The Bolts Are Thundering Ahead

Source: Associated Press

The Chargers at least know where and when they will be playing one of their 16 regular-season games in 2009: Welcome to the Black Hole, Bolts.

The Chargers will face the Oakland Raiders, their longtime and most hated rival, to kick off the season as the second game of a “Monday Night Football” doubleheader on Sept. 14.

The game is part of the NFL’s tip of the hat to the old AFL, by matching the original AFL teams against each other. The Chargers, like the other originals, are celebrating their 50th season this year.

And what better way to get fired up for the first game than staring at the Raiders and being on a stage where there is but one game to watch.

“The Chargers-Raiders rivalry is always a heated match up,” said Chargers coach Norv Turner, who was the Raiders head coach for two seasons before coming to San Diego. “Our fans always get a little extra excited when we play the Raiders, and this will be a great way for us to get things going.”

The Chargers will be attempting to win their fourth straight AFC West title, but there is also another streak on the line.

A win at Oakland would give the Chargers 12 straight over their California foes.

And they hope to do it with millions of fans tuning in.

“Playing a divisional rival on national television is a great way to start our season,” Chargers president Dean Spanos said. “We’re excited about the opportunity for Chargers fans across the country to watch us kick off a tough schedule.”

Coach Norv Turner said the changes the Raiders have made on their coaching staff will throw a wrench into preparations.

“It’s going to be a challenge for us because they have changed,” he said. “They’ve changed their defensive staff and I think they’ve made some changes offensively.”

NOTES, QUOTES

—RB LaDainian Tomlinson said he is eager to show he’s still got something left in the tank after two straight seasons which were derailed by injuries. For me, it’s good because I get to prove what I’m worth again,” Tomlinson said. “I get to prove to people, and that’s the way it’s always been for me. I’ve always enjoyed doing that. I get to do it once again.”

—RT Jeromey Clary received a big-time performance bonus for the second straight year. He more than doubled his 2008 salary with a $405,859 bonus from the NFL’s “performance-based pay” system, which rewards players through a complex evaluation based upon playing time and compensation. Clary’s 2008 bonus was the highest awarded by the NFL. He made roughly $376,000 in base salary last season, when he started every game as the Chargers’ right tackle. He made a $253,015 bonus for 2007, a season when he made $285,000 after starting the final six games in that campaign.

—WR Kassim Osgood, a two-time AFC Pro Bowl special teams player, is being shopped around. Osgood is eager to see more action as a receiver - he had zero catches last year - and has asked to be traded.

—The veterans will report to the offseason workouts on Monday.

—The Chargers were awarded two fourth-round compensatory picks (Nos. 133 and 134) after losing RB Michael Turner and CB Drayton Florence to free agency last year.

—Coach Norv Turner said the AFC West landscape is changing with new coaches in Denver and Kansas City. “The division is going to be different. It’s going to be important for us to get a handle on (it) quickly.”

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I think I will continue to be an explosive player. I’ll be back to being full strength and to being the L.T. that you guys are used to seeing.” - RB LaDainian Tomlinson on the type of season he expects from himself in 2009.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

All focus remains on the draft with no free agent visits planned for the Chargers. The Chargers will select No. 16 overall, their highest pick since taking Shawne Merriman at No. 12 in 2005.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

What will be interesting to see once the draft arrives is if the Chargers think they are OK at wide receiver.

On the surface there doesn’t seem to be any question, what with Vincent Jackson having a breakout year with more than 1,000 receiving yards and savvy veteran Chris Chambers on the opposite side.

But Jackson is in general manager A. J. Smith’s doghouse after being arrested during the week of the second round of the playoffs for driving under the influence.

And Chambers had games in which he disappeared, although the team points to the numerous weapons the offense possesses for his drop off in production.

Then there is Craig Davis, a first-round pick two years ago. He didn’t do much his rookie year and last year he spent most of the season on IR because of a groin injury.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Strong safety: The Chargers’ pass defense was horrible last year. It wasn’t all Clinton Hart’s fault but it’s obvious the team seeks a hard-hitter on the back end to strike some fear into receivers. That pass defense should improve with the return of a healthy Shawne Merriman, but an upgrade at strong safety would help as well.

2. Right guard: The departure of Mike Goff as a free agent and the lack of depth behind him is a concern. If the Chargers can fill the right guard spot, there might not as much urgency to try and replace right tackle Jeromey Clary as well. The Chargers must shore the right side of the line, but the biggest void is at tackle.

3. Defensive end: With Igor Olshansky being allowed to flee in free agency, the Chargers aren’t certain they have a bona fide started on the roster. The team could fill this need through the draft.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: RB Darren Sproles: Tendered at $6.621M.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

—OLB Marques Harris was used on passing downs and has shown some promise, but he won’t be re-signed.

—C Jeremy Newberry was a valuable backup when Nick Hardwick was injured early last season, but the Chargers won’t re-sign him.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

—WR Malcom Floyd (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) has a good connection with QB Philip Rivers and can be a solid red-zone target. Injuries slowed him some down the stretch last year.

—CB Cletis Gordon (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) surprised some by getting that tender as some of his shortcomings were exposed when playing extended stretches last year. But he is a solid special teams player and has potential as a returner.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

—OT Jeromey Clary: ERFA; $460,000/1 yr.

—OG Kynan Forney: Potential UFA; $4.8M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

—LB Kevin Burnett: UFA Cowboys; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB.

PLAYERS LOST

—RB Eldra Buckley (released).

—OG Mike Goff: UFA Chiefs; terms unknown.

—DE Igor Olshansky: UFA Cowboys; $18M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.

—LB Anthony Waters (released).

Charger Update

Kevin Burnett’s introduction to the media was delayed a day - and he couldn’t be happier. Not that the free-agent, inside linebacker was reluctant to meet the press. It was just that the Chargers had a more pressing item to take care of last week: telling the world LaDainian Tomlinson was staying in San Diego.

“I was praying I had LT as a teammate,” Burnett said. “I contemplated walking in there and shaking his hand during the press conference to let him know I’m glad I don’t have to play against him. I’m excited to get to play with LT and I’m excited to be in San Diego.”

The Chargers are equally upbeat about adding Burnett to possibly upgrade the spot opposite starter Stephen Cooper.

Burnett figures to push Tim Dobbins and Matt Wilhelm for the starting role. Wilhelm started the season as the starter but was pushed aside by the more physical Dobbins.

And if Burnett isn’t in on early down, it figures the athletic player will see the field on passing downs.

“I believe anywhere you go, it’s open competition,” Burnett said. “I’m looking to be a player. I came here for the opportunity to play and that’s all I can ask for. I think your play speaks louder than anything.”

He started but four games in five seasons in Dallas, but was also a key contributor on special teams.

If nothing else, the learning curve with the Chargers’ defense doesn’t figure to be steep for Burnett. He played in the 3-4 alignment the past couple of years with the Cowboys under the watchful eye of head coach Wade Phillips.

It was Phillips, before taking the Cowboys’ post, who installed the 3-4 in San Diego.

“I think they’re going to use me a little bit more in some of the packages they have,” Burnett said. “It’s a very similar style defense (to Dallas). I assume I’ll be a big part of the third-down package and the passing game.”

The Chargers often ask their inside linebackers to drop back into coverage on throwing downs, with outside linebackers Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips making a bee line for the pocket.

Burnett’s skills seem to fit what the Chargers are seeking.

NOTES, QUOTES

—It’s believed LaDainian Tomlinson gave the team some $4 million in cap relief when he renegotiated his contract for the next three years. The Chargers get $1.25 million in relief this coming season as while Tomlinson’s 2009 salary stays at $6.75 million; $2.8 million of it was structured as a signing bonus, which the Chargers can spread out over three years. “I was just happy I got the chance to restructure rather than be released or traded,” Tomlinson said.

—It was among the wackiest calls last year when Ed Hochuli blew a play dead in Denver, a play in which he incorrectly ruled Jay Cutler had thrown an incomplete pass instead of it being a fumble recovery by the Chargers. Hochuli said rules didn’t permit him to go back and reverse the call, once he had blown his whistle for a dead ball of an incomplete pass. But that rule could be addressed at next week’s owners meetings. “We watched a lot of tape and think that is a play that people play through,” Rich McKay, the co-chairman of the Competition Committee said in a conference call.

—While their AFC rival New England Patriots keep loading up on free agents, don’t expect the Chargers to follow suit - they again will lean on the draft this offseason. “That’s our philosophy,” general manager A.J. Smith said. “But we’re always looking out there to see if certain players might be attractive to us.”

—Receivers coach Charlie Joiner lost his Hall of Fame bust when his house was among those damaged by the area’s 2007 wild fires. Joiner said his bust was among his most prized possessions. “I’d say it was number one or two,” Joiner said. “It was a nice bust. It was a nice memento, something I could look at and reflect back on some of the things I did in my life.” The Pro Football Hall of Fame surprised Joiner recently by giving him a new bust.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I’d rather work through the draft. I’d rather identify our own players and invest in them instead of trying to find players from other teams.” — G.M. A.J. Smith on how he plans to spend the extra money available after RB LaDainian Tomlinson reworked his contract.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

It appears the majority of the Chargers focus is now on the draft.

The team never is a big player in free agency, but it doesn’t have any free agent visits scheduled and will likely look at that market after seeing what it doesn’t obtain in the draft.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

With the addition of Kevin Burnett, the Chargers have compiled three decent inside linebackers to compete for the starting job and that should make all the players that much better.

The team still hasn’t done anything in free agency at strong safety, and it looks as if the club will try to address that need possibly through the draft.

The running back situation is partly settled, with LaDainian Tomlinson returning and Darren Sproles expected to sign his franchise player offer sheet soon - or he could be agreeing to a long-term deal as the parties continue to work toward that goal.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Strong safety: All the blame can’t be put at Clinton Hart’s cleats for the Chargers’ horrible pass defense, but there wasn’t as much production from this spot as the team had hoped. Although it appears as if the Chargers are going to do something here, it will be through the draft.

2. Right guard: The departure of Mike Goff as a free agent is a concern, although the team did sign Kynan Forney. Forney wasn’t active for the Chargers when on their roster last year but was a one-time starter in Atlanta.

3. Defensive end: Igor Olshansky was allowed to leave as a free agent and there doesn’t seem to be a starter behind him on the depth chart. The Chargers could spend one of their top picks on a defensive end.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: RB Darren Sproles: Tendered at $6.621M.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

—RG Mike Goff has been reliable and a hard-nosed player, but the Chargers have said he won’t be back.

—OLB Marques Harris was used on passing downs and has shown some promise, but he won’t be re-signed.

—C Jeremy Newberry was a valuable backup when Nick Hardwick was injured early last season, but the Chargers won’t re-sign him.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

—WR Malcom Floyd (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) has a good connection with QB Philip Rivers and can be a solid red-zone target. Injuries slowed him some down the stretch last year.

—CB Cletis Gordon (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) surprised some by getting that tender as some of his shortcomings were exposed when playing extended stretches last year. But he is a solid special teams player and has potential as a returner.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

—OT Jeromey Clary: ERFA; $460,000/1 yr.

—OG Kynan Forney: Potential UFA; $4.8M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

—LB Kevin Burnett: UFA Cowboys; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB.

PLAYERS LOST

—RB Eldra Buckley (released).

—DE Igor Olshansky: UFA Cowboys; $18M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.

—LB Anthony Waters (released).

Charger Update

Source: USA Today

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson agreed to a restructured contract, and he will return for his ninth season with the Chargers.

Among the team’s biggest offseason dilemmas was what to do with their future Hall of Famer. But Tomlinson agreed to rework the deal, which could cost him in years 2010 and 2011, and he’ll be leading the ground attack in 2009.

Tomlinson, the NFL MVP in 2006, will worry about the future in the future. Among the reasons he’s returning to San Diego is he feels the team is near that elusive Super Bowl championship.

“I think we’re very close,” Tomlinson said. “Obviously over the past two years we’ve been hampered a little bit by injuries. That’s been the unlucky part of it. I’ve got to figure that it’s our time. I’ve got to figure that this is not going to continue to happen to us where we get so close and get injured and really hurt ourselves in that way where we can’t be at full strength. When we’re at full strength, we’re a tough team to deal with. I think everyone has seen that in the past. I’m looking forward to being at full strength with this team.”

Tomlinson was slowed last year by toe and groin injuries, limiting him to a career-low 1,100 rushing yards, but that was still fourth-best in the NFL. Tomlinson also had 11 rushing touchdowns in an air-oriented attack that had run-blocking issues.

But the real issue the past two months was Tomlinson’s status. When the two parties virtually guaranteed his $6.7 million salary for the coming season, Tomlinson was glad to restructure the back end to lessen the team’s cap hit from his contract.

Tomlinson said he always thought he would stay a Charger, but there were times the dialogue became a little testy.

“From my standpoint, I remained optimistic about it,” Tomlinson said. “At the same time, I knew that it was a business and guys sometimes go other places. For that reason, I kept it in the back of my mind that I might have to. At the same time, I had to think that something would happen. As we kept continuing to talk about it, I became more optimistic that I would be here. I kind of figured something would get done and it did.”

The Chargers figure to enhance their two-back approach next season after already designating shifty back Darren Sproles with the franchise tag. The combination of Sproles and Tomlinson - plus Philip Rivers’ coming off a career-year - has the Chargers offense offering a diverse and explosive attack.

That includes Tomlinson, although he will be 30 by next opening day.

“I think I will continue to be a very explosive player,” he said. “You guys saw me last year where I was banged up all year, played with a hurt toe and obviously with the groin injury. I’ll be back to full strength and to being the L.T. that you guys are used to seeing.”

General manager A. J. Smith is seeing some cap room he’ll soon need in resigning Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates, left tackle Marcus McNeill and possibly linebacker Shawne Merriman.

“L.T. has always helped us on the field and now he’s helped us off the field,” Smith said. “Now we have some cap room over the next few years.”

NOTES, QUOTES

—The Chargers are anxious to learn which compensatory picks they will receiver for losing free agents Drayton Florence and Michael Turner as free agents last year.

—The team signed ILB Kevin Burnett, a free agent from the Cowboys. Burnett has four career starts and is productive on special teams. The last two seasons Burnett has played in the 3-4 for Wade Phillips, the Chargers’ former defensive coordinator. “It’s very, very similar,” Burnett said of the Chargers’ defense to what Dallas uses. “It’s a lot of the same calls. Obviously people do things different from team to team, but it should be a pretty easy transition.”

—Some speculate the Chargers are in the running to play the Thanksgiving Day game next season against the Cowboys in their new stadium.

—LT Marcus McNeill is on the mend after a February neck surgery. He said the operation will help him as he moves forward. “They cleaned it up so I wouldn’t have any problems down the line,” McNeill said. “That’s why we had the surgery.” McNeill, a two-time Pro Bowler, missed two games with the injury last year.

—If it’s March it’s time for the offseason workouts to commence. The rookies will report on March 23 with the veterans coming in one week later.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “I couldn’t imagine putting on another uniform.” — RB LaDainian Tomlinson on the prospects of playing for another team after eight years with the Chargers.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

TEAM NEEDS

1. Secondary: The team is seeking depth at cornerback and a possible fresh starter at strong safety. Antonio Cromartie has been put on notice at one cornerback spot; last year’s opening day starter Clinton Hart at strong safety saw him playing time diminish as the season wore on.

2. Offensive line: With Mike Goff, the right guard being able to leave, and Jeromey Clary, the right tackle, revealing blemishes in his game, the Chargers are keen on rebuilding this side of the line.

3. Wide receiver: Don’t be surprised if Smith makes a play for a wide receiver in the draft. There are concerns about Vincent Jackson’s off-the-field behavior and Craig Davis, a first-round pick in 2007, has either been hurt or inconsistent. Chris Chambers remains, but his production suffered in the second half.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: RB Darren Sproles: Tendered at $6.621M.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

—RG Mike Goff has been reliable and a hard-nosed player, but the Chargers have said he won’t be back.

—OLB Marques Harris was used on passing downs and has shown some promise, but he won’t be re-signed.

—C Jeremy Newberry was a valuable backup when Nick Hardwick was injured early last season, but the Chargers won’t re-sign him.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

—WR Malcom Floyd (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) has a good connection with QB Philip Rivers and can be a solid red-zone target. Injuries slowed him some down the stretch last year.

—CB Cletis Gordon (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) surprised some by getting that tender as some of his shortcomings were exposed when playing extended stretches last year. But he is a solid special teams player and has potential as a returner.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

—OT Jeromey Clary started for the first time last year and was adequate. But the team is looking to upgrade here.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

—OG Kynan Forney: Potential UFA; $4.8M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

—LB Kevin Burnett: UFA Cowboys; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB.

PLAYERS LOST

—RB Eldra Buckley (released).

—DE Igor Olshansky: UFA Cowboys; $18M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.

—LB Anthony Waters (released)

Fuck Yaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

San Diego Chargers President Dean Spanos announced today a new three-year contract with running back LaDainian Tomlinson through 2011. Tomlinson’s old contract also was through 2011.

“This is a good day for the Chargers and for Chargers fans,” said Spanos. “It was important to me to get this done so LT could continue his career here in San Diego where he means so much to our team, our fans and our community. The alternative was just unthinkable. He belongs in San Diego.”

“I love San Diego and being a part of this team with my teammates,” said Tomlinson. “My number-one priority was to stay here in San Diego. I truly believe this is the place that gives me the best chance to be successful and win a championship. I want to finish the job we started when I got here eight years ago. My heart has always been in San Diego. I couldn’t imagine putting on another uniform.

“I really appreciate the role Dean played throughout this process. He made it work for everyone, and I appreciate his friendship more than he knows.”

The NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2006 and a five-time Pro Bowl selection, Tomlinson rushed for 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2008. His play down the stretch was critical in the team capturing its third-straight AFC West title. His three-touchdown performance against Denver in the ’08 regular-season finale catapulted the Chargers in to the playoffs. Tomlinson suffered a groin injury however in the playoffs and was severely limited.

Tomlinson’s NFL career has Hall of Fame written all over it. He’s the only player in league history to start his career with eight-straight seasons of 10-or-more rushing touchdowns and he’s the third to start it with eight-or-more 1,000-yard seasons. He captured the NFL’s MVP Award in ’06 following a record-breaking season, one in which he shattered the NFL marks for points (186), rushing touchdowns (28) and total touchdowns (31), while racking up a career-best 1,815 yards. A year earlier in 2005, Tomlinson tied an NFL record by scoring a touchdown in 18 consecutive games, including a record 14-straight games with a rushing touchdown.

Tomlinson owns or holds a share of 28 team records. The NFL’s 14^th all-time leading rusher with 11,760 yards, he ranks second all-time in NFL rushing touchdowns (126) and he’s tied for fourth in total touchdowns (141).

Tomlinson’s reach in San Diego extends well beyond the football field. The NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2006 for his work in the community, LT and his wife, LaTorsha, are founders of the Tomlinson Touching Lives Foundation. The foundation hosts events throughout the year, including youth football camps in San Diego and Texas, a golf tournament, a Thanksgiving program in which they provide more than 2,100 San Diego families with complete holiday dinners and a Christmas program in which they give away more than 1,500 holiday gifts to the patients at San Diego’s Children’s Hospital and Health Center. At each Chargers’ home game, LT hosts “The 21 Club,” where he invites 21 kids from San Diego youth groups and nonprofit organizations to attend a game. After the game, LT invites the children down to the field where they get a one-on-one visit with their football hero.