« July 2006 | Main | September 2006 »
Greg: Take away LaDainian, the Chargers got nothing!
Rivers: Excuse me, Greg!
Neal: I got issues with your thesis.
Gates: Frankly, I'm offended (Neal drops helmet)
Merriman: And you don’t want to offend Mr. Gates
The best part is the dance at the end.
The team has signed another key veteran to a new long-term contract, inking offensive tackle Shane Olivea to a new six-year contract that will run through the 2011 season.
Less than three months back, the Bolts also signed center Nick Hardwick to an extension through the 2011 season.
Talk about it on our forums.
The team has signed another key veteran to a new long-term contract, inking offensive tackle Shane Olivea to a new six-year contract that will run through the 2011 season.
Less than three months back, the Bolts also signed center Nick Hardwick to an extension through the 2011 season.
Talk about it on our forums.
When they’re on the field - look out!
Running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks have firmly established themselves among the NFL’s premier performers.
Tomlinson has dominated since his 2001 rookie season, rushing for at least 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his first five seasons. Alexander set a league record with 28 touchdowns in 2005 and rushed for 1,880 yards – the ninth-best total all-time – while helping the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl appearance.
Tomlinson and Alexander’s scoring exploits helped them surpass a trio of Hall of Famers in 2005. Each posted an NFL-record fifth consecutive season with at least 10 rushing touchdowns. Alexander’s 27 rushing TDs and Tomlinson’s 18 moved them past Walter Payton, Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson, who each accomplished the feat four years in a row.
The players with the most consecutive seasons of 10-or-more rushing touchdowns:
Consecutive 10+ Rushing TD Seasons
Shaun Alexander, Seahawks, 2001-05, 5*
LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers, 2001-05, 5*
Walter Payton, Bears, 1976-79, 4
Earl Campbell, Oilers, 1978-81, 4
Eric Dickerson, Rams, 1983-86, 4
* Active streaks
Linebacker Phil Archer was placed on the “Reserve-Injured” list today with a knee injury. The team also waived defensive end Patrick Massey.
The final roster cuts, to 53 players, must be made by Saturday Sept. 2.
The Chargers all-time preseason record is 112-96-4 (.538). San Diego has won three straight preseason games against the 49ers, including last year’s 28-24 win at QUALCOMM Stadium. The all-time preseason series is tied 17-17.
• Chargers owner Alex Spanos makes his home in Stockton, California…it is approximately 80 miles from San Francisco. President and CEO Dean Spanos grew up in Stockton and graduated from Lincoln High School and University of the Pacific.
• The Chargers have six players whose hometowns are in Northern California: LS David Binn (San Mateo), WR Greg Camarillo (Menlo Park), WR Malcom Floyd (Sacramento), FB Lorenzo Neal (Hanford), DE Igor Olshansky (San Francisco), WR Kassim Osgood (Salinas) and RB Tyronne Gross (Stockton).
• The Chargers have five players and coaches who played collegiately in Northern California: LS David Binn (California), WR Greg Camarillo (Stanford), T Cory Lekkerkerker (California-Davis), FB Lorenzo Neal (Fresno State) and WRs coach James Lofton (Stanford).
• 49ers CB Sammy Davis was the Chargers’ first-round draft pick in 2003.
• Chargers secondary coach Brian Stewart coached defensive backs at San Jose State from 1997-98.
• 49ers special teams coordinator Larry Mac Duff is from Fullerton, Calif. and attended Cal-State Fullerton.
• 49ers wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan was the Chargers wide receivers coach from 1992-96…49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner held the same position with the Bolts in 2001…running backs coach Bishop Harris held the same position with the Buffalo Bills from 1998-99 when Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was the head coach in Orchard Park…Harris also coached under Phillips with the Denver Broncos (1993-94)…tight ends coach Pete Hoener was the offensive coordinator at TCU in 1997, LT’s freshman season on the Ft. Worth campus.
• 49ers defensive line coach Gary Emanuel coached defensive ends at Purdue when Shaun Phillips played the position for the Boilermakers…Nick Hardwick was also on the squad.
• 49ers defensive assistant and outside linebackers coach Jason Tarver coached at UCLA from 1998-2000.
• The No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft taken by the 49ers was QB Alex Smith, who grew up in San Diego and graduated from Helix High School before moving on to the University of Utah.
• The following players were college teammates: Chargers S Bhawoh Jue and 49ers DT Anthony Adams at Penn State…Chargers LB Shawne Merriman and 49ers TE Vernon Davis at Maryland…Chargers WR Greg Camarillo and 49ers OT Kwame Harris at Stanford…Chargers QB Philip Rivers with 49ers LB Manny Lawson and DE Corey Smith at NC State…Chargers QB A.J. Feeley and DE Igor Olshansky with 49ers S Keith Lewis at Oregon…Olshansky also teamed with WR Marcus Maxwell and G Adam Snyder in Eugene.
Listen in as Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer, Quarterback Philip Rivers, and Tackle Roman Oben talk at the mic at Chargers Park.
The Bolts released quarterback A.J. Feeley Monday afternoon. A sixth-year veteran from the University of Oregon, Feeley came to the Chargers in a trade from the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 18, 2005.
Talk about it on our forums.
The Bolts placed veteran tackle Roman Oben on the “Reserve – Physically Unable to Perform” list (PUP) on Tuesday.
The team also waived seven players today: C-G Jimmy Martin, CB Anthony Mims, S Jerrell Pippens, WR Mark Simmons, K Kurt Smith, RB Bryson Sumlin and WR Gerran Walker. The team also waived WR Sean Coffey late last week.
A big BOLT thanks to forum member LV_BOLT for sharing this photo with us. He has more photo's, here.
11:58 - After all said and done the Chargers followed Marty’s mantra of “one play at a time” they could have easily gave up, after the terrible start, easily could have said this was a meaningless preseason game and folded, but it was more important for this team to come out with a victory at home, so they fought back from adversity and came out on top, 31-20. Check back later tonight for in-depth stories on the game from Casey Pearce and Tom Shanahan on Chargers.com.
11:04 - Not sure what to think about tonight’s game. Need to see what Marty says. Special teams looked solid. If it wasn’t for the ridiculous start, the Chargers played pretty well, they came back from a 14 point deficit to lead at the half. I was impressed with Ray Perkins, and the secondary played excellent, really the defense as a whole was very impressive not giving Matt Hasselbeck much time at all.
10:49 - Tonight’s attendance was 51,878
10:44 - I like that Cletis Gordon is trying to make something happen on returns.
10:41 - Tim Dobbins looks to be a playmaker. He looks really good tonight. The D is all over these guys.
10:31 - Ray Perkins makes some nice moves to get into the end zone, TOUCHDOWN
10:29 - At halftime Philip Rivers was asked about his play… “Those first couple plays were terrible and it can’t happen. After that I was alright, nothing spectacular happened other than getting into the end zone twice and our defense playing great. But again, we can’t get off to those kind of starts because it’s just ridiculous.”
10:25 - The second team offense is moving the ball in the right direction, end of the third quarter.
10:09 - You don’t see interceptions like that often, Seattle’s ball. Almost like Ryan Krause bobbled the ball right in to the defenders hands.
10:06 - The press box reports that quarterback Philip Rivers has a slight bruise to his right shoulder, could play but was not scheduled to play the second half.
10:04 - Hawks first team defense smothered our second team offense. Ray Perkins is probably thinking ‘what just happened, I have zero room to run’
9:56 - Charlie Whitehurst is in at Quarterback for the second half.
9:49 - Starting defense still on the field for the Bolts.
9:44 - Kaeding has returned from the locker room. Nice thing to see is Keading is cheering on the Special Olympics kids participating in the half time events. Very cool.
9:35 - End of the half. Bolts up by 3, really the game should be 17-0 but giving 14 points to the opposing team won’t help win games in the regular season. Let’s see who comes out in the second half? We might see the starters a little bit in the third quarter.
9:28 - The press box report is that Leander Jordan has a stinger and is questionable to return.
9:27 - Punter Mike Scifres deserves his own thread on the forums, I agree.
9:24 - Jordan is walking off with no any help, that’s a good sign.
9:24 - Looks like tackle Leander Jordan is down with an injury the medical staff is huddled around him.
9:16 - Don’t want to get overly excited, being it’s preseason and all, but it's sure nice to see a batted down ball from the secondary. Antonio Cromartie reaches cleanly around to knock the ball from the air on a nicely thrown pass from Matt Hasselbeck.
9:12 p.m. - The offense has awakened from the dead. No touchdown, but moving the ball well, a 27 yard Kaeding field goal, and it's good.
9:07 p.m. - Strong safety Terrence Kiel is playing all over the field tonight and is making key plays, nearly had a pick in the second quarter.
9:03 p.m. - WOW! The crowd is really into the game. Hawks had to call a time out due to the noise.
8:55 p.m. - Running back Ray Perkins in for Michael Turner, Perkins is a guy I wanted to see, tonight is a big night for him. If he can show something he can earn a roster spot.
8:47 p.m. - First quarter is over and the Bolts basically scored 28 points, the first two, unfortunately was for the Seahawks. The defense should be thanked for the quick comeback to tie the game.
8:39 p.m. - Mike Scifres punt of 57 yards in the airs was a beauty. Not sure of the hang time but it was up in the press box for a long visit.
8:30 p.m. - Finally the defense awakened from the dead. Three-and-out and a sack.
8:25 p.m. - Hawks are blitzing the heck out of the offense and the paid for it on that drive. First Michael Turner make a reception for 38 yards, then on the next play, up the middle for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8:20 p.m. - On a positive note Cletis Gordon is getting every opportunity to show that he should be the Chargers return man.
8:06 - Rocky start, first a penalty then on the next play Philip Rivers bobbles the snap and Seahawks score on a loose ball in the end zone.
8:05 p.m. - Kickoff, 1-10 Chargers
8:03 p.m. - Coin toss: Chargers win the toss, elects to receive.
7:59: p.m. - Team is being introduced. Good crowd tonight. Very loud for a preseason game.
7:48 p.m. - The first time quarterback Philip Rivers played in the NFL was against the Seattle Seahawks in a preseason on August 27, 2004 at Qualcomm Stadium.
7:15 p.m. - Wide reciever Sean Coffey was waived and is no longer on the Chargers roster.
7:12 p.m. - Tight end Aaron Shea is not expected to play tonight.
7:09 p.m. - The running backs have run out on the field, nice loud cheer from the crowd. As promised, Michael Turner will start at running back for LaDainian Tomlinson.
7:04 p.m. - Looks like Malcom Floyd will start at wide receiver for Eric Parker.
6:31 p.m. - Who to watch: WR Malcom Floyd, LB Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and RB Ray Perkins. I think these guys would like to have a good game. They want to show the coaches the have what it takes to play in the NFL
5:33 p.m. - 8 PM preseason start, who thought of this? Due to the national televised Bucs at Jags on CBS pushes tonight’s game back. Ironically, the game is blacked-out in the San Diego television market.
by P.S. Hamilton
It’s getting to be that time, folks. Teams typically designate someone in the organization to give the axe to players that fought for a roster spot and lost. The guy that drew the short straw is referred to as “The Turk”. 
The first cut-down day is on August 29. At that time teams must shave the roster down to 75 players, regardless of their exemption status. In previous years the first cut was down to 65, although NFL Europe players were still exempt. That was brutal for a coach still was on the fence about a player. This year it should be a little easier to avoid prematurely cutting a player that has a lot of potential and could fill in if an injury occurs.
The final cut to 53 players takes place on September 2, the day after the last pre-season game. Teams can designate players to the practice squad on that day as well.
The upcoming game against Seattle will give bubble players their last chance to make an impression on Chargers coaches. It is also their best chance to audition for other teams that may have a need for players at their position.
The Chargers shouldn’t have too much trouble with the first cut. Some players are just not up to the caliber of others on the roster. Other players won’t be cut just yet because the team wants to get them a little more game experience in case an injury happens and they need to put them on the practice squad for possible call-up later. The Bolts have quality depth at most positions. Undrafted free agents will have to be exceptional to make the squad. The toughest cuts will be at linebacker, so don’t expect many cuts there this round. The wide receiver corps is pretty well set. Whether they keep five or six, it is pretty obvious who they will be. If they keep five, expect them to be McCardell, Parker, Osgood, Jackson, and Floyd. Put Camarillo at the end if they decide to keep six. Keeping six receivers this year will be tough since coach Schottenheimer appears to be leaning towards three or possibly four tight ends. The Broncos have already announced that they will using some three and four tight end sets this year. Hmm…who is keeping up with whom?
The team may carry an extra kicker this year, too. Six round draft pick Kurt Smith has really been looking good in the pre-season games. Schottenheimer has alluded to possibility of going with just three backs since Manumaleuna can essentially play the part of one in certain packages.
Possible cuts could include CB Steve Gregory, CB Anthony Mims, DT Alvin Smith, TE Kelly Griffeth, DT Alvin Smith, RB Derek Farmer, RB Jonathan Evans, RB Larry Croom, RB Tyronne Gross, RB Bryson Sumlin, WR Robert Ortiz, WR Sean Coffey, WR Mark Simmons, and WR Ricky Bryant.
Mitch Meeuwsen has experience at both cornerback and safety, which might help him survive the first cut.
There is still discussion about Donnie Edwards and his status. If he does manage to get traded it will mean one more player can live to play another day.
The starters are scheduled to play the first half of the Seattle game, giving the “bubble” players precious little time to shine. If they don’t make a good showing of it, come Monday they may hear a knock at the door. Fear the Turk.
The San Diego Chargers have signed inside linebacker Stephen Cooper to a new five-year contract that runs through the 2010 season. Cooper was due to become an Unrestricted Free Agent upon the expiration of his current contract after this season.
Talk about it on our forums.
Wednesday night Marty Schottenheimer took the team to see a special screening of "Invincible," the real-life story of Vince Papale, a former Philadelphia bartender who went to a tryout and eventually became a special-teams star for the Eagles.
"Invincible" comes out in theaters August 25, but the Chargers were offered a private screening.
Check out the movie trailer here:
Head Couch Marty Schottenheimer gives a camp update and special Boltcast interview with author Todd Tobias on his new book "Bombs Away! Air Coryell and the San Diego Chargers"
Show Notes:
"Bombs Away! Air Coryell and the San Diego Chargers" is availablle for order online. This is Todd's second book on the Chargers, the first being "Charging Through the AFL."
Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer talks about the latest practice and Cletis Gordon. Philip Rivers talks about the Bears preseason game, upcoming game against Seattle and Marcus McNeill. Michael Turner talks about the Bears and the help he receives from LaDainian Tomlinson.
DEFENSIVE END: Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky are returning starters…Castillo, a first-round draft pick in 2005, earned All-Rookie honors after recording 49 tackles, 3.5 sacks and six tackles for loss…Olshansky had 29 tackles, three sacks and three tackles for loss in 2005…Jacques Cesaire is a versatile player who can line up at both end and tackle…a key reserve, the Chargers signed Cesaire to a five-year contract in the offseason…he had 25 stops last season…Derreck Robinson was one of only two undrafted rookies to make the team in 2005…he played in only two games and had two stops in the ’05 season finale…Chase Page was a seventh-round draft pick in 2005, but suffered a knee injury during training camp and most likely will miss most of the preseason…Patrick Massey is a rookie free agent from Michigan.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jamal Williams was a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in 2005…the anchor of the NFL’s No. 1 run defense, Williams had 53 tackles and a team-high eight tackles for loss…Williams is entering his ninth season…Ryon Bingham spent most of the 2005 season on the practice squad…he saw his first career action in the ’05 season finale, recording one tackle…Brandon McKinney and Alvin Smith are both rookie free agents.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER: Starting outside linebackers Steve Foley and Shawne Merriman return…Foley was slowed by an abdominal injury most of last season but still recorded 38 tackles and 4.5 sacks…Merriman was a Pro Bowl starter and the NFL’s consensus Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2005…he led the team with 10 sacks and ranked second with seven tackles for loss…Merriman finished the year with 54 tackles…third-year man Shaun Phillips ranked second on the team with seven sacks in 2005...he tied for third on the squad with 15 stops on special teams…Carlos Polk has missed most of the last two seasons due to injury…Polk was the Chargers Special Teams Player of the Year in 2002 and ’03…Marques Harris was one of only two undrafted rookies to make the team in 2005…he played in 11 games, primarily on special teams where he recorded eight tackles…Akbar Gbaja-Biamila did not play in the NFL in 2005…he played for the Oakland Raiders for the 2003-04 seasons, recording 60 tackles and two sacks.
INSIDE LINEBACKER: Starters Donnie Edwards and Randall Godfrey return…Edwards was the team’s leading tackler with 154 stops…he added three sacks, two interceptions and 11 passes defensed…Godfrey was the team’s secondleading defender with 78 tackles, including four tackles for loss…Stephen Cooper has been a reserve linebacker and a solid special teams performer…the fourth-year player is a former undrafted free agent who has 71 career tackles and 2.5 sacks…Matt Wilhelm is pushing Edwards for a starting spot…he had 16 tackles, one sack and an interception last season and tied for third on the team with 15 special teams tackles…Tim Dobbins was a fifth-round draft choice in 2006…Phil Archer and Jonathan Evans are both NFL Europe veterans…Archer played for the Amsterdam Admirals in 2005 and ’06…he also spent some time on Minnesota’s practice squad in 2005…Evans played for the Berlin Thunder.
CORNERBACKS: Starters Quentin Jammer and Drayton Florence are back…Jammer led the team with 19 passes defensed and was third on the squad with 72 tackles…he had one interception…Florence tied for second on the team with 11 passes defensed…he also had one interception and 54 tackles…Markus Curry was an undrafted rookie in 2005 who spent most of the season on the team’s practice squad…he has been a consistent performer in training camp…Antonio Cromartie was the Chargers top selection in the 2006 NFL Draft…he was chosen in the first round with the 19th overall selection from Florida State…Cletis Gordon, Steve Gregory and Anthony Mims are rookie free agents.
SAFETIES: Strong safety Terrence Kiel and free safety Bhawoh Jue started in ’05…Kiel recorded 59 tackles and a sack last season…Jue led the team with three interceptions while contributing 42 tackles…Marlon McCree joined the Chargers in 2006 through free agency and has been working with the first team…a Carolina Panther in 2005, McCree started 15 games and ranked second on the team with 95 tackles…he also intercepted three passes and broke up nine passes for the Panthers, runners-up in the NFC…Clinton Hart scored two touchdowns on interception returns in 2005…a player who can line up at either safety position, Hart recorded 35 tackles and six passes defensed in 2005...he also registered 11 stops on special teams…Andre Lott is in his fourth NFL season…he did not play in 2005 but spent the 2002-04 seasons with the Washington Redskins…he’s appeared in 31 career games as a reserve in the secondary and a special teams player…Jerrell Pippens can play both safety or cornerback and the speedster has made a name for himself on special teams…Hanik Milligan was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005 as a special teams performer after he led the Chargers with 21 special teams tackles…Mitch Meeuwsen has NFL Europe experience with the Rhein Fire in 2006.
SPECIALISTS: All three key specialists return: punter Mike Scifres, kicker Nate Kaeding and long snapper David Binn…Scifres was a Pro Bowl second-alternate in 2005 after averaging 43.7 yards per punt…only 26 of his punts were returned last season, fewest in the NFL among punters who attempted at least 70 punts…Kaeding is coming off a 2005 season in which he hit 21 of 24 field goal attempts and all 49 of his point after tries…he scored 112 points last season…for his career, the third-year kicker has been successful on 41 of 49 field goal attempts…Binn is one of the NFL’s most precise and consistent long snappers…entering his 13th season, Binn has played in 191 career games, just nine shy of the team record shared by Junior Seau and Russ Washington…Kurt Smith was a sixth-round draft choice in 2006…Smith was a kickoff specialist in college at Virginia and is competing to earn a similar post with the Chargers…the shifty and speedy Darren Sproles cut his teeth as a rookie returning both kickoffs and punts…he averaged 24.3 yards per return on kickoffs with a long of 58 yards and he averaged 6.0 yards on punt returns…his big returns throughout the year helped set up numerous scoring drives…Sproles was injured in the Bolts 2006 preseason opener and was placed on the “Reserve-Injured” list on Aug. 15…Cletis Gordon and Gerran Walker are sharing the bulk of the return responsibilities during the preseason in Sproles’ absence.
Marty Schottenheimer talks about how the Chargers o-line received a quality test Friday night against a talented Bears defense that threw plenty of curves at them.
QUARTERBACK: Philip Rivers is the team’s starting quarterback…the third-year signal caller saw his most extensive action in the 2005 season finale against Denver, completing 12 of 22 for 115 yards and an interception…Coach Marty Schottenheimer has declared the backup quarterback position open for competition…the combatants are six-year veteran A.J. Feeley, who joined the Chargers in a trade from Miami last October, 2006 third-round draft choice Charlie Whitehurst from Clemson and rookie free agent Brett Elliott.
RUNNING BACK: Three-time Pro Bowl selection LaDainian Tomlinson is the team’s starting running back...in five seasons, Tomlinson has rushed for 7,361 yards and 72 touchdowns…LT rushed for 1,462 yards and a career-high 18 touchdowns in 2005…Michael Turner proved to be a capable backup to Tomlinson in 2005, rushing for 335 yards and three touchdowns, including an 83-yard scoring run in the Bolts’ Dec. 18 win at Indianapolis…the bruising Turner averaged nearly six yards a carry (5.9) last season…Darren Sproles primarily handled kickoff and punt returns as a rookie in 2005 though the coaches plan to get him more involved in the offense in 2006…Ray Perkins spent his rookie season in 2005 on the team’s practice squad…Larry Croom, the former Arizona Cardinal, rushed for a team-leading 427 yards and six touchdowns for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in 2006…Croom played in six games for the Cardinals in 2004…Bryson Sumlin and Tyronne Gross both are competing as rookie free agents.
FULLBACK: Lorenzo Neal was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2005 after paving the way for the Chargers to rush for 2,072 yards…Neal has been a lead blocker for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the last nine seasons…Andrew Pinnock has played primarily on special teams, but the fourth-year player out of South Carolina should see his role increase as a blocking back…Pinnock played in 12 games last season…Shawn Willis is a rookie free agent from Oklahoma State.
TIGHT END: Two-time Pro Bowl choice Antonio Gates starts at tight end…Gates has caught 194 career passes for 2,454 yards and 25 touchdowns…he’s caught 23 touchdown passes over the last two seasons and is the first tight end in NFL history to catch 10 or more touchdown passes in consecutive seasons…Brandon Manumaleuna came to the Chargers in a 2006 draft-day trade from the St. Louis Rams for a fourth-round choice in ’06…he will be used primarily as a blocking tight end in the Chargers offense, however he caught 66 passes for 648 yards and six touchdowns in his first five seasons with the Rams…Aaron Shea joined the Chargers in 2006 as a free agent from the Cleveland Browns…Shea is a solid blocker and receiver, who caught 97 passes for 851 yards and seven touchdowns during his first six years, all with the Browns…Ryan Krause is a third-year player who missed most of the 2005 season with a foot injury and has been slowed by a hamstring injury during training camp…Kelly Griffeth is an undrafted rookie free agent from Fort Hays State.
WIDE RECEIVER: Keenan McCardell and Eric Parker are returning starters…McCardell, in his 15th season, is the NFL’s 10th all-time leading receiver with 825 catches…he ranks 19th with 10,680 yards…last season, McCardell caught 70 passes for 917 yards and a career-high nine touchdown passes…the speedy Parker set career-highs in 2005 with 57 catches and 725 yards while catching three touchdown passes…Vincent Jackson only caught three passes as a rookie in 2005, but at 6-5, 241 pounds, he has the size and speed to become one of the NFL’s top young wide receivers… Kassim Osgood has been a solid backup receiver and an outstanding special teams player…in 2005 he was the team’s leading special teams tackler with 19 stops late in the season before a pectoral injury brought a premature end to his season…some observers felt that if he’d stayed healthy that he would have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl…in three seasons, Osgood has 30 catches for 607 yards and four touchdowns…Malcom Floyd has spent the better part of his first two seasons on the practice squad…at 6-5, Floyd is one of the team’s tallest receivers and has made countless amazing catches in camp…Greg Camarillo earned a spot on the practice squad as a rookie in 2005 by running precise routes and demonstrating outstanding hands…he seems to catch just about every ball thrown his way…Robert Ortiz, Sean Coffey, Mark Simmons, Gerran Walker and Ricky Bryant are all free agents competing for roster spots…Ortiz is a native San Diegan and an alum of San Diego State...Coffey suffered a shoulder injury in training camp and isn’t expected to play in the preseason…Simmons stands just 5-10 but has demonstrated very good hands and quick feet…Walker was claimed by the Chargers off waivers from Indianapolis on Aug. 1…Bryant has NFL experience on New England’s practice squad and two years with the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe.
OFFENSIVE LINE: All five starters return along the offensive line, including LT Leander Jordan, LG Kris Dielman, C Nick Hardwick, RG Mike Goff and RT Shane Olivea…the line helped pave the way for the Chargers to rush for 2,072 yards in 2005, the team’s fourth-straight season with 2,000 or more yards…Jordan started nine games, Dielman started 14, Hardwick started 13, Goff was the only lineman to start all 16 games and Olivea started 15…LT Roman Oben is working his way back from offseason foot surgery…he started the first eight games in 2005…Cory Lekkerkerker, Scott Mruczkowski and Wes Sims all spent time on the active roster in 2005…Marcus McNeill was the team’s second-round draft pick in 2005 from Auburn…at 6-7, 336 McNeill is the one of the tallest players on the roster…Cory Withrow is a seventh year center-guard who was signed Aug. 9…Withrow played the first six seasons of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings…Ben Johnson spent time on the practice squad in 2005 and played for the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europe in 2006…Jeromey Clary and Jimmy Martin were both late-round draft choices in 2006 and Nick Mihlhauser joined the team as a free agent.
By P.S. Hamilton
It was late October of 2005 when the Chargers front office announced a surprise trade.
The Miami Dolphins dangled a sixth-round draft pick in front of the Chargers to take unpopular quarterback A.J. Feeley off their hands. In return, the Dolphins would get the Charger’s third-string quarterback Cleo Lemon.
Feeley, 29, is an experienced quarterback that went 4-1 as a starter for the Eagles. The Eagles were on a roll in 2002 when Donovan McNabb fractured his fibula in a win against Arizona. Backup quarterback Koy Detmer started the next game against San Francisco, but came out with a dislocated shoulder. Third-string quarterback A.J. Feeley answered the call, and courageously led the Eagles into the playoffs.
The Miami Dolphins were paying attention. In 2004, Dolphins were still trying to fill the cavernous void created by Dan Marino’s retirement in 2000. They offered the Eagles their 2005 second-round draft pick to obtain the services of A.J. Feeley.
Feeley didn’t know what he was in for. Before he even took his first regular-season snap, star running back Ricky Williams announced his retirement. That was one week before the start of training camp.
The Dolphins were forced to field a committee of running backs featuring Sammy Morris and Travis Minor, who would combine for a measly 901 yards. In addition to the crippled running game, injuries to key players began to take a toll. Zach Thomas and former Charger’s wide receiver David Boston were hurt before training camp ended. Boston was out for the whole season. This placed a heavy burden on Feeley to perform. Sadly, he could not overcome the circumstances. He threw 15 interceptions with just 11 touchdowns in the 8 games he started in 2004.
On-field woes were bad enough, but off the field there was in chaos as well. In an inexplicable move, the Dolphins brought in Dan Marino as Vice President. Twenty-two days later, he resigned. Running backs coach Joe Collier was promoted to offensive coordinator but he later asked to return to his old position due to health issues and tight end Randy McMichael was arrested on a domestic dispute.
The morale of the team was at an all-time low, culminating in the resignation of coach Dave Wannestadt after a 1-8 start. The team would finish 4-12, and fans and players needed a scapegoat. A.J. Feeley became the target of their discontent.
After the season, Nick Saban from LSU had agreed to become the new Dolphins coach. The Dolphins drafted Auburn running back Ronnie Brown in April, and Ricky Williams announced that he would rejoin the team after serving a four game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Things were looking up.
The team had invested heavily in A.J. Feeley. Management hoped Feeley would silence critics by decisively winning the starting job in training camp. After a few weeks it became clear that Feeley had regressed. He was indecisive and off the mark. The tumultuous 2004 season had left him shell-shocked and reeling. Feeley was knocked out of a preseason contest by Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher -- the injury sustained was described as a “bruised buttocks”. It turned out to be a great analogy of A.J. Feeley’s “Dolphin Experience”.
Charger fans were split on the move to trade Cleo Lemon for Feeley. Word is that A.J. Smith and Schottenheimer were split as well. Cleo Lemon was well liked and showed talent and poise in pre-season games. However, he never started a game against a first-string defense, and at 6’ 2” would be slightly undersized in this “new look” Charger’s offense.
The Chargers drafted kicker Kurt Smith this year with the pick received from the Dolphins. If he continues to kick like he did in the pre-season game against Green Bay, he could make a huge contribution by consistently pinning teams deep in their own territory. That should make some Lemon lovers feel a little better.
It’s no secret that Feeley has looked rusty in training camp. However, Charger fans should give him a few more games before calling for his head. A.J. Feeley has been through the fire, and did not emerge unscathed. Perhaps enough time has passed now and he can use what he learned in Miami to his benefit.
Quarterback’s coach John Ramsdell is gifted at helping players achieve their potential. He has inspired the likes of Mark Bulger, Kurt Warner and Torry Holt to greatness. Here’s hoping he can help A.J. get the feeling back -- the winning feeling.
Chargers have versatility at tight end
Chargers.com
Broken leg puts Sproles out for year
Union-Tribune
Gates aiming for complete role
Union-Tribune
Sproles on IR, is out for season
North County Times
Wilhelm's wait could be worth it
North County Times
Visit our forums at http://forums.chargers.com
Junior Seau's football career which featured 12 Pro Bowls came to an end Monday during a ceremony at Chargers Park. Listen to the complete ceremony on Boltcast.
The Chargers placed running back/returner Darren Sproles on the “Reserve-Injured” list. Sproles sustained a fractured fibula near his ankle in the Chargers first preseason game against Green Bay on Sat., August 12. Sproles will miss the 2006 season. The Chargers also released CB Raymond Walls.
Say "Gbaja-Biamila" three times fast! Okay, try it twice!
Ba-zsa-BEE-aw-mee-la, Ba-zsa-BEE-aw-mee-la, thats easy!
Photo: Mike Nowak
It’s only preseason so let’s not get too excited with the victory. Although Philip Rivers looked sharp, Vincent Jackson was exciting, and the defense didn’t allow a touchdown, improvements are still needed. For example, eight penalties cost 68 yards of field position, these self-inflicted wounds have the ability to really hurt a team in the regular season. However, Marty Schottenheimer said it best concerning the first preseason win. “It’s a nice way to start.”
Jim Trotter of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting Oceanside native and former Chargers great linebacker Junior Seau saying bye to stellar career. Update: So much for the retiring thing.
Post practice audio from Marty Schottenheimer and special Boltcast interview with NFL.com’s Gil Brandt.
By P.S. Hamilton
Rumor has it some NBA recruiters are scouting Charger’s training camp. It’s not true, but wide receivers Vincent
Jackson, Kassim Osgood and Malcom Floyd, all 6’ 5” tall, have pulled down enough jump balls over the last few weeks to deserve a look. Judging by the acrobatics seen throughout camp, the Charger’s receiver corps is rebounding. It appears that on opening day the Bolts will field the most physically intimidating group of receivers in the NFL. No other team has more than one receiver 6’ 5” or over. The Chargers have three.
The most diminutive receiver on the squad is Eric Parker at 6’ 0”, while Keenan McCardell and Greg Camarillo are both 6’ 1”. They don’t need to worry about job security, though -- quick and elusive will always be in demand. But since 2003, there has been a definite trend toward larger receivers in the NFL.
It’s easy to point to the success of receivers like Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Carter and Plaxico Burress for instigating the big man movement. But that isn’t the whole story. In 2004, the NFL began getting tough on contact more than 5 yards downfield. That leaves defenders no choice but to be aggressive and physical at the line. Still, taller receivers usually win the battle. These players are strong, with a long wingspan, which allows them to push a defender off and get downfield before the defensive back can recover. Once a big man gets free, they become a true menace. They are a pressured quarterback’s dream, an exit sign flashing over the chaos and carnage that takes place after the snap. A tall receiver can go up over the top of defenders for the ball, and are long-striders. Once they get up to full speed they are extremely hard to match up with.
The success of tall players like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss brings extra defenders out of the woodwork. Antonio Gates gets double and occasionally even triple-teamed during games. It has become more and more difficult for him to get favorable match-ups because teams know the damage he can inflict. Chargers coaches seem to have solved this puzzle with their new lineup. Kassim Osgood has not seen as many passes come his way as he would like, but he has improved his route running and can make a crucial catch when called upon. Vincent Jackson is physical and athletic and extremely difficult to cover. Ask the Charger’s secondary…he has been burning them throughout training camp. Malcom Floyd is really pushing to make the team and has been good for at least one circus catch per day.
The Chargers have another XXL receiver that is an integral part of the receiving corps…the coach. Hall of Fame receiver and eight-time Pro-Bowler James Lofton is 6’ 3” and ranks third on the NFL’s all-time list in receiving yards. Lofton was known as a tough, deep-threat receiver, able to overpower, outrun and outlast his defenders. Who better to teach San Diego’s young wideouts how to maximize their unusual stature?
Of course, there are some good defensive backs in the AFC West, and most are not small. Strong safety Derrick Gibson of the Raiders is 6’ 2” and Michael Huff is 6’ 1”. Safety Sammie Knight of Kansas City is 6’ 1” and cornerback Lenny Walls is a towering 6’ 4”. Safety John Lynch of the Broncos is 6’ 2”, but the team’s nemesis, cornerback Champ Bailey is “just” 6’ 0”. Think about it…Vincent Jackson has five inches on Bailey. At least the team can throw to his side of the field with a little more confidence this year.
It used to be that cornerbacks were typically 5’ 9” to 5’ 11. But now bigger, physical, hard-hitting players are in demand. The Chargers are on top of that trend, too. This year they picked up cornerback Antonio Cromartie in the first round of the NFL draft…he’s 6’ 3”.
The word from training camp is that the coaching staff has been cooking up a variety of “747 packages” -- wide receiver jumbo sets that make it virtually impossible for opposing defenses to cover everyone.
This should be welcome news to the team’s new starting quarterback, Philip Rivers. The weapons are in his arsenal. Now all he has to do is use them. If the offensive line gives him enough time, it won’t be a tall order.
Audio from Quentin Jammer and Marty Schottenheimer on the new extension Jammer signed today.
Cornerback Quentin Jammer agrees to new five-year contract extension. Signing of center-guard Cory Withrow. Two practices on Tuesday. Marty Schottenheimer and Philip Rivers audio from Training Camp at Chargers Park, San Diego, CA.
Cornerback Quentin Jammer has agreed to a new five-year contract extension that will run through the 2012 season, the team announced today. His current contract was scheduled to expire following the 2007 season.
“Quentin is a major part of our defense,” said General Manager A.J. Smith. “He gets better every year. It’s exciting to know he will continue to be a Charger. He’s a true pro. He works year-round and has a great work ethic. He’s tough and physical. He’s a terrific run supporter and cover guy. The best is yet to come for Jam.”
Jammer (6-0, 204lbs.) has started every game for the Chargers since 2003. Last season, the former Texas Longhorn set career highs with 72 tackles and 19 passes defensed. He was the team’s third-leading tackler in 2005.
“I’m grateful that Dean Spanos, A.J. Smith and Ed McGuire saw me as an integral part of this team and wanted to keep me here,” Jammer said. “It’s a huge relief. Ever since the Chargers drafted me, I’ve said that I want to play my whole career in San Diego. This contract will go a long way toward that, and I’m thankful.”
Quentin and his wife, Alicia, had their first child in March, a son named Kaden Matthew.
Roger Goodell has been named the NFL's new commissioner, succeeding Paul Tagliabue.
The San Diego Chargers have signed veteran NFL center-guard Cory Withrow to a one-year contract.
The 6-2, 287-pound Withrow is in his seventh NFL season. He spent his first six years in the league with the Minnesota Vikings, playing in a total of 80 regular-season games with 13 starts. He has also played in four career playoff games. Last season, Withrow played in all 16 games and started seven games at center for the Vikings.
To make room on the roster for Withrow, the Chargers waived guard Jason Murphy. Withrow will wear number 65 for the Chargers.
The players returned to the practice field on Monday from their day off and Marty Schottenheimer was pleased with how the practiced. Only five more days until the Chargers take on the Packers this Saturday at Qualcomm Stadium.
The 2006 NFL season is here and the San Diego Chargers will open the preseason against the Green Bay Packers at QUALCOMM Stadium on Saturday night, Aug. 12. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. PDT.
This game will unofficially mark the beginning of one era and possibly the end of another. For the Chargers, the game marks the start of Philip Rivers’ tenure as the team’s new starting quarterback. It also figures to be the last time that Chargers fans will have a chance to see future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre wear the green and gold of the Packers in QUALCOMM Stadium.
Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer leads the Bolts. He has directed the team to 21 wins over the last two seasons and won 186 games during his highlysuccessful coaching career, tied for seventh-most in NFL history. His counterpart, Mike McCarthy, will be making his NFL head coaching debut in Saturday night’s game.
The Chargers return 21 of 22 starters in 2006. On offense, Rivers will be surrounded by a bevy of talent that includes three-time Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson, two-time Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates and all five returning starters along the offensive line. The Chargers defense, which ranked No. 1 in the NFL against the run in 2005, returns all 11 starters, including Pro Bowlers Jamal Williams and Shawne Merriman, the NFL’s consensus Defensive Rookie of the Year in ’05. The defensive unit will be bolstered even further this year by the addition of cornerback Antonio Cromartie, the team’s top choice in the 2006 NFL Draft, and veteran safety Marlon McCree, who joined the Chargers as a free agent from the Carolina Panthers, who were runners-up in the NFC in 2005.
If Saturday’s game becomes a sellout 72 hours before kickoff, KFMB-TV (Channel 8) will televise the game live in San Diego with Ron Pitts and Billy Ray Smith calling the action and Jaymee Sire reporting from the sidelines.
This season, AT&T and the San Diego Chargers will be looking for San Diego's next great singing talent through the AT&T Super Charger promotion.
I hope this guy submits his video.
Fans will have the opportunity to record their own versions of the team's memorable "Super-Charger" theme song. Videorecording stations will be available before the Chargers preseason home games in August, as well as the season home opener on Sept. 17. Additionally, fans can upload and submit their videos at http://att.chargers.com/.
Following the Sept. 17 game, the videos of 30 finalists and non-finalist 'outtakes' will be posted on the Web site, with online voting commencing on Sunday, Oct. 8. The winner, who will receive a trip to the 2007 NFL All-Star game in Hawaii, will be announced at the Dec. 31 Chargers game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Fans who vote for their favorite video will be automatically entered into the sweepstakes for a chance to win one of many great prizes including game tickets, Chargers gear and technology packages.
There is no purchase necessary to enter or win the promotion. Open to legal residents of California and Nevada, 18 years and older. All videos must be submitted by Sept. 22, 2006. For more information and official rules, visit http://att.chargers.com/.