easy... I'm predicting a game-winning 60 yarder (or more) some time this year.

**** This Just In McCardell Traded to the Chargers **** Reche Caldwell went down in the first quarter of this game and did not return. His status is still unknown but it appears as if the Chargers aren't going to wait...and not to mention the Chargers started the season without a true number on receiver. This should definately help Brees even further with the passing attack that has seemed to materialize out of nothing. Tampa Bay will receive the Chargers' third- and sixth-round picks in the upcoming draft in exchange for McCardell.

This week the Chargers play Carolina....I think this is another good opportunity for the Chargers to pick up a road victory against an injury plagued team.

Chargers Continue Winning Ways

For the second straight week the Chargers did not turn the ball over, jumped to big first half leads, scored over 30 points and as a result, won both of their games to go to 3-2 on the season. This past victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars may be the confidence boost the Chargers need to keep the momentum going for the rest of the season. Even short-termed, I think the Chargers match-up well against their next 4 opponents - at Atlanta, at Carolina, Oakland and New Orleans. I think Atlanta is over-rated (as is Mike Vick), Carolina is certainly not looking like the team of last year and is injury plagued, Oakland's 2 wins have been against the Bills and Tampa Bay, a combined 1-8 record as of right now, and New Orleans is sub-500 at 2-3 and just got beat buy the previously winless Bucs. I think realistic expectations would be the Chargers to go 3-1 over those next four games and no worse than 2-2. Anything less will show that the Charger team is still inconsistent. After the bye the Chargers will start what will no-doubtedly make or break their playoff chances... they play at Oakland, at Kansas City and then host the Broncos.

But before we look too much further down the road, let's reflect back on the Jacksonville win and what went right...

First, the Chargers again jumped out to a 21-0 nothing lead...but before the half, the Charger defense gave up a Jacksonville TD to only lead by 2 scores, 21-7. Leftwich had an incredibly poor pass intercepted in the first half which aided the Chargers scoring. The Charger defense effectively shut down the Jacksonvilled running game forcing the Leftwich to prove he could get the job done through the air...and it wasn't until the game was put away after a 41 yard Jesse Chatman touchdown run, that Leftwich was able to do that, with the Chargers clearly playing a 'soft' defense.

The Chargers pass rush looked less effective than the first half of the Tennessee game the week prior, but it did appear as if there was some pressure throughout most of the game. But this is still an area where the Chargers do need to improve upon.

Ladainian Tomlinson had a score and over 130 yards of total offense but with the Chargers lead at 20 points in the third quarter, he was done for the day. He aggrevated a groin muscle earlier in the week and although he could have continued, Marty Schottenheimer decided to keep Tomlinson out as a precautionary measure. Jesse Chatman came in and lit the place up...11 carries for 103 yards and the previously mentioned 41 yard touchdown run that iced this game for the Chargers.

Antonio Gates had another good outing, 8 catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns...he continues to show good speed and good hands. Teams will have to divert some of their defensive schemes to insure he is covered or the Chargers will continue to make them pay for not doing so.

The most impressive thing that the Chargers and namely Drew Brees have done these past 2 weeks is not turn the ball over. Brees, who has often displayed irratic passing, has not been picked off over the past two games...plus his overall passing has looked very good.

The Chargers looked good against the AFC South, going 3-0 so far...but they have yet to play Indianapolis, which they will do December 26th... if both teams continue to look good, this should be a good game.

San Diego Chargers' Jesse Chatman breaks through the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense on his way to a 41 yard touchdown gallop in the Chargers 34-21 victory Sunday Oct.10, 2004 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

LaDanian Tomlinson #21of the San Diego Chargers breaks for 54yards in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the San Diego Chargers scrambles out of the pocket in the first quarter against Jacksonville Jaguars at Qualcomm Stadium October 10, 2004 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

LT Scoring his only touchdown against the Jaguars.

Running back Jesse Chatman leads cheers after the game ends.

Chargers Looked Good In Win Over Titans

The question about the San Diego Chargers 38-17 win over the Titans that has all the NFL 'experts' lamenting is whether the Chargers are actually a competent team or are the Titans that pathetic? One week after Drew Brees could barely get a pass within 20 yards of a Charger receiver he goes 16-20 for 220 yards and three touchdowns. LaDainian Tomlinson had 147 yards on 17 carries, garnering him a 8+ yard per carry average. The Charger defense in the first half looked ferocious for the first time all season...forcing the Titans to adjust in the 2nd half...unfortunately the Charger defense made little adjustments and was held in check for most of the 2nd half.

What was most impressive about this Charger win and something the Chargers haven't been able to do over the past few seasons, and that is get out to a respectable lead and put the game away. The Chargers moved the ball very effectively in the first half and went into the locker room with a 21-7 lead. After the Chargers kick a field goal to go up by ten it looked as if the Charger collapse was set and about to take place. The Titans went on a 16 play drive that stalled and forced them to settle for a 24 yard field goal. Titans then proceed to recover an onside kick and mount a 10 play, 58 yard touchdown drive and now trail the Chargers by just a touchdown, with 7:08 left to play in the game...plenty of time for the Charger collapse. But instead of that collapse the exact opposite ocurred. On the second play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff, Reche Caldwell made a fantastic one-handed grab that ended with him walking into the end zone 58 yards later. A Jesse Chatman score with less than 3:30 on the clock sealed the deal for the Chargers.

The Chargers can back this win up with a good showing this weekend when they host the 3-1 Jaguars. Last year the Jaguars beat the Chargers in Byron Leftwich's second career start...he threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns. If the Chargers are looking to legitimize their season, this game will be the first step to doing so... a home win against an above 500 team early in the season. A victory would also put the Chargers above 500 for the first time since Marty Schottenheimer's first season with the Bolts, and they ended up 8-8.

It was exciting for Charger fans to see the team perform very well on both sides of the ball, but most are not kidding themselves. The Chargers do look to be getting better and unfortunately, I have to think the Titans are not the team that they once were.

Same Charger Team Equals Same Results

My early season prediction of the Chargers not winning a game may not be 100% accurate, but I think I may only be 1 game off. The Chargers go into Denver and never really were in this game...and to the casual viewer of Charger games, one may have thought the Chargers had a chance, but just had a few bad plays...well, maybe not a few, but a lot... but theChargers are just not good and when the pressue is on this team, they fold.

The key play in this game happened in the third quarter. The Chargers had scored to pull within 3 points of the Broncos, 10-13. With 4:42 in the quarter, the Chargers forced the Broncos to punt and a 15 yard running into the kicker penalty kept the drive going for the Broncos...same drive, 4th and 9 on the Charger 33, the Broncos decide to go for it and a Plummer to Lelie td is the end result...game over for the Chargers, they lose 23-13.

Brees continues to struggle and it will only be a matter of time before Rivers will become the starting QB for the Chargers. I continued to support Brees as the starter for the Chargers, even into this game despite perfroming poorly last week, but I must withdraw my support for him as the Charger starter as of right now. Tomlinson had more passing yards than Brees did in the first half...yes, LT had 38 yards to Brees' 16 first half passing yards...on the upside, Brees, the recipient of the 38 yard Tomlinson pass lead the Chargers receivers at the half. On two seperate occasions Tim Dwight was WIDE open deep and poor passes from Brees gave Dwight absolutely no chance to make a play. Brees' passes all game were very irratic, receivers were almost always having to make adjustments to catch the ball. This is what has plagued Brees for the past season and half and is becoming more blatently apparent as the 2004-05 campaign continues. The Broncos took Tomlinson out of the game and forced the Chargers to win with their passing game and because Brees was ineffective for most of the game meant the Chargers would end up short.

Some of my thoughts...

- The Broncos can't possibly be a good team. I'm not sold on Plummer and my opinion hasn't changed. He didn't lose the game for the Broncos, but that's all any team/quarterback needs to do when playing this weak Charger team. The Chargers did stop the run, but as per usual, why run against the Chargers when you can pass. Teams are able to move the ball however they desire against the Chargers...the Charger defense has yet to prove they can stop any team at any time and that trend continues.

- How many times does John Elway get honored in Denver? The answer: every home game. This week it was the 'Presentation of his Hall Of Fame Ring'.... Next home game it will be the third anniversary of some win victory, to be followed with Elway buys a Coca-Cola celebration the following game... I haven't checked the schedule to see the other John Elway is god and we must never forget that celebration... Bronco fans, you may want to move on, but that's just my opinion.

- Could Dan Dierdorf be any more anti-Charger in his 'expert analysis'? I have been (un)fortunate to hear him do a few Charger games now and have yet to hear any comment from him that has been even remotely complimentary to the Charger team...sure the Chargers may not earn many compliments from anyone, but his nonsensical, over-stating the obvious and belittlement of the Chargers has just gotten so old with me, I mute the tv for any game he is involved in.

- Next week the Chargers play the Titans. With Tennessee coming off back-to-back home losses, you will no-doubtedly see a different team playing the Chargers...but every team looks good against the Chargers.