Chargers

Professor LT tutoring Bolt backs

NELVIN CEPEDA / Union-Tribune
While LaDainianTomlinson famously does not play in exhibition games, the Chargers running back is not daydreaming during them, either. He can often be seen meeting the team's other running backs as they come off the field, sharing something he saw about a play they were involved in. He will also sidle up next to a young player during practice to lend an observation.

With two games next week, camp to end Thursday

The Chargers will close out training camp Thursday, two days earlier than originally scheduled, enabling players to go home before two exhibition games in a span of five days next week.

“I told them after the game that this is a big week for us,” said coach Norv Turner, whose squad hosts Seattle on Monday and travels to San Francisco for an Aug. 29 exhibition. “We're not going to be able to do much between Monday and Friday's game.”

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“We want to do what we need to do to get our team ready to play. There were some things we did well, there's a lot of things we can do a lot better.”
–Coach Norv Turner on Rams preseason game
All-Pro TE Gates returns to practice: Antonio Gates is practicing. The Chargers' All-Pro tight end is off the Physically Unable to Perform list and worked individual drills in Tuesday afternoon's practice. He is not working team drills and likely will slowly be worked back.

Chargers buses will run through the 2008 season: The Metropolitan Transit System announced Tuesday it will operate the Chargers Express bus service to all weekend home games at Qualcomm Stadium for the 2008 regular season.

Chargers take no chances with injuries: A Chargers veteran losing an eyelash should be prepared to sit out two practices. OK, so it hasn't come to that, but it sometimes seems such a measure of precaution wouldn't be far-fetched in this Chargers training camp.

For now, Chargers' departure not likely:The Chargers are gearing up for a new season that could – but probably won't – be their last at Qualcomm Stadium.

Good news: Gates busy making great strides: The best news for the Chargers last night came before their preseason game against the Rams.

Rest assured for number of Bolts starters: The Chargers have erred on the side of caution all training camp, so it is not all that shocking that coach Norv Turner will hold out Philip Rivers from tonight's exhibition game against the Rams.

Bolts' 'short' memory of '07 spurs offense: Like so many things in a backloaded 2007 season, the Chargers' rushing offense must be fairly judged in sections.

Ex-Aztec earning a spot, somewhere: Former San Diego State defensive end Antwan Applewhite is noticeably quicker and more certain of himself this summer, after a year of learning the NFL and a new position.

Pinnock, knee looking good; fullback may play this week: There has been a lot of talk about Chargers rookie fullback Mike Tolbert. And it has been deserved. The kid can block and catch and appears to be catching on.

Wilhelm gets earful in a good way: radio: Matt! Hearing his name called from very close, yet far away, Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm turned to put a face with the voice on the sideline at Qualcomm Stadium. He found none.

Gates says pain 'tolerable' after running routes: Antonio Gates took a significant step in his recovery from toe surgery yesterday. Many steps.

Tucker doesn't ration his passion: Jyles Tucker just looks as if he is enjoying himself – in practice. And, truth be told, there is dental work easier to endure than an average football practice, which is long and alternately grueling and tedious.

Waters looking strong for Chargers: Inside linebacker is a fluid position for the Chargers, and it may have become slightly more so Saturday night.

Chargers look super, for what it's worth: If the Dallas Cowboys play their second-team defense when these teams meet in Super Bowl XLIII, the Chargers will kill them.

As advertised, Hester shows a nose for end zone:The touchdowns were nice, especially the first one, of course. But on the play that welcomed Jacob Hester to the National Football League, the play that told him he could just go on and play for as long as his career would take him, he didn't even have the ball in his hands.

Chargers game summary:

Hester runs for 2 TDs in Chargers win over Cowboys: The San Diego Chargers have few open roster spots after reaching the AFC championship game last season. But rookie Jacob Hester is making a strong case for one.

Chargers' little man presented big chance: You probably don't know Mike Tolbert now, but you will after tonight. “I don't even want to talk about him,” Chargers linebacker Jyles Tucker said. “He's a little monster.”

Instinctively, Romo gets the job done: There are orchestrators. They are the quarterbacks for whom game plans might as well be writ in stone. Without exception, they fit their actions to that card with all the hieroglyphics on it that their coach is holding on the sideline.

Charger looks past his limits: Derek Smith doesn't think it's a big deal and doesn't want it to be a big deal to anyone else.

With buses stalled, Chargers fans urged to plan ahead: San Diego Chargers fans attending tomorrow's preseason opener might want to sharpen their strategy for going to and from Qualcomm Stadium.

Cromartie reaches high: There is no shortage of confidence in Antonio Cromartie, yet also a deep commitment to keeping it real.

Newberry learns just by watching: Jeremy Newberry is a man without cartilage in either knee, has been for more than two years. Rest, at this point, is as important for him as any work he does.

Chargers unveil code of conduct for fans: A stricter code of conduct for Chargers fans was unveiled Wednesday in an effort to prevent obnoxious behavior and alcohol-fueled fights at Qualcomm Stadium this season.

Pinnock returns to practice: “It felt better than I thought it would,” said Pinnock, who had microfracture surgery in February. “The big question is how the knee will respond in the morning. I feel like it will be fine.” Pinnock hopes to work in team drills tonight and play in the third exhibition game, Aug. 25.

LB Waters is ready to 'Go': The plan was for Anthony Waters to ease into action. But the plan went out the window shortly after the Chargers took the field yesterday morning.

On-job training part of Clary's first start: When Jeromey Clary was still just a Texas teen, the television show that really caught his eye and taught him about National Football League reality was “Hard Knocks,” an HBO serial documentary about training camp with the Baltimore Ravens of 2001.

Chargers practice art of the takeaway: DeJuan Tribble swooped in quickly and cleanly, reached around the receiver and knocked the ball away during a one-on-one drill during practice this week.

Postcard from Chargers training camp :We're a little more than a week into camp. Camp will bring all the emotions. Camp will make people retire. This is always a tough period.

Refs school players on rules: Two of the rule alterations could have the most significant impact on games. First, the force-out rule has been changed so that if a receiver is pushed out after making a catch and before getting two feet or any other part of his body inbounds, it is an incomplete pass. It has previously been a judgment call by officials as to whether the receiver would have stayed inbounds.

Shifting into high gear: In the quiet of a nearly empty Chargers locker room in early January, Norv Turner contemplated the ascension of Vincent Jackson, who had for much of the previous three seasons been bound by expectations he had yet to satisfy.

Not a bad start: Joiner Year Rec.-Yards TDs

Climbing the food chain: Yes, he's a bear of a man, one who subsists by swatting his way through natural enemies with his huge paws.

Players work a night shift at the Q: The Chargers took the unusual step of practicing at Qualcomm Stadium last night. In the longest practice of camp so far – more than two hours – the Chargers did a lot of different team drills, working on specific situations and substitutions. They also introduced at least a couple of new wrinkles on offense and had the first scuffle of camp.

Gates figuring to make opener: Rehab is going better than he ever anticipated. If it keeps at this pace, with the gains outpacing the setbacks, with him able to manage the discomfort, Antonio Gates believes he will “definitely be ready for the opener.”

Lack of looks, too, can be deceiving: Eric Weddle is the Great White Irony of the Chargers secondary, not at all what he appears. If being in the NFL were a contest of aesthetics, it would be Weddle's great misfortune to be a defensive back.

Olivea getting second chance: News yesterday from New York that offensive lineman Shane Olivea admitted to an addiction to painkillers while with the Chargers last season was met in San Diego with something less than admiration and sympathy.

Rivers showing zing in his wing: “I feel crisper,” said Rivers, who is absolutely zinging balls short and long. “I don't know if it's a zip, but it's coming out crisp.” Rivers does look thicker in his upper body. He began working out earlier in the offseason because he was around the complex rehabbing his surgically repaired ACL. But also strengthening the muscles in his legs has given him a new bounce.

Eight isn't enough: Those ubiquitous Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials and print ads will be a one-man show this season. LaDainian Tomlinson, alone among NFL stars, is pitching soup.

Rest the formula for vet Williams:Jamal Williams maintains he feels as good as he has in at least three years, following offseason surgery to clean out both knees.

Postcard from camp:From Marcus McNeill: The first days of camp, it's getting your body back to the physicality.


A D V E R T I S E M E N T

     NFL     
Manning hopes to start Colts' opener: Peyton Manning proved Tuesday he can stand, walk and talk. Next question: Will the two-time league MVP start in the Colts' season opener?
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Cowboys at Chargers
Photos from the field. (Saturday, Aug. 9)

Fanfest photos
CFX celebrates along with you.

Countdown to camp
A twice-per-week position-by-position look at the Chargers leading up to training camp.

CFX Podcast No. 24
Draft recap, Mark Fabiani interview. (Thursday, May 8)

Jacob Hester Minicamp update
U-T beat writer Kevin Acee reports from minicamp.
(Sunday, May 4)

After the draft
U-T staff writer Kevin Acee reflects on how the Chargers fared.
(Monday, April 28)

Auditions
Charger Girl tryouts.

'We love you, L.T.'
Show your appreciation for LaDainian Tomlinson.

AFC Championship
Photos from the field. (Sunday, Jan. 20)

Celebration
Fans welcome the Bolts back from Indianapolis. (Sunday, Jan. 13)

Chargers at Colts
Photos from the field. (Sunday, Jan. 13)

Marking the occasion
Scores of fans turn out for free tattoos. (Sat., Jan. 12)

Where the bolt is
Chula Vista fan's home is bolt-centered. (Sat., Jan. 12)

Season of redemption
Philip Rivers audio slideshow. (Friday, Jan. 11)







2008 Schedule

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