Don't Pull The Plug Quite Yet

The 2004-05 NHL season may still occur... with 11th hour talks ongoing.

According to recent articles, the players have agreed (in principle) to a salary cap. The amount of that cap is what is being debated now, players wanting a $52 million cap and the owners seeking a $40 million cap. With the major obstacle cleared, it looks as if a season could still be salvaged...but the season and champion will most certainly be accompanied with an asterisk....

I always thought that the players would have to cave for the season to begin...it's too bad that they held out for so long, but were probably doing it to prove a point. Now the entire NHL will probably feel the financial impact of this lockout.

2 AM Bar Closing Time - Closer to Reality

Follow-up to the 2 AM bar closing debate.

The 2 AM bar closing in ND is one step closer as it passed the State's House vote 63-28 with no debate. The governor (R - John Hoeven) has already said he supports the bill, so barring some unforeseen obstacles, it should breeze through the State's Senate and become law shortly.

The latest article in the (Fargo) Forum of course now has Moorhead bar owners/workers distraught and the ND owners/workers filled with glee. And as previously mentioned, Moorhead has passed a no-smoking ordinance in all workplaces (including bars and restaurants) whereas Fargo has a no-smoking ordinance in all workplaces that allow minors...

So Moorhead was winning the battle, but Fargo is soon to take over...it will be interesting to see if (or really when) the city of Moorhead caves and alters their smoking ordinance.... stay tuned...

Season Cancellation Tomorrow

So the word is the NHL Season will be cancelled... which really is no surprise to anyone. As I have mentioned before, I think the player's have the most to lose and if they continue their stance of no salary cap, the union will fold and the league will probably be using replacement players starting next season. The question then will be how many players cross the line.

There has been some buzz that several young players are willing to cross the line... it will be interesting to see if any do... and of course, the more that do the more that will weaken the union.

Funny...but true...

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - A driver's education instructor was run over by one of her students and pinned beneath the car for 15 minutes, officials said.

Two cars driven by students collided on the DeKalb County Schools driver's education lot, then one of the students backed into Patricia Erwin, running her over.

She was hospitalized Friday in stable condition and underwent surgery for multiple broken bones.

Erwin, 64, who has taught driving for 20 years, was working with the students on a drill that included pulling forward and backing up at slow speeds, said Kal Kelliher, the district's driver's education coordinator.

No NHL Part III

"I can tell you unequivocally and without a doubt that we are done," NHL chief legal officer Bill Daly told The Associated Press on Thursday night. - Link

The facade is nearing an end. I am still perplexed as to why both sides even pretended to be trying to come to some compromise when both sides both steadfastly agreed they were not going to accept any compromise when it came to implementing a salary cap.

I think the owners have to say that replacement players will begin the season next year or the NHL is dead forever. I think once replacement players are playing, I think it will only be a matter of time before the NHLPA caves... if not, the NHL will continue without them. The damage has been done. If the player's think that fans aren't going to support replacement players, they are thinking wrong. The only fans that care about hockey now won't care who is skating and who isn't and in a few years the best hockey players in the world will again be in skating on NHL clubs.

Whether you think the player's are right or wrong, there will be no question that if/when they return, they will feel the impact of their motives this season for a long time...and in the end, I think they will lose more by giving in later rather than now.

Brees Wants Long Term Deal

Ok, we of course can not ignore the Charger's beat...

So Drew Brees is at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and continues to want a long term deal. After his best season with the Chargers, his value increased tremendously. The delimna the Chargers face is that they drafted a QB in the first round last year and spent are spending quite a bit of money to have Phillip Rivers ride the pine.

My personal thought is to sign Brees to a 3 year deal and sit on Rivers one more year. If Brees continues to develop, as he has been... how long does it take for a quarterback to fully develop into a high caliber QB in the NFL? I think after investing 3 seasons with Brees starting it would only be foolish to let him go to another team. The Chargers have 2 first round picks next year, plus cap room. It may seem absurd to have potentially 2 starting QB's on your roster, but what the heck... if you can afford to do so, I say do so.

No NHL... part II

No surprise here...

The NHLPA and the Owners have broken off talks and both sides see no reason to resume. As the news came out this morning that commissioner Bettman said that if no deal is reached by this weekend the season would be scrapped....which most knew would be the end result before it even started....

First of the major four sports in America to have an entire season called off without a game played due to labor disputes....

Happy News

Lot's of happy news in the world today...

Let's see here...

We got the North Koreans with nukes now. All in the name of a pre-emptive measure from the evil that this the United States. Take note you third world countries looking to make a big impression on the world... wait for the U.S. to become so entangled, entranced and devoted towards one region of the globe and then make your move towards making nuclear, or other equally evil and devastating weapons; odds are you are going to get away with it.

Iran, who many 'pundits' think is America's next enemy has vowed a "Burning Hell" for any invaders.... isn't that what Saddam vowed too??? Here's a good quotee from President Mohammad Khatami that he said in a fiery speech to the crowd in central Tehran:

The whole Iranian nation is united against any threat or attack. If the invaders reach Iran, the country will turn into a burning hell for them," he added, as the crowd, braving heavy snow, chanted "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!."

Can't we all just get along?

2 AM Bar Closing Time

Ok, look at me off to a good start... another entry...

I've been tracking this for quite some time... that is in North Dakota the closing time for serving alcohol is 1 AM. Minnesota (and I think South Dakota and Montana as well, but really don't matter, you'll see why...) now allows bars to remain open until 2 AM. I live in Fargo, ND, which is the largest city in North Dakota and really is the only place in North Dakota the resembles a metropolitain area... several small suburbs and Moorhead, MN is exactly adjacent to Fargo, ND, across from the Red River of the North. So you can see where this is going... Moorhead, in July 2003 decided to allow bars to be open until 2 AM.... Well, Fargo-Moorhead has a very large 'college' crowd with 3 large universities and several tech schools and university branches. So now where do all the college kids go to party on Friday and Saturday? Of course... Moorhead. Why not party until 2...heck, you'll probably party all night anyways. So now North Dakotan bar/restaurant owners want to extend the closing time in ND to make it fair....and what they really mean is put it back into their favor... Moorhead passed a city-wide smoking ban whereas Fargo passed a smoking ban in all workplaces where minors are permitted...which also is affecting some businesses and will get up to speed on that issue in short time as well...

Anyways, here's the latest article and I think bars in Fargo will be closing at 2 AM in short order....

No NHL this year

So Bettman has given the deadline for any hockey to be played this year. The one sport that needs all the help it can get to gain and retain new fans will see it's financial troubles worsen before they get better. With the owners standing strong, it is clear they are willing to proceed with hockey with or without the current player's union. I think the owners should then declare that the 2005-06 season will begin with replacement players if their is still no deal with the NHLPA by the time camps open.

Neither side is right in this disagreement. Both parties are essentially fighting over a pile of money, both wanting more from the pile. The pile will definately not be as big in the next few seasons barring some extraordinary feat(s) and the biggest losers in these sports labor disputes is always the fan... the very people that are so willing to hand over their hard earned dollar so other people can fight over it.... I love sports, but labor disputes hold a very special place of animosity for me... I used to be a HUGE baseball fan, but the strike of '95 killed that spirit...and it appears just in time.

Ok, ok....

After several 'acquaintances' have commented that I need to first post more and second, that the world doesn't revolve around the San Diego Chargers. Ok, so I do a lot of web surfing when I can...and I also am an opionated type person so I am going to make an attempt to start blogging a lot of the crazy crap I am thinking/reading/interested in... for no other reason than I can keep an instant record on the internet for the entire world to enjoy... and isn't that what's this 'Blogging' thing is all about anyways?

Tag on Brees a week or more away

Full Story Here: "The Chargers intend to use the 'franchise' tag on quarterback Drew Brees to keep him from walking away without compensation as an unrestricted free agent next month, but they won't do so for at least a week.

General Manager A.J. Smith said yesterday he plans to spend the rest of this week digesting recommendations and opinions offered during the team's end-of-the-season player-evaluation meetings, then forward a plan for 2005 to club President Dean Spanos next week.

The Chargers have until Feb. 22 to use the franchise tag, which would allow them to maintain Brees' rights for the coming season. The move immediately would count $8.078 million against the team's 2005 salary cap, but Smith planned for that possibility by clearing $21 million of cap space for the coming season."

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."

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.