NFL FanHouse

Terrence Kiel, Talented NFL Player Derailed by Off-Field Trouble, Dies at 27

Michael David Smith — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:14:00 EST

Former San Diego Chargers safety Terrence Kiel, whose off-field problems prevented his enormous talent from coming to fruition, has died in a car crash at age 27.

Kiel was reportedly driving alone after leaving a party at about 10:15 Friday night when his car hit a wall, ejecting him from the vehicle. He died about an hour later. A police spokesman said friends had tried to keep Kiel from driving home from the party, and witnesses told police he appeared to be driving in the wrong direction when he crashed.

Kiel was a four-year starter at Texas A&M and a second-round pick of the Chargers in 2003. Three months after he was drafted, Kiel was shot three times in an attempted carjacking, but he made a complete recovery and played all 16 games as a rookie. During the 2006 season DEA agents showed up at the Chargers' headquarters to arrest Kiel for shipping prescription cough syrup to Texas as part of an effort to distribute a drink known as "lean," which mixes soft drinks with codeine cough syrup.

The Chargers released Kiel after he pleaded guilty to that charge, and he never played in the NFL again.

Terrence Kiel, Talented NFL Player Derailed by Off-Field Trouble, Dies at 27 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hey, San Diego Chargers Defense: Vikings' Adrian Peterson Thinks You're a Joke

Michael David Smith — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:46:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Vikings, Minnesota, San Diego

The best trash talkers in sports, from Muhammad Ali to Joe Namath to the Fab Five to Deion Sanders, have always had two qualities:

1. They're funny.
2. They can back it up on the field.

By those two standards, it appears that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson may be developing into a great trash talker.

This week he was asked to name the toughest defense he had faced, and he answered, the San Diego Chargers. And then he added, "That was a joke."

Peterson, of course, ran for an NFL record 296 yards against the Chargers last season, and he drew a laugh with that comment. Somehow I'm guessing players on the Chargers won't find it funny.

Hey, San Diego Chargers Defense: Vikings' Adrian Peterson Thinks You're a Joke originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lions' Gosder Cherilus, Chargers' DeJuan Tribble Each Get 1 Year Probation

Michael David Smith — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Lions, Detroit, NFL Police Blotter, San Diego

Detroit Lions rookie Gosder Cherilus and San Diego Chargers rookie DeJuan Tribble were both ordered to serve one year of pretrial probation yesterday in connection with an incident that happened last year when they were Boston College teammates.

Cherilus and Tribble were both charged with assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with a fight at a bar. Cherilus, who was the Lions' first-round draft pick, was ordered to pay $52,000 in medical bills for a man who was injured in the fight; it's not clear whether he was ordered to pay the bills because he was more culpable than Tribble or because he will make significantly more money than Tribble, who was a sixth-round pick.

For the Lions, this news is particularly embarrassing coming on the heels of the revelation that second-round pick Jordan Dizon was arrested for drunk driving just before the draft. When your players are losers on the field and trouble-makers off it, that's not a good combination.

Lions' Gosder Cherilus, Chargers' DeJuan Tribble Each Get 1 Year Probation originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ex-San Diego Charger Shane Olivea 'Partied Himself Out of the League'

Michael David Smith — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:27:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, San Diego

Former Chargers offensive tackle Shane Olivea, a free agent who once looked like one of the league's most promising offensive linemen, is currently without a team. Even if he signs with a team, he can't play until he serves a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

And although the league doesn't give specifics about past indiscretions, it's clear that whatever triggered this four-game suspension isn't the first time Olivea screwed up. Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports:

All the Chargers would say when they released him in February was that Olivea had seemed to lose his motivation. But those around the team have known for some time that Olivea partied himself out of the league.

Acee also reports that Olivea is getting help. I hope it works. Olivea is only 26 years old and still has talent, even if, so far, that talent has gone to waste.

Athletes Partying

Matt Leinart

TheDirty.com

Vince Young

Blogxilla.com

Reggie Miller

DonChavez.com

Eli Manning

DrunkAthlete.com

Michael Jordan

Lioninoil.blogspot.com

Tim Tebow

EveryDayShouldBeSaturday.com

Kyle Orton

DrunkAthlete.com

Chris Berman

Deadspin.com/trusesportsfans

Jimmy Johnson

DrunkAthlete.com

Greg Oden

DrunkAthlete.com

Report: Ex-San Diego Charger Shane Olivea 'Partied Himself Out of the League' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:27:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shane Olivea Has Signed With a Team, We Don't Know Which Team, It's Not the 49ers

Michael David Smith — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:41:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Chargers, NFL Free Agency, San Diego, San Francisco

There was a time when Shane Olivea looked like one of the most talented young offensive linemen in the NFL. That time has passed.

After the Chargers took him in the seventh round of the draft, Olivea started all 16 games on one of the best lines in the league as a rookie in 2004, and he was still a solid starter in 2005 and 2006. But last year he struggled and got benched, and this year he was sent packing.

He's now an unrestricted free agent, except that he has apparently already agreed to terms with some NFL team. The Press Democrat reports:

The 49ers have inquired about some possible veteran free-agent pickups. They asked about Shane Olivea recently, but were told that Olivea has already agreed to terms with another club. Olivea, who lost his starting job and fell out of favor with the Chargers, is expected to sign with that team in June.

It's unusual for a player to agree to terms with a team but not sign with that team, but Olivea has apparently decided his best fit is on a team that needs to clear some salary cap space. Which team could that be? Josh Alper speculates at PFT that it could be Baltimore, Carolina, Denver, Detroit or Oakland. Right now it's anyone's guess.

Shane Olivea Has Signed With a Team, We Don't Know Which Team, It's Not the 49ers originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 27 May 2008 14:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chargers' Kassim Osgood Skips Practices

Michael David Smith — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:11:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, San Diego

Kassim Osgood, the San Diego Chargers wide receiver who is one of the best special teams players in the league, is skipping the Chargers' voluntary off-season practices because he's sick of only playing special teams.

The first of what the Chargers call "off-season coaching sessions" was Monday, and Osgood was the only player to stay home without first clearing it with the team. Osgood has long said that he should play wide receiver, not just special teams coverage, but the Chargers' coaches have never given him that chance.

Chargers coach Norv Turner doesn't sound too disappointed that Osgood is staying home:

"When everyone is here there is something special with that," head coach Norv Turner said after the two-hour practice. "Everyone talks about the talent of this team. The strength of this team is the feelings they have for each other and all they've been through the last five years. Kassim is not going to lose that. But building that is what he's missing."

It's a little surprising that Turner won't give Osgood a chance on offense, seeing as he's a talented athlete and the Chargers don't have a great receiving corps, but it's clear that as long as he's a Charger, Osgood will play special teams. And he won't be happy about it.

Chargers' Kassim Osgood Skips Practices originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 20 May 2008 07:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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27. San Diego Chargers Take Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona in NFL Draft

Michael David Smith — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:09:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, NFL Draft, San Diego

There was a clear consensus on the top four cornerbacks in this year's draft, but who's No. 5? The Chargers' front office thinks it's Antoine Cason, whom they selected with the 27th pick in today's draft.

The people who like Cason point to three things that make him worthy of being a first-round pick: He has good ball skills, he can return punts, and he's a high-character guy. I don't disagree with any of those things, but I still have my doubts that he was worthy of being chosen this highly. I'm just not convinced Cason is good enough in coverage to stick with NFL wide receivers.

27. San Diego Chargers Take Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona in NFL Draft originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Apr 2008 18:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chargers' Shawne Merriman Denies Rumors of Failed Drug Test

Michael David Smith — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, San Diego, PEDs

Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports today that there's a rumor making the rounds that Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman failed a drug test.

So Acee followed up on the rumor and asked Merriman whether it's true. Merriman says it isn't.

"I would know, if anybody," Merriman said. "If I failed a drug test or steroids test I'd be the first one to know about it. And after it being leaked the first time, I don't think someone would be holding back the results this time."

When Merriman says "the last time," he's referring to 2006, when he tested positive for steroids and was suspended four games.

This time, however, Acee asked Merriman if there was any chance the rumor Acee heard would turn out to be true, and Merriman answered, "Zero. None."

Hat tip: Pro Football Talk.

Chargers' Shawne Merriman Denies Rumors of Failed Drug Test originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FanHouse Mock Draft: San Diego Chargers Select Gosder Cherilus No. 27

Sportz Assassin — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, AFC West, NFL Draft, San Diego

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

The Chargers are one of those teams that doesn't have any glaring needs and who will use the draft to add depth to this year's team and long term stability. San Diego is one of the best draft teams in the NFL and will chose very wisely here.

One spot that could use a jolt is right tackle. If BC tackle Gosder Cherilus lasts this long, the Bolts will snatch him up.

Cherilus is a beast (6-6, 315) with long arms and excellent quickness. A guy like that is perfect for a team that utilizes the running back a lot and has a young QB. His long arms are great for pass blocking while his explosiveness in getting to the next level of the defense works great for a team with LaDainian Tomlinson. One knock on him is his technique ... but that can be learned.

The Skinny:
Team Needs: CB, OT, DT, RB, S
Player Selected: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
Also Considered: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas; Kenny Phillips, S, Miami-FL

Previous Pick: No. 26, Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina

Next Pick: No. 28, Dallas Cowboys

FanHouse Mock Draft: San Diego Chargers Select Gosder Cherilus No. 27 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shawne Merriman's $187K Car Stolen, Burned

Michael David Smith — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:33:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, San Diego, The Word

A car valued at $187,000 belonging to Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was stolen and set on fire, CBS 8 in San Diego is reporting (via PFT).

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the car is a 2006 Mercedes sports coupe, and it was engulfed in flames when San Diego police officers discovered it last week around about midnight on Thursday.

The car was reportedly found sitting on top of plastic milk crates, with all of its wheels missing. The 23-year-old Merriman had not reported the car stolen and it is not clear when he learned of its theft.

Merriman is a car enthusiast (he's pictured in the starter stand before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 500 at the Auto Club Speedway of Southern California last month), and it's no surprise that he spent $187,000 on a car, seeing as he once spent $32,000 on a dinner.

Merriman's car was fully insured. %Gallery-6080%

Latest NFL Photos

Adam "Pacman" Jones, left, shares a laugh with Michael Irvin during the Michael Irvin Show at the 103.3 ESPN radio studio in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday March 25, 2008. Jones, suspended from the NFL and unlikely to rejoin the Tennessee Titans if he gets to play again, was a guest on Irvin's three-hour radio show today amid speculation he could become the Dallas Cowboys' next reclamation project. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Courtney Perry) ** NO SALES, MAGS OUT, TV OUT, INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY **

AP
Adam Pacman Jones discusses his troubled early life and recent accusations of violent behavior on the Michael Irvin Show at the 103.3 ESPN radio studio in Arlington Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Jones, suspended from the NFL and unlikely to rejoin the Tennessee Titans if he gets to play again, was a guest on Irvin's three-hour radio show today amid speculation he could become the Dallas Cowboys' next reclamation project. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Courtney Perry) ** NO SALES, MAGS OUT, TV OUT, INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY **

AP
** FILE ** At left, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin speaks to the fans at halftime of an NFL football game in Irving, Texas, in this Oct. 14, 2007 file photo. Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, right, is shown in court in Murfreesboro, Tenn., in a Jan. 31, 2008 file photo. The troubled cornerback, suspended from the NFL and unlikely to rejoin the Tennessee Titans if he gets to play again, was a guest on Michael Irvin's three-hour radio show Tuesday March 25, 2008, amid speculation he could become the Dallas Cowboys' next reclamation project. (AP Photo/File)

AP
** FILE ** Denver Broncos placekicker Jason Elam looks on before playing the Green Bay Packers in an NFL football game in Denver in this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo. Elam, who became a free agent at the end of last season, has agreed to terms on Friday, March 21, 2008, to kick for the Atlanta Falcons in the 2008 NFL season. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

AP
** FILE ** Denver Broncos placekicker Jason Elam, back, kicks a field goal with the help of holder Todd Sauerbrun against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Denver in this Oct. 29, 2007 file photo. Elam has agreed to terms on Friday, March 21, 2008, to kick for the Atlanta Falcons durinG the 2008 NFL season. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)

AP
Seattle Seahawks president Tim Ruskell, left, looks on as linebacker Lofa Tatupu speaks at the press conference announcing Tatupu's contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season on Friday, March 21, 2008 in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

AP
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, right, talks about linebacker Lofa Tatupu, left, during a news conference announcing Tatupu's contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season Friday, March 21, 2008, in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

AP
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu, left, smiles as he shakes hands with head coach Mike Holmgren at the press conference announcing Tatupu's contract extension through the 2015 NFL football season on Friday, March 21, 2008 in Kirkland, Wash. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

AP
New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss gets emotional after being presented with a U.S. Postal Service envelope with his likeness, at the West Virginia Cultural Center in Charleston, W.Va., Friday, March 21, 2008. Moss is the third West Virginia athlete to be on a special Postal Service envelope. The others were Los Angeles Lakers' Jerry West and gold-medal Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton. (AP Photo/Bob Bird)

AP
New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss gets emotional after being presented with a U.S. Postal Service envelope with his likeness, at the West Virginia Cultural Center in Charleston, W.Va., Friday, March 21, 2008. Moss is the third West Virginia athlete to be on a special Postal Service envelope. The others were Los Angeles Lakers' Jerry West and gold-medal Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton. (AP Photo/Bob Bird)

AP

Shawne Merriman's $187K Car Stolen, Burned originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shawne Merriman Was the Wrong Choice to Discuss Patriots' Cheating Allegations

Michael David Smith — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Patriots, NFL Media Watch, Boston, San Diego, ESPN, PEDs

ESPN has been using Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman as a studio analyst for the last two days, and here's what he said about the latest Patriots cheating allegations:

ESPN likes to bring in various active players as analysts during the off-season, but Merriman was the wrong choice for this role for two reasons.

The first is that, frankly, he wasn't particularly coherent in his analysis. Even after watching that clip multiple times, I'm not sure exactly how he feels about Patriotgate.

But more importantly, let's not forget that Merriman himself has been caught cheating: He served a four-game suspension in 2006 for using steroids. The vast majority of players in the NFL have never been caught cheating, and if ESPN is going to bring in an active player to discuss other allegations of cheating, it would make much more sense to bring in one of the players from that vast majority, not one of the small minority who has cheated.

If Merriman wants to stipulate from the outset that he himself has cheated and address the situation facing the Patriots from that perspective, that would be different. But Merriman shouldn't be hired to discuss allegations of cheating if his own history of cheating is going to be ignored.

Shawne Merriman Was the Wrong Choice to Discuss Patriots' Cheating Allegations originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:59:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Falcons Sign Ex-Chargers RB Michael Turner

Michael David Smith — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Falcons, Atlanta, NFL Free Agency, San Diego, The Word

The Atlanta Falcons have announced the signing of former San Diego Chargers running back Michael Turner, one of the biggest names in this year's NFL free agency sweepstakes.

No financial details have been released, but ESPN reported that Turner will get a $15 million guarantee on a six-year, $34.5 million contract. That's good money, but it's less than Bernard Berrian got from the Vikings, and not many people would have predicted that before the free agency period started.

Turner has never been a featured back, having served as LaDainian Tomlinson's backup for his entire NFL career. In Atlanta he may still serve as a backup: He will split carries with Jerious Norwood and might end up behind Norwood on the depth chart.

There has been talk in league circles that Turner was disappointed with the initial offers he was getting when he became a free agent, which may be a reflection of the general sense in the NFL that running backs are not as important as players at other positions. Turner is, however, and important part of the rebuilding project in Atlanta.

Falcons Sign Ex-Chargers RB Michael Turner originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Josh Johnson Lights Up the Combine

Michael David Smith — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:49:00 EST

Filed under: NFL Draft, San Diego

If you've never heard of University of San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson, here's a look at some University of San Diego highlights, with Johnson wearing No. 11:

And if you haven't heard much about him until now, you will soon enough. Johnson put together a tremendous 40-yard dash time at the Indianapolis Scouting Combine today, running in 4.44 seconds and firmly establishing himself as a player some team will want to draft.

The only question is whether he'll be a quarterback, or if he'll move to another position. Johnson's arm is, in my opinion, good enough to throw at the next level. But will a team that drafts him want to keep him on the sidelines for a few years to develop as a quarterback, when he's a good enough athlete that he could probably contribute at wide receiver and on special teams as a rookie? I have my doubts, which makes me think this 4.44 could mark the end of his quarterbacking career.

Josh Johnson Lights Up the Combine originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 11:49:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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QB Class of '04 Looks Good

JJ Cooper — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:14:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, NY Giants, Steelers, NFL Draft, New York, Pittsburgh, San Diego

It's not time to start getting bronzed busts ready for Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers or Eli Manning in Canton just yet, but only four years after they were drafted, the Class of '04 has already put together pretty impressive resumes.

Every first-round quarterback is supposed to be a franchise quarterback--the guy who leads his team to Super Bowl titles. The reality is that it's not that easy. Of the 53 quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 1983, a grand total of five of them have won Super Bowl titles.

And two of those five have come from the 2004 draft class. Roethlisberger and Manning already have rings, and Philip Rivers has made it to the AFC Championship game (and gone 14-2 in his other season as a starter). Bills quarterback J.P. Losman is the only first-round quarterback from '04 who hasn't won a playoff game yet. With a pair of Super Bowl champion first-round quarterbacks, the Class of '04 is already the only first-round in NFL history to bequeath a pair of Super Bowl champion QBs.To find another first-round quarterback who has won a Super Bowl you have to go back to 1998's draft and Peyton Manning. Before that, it's Trent Dilfer (1994), Troy Aikman (1988) and John Elway (1983). Already the '04 draft class has as many Super Bowl victories as the vaunted Class of '83 (John Elway, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O'Brien, Todd Blackledge and Dan Marino).

Of course the Class of '83 did place three of its six first-round quarterbacks in the Hall of Fame, something that's still a long ways away for any of the Class of '04. But already the 2004 first-round quarterbacks already arguably rate as the most successful class of the past 20 years.

QB Class of '04 Looks Good originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chargers vs. Saints in London on October 26

Michael David Smith — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 07:37:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Saints, New Orleans, San Diego

The San Diego Chargers will take on the New Orleans Saints in London on October 26, the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting.

"We want to go," Chargers president Dean Spanos told the newspaper. "I'm cautiously optimistic."

The Chargers said on their official web site that they're ready to go:

"The Commissioner and I talked about two and half months ago and we talked again as recently as last week," said Spanos, a member of the NFL's International Committee. "Should this occur, we would welcome the opportunity."

"This would be a positive announcement in a number of ways. First, it shows that the Chargers clearly have become one of the NFL's marquee franchises; a team with a strong following that the League is proud of. Second, it would be good exposure for our organization, for the players and for the city of San Diego. And finally, I believe it would give the team added experience from playing in another big game."

The game will be the second regular-season game outside North America, after the Giants played the Dolphins at Wembley Stadium in 2007. The NFL's strategy of broadening its international appeal has also included a regular-season game in Mexico City, and the Bills are expected to play a home game in Toronto in 2008. The trip to London for the Chargers will be the farthest any NFL team has ever had to travel for a regular-season game.

The London game will be the eighth game of the season for both the Chargers and the Saints, and both teams will have their byes the following week. The game is considered a Saints home game, meaning the Saints will have only seven games at the Superdome, while the Chargers will have the usual allotment of eight games at Qualcomm Stadium.

Chargers vs. Saints in London on October 26 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 07:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Draft: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Plays Like His Cousin, Chargers' Antonio

Michael David Smith — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:18:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, NFL Draft, San Diego

San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie was one of the sleepers of the 2006 NFL draft, a great athlete who hadn't played much in college at Florida State and was coming off a serious knee injury. The Chargers took him in the first round despite those concerns, and he's paid off big-time, becoming one of the league's top corners.

Tennessee State defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie may be one of the sleepers of the 2008 NFL draft. A great athlete who didn't get any major scholarship offers because he never played football until his senior year of high school, Rodgers-Cromartie is looking at the Senior Bowl like a potential star at the next level.

As I'm writing this, we're at halftime of the Senior Bowl, and Rodgers-Cromartie has put on a show, with several great plays in coverage and a leaping interception that looked like something Antonio would do. During the week of practice, Rodgers-Cromartie was praised for his ability to play both safety and cornerback. I don't think Rodgers-Cromartie is going to be a first-round pick like his cousin, but I do think the team that takes him will be glad it did.

NFL Draft: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Plays Like His Cousin, Chargers' Antonio originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BradyFan83 Takes on LaDainian Tomlinson

Michael David Smith — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:52:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, NFL Video, San Diego

The great NFL musician BradyFan83 is back, and this time he has Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson in his sights:

The song is to the tune of "Mrs. Robinson," and the lyrics include a jab at Tomlinson's performance (or lack thereof) in the AFC Championship Game that is hilarious even though you'll see it coming.

My favorite thing about it is that it reminds us that at the time of the 2001 draft, it was actually open to debate who would be a better player, Tomlinson or Koren Robinson.

BradyFan83 Takes on LaDainian Tomlinson originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chargers Kicker Nate Kaeding Toughed It Out, His Team Paid the Price

Michael David Smith — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:21:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Patriots, Boston, San Diego

In the days since the Patriots beat the Chargers in the AFC Championship Game, there has been much debate about whether quarterback Philip Rivers hurt his team by playing on a severely injured knee, and whether running back LaDainian Tomlinson hurt his team by sitting out on a mildly injured knee.

But a third Charger played with an injury, kicker Nate Kaeding. And that injury, to his lower left leg, was apparently a much more serious injury than he was letting on. Dan Pompei reported on ESPN this morning that the injury to Kaeding's plant leg included a broken bone, but that Kaeding played despite the pain.

But then Pompei added an odd postscript to his report. He finished his discussion of Kaeding by saying, "Luckily, the Chargers were not hurt by his inability to kick the long one."

Excuse me? What game was Pompei watching? I was watching the game in which Kaeding kicked off five times, and the average length of the kickoff was less than 55 yards. I was watching the game in which the Patriots had an average starting field position of their own 34-yard line after Kaeding's five kickoffs. The Chargers were certainly hurt by Kaeding's inability to kick long kickoffs.

Yes, Kaeding made his four field goal attempts. But a kicker has two jobs, and Kaeding was incapable of doing the other one effectively. The Chargers erred by deactivating their other kicker, Dave Rayner, and that contributed to their loss.

Chargers Kicker Nate Kaeding Toughed It Out, His Team Paid the Price originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Patriots' Richard Seymour Calls Charger's Head Butt Accusation 'Totally Bogus'

Michael David Smith — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Patriots, Boston, San Diego

On Wednesday I noted that Chargers center Nick Hardwick had accused Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour of head butting an assistant coach. Here's the video of the incident:

To me, it looks like Seymour's face mask makes contact with the forehead of the Chargers assistant he's jawing with. Others who watched the video, including the majority of readers I heard from after what I wrote Wednesday, think there was no contact. Here's what Seymour said:

"First of all, it's not true, so I think the facts are the facts," he said. "Secondly, I can't control what others say or think. The only thing I can do is control my actions, the way that I approach the game, the things that I'm able to do throughout the week. For me, that won't change and I think the people that know me best know that's something that's totally bogus."

Two people can look at the same video and come to different conclusions. I've found that out repeatedly with Patriots fans this season, who thought I was overreacting to two different videos showing Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork committing what I thought were dirty plays and Patriots fans thought were no big deal. People inclined to dislike Seymour seem to think this video shows him taking a cheap shot; people inclined to like Seymour seem to think it exonerates him.

Patriots' Richard Seymour Calls Charger's Head Butt Accusation 'Totally Bogus' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Did Patriots' Richard Seymour Head Butt a Chargers Assistant Coach?

Michael David Smith — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:46:00 EST

Filed under: Chargers, Patriots, Boston, San Diego

After the Patriots beat the Chargers on Sunday, FanHouse's Ryan Wilson wrote that Chargers center Nick Hardwick had some unkind things to say about Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour's conduct during the game.

That game is long over now, but the Hardwick-Seymour feud isn't. Pro Football Talk reports that Hardwick said during an interview on XX Sports Radio that Seymour head butted a Chargers assistant before Sunday's game. And although this video is a bit hard to interpret, it seems to confirm said head butt at about the 2:45 mark:

Seymour seems to be getting in the face of a member of the Chargers staff, and at one point Seymour's helmeted head seems to hit the head of the Chargers assistant. Seems like a bush league move to me.%Gallery-13897%

Did Patriots' Richard Seymour Head Butt a Chargers Assistant Coach? originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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