NFL Combine: Day 1

8:49 a.m. EST – The media room on the east side of Lucas Oil Stadium is packed with laptops, recorders and bodies, many of whom are discussing plane flights and power strips. We’re still awaiting the arrival of players, which will begin to trickle toward the three podiums in the next few hours.

For us on the West Coast, it’s early. My laptop read 5:15 a.m. when I booted it this morning. It might not help that the only nourishment I had yesterday was a cup of Auntie Anne’s cinnamon sugar nuggets and a steak burger in the Indianapolis airport.

Punters, kickers, offensive line and tight ends will speak at podiums like this one beginning today as more than 700 credentialed media feast themselves.

10:35 a.m. EST – General Manager A.J. Smith talked with Sirius Radio this morning about several topics. Says the team will pursue C Nick Hardwick and will talk to G Kris Dielman about his future when the team returns from the Combine. Also confirms the team is “working our way through” medical issues with Marcus McNeill.

10:44 a.m. EST – Smith also says the team “would love” to have WR Vincent Jackson return. Doesn’t think using the franchise tag is a likely option because of the high price it would require, which would infringe on the Chargers’ other needs.

Smith admitted he “had some issues” with Jackson’s off-field behavior in the past, but “I’m comfortable with where we are now.” Says Jackson’s status with the Chargers likely depends on the market he and his agents feel they can get from other teams. San Diego still wants him at receiver.

General Manager A.J. Smith speaks with Sirius Radio.

 11:19 p.m. EST – Spoke to John Spanos, director of college scouting, in the lobby at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“We want to get better at rushing the passer,” Spanos said. “I think if you look at this year’s draft class, there are a lot of talented pass rushers out there. It’s a pretty deep class.”

We have our first player, South Dakota T Tom Compton.

11:35 a.m. EST – Georgia P Drew Butler can become part of the second father-son NFL kicking specialist combo in history. Butler’s father, Kevin Butler, played 13 seasons for the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.

The only father-son NFL kickers? No, not the Gramatica family — English place-kickers Bobby and Ian Howfield.

1:39 p.m. EST – San Diego State P Brian Stahovich talked about the difference between a “degrading” 2-10 season as a freshman and winning a combined 17 games his last two years with the Aztecs.

Stahovich also has worked with Chargers P Mike Scifres, who gave him a basic lesson in Australian rules kicking. Says he would love to be in camp with San Diego.

2:28 p.m. EST – All the punters and kickers have come through the media room, along with a few handfuls of offensive linemen. Still, it’s been slow. That usually means a deluge is around the corner.

USC T Matt Kalil predicted current Trojans QB Matt Barkley will win the Heisman in 2012.

 2:48 p.m. EST – Kalil on declaring for the NFL as a junior: “I’ve done all I can at USC. I was All-American. I won the Morris Trophy. It was definitely time for me to move on and take my skills to the next level.”

4:02 p.m. EST – Pittsburgh G Luke Nix: “I used to be missing my two front teeth up until two years ago. My mom made me get false teeth put in. I used to walk around looking like a real football player.” Got them knocked out in a bike accident when he was young.

5:29 p.m. EST – That’s it from Lucas Oil Stadium for today. Kind of a light day. Several prominant offensive linemen did not reach the media room today, so tomorrow should be loaded. The skill players should talk Friday, including SDSU QB Ryan Lindley and RB Ronnie Hillman.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Pregame Photos: Chargers at Raiders

Here are some pregame photos from O.co Coliseum courtesy of Mike Nowak.

WR Malcom Floyd gets eye black fitted before Sunday's game. Floyd has 13 catches for 285 yards in his last two games against Oakland.

RB Mike Tolbert will start for San Diego as Ryan Mathews (calf) is inactive.

Head Coach Norv Turner speaks with Oakland coach Hue Jackson on the field.

C Nick Hardwick gets ready to play the final game of the 2011 season on New Year's Day.

P Mike Scifres and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia prepare to face the Raiders, which blocked two Scifres punts during the last San Diego-Oakland meeting in this facility.

Several San Diego players huddle in the cramped halls at O.co Coliseum, prepared to take the field.

A cool shot of the coaches' headsets waiting for them on the Chargers bench.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christophper

Chargers-Raiders Inactives

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
RB Ryan Mathews
G-T Tony Moll
OLB Everette Brown
LB Nate Triplett
OLB Travis LaBoy

Oakland

QB Terrelle Pryor
QB Jason Campbell
RB Darren McFadden
RB Taiwan Jones
T Bruce Campbell
DT John Henderson
DE Mason Brodine

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Eric Weddle talks Pro Bowl selection

FS Eric Weddle has earned the first Pro Bowl selection of his five-year career.

Weddle so far has lived up to the long-term deal he signed with San Diego before the season, making an NFL-best seven interceptions. I spoke with Weddle earlier this afternoon about the honor.

What are your thoughts on making the first Pro Bowl of your career?

Weddle: It’s pretty amazing and exciting. The season we’ve had puts a little damper on it, but I put a lot into it and worked my tail off this offseason to make that next jump and become an elite player in this league. I think I’ve done that. Now it’s all about consistency and continuing a high level of play and help my team win.

When you signed your new five-year contract July 30, you said you were anxious to earn what you got. With your seven interceptions this year and continuing to be solid in run support, do you feel like you’ve done that so far?

Weddle: I still feel there’s room for improvement and there’s plays out there that, as I continue to play, more plays will happen for me. Bigger plays. But it’s all about consistency and being a team player, being a leader, and playing my position the way it’s supposed to be played. I’m never satisfied. Hopefully there’s many more to come, but I’ll definitely take wins over this any day of the week.

As your career has progressed, have you noticed quarterbacks avoiding you more often?

Weddle: Oh, definitely. Throughout the season there’s not many times where quarterbacks have come at me or within my area. It’s a credit to being a smart player and understanding that if you mess up I’ll make you pay for it. It’s frustrating at times. You feel like you’re just out there and you’re not helping your team, but you are. You’ve just got to help them out in different ways. As years have gone on (it happens) more and more, but when they do try you’ve got to make them pay.

You’re representing the franchise along with the two players probably most synonymous with the Chargers, Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates. What does it mean to you to keep that sort of company?

Weddle: It’s big. As a player, you’re always trying to gain and earn the respect of your peers. I wouldn’t say this solidifies it or announces how good I am, but being recognized as one of the better players and one of the great players on this team and in the league is important because you’re always trying to do the best. You’re always trying to show that you’re a great player in this league. I’ll continue to try and prove it and try to continue to be the best. It makes you want to stay at that high level.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Inactives: Chargers-Lions

Here are the inactives for today’s game.

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
CB Shareece Wright
DE Jacques Cesaire
G Tony Moll
OLB Everett Brown
LB Nate Triplett
OLB Travis LaBoy

Detroit

QB Drew Stanton
S Louis Delmas
CB Don Carey
CB Aaron Berry
RB Aaron Brown
G Leonard Davis
DT Andre Fluellen

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Pregame photos: Chargers at Lions

Pregame photos courtesy of Mike Nowak.

QB Philip Rivers warms up at Ford Field before a crucial game against the Lions.

OLBs Antwan Barns and Shaun Phillips, the team's best pass rushers, will start opposite each other for the first time ever.

G Kris Dielman, on IR for the season, finds a fan with his No. 68 jersey. A view of the visitor's locker room before the game.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Inactives: Ravens at Chargers

Here are the inactives for tonight’s game.

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
CB Shareece Wright
DE Jacques Cesaire
G-T Tony Moll
OLB Everett Brown
LB Nate Triplett

Baltimore

WR LaQuan Williams
WR Tandon Doss
RB Anthony Allen
DB Danny Gorrer
OLB Chavis Williams
NT Brandon McKinney
OLB Sergio Kindle

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Pregame Photos: Bills at Chargers

Here are some pregame photos from Qualcomm Stadium courtesy of Mike Nowak.

P Mike Scifres warms up on a clear December afternoon in San Diego as the Chargers prepare to host Buffalo.

WR Malcom Floyd, center, will try for his third 100-yard receiving day in his last four games against a depleted Bills secondary.

DT Antonio Garay strolls the field as part of his typical game day routine. He'll be a key figure in clogging the middle against Buffalo RB C.J. Spiller.

The Junior Charger Girls, seen here preparing before the game, will perform at halftime.

Chargers President Dean Spanos signs autographs and poses with fans ahead of the 1:15 p.m. PST kickoff.

 Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Inactives: Bills-Chargers

San Diego

WR Bryan Walters
SS Darrell Stuckey
RB Curtis Brinkley
G-T Tony Moll
OLB Everett Brown
LB Nate Triplett

Buffalo

CB Aaron Williams
DB Josh Nesbitt
LB Antonio Coleman
RT Sam Young
TE Scott Chandler
WR Kamar Aiken
TE Fendi Ondoun

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher

Pregame Photos: Chargers at Jaguars

Here are some pregame photos from EverBank Field in Jacksonville, courtesy of Mike Nowak:

P Mike Scifres gets his shoes laced pregame as the Chargers ready for their second Monday Night Football game of the season.

Several Chargers players get in a pregame stretch a few hours before kickoff.

Special teams coach Rich Bisaccia times some of Scifres' punts on the field.

Players huddle inside the bowels of the stadium outside of where the Chargers' locker room lies.

SS Steve Gregory, left, and FS Eric Weddle enjoy their stroll back to the locker room to put on their uniforms.

San Diego's defensive backs prepare to face Jacksonville rookie QB Blaine Gabbert.

A look at one of ESPN's HD cameras that will capture tonight's game.

Chargers President Dean Spanos, left, talks on the field with sideline reporter Sal Paolantonio and director of college scouting John Spanos.

Stay true and keep pounding,
Christopher