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In today's Boltcast we have Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer after the morning and afternoon session.
In today’s Boltcast we have Marty Schottenheimer, defensive tackle Alvin Smith, defensive tackle Luis Castillo, guard Kris Dielman, and linebacker Shawne Merriman and sound from the trenches of the Oklahoma Drill.
Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer traditionally starts training camp with the Oklahoma Drill, and the drill came at the end of the team's first practice in full pads on Sunday. In the drill, a quarterback hands off to a running back while a blocker and a defender go at it up front in a space only about 3 yards wide.
Training Camp Opens... Audio from Chargers Park with Marty Schottenheimer, LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers and Shawne Merriman
Philip Rivers is featured on the cover of this week’s Pro Football Weekly.
In today's Boltcast we have audio straight from Chargers Park with Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer and Quarterback Philip Rivers. Don't forget Saturday’s practices, which are scheduled for 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. will both be open to the public, the same goes for Sunday's 2 p.m. practice featuring Schottenheimer’s popular Oklahoma drill.
By P.S. Hamilton
Air Coryell was one of the most exciting offenses in the history of football. Opponents knew the pigskin would be flying – they just didn’t know what to do about it. 
Quarterback Dan Fouts commanded respect and was fearless in the pocket, despite a bum knee that made him a sitting duck.
Air Coryell was all about getting rid of the ball fast and keeping defenses on their heels. Every play had a man going deep. If you didn’t get to Fouts, he would hit the deep man for six points. Charlie Joiner, John Jefferson and Wes Chandler all averaged over 16 yards per catch, and no one could cover Kellen Winslow. They had so many options that defenses were confounded. Teams had to expect a pass on every down, which opened up lanes for Chuck Muncie on the ground.
The current Charger offense works the opposite angle. With LaDanian Tomlinson in the backfield, defenses anticipate and try to stop the run on each play. That allows the offense to exploit teams with the passing game. The net result is the same -- lots of passing yards and points per game.
Training camp will tell whether or not the current Charger personnel have the talent needed to revive Air Coryell. It is clear, however, that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron is molding his program in the vein of one of the most dangerous offenses the NFL has ever known.
An Air Coryell-type offense starts with the quarterback position. Marty Schottenheimer and Cam Cameron auditioned Philip Rivers for the role when they coached the South team in the 2004 Senior Bowl. With a game plan ripped from Coryell’s playbook, Rivers took charge, slinging the ball freely around the field. He quickly established a rhythm that produced three scores, elevating his team to a 21 point lead at the end of the first quarter. Obviously, Schottenheimer and Cameron liked what they saw, because Rivers was a Charger by spring.
A key element of the offense is the ability to dump the ball off fast when the heat is on. Antonio Gates is a great safety valve and the most problematic tight end for defenses to cover in the game today. He’s not too shabby in the end zone, either.
The receiving corps of the current team is made up of unique players that bring their own special skills to the table. Each of them can cause match-up problems, either because of speed, size, or elusiveness. Every tight end, back or receiver has great hands.
Eric Parker, a.k.a., “The Bondsman”, is so named because he knows how to bail a quarterback out. He's not afraid to make a tough catch over the middle and can really take a lick.
At 36 years old, Pro-Bowl receiver Keenan McCardell relies on his smarts more than his body. He’s as wily as they come, and can burn even the most experienced defensive backs for serious yardage.
Vincent Jackson may be the deep threat on this Charger team. At nearly 6’ 6” and 246 pounds, he is astonishingly athletic. Jackson is an acrobat, able to pull down nearly any ball thrown his way. He is speedy enough to stretch the field and will be a huge threat in the end zone, winning one-on-one battles all day long.
Kassim Osgood is another big target at 6’ 5” 220 pounds. Osgood is an extremely hard worker that would have made the Pro Bowl last year on special teams had he not been injured.
Rashaun Woods is a first-round receiver acquired in a trade with San Francisco in the off-season. He’s a student of the game and is able to adjust his routes on the fly when he sees an opportunity to give his quarterback an outlet. Woods was selected 31st overall in the 2004 draft, and was thought by many to be the best receiver available.
Brandon Manumaleuna, formerly with St. Louis, adds quality blocking and a new receiving threat to this already versatile offense. Manumaleuna, “Manu” to teammates, is a big-bodied tight end with incredibly soft hands. He was brought in to block, but defenses can’t assume he will stay in the box. If Manu goes free, it will probably mean a new set of downs for the Chargers.
Last, but certainly not least, are the backs, led by future Hall of Famer LaDanian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is a triple threat. He’s run for over 1200 yards in each of his five pro seasons. He’s a talented receiver with 342 career receptions for eight touchdowns. Tomlinson has even thrown four touchdown passes – more than Philip Rivers at this point.
Tomlinson has a symbiotic relationship with hard-hitting fullback Lorenzo Neal. Neal is exceptionally good at clearing a path for Tomlinson to do his thing. Later, Tomlinson will act as a decoy so Neal can play catch and run.
Coaches are working to integrate running backs Michael Turner and Darren Sproles more fully into the game plan. Turner will get more touches to reduce the wear and tear on Tomlinson and provide a change of pace. Sproles, reminiscent of former Charger Lionel “Little Train” James, will play a larger role in the passing game, getting the ball in space where he can do damage with his quickness.
Cam Cameron’s offense is gaining more than yards -- it’s gaining respect. Even so, passing yardage was slightly down last year compared to 2003 and 2004. Teams began loading up as many as nine players at the line of scrimmage, forcing receivers to stay in to block. Tomlinson’s reception numbers dropped drastically last year, in part because he had to block to help keep Brees from getting sacked.
This shouldn’t happen with Philip Rivers at the helm. Teams will try to stack the box, but Rivers is five inches taller than Brees, giving him much better visibility over the line. His quick release will pick up a lot of yardage if opposing defenders leave receivers one-on-one.
Air Coryell was one of the most prolific offenses in the history of the NFL. Sadly, the teams never made it to the Super Bowl because the Charger’s defense wasn’t good enough to stop opponents. Don Coryell lamented that fact in a 1994 Union-Tribune interview:
"I'd forgotten how close we were," Coryell says when the (defensive) shortcomings are mentioned, "but we could've won three Super Bowls with just a little more help."
That won’t be a problem for the 2006 Chargers. By all indications, the current “Lights Out” defense will be near the top of the league in sacks and run protection. If the addition of Antonio Cromartie and Marlon McCree raises the level of competition, the secondary could put on an aerial circus of it’s own.
If that happens, Air Coryell v2.0 should win a Super Bowl.
Straight from Chargers Park with Marty Schottenheimer and Antonio Cromartie.
Your itching for some football, so you plan on attending this weekends first open Training Camp practice on Saturday, July 29. As usual, the trick is to find the best location to see all the work without constantly moving around the perimeter throughout the session. Some find the bleacher seating the perfect spot, others like the fence near the center. Let’s hear your recommendations for the newbie’s that will be attending.
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie from Florida State, the Chargers’ first-round choice and the 19th player selected overall in the 2006 NFL Draft, agreed on a five-year contract today. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Cromartie is the last of the team’s eight draft picks to agree to terms with the team. He is expected at practice Wednesday.
In today’s podcast we have audio straight from Chargers Park. General Manager A.J. Smith gives a update on contract negotiations with first-round draft pick Antonio Cromartie. Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer highlights the first session of training camp. Offensive tackle Marcus McNeill signed his deal Tuesday morning and made it onto the field for the final minutes of the team’s first practice. Quarterback Philip Rivers talks about training camp. Special radio call from the 2005 victory over the New York Giants.
Tom Shanahan writes running backs grow on palm trees here, but 2006 will be the quarterback's year in San Diego.
In other news, Associated Press (via ESPN) reports the Chargers have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with second-round pick tackle Marcus McNeill.
"While talks with Cromartie's agent continued, the Chargers agreed Monday night to a four-year deal with offensive tackle Marcus McNeill, their second-round pick. McNeill was still in Atlanta, but said earlier in the evening that he hoped to catch a flight to San Diego on Tuesday."
Welcome to the first installment of the Official San Diego Chargers Podcast. Episode 1, July 24, 2005. The San Diego Chargers have agreed to contract terms with six draft picks. Exclusive press conference audio with Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer as he talks Training Camp with the local media.
The San Diego Chargers have agreed to contract terms with quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, the team’s third-round choice in the 2006 NFL Draft, and kicker Kurt Smith, the team’s second of two sixth-round picks. Both players have agreed to four-year contracts.
The Chargers have now agreed to terms with six of their eight picks from the 2006 NFL Draft. The only two players yet to agree to contracts are cornerback Antonio Cromartie (first-round) and tackle Marcus McNeill (second-round)
The San Diego Chargers have agreed to contract terms with four draft picks. Linebacker Tim Dobbins (fifth-round), tackle Jeromey Clary (sixth-round), defensive end Chase Page (seventh-round) and center-guard Jimmy Martin (seventh-round) have each agreed to four-year contracts.
Dobbins (6-1, 246) was chosen with the 151st overall selection in April’s draft. The Nashville, Tennessee native was a two-time All-Big 12 selection at Iowa State, earning first-team honors as a senior in 2005 and honorable mention recognition as a junior in 2004. He was also the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of Year in 2004.
The Chargers selected Clary with the 187th choice. The 6-6, 306-pound tackle earned second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior at Kansas State. In 2003, Jeromey’s first season as a starter, he helped pave the way for Darren Sproles to lead the nation in rushing with 1,986 yards.
Page (6-5, 295) was the 225th player selected in the draft. The former North Carolina Tar Heel ranked second on the team as a senior with four sacks and six tackles for loss. As a collegian, Page saw action at defensive tackle, defensive end, offensive guard and tight end.
Martin (6-5, 306), a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection as a senior at Virginia Tech, was selected 227th overall. He started 45 consecutive games during his collegiate career.
The Chargers have four draft picks who remain unsigned, including cornerback Antonio Cromartie (first-round), tackle Marcus McNeill (second-round), quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (third-round) and kicker Kurt Smith (sixth-round).
How Chargers Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal turned to a former boxing champ from San Diego to extend his career.
The Associated Press reports the Chargers appear close to signing second-round pick OT Marcus McNeill, who is optimistic he will be in training camp on time.
"We're still working," general manager A.J. Smith said Friday. "We're having great dialogue with everybody, we're very encouraged with everybody, but I have no idea until the talking stops and we all smile and agree."
By P.S. Hamilton
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila is a big fan of Muhammad Ali.
No one believed Ali could beat the undefeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title in 1964. Ali won and became one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Gbaja-Biamila knows he, too, will have to come out swinging to challenge some heavyweights for a spot on the 2006 Chargers. The current linebacker corps includes Steve Foley, Shawne Merriman, Randall Godfrey, Donnie Edwards, Shaun Phillips, Carlos Polk, Steven Cooper, Matt Wilhelm and Marques Harris. Newly drafted rookie Tim Dobbins is also in the mix, with NFL Europe players Jonathan Pollard and Phil Archer rounding out the field. With just eight spots up for grabs, Gbaja-Biamila must score a knockout to make the team.
He certainly looks like a contender. Twenty-seven year old Gbaja-Biamila is the biggest linebacker on the team at 6’5”, 265 pounds. He has long legs, big arms, and a burning desire to prove skeptics wrong.
“There are a lot of people that say ‘He can’t do it’ , ‘He’s washed up’, ‘He’s not his brother’ , ‘He’ll be a 3-4 leak.” I’ve heard it all. Those things kind of fuel me,” he said.
He’s definitely tough enough -- he was born in East L.A.
Gbaja-Biamila attended the notorious Crenshaw High School, featured in the 1991 movie Boyz n the Hood. He was a standout player on a championship basketball team. Then, in his senior year, Akbar switched to football. He earned all-league and all-conference honors, and finished his senior year with 11 sacks and 74 tackles. His performance gained him recognition as defensive lineman of the year.
Gbaja-Biamila does have a softer side. While at Crenshaw, he was active in a community program called “Food from the Hood”, that grew food for the poor. It was also sold commercially to fund college scholarships for Crenshaw students. Akbar received a scholarship to San Diego State where he joined his brother, Kabeer, on the Aztecs as a Defensive Lineman.
Asked about his brother, the frustration of living in a shadow quickly rises to the surface. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, or KGB, is a Pro-Bowl defensive end for the Green Bay Packers.
“Kabeer was a standout automatically,” Gbaja-Biamila said. “It was very frustrating in college to live up to those expectations. At a point I felt like there really wasn’t room for me in football. When other people see me through the eyes of Kabeer, I’m not judged on my own talents but what he does.”
Draft day arrived in spring of 2003, but Gbaja-Biamila’s phone never rang. Eventually, the Oakland Raiders signed Gbaja-Biamila as a free agent defensive end, despite taking two ends and an outside linebacker in the draft. Against all odds, he made the roster.
Gbaja-Biamila joined the team right after Oakland’s humiliating Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“We struggled with the team chemistry,” he said. “There was a lot of individualism going on. I was one of those players that just got caught in a team that was going in a downward spiral.”
Gbaja-Biamila played thirteen games as a situational pass rusher his rookie season. He was just getting comfortable when the team imploded.
“There was no true continuity,” Gbaja-Biamila remembers. “I had gone through two defensive coordinators in my first two years.”
The Raiders fired head coach Bill Callahan and switched to a 3-4 defense. Gbaja-Biamila was asked to play linebacker. At that point in Gbaja-Biamila’s development it was asking a lot.
“If you asked me two years ago “what’s a corner route?” or “what’s a post route?” I couldn’t tell you,” Gbaja-Biamila said.
Life was simple as a defensive end. “All I knew was, hey, I’ve got to get to that quarterback and bring him down. As a defensive lineman you only have two responsibilities, that’s it -- stop the run, get to the quarterback.”
Gbaja-Biamila struggled to accept his new role at linebacker.
“I was talking to Antwaan Randle El about how he made the transition from quarterback to wide receiver. The natural thing to do is to want to fight,” he said. “I think that affected me in Oakland because I was still trying to make waves. In the game, stepping away from the defensive line gets real big, you know, learning formations and routes.”
Now Gbaja-Biamila is a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers. His transformation is not quite complete, but he’s no longer resisting the change.
Gbaja-Biamila is working hard to gain an edge going into training camp. He’s consulted a nutritionist and has radically changed his diet. He’s also reached out to the coaching staff to get some one-on-one help.
“I need more individual time because I’ve been learning on the fly. With the National Football League there is no tutorial.” he explained.
To compensate for light experience at the linebacker position, Gbaja-Biamila has committed to becoming more of a student of the game.
“I’ve already called the video guys to make me some special team tapes. They have it all on computer, and I can go in and watch defensive cuts and kind of break it down.” he says. “That’s probably the biggest thing that I didn’t have in my game a couple years ago -- watching film.”
Gbaja-Biamila doesn’t need film of Philip Rivers to be impressed with him.
“He’s got to be the strongest quarterback I have ever been around. He lifts like a lineman,” he says. “When I say strong, I mean strong arms, strong legs, and strong mind. That’s going to take him a long way. I think he’s going to be among the quarterback elites in the National Football League.”
Gbaja-Biamila has been impressed with his new teammates from day one, in sharp contrast to what he experienced during his two year stretch in the “black hole” that is Raider Nation.
“There’s a good bunch of guys on the team. When I took my trip here they brought me in and everyone introduced themselves to me, from LT to the guys on the practice squad” he says. “You already knew that this was a different team. Everybody hangs out with everybody. I’d never really hung out with offensive lineman when I was with Oakland.”
Gbaja-Biamila is counting on being with the team when the Chargers head to Oakland for the season opener on September 11th. He still appreciates Al Davis for bringing him in to the NFL, but it won’t affect Gbaja-Biamila’s play on game night.
“There’s respect, but no allegiance,” Gbaja-Biamila says. “Especially for that Monday Night Football game…I can’t wait. You don’t understand how much I can’t wait. I’ve even taken all the silver and black out of my wardrobe.”
Gbaja-Biamila’s parents emigrated from Nigeria in the 1970’s to find a better life. They married Muslim, then a few years later Akbar’s mother converted to Christianity. His family attended both mosque and church. The situation taught Gbaja-Biamila tolerance and respect for other people’s religious beliefs. In college, Akbar converted to Christianity, while his father remains a Muslim. His family sets a refreshing example in these troubled times.
Gbaja-Biamila’s father, Mustapha, lives in Los Angeles. His ability to travel has been limited by Parkinson’s disease. With the Chargers just two hours down the road, he now should have many chances to see his son play.
Gbaja-Biamila’s mother Bolatito died in four years ago in an auto accident. But if she were here, Akbar knows she’d be putting in a good word for him.
“My mom would say, ‘Let me pray for you!’ She was a very prayerful woman. She’d tell me that everything would work out fine, and that the Lord would lead and guide my step through training camp.”
At least six of the Charger linebackers are a lock to make the 2006 final roster. That should leave just two open spots with seven players vying for them. Some people would be discouraged by the odds, but Gbaja-Biamila remains confident.
“I think I’ve got a good shot at this team. So I find myself with my back against the wall...I thrive in those kind of situations.”
Gbaja-Biamila may be encouraged to know that the odds were 7-1 against Ali when he won that heavyweight title. Still, Gbaja-Biamila has accepted that the future is out of his hands.
“The Lord says, ‘be anxious and worry for nothing.’ If you worry, it means you lose faith. I’m at the point right now where I can’t worry. God’s plan is ultimately God’s plan. To fight that is pointless.”
That may be true. But right now, a prayer couldn’t hurt.
Opinions expressed in the Blog, Blog Comments, and Fan Forum are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent those of San Diego Chargers.
Chargers games against Seattle and San Francisco to be televised live on NFL Network this preseason. Green Bay at San Diego will air at 9:00 PM.
Monday, August 14
- Green Bay at San Diego 9:00 PM
Saturday, August 26
- Seattle at San Diego (LIVE-Blacked out in local markets) 8:00 PM
Friday, September 1
- San Diego at San Francisco (LIVE-Blacked out in local markets) (HD) 7:00 PM
In 2006, NFL Network will air 168 football games, including 8 regular season NFL games, 52 preseason games, 75 game re-airs, 31 NFL Europe League contests, the Insight Bowl and the Senior Bowl.
NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the first television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football.
More and more, teams are training at their regular-season headquarters. The theory is, things are familiar, surprises are minimized, you get to go home to see the family.
Numbers show the trend towards that approach. Ten years ago, only 23 percent of clubs (7 of 30) trained at home. This year, 41 percent will (13 of 32).
The numbers may prove growing home-base popularity, but, at least last year, the titles went to teams with the “old-time” philosophy of encamping away.
The two Super Bowl XL teams – the winning Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks – both left home for college training sites. The Steelers once again trained at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania (this will be their 40th year at the school). The Seahawks summered at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington.
“I think there is something to be said for getting away from home and coming together as a team,” says Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren.
If where you train in the summer is considered important, how you play during that time is even more so. A look at the numbers suggests that NFL preseason games are important:
- Last year’s four championship-game teams had a .688 preseason winning percentage (11-5).
- Five of the past six Super Bowl champions had winning preseason records, two going 4-0 and three 3-1.
- The past 10 Super Bowl champs have compiled a .707 preseason winning percentage (29-12).
Training camps are a productive, exciting time of year – especially for fans.
One fan survey (ESPN.com) shows that sports fans in July look forward to NFL training camps more than to major summer events in other sports. Another (Columbus Dispatch) says that fans like to watch NFL preseason games more than the preseason games of any other sport.
That interest has helped forge a change in modern-day NFL camps. More and more, teams have scheduled evening practice sessions. The players get out of the heat and more fans, with their workday over, can see those players.
This summer, the Chargers will host a “Gatorade Day at Training Camp” complete with interactive events, youth football drills and family entertainment. Fans are welcome to enter the Chargers Park at 5 pm (free of charge) on August 3, 2006. More details to follow.
Chargers Park is the ninth training camp site in the 46-year history of the San Diego Chargers. The team held its initial training camps in San Diego in 1961-62 at the University of San Diego. In 1963 the team trained at Rough Acres Ranch in Boulevard, Calif., located in the rugged hills east of San Diego. The Chargers also trained in Escondido (1964-68) and at the University of California-Irvine (1969-1973), United States International University (1974-75), University of California-San Diego (1976-2002) and the Home Depot Center in Carson, California (2003-04).
Previous Training Camp sites:
Chargers Park - 2005-present
The Home Depot Center, CSU , Dominguez Hills, Carson - 2003-04
University of California-San Diego, La Jolla - 1976-2002
United States International University, San Diego - 1974-75
University of California-Irvine, Irvine - 1969-1973
TraveLodge, Escondido - 1964-68
Rough Acres Ranch, Boulevard. - 1963
University of San Diego - 1961-62
Sat., July 29.... 8:30-10:30 a.m. & 3:55-5:30 p.m.
Sun., July 30.... 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Mon., July 31.... 3:20 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 1.... 3:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 2..... 3:20 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 3... 7:00 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 4..... 3:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 5..... FANFEST, 10:00 a.m. @ Qualcomm Stadium
Mon., Aug. 7..... 3:00 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 8.... 3:20 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 9..... 7:00 p.m.
Thurs., Aug. 10.. 3:00 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 12.... Chargers vs. Packers at Qualcomm Stadium, 7:00 p.m. PDT
Tues., Aug. 15... 3:20 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 21.... 3:30 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 22... 7:00 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 23.... 3:00 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 29... Roster reduced to 75 players by 1:00 p.m. PDT
Sun., Sept. 3.... Roster reduced to 53 players by 1:00 p.m. PDT
* Practice times are subject to change. Go to Chargers.com or contact the public relations department at (858) 874-4500 to confirm practice times.
Donnie Edwards and Luis Castillo (and former Chargers QB Drew Brees) will be on NFL Total Access Monday, July 10, 2006.
NFL Total Access is NFL Network's signature show uniquely structured to see the game through the participants' eyes, airing at 7 p.m. ET/PT every Monday through Friday, hosted by Rich Eisen. Each of the 32 NFL teams are featured on NFLTA, making it the most comprehensive and informative NFL show on the air.
Also tonight the debut of the Chargers Cheerleaders: Making the Squad Reality Series.
San Diego Chargers Cheerleaders: Making the Squad is a three-part series chronicles all aspects of the cheerleader audition process as veterans compete to maintain their positions while eager rookies struggle to make the team.