Official Chargers Blog

• Chargers lock up No. 3 seed with swarming defence
  A year that began in turmoil for the San Diego Chargers ended in triumph with the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs.
• Chargers wrap up third seed; LT gets rushing title
  Norv Turner won in his return to Oakland, LaDainian Tomlinson captured his second straight rushing title, and most importantly, the San Diego Chargers clinched the third seed in the AFC playoffs
• Tomlinson wins rushing title
  San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson wrapped up his second straight rushing title on Sunday after running for 56 yards in a 30-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
• No looking back
  On a strange day to play, trying to keep the momentum, trying to stay healthy, trying to rest some players, the Chargers won a game that turned out to not matter.
• Chargers' turnaround could save Turner's reputation
  San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner strode onto the field, searching out Lane Kiffin for the obligatory coaches' handshake.
• They don't give style points for Raiders games
  As the final seconds of his team's 30-17 victory against the Raiders wound down Sunday, San Diego Chargers coach Norv Turner strode onto the field, searching out Lane Kiffin for the obligatory coaches' handshake.
• Resilient Chargers finish comeback season with 30-17 win over Raiders
  The San Diego quarterback popped up with a defiant snarl, waving his finger and screaming back at the thousands of costumed nuts who hoped he was seriously hurt.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Kaeding, Scifres get break from kickoff duties
  Not wanting to take any chances with either of their kicking specialists, the Chargers yesterday signed Dave Rayner to handle kickoffs in tomorrow's regular-season finale at Oakland.
• Reflecting on 2007
  It was the bonehead call of the year. Given the circumstances, it may have been one of the worst calls in NFL history.
• Chargers add another kicker, waive veteran lineman Oben
  The Chargers added another leg on Friday, signing kickoff specialist Dave Rayner to lighten the workload of hobbled placekicker Nate Kaeding.
• Slump doesn't bother Gates
  Perhaps a younger version of Antonio Gates would have a tough time handling his recent slump.
• Chambers a good catch for Chargers
  There was a defensive lineman in his face and four more Detroit defenders converging where his receiver was headed, so Philip Rivers had a decision to make.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Return of Neal could be big break
  Seeing Lorenzo Neal walk without issue, 17 days removed from surgery to place a plate in his fractured right leg, is an amazing sight in itself.
• Raiders-Chargers sellout means all JaMarcus, all the time
  An extra day was all the Raiders needed to sell out Sunday's season finale against the Chargers at The Coliseum.
• Chargers sign Dave Rayner to handle kickoffs
  Dave Rayner signed with the San Diego Chargers on Friday to handle kickoffs in place of ailing Nate Kaeding in Sunday's game at Oakland.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• With Nate Kaeding ailing, Chargers try out 4 kickers
  The San Diego Chargers auditioned four kickers on Thursday and could sign one of them to handle kickoff duties due to Nate Kaeding's bruised lower left leg.
• Raiders give QB Russell vote of confidence
  The shadows deepen. In them dwell the Raiders, always secretive and just now taking particular precautions to shield JaMarcus Russell from anything that could distract him.
• Notebook: Bolts consider adding kickoff specialist
  The Chargers worked out four kickers Thursday and continue to ponder whether to add a kickoff specialist for Sunday's game at Oakland because of Nate Kaeding's injury to his plant leg.
• Slow start, fast finish for NFL-leading Tomlinson
  After three games of this current NFL season, there was no reason for anybody to believe that the Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson might win his second consecutive rushing title.
• Chargers are surging at the right time
  San Diego has made it through the setbacks and disappointments and are surging at the right time. Now they need to figure out how to win in the playoffs.
• Raiders QB prepares for 1st start
  Raiders rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell received all the snaps with the first-team offense Wednesday in preparation for his first NFL start Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Castillo relishes return to action
  The day before Christmas was professionally anticlimactic for most Chargers, who were playing in a Monday night game that didn't mean too much.
• Chargers, Turner hoping for playoff payoff
  The Chargers' postseason fate under new coach Norv Turner provides the NFL with a dramatic subplot to the Patriots' quest for an unbeaten season.
• Gates Quietly Connects with Talented Fire Victim
  Some stories trigger a tripwire, spreading from newspapers -- print and online -- to sports talk radio to television to a buzz on Internet message boards.
• Chargers pointing to No. 3 seed as catalyst
  As Antonio Cromartie walked up the tunnel to the locker room following Monday night's victory over the Denver Broncos, he summed up the reality facing the Chargers.
• Rivers downplays yapping at Cutler; Broncos not happy with smack talk
  It's on YouTube now, so it must have happened, right?
• Chargers' next opponent: Oakland Raiders
  Much has changed since the Chargers last played the Raiders in the middle of October. Oakland began that day 2-2, San Diego 2-3, but that was the last time they were anywhere near each other.
• Bolts keep rolling toward No. 3 seed, rushing title for L.T.
  To some San Diego Chargers, there's a playoff seeding to secure and a rushing title to win.
• Defensive line is healing
  The last time the Chargers played a game with their defensive line at anything close to full strength, it was Oct. 14 against the Raiders.
• You win in the NFL, you can talk – and this kid has won
  So how do you like your NFL quarterbacks? Well-done? Medium? Rare?
• Broncos hate Rivers' talk show
  Philip Rivers got the Denver Broncos bucking mad, and he doesn't really understand why.
• Rivers' comments to Cutler are caught on national TV
  Philip Rivers denies he was yelling at Denver quarterback Jay Cutler in the fourth quarter of Monday night's football game, but video replays and Champ Bailey's comments suggest otherwise.
• Florence takes his demotion in stride
  Drayton Florence has received high marks for the way he has handled his midseason transition from starter to reserve.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Chargers gaining momentum as playoffs near
  LT eyes rushing title, while defensive standouts Merriman, Castillo return

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Bingham gets contract extension
  As part of their ongoing effort to retain young talent, the Chargers have reached agreement on a three-year contract extension with fourth-year defensive end Ryon Bingham, sources said yesterday.
• Chargers hook up 'Horns with tix
  At least three players in tonight's Chargers game against Denver will have their own personal cheering section of about 200 people at Qualcomm Stadium.
• Lynch saw Chargers' early struggles coming
  John Lynch heard the spin on the radio or read the quotes in the newspaper during his frequent offseason visits to the North County, and it stunned him every time.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Jammer merits spot in Hawaii, coach says
  Quentin Jammer won't be playing in the Pro Bowl. In fact, he doesn't even have any of the Chargers' NFL-leading 27 interceptions.
• Fidgety Merriman itching to return
  Shawne Merriman was unsure what to do last Sunday. His injured left knee kept him out of the contest with the Detroit Lions, and he felt awkwardly out of place.
• Wilhelm putting it together
  As Matt Wilhelm began this week's preparation, watching video of the Chargers' just-completed game against Detroit and then the Oct. 7 Denver game, he was a little shocked.
• Schottenheimer all but retired
  Marty Schottenheimer may well be on the Atlanta Falcons' radar, but the Falcons are not necessarily on his.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• L.T., Chargers look to stay on hot streak heading into playoffs
  LaDainian Tomlinson has accomplished so much in seven seasons it seems inevitable he'll end up in Canton.
• Tough task for defense
  And for a Denver Broncos run defense that’s consistently struggled, facing arguably the league’s two most explosive backs to close out a disappointing season.
• Falcons have Schottenheimer, Nix in sights
  In the Atlanta Falcons' attempt to rebuild their football operations, they apparently are considering becoming a sort of Chargers Southeast.
• Chargers see bayfront plan as able option
  The Chargers had hoped to narrow their 19-month search for a new stadium in the county to one of two locations in Chula Vista by the end of the year. But that won't happen.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• End in sight after Castillo's weeks of rehab
  Few players so thoroughly enjoy being in the NFL as Luis Castillo.
• Turner says Scifres deserves to punt in Pro Bowl
  When he coached the Raiders in 2004-05, Norv Turner had Shane Lechler as his punter. As the coach of the Chargers in 2007, he has Mike Scifres.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Chargers looking to get healthy
  Even before the Chargers beat Detroit to clinch an NFL playoff spot, coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith were already discussing how to deal.
• Chargers' payoff is playoff spot
  Chargers fans got an early holiday gift Sunday. Their favorite team punched its ticket to the playoffs.
• Fickle Fans Can Be Amusing
  Funny how quickly the perception of the Chargers’ season and head coach Norv Turner has changed.
• Chargers place eight players on AFC Pro Bowl squad
  New England might be on top of the NFL world these days, but the Chargers are even with the Patriots in at least one category: Pro Bowl players.
• Cromartie, Dielman among 8 Chargers headed to Pro Bowl
  Antonio Cromartie was out looking at houses when he got the news: He's going to the Pro Bowl, based on the strength of his NFL-leading 10 interceptions.
• Bolts go bowling
  Kris Dielman was home watching “The Price is Right.” Antonio Cromartie was out playing his own version of that game – shopping for a house.
• Chargers Scouting Report: Denver Broncos
  The Chargers won the last meeting, 41-3, on Oct. 7 in Denver and have won three straight games over the Broncos for the first time since 1981-82.
• Cromartie corners first Pro Bowl invitation
  The Chargers' elite eight are headed to the Pro Bowl. The player with 10 picks is among them.
• Shoddy defense sinks once-mighty Broncos
  Hard to believe, but just two seasons ago the Broncos won the AFC West and hosted the AFC Championship Game.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• L.T.: If the Chargers are hot going into playoffs, 'Whoa, Nellie!'
  After a wildly inconsistent start to Norv Turner's first season as their coach, the Chargers are firing up at the right time.
• Meltdown at Dome was turning point
  Since Adrian Peterson thumped the Chargers in November, San Diego's run defense has rebounded.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Chargers' opening act needs a rewrite
  Who knew the Chargers starting a game with that swing pass to Lorenzo Neal that everyone loves so much would look so good?
• Chargers weigh 2 Chula Vista options
  The Chargers are huddling with Chula Vista officials to see if they can agree on a site for a new stadium by the end of this month.
• 'Lights Out' fill-in glows with promise
  Marques Harris steps from the shadows into the spotlight with a spring in his stride and a backflip in his skill set.
• Slow start long in past for L.T.
  This really is the same season that saw LaDainian Tomlinson sporting 130 rushing yards and averaging 2.3 yards per carry through three games.
• Lions get embarrassed by Chargers
  Lions receiver Shaun McDonald caught a touchdown pass late in the third quarter Sunday, and he threw the ball into the Chargers logo on the wall behind the goal posts.
• Broncos out of playoff hunt after Chargers win
  With the Chargers 51-14 rout over the Lions Sunday the Broncos sliver-like postseason hopes were formally shattered for the season.
• Chargers clinch AFC West with rout of Lions
  The San Diego Chargers needed a dramatic comeback last week. They had no such concerns against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
• L.T., Cromartie lead Chargers to rout of Lions, AFC West title
  On the last day of September, the San Diego Chargers lost for the third time in four games and their fans were chanting the name of the coach who was fired in February.
• On further review, Turner's team knows how to win
  Norv Turner ran off the field with his mouth shut so tight that a thermometer wouldn't have wiggled between his lips.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Chargers Fans Score Big With Designated Drivers
  The San Diego Chargers are one of six NFL teams being recognized for their large number of fans pledging to be designated drivers at home games this season.
• Pinnock ready for his chance to replace Neal
  If LaDainian Tomlinson isn't concerned over the loss of Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal, why should anybody else be?
• Rivers returns to practice, hopes to start
  Philip Rivers took half the practice repetitions on Thursday and said his sprained left knee is improving.
• Rivers practices, takes half the reps
  Philip Rivers is expected to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions and yesterday took another step – the biggest, perhaps – toward doing so.
• McNeill 'struggling' to serve and protect
  In the aftermath of Sunday's overtime victory at Tennessee, Norv Turner spoke of Marcus McNeill in front of the entire team, holding him up as a model of perseverance and heart...

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Bolts get jolt of defense
  The Chargers' defensive turnaround over the past 3 1/2 weeks is astonishing in its enormity and its symmetry.
• Criminal minded
  Growing up, he modeled himself after "Prime Time" – the high-stepping, end-zone dancing, All-Pro cornerback also known as Deion Sanders.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• LT, Rivers play down 'rift' video
  LaDainian Tomlinson saw the three seconds of video that has had the football-speaking world agog for two days.
• Bloody but unbowed
  In such a good place, controlling their fate after three straight victories, the Chargers are now hoping to survive until the playoffs.
• Bolts banged up, won't say how badly
  Are the Chargers being coy with the extent of their injuries from Sunday's overtime win against the Titans? Shawne Merriman will miss at least Sunday's game against the Lions with a knee sprain.
• Hit on Merriman intentional
  Merriman suffered a sprained ligament in his left knee against the Titans and will miss this Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.
• MVP points out 'the real heroes'
  Fresh off a game-winning overtime touchdown and an appearance on CBS's “60 Minutes,” LaDainian Tomlinson was in Escondido yesterday honoring firefighters and other first responders to firestorms.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Merriman out for Lions game, could be longer
  Star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman will miss the Chargers' home game against Detroit on Sunday because of a sprained ligament in his left knee.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Rivers recharges San Diego
  In a little more than nine minutes, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers cleaned up a mess he'd spent much of the afternoon making.
• Rivers, L.T. feuding? Get out
  Dressing side-by-side after the game at LP Field, the duo exchanged smiles and small talk as Rivers tugged on his boots and jeans and Tomlinson slid into one of his trademark suits.
• Chargers postgame: Cromartie ties franchise record
  Antonio Cromartie's sensational second season hit another high note Sunday when he intercepted his ninth pass of the season, tying a franchise mark that was set in 1961.
• Feeling no sprain: Rivers ignores injured knee, leads Chargers' stunning overtime victory
  There were doubts that Philip Rivers would come back into Sunday's game. Once that issue was resolved, he engineered a stellar comeback.
• Was Merriman victim of dirty play by Titans?
  Whatever else might have happened at LP Field yesterday, several Chargers were convinced of one thing beyond any reasonable doubt.
• Tomlinson, Rivers deny friction
  It's probably too late to prevent a furor among Chargers fans, but LaDainian Tomlinson says there's nothing between him and Philip Rivers.
• Neal injured, is sidelined indefinitely
  The Chargers will be playing an indefinite amount of time without their oldest and most experienced player.
• Chargers lose Rivers, Merriman and Neal in win over Titans
  The Charges lost Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman and Lorenzo Neal to injuries during Sunday's 23-17 overtime win over the Tennessee Titans. Only Rivers was able to return to the game.
• Winning heals all
  San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers described his team's overtime win over the Tennessee Titans as the toughest physical battle he had ever been involved in as a player.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Bookends work better together
  This past Sunday, despite coordinator Ted Cottrell's protestations that he made similar calls as always, constituted a drastic change in application as well as execution by the Chargers defense.
• Brits don't follow NFL that closely
  “Chargers? It's a sports team?” wondered Stuart Callahan, whose home is midway between Manchester and Liverpool, England.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Young ready to show LT how much Titans have improved
  Young gets his chance Sunday to show Tomlinson how much he and the Titans have grown in person when the Chargers (7-5) visit Tennessee (7-5).
• The Chargers are in first place, thanks largely to a steady diet of ... cupcakes
  After feasting on Twinkies and cream pies for most of last season, the Chargers found themselves ill-prepared to handle the blast furnace intensity of the NFL playoffs.
• Expert: Chargers’ defense should worry foes
  Much of the focus in San Diego has been about how the offense has not lived up to the expectations set by its previous performance and the addition of head coach Norv Turner
• Chargers find wins a bigger challenge
  The Chargers believe where they've been will help them where they're going

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Titans trying to keep playoff hopes alive vs. Chargers
  Vince Young gets much of the credit when the Tennessee Titans win and the brunt of the blame when they lose.
• Chargers can't let recent wins mask some lingering problems
  The Chargers have won six of their past eight games, are two games above .500 for the first time this season and could even clinch the AFC West on Sunday.
• At last, a true test for Chargers in Tennessee
  After two straight weeks of playing teams on four-game losing streaks, the Chargers face a legitimate playoff contender this week.
• Can skeptics take holiday this season?
  It's Christmas shopping time, and I'm talking Christmas, not December shopping.
• L.T.'s wardrobe a Bear
  The scene was enough to make Chargers fans squirm: LaDainian Tomlinson proudly sporting a Chicago Bears jersey.
• Merriman leads, and Chargers follow
  Shawne Merriman put it out there publicly after the Chargers sleepwalked through most of a mid-November loss at Jacksonville.
• Road game in Tennessee should provide true test
  For the Chargers, last week was about just winning a game on the road, something they hadn't done in almost two months.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• L.T. honors Payton a day after passing Sweetness on rushing TD list
  LaDainian Tomlinson still had Walter Payton on his mind a day after passing Sweetness on the all-time rushing touchdowns list.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Chargers defeat Chiefs
  The Chiefs’ miseries continued on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
• Now, LT wants to be known as a complete back
  Before LaDainian Tomlinson won the NFL rushing title last season, doing so was among his biggest goals.
• Report: Turner will coach Chargers again in '08
  Sources high in the Chargers organization confirmed after Sunday's victory over Kansas City that Norv Turner will return as head coach next year, regardless of what happens the rest of the season.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Chargers reach a crucial spot on the road
  Showdown with the Chiefs at Kansas City has postseason implications for San Diego.
• Which way will Chargers' roller-coaster go today?
  The Chargers' roller-coaster ride hits the Midwest today, in a town where they typically experience more spills than thrills.
• Arrowhead could point to big finish or dead end
  Having met among themselves and decided just how important this is, having finally played the kind of game they envisioned all along, the Chargers are maybe ready to be the team they ..
• Chiefs quarterback Croyle won't play Sunday, Huard to start against Chargers
  Quarterback Brodie Croyle will miss the Chiefs' game Sunday against the Chargers with a “deep, deep bruise” in his lower back, and veteran Damon Huard will start in his place.
• LT trying to stay patient; Chiefs' Allen making right moves
  As the Chargers matriculate through their season of ups and downs, their primary offensive weapon, LaDainian Tomlinson, is averaging fewer than 20 carries per game.

Posted by Joel Price at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• Can Chargers Find Road Mojo in Kansas City?
  The road has not been especially kind to the San Diego Chargers in 2007

Posted by Joel Price at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)