AJ Smith Knocks HBO's "Hard Knocks"

AJ Smith doesn't mind letting everyone know his when it comes to TV and HBO's Hard Knocks:

Speaking of Smith, he got a great answer from Chargers GM A.J. Smith on
the topic of HBO's “Hard Knocks” show. A.J. Smith declined a bid by NFL Films to
do the show from Chargers training camp a few years ago. He called the show
“entertaining” but told Darren Smith (no relation) he couldn't “possibly
comprehend” having a camera crew present while the team prepared for a season.

“I think it's a distraction, I think it's fake, I think it's phony, I think
it's put on,” he said. “I think it's basically a motion picture, and anyone that
wants to be in the motion-picture business or enjoy that stuff, they buy into
it, they enjoy it. The fake phone-call conversations, the fake tryout
. . . the whole thing is a joke.”

The new season of “Hard Knocks,” starring the Bengals, debuts Aug. 12 on HBO. Just in case A.J. wants to set his
TiVo.

Chargers Preseason Schedule:

Preseason important dates:

Sat., Aug. 15: First exhibition game: Chargers vs. Seattle, 7 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium
Sat., Aug. 22: Chargers at Arizona, 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 29: Chargers at Atlanta 5 p.m. PDT
Tue., Sept. 1: Roster reduced to 75 players
Fri., Sept. 4: Chargers vs. San Francisco, 7 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium
Sat., Sept. 5: Roster reduced to 53 players
Mon., Sept. 14: Season opener at Oakland, 7:15 p.m.

The times and dates of the Qualcomm Charger Practices

The Chargers will host three public practices during camp, all of which will take place at Qualcomm Stadium:

-- Aug. 5: 7:00 p.m.-9:20 p.m.

-- Aug. 8: FanFest 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; players sign autographs for kids and practice in front of the fans.

-- Aug. 12: 7:00 p.m.-9:20 p.m.

Four Draft Picks sign

Chargers agree to contracts with four draft picks
Casey Pearce
Posted Jul 25, 2009

Third-round pick Louis Vasquez and fourth-round picks Vaughn Martin, Tyronne
Green and Gartrell Johnson have all come to terms on four-year contracts, the
Chargers announced Saturday.
Vasquez, who according to Head Coach Norv
Turner will compete for a starting job at right guard during training camp, was
the 78th overall selection in April’s draft.
The Chargers drafted the
6-4, 327-pound Martin with the 113th overall choice. Green (133rd overall pick)
spent time at guard and center this spring. Johnson, chosen with the 134th
overall selection, impressed coaches with his downhill running style.
Saturday’s contract announcements leave just three Chargers draft picks
unsigned. First-round selection linebacker Larry English, safety Kevin Ellison (sixth) and wide receiver Demetrius Byrd (seventh) have yet to agree to
contracts.
Fifth-round selection Brandon Hughes signed his
rookie contract in June. Rookies and select veterans will be on the field
Monday morning for the first training camp practice. The entire squad will
be on the field together for the first time on Friday, July 31. Also, the
Chargers announced Saturday that linebacker Anthony Felder will re-join the team
and be at Monday’s practice. Felder, an undrafted free agent from
Cal-Berkeley, spent the spring with the Chargers but was released in June.

The Chargers signed former Florida RB Kestahn Moore

Kestahn Moore signed:

The Chargers signed former Florida RB Kestahn Moore on Friday, July 24.
Moore is an undrafted rookie who spent time with the Denver Broncos earlier this
offseason. Used mostly as a backup during his time with the Gators, Moore
finished his four-year college career with 235 carries for 1,281 yards (5.45
ypc) and 13 touchdowns.
He takes the roster spot of former Syracuse RB
Curtis Brinkley, who was placed on the "Reserve -- Non-Football Injury" list on
Friday as he recovers after being shot in his hometown of Philadelphia on July
10.

Ht: 5-10 Wt: 207 Position: RB Date of Birth:
04/13/1987 Experience: R High School: Mansfield Summit HS(Arlington,
TX) College: Florida

CAMP CALENDAR

CAMP CALENDAR:

July 26: Rookies and select veterans report.
July 27: Rookies and select veterans work out.
July 30: Balance of the squad reports.
July 31: First full squad workout.
Aug. 5: Practice at Qualcomm Stadium.
Aug. 8: Practice at Qualcomm Stadium.
Aug. 12: Practice at Qualcomm Stadium