#86 Brandon Manumaleuna Best blocking TE in the NFL

Brandon Manumaleuna #86 blocks for the RB in Mini Camp above.
Above Manu (Brandon Manumaleuna) blocks out wide on another running play that is taken up the middle.
Above Manu has already blocked his man and a pass has been completed down field yet Manu runs down field to help for even more blocking.
Manu with good hands catches a pass in the above picture in Mini Camp.

Brandon Manumaleuna #86 is a great blocking TE, and he proves it play after play in practice and the games. Most pundits consider Manumaleuna the best blocking TE in the NFL. Since Lo Neal is now gone, I believe Manu will see even more action blocking for LT and the rest of the RB's. They have lined up Manu at FB and he will see plenty of action this year. But he also may see even more passes this year thrown his way with Antonio Gates coming off surgery on his big Toe. Manu is a TE with very good hands and makes pass receptions look easy. I think Manu will have a bigger role this year for the Chargers.

For some great articles on Manumaleuna click links below:

Manumaleuna . . . wider than Gates

Brandon Manumaleuna is renowned for his blocking, so much so that the Chargers sometimes line him up as a fullback for added emphasis and to surprise tendency trackers. Yet he has also caught 90 passes during his seven seasons in St. Louis and San Diego, has scored 10 NFL touchdowns, and is nimble enough to create an effective diversion merely by moving downfield.

“He takes up a lot of space, I guess,” said Clancy Barone, the Chargers' tight ends coach. “But he's a very good receiver and people have to look back to his days to the Rams and realize that.

“Oftentimes, guys get pigeonholed as being a blocking tight end, being an extra lineman out there. But he's very athletic. He has better speed than what you would think and he has very soft hands.”

5 MINUTES WITH.... Brandon Manumaleuna

Video: Brandon Manumaleuna scores TD against Lions

From Chargers.com Manumaleuna:

It’s rare that an NFL team can boast about possessing the best blocking tight end in game and its best receiving tight end. The Chargers are in fact one team that can definitely boast about having both.

Brandon Manumaleuna (MAH-noo-mah-lee-oon-ah) and Antonio Gates give the Chargers a great one-two punch at tight end. While the two differ in size and speed, both are an indelible forces in Norv Turner’s high-powered offense. And it doesn’t hurt that Manumaleuna is an extremely versatile player who has lined up at tight end, fullback, H-back and wide receiver, in addition to playing special teams, during his career.

The 6-2, 288-pound Manumaleuna is as agile and shifty as he his big. And while he doesn’t catch as many passes as Gates, Manumaleuna is as sure-handed as any of the Chargers’ pass catchers. Having a tight end who is a dependable blocker and a good receiver is a key component of Turner’s offensive system. For the fifth-year in a row, Manumaleuna recorded double-digit reception totals and in each of his two years with the Chargers, San Diego’s offense has rushed for more than 2,000 yards.

Manumaleuna joined the Chargers in 2006 after Bolts General Manager A.J. Smith pulled off one of the biggest steals of the draft, shipping a fourth-round pick to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for his services. Right away, Manumaleuna became a key cog in the Chargers’ offense, scoring touchdowns on three of his 14 catches, and helping to block for a running game that netted a team-record 2,578 yards and an NFL MVP award for LaDainian Tomlinson.

Brandon’s off-the-field hobbies include playing basketball and spending time with family. Brandon is a second-generation NFL player. His father, Frank, played linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1979-1981. Frank also played at UCLA in the early 1970s. Brandon showed early signs of following in his father’s footsteps. As an 11-year-old, he won the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick Competition.

Philip Rivers shows gutsy performance in the AFCCG and Mini Camp

Rivers taking a snap from center in Mini Camp
Rivers throwing in drills in both above and below pictures in Mini Camp.

Rivers throwing a completion in both above and below pictures in Mini Camp.
Philip Rivers QB #17 is proving to be a tough QB ready to lead his team to a Super Bowl. Rivers proved in Mini Camp he will be ready for the season. Rivers was throwing every pass in Mini Camp and taking snaps. For more information on Rivers see articles and pictures below:

ESPN: What we learned from minicamp

Quarterback Philip Rivers has full control of this team. Rivers is not the Chargers' best player, or even their best player on his side of the ball. But as the team moves forward, Rivers is the clear leader and motivator. Rivers has built a 25-7 career regular-season record as the team's starter. But after his courageous performance at the end of last season, Rivers forever has the respect and attention of his teammates.

Rivers tore his right ACL in the Chargers' AFC divisional playoff win at Indianapolis. He had minor surgery on the knee before the AFC Championship Game against the undefeated New England Patriots, but still elected to play. His team lost, and so did his knee; he underwent major surgery after the game. Rivers has had a super-fast rehabilitation and was working during the team's minicamp on the first weekend of May.

NFL.com Photos: Chargers at minicamp

Philip Rivers from Chargers.com:

There are two things that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has proven beyond the shadow of a doubt in his first two years as an NFL starter. One, he’s a winner. Two, he’s as tough as they come.

Since he became the Bolts’ starting signal caller prior to the 2006 season, Rivers’ 25 regular-season wins are tied with Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning for the second-most in the NFL, behind only New England’s Tom Brady’s 28. Rivers has posted an impressive 25-7 record as a starter, including an astounding mark of 15-1 at home. Rivers led the Chargers to the playoffs in each of his two seasons at the helm, and in 2007 his stellar play in January helped the Bolts pick up their first postseason victories in 13 seasons as they advanced all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

Rivers’ toughness, both mental and physical, was on full display in the postseason and the final weeks of the regular season last fall. In a Dec. 9 victory over Tennessee, Rivers had to leave the game after spraining his knee. He returned though in the second half and led the Chargers to a come-from-behind victory in overtime. Rivers continued to play and he played through the final month of the season in pain.

Another knee injury in the Bolts’ Divisional Playoff game also sent him to the sideline, but Rivers refused to let it end his season. His status for the AFC Championship Game was in the balance throughout the entire week leading up to the game, but Rivers toughed it out and played the entire game. It turns out that he had had an arthroscopic procedure done on the Monday following the Chargers’ playoff victory in Indianapolis, and after the loss in New England it was revealed that Rivers had played the AFC Championship Game with a torn ACL in his right knee. He suffered the injury while throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter of the win over the Colts and gutted it out to play in the most important game of his young career. He’s spent the last few months aggressively rehabbing the knee and is confident he’ll be ready to go when the Bolts open the 2008 season.

Rivers’ commitment to the game and his leadership skills have endeared him to teammates and everyone in the organization. They love his confidence and fiery attitude on the field. Before last season’s playoffs began, the Chargers picked up the option on the final two years of his rookie contract to ensure the quarterback will be in lightning bolts through at least the 2009 season. When asked about the move, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith simply said, “You know how I feel about Philip Rivers.” His words spoke volumes about his appreciation for the player and leader that Rivers has become.

In 2007, Rivers was sensational down the stretch when the Chargers needed him the most. During the Chargers’ eight-game winning streak that led up to the AFC Championship Game (including Wild Card and Divisional Playoff games), he completed 133 of 214 passes (62.1%) for 1,656 yards with 14 TDs and only five INTs for a rating of 98.2, nearly 16 points higher than his cumulative season rating (82.4).

Just about everywhere he’s played as a quarterback, Rivers has been a winner. Since his junior season at AthensHigh School in 1998, his first as a starting QB, Rivers has never had a losing record. He went 11-2 (1998) and 10-3 (1999) at Athens; 8-4 (2000), 7-5 (2001), 11-3 (2002) and 8-5 (2003) at North CarolinaState, and with the Chargers he’s posted seasons of 14-2 (2006) and 11-5 (2007). Rivers’ collegiate totals at N.C.State included a 3-1 mark in bowl games. He was a five-time MVP in bowl games, including the 2004 Senior Bowl.

Malcom Floyd ready to contribute

Malcom Floyd WR #80 above lines up on Special Teams as a gunner. Because Floyd is one of the fastest players in camp he makes a great gunner on ST.
Floyd making another great catch at the top of the picture along the sideline.
Malcom Floyd catching a beautiful reception in Mini Camp, an over the shoulder 40 yard catch in full stride for a TD. This reception proves Floyd is a deep threat every time he enters the game. This was the highlight catch of Mini Camp.

Malcom Floyd WR 6-5, 225 LBs, is a great WR in Camp. Every time he is thrown the ball he has excelled with catch after catch also making highlight catches too. With the possible trading of Eric Parker this pre-season it could make room on the roster for Malcom Floyd to actually see more action this year. I hope so, Floyd is a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Here is what Kevin Acee says about Malcom Floyd in his latest article:

The news that Parker will be gone is presumably good for Malcom Floyd. Floyd was inactive the final 10 weeks and both playoff games last season. A final roster spot figured to come down to Floyd or Parker.

Here is what Chargers.com says about Malcom Floyd:

Malcom Floyd is one member of a deep and talented group of wide receivers. At 6-5, he is one of the tallest members of the group and he’s shown the ability to make acrobatic catches look routine. And with his size, Floyd gives the Chargers a legitimate deep threat. That explosiveness in making plays downfield led several teammates to christen him with the nickname “M-80.”

Floyd has an NFL pedigree as his older brother, Malcolm, played wide receiver for the Houston Oilers during the 1994-97 seasons. The elder Floyd is now an elementary school principal in Sacramento.

Malcom’s hobbies include playing basketball, boogie boarding at Mission Beach and playing the newest video games. He was an all-conference basketball player in high school and his team won an intramural championship while he was in college at Wyoming.

For a great article from CFX on Malcom Floyd push link below:

CFX Profile: Malcom Floyd

LT is Knocking on the Hall of Fame

LT has caught a pass over the middle in Mini Camp, in the above picture and is off running for another TD.

LT already has a section in the NFL Football Hall of Fame in Canton. Because he owns so many records in the NFL already. LT is not eligible for the NFL Hall of Fame to be voted in yet officially but it is not too early for other State Football Halls of Fames.

LT has been nominated for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame by CHAREAN WILLIAMS, who has wrote a great story on LT's Knocking on the Hall of Fame.

For the article push Link: Charean Williams: LT is knocking on Hall of Fame doors

From the article:

Good company A look at how LaDainian Tomlinson stacks up against some of the NFL’s greatest running backs (all-time rank in parenthesis):

Player	Yrs	Rush Yds	TDs	YPG
Emmitt Smith	15	18,355 (1)	164 (1)	81.2 (17)
Walter Payton	13	16,726 (2)	110 (4)	88.0 (8)
Barry Sanders	10	15,269 (3)	99 (9)	99.8 (2)
Jim Brown	9	12,312 (8)	106 (5)	104.3 (1)
LaDainian Tomlinson	7	10,650 (18)	115 (3)	95.9 (4)

Why this team is going to Win

In the above picture Mini Camp morning the Chargers team begins to meet on the practice field at Charger Park.

If you look at the picture above you will see a team that really likes each other. They are both friends and teammates. I have been going to the Charger camps now for over twenty years, and this current team really likes each other. I have seen plenty of years where there is all these clicks and loners who really don't get along with the rest of the team. But this team that AJ Smith has built is a team of great character with a single purpose in mind, to Win!!! This team is ready and win they will. Teams with Character and Heart win over teams that are lacking. And this team is not lacking in anything, not in Talent nor Character, nor Heart. This Charger team has it all.

Darren Sproles more than just Special Teams Ace

Above Darren Sproles RB #43 is returning a punt in Mini Camp. But Sproles is much more than just a Special Teams Ace.
Above Sproles breaks through the middle in Mini Camp.
Sproles lined up behind Jacob Hester.
Above Sproles has received a pass and runs for a TD in Mini Camp.
Sproles runs through the middle and is tough to bring down.
Sproles lined up as the single RB.
Sproles receives a pass out of the backfield and is off to the races.
Sproles receives a pass over the middle.
Sproles takes the handoff and runs left into the open.

Darren Sproles is much more than just a Special Teams Ace, and he is very good at that. From Chargers.com.

2007:Named second-alternate to AFC Pro Bowl squad. Sproles finished the season ranked fifth in the NFL in kickoff return average (27.2 yards per return) and seventh in punt return average (9.5 yards per return).

I expect to see even more of Sproles this year as Norv Turner installs his spread offense and looks to throw the ball more. With either LaDainian Tomlinson or Darren Sproles as the RB the Chargers will be extremely dangerous in the spread with either LT or Sproles running out wide to receive a pass in the open. The addition of Jacob Hester allows for Turner to keep defenses honest as Rivers can always hand off to Hester too. This should be a fun year and the RB's will be even more explosive.

Coach Nunnely and the Dline

Coach Wayne Nunnely in the grey T-Shirt above and below teaching the Dline.

Coach Wayne Nunnely always seems to field one of the best Dlines in the NFL. While he has seen many different Dline players he has his Dline as one of the top NFL Teams at stopping the run and sacking the QB every year in stats. Wayne Nunnely has been so consistent that he has been kept on staff while many of the other coaches have come and gone. It's a good thing, because he is probably the best Dline coach in the NFL.

From Chargers.com on Wayne Nunnely.


Wayne Nunnely
Defensive Line

14th NFL Season, 12th with Chargers

Simply put, Wayne Nunnely is one of the best defensive line coaches in the NFL. He’s also one of the longest tenured in Chargers history as this season, his 12^th in San Diego, will tie him with Joe Madro and Jackie Simpson for the second-most seasons as Bolts assistant. Only Earnel Durden (13 seasons) coached here longer and only Durden, Madro and Nunnely coached in San Diego without interruption. Nunnely has been on the sideline for 176 consecutive regular-season games since joining the Bolts in 1997.

Year-in and year-out, the Chargers are among the NFL’s best teams at stopping the run. With Nunnely on board, the Chargers have ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in both rushing yards allowed per game and rushing yards allowed per carry in seven out of the past 11 seasons. Twice under Nunnely’s watch (1998 and 2005), the Chargers led the NFL in run defense. In 1998, the Chargers allowed a team-record 71.3 yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry. The yards per game average was the fifth-lowest in the NFL since the league went to a 16-game schedule in 1978 and the yards per attempts was the lowest average allowed by any team in the league since 1970. The Chargers also ranked first in the NFL in yards per carry in 1999 (3.1) and 2001 (3.3) and in yards per game in 2005 (84.3).

Nunnely’s defensive fronts have also left their mark on the team’s record book. In his 11 seasons, the Chargers have recorded six of the franchise’s 10 best yards per game averages in team history and seven of the top 10 yards per carry averages for a season.