Chargers-Raiders Notes – Week 1

Chargers: Philip Rivers set a franchise single-season record with 34 touchdowns in 2008, but still aims to improve.  The six-year veteran has led the Chargers to three AFC West titles in his three seasons as the starter and aims for a fourth in 2009.  Rivers totaled a career-high 4,009 passing yards last season and can become the first Chargers QB to record 4,000-plus yards in back-to-back seasons since Dan Fouts (4,715 in 1980; 4,802 in 1981).

Chargers have won 3 consecutive AFC West titles…Team aims for 4th straight win on MNF…Club aims for 12th consecutive win vs. Oak…For career, QB Philip Rivers has 6-0 record vs. Oak. & has completed 73 of 133 passes (54.9 pct.) for 926 yards with 7 TDs vs. 4 INTs & 81.8 rating.  Rivers led NFL with 105.5 rating & tied Drew Brees with league-high 34 TD passes in ’08…For career, RB LaDainian Tomlinson averages 119.1 rush yards per game vs. Oak. (1,906 total in 16 games) & has 9 100-yard games vs. Raiders…Since ’02, TE Antonio Gates leads NFL TEs with 51 TD rec…WR Vincent Jackson led team with career-high 1,098 rec. yards last season (57 rec.).  For career, WR Chris Chambers averages 17.6 yards per rec. vs. Oak. (22 rec., 387 yards)…LB Shawne Merriman has 6.5 sacks in past 3 vs. Oak… LB Shaun Phillips has 9.5 career sack against Oak. (most vs. any team)…LB Stephen Cooper led team with 136 tackles last season.

Raiders: A former No. 1 overall pick, JaMarcus Russell continued his development as an NFL quarterback this offseason by spending the majority of his time in the classroom watching film and studying the playbook.  Russell will look to stretch the field vertically with rookie wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (1st round, No. 7) and Zach Miller, who became the first Raiders tight end to lead the team in receptions (56) and yards (778) since Todd Christensen in 1986.

Raiders have a 15-6 (.714) record at home on MNF…Dating back to 12/14/08, QB JaMarcus Russell has completed 49 of 78 passes (62.8 pct.) for 626 yards with 6 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 102.8 rating…RB Justin Fargas has led club in rushing for 3 consecutive seasons.  RB Darren McFadden averages 5.3 yards per carry as starter (52 att., 274 yards)…TE Zach Miller led team with 56 rec. for 778 yards (13.9 average) & became 1st Raiders TE to lead team in rec. & yards since TE Todd Christensen in 1986…Rookie WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (1st round, No. 7) will make NFL debut…Since ’07, LB Thomas Howard (7) is tied for 1st in NFL for most INTs among LBs (Brian Urlacher)…CB Nnamdi Asomugha was named to AP All-Pro team in ’08…LB Greg Ellis will make Raiders debut after spending 11 seasons w/Dal…Last season, KR-CB Justin Miller became 1st player in club history w/2 KR-TDs in season…WR-PR Johnnie Lee Higgins set single-season club high with 3 PR-TDs in ’08.

Statements regarding Shawne Merriman

Statement from Shawne Merriman:

“On September 6, 2009 the San Diego Sheriffs Department responded to a citizen’s complaint that was initiated by Tila Nguyen (aka Tila Tequila). I was taken into custody based upon that complaint. At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided. We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety. I in no way caused any harm to Ms Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported. She was released and has since returned to Los Angeles, California. There have been no charges filed against me. I want to thank the San Diego Sheriffs Department for their professionalism. I will continue to cooperate fully with the Department and I look forward to clearing my name regarding these false allegations. I want to put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season for the San Diego Chargers.”

Statement from General Manager A.J. Smith:

‘It’s disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course.”

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Norv on Merriman and Buster

Here’s what Norv said about Merriman and Buster missing this morning’s practice:

“We have a schedule for Shawne. This thing is kind of planned out and we wanted to get him through the weekend like we did. He’ll occasionally take a morning off. This morning he was off and the reason would be obviously we went one (practice) yesterday. If he takes this morning off, it’ll end up being one today, one tomorrow. It gives his knee a chance to recover each day. It’s just the plan we have.”

“Buster has a very tight quad. Unfortunately when you’re coming off of an injury and you’re recovering from it and rehabbing and doing all the things, you’re not able to be in the same kind of condition that the other guys who have been in six-month offseason program are. He’s got some catching up to do.”