Official Chargers Blog

• Keeping Chargers' top talent a tall task
  As the Chargers prepare to begin negotiations in earnest with several of their star players, both sides will be dealing with an uncertainty looming over the talks.

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• Cason's effort pleases Chargers' coach
  Former Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason's second professional workout went a lot better than his initial practice.
• It's early, yes, but rank Pats No. 1 ... and Bolts No. 2
  Seven different teams have represented the NFC in the past seven Super Bowls, which suggests how markedly matters can change from year to year in the NFL.
• A mother's scare and her son's devotion
  Cassandra Gardner did not see her son's NFL-record 109-yard return of a field goal at Minnesota this past Nov. 4.
• Bolts, coach sharing the same script
  It was the Chargers' front office's explanation and became the players' catch phrase.
• Playing catch-up
  Recently, Union-Tribune Chargers beat writer Kevin Acee sat down with Rivers to talk about that rehab
• Talking to LaDainian Tomlinson
  LaDainian Tomlinson is in Los Angeles this week filming a pair of spots for the latest Chunky soup advertising campaign. SI.com caught up with the super Charger during a break on the set.

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• Chargers ready to take next step
  A.J. Smith knows "almost" doesn't mean anything in the NFL. He knows it all too well.
• CB Cason's confident, yet respectful demeanor has endeared him to coaches
  Antoine Cason's initial foray on the Chargers' practice field didn't go very well. The combination of first-practice jitters, faster paced drills and the schematics ...
• New Campbell Soup Ads Will Focus On Health, One NFL Player
  Starring in the new ads is San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

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• Roads Less Traveled Can Lead to NFL
  Eric Bakhtiari, a Chargers' undrafted free agent, finally caught up with Antoine Cason, the Bolts' first-round draft pick.

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• About three months after ACL surgery, Rivers returns
  Philip Rivers was chatting in a hallway after a minicamp practice Friday as the Chargers' offensive linemen came bulldozing through.

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• Rivers, L.T. back on field as Chargers open minicamp
  Less than four months after having a ligament in his right knee replaced, Philip Rivers was dropping back and throwing passes.

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• Former Dolphins GM Mueller joins Chargers
  Former Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller, who was fired by Bill Parcells on Dec. 31 soon after he assumed control of football operations, was hired by the San Diego Chargers Tuesday.
• Chargers Assistant GM Nix suddenly gone
  Chargers Assistant General Manager Buddy Nix is no longer with the team, the team confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
• Nix out as Chargers assistant GM, Muller named senior exec
  Buddy Nix is out as assistant general manager of the San Diego Chargers, with the team saying he retired and his wife saying he resigned.
• Smith, Chargers revamp front office, hire Mueller
  A.J. Smith has been one of the league's most active general managers in giving extensions to young talent to keep the nucleus of the Chargers together. Now, the front office sees a flurry of activity.
• Nix now enjoying golf while Chargers shuffle front office personnel
  Buddy Nix, back home where the rest of the people talk with his same charming lilt, was preparing to play golf this morning.
• Chargers give Betschart good opportunity in NFL
  After a weekend of uncertainty, Wade Betschart was glad to take control.

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• Aztec, Torero among new Chargers signed
  The Chargers added a few interesting names yesterday when they agreed to terms with 17 undrafted free agents, but it will be difficult for any of them to make the roster in September.
• Chargers stay busy and sign 17
  Chargers announced the signings of 17 undrafted free agents on Monday, including University of San Diego defensive standout Eric Bakhtiari and San Diego State offensive lineman Brandyn Dombrowski.

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• Chargers trade up to draft running back, land OL
  The Chargers traded to get their backup running back in the third round and finally got an offensive tackle in the seventh round.
• Chargers find a back, still seeking a tackle
  After a day on which they boldly traded to get the backup running back they desired, the Chargers are left still searching for offensive tackle depth.
• Cason at loss for words, not much else
  Antoine Cason's voice said that he was “at a loss for words” and “speechless.”
• Up close and personal wasn't needed by Smith in matter of top pick
  A.J. Smith calls April “Liar's Month.” And he's right, of course.
• Bolts get bold, trade up for Hester
  Jacob Hester made a bold prediction Sunday, shortly after the Chargers gave up a 2009 second-round pick to grab the LSU running back in the third round of the NFL draft.

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• Chargers add QB depth, pick up Bramlet off waiver
  The San Diego Chargers claimed quarterback Casey Bramlet off waivers from the Miami Dolphins on Friday.
• QB signing camp fodder for Chargers | The San Diego Union-Tribune
  Coming as it did on the eve of the draft, the Chargers' signing of quarterback Casey Bramlet off waivers prompted speculation that the team might then consider dangling Charlie Whitehurst for trade.
• Chargers hanging around corners
  There is much to be decided in the Chargers' only real position battle of 2008, and what the team does this weekend will only add to the competition.
• First day of draft unlikely to be busy
  A.J. Smith terms this year's NFL draft as a "light year" for the Chargers. Still, the draft-loving general manger hopes to walk away with a heavy collection of talent.

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The Sports Business Journal is reporting that retired Packers quarterback Brett Favre will be on the cover of Madden '09. Give that sigh of relief, Chargers fans. LT has avoided the curse once again.

It was reported last year that Madden's people had negotiated with LT's representatives to have the two-time defending NFL rushing champion on the cover but the two sides didn't ever agree on terms. Titans quarterback Vince Young ended up as the poster boy for the popular game. Tomlinson has yet to appear on the cover and it looks like he won't adorn the game this summer either.

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• No plans to move to new L.A. stadium
  A Los Angeles developer who announced plans to build a football stadium Thursday is a friend of the Spanos family, owners of the Chargers, but the team has no plans to move there, according to a team spokesman.
• Dripping in drama, or perchance to scream
  To some, the NFL draft is a bonanza, one of the best days of the year on the sports calendar. To others, it's a long, boring day filled with talking heads on T
• Drafts for the ages
  Looking through the warring wasteland, we never saw it coming.

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• Numbers game
  The Chargers are experienced in this type of venture, so they know what it takes, how the waiting goes and how what's available affects the outcome
• Winning formula in extra picks?
  The strategy of acquiring compensatory draft picks is imbued with the unknown.

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• Chargers not looking for a show of hands
  This is a good year to find a wide receiver in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. Eight wideouts figure to have their names called before Round 2 concludes.

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• Sources say Cooper facing a 4-game suspension
  Starting inside linebacker Stephen Cooper faces a four-game suspension because of a positive drug test, sources confirmed Tuesday.
• Saints, Chargers have legitimate gripes
  The 2008 NFL schedule has a wealth of quality matchups, story lines and subplots worth exploring. Here are 10 interesting questions that are sure to get people talking.
• Prime-time games highlight '08 schedule
  A historic trip to London and six national television appearances, including five prime-time telecasts, highlight the Chargers' 2008 schedule, released by the NFL on Tuesday.
• Redskins, Bears, Chargers must hate '08 schedule
  The San Diego Chargers will be jet-lagged.
• Cooper draws four-game suspension for drug policy violation
  Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended by the NFL on Tuesday for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
• Chargers hope early trips lead to a big finish
  The Chargers' 2008 schedule is in one sense every bit as taxing as it could possibly be, considering the extensive travel and frequent night games.

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• Chargers made 3 key draft picks a year early
  A.J. Smith will proudly and with a deep sense of satisfaction display the names of Chris Chambers, Eric Weddle and Paul Oliver on the Chargers' draft board two weekends from now.

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• NFL lineman, family run area trucking company
  Around mid-morning March 25, Mike Goff trailed his father, Lyman, and brother, Brian, into Hella's Carryout in Powell.

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• Little three havent done much in offseason to gain on Chargers
  The San Diego Chargers started last season slowly, winning just one of their first four games and providing some hope to the rest of the teams in the forlorn AFC West.
• NFL owners withdraw playoff reseeding proposal
  A show of hands made it obvious that reseeding the NFL playoffs wasn't such a good idea.

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Chargers restricted free agent linebacker Marques Harris and exclusive rights free agent cornerback Cletis Gordon have both signed their one-year contract tenders and are now under contract for the 2008 season.

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• AFC West: Chargers clearly in charge as draft nears
  The AFC West is the San Diego Chargers and then the rest -- and the gap is widening.
• Chargers gain a No. 5 pick
  The Chargers were awarded a second fifth-round pick yesterday, not the fourth-rounder they expected for losing linebacker Donnie Edwards in free agency last year.
• Lineman Clary receives a big bonus
  Jeromey Clary's 2007 earnings nearly doubled on Tuesday as he was one of 17 NFL players awarded upwards of $250,000 through the league's "performance-based pay" system.

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• Torching of Merriman's car funny? Rome fill-in host seems to think so
  Say what you want about Shawne Merriman's sack dance but is that the reason the linebacker's Mercedes-Benz recently was stolen and burned to a crisp?

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• Chargers won't deal disaffected Osgood
  The Chargers' brass and most everyone else in the NFL heads to Palm Beach, Fla., this weekend for the annual owners' meetings.

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Get a rare, up-close look at an actual NFL practice when the 2008 San Diego Chargers' rookies and veterans gather for Mini Camp on Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4. It's your chance to see the entire squad, including the 2008 draft selections as they make their first appearance in the Chargers' lightning bolts. Due to the lack of available public parking, the team's practices on Friday, May 2 are closed.

Practice Times

Saturday
10:30 - 12:30 pm
4:00 - 6:00 pm

Sunday
11:00 - 1:00 pm

Chargers Park (Map)
4020 Murphy Canyon Rd.
San Diego, CA 92109

The 2008 Mini Camp will be held at Charger Park in San Diego. Chargers Park is located at 4020 Murphy Canyon Road, just west of I-15 between Aero Drive and Clairemont Mesa Blvd.

In addition to bleacher seating, fans are welcome to bring their own beach chairs.

* Practice times subject to change without notice. Please check back for more details, such as practice times, as they come available.

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• How high can Cro go?
  Chargers cornerback raised the question with his leaping, one-handed palm job of an interception against Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning on Nov. 11.

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• Chargers' Hardwick sidelined by surgery
  The Chargers could be without center Nick Hardwick early in the season.

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• Castillo touches down with troops in Afghanistan
  I never have been to Afghanistan. I cannot perceive that I ever will go to Afghanistan. I don't think cruise lines go there, so I'm out.

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• McCree is gone, not forgetting
  Marlon McCree will attend a charity dinner in Rancho Santa Fe on Sunday hosted by Denver Broncos safety John Lynch, next to whom McCree expects to start this season.
• Faces of the game: NFL icons
  With Brett Favre gone, which current players are deemed to have an iconic presence in the league?

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• Philip Rivers on Favre
  A lot of us saw our favorite NFL quarterback retire this week. And among the "us" is an NFL quarterback.
• Rivers becomes first client at D1
  When Philip Rivers invested in the D1 sports training facility, he did so thinking of himself as an owner, not a customer.

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• Osgood says it'd be better to receive
  Two-plus years into being perhaps the NFL's most-recognized and most-appreciated guy who never plays, Kassim Osgood is fed up.

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• Chargers' Jackson teaches worth of hard work at youth conference
  Vincent Jackson talked, and a crowd of Colorado Springs teens listened.

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