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SAN DIEGO CHARGERS 2009 FEATURE CLIPS

A.J. Smith and Norv Turner Turner, Smith find reputations reborn after early scorn, San Diego Union-Tribune, Nick Canepa, Jan.Norv Turner Turner deserves coach of the year honor, ESPN.com, Bill Williamson, Jan. 8, 2010

Norv knows emotion, San Diego Union-Tribune, Nick Canepa, Nov. 11, 2009Norv continues to strike a nerve, San Diego Union-Tribune, Nick Canepa, Oct. 27, 2009

Binn, David In a snap, Binn reaches 250th, San Diego Union-Tribune, Chris Jenkins, Nov. 28, 2009

Castillo, Luis Castillo has been defenses ironman, North County Times, Scott Bair, Oct. 17, 2009Cooper, Stephen Follow the leader, North County Times, Scott Bair, Nov. 25, 2009Cromartie, Antonio Cromartie believes he has improved, North County Times, Scott Bair, Nov. 19, 2009Dobbins, Tim Dobbins quietly gets job done, North County Times, Scott Bair, Oct. 28, 2009Dombrowski, Brandyn Lineman to play yet another position, San Diego Union-Tribune, Chris Jenkins, Nov. 28, 2009English, Larry English makes strides as heir to Lights Out, San Diego Union-Tribune, Chris Jenkins, Dec. 31, 2009Gates, Antonio Gates learned through pain, San Diego Union-Tribune, Tim Sullivan, Nov. 30, 2009Hester, Jacob Growing into his role, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Aug. 12, 2009Jackson, Vincent Flying high, North County Times, Jay Paris, Nov. 11, 2009

San Diegos Jackson is becoming a receiving star, ESPN.com, Bill Williamson, Nov. 6, 2009

Jackson catching on as elite receiver, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Oct. 2, 2009Jammer, Quentin Chargers Jammer turns the corner, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Sept. 12, 2009Johnson, Travis Johnson glad to be where hes wanted, North County Times, Zach Jones, Sept. 9, 2009Kaeding, Nate Kaeding flirts with most-accurate-ever label, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Oct. 23, 2009McNeill, Marcus McNeills got his gigantic hands full, San Diego Union-Tribune, Tim Sullivan, Dec. 8, 2009Merriman, Shawne Emerging presence, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Nov. 5, 2009Oliver, Paul Oliver making most of his time, San Diego Union-Tribune, Chris Jenkins, Dec. 3, 2009Phillips, Shaun Phillips emerges from role of other guy, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Dec. 5, 2009Rivers, Philip Rivers flowing through Ramsdell, North County Times, Jay Paris, Dec. 16, 2009

Rivers moving into MVP territory, North County Times, Scott Bair, Dec. 10, 2009Runyan, Jon Chargers Runyan a genial giant off the field, San Diego Union-Tribune, Chris Jenkins, Jan. 7, 2010Scifres, Mike Chargers Mike Scifres gives punters a good name, San Diego News Network, Jason Owens, Aug. 13, 2009Siler, Brandon Backup brigade, North County Times, Dan Hayes, Jan. 6, 2010Sproles, Darren Chargers Sproles tough as they come, Fox Sports.com, Mark Kriegel, Aug. 7, 2009Tolbert, Mike Tolberts only recent misstep is his dance, North County Times, Scott Bair, Dec. 4, 2009Tomlinson, LaDainian LT still spry, thanks to Sproles, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Dec. 29, 2009

LT has to do less, but loves it more, San Diego Union-Tribune, Kevin Acee, Dec. 10, 2009Vasquez, Louis Vasquez feels at home in San Diego, ESPN.com, Bill Williamson, Sept. 24, 2009

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Turner, Smith find reputationsreborn after early scorn

Nick CanepaSan Diego Union-Tribune,Jan. 5, 2010

They hardly were Sacco and Vanzetti, but by Oct.20, Norv Turner and A.J. Smith were found guiltyby the splinter group of Chargers fans that by mobrule had prepared the tar and feathers and exitvisas. It was nasty.

Their football team was 2-3, having just lost toDenver on national television, and sitting 3 games behind the Broncos in the AFC West. Themadding crowd had seen enough. Smith, thegeneral manager, and Turner, the head coach, hadto go. It was a package deal, a horse and burro forJohn Wayne and his sidekick to ride out of Dodgewhile the getting was good.

Norv was being raked over the coals had beenfrom the time he came here, Smith says. Me, Iwas just the egotistical wacko who hired him.

Now, 11 straight wins, a division title and first-round playoff bye later, were saying Turner shouldbe NFL Coach of the Year and Smith Executive ofthe Year. Shouldnt even need a vote. If you knowfootball, what theyve managed is startling.

The Chargers may not reach the Super Bowl; theymay lose their home playoff game here Jan. 17.Who knows? But that they made this furious runand reached the playoff level after, for starters,five regulars went down among them, superbnose tackle Jamal Williams for the season and ProBowl center Nick Hardwick for 14 weeks in theiropening-night win at Oakland, defies all NFL logic.Its practically historic.

Because it doesnt happen. They were goners. And,in the minds of many vociferous fans, the men incharge held the smoking guns.

Go ahead and name a coach and GM who havebeen through more, on the field with injuries andoff of it Shawne Merriman and AntonioCromartie had legal issues that could have becomeimmense distractions and somehow turned whatwas perceived to be a diseased weed into an oak ina matter of weeks?

Norv Turner is the reason for this, Smith says. Imso happy to see that people now think maybe thisguy is good. Im so proud of our players. Andtheres the quarterback (Philip Rivers), standing tall,a special guy whos just starting to grow.Unbelievable.

These are two men who never wavered from theirconvictions.

We just rolled up our sleeves and got after it,Smith says.

Cases will be made for Colts rookie Jim Caldwell,who also had obstacles to overcome, the BengalsMarvin Lewis (who always has obstacles toovercome) and the Saints Sean Payton, for Coachof the Year, but none had to adapt and basicallychange craft midocean the way Turner did. Theman captained two different ships this season.

As for Smith, well, he moved as well on the fly as aGM possibly could. He lost nose tackle/end RyonBingham in the preseason, Williams and Hardwick

in the opener. Scott Mruczkowski (since injured), jumped in at center, then Brandyn Dombrowskiwent to guard when Louis Vasquez got hurt inOakland, then to right tackle when Jeromey Clarywent down.

Smith made a trade with Houston for defensiveend Travis Johnson, then brought in another end,Alfonso Boone, and nose tackle Ian Scott off thestreet. He coaxed veteran offensive tackle JonRunyan out of retirement.

Find another team with this much success that hadso much to go through (and Im leaving stuff out).Credit Turner and his staff for putting their thumbs

together, forming a frame, and getting the picturein focus. The Make Shift has made do, winning in just about every way imaginable. But its simplybeen football players playing football, preciselywhat New England has done over the years.

Thats enough case-building. What was perceivedas a house of cards remained standing through thehurricane.

Youve got to have backups who are very goodplayers, Smith says. But none of it means weshould be congratulated. It means this: Its special;weve survived 16 games and weve been rewardedwith a postseason game. We have an opportunity

to win a world championship thats all we have.Thats what Norv tells the players, who respecthim. Its pretty impressive when you hear himspeak.

Smith was ripped three years ago when he firedMarty Schottenheimer after a 14-2 season andhired Turner, who had a losing record as a headcoach. He claims he doesnt feel vindicated now.

No, no vindication at all, the GM says. I said I wasconfident in our coach, who was smart and knewhow to handle pressure situations. Vindication? Itslike everybody thought youre stupid and now theythink youre not stupid.

Our fans are passionate. If you get offended by it,you cloud the issue. Its only tough if you bring itinto your world. Norv is the first coach Ive hired. I just believe in him. I think the players believe inhim. Hes a smart man. Im not going to make a judgment on perception.

These guys are pretty good. No perceptionnecessary.

Turner deserves coach of theyear honor

By Bill WilliamsonFriday, January 8, 2010ESPN.com

What follows is not a story of vindication orredemption. Its a tale about changing a

longstanding perception.

Bad impressions are difficult to shake, but this ohas to go. Now is the time for Norv Turner to befreed of his label as a lackluster, inept leader.

Its time for Turner to be recognized as aproductive NFL coach. Its time for him to win tNFL Coach of the Year award.

Sounds weird, doesnt it? Norv Turner: NFL coof the year. Better than Bill Belichick? Better thMike Tomlin? Better than Jeff Fisher?

This year, Turner has been better than all of themIt will be a great injustice if Turner doesnt win

award when its announced Jan. 17.

Perception would win out. That shouldnt happeTurner should no longer be remembered only fosluggish head-coaching runs in Washington andOakland. He was the ultimate example of goodoffensive coordinator, lousy head coach.

But those days are over. Turner has been solid inthree seasons as the head coach in San Diego. Tseason, he has reached the next level. He needs be honored for it.

Turner is the clear-cut choice.

"Norv has done a hell of a job," San Diego

linebacker Shawne Merriman said. He deserveeverything he gets. He deserves credit. Hes ourleader.

Sure, New Orleans coach Sean Payton, Indianapcoach Jim Caldwell and Cincinnati coach MarvLewis will get some consideration for coach of year. But none have accomplished what Turner done this season.

San Diego ended the regular season as the hotteteam in football. The 13-3 Chargers, who areranked No. 2 in ESPN.coms Power Rankings, othe longest current winning streak in the NFL (1They have a first-round bye and are the No. 2 sein the AFC playoffs.

San Diego began its hot streak after starting 2-3and falling 3 games behind Denver in the AFCWest. However, San Diego bounced back to winthe division title. The Chargers ended up beatinDenver by five games in the division.

San Diego has never lost under Turner in DecemHe also kept his team focused all the way throuWeek 17. When top playoff teams Indianapolis,New Orleans and Minnesota all experienced somtype of December letdown, the Chargers keptmoving forward. Even with most of its starters othe bench, San Diego closed out the regular seaswith a win over Washington.

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But Turners terrific job wasnt relegated to thefinal month. San Diego overcame many injuries,including playing most of the season withoutdefensive tackle Jamal Williams and center NickHardwick. The San Diego running game sputteredall season, but Turners passing game carried theoffense. Quarterback Philip Rivers is in the MVPmix. Rivers has made steady strides under Turnersguidance the past three seasons.

Defensively, the Chargers made key adjustments inthe pass defense just before their 11-game winstreak.

Norv should be the guy, said Matt Williamson ofScouts Inc. "The thing you look for in head coachesis if they can get their guys to peak at the righttime. Norv is great at that. San Diego has not lostin December in 1,000 years. He deserves credit forthat. Its time people start looking at Norv as aquality head coach. I think he is a top 10 headcoach. I bet there are at least 20 owners in the NFLthat would take Norv over their guy right now.

San Diego general manager A.J. Smith took a lot ofheat when he hired Turner to replace MartySchottenheimer after the 2006 season. Smith hasstuck to his guns in his unwavering praise ofTurner. But he is not about to play the I-told-you-so game.

Im pleased that Norv may be in the conversation,Smith said. If he is, I understand why. He has donea good job here and I hope he continues to build abody of work here.

Turner is reluctant to push himself for the honor.He said he hasnt put much thought into hischances of winning the award. Still, he said this isone of his most satisfying seasons in his coachingcareer.

Im not very good at comparing those things, butthe biggest thing for me is the job the assistantcoaches have done and the number of people wehave that have contributed to this team, Turnersaid. That part of it is impressive. Somebody hadthe number, I dont know exactly what it was, butthey said 60 different guys have played in gamesfor us. Thats a lot of guys, but I know that onSundays we play a lot of people. When we win agame, I think everyone feels that they were part ofit, and thats a great team feeling.

But it all starts with great coaching by Turner. Nowlets see if he gets his due or if his previousreputation continues to get in the way.

Norv knows emotion

Last-minute comeback victory brings out the joy inChargers head coach

By Nick CanepaSAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNENovember 11, 2009

SAN DIEGO All it really took were about two NewYork minutes. Just 125 seconds of EasternStandard Time, that's all, to expose the side ofNorv Turner those outside his personal orbit rarelycatch without Galileo's contraption. You know, theside Norv's Legion of Loathers claim doesn't exist.

But it does. He sometimes may be as emotional andspontaneous as an out-of-order lamp post, but heis of flesh and blood. The Chargers coach wasn'tborn without nerve endings. Some of us are betterthan others at hiding things, but there are timeswhen exposure can't be helped.

This was the jubilant Norv. The fist-pumping Norv.The ecstatic Norv, making an unrehearsed nationalphoto op, hugging LaDainian Tomlinson as if theywere two long separated buds who hadn't seen

each other since childhood.

Several minutes following Sunday's eleventh-hourassault brilliantly carried out by quarterbackPhilip Rivers as per commander Turner'sinstructions that led to a 21-20 victory over theNew York Giants on their giant platform thecoach was more subdued. But not that subdued.You could tell. Some of his capillaries were ready toburst.

That kind of win brings things out, youranxiousness and excitement, Turner, taking a brieftime out from his preparations for Sunday's affairhere with Philadelphia, was saying Tuesday

afternoon. Just watching the guys get so excited,with two minutes left after we'd held them to afield goal, having a chance to win there wasgenuine excitement on the sideline.

To win a game like that, to know the importanceof it, is an emotional deal.

With that win, Turner has completed the season'sfirst half at 5-3, his best start in his three years onthe bridge. And he's a second-half kind of guy.

We can't now know if his late-season success willcontinue. But we know Denver got itself clobberedby Pittsburgh Monday night. We know theChargers now are one game behind the Broncos inthe AFC West. We know the stage is set.

We know Turner can't win for trying. But there arefacts.

We know he's won as many playoff games (three)as any coach in club history.

We know his .600 winning percentage (24-16) issecond-highest in club history and will be No. 1 ifthe Chargers can defeat the Eagles.

We know he's 12-2 in his Decembers and Januaryshere, best in club history.

We know that, if he goes to the playoffs for thefourth consecutive season, he will tie Don Coryell,who managed it from 1979-82.

Or do we? Or do we want to?

We definitely know it probably won't be goodenough, because he's Norv, and some folks, plainand simple, don't like Norv and never will like Norv,no matter if Norv is responsible for peace in ourtime.

We also should know by now that Norv has a hiHe's been through so much.

His mother, Vicky, who raised her five childrenMartinez, contracted multiple sclerosis and spenher latter years in a wheelchair. His sister, Janisalso has the disease. Your stones aren't breakinghis window.

So, while he may not enjoy what's said about hiyes, I've received FIRE NORV! e-mails this wehe can take whatever's thrown his way. Saywhatever you want, his kids go out and play forhim, and while they may not always l ike what'stheir plate which makes Chargerville like eveother NFL port they learn to swallow it and dowhat they're told.

Does he get used to the detractors?

No, he said, once again showing his human sidon't think anybody can say that. But you have thave the ability to tune things out, to separateyourself from it, or you can't function.

We have some very good coaches here who havworked hard to make good decisions, trying to gthe guys to do what they do best. We have a goohandle on what we do best.

And right now, while not great, they are just gooenough. His team was devastated by injuriesfollowing the season opener at Oakland, but it'sfought through them.

We went to Pittsburgh a beat-up football teamand we weren't capable, Turner said of the onlygame his guys have been out of. We're a differteam than I expected us to be.

Shawne Merriman's return to at least near-ShawMerriman form has improved the defense, as weexpected it would. Turner's offense still can't runthe ball, but that's been negated by Rivers'excellence and the ascension of Vincent Jacksonone of The League's top receivers.

Norv Turner is making do.

I have no control over that (being liked), he sYou can give a strong performance and lose aclose game. You can play poorly and everythingfine. You can't get caught up in the bumps alongthe way.

Riding over all those bumps for most of his 57years, Norv Turner has managed to keep his eyeon the road. He may not be a great head coach. neither phony nor mouse is he.

Norv continues to strike a nerve

By Nick CanepaUNION-TRIBUNE COLUMNIST2:00 a.m. October 27, 2009

Norv Turner is The Accidental Dichotomy. Nothabout him is controversial, while everything abo

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him is controversial. And he really doesn't have totry hard to be either.

Those who know the Chargers head coach lovehim. Those who don't, or those who think theymight and don't, flatly can't stand him and wouldprefer his next outfit be made of tar and feathers.

Interesting. When the Chargers lose, I hear fromdozens of Anti-Norvites within minutes of the finalwhistle. Not even Satan should hear some of thisstuff. But, when they win, as they did convincinglySunday in Kansas City? Very little.

The immediacy of a win has a way of muzzling thedetractors until it wears off. When the Chargerswin, Turner has nothing to do with it. When theylose, it's entirely his fault. There's no middleground.

Everybody has their thoughts as to who should berunning the Chargers. But look at the 31 other NFLcoaches and tell me how many would fit here. MikeSingletary was a genius just three weeks ago. Sowas Rex Ryan. Jeff Fisher, Einstein in Tennesseelast year, is a winless bum now.

Bring in Bill Cowher, I hear (not going to happen).Until he finally got lucky and won a Super Bowl,what coach in history lost more big games thanCowher? Look 'em up. If he were coaching in anyother city but Pittsburgh, where the Rooneys' prideprevents them from hiring a coach but once every50 years, he would have been canned before he gotthe ring.

I like Norv. I like him personally. I think he's abrilliant football mind. That he's not a great headcoach shouldn't even be mentioned. He's donenothing to warrant the title.

But I find him a fascinating sports figure. Maybeit's his resiliency. Not even his detractors can denyhe has that. When things go bad, just when itappears as though everything's falling out of thewet Chargers sack, somehow Turner excels.

I can't figure out the how and why of Norv. Wehear so much, we think so much, and yet hisplayers play for him. That's just it, you see, that'swhat really drives us nuts about him.

Just when we think the end is near, the man finds abeginning. He gets his men to go out and play maybe not entirely in the manner he would prefer,

but they try.

Going into Kansas City, the Chargers werestaggering, coming off two rough losses Pittsburgh was an embarrassment so manypeople expected the worst. Once again, there wererumblings about an unhappy locker room, which isa revelation. I know I've never been in a happylosing locker room, nor do I expect to find one.

But Sunday? No unhappiness in Kansas City. Norvhad eight players sick last week. He had otherinjury issues. They still spanked the Chiefs, and nomatter what you think about the opponent, you go

into Arrowhead Stadium and try to win. The 37-7outcome was the most lopsided San Diego victoryin the series' 50-year history.

The Chargers lost an important division game vs.Denver at home Monday night and had to leaveFriday for K.C. with some sick and injured playersand a few others who aren't close to where theyshould be. And while hardly brilliant, they managedtheir most complete game of the season.

That was a good win, man. It could have beenbetter, even more pronounced, but, sorry, that wasa good win. And that can't happen if the coach haslost his locker room.

I hardly agree with everything Turner does,although he knew more about football when hewas 10 than most of us do now. That he isn't acheerleader doesn't bother me in the least,although it seems his biggest fault to the Anti-Norvites.

If professional players drawing huge paychecksneed cheerleaders, maybe the Charger Girls shouldbe the next head coach. It's bunk. If you don'tbelieve Turner is intense perhaps too intense (hemay think too much) then your attention spanhas rolled beyond its expiration date. Why goingberserk is necessary, I don't understand.

My guess is that Turner, coaching a team whosewindow is closing gradually, may need to make theplayoffs, or his team will have to showconsiderably more than it has, for the bubble notto pop. I think the Chargers should be better. I'msure he does, too.

If he gets fired, I don't know how I'll feel, but hewould have had a chance. And he won't behomeless.

But he fascinates me, Norv Turner. There'ssomething about him that barely manages tosucceed. Not many of those people around. And ifyou're looking for someone who succeeds most ofthe time, better try going back 21 centuries.

In a snap, Binn reaches 250th

By Chris JenkinsSan Diego UNION-TRIBUNENovember 28, 2009

On that very first day and that was thousandsand thousands of days ago he didn't get theimpression he'd be around the Chargers much morethan a few days.

San Diego signed David Binn as an undrafted playerout of Cal in 1994. Scouts had told him theyenvisioned him as a backup H-back or tight end, anopinion not shared by everybody in theorganization. He learned that quickly, the first timehe put a question to the tight ends coach.

He really hadn't said anything to me, said Binn ofthe coach who shall remain nameless. After thefirst tight end meeting, I went to him and said, Am

I really gonna play for you? Do you want me? like, To be honest, no. So I said, All right, anwalked into the special team meeting.

He's been attending them regularly now for 16years. Of the 750 games the Chargers have playover five decades, Binn has appeared in one-thiof them. Tomorrow's game against the Kansas CChiefs will mark his 250th in the Chargers unifoThat's a lot of hikes for a career long-snapper.

It doesn't really seem like that many games, Bsaid yesterday. I'm still playing, still feel good.Maybe when I get down the road, someday I'll bable to look back on it and go Wow.

From the looks of his conditioning, the quality ohis play and the two years left on his contract, th37-year-old Binn still could be performing in thNFL when he's Brett Favre's current age, and hewouldn't have gotten knocked around nearly asmuch as the quarterback.

I don't know, he gets hit a lot by a lot of fat guyspecial teams captain Kassim Osgood said. Andoes get downfield and make some tackles. Stil

When he first reported to the NFL, playersdedicated to just the art of long-snapping werealmost nonexistent, a seeming waste of a valuabroster spot. No doubt the dependability andcontinuity he gave the Chargers convinced otheteams to find their own guy.

I don't know if it's me, per se, or the nature of hgames are, Binn said. Games are going down the wire, being decided by three points, comingdown to a field goal or sometimes even a PATbeing the difference between winning or losing game. Over the course of a season, one or twogames are the difference between getting into thplayoffs or not. The game in general's just gottemore specialized.

Now every team has a snapper. I always thoughMan, if you could get 10 years doing this, that'da great career. I'm six years past that. I always tit one game at a time, but next thing you know, 16 seasons.

Castillo has been defense'sironman

By: Scott Bair

North County TimesOct. 17, 2009

SAN DIEGO ---- When the Chargers' defense isthe job, Luis Castillo rarely leaves the field.

That's an oddity for defensive linemen, whonormally rotate in and out to stay fresh at aposition that requires tremendous strength andenergy on every snap. While a defensive linemawould participate in 25-35 snaps per game in aperfect world, Castillo is way over that.

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He has logged 208 snaps, averaging 52 plays pergame. That's an astronomic total in the Chargers'3-4 defense and is 55 more than any otherlineman. Castillo has managed to thrive despite thisincreased workload, totaling 17 tackles (three forlosses), a sack, six quarterback pressures and threequarterback hits.

"I've been impressed," coach Norv Turner said."He's doing a lot of good things for us. It takes atoll when you're on the field for that many plays,

but Luis has worked through it and has continuallygotten better."

Castillo has been a bright spot on the Chargers'maligned line, holding his own while taking thelion's share of the snaps at left end. He has doneso without complaint, doing whatever is necessaryto keep the defensive front afloat.

"Luis has worked really hard to make sure that he'sbeen in shape to handle something like that," nosetackle Ian Scott said. "Luis will do whatever isnecessary to help this line. You don't want that tohappen over a whole year, but sometimes you haveto."

Castillo's increased workload ---- which included awhopping 64-snap effort against Pittsburgh ----became necessary after a well-documented injuryplague along the defensive line that consumedJamal Williams and Ryon Bingham for the year andend Travis Johnson for three games.

Castillo has been relatively healthy so far, fightingthrough bumps and bruises to establish himself asthe one consistent presence on the defensive line.More important, there was a leadership void whenWilliams was lost with a triceps tear.

Young players and new additions alike have lookedto Castillo for leadership, a role he assumed inWilliams' absence.

"This has always been Jamal Williams' defensiveline," Castillo said. "He had a way of leadingthrough his play and his presence on the field,without ever talking much. For me, it's about tryingto go out and do the same thing. I try to put myhead down, play hard and contribute in any waypossible. The rest will take care of itself."

Castillo knows that solid individual performance,even after a sub-par year statistically in 2008 andan injury-plagued campaign in 2007, is secondaryto team success.

"We have to play better as a defense," he said."We're one of the worst-ranked run defenses. Weshould only be evaluated as a whole. And as awhole, we need to play better."

The Chargers expect to play better with morebodies. Scott is back in the fold after being re-signed, and Johnson has returned after missingthree games with a groin injury.

That will decrease Castillo's workload, but shouldincrease the entire line's effectiveness.

"Being able to have a rotation on the defensive lineis important," Castillo said. "It'll help us be fresherand more productive. It will help us be a moremistake-free unit."

There were mistakes aplenty early in the season,when the Chargers were routinely beat up frontdue to inexperience in the starting lineup. Time andadversity has created chemistry in this group,which its leader believes will be beneficial in thelong run.

"Early in the year, we had younger guys playingmore often," Castillo said. "That was different thananything I'd experienced since I've been here. Butwe've been together so long now that you consideryourselves brothers. No matter what is said, youbelieve in the guy next to you and you believe thathe's going to get the job done."

Follow the leader

Chargers LB Cooper a guide post for Mt. Carmeldefensive back

SCOTT BAIRNorth County TimesWednesday, November 25, 2009

SAN DIEGO ---- The Cooper household wasbustling with life Tuesday afternoon.

People occupied every corner of this sprawlingsuburban home, buzzing with energyuncharacteristic of a bachelor pad. A festiveatmosphere pervaded through common areas and abackyard where adults socialized and childrenplayed.

In many ways it's a revival of holidays past inWareham, Mass., a small New England townoutside Boston where the nucleus of StephenCooper's family resides. Thanksgiving festivitieshave moved west with the star Chargers insidelinebacker, and while the weather is warmer, theplayful banter and undeniable family chemistryremains intact.

"It's the exact environment I grew up in," Coopersaid. "We used to pack eight people into a twobedroom house. Now we have an eight-bedroomhouse and I still don't have enough beds foreveryone. I try to put family up in hotels, but theywant to stay under one roof as a family. We've gotpeople sleeping on couches and chairs. It's justwhat we do. We stick together."

The family will be out all week, sharing turkeyThursday afternoon and Sunday's Chargers gameagainst Kansas City. Normalcy will slowly returnafter that, as family members head back to theirown lives across the country. Numbers willdecrease to a select few, but the philosophy ofbeing a Cooper never leaves.

While there wasn't a ton of money floating aroundduring Cooper's youth, he thrived on the emotionalsupport of his immediate family through goodtimes and bad.

That's why Mark Williams is around for more th just the holidays. Cooper's nephew was on the pto nowhere in Wareham, admittedly wasting hisyouth with a bad crowd and one stupid decisionafter another. The teenager had all but given up school, sporting a grade-point average thatreflected his apathy.

"I started hanging around with the wrong crowdand I refused to take school seriously," Williamsaid. "My mom (Anika) was sick of it, so she m

phone call. I was either going to move here or toFlorida with aunt. My uncle agreed to take me i

Cooper didn't give it a second thought. He flewWilliams out and enrolled him at Mt. Carmel Hiwhere the 18-year old has been since the start ohis junior year. The idea was to give Williams afresh start and erase mistakes of an alreadycheckered past.

"He didn't have a male role model to watch ovehim and teach him about becoming a man," Coosaid. "I grew up in an all-female household like did, so I understand what he's going through. told Mark that if he wanted to come out here, I h

the room to put him up and help him realize hispotential."

The first step was to get Williams' grades in ordHis academic problems went west with him, andrendered him ineligible to play football during tfirst four games of his junior year.

"It was rough, but it showed me how importantgrades were," Williams said. "Not being able tofootball really got to me, and I started feeling baabout some decisions I made. I told myself I wanever going through that again."

With that, Cooper found some leverage. He toldWilliams to pour focus into academics lest footbbe taken away yet again. He supported thatassertion with his own experience, explaining thhe too had to spend time in summer school tryinto avoid academic ineligibility following hissophomore year at Wareham High.

It worked. Williams' grades are way up less thanmonths later and he's one of the reasons why theSundevils have reached the second round of theCIF San Diego Section Division II playoffs.

The cornerback had double-digit tackles and a 7yard fumble return in a first-round contest againMorse, which set up Friday's game with Oceansand earned bragging rights back at home.

Cooper and Williams watch each other's game,evaluate statistics and decide who had the bestindividual performance. While Cooper was actialways in a 32-3 win over Denver, Williams gotnod this week.

"He beat me last week head to head, but his teammoving on in the playoffs and mine jumped intofirst place in the AFC West," Cooper said. "It's ba good week for both of us."

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It's been a productive period for Williams, whoseems to have his life straightened out. He's lessthan a year away from graduating high school,which no longer represents the end of his academiclife.

"Uncle Stephen was the first person in our familyto go to college," Williams said. "I'm going to be thesecond."

There's a real bond between the two thanks tocommon experience. Cooper and Williams grew upin the same town, where expectations can beextremely low and bright futures can dull. Theyboth have a passion for football and didn't havestrong male role models growing up. Both havemade mistakes and have tried to improvethemselves because of it.

That's why Cooper's at every Mt. Carmel game ifhe's not travelling with the Chargers. That's why hedoesn't mind being candid about his past ---- whichincludes an arrest and a suspension for using thebanned stimulant ephedra ---- if it meansimproving Williams' future.

"You have to do that," Cooper said. "He's beenaround when I've recovered from some bumps andbruises. I had to fight through my own obstacles,and he's seen how I've adjusted from my ownmistakes. He's been around for all the negativethings I've been through in life, but at the sametime he's not afraid to ask questions and I'm notafraid to answer them honestly. Both of us havelearned from my mistakes. Hopefully he doesn'tmake the same mistakes I've made in the past."

Williams is working to correct past mistakes andtake advantage of this opportunity. His effort anddiscipline have been most encouraging for Cooper,an undrafted free agent who took the long road to

success.

"I want to see him do well," Cooper said. "I didn'twant him to fall behind and be like everyone elsewho gets caught up in the negative stuff backhome. I wasn't going to let him fall into that trap. Iwant him to prosper as a man and as a member ofthis family.

"I had to push him after he first moved here, and Ihad to teach him some little things like pleases andthank yous, and how to shake a person's hand. Ithink he's adapted very well. The family came outfor the holidays last year and everyone noticed a180-degree improvement as a person.

"He's growing up fast and is showing respect forhis elders. Thus far, it's been a great move."

Cromartie believes he hasimproved

After a subpar 2008, Chargers cornerback tries toreturn to Pro Bowl form

By SCOTT BAIRNorth County TimesThursday, November 19, 2009

SAN DIEGO ---- Antonio Cromartie is an athlete.There's no questioning that.

Just look at above the entrance to Chargers Park,where a giant photo shows Cromartie making animprobable interception of Indianapolis Coltsquarterback Peyton Manning. The now famouspicture shows Cromartie suspended in midair,craning back to make a one-handed pick fewthought he could bring down.

It was just one of three interceptions nabbed byCromartie that day in 2007, which stands asCromartie's formal coming out party. He became a

national celebrity that day, the highlight of atremendous season where he had 10 interceptionsdespite playing nickel back most of the year.

Stardom was due to raw athleticism more thananything else, as Cromartie used his uncommonagility, hops and closing speed to intercept anyerrant pass thrown his way.

While he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2007,Cromartie believes he's a better player now thatever despite collecting just two interceptions innine games.

"I think I'm having better year than I did in '07,"Cromartie said after Thursday's practice. "I'mplaying a lot more consistent, and I'm letting thecoaches and my teammates know that they canexpect the best out of me week in and week."

While interceptions used to be his obsession,Cromartie's priorities have changed. He valuestechnique and consistency above all else in theinterest of becoming a well-rounded player.

"The little things make me a better, more completecorner," Cromartie said. "I could just sit back andrely on my God-given abilities, but I can be a betterplayer if I can combine athleticism and propertechnique."

Coaches and players have notice suchimprovement, especially after the bye week.Cromartie admittedly had his worst game of theseason at Pittsburgh, when he was routinely pickedon by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger andreceiver Santonio Holmes. While he complainedabout the defensive scheme via Twitter shortlyafter the game, his frustration turned inwardduring the week.

He went back to basics during the bye week andcrafted his technique with one rep after another.

"The eyes, feet, hips and hands are a cornerbackweapons," Chargers secondary coach Steve Wilsaid. "His eye discipline and footwork is presscoverage has greatly improved, as has his abilitychange direction at a moment's notice.

"Most importantly he's locked in and trying toconcentrate on doing the little things right andmaster his technique. He's always been a film gubut his emphasis on the details has really paid o

That's a major change from 2008, when he boldand publicly professed his plans to get 15interceptions that season. He didn't come close.Cromartie had just two interceptions that season-- both in week 3 against the New York Jets ----and struggled in pass coverage. He was humblethe experience, although he could've used a tornhip flexor as an excuse for his drop in productio

Instead he put effort into his workouts, histechnique and his on-field state of mind.

"I don't really care about picks anymore," Cromsaid. "If we can stop the pass like we've been doand we keep winning, then I'm satisfied. If you'rplaying good, fundamental coverage your guy's going to be open and you won' t get many ballsthrown your way. That's when you know you'redoing your job."

While those efforts won't wow fans like his flurof 2007 interceptions, it has helped stabilize thesecondary this season. Wilks can see it on gametape, where Cromartie's subtle improvement iseasier to spot than with the naked eye.

"You can see him trying to perfect his techniqueman coverage and his discipline in zone," Wilkssaid. "He's trying to become that complete footbplayer."

Dobbins quietly gets job done

On team full of personalities, Bolts LB stayintroverted

By SCOTT BAIRNorth County TimesOctober 28, 2009

Linebacker Tim Dobbins enjoyed the best gamehis career while replacing injured starter KevinBurnett in Sunday's victory at Kansas City. He m

start again this Sunday against the Raiders. (Phoby Jamie Scott Lytle - Staff Photographer)

SAN DIEGO ---- Tim Dobbins doesn't like talkthe media. His lips are sealed with microphonesdeferring to more established players when itcomes to discussing the Chargers' fortunes.

His reasoning is that a backup's opinion holds leweight than an impact starter's. But Sunday'sperformance against Kansas City made that atough sell.

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Recording a team-high 11 tackles and aninterception against the Chiefs put him in demandafter Wednesday's practice, the first time playerswere available to the media since the finestperformance of Dobbins' professional career.

But even when faced with a wave of positive press,Dobbins politely declined comment. The insidelinebacker is a mystery on a roster full ofpersonalities, and he'd like to remain that way.

"It's just the kind of guy he is," inside linebackerStephen Cooper said. "Not too many people knowhis background, myself included. Since he's beenhere, he's kept to himself. When you ask himsomething, he'll answer, but he isn't out therebeing flamboyant. His only goal is to get the jobdone."

Dobbins certainly did that while filling in for injuredinside linebacker Kevin Burnett (ankle). Dobbinsproved to be a sure tackler and an opportunist,nabbing the second interception of his career.

Dobbins might be in line to start again Sundayagainst the Oakland Raiders with Burnett's statusstill undetermined. Another strong showing mightincrease his playing time and force coaches toreinstate him as a starter, a designation he lost toBurnett in training camp.

"Tim's been a good player here," Chargers coachNorv Turner said. "We tell our players to make themost of an opportunity when they get one. Heplayed as well as I've seen him play. When you getthose opportunities and you play that well for twoor three weeks in a row, you deserve the right tostay in there."

Cooper emphasized that point before the KansasCity game, recounting how a spot start in place ofan injured Randall Godfrey in 2005 jump-startedhis Chargers career.

"(Dobbins) was put in a similar position and hewent out there and did a great job," Cooper said."He showed the coaches that he can go out andget the job done. We're happy to have him with us,performing at a high level."

Dobbins has done so in spurts, including a pair ofhuge plays in the 2008 season. He recovered afourth-quarter fumble in a Week 2 game at Denverthat would have iced the game had referee EdHochuli not blown the call. Dobbins also had ahuge sack of Indianapolis quarterback PeytonManning at the end of the AFC divisional playoffgame that essentially secured victory.

Dobbins had eight starts in 2008 after MattWilhelm fell out of favor, but he was alwaysviewed as an stopgap until a better option could befound. That's why Burnett was brought in, leavingDobbins to spell him and Cooper when necessary.

He played like a starter against Kansas City,demonstrating his sure-tackling skills and showinga true grasp of the defense. He just doesn't feel hebears all the responsibilities of a starter, specificallytaking questions from the media.

"He likes to lock in and stay focused," Phillips said." ... He talks with us, but it's all about taking care ofbusiness. He's a guy that comes in early and leaveslate. All that hard work is starting to pay off."

Lineman to play yet anotherposition

Dombrowski to start for first time at right tackle

By Chris JenkinsSan Diego UNION-TRIBUNENovember 28, 2009

His profession is football. His other game, it wouldseem, is Twister.

Left foot here, right foot way over there. Left handback here, right hand up there. Simple. Now keepyour balance till the other guy falls.

Taking over for the injured Jeromey Clary,offensive lineman Brandyn Dombrowski will starttomorrow for the Chargers at right tackle, a f irstfor a blocker who's already played left guard, rightguard and left tackle in either college or the NFL.

Hard, said sidelined center Nick Hardwick, whoseposition is the only one Dombrowski has yet toplay. Very hard.

Very hard also could describe the career path thatled Dombrowski to his face-off with the KansasCity Chiefs. More usual than unusual is theChargers offensive lineman who changes theposition he came here to play or spends time onthe practice squad, if not both.

Now a two-time Pro Bowl left guard, Kris Dielman

came to San Diego as an undrafted defensivelineman, spent time on the practice squad andplayed few game snaps while making theconversion his first two years, getting his chancewith an injury to Toniu Fonoti. Starting in theabsence of Hardwick with an ankle issue, centerScott Mruczkowski played special teams whilebacking up both guards over his first four seasons.Clary, a starter the past two seasons, spent hisentire first year on the Chargers practice squad.

If you want to stay here, you learn every position,you go where they want you, Dombrowski said. Ifyou're on the practice squad, you learn everythingyou can. You sit in the meetings, write everythingdown, keep your mouth quiet.

At the opposite end of the experience spectrum atright tackle is 13-year veteran Jon Runyan, whomthe Chargers just signed while declaring Clary lostfor the season. Before he had microfracturesurgery, Runyan played in two Super Bowls and didnot miss a start for the Tennessee Oilers/Titansfrom 1997 through 1999 and the PhiladelphiaEagles from 2000-08.

Thus, there's no telling how long Dombrowski willeven be at tackle. But that's sort of been thenature of his gig with the Chargers.

When the season started, I was just trying tomake the team, get on the 53(-man roster),Dombrowski said. Then it just happened. I didgood in preseason, made it onto the active(roster).

He spent most of the summer working at lefttackle, a precaution against the loss of MarcusMcNeill, who was coming off neck surgery.Dombrowski, while definitely big enough at 6-f5, 323 pounds, hadn't played tackle on either sid

when joining the Chargers as a free agent out ofSan Diego State last year. With the Aztecs, he wa guard coached by a former Charger who hadmastered the interior-line position, Ed White.

Tackle and guard definitely are not the sameposition, Dombrowski said. The steps aredifferent. Your body gets used to being in a certposition, your muscles get used to being in acertain position.

Guard's a more physical position, because youyour hands on the guy right away. At tackle, youwait on the guy, let him make his move and makyour reaction to the move. When you move arou

the line, you've just got to adjust.

The timing would seem fortuitous. Kansas City,while coming off a massive upset of the PittsbuSteelers, ranks 30th of 32 NFL teams in totaldefense and 30th in sacks with 15. For the mostpart, Dombrowski will be dealing with youngerdefenders in rookie end Tyson Jackson and outslinebacker Andy Studebaker in only his secondstart.

And this time, at least, Dombrowski's had a weeof preparation for his assignment. His versatilitywas put to a severe and spontaneous test in theseason opener at Oakland. With all the action

Dombrowski saw at left tackle through thepreseason, he was summoned early in the game play right guard against the Raiders in place ofLouis Vasquez, whose injury knocked him out othat contest and the next two.

I hadn't played that in a year, said DombrowskThat probably was the toughest, just because itwas coming off the sideline in a game. My eyeswere a little wide on that first drive. After you lto relax, though, you just throw all that out thedoor and go play football.

English makes strides as heir to

Lights OutBy Chris JenkinsSan Diego Union-TribuneDec. 31, 2009

Romo. Yeah, thats the one.

Of all the many near-misses well, near-hits thats the open shot Larry English wants back thmost. The waist-high fastball.

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The logo on the Dallas Cowboys helmet worn byTony Romo might as well have been a guiding starfor English, so clear was the Chargers rookielinebackers path to the quarterback in that gameof Dec. 13. The sheer exhilaration from thepossibility of the sack wasnt due to the big stage the new Cowboys Stadium, the national-television audience, a statement game for theChargers as much as the seemingly sure thing athand.

I beat the tackle clean with an inside move andhad a clean rush, a clean angle to (Romo), saidEnglish yesterday. I stayed on his upfield shoulderbecause he likes to spin out a lot of times.

Describing how he was about to wrap up thequarterback, English suddenly pretended to beRomo, bowing at the waist and twisting his torso.

He felt me and was able to duck under me, likethis, said English, still bent over. Just as I got tohim, he ducked, and he got away clean.

Still, English has shown the ability to bring theheat, in the words of General Manager A.J. Smith,explaining on draft day why he used the ChargersNo. 1 pick and the leagues 16th overall selectionon English. Never mind that English primarily was adefensive end at Northern Illinois whod be playingmostly outside linebacker with San Diego.

The Chargers have veterans Shawne Merriman andShaun Phillips on the outside, so Englishs time onthe field has been far more limited than hemightve gotten with other teams. But hesmanaged to show signs of why he appealed somuch to Smith. With Merriman in the last year ofhis contract, coming off knee surgery that sidelinedhim virtually all of 2008 and battling plantarfasciitis throughout much of this season, English is

the successor apparent to the three-time Pro Bowllinebacker who lockers right next to him.

English has two sacks recorded in back-to-backlosses to Pittsburgh and Denver to Merrimansfour. Compared to Merrimans 71/2 quarterbackknockdowns and four hurries, English has nineknockdowns and four hurries.

Larrys done great, said head coach Norv Turner.You know, its a transition, from being a hand-to-ground pass rusher to outside linebacker, but hesreally made progress and is understanding of whatwere asking him to do. Hes been close to makingbig plays. When youre as close as hes been with

consistency, theyre gonna come.

Turner said the difference between the close playsand the made plays is the NFL. English agrees, to apoint, recalling his transition from high school tocollege ball and the fact that he only had one sackhis freshman year at Northern Illinois. As asophomore, he had a dozen sacks en route to acareer total of 311/2.

The assumption is that sacks come with time, saidEnglish. Sacks are funny in that they seem tocome in bunches. Thereve been a couple that Ishouldve had, guys I couldve had and shouldve

put away, like Romo. Its a matter of being a bitquicker, coming off the edge tighter, yourtechnique being a little bit better, taking the anglea little bit faster.

In other words, the improvement that comes withexperience and consistency. Even as a top draftchoice, English said he came to the Chargers withno expectations of being plugged directly into the3-4 defense, especially one thats become sodependent on overall depth at the linebacker

position.

Englishs one start came in the game at Cleveland,where Merriman was deactivated to allow his footinjury to calm down, but logic would indicate thepossibility of another start Sunday. The regular-season finale against the Washington Redskins,followed by next weekends first-round bye in theplayoffs, affords the Chargers the opportunity tolet some of their more battered players heal.

When I first came here, I knew that they had tworeally good players I could learn a lot from, and Iknew Id be getting my chances, said English. Ifeel like Ive made some progress. This is something

thats new for me, especially coming from D-end,constantly learning.

Its up to me and the work ethic I put forth to geteverything down. I think Im moving forward.

Gates learned through pain

By Tim SullivanSan Diego Union-TribuneMonday, November 30, 2009

When he's not running pass routes, Antonio Gatestypically moves at a speed that looks like loitering.

The Chargers' transcendent tight end is asunhurried as continental drift, almost always thelast player to leave the locker room on Sundayafternoons and, in the estimate of equipmentmanager Bob Wick, the slowest dresser he's seen in31 years.

"We showered together after the New York game,"Wick said yesterday. "You know if you'reshowering with me, you're late."

So when Gates says that football has slowed downfor him, you have to believe the game has come to

an absolute crawl. You have to imagine that hisfootball life flashes by as if it were time-lapsephotography.

And you have to believe that this places hisopponents at a decided disadvantage.

En route to what figures to be his sixth Pro Bowl,Gates caught seven passes and scored twotouchdowns during the Chargers' 43-14 conquestof the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday. He thenexplained that his recent resurgence can be tracedto a series of injuries that caused him to study hiscraft instead of simply trusting his talent; toanticipate rather than react.

"I had to learn a lot about myself and I had to lea lot about the game of football," Gates said. "Itforced me to learn coverages. It forced me to lethe game itself.

"I think that was one of my problems because Ialways just used my athletic ability and with the(2007 toe) injury and then the high ankle sprainand so forth, I had so many different injuries, itforced me to become a football player in theclassroom."

Gates is so physically gifted, so swift, so agile ablessed with such refined ball skills, that his inswas never much of an issue. A college basketbaplayer who learned pro football on the fly as anundrafted free agent, Gates attained greatnesswithout completely grasping how he fit in theoverall scheme.

He was a natural, a freak, a weekly matchupnightmare for shorter safeties and slowerlinebackers. And still not all he might have been

"I had to learn how to read coverages," he said. had to learn how to read schemes. Once I was ato grasp that and then my physical ability cameback, I looked up and I was able to do things -- game got slower ...

"I'm not a psychic, but I can almost see a playbefore it happens."

With 59 catches and 827 receiving yards througthe first 11 games of the season, Gates' extra-sensory receptions have brought him within ranof his 2005 career bests of 89 catches and 1,101yards. His two scores yesterday moved him pasWesley Walls into fourth place for most careertouchdowns by a tight end and marked the 11thmulti-touchdown game of his career.

Having already exceeded the career touchdowntotals of all seven tight ends in the Pro FootballHall of Fame, the 29-year-old Gates may ultimafind the statistical standards of the still-activeTony Gonzalez to be beyond his reach. But he'sprobably no more than a year from surpassingChargers icon Kellen Winslow in every majorcategory, while still in his prime.

"He's really on," Chargers quarterback Philip Rsaid yesterday. "He's playing as powerfully and well as I've seen him play."

"When he's at full strength, he's a monster, manChargers cornerback Quentin Jammer saidyesterday. "I don't think anybody in this league cover Gates ... Except me."

The Chiefs, clearly, were overmatched. Gatescaught all seven of the passes for which he wasofficially "targeted," yesterday -- each of themresulting in a first down or a score -- and he lateprovoked a flagrant pass interference penalty bysafety Brandon Carr that gave the Chargers a firand-goal at Kansas City's 1-yard line.

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"Antonio obviously is a very good player, if not thebest, one of the best tight ends in the league,"Chiefs coach Todd Haley said. "... (He's) really theone we went into the week not wanting to be theguy that beat us. (But) he made a lot of playstoday."

Chargers head coach Norv Turner says Gates ismaking more plays because he's more mobile; andthat the impact of his toe injury (and the surgery itentailed) was inadequately appreciated last year.

For his part, Gates knows he's better when he canget off the ground, but the bigger difference in hisgame is how well-grounded he has become.

"I kind of know when I've got a good chance ofgetting the ball," he said. "When I look at thecoverage, depending on my route, I'm thinking,'This might be big.' ... I'm kind of like a quarterback.I know when we're going to check into anotherplay."

Asked for an example, Gates cited a safety blitz hecorrectly sensed two weeks ago againstPhiladelphia, and the adjustment he made inbreaking off his pass route.

"In the past," he said, "you would actually have totell me before it happened. Now, I know it before ithappens. dot All those little things about a play justhelps you grow."

Antonio Gates is still the last player to leave thelocker room. The difference now is that he knowsexactly where he's going.

Growing into his role

Beefed-up fullback Hester looks to build on rookieseason, step out of Neal's shadowBy Kevin AceeUnion-Tribune Staff WriterAug. 11, 2009

SAN DIEGO LaDainian Tomlinson, in his low-key,small-town Texas way of conversing, was talkingabout working with fullback Jacob Hester and theimprovement the kid has made when somethingset Tomlinson off.

He leaned forward, his voice growing louder and,for a second, reaching a shrill pitch.

The thing that animated him was the mention of

one of his best friends.

I want to put that to rest that we can't run theball without Lorenzo, Tomlinson said. Lorenzowas Lorenzo. He helped us a bunch, but we can stillrun the football.

No one missed Lorenzo Neal more than Tomlinsonlast season, the first after Neal's release by theChargers. Neal was a close friend, a mentor and alead blocker on so many plays for Tomlinson intheir five years together. Tomlinson valued Neal asa veteran influence in the locker room and aphysical presence on the field.

But, really, it's time to move on.

Jacob is going to help us run the football moreeffectively this year, Tomlinson said. He's a yearmore experienced, so he's seen it. Man, it's hard tocome in here and play right away as a rookie and just be good. It was hard for me. He's a yearexperienced, so he's going to be that much better.

Hester sometimes didn't know which way was upin 2008.

It was a whirlwind, he said. I didn't know what Iwas playing.

Drafted in the third round as a fullback, Hesterprimarily played running back in training camp.Though seldom touching the ball until mid-November, he was primarily a running back untilMike Tolbert went down with a shoulder injury inthe season's 11th game.

Hester was the starter at fullback from thebeginning of December on, essentially learning onthe job and doing it at 230 pounds about 25

pounds lighter than Neal and 15 lighter thanTolbert.

In addition to an offseason of studying andlearning, Hester gained about eight pounds.

This extra (weight) gets that second push and thatthird push, to drive them past the hole, he said.It's been good ... I notice it every time I hitsomeone.

Hester knows he won't be the kind of basher Nealwas and that he doesn't need to be. The blockingmight not come as naturally or easily, but he can dothings Neal can't like catch and run.

Hester had 19 carries for 95 yards and 19receptions for 91 yards in '08. His presence givesthe Chargers a viable weapon in the fullback. Aseffective and prescient a blocker as Neal was, hishands were made of brick and his feet often gottangled when trying to catch a pass.

This offense has switched, Hester said. Thewhole NFL is switching (to) guys that can useleverage (to block) and still do stuff with the ball.

More than his added bulk or power, Hester'sdefensive teammates have noticed improved

angles and body control so far in camp.

You see the size of him and you think he'sundersized, linebacker Stephen Cooper said. Buthe knows how to put himself between you and theball carrier. He's real smart.

Hester has picked Tomlinson's brain, andTomlinson has accepted Hester's invitation to tellhim in practice what he's seeing.

I tell him if he sees me doing something wrong or Ican do better to tell me, Hester said. We've beendoing that. It's working.

But Hester is never going to be Neal, who isentering his 16th season, longest ever for afullback.

You've got to respect the guy, Hester said. Hplayed fullback longer than anyone has.

Neal, now with the Oakland Raiders, is still afrequent topic of conversation among players atChargers Park. Hester hears about the legend froteammates and just recently saw video of the plain Baltimore in 2006 where Neal, carrying the bactually ran back at the end of a play to hitRavens'345-pound defensive tackle Haloti Ngat

That was amazing, Hester said.

Fans, too, have approached Hester in public andtold him that not only does he look smaller in pathan Neal but also schooled him on how good Nwas.

Hester doesn't mind the specter of Neal stillhovering, but it's on his mind.

The goal this season, Hester said, is to makeeverybody forget about that, make it whereeverybody felt comfortable and they thought of(fullback) as a strength and not a weakness.

Flying high

Chargers' Vincent Jackson knows all aboutmarching orders

By JAY PARISNorth County TimesNovember 11, 2009

Denis Poroy Chargers wide receiver VincentJackson's upbringing in a military family has hehim on the football field. (Associated Press filephoto)

SAN DIEGO ---- Jackson zigzagged this way anzigzagged that way. It was a route he knew welland once again, it was a successful trek.

"I'm winding down because I just made my lastappearance,'' Jackson said.

The Chargers' Vincent Jackson? He's busy too,fresh from Wednesday's practice and catching th

winning pass in Sunday's thrilling victory.

But the Jackson we refer to is Terence, Vincent'pleased father.

Or is it Vincent brimming with pride with thinkiof his father? On Veterans' Day, it's both.

"I'm very proud of him and what he has done,''Vincent said.

Terence was on the phone from Colorado SpringColo., the last outpost for a man who spent 21

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years in the Army. He is active in retired militarygroups and the city's Chamber of Commerce toastsits local heroes with a Veterans' Day luncheon.

Vincent is on the move Sundays, and really that'snot much different that his upbringing as an Armybrat. He was born in Louisiana ---- his mother,Sherry, was also in the Army ---- and thenrelocated to Phoenix, Germany and ColoradoSprings.

"I definitely look at it as a benefit,'' Vincent said ofthe nomadic life countless military families know."It made me more well-rounded and let me seedifferent cultures. When we were living in GermanyI got to travel to Italy, France and a bunch ofdifferent countries. I really enjoyed that part.''

The Chargers are upbeat over Vincent. Aftersnagging two scoring passes Sunday, his seventouchdown receptions tie for the NFL lead. He hascollected 100 receiving yards four times; he has 42catches for 722 yards. He's shooting for his fifthstraight game with a touchdown on Sunday whenthe Chargers face the Eagles.

Flying high now, that's Vincent.

"At this point he is playing better than any receiverin the NFL,'' Antonio Gates said.

But Vincent's upbringing keeps him grounded.

"That is where that discipline comes from; he neverwas a show boat,'' Terence said. "Growing up in themilitary housing area people were alwayscommitted to their work and no one was out therebragging. (Parents) were gone for some periods oftime and you had to take care of things until theygot back.''

When Vincent reflects on being an Army firstsergeant medic's kid, it comes with a smile.

"I enjoyed it,'' he said. "It was a new experienceevery few years as we were traveling or movingsomewhere else. I did enjoy living on a military basebecause there are a lot of resources available tomilitary families and it got me involved in sports.''

Terence said the military presented structure aswell.

"There was a lot for him to do when he was

growing up,'' Terence said. "There was always someof activity and he had a pretty discipline lifestylegrowing up with other military kids.''

But there was more than just sports. Terence saidVincent watched other soldiers and those lessonsaren't lost.

"I think that is where he got most of his workethic,'' he said. "And you got a differentperspective of the world being in the military. It is apretty tight community; we stick together; weknow each other; we grew up with each other. It'sa different perspective on life.''

Life was grand when Vincent was 10 and anothermove on-deck. From Germany, the Jacksons werebeing transferred to Hawaii. They packed thefurniture, shipped their dog Nugget and madeplans to trade Vincent's lederhosen for a lei.

"That still is a funny story,'' Terence said. "Theysaid, 'Oh no, I'm sorry we had to cancel that and weare sending you to Fort Carson in Colorado.''

Welcome to the fluid military world.

"That was kind of a bummer at first,'' Vincent said."But who knows, I might have ended up as a surferinstead of a football player.''

He became that and someone not shy about hislove for all things military ---- especially onVeterans' Day.

"They go over there and lay their lives on the line toprotect this country and its freedom,'' Vincent said."People can have their opinions and have certainviews, but I believe you should always maintain therespect for the military.''

Spoken like a true Army brat.

Vincent does more than talk. He's involved in GuildOn, a mentoring program for children who havelost a parent in combat.

"I definitely saw what my dad had to go through,his diligence, his hard work and dedication in whathe was asked to do,'' Vincent said. "And I think thathelped me and showed that anything you want,you got to work for.''

The least we can do on Veterans' Day is salute

Terence Jackson, and those like him.

San Diego's Jackson is becominga receiving starBy Bill WilliamsonESPN.comNovember, 6, 2009

Nnamdi Asomugha was one of the last Oaklandplayers to leave the visitors locker room Sundayafter a loss to San Diego. While putting on thefinishing touches to his designer outfit, Asomughadiscussed the talents of one of the best players onthe field that day.

I really like Vincent Jackson, Asomugha said. "I just like his game. He plays with a lot ofconfidence. He knows hes going to make a play. Ithink he is on his way [ to becoming an elitereceiver]. If he continues to work hard, hell getthere.

Asomughas praise is high. The astute cornerback isprobably the best in the NFL and is also a top-flightstudent of the game.

Jackson has been one of the most productivereceivers in the NFL this season and the fifth-yearveteran is becoming dominant. He gave Oaklandfits Sunday, catching seven passes for 103 yards.

He had five catches, including a touchdown, onseries.

At 6-foot-5, 240 pounds with excellent speed foreceiver, Jackson can be hard to contain. He cantake over games. He is San Diego quarterbackPhilip Rivers favorite target and the two havebecome one of the best tandems in the NFL.Jackson is superior in both the possession gameand in the deep game.

With Jacksons size, speed and production, Rivebelieves the 26-year old Jackson deserves to beconsidered one of the games brightest receivers

Hes as good as there is in my opinion, RiversHes right up there with anybody in the leaguegoing to attack the football down the field Ywant to get him as many opportunities as you ca

Jackson, who has 13 catches for 245 yards in thpast two games, is third in the NFL in receivingyards with 664 yards on 37 catches. He has fivetouchdowns. He has converted first downs on 3of his receptions. His 86.5 first-down percentagrate is the highest in the NFL among players whhave 31 or more catches. According to ESPN St& Information, Jackson, a second-round pick frotiny Northern Colorado, is fourth in the NFL amreceivers with three plays of 40-plus yards. He adoes not have a dropped pass this season.

Jackson thrives on being a complete receiver.

I try to be as dynamic a receiver as I can be,Jackson said. I dont want to be known as just abig guy who is going to go catch the 40-yard boI want to be a third-down guy, a possession guy.think I had a couple catches on third down the lcouple weeks, some slants and stuff like that. Thcan move me around and put me anywhere andmatch me up. I think that really helps us out as aoffense.

Jacksons effect on the offense is wide-ranging.has become a focal point as the Chargers havebecome much more of a passing team than arunning team. He also has taken pressure off ofPro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates. Gates is facilot more single coverage now that Jackson hasexploded.

Opposing teams are noticing Jackson for manyreasons. Foremost is that he is a pending freeagent. If there isn't a new collective bargainingagreement (CBA), Jackson will be a restricted fagent. If there is a new CBA, Jackson will be anunrestricted free agent. San Diego has severalpending free agents, but Jackson is becoming thteams biggest free-agent priority.

Whatever happens, Jackson is sure to break thebank. He probably will get a contract north of thsix-year, $48 million deal Atlantas Roddy Whisigned in August.

But dont expect Jackson to talk about his contrpush. He doesnt talk about much.

In an era of the diva receiver, Jackson is athrowback. He doesnt make waves and hesknown in the organization for his study habits asolid blocking in the running game. He is notOchocinco or T.O.

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Jackson doesnt feel as if hes missing anything bystraying from the norm of todays big-talkingreceiver.

And Im OK with that. I enjoy that, Jackson said.Staying under the radar is not a problem when wehave so many big-name guys on this team and verytalented football players. Im just doing my job,blending in, staying even keel and having fun outthere.

Jackson catching on as elitereceiver

By Kevin AceeSAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE2:00 a.m. October 2, 2009

Vincent Jackson is changing the way the widereceiver position is perceived in San Diego.

Jackson, as cool as the shady side of an iceberg,says he is just doing his thing. And now he rankssecond in the NFL in receiving yards.

Even while he was learning, waiting for his chance, just another Chargers receiver playing in theshadow of the All-Pros at running back and tightend, Jackson knew it would be this way.

You kind of picture yourself doing it, Jackson saidyesterday. . . . I've always seen myself . . . I lookat Reggie Wayne, Derek Mason, Marvin Harrison,Randy Moss, I've got to put myself up there. If youdon't see yourself being in that position, I don'tthink you can achieve it.

For one, head coach Norv Turner, who doesn'toblige many comparisons, has said this year thatJackson is among the top five receivers in the NFL.

Not many would have predicted such a rise by aChargers wide receiver certainly not as patienceamong fans waned when Jackson, a second-roundpick in 2005, had 10 receptions in the first year anda half of his career.

The wide receiver position was for much of thisdecade an afterthought on the Chargers.

Not since Curtis Conway did it in 2001-02 has aChargers wide receiver had five 100-yard games ina 16-game span, as Jackson has since Oct. 12 oflast year.

From the start of the 2003 season until Oct. 12,the Chargers had just 10 100-yard games by widereceivers, including Jackson's first such gameduring the 2007 playoffs. That was, by far, thelowest number in the league during that span.

Even when the Chargers started moving the ballduring the Cam Cameron years, the receiverposition was this team's weak spot.

Since 2002, only running back LaDainian Tomlinson(twice) and tight end Antonio Gates (five times)have led the Chargers in receptions. (Jacksonfinished one catch behind Gates in 2008.)

Jackson's 1,098 yards in '08 comprised the first1,000-yard season by a Chargers wide receiversince Conway in '01. Conway that season was thelast Chargers receiver to lead the team inreceptions.

Jackson's 141 yards two weeks ago againstBaltimore and 120 last week against Miami markedthe first back-to-back 100-yard receiving games bya Chargers wide receiver since Jeff Graham did it in1999.

I don't think it's any knock on the receivers,Jackson said. . . . Sometimes it's just not in thesystem for the receivers. Since I've been here therehave been good receivers Eric Parker and KeenanMcCardell and they could have been 100-yardreceivers on other teams. We've got Gates, we'vegot LT. Those are big weapons.

It's actually because of those weapons thatJackson could continue to make 2009 his personalplayground.

Absolutely, he said. I expect to. Part of ouroffense is taking advantage of mismatches. Teamscan't double-team me and Gates. There are goingto be opportunities. As long as I keep takingadvantage of those . . .

Jackson has 317 yards on a relatively few 16catches. His 19.8-yard average is fifth in the leagueand tops by far among those who have 16 catches.Perhaps most amazing is that Jackson has caught73 percent of the throws on which he was thetarget, including three passes classified as poor.Even as he is most often targeted deep, he has nodrops.

Whether Jackson continues to rise as a Chargersreceiver probably won't be determined until afterthis season.

Jackson laughed when it was proposed that he hadto be among those most vehemently rooting for anew collective bargaining agreement the playersunion and owners.

His contract runs out after this season, but if thereis no new CBA and no salary cap by 2010, Jacksonis among the Chargers players who will berestricted free agents in '10 and be much cheaperfor the team to keep.

General Manager A.J. Smith will not talk about his

plans with Jackson, but he seems intent on waitinguntil the offseason to do anything.

Smith was not pleased with Jackson's seconddrunken-driving arrest, which happened in Januaryin the week before the Chargers' playoff game atPittsburgh. Jackson, who has pleaded not guilty,has appealed a judge's rejection of his request tosuppress his blood test, which he claims wasunfairly obtained by police. The case is likely to bepostponed until after the season.

But Smith clearly is fond of Jackson's talent andwork ethic.

He's becoming a complete player, Smith said.The talent is immense. And he's becoming a repro, growing and maturing.

Chargers' Jammer turns thecorner

By Kevin AceeSAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNESeptember 12, 2009

Into the water off the tee, into the weeds and theinto the weeds again, three shots from the fairwsink a long putt, walk off the green and record a5.

A Quentin Jammer par.

He's not cheating; he's being a cornerback.

Amnesia, even on the golf course, Chargers sSteve Gregory, a frequent playing partner ofJammer's, will say later, with a knowing laugh.That's why he has pars every hole. He's got an

unlimited number of mulligans in his bag. He juhas a good time out there. He doesn't really careHe hits a bad shot, it doesn't bother him.

This occurs to you, too, as you play a round witJammer at his new club this summer. He's beentelling you for years that a cornerback's best traia short memory.

Don't be upset, golf purists, especially if you alshappen to be a Chargers fan. This is what makesJammer who he is.

Forgetting a bad play on the field. Forgetting a bshot on the course. Doing it all with a shrug andsmile.

Look, it shouldn't shock you when Jammer lookfrom the Fairbanks Ranch rough at one point ansays, Never had a lesson.

And there it is, golf as a metaphor for life yet ag

Jammer took up the game a few years ago, joiniThe Crosby in Rancho Santa Fe, where he has ahome. (That course is closed on Tuesday, the NFin-season off day, so Alicia Jammer made sureFairbanks was open Tuesdays when she got himthe membership there for his most recent

birthday.)

He takes pride in being self-taught. And no onewho knows him and his journey from a small Tetown to All-American at the University of Texafirst-round pick who endured years of scorn fromfans, to one of the NFL's most consistentcornerbacks, should be surprised.

Penalized too often and picking off passes tooseldom his first three-plus seasons in the NFL,Jammer was never the bust that many fans soloudly proclaimed. But he did need to make somchanges to cut down on the fouls: to get in betteposition, look back at the ball and also tone dow

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the trait that otherwise serves him so well beingphysical.

Jammer was steadfast and stubborn. He would sayhe didn't need to change, and then he just did.

Jammer was called for a league-high 12 pass-interference and illegal-contact penalties in 2004;he was called for a total of four last season andthree the year before. Meanwhile, from 2005through last season, only Asante Samuel had morepasses defended than Jammer's 66.

Just playing smarter, Jammer said recently. Itseemed like one day I got confidence. Thingsstarted falling into place. It got easier and easier.I'm not saying this game is easy, but the game hasgotten a lot slower.

While he acknowledges the guidance of coaches inhis improvement, nothing was changed untilJammer changed it.

No one else could tell me the way to do it, hesaid.

Now, even as he's enjoying a two-year run of beingacknowledged as one of the league's mostconsistent at his craft, Jammer is contemplating achange of vocation.

Jammer figures he will be moved to safety by thetime he's in the final year of his contract, in 2012.He hopes that buys him some more time with theChargers, as he'd like to play through about 2015.

The more I can do, the longer the Chargers willkeep me here, he said, noting that safety is wheremany corners matriculate before leaving the fieldaltogether.

It's where many thought Jammer was more suited,though those cries have been almost nonexistentthe past few seasons.

While coaches say a move is not even beingcontemplated, and Jammer says he'll remain acorner as long as possible, he has already begunstudying what safeties do while watching film andlistening in meetings.

It's inevitable, he said. I know it's going tohappen.

Jammer called safety his natural position and likesthe cerebral requirements.

Safety is mentally tough, he said.

On the field, Jammer has shown safetylike qualitieswith his tackles and intuition. A safety needs agrasp, too, of what the other players are doing onthe field and to offer his input and assistance.

On the golf course, Jammer certainly shows thatability.

Throughout a round, he reminds a playing partnerof all the hazards.

You're hitting into the wind, he reminds.

Watch the water, he says.

There's some sand, he points out.

And he's got a few years to hone both games.

Johnson glad to be where he'swanted

Lineman starts over with Chargers after Houstongave up on him

ZACH JONESNorth County TimesSeptember 9, 2009

New Chargers defensive lineman Travis Johnsonhas returned to California, where he was a highschool All-American in Sherman Oaks beforestarring at Florida State. (Photo by Bill Wechter -bwechter@nctimes.com)

SAN DIEGO ---- The relationship between TravisJohnson and the Houston Texans ended Aug. 31,and both sides felt cheated.

When the Texans traded Johnson to the Chargersfor a fifth-round draft choice (which could be asixth depending on Johnson's playing time thisseason), the move was an admission of guilt.

Since the 2005 NFL draft, when the Texansselected Johnson with the 16th pick in the firstround, the team has drafted five defensivelinemen. Of that group, one ---- first overall pickMario Williams ---- has served with distinction.

Johnson, who was drafted as an athletic playmakerat the defensive tackle position, managed just 106tackles and two sacks in four seasons.

Upon his departure, Texans coach Gary Kubiakexpressed something less than heartbreak on theteam's official Web site: "I wish him the best in SanDiego, but we're moving forward."

If Houston coaches, fans and media don't believethat Johnson's production matched his lofty draftstatus (or salary), Johnson ---- for his part ----doesn't think the criticism leveled as he left townmatches his level of play.

"If you want to characterize my time (with theTexans) by sacks, I guess it wasn't good," Johnsonsaid. "But at the same time, I was always a steadystarter, always a steady playmaker as far as doingwhat I was supposed to do.

"I think that's where defense starts ---- taking careof your job."

Johnson concedes that his numbers haven't beeneye-popping. The Houston staff would likely ag

But it was a nagging sports hernia, Johnson saidthat robbed him of the explosiveness that madehim an All-Atlantic Coast Conference performea senior at Florida State.

"These last two years I played with the hernia awith groin problems and all that stuff," he said. probably didn't get diagnosed correctly, and thatprobably would have helped me out a lot.

"For all football people, if you turn the film on, film doesn't lie. If I was that (bad), I wouldn't hahad a job."

Yet everything about the Texans' current situatiosuggests that this trade was just such a pink slipSince drafting Johnson, Houston has never finisbetter than 22nd in the league in total yardsallowed, and nothing about this preseasonsuggests that the team is suddenly flush withbetter options.

Rather, it seems Johnson's injury struggles madeTexans officials skeptical that he would everbecome the player they thought they drafted in2005.

"It was always something," Johnson said of his in Houston. "There were always questions, but Iwas never replaced, so what can you say? It gotthe point where I was almost ready to cut my(dreadlocks) because I needed a fresh start."

Instead, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith spa draft pick to give him that new start.

"I knew what type of player he was coming out college and in Houston," said Jamal Williams, tChargers' starting nose tackle and Johnson's newneighbor on the defensive line. "He's one explosplayer coming off the ball, so we knew he couldcome out here and help us out."

In the worst-case scenario for his new team,Johnson provides much-needed and versatile deon the line, where the Chargers have already losRyon Bingham for the season and Jacques Cesamissed much of camp with a calf injury.

In the best case, he'll capitalize on the physicalabilities that got him drafted ahead of fellowCharger Luis Castillo, and the transaction will gdown as a preseason steal.

"Our group is a tight-knit group," Williams said"Whatever happened in Houston has nothing to with us as the San Diego Chargers. We welcomehim with open arms."

Or in Williams' case, open ears.

"He's a talkative guy," Williams said. "He migheven be in the room, but you hear him coming."

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The trade brings Johnson, a high school All-American from Sherman Oaks, back to his roots,where he cheered for Bo Jackson's Los AngelesRaiders teams.

"I just rooted for California teams," Johnson said. "Ieven rooted for the Clippers, and not too manypeople root for the Clippers."

Nonetheless, he leaves behind his wife and fourchildren (all under the age of 5), who he says willcome out to visit when they can.

"I'm one of those guys who doesn't like too muchchange," he said. "It was kind of difficult at first just to grasp it, that I'm not going to be at homeanymore, not going to be around the friends thatI've had these last four or five years."

Johnson is quick to point out his gratitude for theTexans' confidence in 2005, but as he graduallyheals from hernia surgery, he is looking to provethat the Chargers got a gem.

"I'm excited to play on Monday night so all the

people back in Texas can see this is what theymissed," he said. "I've been a winner my whole life.There's a passion within me that wants to say, 'Youshouldn't have written me off.' "

Kaeding flirts with most-accurate-ever label

Bolts kicker had the designation Monday night until he missed

By Kevin AceeUNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITEROctober 23, 2009

Nate Kaeding is probably a good two games awayfrom regaining his spot as the most accurate fieldgoal kicker in NFL history.

But with the Chargers' red zone woes, who knows?

Not that he cares.

It's not very significant, Kaeding said of being themost dead-eye kicker the game has ever known. Ireally, really try hard to not get caught up inrelative thinking. ... There are 31 other kickers thatcan make all their field goals from here to the end

of time. All I can do is control the kicks I'm put infront of.

To that end, the guy has been busy.

Kaeding already has made 11 field goals thisseason, which puts him on pace to edge JohnCarney's team record of 34 in 1994.

With the Chargers struggling once they get insidethe 20-yard line, Kaeding has made more field goals(eight) from inside the 30 yards than any kicker inthe league this season. His 84.6 conversion rate

(11-for-13) is tied for tops in the league amongkickers who have attempted at least 13 field goals.

For a time Monday night, after making a 50-yarderin the third quarter, Kaeding was the all-time leaderin field goal percentage with a success rate of 86.6percent.

But a miss from 55 yards into the difficult end ofthe stadium to kick toward dropped Kaeding backdown to 86 percent, behind Mike Vanderjagt, wholeft the NFL after the 2006 season having made86.5 percent (230) of his 266 attempts.

Kaeding would need to make his next six attemptsto pass Vanderjagt again.

While he called the designation of most-accurateinsignificant, Kaeding considers the description ofbeing accurate to be entirely significant. It's whatdefines a kicker on an ongoing basis.

I've always prided myself to come in week in andweek out, that's why the accuracy is the thing Ihang my hat on, said Kaeding, who has made 129

of his 150 career attempts. My thing is to go outfor 16 weeks and whatever after that and just beme, be consistent.

If I sit here 10 years from now and I'm doneplaying and I'm the most accurate kicker in NFL(history) I'll be happy. But trust me, as a kicker, ifyou start to feel comfortable, you're in serioustrouble.

In his sixth season, Kaeding is about as level-headed and down-to-earth a kicker that everwalked among the behemoths of an NFL team.That trait, along with a work ethic that hasprompted him to enhance and tweak his game

pretty much every offseason, is likely what makeshim a guy who rarely misses.

Having employed a golf coach, a sportspsychologist and worked with strength coaches inpast offseasons, Kaeding this past year spent theoffseason altering his routine from kicking 100field goals over the course of a couple of days aweek to kicking every day, and he did not attempta single field goal shorter than 40 yards.

Those moves were an attempt to bolster hisconsistency and his accuracy at longer distances.

My big thing is when I walk away from this I wantto know I did everything I could to get better,Kaeding said. I sit back every week and after everyseason and look at my deficiencies. I go out thereand plug away at it in the offseason and week toweek during the season and try to get better.

If at the end of the day it's not good enough, if Ionly play three more games and I'm not goodenough, so be it. I'll go home and live on.

Talking to Kaeding is almost soothing. A computeralmost always lit, a book often open at his locker,his outlook on his job and how he prepares for it ispeppered with sage tidbits.

He is in touch with reality and its possibilities.

I am definitely motivated more by failure andgoing out there and embarrassing myself, he saI always know I could have done better. . . . I alsoknow there is going to be a lot of opportunitieswhere I can make them.

McNeill's got his gigantic handsfull

By Tim SullivanSan Diego Union-TribuneDecember 8, 2009

After three months of conforming to footballscultural imperative of playing them one game attime, Marcus McNeill momentarily dropped hisguard yesterday to admit he has been lookingahead.

"Even though I wouldnt have said it before, Icircled this week on my calendar," the Ch