Oh. Was There a Game On?

Nice catch, Vincent. Too bad it wasn't in a game or anything.

I've reached a difficult dilemma this week. The Chargers (may or may not have) looked really good this week. But if I write that, I might be jinxing them. So now it's time for a completely hypothetical game recap. Stick with me here...

Let's just say there was a game this week between the Chargers and some team wearing orange and black. Just for the sake of this story, we'll call them the Cincinnati Bengals. Stupid, right? I mean, there's no Bengal tigers in Ohio. Dumb name. Just a really pointless thing to name an NFL team.

But moving on, let's say that in this hypothetical game the Chargers were able to slow down one of the better power runners in the game - call him Bedric Censon - and hold him to 53 yards on 15 carries, a 3.5 average yards per carry. This would be well below the Chargers season average and would represent a marked improvement in the Chargers front seven. Would you be impressed by this? I would too.

Let's also say that a somewhat slumping Vincent Jackson broke out of said slump to the tune of 108 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also, please allow me to say that he hypothetically did this against two of the better corners in the League, who we will call Heon Lall and Jonathan Joseph (crap). I would be very encouraged by this development, and would regain confidence in the Chargers' excellent receiving corp, which had been completely carried in recent weeks by Antonio Gates.

Also, in this game that does not exist, why don't we also say that the Chargers corners gave up some big plays in the middle of the field, but consistently came up with big stops in the red zone, holding the Bengals potent passing offense to just one touchdown in four red zone visits. Couple that with two sacks of quarterback Parson Calmer and consistent pressure, forcing him out of the pocket and into two interceptions and another two passes that should have been picked, and you have a very good hypothetical day for the Chargers pass defense.

So all in all, if this game actually happened, I would be very encouraged. I would certainly like the team's chances in the playoffs, where they might see this same Bengals team again. I would feel very good about all of this. If it actually happened, that is. Which it didn't.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Denis Poroy

Please. Stop.

It's ending, people. The run is about to be over. Every talking head in the world now has the Chargers challenging the unbeaten Colts in the AFC Championship game, and most have the Bolts winning. That's right, they believe in us. Mike Tirico said today on the Scott Van Pelt (who, I have been informed, is quite ugly. Sorry Scott) Show that the Chargers and Colts are the class of the AFC.

Colts, Chargers, draw a line, and then the rest.

Jeremy Green went even farther on Football Today, saying that the Chargers WOULD beat the Colts in the AFC Championship game. This - of course - is the first step towards disaster. Because everyone knows, once people start believing in you and even liking you, it's ALL over.

So here is my plea to the media: quit it. Just don't talk about the Chargers being a top team. Sure, you can keep it in the back of your mind that you like them, just whatever you do... Don't. Say. Anything. I'm gonna make it easier. I'll write you a script of what to say when the Chargers' playoff hopes are brought up. Just put it in the teleprompter and read. Cake. Here it is:

Oh no, not the Chargers. I mean for one the star of that offense can't get three yards a carry. LaDainian Tomlinson is DONE. And who else do they have? Philip Rivers? Overrated. Throws like a GIRL. And on the other side of the ball, they just can't stop the run. That line is just awful. Shawne Merriman is a shell of his former self. Can't get to the quarterback. Can't do ANYTHING. He's more concerned with fighting Chad Ochocinco at half time than he is with the game. All in all, this team is just not built for post-season football. Everyone knows you need to run the ball and stop the run and San Diego just can't. Do. THAT.

See, media people? It's so simple. All I'm asking is a couple months of doubt, then you can come out with your original predictions. Open the sealed envelope, whatever you need to do. Just give me this. I don't ask for much.

Chargers Defense Defines Toughness

I gotta be honest, I just don't know what to make of this. We are seeing a completely different Charger defense during this eight game streak. They're unquestionably banged up. Shawne Merriman is a shell of his former self, Williams and Bingham are gone, they're relying on Kevin Ellison - a sixth round pick! - at safety, and they somehow manage to get stops. The weird thing here is that they're not even good. The Cowboys ran and passed on them at will, until it came to the red zone. They get down near the goal line and it's like a different team. No other Charger team makes that goal line stand against Marion Barber, one of the best power runners in the game today. And while there are still injuries to be concerned about, it's cause for optimism.

Photo Credit: Chargers.com

It Almost Seems Too Perfect

Fighting out of the blue corner, unbeaten in the month of December since 2005, we have the San Diego Chargers! And in the - I dunno - silver corner(?), 5-9 in December with Quarterback Tony Romo, the Dallas Cowboys!

From that clever little intro you would think mismatch. The Chargers are the best late-season team in the NFL, the Cowboys have famously choked down the stretch in recent years. But let's not get overconfident. The Chargers are banged up on the D-line. In addition to the losses of Jamal Williams and Ryon Bingham, new addition Alfonso Boone will also be out. Luis Castillo and Travis Johnson are probable with some minor nicks and bruises. All in all, not a very healthy front 7. Meanwhile, the Cowboys finally have their entire backfield (Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice) off the injury report. That means a lot of runs breaking into the secondary where - surprise! - the Chargers surest tackler, Eric Weddle, is also out. I'm seeing a long run or two in this contest.

So the Chargers will not be slowing the Cowboys down. That means the burden is going to rest - as it often does - on the offense. Dallas is fast on the front 7 and 9th in the NFL in rush defense, so just count LT out. Really, just do it. I know you don't want to but really, it'll save you pain later. Moving on. The place where you attack the 'Boys, naturally, is through the air. They're 19th in the League in pass defense and have a habit of giving up big plays. Enter Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates, who have a habit of making big plays. Awesome.

So yes, it looks like a shootout. The Bolts can't slow down the Cowboys, and the Cowboys can't slow down the Bolts. In fact, I can't even give them the coaching edge, since Wade Phillips is also awful. But the Cowboys need a win, and I'm predicting some overconfidence from the Chargers with also these December comparisons. 38-35 Dallas. Former Wildcat(!) Nick Folk kicks the game-winner. My apologies.

Chargers: Hey, remember when we said we would build the stadium? Yeah about that...

You may recall way back in 2002 when the Chargers started making noise about a news stadium. You may also recall that the center of their argument was essentially this statement: "Give us the land, and we will build the stadium ourselves." Well a lot can change in seven years, guys. This is a complicated case, Maude. A lot of ins, a lot of outs, a lot of what-have-yous.

Well, long story short, the Chargers are gonna need some of your money for their new stadium. Don't worry though, they're good for it. They'll pay you back with really cool fancy stuff. Like office buildings, and urban renewal, and flippin' off-the-charts levels of gentrification.

Exactly how much they're asking for depends on the results of that fancy survey we talked about a few weeks back, but according to Mark Fabiani (who you may recall is the man who has kept his job for seven years without fulfilling his only directive):

"It's almost certainly going to involve some sort of taxpayer money"

Some of you may want to stop reading here, because we're getting into politics.

Mayor Jerry Sanders made construction of a new stadium "a priority" last month. Now I'm no Glenn Beck. I'm not so tuned in to the political speak of politicians who are involved in politics. But I'll tell you what I hear. When the great and honorable and dandy Mr. Sanders declares "it's a priority," he means "I am the mayor of a bankrupt city. I have more important things to do. Leave me alone." This is perfectly reasonable. But here is the only solution to the "we're gonna need some funds" problem that the mayor's office has offered up: The Chargers will borrow money from the city against future redevelopment projects. Cool. We build the Chargers a stadium, they built us some shopping mall once they get back on their feet. The only problem here, of course, is that the city has no money, which brings us back to taxpayer money, which everyone opposes. Crap.

So here it is in math terms, if you prefer to think that way:

Spanos money + city money + taxpayer money - bureaucracy - broken promises < Chargers stadium

Everyone is desperately trying to see a new stadium in this equation, but unless the financial situation changes in the next year or two, it likely won't happen. And if it does, it's fairly likely to turn our fair city into something closely resembling Sodom and Gomorrah back in the heyday.

Fingers crossed for some independent investors, everybody.

And Just Like That, The Chargers Are Good

Folks, I really don't know how we continue to arrive at this point. There's always a slow start, followed by a winning streak to get back into playoff contention. Thankfully it happened earlier this year and we don't have to rely on the Broncos going 8-8 to win the division.

Let's skip the pessimism for once here. Namely that this is indicative of a team that continuously enters the season unprepared and plays catch-up for the first have and eventually that second half surge isn't going to happen. Sorry.

Seriously, there are good signs here. And when I say good signs, I mean the offense has so many playmakers they can't have them all on the field at the same time. Seriously. In an offensive set there is a quarterback, 5 eligible receivers, and 5 fat guys (JK, linemen. You know we love you). The Chargers, currently, have VJax, Gates, Floyd, LT, Sproles, Naanee, and (Somehow???) Mike Tolbert. That's 7 guys for 5 spots. A real dilemma until you remember it's a good thing. offensive coordinator Norv Turner (See what I did there?) has been very inventive in giving each guy his shots, and the offense looks just about unstoppable these days.

The defense of course is a story for another day (Maybe tomorrow? Yeah, you're salivating. I can tell.) but all in all the team looks good.

Having said that, I still don't quite believe and I think the ceiling is probably a devastating loss to the Colts in th AFC Championship Game.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Breaking News: It didn't work

We'll Always Have Oakland is reporting today, Monday, December 7, 2009, that the Cleveland Browns are officially so bad that they cannot win even with the help of a blatant jinxing.

Wildlife special indeed.

Science Experiment

This week is a bye week. There is no way we will lose to the Browns. The Browns suck. Their quarterback is Brady Quinn. Brady Quinn sucks.

If this game was a wildlife special, we would be the lion and they would be the antelope. It's only a matter of time.

Thank you for participating in my science experiment. That is all.

Merriman, Castillo, Weddle Likely Out

Uh oh... None of the three practiced today and will most likely sit out Sunday's game against Cleveland. This spells trouble for an already thin Chargers defense, as Weddle is the most reliable tackler in the secondary and Castillo and Merriman - while still a shell of his former self - are the two biggest playmakers on the front seven not named Shaun Phillips. You may now commence worrying.

But wait. Who's that on the other side of the line? Is that-? Why yes, I think it is! It's Brady Quinn! Oh thank heavens! Brady Quinn! We're saved!

Week 13 Injury Report [Chargers.com]

Give Kassim a Chance

The San Diego Chargers offense is one of the most elite offenses today in the NFL.

Go no further than their depth at the running back position.

Future hall of famer Ladainian Tomlinson as the starter and then Darren Sproles, one of the best kick returners in the game today, at second string. The only time when this depth was beaten in Chargers history was a few years back during the 2005-2007 seasons. When the running back depth chart was as such: Tomlinson, Michael Turner, and Darren Sproles. Absolutely Incredible.

Regardless of the loss of Michael Turner, who deservedly left for a starting job in Atlanta after the 07-08 season, the offense is still top class.

The impeccable wide receiver core is unmatchable. Wide receivers Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd and future hall of fame tight end Antonio Gates, who might as well be a third receiver, create endless targets for Quarterback Philip Rivers to throw to.

At the start of this season, the emergence of Legedu Naanee as a catching threat and even as a threat when lined up in the Quarterback position in the Chargers take on the popular "Wildcat" formation has taken form.

This receiver core has so much talent, that even a wide receiver with two Pro-Bowl appearances has not made a reception this year.

Wideout Kassim Osgood, one of the best special teams players in the NFL made his name in college as tenacious receiver at San Diego State and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where as a sophomore (playing for Cal Poly) he led the nation in receiving yards.

Osgood has proved his merit, time and time again, and even his pro-bowl appearances (for special teams) didn't give him any more clout in the Chargers franchise. He is on the list for the 50 Greatest Chargers of all time, and even this hasn't provided more receiving opportunities.

He has the qualities of a great receiver. He is a force to be reckoned with at 6' 5" and 220 pounds, he is quick off the line and the few catches thrown his way are usually caught. He has incredible potential but the Chargers aren't giving him a chance.

Osgood set out to play the wide receiver position when he started his football career, but now he is not being able to fulfill what he set out to do. With his size and speed, Osgood would be a starting wideout at almost any team in the NFL, and this is what frustrates him.

"I'm going to be a great receiver someday " said Osgood in a 2006 article to the Union Tribune, "Probably not in San Diego."

Chargers Sign OLB Marques Harris

Due to concerns about tendonitis in Shawne Merriman's foot and the Bolts' already thin linebacking corps, management has brought in former Charger Marques Harris. The 28-year-old Harris, who is most famous for backflipping after getting a sack, spent the 2005-2008 seasons with the Chargers before being released. He played this season with the 49ers before being released due to a hamstring injury.

The Harris signing likely means that Merriman will be held out on Sunday against the Chiefs to rest his foot. Not that it matters at this point, Merriman has been a factor like twice this season.

Chargers acquire LB insurance [SignOnSanDiego]

Ron Rivera, Redemption Is Sweet

After the fateful loss to the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on October 19th, Ron Rivera and the Chargers defense looked worse than they had in a long time. They were missing tackles and assignments left and right and couldn't seem to pick up on anything the offensive opposition tried. I blamed Ron Rivera for that loss and said he needed to retool the defensive strategy immediately or they wouldn't win another game this season.

Obviously Ron Rivera reads this blog.

Because now, six wins later, the San Diego Chargers defense is looking like a determined force that opposing offenses fear to match up with.

The key to the defensive reinvigoration is unity. They finally realized that playing together and working off of each other is they way to win on defense. Throughout their last three games the Chargers defense has held their opponents to a 30 percent third down conversion rate, a phenomenal feat for a defense that was once 26th in the NFL on third down conversion stops.

For the first time this season, people are starting to hear of those who aren't considered the star defensive players, the "unsung heroes" as Chargers.com writer Casey Pearce puts it. Steve Gregory and Paul Oliver, who previously would just go unnoticed on defense, are starting to prove their merit. Gregory looked unstoppable with his pass coverage against the Broncos two weeks ago and racked up six tackles against the Chiefs on sunday, and Oliver whose 40 yard fumble return for a touchdown showed how deep this defense can be.

Even with the bevy of injuries plaguing the defense including figurehead lineman Jamal Williams, linebacker Shawne Merriman, and defensive end Luis Castillo, among others, the Chargers defense is looking like a serious force to be reckoned with.

The Chargers look like a completely new team on both sides of the ball, since the loss to the Broncos, and this new reinvigorated will to win will hopefully push them to a post-season berth that they are deservedly earning.

Don't Fire Norv

The Chargers have won six in a row, and the offense looks pretty spectacular. As a result, people somehow don't hate The Buzzkill anymore. And as the journalist (laugh) at the forefront of the Fire Norv movement, I'm fine with this. He's doing a great job with the offense. Just like an offensive coordinator should. So please allow me to clarify: I do not want Norv Turner gone from the Charger organization. I just want him gone from the sideline. He does not motivate or teach (most of the Chargers impact players came up under Marty), and this is what a head coach does. Mike Tomlin and Ken Wisenhunt don't draw up plays. They just yell at players and dole out high fives like they were pride stickers. We need a guy like that.

So as a show of good faith, the motto is no longer "Fire Norv." It's now "Move Norv" (to the coordinators' booth). I was gonna go with "Demote Norv," but move has four letters just like Norv and I'm very fond of the letter V. Also in the running were "Stick Him In The Booth!" and "The Sideline Is No Place For A Norv."

Philip Rivers: Just Havin' Fun Out There?

There's an article on SignOnSanDiego right now about Philip Rivers' favorite play from Sunday's win over the Chiefs was his "heave" to Malcolm Floyd which ended up at the KC 1-yard-line. Says Rivers:

"I really like that one because, first, Malcom made a great catch. Second, because it was one of those plays where you just heave the ball."

Now the easy criticism here is that Rivers is one of the more imprecise quarterbacks in the league, relying on the hands and jumping ability of his receivers and simply putting the ball up there for them. This is completely valid. Philip Rivers works with the tools he has been given: an unusual throwing motion, an eye for the long ball, and a basketball team masquerading as a receiving corps.

But on a more mental level, this signals a new Philip Rivers. Gone are the days of yapping at opposing fans and looking sour on the sidelines. This Philip is out the havin' fun! Just look at him about to bear hug Antonio Gates. He's enjoying himself while playing the game of football. Somewhere, Brett Favre is nodding in approval.

The article closes with this positively glowing quotation from Antonio Gates:

"Philip is one of those guys. A football player."

Well I sure hope so, Antonio.

Rivers considers heave his highlight [SignOnSanDiego.com]

Photo Credit: Sean M. Haffey / San Diego Union-Tribune

Breaking News: Antonio Gates Really Good at This Football Thing

Sunday was probably a wake-up call for most, but in case you didn't notice Antonio Gates is quite the football player. He's on pace to tie a career high in catches (89) and shatter his old high in yards (1101). The only thing that's dropped off is the touchdowns, but that's to be expected with the emergence of touchdown machines Vincent Jackson and Zombie LaDainian Tomlinson.

So that's your PSA for the week. Antonio Gates: Tight End Extraordinaire.

The More You Know

LaDainian Tomlinson: Saboteur

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, LaDainian requested that Darren Sproles be given the chance to score at the goal line in the fourth quarter of yesterday's game.

Norv Turner was set to put in LaDainian Tomlinson when the Chargers were near the goal line early in the fourth quarter.

But Tomlinson came up to Turner, put his arm around his shoulder and said, "I want Sprolesy to score."

That's really nice LT, but I needed those points in fantasy and after I suffered through your first half of the season, I kinda feel like you owe me.

LT: Let Sproles Get TD [SignOnSanDiego.com]

Chargers vs. Chiefs Preview: Volume II

On Sunday the Chargers play the Kansas City/Missouri Chiefs. You will most likely not see it. Sorry.

I promise it will still happen though. It’s actually supposed to be a pretty good matchup. The Chiefs are a young, athletic team coming off a big win against the Steelers. The Chargers are an actual good team coming off five straight wins, two of them against quality opponents. Should the Chargers in all reality win this game? Yes.  Are the Chiefs riding high and ready for another big upset? Yes. Juicy stuff.

Have fun not watching it, San Diego. You could always drive up to Santa Barbara.

Chargers Sign Tackle Jon Runyan

The Chargers have signed former Eagles All-Pro Jon Runyan to replace Jeromy Clary, who has been put on Injured Reserve. Runyan will not start immediately, but one has to figure that given the swiss-cheese quality of the Chargers O-Line this season he will see plenty of action. Runyan reported through the Chargers Twitter page that he has been working out five times a week and feels "great," so maybe he's not completely washed up. He probably is, though. Oh well.

Fun fact: In 2008 a poll of players conducted by ESPN stated that being blocked by Runyan on a screen pass is one of the scariest experiences for NFL corners and linebackers. Somewhere, Darren Sproles is smiling.

Chargers 32 - 3 Broncos

Well that was just a throttling, wasn't it? Felt pretty good, especially with the rumors that Josh McDaniels told the Chargers linebackers "we own you" during pregame warm ups.

In all facets of the game that is exactly what we want to see out of the Chargers (the run D wasn't great but they never scored a touchdown so who am I to complain?). LT was good. Not exactly his former self but still good, and that's good enough for me. It's always a good game when Rivers only needs 145 yards and 1 TD for the Chargers to score 32 points. Mike Tolbert, surprisingly, was the most effective back in this game, averaging 8.3 yards per carry and scoring on a very nice power run from 8 yards out. Hopefully we see more of this as Tolbert is proving to be very useful as a change-of-pace back to wear down defenses.

Now on to the bad news.

Injuries: At this point Luis Castillo "could play" this week against Kansas City, and early word is that Jeromy Clary is out for the season but nothing official yet. Tough break.

Also related is that Antonio Cromartie is being investigated on assault charges. Someone says he threw a bottle at them during a bar fight, but sources are already saying it wasn't him. Definitely more on that as it develops.

So all in all, good Sunday, let's hope for a good next week as well. The Chiefs proved they can play against the Steelers and have to be taken seriously next week in what pundits (me) are calling The Great Game that No One Will See.

Chargers vs. Broncos "Preview"

This is it, folks. For all the marbles. We win this one and we control our own destiny. Lose and the Broncos are in the driver's seat. Actually in all likelihood the Chargers are in the midst of a late season surge and the Broncos are coming back down to earth, but the drama felt nice didn't it?

Now as far as actual football goes this one should be an open-and-shut case. The Broncos are either starting Kyle Orton's injured ankle or Chris Simms' injured ability to play football. Not a great situation, unless of course you're Shawne Merriman. The Chargers are also one of very few defenses to just-about-shut-down Brandon Marshall this season. As far as talent goes the Bolts are a decent special teams performance away from having this completely sewn up.

But then we get to coaching. In one corner, Josh McDaniels NFL wunderkind coach extraordinaire. The former disciple of the great Bill Belichick, striking out on his own and seeing immediate success. McDaniels has been nothing short of incredible this season. He started off by ousting Jay Cutler (which has turned out to be an awesome decision) and bringing in Tom Brady disguised as Kyle Orton (kidding, but you get the point). In the other corner, Norv Turner. Norv Turner is Norv Turner, and that has never been a good thing.

I'm worried.

Week 11 Injury Report

Tim Dobbins appears to be back, and hopefully he'll regain the form he was at when he replaced Kevin Burnett a few weeks ago.

On the other side of the ball, Jeromy Clary is questionable and Nick Hardwick isn't even going to try this week. Did you hear that? It's the sound of Philip Rivers wincing and contemplating a new knee pad.

Chargers Injury Report [Chargers.com]

Humble Quarterback Says Nice Things About Awful Coach

The headline on Chargers.com right now is an article about Philip Rivers crediting Norv Turner's "poise" during the team's recent win streak. I guess it's nice to see Rivers supporting his coach, but he's way off the mark. Poise is something you praise in bad situations. When you're on a winning streak everyone has poise. It's real easy to hold your head high after coming back from 3.5 games out to tie the Broncos for the division lead. It would be fitting to praise Norv's poise during the team's rocky start, but he probably didn't have it then. He was probably an angry, panicky jerk in practice because he thought he was losing his job (probably).

There's another interesting quotation in this article from Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who "holds Turner in high regard"

Norv does a great job of understanding strengths and weaknesses of your defense and the way you try to play his team. If you change some things up or if you have some success against him, then ultimately you've got to be ready for him to have an answer. Usually his answer... you see it fairly swift and it's usually an answer that's going to attack and make a big play.

This just proves again that Turner ought to be an offensive coordinator so he can sit way up in a booth and we don't have to look at his frustrated frowny face when he realizes he's failed once again to properly motivate his players.

Somehow, It's Fitting

Fifty years of Chargers football has come and gone. NFL Legends have stepped onto the field at what was once Jack Murphy Stadium, now Qualcomm, and with poise and presence have donned the blue and yellow. Who could ever forget the vertical offense of Air Coryell, Ladainian Tomlinson's tenacious legs, or Junior Seau's brute force.

Fifty years, nine AFC west championships, one AFC Championship, one Super Bowl berth, zero Super Bowl wins. It is the last item on that list that has plagued the Chargers since the AFL-NFL merger. Historically, the Chargers have always been a solid contender for the post-season (*notice* i disregard the turn of the millennium era Chargers organization when Peyton Manning was taken from us by the flip of a coin, and we were given one of the worst quarterbacks in the history of the game). The issue is that they just can never seem to win the big one.

One thing that the Chargers organization has carried throughout the years has been the stigma of their fan base. Since the inception of their tenure in fandom, Chargers fans have been called fickle by almost every other organization in the NFL, including at times, the Chargers themselves. There are those, certainly, probably more than I would like, who will jump on the bandwagon when the Chargers go 14-2 in the regular season, watch the one playoff game that they lose, and then return to supporting the Colts, Steelers, or Patriots, any team that will actually win. I, myself, was raised by my parents to be a Chargers fan through thick and thin, and one thing is for sure, we're masters at handling defeat. These people that fall off the bandwagon, only do it because they can't handle the defeat. They need the Steelers six Super Bowl wins to assure them that everything is going to be okay. If the Chargers had six Super Bowl rings I can guarantee that they would have a much stronger national following and fan base than they do, but that is not the case.

Any fan base is going to lose hope in a team when they don't win. That is why I thank god that I wasn't born a Lions fan. But when you come so close, so many times, it tends to take an emotional toll in the fans. They can handle a 7-9 season where a team won't make the post-season, but they can't handle a 14-2 season where you lose the your first playoff game. It's like climbing to the top of the mountain, and when you're almost at the top, someone runs out of nowhere and pushes you off the side. It's frustrating.

And now, after frustrating the fan base to no end, the Charger's fiftieth anniversary celebration, set to take place Sunday, November 29th, where members of the "Greatest Chargers Roster" will be in attendance could possibly be blacked out for local audiences. You've got to be kidding me. This is one giant smack in the face to anyone who has ever called themselves a Charger fan. The fiftieth anniversary is set to not only honor players, but also anyone connected to the franchise. If the majority of the fan base isn't at the game, what's the point. The fault lies with whoever had the bright idea of scheduling the fiftieth anniversary during a game where they play the Chiefs. Currently, there are 7,300 seats left and there is no word of any company planning on making a big purchase. I feel like the Chargers organization should buy whatever tickets remain in order to lift the blackout.

I can't speak for all Charger fans, but I have been supportive all the way from the 1-15 season in 2000 and also the Super Bowl berth in 1994, and I deserve to be honored for my loyal service. I'm going to be greedy and say that now I want the little credit thats due to me.

It is just so fitting that a team who never comes up big when it needs to in game situations, also fails to come up big in regards to their fans.

Chargers Announce 50th Anniversary Team

With all due respect to Junior Seau, the two greatest Chargers of all time are officially Dan Fouts and LaDainian Tomlinson. The list is fairly present-loaded, with nine current Chargers including the fairly suspect selections of Kris Dielman and Nick Hardwick (I suppose the Chargers are just historically thin at O-Line. Fitting). Noticeably absent from the list is Vincent Jackson who, barring catastrophic injury, will be there soon (V-Jax will now suffer the NFL's first on-field amputation. Sorry dude).

Some other noticeable absences:

Ryan Leaf - Oh, what could have been...

Antonio Cromartie - Chargers fans are apparently not big proponents of one-hit wonders.

Jamal Williams - Best nose tackle in the NFL when healthy doesn't quite do it these days I guess.

Drew Brees - Another what could have been.

The San Diego Chicken - Not a player but just a really cool mascot who ought to be at all sporting events in San Diego.

Norv Turner - .609 WINNING PERCENTAGE DOESN'T LOOK SO HOT NOW DOES IT, KEVIN ACEE OF THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE?!?!

This one makes a great conversation piece so feel free to add suggestions in the comments below.

Fouts, Tomlinson top vote getters for All-Time Greatest Chargers [Chargers.com]

Greedy Corporation to Increase Taxes, Demolish Bus Park a.k.a. The Chargers Might Get a New Stadium

That bastion of hope and truth that is SignOnSanDiego.com announced Tuesday that the city is hiring a private consultant group to study the viability of a new football stadium in San Diego. The Chargers are currently eying the land bounded by 14th, K, 16th, and Imperial Avenue as illustrated above.

According to Mark Fabiani, who has headed the stadium search since 2002, the significance here is that this happened quickly (3 weeks) after a meeting between Mayor Jerry Sanders and Chargers owner Dean Spanos.

Now I know this isn't a political blog, but just allow me this brief aside. Mark Fabiani's job is to find the Chargers a new stadium. He has been getting paid for this for seven years. The Chargers do not have a new stadium yet. Furthermore, this group was hired 3 weeks after Sanders and Spanos met. This was considered a quick turnaround. Is anyone still wondering why our city is in financial shambles?

Now back to the stadium. The Chargers are willing to spend $200 million, and it's said that the NFL would put in an extra $100 million. Private investors and taxpayers would have to make up the difference, which will probably be around $500 million. We'll know exactly how much this is when the study is done in approximately 4 months. Also, due to a fault line running under Tailgate Park, which is to the West of the site, construction will only be possible on the Eastern side of the stadium location. Apparently this only makes construction of the stadium difficult, rather than impossible which was my original impression.

Technical talk aside, this would be really nice and I'm sure everyone hopes it happens. Enjoy that extra 0.5% tax increase, San Diego. Maybe you'll be able to afford a ticket or two.

Phase 2 of the We'll Always Have Oakland Global Takeover is Complete

That's right, folks. The long national nightmare is over. No longer will you peek inside your closets only to find a complete lack of We'll Always Have Oakland apparel and accessories. Just in time for the holidays, the We'll Always Have Oakland Digital Outpost (presented by Spreadshirt) is now open for business on the right side of this page (you just click on the t-shirt).

Now, seeing as I personally know about 90% of the readers of this blog, I will also know who to be angry at if I'm not filthy rich by week's end (Mom). So start shopping, people!

http://waho.spreadshirt.com/

A Message of Change. Yes, We Can!

When I hear that we'll never overcome our horrible football coach, I think about all of our slow starts to every season under Norv, and how we always have to come back to beat the Broncos, and how despite the awful coaching decisions we always pull it off and win the division. Don't tell me we can't fire Norv Turner.

Yes, we can. Yes, we can fire Norv. Yes, we can.

Yes, we can heal this team. Yes, we can win a Super Bowl. And as we head towards Denver with a new wind at our backs and we take this journey across this great League, this League we play in, with the message we carry from the slums of Oakland to the vast empty lots of Kansas City, the same message we had when we won and when we lost, we are one team; that while we play, we will hope.

And where we are met with talented teams and far superior coaching, we will respond with the timeless creed that sums up the spirit of our great Chargers team in six words -- yes, we can fire Norv Turner.

Thank you, San Diego. I love you.

You Have to Love the AFC West

Even though it holds a spot as one of the worst conferences in the NFL, the AFC West has always managed to be an attention grabber. The division features four NFL teams, two of which play at the Pop Warner level, the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. Also, a Denver Broncos team that gets a lucky start to the season because their new head coach was a former pupil of New England Patriots wonder-coach, Bill Belichick. Finally to round it out, a San Diego Chargers team whose players are the only thing keeping their coaching staff from working as high school defensive coordinators in North Dakota.

In recent years, the AFC West has not been disappointing for the Chargers. With help from the division, the Chargers have proved that you can start the season off 2-3 and still have a great chance of making the post-season. Now if you're a Broncos fan, the AFC West can be your worst nightmare. For the past few years, it's seemed as if Denver has always been scrambling around, they win a game here, they lose two here, then win another one. Denver has not been a consistent organization, and up until the start of the 2009 campaign, Denver was seen as a team with no guidance just trying to find it's way through the regular season. NFL analysts were flabbergasted when all of the sudden the Denver Broncos were 6-0, 3.5 games ahead in the conference, and destined for post-season glory. In a matter of four short weeks the dread that once was, has returned.

The Broncos have lost three straight games, while the Chargers have won four straight. The Chargers came from 2-3 to 6-3 to be tied with the Broncos in the AFC West. No team in NFL history has been up by 3.5 games and not made it to the playoffs.

Now, it's up to the Chargers to create their own destiny. After the loss to the Broncos, I jokingly said that now they were going to win out the season and finish 13-3 with home field advantage in the post-season. This joke now looks more plausible than ever. After the Broncos, the Chargers might have the easiest schedule in the NFL to finish up the season. Except for the December 13 game in Dallas against the Cowboys, the Chargers should easily defeat everyone else on the schedule.

The playoff picture is in the Chargers hands. A win in Denver this week places them solely at the number one spot in the AFC West, lines them up nicely for another division win, and yet another chance at the immaculate Super Bowl berth that San Diego has been without since 1994.

Chargers 31 - 23 Eagles

First off, LaDainian Tomlinson is not back. Yesterday was baby day, no more and no less. LT, possessed by the unimaginable power of a new baby, had the best game he will have all season. I refuse to believe it will continue, and I will continue to campaign for the Darren Sproles Era in San Diego. Hail, Tiny Darren! Hail!

More imprtantly, the Wildcat is back! This time with Legedu Naanee at the Quarterback position. The formation still features Rivers out wide, which is completely useless, and also discouraging. The Chargers are clearly still tweaking their version of the Wildcat, and it's just not ready yet. It's either a wrinkle that we might see come playoff time, or just next season. The shame is that with Naanee - a former high school QB who was recruited for the position at Boise State - and Tomlinson - who has proven he can throw the ball a little bit - the Chargers really have the perfect personnel for the Wildcat. Yet another reason why Norv Turner is a thick-headed buzzkill of a football coach and should be banished from the city of San Diego forever.

The defense - coming in with several players out and a few others (Shawne and Shaun in particular) not at 100 percent - was fairly impressive. Sure, they allowed Donovan McNabb 450 yards through the air and gave up 23 points including 14 in the 4th quarter, but they came up big when it mattered; something that has been sorely missing from the Bolts defensive unit this season. They held the Eagles to 5-13 on 3rd down conversions and just 2-5 successful red zone visits. Add to that Antonio Cromartie's game ending interception and the Chargers defense was fairly impressive. An ugly effort, sure, but a successful one none the less.

This Changes Nothing!

From the San Diego Union-Tribune official Twitter account:

Norv Turner now winningest Chargers coach ever. His .609 winning % nine points better than Sid Gillman's. Just sayin'.

I don't know if this speaks more to how bad the Chargers franchise has been historically or the present team's knack for overcoming adversity (like being coached by a total wet blanket), but one thing is for certain, Norv still must go. Immediately.

sdutChargers [Twitter]

Reading Bill Williamson's Entire Game Summary Pays Off, For Once

From the third to last paragraph of ESPN blogger Bill Williamson's recap, one of the funniest touchdown celebrations this side of Chad Ochocinco:

Rivers threw touchdown passes of 20 yards to wide-open fullback Mike Tolbert in the first quarter and 20 yards to Legedu Naanee in the third quarter. Rivers was 20 of 25 for 231 yards and no interceptions, with a rating of 131.8.

Naanee was flagged for excessive celebration for kneeling in front of a Chargers cheerleader and handing her the ball. The Chargers had to kick off from their 15. Naanee said it was spontaneous.

 Play on Legedu, play on.

Philadelphia-San Diego Recap [ESPN.com]

A Quick Note on My Wrongness

LaDainian Tomlinson found out just before the game that his wife is pregnant. She put her pregnancy test in his locker in a box that said "Open immediately!" Obviously I was not privy to this information and if I was would not have written that story the other day. You don't mess with the power of babies. Ever.

Congratulations to LaDainian and LaTorsha, nice timing.

LaDainian Tomlinson's Day: Two Touchdowns and a Pregnant Wife [Yahoo! Sports]

Week 10 Injury Report

It's all bad news, folks. Just really messy stuff.

Chargers Injury Reports [NFL.com]

LaDainian Tomlinson, Mercifully, is Injured

If I may, I'd like to offer a piece of advice to one Mr. LaDainian Tomlinson, professional running back. LaDainian, I know Norv has said in recent days that your injury is no big deal and that you're going to be fine Sunday against the Eagles. But for goodness sake LT, about face. Like immediately. You're not good this season. Just start milking this injury and don't play again because you're not as good as Darren Sproles anymore. Suffer a setback. Fall down some stairs. Something. Just don't play anymore.

Now I realize this makes me a hypocrite. For the last few weeks I have been among the Tomlinson boosters. I saw him reaching the second level more often, and preaching that he will get his open-field instincts back in time. But I was wrong. Dead wrong. LT is not a good running back anymore. He's too slow and too worried about getting hurt to be an effective runner. For the rest of this season he should be a mentor to Sproles and Hester, and this off season he should be traded to the Redskins for a player of actual value. I would also accept him retiring and coming on as a running backs coach next season. I just don't want him on the field. At all. Ever again. For the second time today, I'm sorry. It's been a nice run. It's over.

DeSean Jackson vs. Incompetence

The Chargers' special teams unit gave up a kick return touchdown and punt return touchdown to Eddie Royal, who isn't actually a good NFL receiver. DeSean Jackson is one of only a handful of players' with explosiveness and open field prowess of our own Darren Sproles. That spells trouble for the Chargers. Now in all fairness the unit was better against the Giants, but the New York kick returner is Domenik Hixon, a third or fourth string receiver at the moment depending on the mood of Hakeem Nicks (so by no means a Sproles or Jackson). Once again, trouble for the Special Teams.

The scariest part of this is the organization's almost-admittance that it's a problem. The headline on Chargers.com currently is "Chargers will need special effort against Eagles." This, for those of you not in tune with the ever-optimistic tune of the team mandated website, this is code for "Oh boy I hope we can hold DeSean without an embarrassing special teams TD."

But if you're looking for a point of optimism here (and God knows I am), it's Mike Tolbert. The man who couldn't measure up to Lorenzo Neal has become a kick coverage monster, regularly supplying big hits and key blocks on Special Teams. We'll see this week if Tolbert can continue to make plays, but my money's on DeSean Jackson making at least one game-changing play on Sunday. Sorry.

A Few Days Late...

...But I'm still laughing at wittle Eli.

Don't Call It A Comeback Baby!!!

Let's return to week six. After coming of a bye week the Chargers faced the undefeated Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers were supposed to win the game, break the Broncos 5-0 streak and still be post-season contenders. The result, the Broncos beat the Chargers soundly 34-23, leaving the Chargers post-season chances less plausible than thanksgiving leftovers at John Madden's house.

Now, three weeks later, the Chargers have three more wins, including one which could possibly be the most important of the season. On Sunday, the Chargers headed to New Jersey to take on a favored New York Giants squad. The Chargers situation looked dire when QB Philip Rivers threw an interception to Giants cornerback, Terrell Thomas, that was returned to the Chargers four yard line with 3:14 left on the clock. The Chargers managed to put up a goal line stop and held the Giants to a field goal, leaving the score 14-20 Giants, with 2:07 left on the clock. Normally, this is when my faith would have been lost with the Chargers, a curse that being a lifelong San Diego sports fan has bestowed on me, but Rivers and his offense were out for victory. Rivers heroically lead the team to an 80 yard touchdown drive leaving the Giants only 15 seconds left to create something magical. Unfortunately for the Giants, there was no David Tyree-esque play and the win and glory belonged to the Chargers, and a deflated Giants team was left wondering if there was any escape from their four straight loss hole, one that is deeper than any Lewis Carroll could have imagined.

After the Giants went 5-0 to start the season, experts were set on a Giants playoff spot and possibly a new Super Bowl ring. However, since going 5-0 the Giants have lost four straight, and after a Philadelphia Eagles win in Dallas last night, the Giants are now in second place in the NFC East.

As for the Chargers, they are doing exactly what I asked them to do a few weeks ago, they are winning. Even if it is not pretty, like last night, when Rivers threw two interceptions, it is still a victory. The 5-3 Chargers are back in post-season consideration, something that Philip Rivers said would return when he told fans not to worry after their loss to the Broncos in October.

The Denver Broncos, who faced humiliation last week at the hands of the Ravens, face the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers tonight, on Monday Night Football, and I think this might be the first time the I have ever wanted a Steelers victory. Roethlisberger will be charging on all cylinders in hopes of further tainting a Broncos record that once was at 6-0.

On November 22nd, the Chargers head to Mile High Stadium to take on the Broncos, and will be seeking vengeance and further hope for an AFC West title, the fifth in six years.

Vincent CLUTCH-son

I'm most likely the only person who understands this title, so please allow me to explain it to you. At one point last year, Vincent Jackson was leading the NFL in Yards After the Catch (YAC). The brilliant Chargers website staff decided to commemorate this with the front-page headline "Call Him Vincent YAC-son." It was at this point that a new inside joke was born within my head. Every time VJax (which is an awesome yet somehow underused nickname) does something, I make it his name. Vincent Drop-son, Vincent AcrobaticCatch-son, etc. Some may remember Sunday, November 26, 2006 against the Raiders in which we saw the thankfully brief emergence of Vincent IllegalForwardPass-son.

But the point here is this: Vincent Jackson is becoming one of the most clutch players in the NFL. It seems like every time there's a third- or fourth-and-long the ball is going to him, and more times than not Jackson is coming down with it. It's gotten to the point that I texted my dad (very Simmons-esque) at the beginning of that last drive "Long pass to Jackson." And sure enough, Vincent Clutch-son gets open in the end zone for the winning score. The best part of it is you will almost certainly see this again by the end of this season. Jackson has that flair for big moments that you don't see much in the NFL. He's more Reggie Miller than Terrell Owens, and he might be greater than both one day.

Jackson delivers in clutch again [Chargers.com]
Stupid Charger Fumble Ruled Illegal Forward Pass [OTB Sports]

Chargers vs. Giants "Preview"

So yes, I know that the Giants say they're from New York and play in New Jersey. Easy joke. You probably thought that's where I was going with this. But I ain't no one-trick pony, people. No I got two, three, maybe even four jokes I can unleash at any given time. Check it out. Eli Manning: crybaby. Bam! You didn't even know what hit ya! Oh and I have more. Michael Strahan: gap teeth like the Grand Canyon! That's right, I'm ripping on retirees now. My humor knows no bounds. I'll even give you one more. Their best receiver isn't even the best receiver in the NFL named Steve Smith.

OK but all jokes aside this is a big game. The Giants have lost three straight and there's no way they're lying down in front of their home fans in Jersey. Rivers should be able to throw on their awful secondary at will, but he's gonna need to keep pace with their running game, which is expected to leave our defense looking like New Orleans after Katrina. Too soon? Sorry.

So there's your preview for the week. Fingers crossed for Brandon Jacobs to fall down a flight of stairs, folks.

Week 9 Injury Report

Once again Shawne Merriman is having difficulty practicing, which is strange since he doesn't seem to be injured. He was a full participant in practice today though, so probably no cause for concern. Same goes for Antonio Gates, Steve Gregory, Travis Johnson, and Mike Scifres. Nothing to see here.

Kevin Burnett did not practice today but is still probable, which is nice because although he is listed as doubtful, Tim Dobbins probably is not back for another week or two.

DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo apparently no longer exists, but it's cool because he's effectively been replaced by slightly-less-terrible Ian Scott.

Nick Hardwick apparently suffered a setback on Thursday and has gone from doubtful to a full-fledged out. Oh well...

Week 9 Injury Report [Chargers.com]

Nick Hardwick: Coming Soon to a Game Near You!

Nick Hardwick wants you! To just hold on another week or two.

No, Nick Hardwick will most likely not be playing this week in New Jersey. But he is on his way back, significantly ahead of schedule as SignOnSanDiego reported today. Hardwick is practicing, and while Norv doesn't believe he will play this week, he could be active for an emergency situation. This has nothing to do with the Giants matchup, but it's good news for a team that desperately needs the O line support that Hardwick will provide.

Did you hear that? That's the sound of LaDanian Tomlinson thanking the Good Lord.

Hardwick practices; Sunday return possible [SignOnSanDiego.com]

Fire Nick Canepa: Nov. 3

Many of you may not be aware of this, but there used to be a website called Fire Joe Morgan. FJM was awesome. Basically a freedom fighter in the struggle against awful sports writing. The format is this: Take an article from the web, paste portions of it that are stupid, and comment on said stupidity. Today, we begin a new feature where we do this to the stupidest of stupid sportswriters, Nicholas Canepa of the Union-Tribune.

I've always felt that perhaps the greatest key to success in life is listening, be it in marriage, parenting, business, interviewing or even politics (where the listening process rarely is heeded).

Nick, you've changed my life once again. Now get to the football, monkey.

So, despite the barrage my ears receive during football season, I listen as much as I can, sometimes in agreement, often not so much. At this stage of my life, I find myself in the Battle of the Too Much Information Bulge, surrounded by experts. But I do hear you.

THE INTERNET SCARES ME!!! SO MANY PEOPLE!!!!

OK. Running is nice. It helps. It's a good thing. But you need not run wild to win consistently in the NFL.

That's right buddy. You need balance. Everyone acknowledges this. Congratulations on another conclusion everyone has already arrived at.

There have been times when Bill Belichick has ordered Tom Brady to throw on his first 20-some-odd snaps. The Colts don't need to run. Arizona and Pittsburgh, January's Super Bowl finalists, weren't proficient at it.

So, if you have Tom Brady in his prime, Kurt Warner throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, or a historically good defense, you may not need the running back to be the focal point of your offense. Go. Figure.

On their first possession against the Raiders Sunday, the Chargers, thanks to a 53-yard strike from quarterback Philip Rivers to receiver Malcom Floyd, had a first-and-goal from the six. They went to the rarely used wildcat formation, and LaDainian Tomlinson ran it in.

The Chargers used a balanced attack to score a touchdown against the Raiders on Sunday. You were saying?

This prompted cries to see the wildcat much more often, which isn't happening here. The wildcat works (sometimes) in Miami, only because the Dolphins can't throw and use the formation so much they've become proficient at it. The Chargers used it to confuse the Raiders, and it worked. A steady diet of that thing would be death.

What the F, Nick? The Wildcat worked on the one play it was used and you're calling for it to never be seen again? Oh, and the Wildcat works ALWAYS in Miami. It's turned pothead Ricky Williams into a top flight rusher later in his career. The have a bad defense and start Chad Henne at QB AND THEY'RE GOOD. They run the Wildcat well and that's it. They should suck, but the formation freaking works!

As Turner points out, the rise of Jackson and Floyd – not only as big targets, but their ability to play small, as route runners – has opened up things for Gates.

“It's more difficult for them to double-team Antonio now,” Turner says. As for Turner sending LT or Darren Sproles into the line on every first down, or to open games, pay attention.


“We throw the ball more on first down than we run it,” Turner says with a sigh.

In conclusion, the Chargers have a strong passing attack which they try to use to open up the run game. Point. Proved. Except not really.

Thanks for listening.

I wish I hadn't, Nick. I really do.

Running overrated in modern NFL [SignOnSanDiego]

Yahoo Sports Team Report: Nov. 3

Among the feel-good stories coming out of Sunday’s 13th straight win over the Raiders was the critical contribution of wide receiver Chris Chambers.

Chambers had struggled this year, fighting for playing time with an emerging Malcom Floyd. But on a crucial fourth-quarter, third-down on what would be the drive which would give the Chargers’ their margin of victory, Chambers made a difficult 20-yard catch, looking into the sun, with Pro Bowl cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on his hip.

While Chambers was upbeat after the game that feeling didn’t last long.

Chambers was cut on Monday.

“There are a number of things that went into the decision,” coach Norv Turner said. “The reason we’re able to do this is the play of Malcom and the wayLegedu Naanee is performing.

“Certainly there are a number of other things in terms of our football team that we need to address. Defensively and in the kicking game … we need to get some help.”

Still the releasing of Chambers came as a surprise. Especially with the Chargers still carrying Buster Davis, a first-round bust who doesn’t even suit up for games.

There’s no discounting the improved play of Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee. But neither supply the veteran presence that Chambers did and what if they get hurt down the stretch?

Chambers came over from the Dolphins in 2007 and the price was steep: a second-round pick. But it seemed to be a pick well spent as Chambers enhanced the Chargers’ developing passing game.

But this year he fell out of favor in Turner’s scheme and had a hard time getting on the field. He also wasn’t shy about expressing his frustration, and that might have led to the Chargers cutting ties as well.

After Sunday’s game he was quoted as saying: “I thought I’d play a lot more. Coach said I would rotate and all of a sudden he didn’t let me rotate, so I was a little disrespected in that way…Coach might have lost some confidence in me, but I haven’t lost any confidence in myself.”

Chambers, a nine-year pro, entered the game with just eight catches and he dropped a couple of passes the previous week in Kansas City, one of which would have been a touchdown.

But it was just last year that he had a touchdown catch in five straight games, the first time he had done that in a Pro Bowl career.

NOTES, QUOTES

—olb S hawne Merriman showed some of his old burst in recording his first sack since the end of the 2007 season. Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowler who missed all but one game last year with a knee injury, had two sacks against the Raiders. “That is what they brought us both here for,” said OLB Shaun Phillips, who also had two sacks. In years past, me and Shawne have been able to feed off each other.”

• RB LaDainian Tomlinson sounded like a Chargers fan when asked what is the difference about playing the Raiders. “I think our mind-set is different when we play these guys,” said Tomlinson, who rushed for two touchdowns, one coming out of the wildcat formation. “In our mind, it’s the Battle of California, with so much stuff between the two teams.”

• The defense, which had struggled early on, got a boost when it made a fourth-quarter stand to basically end the game with the Raiders down by a score. It was a big boost for the defense, which is often over-shadowed by the offense. “The offense started off real well and we tried to pay catch-up,” saidStephen Cooper, after a game-high 10 tackles. “I think now we found our knack and (defensive coordinator Ron Rivera) did a great job of play-calling and pressuring the quarterback. If we do that, we will be the defense of the old.”

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Player Notes

• ILB Tim Dobbins will be out two weeks with a knee injury. Dobbins was filling in for Kevin Burnett (ankle); Burnett has missed the past two games and could be down again Sunday.

• RB LaDainian Tomlinson had multiple touchdowns Sunday for the first time since scoring three times in last year’s regular-season finale. Counting receiving, rushing and passing, he has produced 28 touchdowns in his career against the Raiders.

• WR Vincent Jackson could be in the chatter for a Pro Bowl roster spot. For the second time in six games, he has turned in consecutive 100-yard receiving games.

• DT Travis Johnson as given the interior line a boost since returning from a groin injury two weeks ago. He’s part of the regular three-player rotation making due in the absence of injured Pro Bowler Jamal Williams.

• ILB Brandon Siler’s stock is going up after coming in and playing well when Tim Dobbins went down with a knee injury. Siler, a third-year pro, could get his first start Sunday.

• FB Mike Tolbert has contributed mostly on special teams this season. But his stellar play of late and in practice has him in the mix with starter Jacob Hesterat fullback as well. The Chargers like the hard-nosed Tolbert’s attitude; he was an undrafted free agent last year and surprisingly made the club out of camp

Report Card Vs . RAIDERS

Passing Offense: C—Not Philip Rivers grandest game but it was a winning performance. He threw for a score and 249 yards. He did throw an interception, but it came off a deflection. Malcom Floyd set the tone early in corralling a 53-yard catch on the Chargers’ first play. The pass-protection was keen against what can be a physical Oakland front.

Rushing Offense: C—LaDainian Tomlinson had two rushing scores—one off a direct snap in the wildcat—but there is still work to be done on the running game. The Chargers did get to 100 rushing yards and seem to be more motivated to establish a running attack. The run-blocking was pretty good—a step up if nothing else.

Pass Defense: B—Hard to get a bad grade here when JaMarcus Russell is dropping back. Russell is horrible and the Chargers took advantage of his play with an interception by Antonio Cromartie and five sacks. Russell threw for a scant 109 yards. Good work by the secondary and the pass rush to get his feet moving on his throws.

Rush Defense: B—The middle of the line is so much better than a month ago, in the wake of Jamal Williams being lost for the season. The Chargers are rotating three players in at tackle. The linebackers had one of their better games with Stephen Cooper collecting 10 tackles and Brandon Siler doing a good job when filling in for the hobbling Tim Dobbins. The defense kept the Raiders under 100 yards—just barely, though, at 99.

Special Teams: D—Darren Sproles had a costly fumble on a punt return which the Raiders cashed into points. There was also a letdown on coverages when allowing a 60-yard return. P Mike Scifres wasn’t the best punter on the field, but he still had a long of 56 and two of his three efforts were downed inside the Oakland 20.

Coaching: A—The offense was good enough to win, although it seemed like the Raiders hung around longer than they should have. But it was the defense which had a late stand and is starting to play with more confidence. Since coordinator Ron Rivera shook up the secondary, he has been blitzing like crazy with safeties and corners and it is working. If the defense can continue to improve—and do so against better teams—Rivera deserves to take a bow.