Rivers and LT always have something special to say.

LT gathers into a huddle with Rivers and the first unit above.

I like how Rivers and LT always have something special to say to the media about how the team is approaching the season. It just seems they can both put a lot of meaning behind just a few words to get their respective points across.

See quotes below for current examples:

"I think now there's just an understanding of what it's going to take to win the championship," Rivers said. "We don't have to talk about it as much."

"The journey is long, but you don't worry about the end of the journey," Tomlinson said. "John Wooden said it best: You don't worry about the championships. The great time you have and the fun part about it is going through that process, getting there, and then all of a sudden you look and you've won a championship."

For a few great articles on the Chargers and a video camp report click links below:

Training days: Chargers enter camp with very few questions

Five observations from Chargers camp

NFL.com- Video Camp Report

Chargers Camp 7/25/08 Friday afternoon Highlights

Scott Chandler TE #87 recieves a pass over the middle.
Scott Chandler with another pass completion over the middle, Chandler was catching everything and making it look easy this Friday afternoon at Chargers Park.
LT #21 makes a reception and draws a crowd.
Jacob Hester RB/FB #22 makes a reception look easy down field above.
This is a batted up pass above that ends up intercepted by Hart below.
Hart running with the interception.
Scott Chandler making it look easy.
Chris Chambers makes an outstanding over the shoulder Reception beating out Jammer that was with Chambers step for step.
Jacob Hester with a great over the middle reception above.
Buster Davis with a reception deep down the middle.
Buster Davis makes another reception above.
Scott Chandler looks like he is going to really surprise everyone at how really good he is, another great reception by Chandler down the deep middle.
Chandler makes a reception outside right above.
Kassim Osgood was also outstanding with several receptions on the day, here is one where he beat out multiple defenders.
Osgood above with another outstanding reception and off to the races.
LT beating out a defender for a reception down the sidelines.
Vincent Jackson #83 with a great reception. Jackson had several great receptions too, on the day. It seemed the defenses were having trouble stoping the bigger receivers in Chandler, Osgood, and Jackson.
Cromartie bats the ball away in a great defense to stop this reception above.
Osgood with a deep TD reception above.

Chris Chambers with one of his great leaping receptions deep down the sidelines.


Thoughts on the day.

QB's- Rivers looked great, no hesitation at all from running on that knee, and making all the passes look easy. Volek and Whitehurst also looked good.

WR's- Chambers, Jackson, Davis, Osgood all had a big day. Floyd also caught a couple of passes and so did Billy Pittman.

RB's- LT was flashing speed and moves, that knee is healthy. When LT puts on the speed it is always fun to watch him and he wasn't afraid to show off today. Jacob Hester was running the ball, catching the ball and doing everything asked of him. Hester also seems comfortable and seems to excel at everything asked of him. Sproles is also flashing speed and moves. Marcus Thomas is hard to judge because they keep calling plays and running him into the middle. In camp it is hard to judge that kind of running, but I think he runs with no fear. Eldra Buckley also got a few carries.

Oline and Dline really didn't get into the hitting much today but they looked in good shape and were working hard.

LBers were putting on some great pass rushing, especially Merriman and Phillips who were in the backfield and causing the QB's to throw the ball a little quicker than they liked on several times. Even causing Volek to have to down the ball several times or get sacked.

DB's were also staying with their WR's they were covering. Cason caught an interception, and so did Hart from a Cromartie tip.

Where the defense was getting hurt from the passing game was over the shorter soft middle on several plays. When LT crosses the line and draws attention that was leaving Chandler, Davis, and Osgood open. When the defense tried to watch the middle and was drawn away by the TE or WR, that would leave LT wide open for a reception and it was off to the races. Today the defense chose mostly to watch LT, as I believe most defenses will do, and that was why Chandler, Davis and Osgood were beating them. The defenses are going to have to choose their poison this year while defending the Chargers, that's for sure.

ST's Scifres was punting 60 yarders all day.

The team looks focused and working hard. They also look happy that the year has finally started. I know I am.

I hope you enjoyed this first camp report, check back for updates and more reports in the future.

Castillo signs new seven-year contract

Luis Castillo DE #93 signed a new seven year contract. Above Castillo is in the middle of the picture chasing a ball carrier down in Mini Camp.
Castillo above with his hand on the ground.

Castillo talks with Igor Olshansky #99.

Luis Castillo has been a great player while healthy with the Chargers. And the Chargers have locked him up with a new seven year contract. See article below, for the whole article click link:


Castillo signs new seven-year contract

The Chargers made another move to lock up one of their talented young players as the team signed defensive end Luis Castillo to a new seven-year contract on Tuesday that will keep him in San Diego through the 2014 season. Castillo’s original rookie contract was set to expire after the 2009 season.

“Since his arrival, Luis has played a huge role in the success we’ve had as a defense,” Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said. “He’s an ascending player who is committed to getting better. We’re thrilled that he’ll be a Charger for years to come.”

Q&A with Norv Turner

K.C. ALFRED / Union-Tribune

On the eve of his second Chargers camp, Norv Turner looks relaxed, which is fitting. He just returned from vacation.

Here is the article with Norv Turner, click link below:

Q&A with head coach Norv Turner
Interview Kevin Acee

Norv Turner on top of things with the Chargers

Norv Turner in the Blue Chargers T-Shirt, no hat, above in the middle of things, instructs the Chargers offense.
Norv Turner attends a huddle of his starting offense in Mini Camp.
Norv Turner after a meeting at Mini Camp with AJ Smith.
Norv Turner on the right overlooking the QB passing drills to WR's.
Norv Turner, above left, watching over everything that goes on in Mini Camp.

Norv Turner has turned the corner as a Head Coach in the NFL. Where he was once known as a "mediocre head coach" (see article below) he is now proven he can win with the Chargers in the Playoffs. Turner could lead this Charger team all the way to the Super Bowl this year. Will Norv Turner get any recognition for a Super Bowl win with the Chargers as the Head Coach. He will and proof is some of the current articles and quotes below as to how the media is now showing a new found respect for Norv Turner.

Sportingnews: Norv Turner, who, in his previous stops in the NFL, had forged a reputation as a great offensive coordinator but a mediocre head coach, proved to be a guiding light in his first year at San Diego. He preached patience and perseverance -- even after the Chargers lost three in a row early in the season -- and the players eventually bought into his program.

Delaware Sports: San Diego Chargers: Not many areas of concern for the defending AFC runners-up. Even head coach Norv Turner repaired his image last season by knocking off Indianapolis in the playoffs.

From Chargers.com on the Chargers achievements under Norv Turner:

LaDainian Tomlinson put it best when asked to describe Turner’s demeanor during the Chargers’ up-and-down season. “He never changed…He never blinked at times when he was getting criticized for different things that were going on. He never made us feel like he wasn’t confident in what he could do and what this team could do.”

Among the Chargers’ achievements in 2007 under Turner:

· Tomlinson won the NFL’s rushing title and scored a league-leading 15 rushing touchdowns.

· The Chargers rushed for 2,039 yards and ranked seventh in the NFL in rushing offense.

· The Chargers went 5-0 in December.

· The Chargers scored 412 points in the regular season, their fourth-straight year (2004-07) of scoring at least 400 points. It’s the longest stretch of 400-point seasons in team history.

· The Chargers were the NFL’s second-highest scoring team in the first quarter (119) and its third-highest scoring in the first half (235).

· In the first quarter of home games during the regular season, the Chargers outscored their opponents 81-0, becoming only the second team in the NFL since 1982 (Tampa Bay, 2001) to hold its opponents scoreless at home in the first quarter. The 81-point scoring disparity in the first quarter at home was the largest in NFL history.

· During the regular season, the Chargers led the entire NFL in touchdowns (nine) and total scoring drives (11) on their first offensive possession of the third quarter. That trend continued in the playoffs as the Chargers scored on their first possession of the third quarter in all three of the team’s playoff contests.

En route to winning the AFC West in 2007, the Chargers defeated all three of their division opponents away from home. It was the first time that happened since 1994 when the Chargers beat the Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks away from home.

There will be an article with questions and answers coming out in the UT talking with Norv Turner, see below:

The Union Tribune: Upcoming stories-On the eve of Chargers training camp, a Q&A with coach Norv Turner, plus facts and figures on camp, including which practices will be open to fans.

Scott Chandler TE #87 is showing some talent

Scott Chandler #87 in a huddle with the first string in Mini Camp in the above Picture.
Chandler in with Rivers.
Chandler in motion.
Chandler beats the defender and makes a great reception.

In Mini Camp Chandler was showing some real talent. He was doing everything asked of him and making receptions look easy for the big 6-7, 265 TE.

I think Chandler has some real talent and the Chargers do too. They are using Chandler to replace the great Antonio Gates while Gates is still recovering from his surgery on his big toe.

For a few good articles on Chandler see below, for the whole articles click link:

Chandler Prepares in case he is needed

Chandler Ready to Step Up if Gates is Down

Remember that old adage of how someone being down jars open a door for someone else. Scott Chandler, entering his second year, is that someone.

"For me personally, it's a good opportunity to get a lot of reps and to really improve," Chandler said.

But Chandler really got his NFL moments last year in the playoffs. With Gates in a walking boot up until game day, Chandler prepared as if he was playing in the season's biggest games.

"I was with the (first team) all through the week," said Chandler, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa last year who appeared in but one game for the Chargers.

"It was a good learning experience, and hopefully, I can build on that."

Coach Norv Turner said Chandler, while showing progress, has many miles to go.

"He's got a lot to learn," Turner said. "We have a specific set of things we want Scott to do to get better, and I think he's doing them. When we get into training camp, we'll see how far he's progressed."

No matter how much he improves, Chandler realizes he's not Gates. Chandler also wouldn't be surprised to see Gates playing in time for the opener.

"I think Gates is going to be back and in there doing his thing," Chandler said. "But I want to be prepared if my time comes to be in there."

AJ Smith works the field

Above AJ Smith looks on the beginning of practice.
AJ Smith after talking with Norv Turner and the Mini Camp is about to begin.
AJ Smith along the sideline watching the action.

AJ Smith is always out on the field and supervising the action. AJ is a hard working GM. He is always checking on his team and coaches. He has shown himself to be a great GM at drafting, but he has also shown he is a great GM at running a team from Coaches to Players and everything that goes on both on the field and off.

I believe AJ Smith is the best GM the Chargers have even had, and it is showing every day in practice and in the games themselves. AJ Smith has really developed one of the best teams in the NFL. All in just a few short years at the helm as GM.

For a great current article on AJ Smith click link below:

Chargers enter '08 season with one goal in mind

"I study organization and I study trends,'' Smith said. "If it's clearly in front of your face, you need to look at it and learn from it. Doesn't that only make sense? Why would you study losers? What are you going to get out of that? If you study winners, you find out how they win and the roads they took to get there. You try to figure out what they're doing right.

"And eventually you find out it's players. It's always going to come back to players. And you have to get them by any means necessary. The draft. Unrestricted free agency. Supplemental draft. Trades. Arena League. Canada. Whatever means it takes.''

"If you're doing your job, you're planning for the future two to three years ahead,'' Smith said. "We took Cason this year because I believe in three cornerbacks. Now we feel we have three corners and we can match up. You look at New England, and they're always doing what's in the best interest of their team. They wanted Welker and they gave up a lot for him. Why would they do that? Because they realized what he is. They felt he was worth it. I respect the way they operate from that standpoint.

"It's the kind of judgment call we made with Weddle, and with Hester we did it again. People say you can't give up the picks. I'm more worried about the player than the picks. What difference does it make if he cost this pick or that pick if you have a real conviction about the player and what he can do for your team?''

"I always say two go, one wins it, and the rest of us try to figure it out,'' said Smith, of the NFL's annual Super Bowl quest. "I think we're a good football team, a playoff-caliber team. But we haven't done anything yet this season. I like that we were in three playoff games last year, and we won two. We made some noise and moved forward.

"What you want is a team that keeps going back. Like the Patriots, the Colts and the Steelers. You want to always be knocking on that door. I'd like to see that for the San Diego Chargers. We want to have the opportunity to chase the world championship every year. I've fallen a little short there, but if you're there every year, and keep giving yourself a shot, maybe you can make that goal happen one of these years.''

From Chargers.com

A. J. Smith

Executive Vice President - General Manager

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith has assembled one of the NFL’s most talented rosters. Named by Forbes Magazine as the NFL's top general manager in 2006, Smith has overseen a renaissance in San Diego as the Chargers have won two straight AFC West titles and three of the last four. Since President and CEO Dean Spanos named Smith as his general manager in 2003, the Chargers have won 50 games, including a franchise-record 14 in ’06.

Craig Buster Davis WR # 84 is Looking Bigger this Year

Craig Buster Davis is looking bigger this year in Mini Camp, look at the picture above and the arms on Buster. Buster is out wide right standing tall and with much bigger arms over last year.
Above is Buster out wide right again.
Above Buster catches a great reception on the left sideline.
Davis again lines up wide right in the above picture.
And in this picture above Davis makes another great reception down the left sideline.

There is a big difference in Craig Buster Davis this year over last year. He has added some major muscle. Davis is showing some huge arms this year. He was also flashing speed and moves in Mini Camp. I think Buster Davis is going to surprise this year with a great year in the slot. The defenses are not going to expect this much improvement out of Buster, but he is ready to show why he was an A J Smith first round draft choice.

Below are some quotes after the Chargers drafted Craig Buster Davis last year:

“Craig's a very, very serious guy, a little more businesslike,” Chargers coach Norv Turner said. “(He's) very intelligent in terms of talking football . . . and you're talking about a guy who ran a 4.37 (over 40 yards) who has that understanding but – bang – has the ability to stretch a defense and take off and go.”

“I'm not sure,” said Chargers Assistant GM Buddy Nix, “that he didn't have the best hands in the draft.”

Antonio Cromartie scheduled for Full day Monday July 14th

Antonio Cromartie will be busy Monday with the Network interviews scheduled

Chargers defensive back Antonio Cromartie is scheduled for a full day on the ESPN family of networks Monday. His schedule includes appearances on ESPN's "First Take" at 7:30 a.m., "The Herd" on ESPN Radio at 8:30 a.m., "Tirico & Van Pelt" on ESPN Radio at 10:20 a.m., "The Hotlist" and "The Pulse" at 10:40 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. on ESPNEWS and "NFL Live" at 1 p.m. on ESPN. In addition, Cromartie will participate in a chat on ESPN.com at 9:30 a.m.

Legadu Naanee WR #11

Legadu Naanee WR #11 joins a huddle in the above picture in Mini Camp.
Naanee lines up out wide right as the WR on this play above.
Naanee makes a quick out reception above.
Naanee in another huddle.
Naanee makes a great catch and run on the left side line.
Naanee makes a another grab over the middle.
Naanee proves he can get down field and block in the above picture.

Legadu Naanee proves in Mini Camp he is ready for a big year. I kept seeing Naanee make catch after catch in Mini Camp and he is set to see the field a whole lot more this year. Naanee always seems to make things happen, he is a play maker.


Find Legadu Naanee's links of articles below:

Naanee's role to Expand

Naanee tells tale of his path to the NFL

Chris Chambers, Vincent Jackson, and Craig (Buster) Davis

Chris Chambers WR #89, Vincent Jackson WR #83, and Craig (Buster) Davis WR #84 in the picture above, are the WR's that see most of the action with the first string in Mini Camp.

Chris Chambers showed why AJ Smith traded for him mid season, he was a great addition to the passing game of the Chargers. While VJ came on strong the end of last year and the playoffs, I expect to see the same kind of improvement in Buster Davis' game this year. I think these three will be one of the best WR trios in the NFL this year. For Chargers.com information on these three WR's push links below:

Craig Buster Davis

Vincent Jackson

Chris Chambers