Chargers win 38-13

SAN DIEGO (AP)—As good as Philip Rivers was, the San Diego Chargers’ defense was even better.

Rivers threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns and the Chargers forced six turnovers in beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 38-13 in their home opener Sunday.

Chargers rookie running back Ryan Mathews hurt his right ankle in the second quarter and didn’t return. He also fumbled for the second straight game, one of San Diego’s three turnovers.

David Garrard was intercepted four times. The six turnovers tied Jacksonville’s team record and led to 17 points for the Chargers.

The Chargers (1-1) bounced back from an embarrassing 21-14 loss at Kansas City on Monday night. The Jaguars (1-1) regressed following an opening win against Denver.

Rivers threw touchdown passes of 9 and 4 yards to tight end Antonio Gates in the first half, then hit Malcom Floyd(notes) on a 54-yarder in the fourth quarter. Mike Tolbert scored on runs of 2 and 1 yards.

Rivers completed 22 of 29 passes, with two interceptions. It was his 16th career 300-yard day.

Antoine Cason had two interceptions for San Diego while Brandon Siler and Kevin Burnett each had one. Cason also forced a fumble by Mike Sims-Walker that Burnett recovered. Antwan Applewhite forced a fumble by Maurice Jones-Drew that Paul Oliver recovered.

Jacksonville got its only touchdown with 37 seconds to play, a 3-yard pass from Garrard to Sims-Walker. Josh Scobee(notes) kicked field goals of 44 and 48 yards. The first was set up by a fumble by Mathews and the second was set up when Mike Scifres’ punt was blocked by Rashad Jennings.

The Chargers had their miscues, too, but at least managed to find the end zone. Rivers moved San Diego 74 yards in six plays on the game’s first drive, with Tolbert scoring on a 2-yard run.

The second quarter included a dizzying exchange of turnovers, plus the blocked punt. Cason’s second pickoff, of a tipped pass, set up Rivers’ 9-yard TD pass to a wide-open Gates for a 14-3 lead.

After Scobee kicked his second field goal, the Chargers moved 87 yards in eight plays, capped by Gates’ 4-yard TD catch.

Oliver’s fumble recovery set up Nate Kaeding’s 41-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Burnett’s interception set up Tolbert’s 1-yard run early in the fourth. Burnett picked off a wobbly pass that was the result of Siler hitting Garrard.

Garrard made way for backup Luke McCown early in the fourth quarter. He came back, though, after McCown was shaken up.

Chargers Team Report 12-22-09

Source: USA Today

The Chargers haven’t had too many more exciting wins lately than Sunday’s. Not only did Nate Kaeding kick a 52-yard field goal with three seconds left for the margin of victory, but the Chargers clinched their fourth consecutive AFC West title.
The Chargers can enjoy all that — for about 10 minutes.
Thanks to the NFL schedule gurus, they must hop on a plane Thursday and play in Tennessee the following day, Christmas.
“It’s pretty tough, but the great thing about is they are coming off a short week, too,” outside linebacker Shaun Phillips said. “So it makes the playing field even.”
Phillips is among the Chargers nursing various bumps and bruises — although his ankle is in the best shape it has been in weeks.
But he doesn’t discount the toll of playing two such important games so close together.
“It’s always hard from a physical standpoint, playing two games in one week,” said Phillips, the team leader with seven sacks. “I’m pretty sure the fans would love if every team played two times a week. But the reality is it is a tough sport and it is pretty brutal on the body.”
And with the tough Titans waiting, the Chargers know they are in for a demanding test.
The last time the Chargers went to Tennessee, the game resulted in four players being fined $32,500.
“They are a hot football team, they are looking good, and they really can run the ball,” Phillips said. “We are expecting a great matchup with those guys, but we have to go worry about ourselves and worry about our business.”
Coach Norv Turner mentioned how the Chargers will go easy in Monday’s walkthrough and then work hard — but not too hard — over the next days. Getting his players rested is important to Turner, but doesn’t mean as much to Phillips.
“No way — being efficient is what is most important,” Phillips said. “There is no one that is healthy right now in the league, and it is just the nature of the beast. It’s just important to pay attention to the details and keep on practicing at a high intensity, and that transfers over to wins, whether it’s the beginning of the season or the end of the season.”
And it’s what’s after the regular season that continues to drive the Chargers. They are doing everything they can to snag the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC, and that means a committed effort in Nashville.
“Our focus in on the Tennessee Titans and going out and trying to get a first-round bye in the playoffs,” Phillips said. “We understand the importance of it; we are still playing for it a lot, and again it is still a football game, and we play this game to do one thing, and that is to win.”
NOTES, QUOTES
—Coach Norv Turner said Nate Kaeding’s range is as far as 60 yards in the situation the team was in Sunday. Kaeding was true from 52 yards for the win. “When I hit it, I knew it was good,” Kaeding said.
It’s been noticeable that Kaeding has more length on his kickoffs this year. How did he get stronger?
“I can bench maybe 155 instead of 135,” he said.
—The Qualcomm Stadium crowd was off the noise meter Sunday, as loud as anyone could remember. It forced the Bengals into numerous false starts and delay-of-game penalties.
“I’ve never heard it that loud before like it was (Sunday),” Quentin Jammer said. “In eight years as a Charger, it was crazy to hear that. We are going to need that energy in the playoffs, and I hope the fans bring it.”
—Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips is well aware of the task of slowing down the Titans’ Chris Johnson.
“If he gets a little crease, he can go for the distance,” he said.
—Turner said this year’s AFC West title — an unprecedented fourth straight for the organization — is special because of all the injuries that forced the team’s depth to produce.
“This year is different,” he said. “We had so many guys who had to step up.”
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES
—C Scott Mruczkowski won’t play this week after hurting his ankle in Sunday’s win. “Mooch” was to undergo additional tests on his ankle, but he could be out for an extended period.
—C Nick Hardwick, who had ankle surgery after getting hurt in the opener, will try to practice this week. He has yet to return to game action.
—CB Quentin Jammer (knee) could be kept out of some practice snaps this week. He should be OK for Friday’s game.
—DE Jacques Cesaire (elbow) is likely to go this week while wearing a brace.
—WR Vincent Jackson has gone over the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season. The last Chargers wide receiver to do so was Anthony Miller in 1995 and 1996.
REPORT CARD VS. BENGALS
PASSING OFFENSE: B — Philip Rivers wasn’t as sharp as he has been through most of this nine-game winning streak — he threw two picks Sunday, although one came on a tipped pass. But he was Mr. Cool in the final minute when he put the Chargers in position to win the game. Vincent Jackson had his sixth 100-yard receiving game of the season as he continues to emerge as one of the game’s best receivers. Antonio Gates had another stellar game, making moves after the catch that he hadn’t made in years. Rivers got rocked a few times, but he was sacked only twice by an aggressive Bengals front.
RUSHING OFFENSE: C — The Chargers still can’t run the ball, plain and simple. LaDainian Tomlinson did average 3.7 yards a carry and did have a long of 13, but it’s obvious the Chargers no longer look to their running game as a strength. LG Kris Dielman was pretty good on more than a few plays, and veteran C Dennis Norman came in at the last minute and didn’t make a mistake.
PASS DEFENSE: C — Carson Palmer had 314 passing yards and two touchdowns with just one pick. But the Chargers stiffened whenever the Bengals reached the red zone. San Diego didn’t get much of a pass rush, with two sacks coming from Kevin Ellison and Alfonso Boone.
RUSH DEFENSE: C — The Chargers’ defensive weak spot is stopping the running game, and why the Bengals didn’t run more is a mystery. The Bengals rushed for 114 yards but no scores. The Chargers held up pretty well considering the patch-work defensive front.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A — Nate Kaeding’s go-ahead kick from 52 yards out with three seconds remaining was clutch. Same goes for P Mike Scifres pinning the Bengals inside their 5 late in the game. The coverage unit had only one return it would like back. Darren Sproles showed a spark with a 45-yard kickoff return.
COACHING: A — Few gave Norv Turner a shot at another AFC West title when the Chargers were sitting at 2-3 and 3 1/2 games behind the Broncos. But the Chargers claimed another division championship, and Turner deserves much of the credit. He spread the ball around to nearly every inch of the field Sunday; that led to Sproles being open for a critical underneath route to get the game-winning drive going. Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is starting to coach more and more the way Wade Phillips did — bend and don’t break. While the Bengals got their share of yards, they penetrated the red zone four times but had only one touchdown to show for it.

Ochocinco Asking To Go 'Lights Out'

SAN DIEGO — Chad Ochocinco wants to fight Shawne Merriman.

Merriman says that if anything happens Sunday between the two stars, it will be just like his nickname: Lights Out.

Ochocinco, the unpredictable Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, went off on the San Diego Chargers’ outside linebacker during a conference call

with San Diego reporters on Wednesday. The Chargers (10-3) host the Bengals (9-4) on Sunday in San Diego in a meeting of division leaders, with the winner securing a playoff spot.

The two stars ran some smack against each other during a Twitter exchange earlier this year. They apparently have a history going back to 2006 when Ochocinco, then known as Chad Johnson, mockingly did Merriman’s spasmodic “Lights Out” sack dance after scoring against San Diego in a game at Cincinnati. Merriman wasn’t even in the stadium; he was serving a four-game suspension for testing positive for steroids.

Ochocinco went off when asked if their Twitter exchange was in fun.

“I will beat Shawne’s head in, right now,” he said. “It’s not even fun. This is not in fun. This is personal. Bring it on. It is what it is. I think he might be one of the only people I don’t really get along with. I want to fight. I’m not sure how to get the fight on without him suing me.”

How did this happen?

“I don’t know. You just have somebody that, like, you have the itch, you just want to fight? That’s what it’s come to. I just want to fight,” he said.

And when did this start?

“I think back when we played last time,” he continued. “I can’t remember. I don’t know. You know what, I think I copied his dance after I scored, and I think it pissed him off.”

Ochocinco is 6-foot-1, 192 pounds. Merriman is 6-4, 265.

Asked if Merriman would be a tough guy to fight, Ochocinco said: “Tough? Why? That’s not how I look at things. I’ll whoop his ass, right now, like Will Ferrell. Yeah, like in Step Brothers.’”

Merriman sent Ochocino a twitpic of the two players’ faces superimposed over those of actors Ferrell and John C. Reilly in an advertisement for the movie “Step Brothers” with the message “see u sunday.”

“I’m not going to really explain the seriousness of it or where it’s at or how serious it is because we’re a few days away from Sunday,” Merriman said.

What kind of fight would it be?

“It would be a joke, man,” Merriman said. “It’s like a little kid, you hold out your hand and you hold their head and they swing, you know, and they can’t do anything. It’s one of those things.”

Merriman mentioned the 2006 game when Ochocinco did the “Lights Out” dance.

“Coming from him, disrespect,” Merriman said.

The Chargers rallied that day with 42 points in the second half to beat the Bengals 49-41. Ochocinco set a club record with 260 yards and a pair of long touchdowns.

Merriman jokingly wondered if he could play cornerback against Ochocino. The two are sure to meet up sometime on the field.

“I’ll get him at some point,” Merriman said. “It’s going to be a good game all around. I don’t want to make this Ocho’s deal at all because it’s not. He’s just running his mouth, I guess. But because of our position and this opportunity we put ourselves back into, I think it’s going to be a heck of a battle.”

Whatever happens, Merriman said it won’t be serious enough to attract commissioner Roger Goodell’s attention.

“Roger has nothing to worry about in this case. I’ll keep it legal — as possible,” Merriman said.

Earlier this month, Ochocinco was fined $30,000 for briefly donning a mock poncho and a sombrero next to the bench following his touchdown catch during a 23-13 win over the Detroit Lions. That’s $10,000 more than the fine he got for pretending to bribe an official during a game earlier this season.

Playoff Scenarios

Source: SD Tribune

The Chargers clinch their fourth consecutive playoff berth with a victory over (or tie against) the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Or they could lose and still clinch if one of six other combinations occur (See below).

The Chargers clinch the No.2 seed in the AFC and the bye that comes with it by beating the Bengals and having Denver and New England lose or tie.

To clinch the AFC West, the Chargers need Denver to lose against Oakland, or the Chargers could clinch the west with a combination of a win or tie and a Denver tie.

Here are the clinching scenarios:

Chargers win the West: 1. DEN loss 2. SD win or tie + DEN tie

Chargers clinch the No.2 seed: 1. SD win + DEN loss or tie + NE loss or tie

Chargers clinch a playoff spot: 1. SD win or tie 2. NE loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + MIA loss or tie 3. NE loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie 4. MIA loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie 5. MIA loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie + JAC loss or tie 6. MIA loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + JAC loss or tie 7. NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + JAC loss or tie

The Beloved Charger Nation!

Source: Chargers.com

In a poll recently conducted by Sports Illustrated, NFL players were asked which team, other than their own, they’d most like to play for. The Chargers ranked second among the 32 teams as the most desirable team to play for.

With the beaches, sunshine, restaurants, attractions and a winning NFL franchise, San Diego would seem to be the ideal home for a professional football player, and a poll conducted by Sports Illustrated shows that the Chargers are one of the most coveted employers among NFL players.

The magazine recently asked NFL players which team, other than their current team, that they’d most like to play for. The Chargers were the second-most mentioned team, taking 8.5 percent of the votes. Only the Dallas Cowboys (11.1 percent) received more responses.

Chargers players cited many reasons why they think their club is attractive to other players and success on the field was the most frequent factor they cited. Team President Dean Spanos has shown a commitment to winning by consistently making the Chargers one of the highest cash-spending teams in the League and signing key players to long-term contracts.

“In any organization, success starts at the top,” defensive end Luis Castillo said. “The Spanoses are committed to winning and they’ve done the things necessary to help us be successful on the field.”

Since 2004, the Chargers have won 64 games, the third most in the NFL over that period. They’ve won three consecutive AFC West titles and four of the last five, and San Diego has participated in the Divisional round of the playoffs in each of the last three years.

“What we’ve done here the past six years, being a class program, guys want to be a part of that,” wide receiver Vincent Jackson said. “We’ve won a lot of games and we’re a playoff contender every year. I just think we have a real nice aura around us and every player wants to win.”

Linebacker Kevin Burnett, who signed with the Chargers this spring after four years with the Cowboys, cites on-field success as the biggest factor in his decision to come to San Diego.

“They keep winning,” Burnett said. “That’s the most attractive thing. The second thing was that they were giving me an opportunity to play. Those two things should be attractive to any player.”

Style points don’t mean anything on Sundays, but they can reflect how a team is perceived. Since Norv Turner became head coach in 2007, the Chargers have scored the third-most points in the NFL offensively (27 ppg). San Diego is known for its aggressiveness defensively as well with its attacking style. Qarterback Philip Rivers believes players are drawn to the systems.

“On both sides of the ball we have a very fun, exciting, get-after-it scheme,” Rivers said. “Be it a defensive player or offensive player, it’s a very inviting and enjoyable environment to be in. You throw in outside factors like the weather and things, I can see why guys had us on their list of places they’d like to play.”

The Chargers also spoke of the fun personalities that fill their locker room. The players genuinely get along well with each other and enjoy playing together. That’s something that’s discussed with their friends around the league, and it’s something other players want to be a part of.

“You can tell everyone on our team is real close,” offensive tackle Marcus McNeill said. “Guys don’t go home as soon as practice is over. We sit around and talk and play dominoes and stuff. It’s a family atmosphere and I think that’s what you need because when you’re real tight as a team that carries over to the field. San Diego is a great place to play and the Chargers have a lot of great players who are fun to play with.”

Then of course, there’s also that factor that makes San Diego appealing to everyone, not just NFL players, one that is evident by simply stepping out one’s front door.

“Everybody out east and north, they’re practicing in the snow when we’re in 75 and 80 degree weather,” McNeill said. “Where else would you rather be?”

Nwagbuo to IR, sign Antonio Garay

Source: San Diego Tribune

First-year defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo, one of this season's most compelling success stories, has finally succumbed to an ankle injury that has bothered him much of the season.

Nwagbuo was replaced on the active roster by Antonio Garay, a former Chicago Bear who had been out of football and most recently a member of the New York Jets practice squad. He will wear #71.

It is not known when Garay (6-3, 303) will be able to contribute. He did play for the Bears when Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and defensive line coach Don Johnson were there.

Nwagbuo is a Mt. Miguel High School product and was undrafted out of college in 2008. He was out of football, working at a car rental company when he was signed to the Chargers' practice squad last December. He made the roster out of training camp and had played in every game since.

Cromartie Will NOT Be Charged

Source: San Diego Tribune

Charges will not be filed against Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie, who was accused of hitting another man on the head with a champagne bottle in a bar, San Diego police said Thursday.

The case was not sent to the City Attorney’s Office or District Attorney’s Office, said Mónica Muñoz, a San Diego police spokeswoman.

“Based on the investigation, there is no evidence a crime occurred,” the spokeswoman said.

Cromartie was being investigated for suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon in the Nov. 23 incident at Bar West in Pacific Beach where he and other Chargers were celebrating their victory against the Denver Broncos. Witnesses told investigating officers that two tables of patrons were spraying champagne at each other when someone threw the bottle that struck a 24-year-old man in the head, causing minor injuries.

“There is no indication anything was thrown in the bar that night,” Muñoz said.

Police said Thursday that they don’t know how the man in the bar was injured. Police said Cromartie never told them that the bottle slipped from his hand, and that they don’t know where that story came from.

Police said there were many witnesses to the incident but all gave inconsistent statements. Cromartie was interviewed by police as part of the investigation.

In response to the news Thursday, Cromartie said: “I knew I wouldn’t (be charged). I didn’t do anything. I just hate that my name got slandered.”

In a post on Twitter the day after the incident, the player said, “I want to apologize to Charger nation and my fans. There’s sum stuff out abt me that’s not true. It will come out. God Bless.”

Several other players, including linebacker Stephen Cooper, defensive lineman Travis Johnson and running back Darren Sproles were at the bar.

Cooper told the Union-Tribune earlier that nothing happened and that there was no fight. Johnson termed the incident as “foolishness” and said Cromartie had nothing to do with it.

Game Preview: Chargers vs. Browns

Source: CBS Sports

The San Diego Chargers continue to roll over opponents. A Cleveland Browns team that owns one of the NFL's worst defenses could have a difficult time slowing them down.

The AFC West-leading Chargers look to win their 15th straight December game Sunday when they face the injury-plagued Browns, who will try to avoid their 10th consecutive home loss.

San Diego (8-3) won its sixth in a row last week, 43-14 over Kansas City to regain a one-game lead over Denver in the division.

The Chargers, who posted their highest point total since a 48-29 victory over the New York Jets last Sept. 22, scored four of their five touchdowns off turnovers.

Quentin Jammer picked off a pass and forced a fumble, Brandon Siler and Larry English recovered fumbles, and safety Paul Oliver grabbed a fumble out of the air from Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassell and ran it in from 40 yards.

"We put the offense in good field position and really helped them out every way we could. It was a close game for the first half, but then the turnovers took over and we capitalized on all of them," Oliver said.

Oliver's play came 20 seconds after Philip Rivers found Antonio Gates for a 15-yard touchdown following Siler's fumble recovery.

Rivers, who threw for 317 yards and two TDs - both to Gates - completed 69.9 percent of his passes for 12 TDs and three interceptions as the Chargers won their last six games by an average of 17.5 points.

He will try to lead San Diego its first seven-game winning streak since it went 10-0 to finish the 2006 regular season.

Since a 23-7 loss to Denver on Dec. 31, 2005, San Diego has gone 14-0 in December.

Although his team will face a Browns defense that is giving up more than 393.0 yards and 25.0 points per game, coach Norv Turner doesn't want the Chargers to look past Sunday with contests against Dallas, Cincinnati and Tennessee coming up.

"We go to Cleveland, it's going to be a challenge for us," Turner said. "You look at our schedule over the next five games, we play good football teams that are doing the same thing we're doing, trying to make the playoffs."

With six straight losses, Cleveland (1-10) has no postseason hopes. The Browns, tied for the league's worst record, lost 16-7 at Cincinnati on Sunday and will now be trying avoid a 10th consecutive home defeat.

Brady Quinn went 15 of 34 for 100 yards as the Browns scored seven points or fewer for the seventh time this season. Cleveland's defense wasn't any better, surrendering 306 yards - 210 on the ground.

Things only got worse with the loss of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, one of the team's best run stoppers. Rogers was carted off in the final minutes with an undisclosed leg injury last week and went on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season.

Ahtyba Rubin, a sixth-round draft pick in 2008, is expected to take his place.

"It's a great opportunity," Rubin said. "It's unfortunate it happened to a great person like Big Baby and I just look forward to getting out there on Sundays and proving myself. It's big shoes to fill."

Rogers' absence could benefit Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who looks to move up another two spots on the all-time rushing list.

Tomlinson ran for 39 yards Sunday, moving past Marcus Allen and Edgerrin James for 10th place with 12,257. He needs 23 yards to pass Marshall Faulk for ninth and 56 to overtake Jim Brown for eighth.

Cleveland is ranked 29th in rush defense, allowing 159.9 yards per game.

The Browns suffered several other key injuries. Leading rusher Jamal Lewis is out with an unspecified head injury that could jeopardize his career.

Coach Eric Mangini will also have to find a replacement for starting safety Brodney Pool, who suffered his fourth career concussion Sunday. Pool has not been placed on injured reserve, but his season and career could be over.

Chargers safety Eric Weddle may be sidelined for two weeks or more with a sprained knee, while linebacker Shawne Merriman is questionable after leaving Sunday's game in the second quarter with a foot injury.

San Diego has won three straight over the Browns since a 20-16 loss in Cleveland on Oct. 7, 2001.

Chargers sign Harris and Jones

Source: Chargers.com

Former Chargers linebacker Marques Harris rejoined the team Tuesday, and the Chargers also added Derrick Jones to the practice squad.

The Chargers have signed linebacker Marques Harris. To make room for Harris, San Diego waived tackle Corey Clark.

Harris (6-1, 245), began his career with the Chargers in 2005 as an undrafted free agent. Over four seasons (2005-08), Harris played in 56 games and recorded 75 tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He also was credited with 22 tackles on special teams.

Harris signed with the San Francisco 49ers in May 2009 and was released Oct. 27. He will wear No. 58 for the Chargers.

The Chargers also signed defensive end Derrick Jones to the practice squad. Jones, 6-4, 315 from Grand Valley State, originally came to the NFL in 2007 as an undrafted rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Atlanta Falcons signed him to their practice squad in Oct. 2007 and he was promoted to their active roster for the ’07 season finale. In Dec. 2008, Johnson was signed to Tennessee’s practice squad. He went to training camp with the Buffalo Bills in 2009 and was released before the regular season started. He spent three weeks on the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad in October.

To make room for Jones on the practice squad, the team waived linebacker Jeremy Leman.

Chargers Dominate Chiefs To Win Six Straight

SAN DIEGO – One of the all-time great Chargers games, it was not. And none of the Chargers – past or present – much cared.

To a recharged team suddenly blazing the path to another division title and the postseason, this was one of those games on the schedule that you just want to get behind you, the game you’re expected to win big and don’t even dare to let get close. And so it was as the Chargers hammered the overmatched (and often discombobulated) Kansas City Chiefs, 43-14, for San Diego’s sixth straight victory.

Only a few minutes into the second half, it was already 35-7, Chargers. Done deal.

Next stop, December, a month in which the Chargers haven’t lost their last 14 games.

It was the Chargers’ last game of their 50th season against one of the original American Football League franchises. Assembled for the occasion were 44 of those named to the Chargers’ all-time team of 50, including 85-year-old Don Coryell, who made an appearance on the arms of Dan Fouts and John Jefferson.

Those two, and so many of the others wearing their old jerseys in pre-game festivities, helped perpetuate the Chargers’ lifelong identity as the most pass-minded team in pro football history and their reputation for high-scoring games.

Carrying on the tradition yesteryear were quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates, who connected on seven passes, two for touchdowns and another that drew a pass-interference call in the end zone. Rivers completed 21 of 28 passes for 317 yards, eventually giving way to backup Billy Volek for the first time this season.

LaDainian Tomlinson also scored twice, and over the course of the afternoon, he moved past Lincoln High product Marcus Allen and Edgerrin James into 10th place on the NFL’s all-time rushing list.

Tomlinson had the crowd chanting his name in the fourth quarter, and with a second-and-goal at the 1-yard line, head coach Norv Turner responded by sending Tomlinson back onto the field. Tomlinson had a path to the end zone, too, but committed a rare fumble before crossing the goal line.

Otherwise, the Chiefs were the ones giving away free stuff, committing three lost fumbles and an interception. Beleaguered quarterback Matt Cassel also was hit in the end zone for a safety.

Kansas City acted sort of like the woebegone team that gets invited to play in all the opposing teams’ homecoming games. Indeed, at times, the game became more of a celebration than competition.

With the Chargers leading 35-14, Nate Kaeding was given the chance for a 55-yard field goal, and he hit it for the longest three-pointer he’s ever kicked at Qualcomm Stadium. Kaeding, who added a 23-yard field goal to make it 43-14, had a 57-yarder at Tampa Bay last year.

Kaeding’s one of 11 current Chargers on the all-time team, all of whom were introduced before the opening kickoff. So is cornerback Quentin Jammer, who brought the Chargers out of some early-game malaise with an interception, sparking the blowout.

Continuing their trend of getting trickier as the season goes on, the Chargers used the “Wildcat” for a 5-yard gain and first down by Tomlinson, then a reverse to wide receiver Vincent Jackson that went for 12 yards and another first. Tight end Gates created his own razzle-dazzle, however, with a one-handed grab of Rivers' pass over the middle for a 19-yard touchdown.

The natural thought that the Chargers were now on their way was quickly dispelled by the Chiefs’ game-tying, 91-yard drive in the early second quarter. More discouraging to the Chargers was the fact that three Cassel passes in the march were caught by Chris Chambers, who was released by San Diego last month and since has been one of the league’s most impressive receivers. On third-and-four at the San Diego 7, Chambers accepted a short pass and headed for the corner, twisting his way into the end zone while in the grasp of Antonio Cromartie.

The Chargers insist that Chambers was cut largely because of the improvement shown by Malcom Floyd, and almost as if making a statement, Floyd soon was sent deep for what became a 53-yard connection from Rivers. Floyd landed a yard short of the end zone, leaving enough space for Tomlinson to add another TD to his long ledger.

Only a few minutes later, Tomlinson would get the chance to move past Edgerrin James on the list of all-time rushers, courtesy of the Chargers defense. Jammer stripped the ball from Jamaal Charles for a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Brandon Siler.

Proving much more problematic for the Chiefs was Gates, who was remarkably open when receiving the three passes that made it 21-7, the scoring play a 15-yarder he caught just outside the goal line.

And then it was open season on Cassel. On a safety blitz, Paul Oliver was right there for the catch (between his knees) when an untouched Cassel let the ball slip out of his hand. Oliver cruised 40 yards with the fumble recovery, spotting the Chargers to a three-TD lead before halftime.

Chargers Thundering Into Denver

SAN DIEGO — What a difference a month makes.

When the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos were last on the field together a month agoat Qualcomm Stadium, it appeared the AFC West race was all but settled.

The Broncos defeated the Chargers 34-23 on Monday Night Football to take a 3½-game lead in the division race. Denver left that game undefeated at 6-0, and the Chargers had fallen to 2-3.

But never say never with San Diego, which now owns the same 6-3 mark as Denver atop the AFC West.

"It's like déjà vu, isn't it?" Chargers tight end Antonio Gates says, referring to the showdown in Denver on Sunday. "It's like every time we play Denver, it means more than one game. We'll be fired up."

The reversal of fortunes for these teams smacks of the turn of events late last season, when the Broncos collapsed down the stretch and became the first team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to blow a three-game division lead with three games to play, allowing San Diego to claim the division crown.

That meltdown seemed so unlikely to be repeated. Denver, with a rebuilt defense and new coach Josh McDaniels, started 6-0.

Yet here we are again. A Broncos collapse has coincided with a Chargers rally. "It's resiliency," Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie says.

The Chargers seemingly thrive on beating such long odds. They entered December last season left for dead at 4-8. In 2007, during Norv Turner's first season as coach, they started 1-3 before winning the division and advancing to the AFC title game.

Now this.

"We've been in this situation before, so it's not anything new to us," linebacker Shawne Merriman says. "You hate to start off the season the way we start off sometimes, but when your back's against the wall, we've shown we can go out and perform."

Turner praises the character and talent he's working with, but maintains that the early season struggles in each of his campaigns were unique in each case.

Two years ago, he actually projected a slow start as the team was adjusting to a new staff and system. Last season, they started 0-2, losing on the final play against the Carolina Panthers in the opener and the following week falling victim to referee Ed Hochuli's erroneous ruling that an apparent fumble by Denver quarterback Jay Cutler in the final minute was an incompletion.

This time, Turner points to injuries as the key factor. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, nose tackle Jamal Williams and center Nick Hardwick were among five players injured in the season-opening victory at the Oakland Raiders. Williams, anchor of the 3-4 front, was lost for the season with a torn triceps. Hardwick hasn't returned from an ankle injury.

Tomlinson missed two games with a sprained ankle, and Turner saw his performance in Sunday's 31-23 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles (24 rushes for 96 yards and two TDs) as a sign that he's healthy again.

"We were beat up and banged up," Turner says. "We played that first month with guys on the offensive and defensive lines who were just feeling their way and learning how to play in this league."

Merriman's gradual return to form, after missing virtually all of last season with torn knee ligaments, also has been a boost for the defense.

Says Turner: "Merriman is a lot healthier than he was in September. He and (linebacker) Shaun Phillips, the month they've had, they've been on a tear."

San Diego's defense was on the field for 71 snaps and allowed 462 yards against the Eagles, but three times forced them to settle for short field goals when backed up in the red zone. A week earlier, the unit kept the New York Giants from scoring a game-clinching touchdown late in the fourth quarter, forcing a field goal. That allowed quarterback Philip Rivers to lead a game-winning 80-yard drive in the final minutes that was capped with an 18-yard scoring pass to Vincent Jackson.

"Right now, we're on the cusp of being a good defense," inside linebacker Kevin Burnett says. "We can talk about being great later. If we can be consistent and then put together a string of victories — six, seven, eight in a row — then you can say we're a good defense."

The Chargers know all about winning streaks.

They won five in a row last season before an AFC divisional playoff loss at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Two seasons ago, they took an eight-game streak into the AFC title game. In 2006, they closed the regular season with a 10-game winning streak before a playoff-opening loss that cost Marty Schottenheimer his job as Turner's predecessor.

"We know how to rally," cornerback Quentin Jammer says. "When we put our minds to it, we know how to get it done as a team."

They'll soon get another chance to prove that to the Broncos.

Chargers Win! Denver Doesn't!

SIGN ON SAN DIEGO.COM – Little more than 3½ weeks ago, they were 3½ games out of first place. They had all sorts of defensive shortcomings, no running game to speak of and no reason to think LaDainian Tomlinson would be able to bring it back to life.

Catch the Denver Broncos? Again?

Puh-lease.

Four games and four wins later, almost unfathomably, the Chargers already have climbed back alongside Denver atop the AFC West Division. Withstanding a full-scale passing assault by Donovan McNabb, the Chargers on Sunday pulled out a 31-23 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, drawing even with the Broncos at 6-3. As these things happen, of course, the Chargers play at Denver next Sunday.

The game was witnessed by 68,879, the third-largest crowd to ever see the Chargers play at home, and a considerable number of those in attendance came across country to see McNabb shred the Chargers’ defense. And he did. To a point.

Thwarted time and again by San Diego when getting in close through the first three quarters – by which time the Chargers led 28-9 on the strength of two Tomlinson touchdowns – McNabb passed the Eagles to two scores to make things interesting. He finished with 450 yards passing.

Philip Rivers showed some mastery of his own, though, killing enough time off the clock en route to a Nate Kaeding field goal with 30 seconds to play. The game ended with Antonio Cromartie intercepting McNabb's desperation pass in the end zone.

Even before kickoff, the Chargers knew they had first place within their grasp, no small thing to a team that began the season 2-3 and already 3½ games behind the then-unbeaten Denver Broncos. In an earlier game Sunday, the Broncos were upset at Washington, dropping the Broncos to 6-3 with their third straight loss.

The Eagles gave the Chargers a nice little gift in the game’s early going, too, Sav Rocca squibbing his first punt for just 30 yards to set up San Diego at the Eagles’ 40. The Chargers covered half the distance, including a 10-yard gain by receiver Legedu Naanee on a direct snap from “wildcat” formation, before Rivers hit fullback Mike Tolbert with a quick pass over the middle and the 20-yard touchdown.

As they did last week in a road defeat of the New York Giants, the Chargers were particularly effective in first-down defense, forcing the Eagles to the air. Not all of the passing was done by McNabb, either. Michael Vick made his first appearance of the game late in the first quarter, throwing a second-and-eight pass well downfield to DeSean Jackson, who dropped the ball and turned an ankle in the process.

San Diego maintained the 7-0 lead into the second quarter and immediately went to work building on it, running all sorts of different stuff at Philadelphia’s flyaround defense. Tomlinson took the wildcat for five yards, and with a six–yard gain two plays later, he passed Thurman Thomas (12,074 yards) into 13th place on the all-time rushing list.

Before the drive was over, Tomlinson had tied local product Marcus Allen in third place on the all-time touchdown list with his 145th, a five-yard bolt up the middle.

A 14-0 lead’s nothing against a multiskilled offense like Philadelphia’s, though, and McNabb quickly passed the Eagles downfield. A pass interference call on Quentin Jammer in the end zone gave the Eagles a first-and-goal at the one-yard line. They would get no closer.

Inside linebackers Kevin Burnett and Brandon Siler combined to stuff a first-down dive. McNabb resorted to a bootleg play, but tight end Brent Celek was too well covered in the back corner of the end zone and McNabb effectively threw it away.

On third down, running back Edra Buckley was stopped cold by defensive linemen Ian Scott and Alfonso Boone, whereupon inside linebacker Stephen Cooper took a few steps toward the Philadelphia bench and challenged the Eagles to try it again on fourth. Not biting, head coach Andy Reid sent on the field-goal unit, and it was 14-3.

Likewise, McNabb guided the Eagles on another promising drive on its next possession, only to come away with another David Akers field goal of 25 yards eight seconds before intermission.

While momentum seemed to be flipping over to the Eagles, they continued to hurt themselves with penalties in the third quarter. A 34-yard reception by Jeremy Maclin was negated by his own pass-interference infraction, and a 10-yard gain by Tomlinson was extended by an unnecessary–roughness call.

Not that Tomlinson needed the help. He was running like the L.T. of old – 24 carries for 96 yards – and continuing to pass some old legends in the process.

Breaking through the right side and capitalizing on the blocks of guard Kris Dielman and Brandon Manumaleuna, Tomlinson went 20 yards for the TD that pushed him ahead of Marcus Allen on the TD list, leaving him behind only Jerry Rice (208) and Tomlinson idol Emmitt Smith (175). At the same time, he surpassed Franco Harris (12,130) in rushing yards.

Qualcomm Stadium was seemingly half-full of fans wearing Eagles colors. To be sure, they were booing like true Philadelphians, especially when Reid chose yet again to take an Akers field goal instead of a chance on fourth-and-one at the San Diego seven-yard line.

Three-pointers indeed weren’t going to cut it after the Chargers made it 28-9 with their next drive, triggered by Darren Sproles’ kickoff return to the 41-yard line. Rivers connected on four straight passes, the last one a 20-yarder to Naanee, wide open and waiting just inside the backline of the end zone.

The rest of the game, virtually the entire fourth quarter, was basically spent watching the clock and McNabb completing pass after pass. Two of them were caught in the end zone.

McNabb found Maclin uncovered for a five-yard score. When he hit Celek for an 11-yard TD with 7:12 remaining, pulling the Eagles to within a touchdown of winning, McNabb had completed 33 of 50 attempts for 418 yards.

Possible Stadium In Downtown San Diego

And the new front-runner for a new home for the San Diego Chargers is ... San Diego? The city, which had mostly left new stadium talks to various suburban towns the last few years, this week jumped back in with both feet, proposing a $1 billion NFL stadium near the Padres' Petco Park that would be paid for, well, they'll get back to us on that. Redevelopment of the Chargers' current stadium site could pay for part of it — insert the usual caveats about the value of development rights in 2009 California here — and while the San Diego Union Tribune reports that the potential site is within the city's downtown redevelopment area, which could allow for tax increment financing, where property tax dollars are kicked back to pay for construction costs.

The Union Trib wasted no time in declaring itself thrilled by the prospect of a new stadium, which would apparently be "gleaming." It also left no doubt about the reason behind San Diego's sudden revival of interest in wooing the Chargers:

[R]epresentatives of [Ed] Roski's real estate company have made it clear that if a stadium is built [in Industry], the Chargers will be among the NFL franchises they will woo.

The Chargers are an asset to this region on many levels, and not just for football fans. It would be a painful loss if the team ultimately accepted the promise of greater revenue from a 21st-century stadium in L.A. or elsewhere.

Right on cue. If this keeps up, Roski should demand a cut of all the new stadium subsidies he generates for the NFL in other cities.

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.

Bolts' improving coaching staff

Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

The Chargers are down to two vacancies on their coaching staff after the team reached agreements with two more assistant coaches Wednesday.

Former All-Pro cornerback Cris Dishman, who spent the 2008 offseason with the Chargers through the NFL’s Minority Coaching Fellowship, will assist newly-hired secondary coach Steve Wilks.

Greg Williams, who was most recently a graduate assistant at the University of Pittsburgh, agreed to terms to become the Chargers’ assistant linebackers coach.

Dishman played 13 seasons in the NFL and was named to two Pro Bowls. He began his career with the Houston Oilers, played for Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner with the Washington Redskins and played one season each with the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings.

Since 2006, Dishman has been on the staff at Menlo College in the Bay Area where he’s served as defensive backs coach and most recently as defensive coordinator.

Williams comes to the Bolts after one season at the University of Pittsburgh, where he’s worked under former Turner colleague Dave Wanndstedt. Williams was a four-year letterman at the University of North Carolina and attended training camp with the Chicago Bears in 1998. Chargers Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera was a Bears assistant at the time.

Williams has also spent time at Arkansas Tech University, DuPage College and Arizona State. He played professionally in NFL Europe, the XFL and the Arena Football League.

With four hires in the last two days, Turner still has two open positions on his coaching staff. He’s in the process of hiring a tight ends coach and an assistant offensive line coach.

City of San Diego suing the Chargers?

Source: Associated Press

SAN DIEGO (AP)—The city of San Diego expects to quickly settle a breach-of-contract suit it filed against the Chargers, which claims the team owes the city more than $170,000 for use of Qualcomm Stadium in 2004.

City attorney Jan Goldsmith, who was elected in November, said the suit was filed just days before the four-year statute of limitations expired. Goldsmith said the matter should have been handled years ago.

“The Chargers sent over a lot of information a long time ago and the city should have gone through it and talked about it,” Goldsmith said Wednesday. “We should have talked about this years ago. The fact that we didn’t, it’s not the end of the world. We’ll sit down, we’ll deal with it. We haven’t even served the complaint. It will be resolved, no doubt about it.”

According to the lawsuit, the team underpaid the city by $125,795 in 2004 as a result of the Chargers claiming skybox rent credits that were previously disallowed by the city for the 1996 through 2000 seasons. The city is also seeking more than $44,000 in accrued interest.

Chargers head to Pittsburgh

We already know this is going to be a fight between two of the most physical teams in the NFL.

They battled Nov. 16 and the defenses were so stingy that Tomlinson scored the only touchdown and the Chargers still lost. The score ended up a paltry 11-10, the first time that score had ever been recorded in the NFL.

According to weather.com, the temperature in Pittsburgh will vary from a low of 20 degrees to a high of 23, with a 30 percent chance of snow. The last game was a chilly, snowy night, and this one looks to be no different.

This part of the season, teams need to have a steady running game to stay competitive, but after RB Darren Sproles took a beating against the Colts over the weekend, it looks like the Bolts' running game will be in the hands of ex-Viking, Chief, and Buccaneer Michael Bennett. There is a possibility Sproles will be able to play extensively, but nowhere near his thirty-plus touches of the last game.

LT isn't even in the equation for the Chargers, because if they plan on getting past the Steelers, they'll need to rest him up in order to heal whatever is wrong—his groin, whether it's a tear or pull.

The Steelers have a bevy of healthy, well-rested runningbacks ready to play, but have a busted quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. He is expected to play despite suffering a concussion in the final game of the season against the Browns. The two offenses are completely opposite, though both teams have strong defenses that never give up.

Rivers. Pro Bowl snub.

Threw for a franchise record 34 touchdowns, leading the NFL in touchdown's and quarterback rating, 105.5. In the Chargers last game in Pittsburgh, Rivers threw for two interceptions, but that was before the team got hot and won five in a row.

Rivers most likely won't have a running game to keep the offense honest, so he'll have to sling it more than usual. But there is the possibility Sproles will be available for screens—though highly ineffective against the quick Steeler defense.

In order for Rivers to be efficient, the offensive line has to deal with the likes of LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison, a two-time Pro Bowler. These two linebackers combined for 27.5 sacks this season, and don't miss tackles often.

With the Steelers defense applying pressure, their maverick can fly all over the field making plays, whether it's the run or the pass: Troy Polamalu, No. 43, the one with the hair.

Polamalu ended the regular season with seven interceptions, a career best and has been voted to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. He is often the eighth man in the box, pulling back into coverage during pass plays and generally disrupting any offense that takes the field.

He is the key cog in the defense when it comes to stopping Philip Rivers on Sunday, as he can be deceiving when positioning himself before a play starts. The Steelers' defensive scheme uses Polamalu a lot in blitzes and stunts, made simply to confound quarterbacks and give the linebackers time to get to said QB.

If Rivers can connect with one of his tallest receivers (either Vincent Jackson or Legedu Naanee) consistenly underneath Polamalu's coverage, he may have a chance to hit a wide open Chris Chambers on the sideline or TE Antonio Gates down the seam.

Chargers dominate Colts in overtime!

SAN DIEGO — Peyton Manning has his MVP award and nothing more, outdone again in January by the San Diego Chargers.

Speedy little Darren Sproles scooted 22 yards for the winning score 6:20 into overtime and the Chargers beat the Colts 23-17 in an AFC wild-card game Saturday night, ending Indianapolis' nine-game winning streak a day after Manning won his third Associated Press NFL MVP award.

Sproles came up big on a night when the Chargers played the final 2 1/2 quarters without LaDainian Tomlinson, who stood on the sideline in obvious discomfort from a groin injury.

Fifty years after the Baltimore Colts won the first overtime game in league history by the same score over the New York Giants for the NFL title, Indianapolis wasn't so fortunate. It was victimized by Sproles, who rushed 23 times for 105 yards, caught five passes for 45 yards, had 106 yards on four kickoff returns and 72 on three punt runbacks.

The Chargers (9-8) won the overtime toss. Indy's Darrell Reid called heads, but referee Ron Winter's flip came up tails. Sproles sent the Chargers into the second round of the playoffs, either at Tennessee or Pittsburgh, by finishing off the only series of overtime with his TD run around left end against an exhausted defense for the Colts (12-5).

It was the 25th overtime game in the postseason, including one game in the AFL. The last overtime game in the playoffs was last season's NFC title game, won by the New York Giants and Manning's little brother, Eli, against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers.

No more Shanahanigans!

The longtime face of the Denver Broncos will change.

The team announced on Tuesday that Mike Shanahan has been fired and will relinquish his duties as head coach and executive vice president of football operations.

In a statement, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said: "After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned.

Shanahan has coached the Broncos since 1995 and won back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. But Denver has not made the playoffs in the last three years.

The Broncos collapsed this season, finishing 8-8 after having a three-game lead in the division. With the AFC West title on the line, the Broncos were routed by the Chargers 52-21 on Sunday.

"I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time," Bowlen said. "His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history."

Bowlen said that the team will hold a news conference on Wednesday morning to make the announcement, and Shanahan will speak shortly thereafter.

As for Charger fans, a sigh of relief should be given. Anything that could possibly put a divison rival in disarray is always welcome.

Chargers unveil code of conduct for fans

SAN DIEGO – 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.
The rules, which go into effect at Saturday's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys, will extend to all events that are held at the stadium year-round.“There's a very small percentage of folks who come to events and create problems for those who want to enjoy the game,” said stadium manager Mike McSweeney during a news conference Wednesday.
The fan code of conduct was first started in 2006 and has expanded with stricter policies on alcohol and tailgating.
Some new policies for the upcoming season are:
Fans will be limited to two drinks per purchase until the start of the third quarter. After that, a one-drink limit per transaction goes into effect. No alcohol will be sold in the fourth quarter.
Alcohol sales during the Dec. 4 Oakland Raiders game will cease after the first half.
Fans without pre-paid parking permits will be allowed into the parking lot four hours before kickoff. Those with permits will still have access five hours before the start of the game.
Fans will be able to use cell phones to text security officers for assistance during the game if they encounter problems. Details of the text system will be released when it becomes available.
Alcohol management teams will monitor fans inside the stadium and kick people out who they deem are drunk.
San Diego police Lt. Dan Christman said fans can also expect a greater police presence in the parking lot before games and at stadium gates.
More DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols are planned in the area on game days.
Last year, an average of 15 people were arrested per home game, Christman said, and another 45 were asked to leave the stadium by police for breaking the rules.
Officials warned that those who misbehave also risk losing their season tickets.
Over the last two years, the Chargers revoked the season tickets of about 700 fans for violating the code of conduct. Those offenders also lost privileges to buy future season tickets, said Jim Steeg, the team's chief operating officer.
“The fans asked us to take action against the small portion who continue to be inconsiderate to others,” Steeg said.
Officials plan to educate the public about the new behavior policies through JumboTron messages, fliers and on stadium signs. The new rules have also been outlined in letters mailed to about 62,000 season ticket holders this week.