Jets’ Tomlinson to start versus Chargers

NFL.com Staff | Tags: LaDainian Tomlinson, New York Jets, Shonn Greene

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With LaDainian Tomlinson set to face the San Diego Chargers for the first time since leaving the team after the 2009 season, Jets coach Rex Ryan has decided to start the veteran running back. Whether this is an actual change in New York’s backfield or Ryan just giving a nod to the longtime Charger remains to be seen.

Neither L.T. nor his running mate Shonn Greene have been terribly effective running the football this year — something that doesn’t bode well against a San Diego defense that has been stingy against fantasy running backs. The difference is that Tomlinson is far and away a better option catching passes out of the backfield.

There’s nothing about the matchup that makes either Tomlinson or Greene particularly attractive. But with byes cutting into fantasy rosters all over the place, consider L.T. at a flex spot if you’re struggling to find someone to plug into your lineup.

– Marcas Grant

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Ryan Apologizes for Comments About Chargers

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Chiefs at Chargers NFL Capsule Week 3

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-2) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1-1)

SERIES

12/12/10: Chargers 31 at Chiefs 0. San Diego limits Kansas City’s offense to 67 total yards & QB Philip Rivers throws 2 TD passes as Chargers notch 5th win in 6 weeks.9/13/10: Chiefs 21, Chargers 14. Long Kansas City TDs by RB Jamaal Charles (56-yard TD run) & rookie PR-WR Dexter McCluster (94-yard PR-TD) fuel KO Weekend victory for Chiefs.CBS (1:05 PM PT): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts. SIRIUS: 137 (KC), 91 (SD). XM: 230 (SD).

STATS

Rivers: 62-88-713 (3L)-4 (T3C)-4-90.8Tolbert (RB): 17 (1L)-131-7.7-2

NOTES

CHIEFS:  In past 2 division road games, QB MATT CASSEL has completed 53 of 88 passes (60.2 pct.) for 685 yards with 6 TDs vs. 1 INT & 102.7 rating. Cassel (67) needs 3 TDs for 70 career…RB THOMAS JONES (1,980) needs 20 receiving yards to reach 2,000 career. RB-PR DEXTER MC CLUSTER is averaging 7.8 yards per rush this season (12 att., 93 rush yards). McCluster had 94-yard PR-TD on 9/13/10 against SD…WR DWAYNE BOWE recorded 11th career 100-yard receiving game last week (101). Bowe is averaging 16.9 yards per catch in 1st 2 games of season (7 rec., 118 yards)…S JON MC GRAW registered 1st INT of season last week. Leads team with 18 tackles…LB TAMBA HALI (42.5) needs 1 sack to surpass JARED ALLEN (43) for 4th-most sacks in club history (DERRICK THOMAS, 126.5; NEIL SMITH, 85.5; ERIC HICKS, 44.5). Hali has 5.5 sacks in 10 career games against SD. CHARGERS: Club has won 6 of past 7 at home vs. KC…In past 6 vs. Chiefs, QB PHILIP RIVERS has completed 140 of 205 passes (68.3 pct.) for 1,771 yards with 13 TDs vs. 4 INTs & 108 rating. Rivers has 33-8 (.805) record as home starter with 66 TDs vs. 28 INTs & 99.4 rating. Dating back to 1/2/11, Rivers aims for 4th consecutive 300-yard passing game (313, 335, 378)…Since ’10, RB MIKE TOLBERT has 14 TDs (12 rush, 2 rec.). Leads NFL RBs this season in catches (17). RB RYAN MATHEWS posted 1st rush TD of season last week…TE ANTONIO GATES has 12 TD receptions vs. KC, most vs. any opponent. Gates (537) needs 5 receptions to surpass HOFer KELLEN WINSLOW (541) for 2nd-most rec. in team history (CHARLIE JOINER, 586). Gates (69) needs TD rec. to join TONY GONZALEZ (90) as 2nd TE in NFL history w/ 70 TD catches…WR VINCENT JACKSON had career-best in rec. (10) & rec. yards (172) last week with 2 TDs. WR MALCOM FLOYD had career-high 2 TD catches in last game vs. KC…LB SHAUN PHILLIPS has 6.5 career sacks vs. KC. Had 1st sack of season last week…LB DONALD BUTLER posted 1st career sack in Week 2.

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Chargers Asking Architects For Convention-Stadium Design

The Chargers have asked their architects to produce an $800 million stadium plan that would include convention space and eliminate the need for a $550 million expansion to the San Diego Convention Center now being prepared. Mark Fabiani, the team’s counsel on the stadium, said the meeting here with the architects about 10 days ago will be followed up in October with a proposal expected by year’s end.

“Does it make sense in San Diego? Does it make sense to change gears on the convention center?” he asked. “I think we are very much open to a discussion and debate and hope we can have that discussion and debate.”

Fabiani, who made his comments at a meeting of the Union-Tribune’s community editorial board Monday, said the team could exercise its exit clause between February and May to leave San Diego, but he expected the team to be still working on a local stadium plan in that period. “If we get totally shut down here, people say they don’t like the idea…, they tell us to get lost with our ideas, we’ll obviously reassess where we are,” he said. “Obviously, I hope that doesn’t happen.”

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Chargers kicker Kaeding likely out for season

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Nate Kaeding, San Diego Chargers

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The initial tests on injured Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding reveal he’s likely out for the season with a left anterior cruciate ligament tear, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Kaeding was injured on the opening kickoff Sunday against the Vikings, which Percy Harvin returned 103 yards for a touchdown.

Kaeding will have an MRI exam in the morning to confirm the condition, but the Chargers aren’t hopeful of positive results.

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Chargers RB Tolbert to undergo MRI exam

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers

Chargers RB Mike Tolbert will have a precautionary MRI exam on his knee Monday morning, according to a team source, but he isn’t expected to miss any significant time.

Tolbert, who was checked out by Chargers doctors after suffering an injury to his right leg in a three-touchdown effort against the Vikings, could miss next week’s game against the New England Patriots, but nothing more is anticipated.

The Chargers defeated the Vikings 24-17 in the season opener.

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Chargers’ Kaeding carted off with likely knee injury

Published: September 11th, 2011 | Tags: Nate Keading, Mike Scifres, San Diego Chargers, Week 1 injuries 2011

UPDATE: The latest from the press box in San Diego is that Kaeding isn’t expected to return to the game. Scifres continues to handle the kicking and punting duties for the Chargers.

Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding was carted off the field Sunday following the opening kickoff in San Diego with an apparent left knee injury.

The Chargers announced that Kaeding’s left knee was being evaluated in the locker room after he was hit low during the 103-yard kickoff return by Minnesota’s Percy Harvin.

Chargers punter Mike Scifres came out to nail an extra-point try after Mike Tolbert‘s 1-yard TD reception and also handled the ensuing kickoff.

– Frank Tadych

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Tolbert, Chargers ruin McNabb’s Vikings debut 24-17

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

The San Diego Chargers seemed headed for another one of those slow starts that have defined coach Norv Turner’s tenure.

The Chargers not only let Percy Harvin return the opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, but kicker Nate Kaeding hurt his left knee on the play, forcing punter Mike Scifres to do his first place-kicking since college.

Well, guess again.

With the Vikings sputtering badly, Philip Rivers got the opening he’d been waiting for all afternoon. He threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to fullback Mike Tolbert with 5:01 to play to lift the Chargers to a 24-17 win on Sunday.

“When we face adversity, we don’t curl up and call it quits,” said Scifres, a nine-year veteran who signed a $19 million contract extension Wednesday.

“It’s big,” Rivers said. “We’d love not to have those interceptions, and we’d love to have that kickoff back and just let it be smooth and easy, but it’s these kind of wins that you really grow. You grow more than a week.”

On the winning play, Rivers rolled left and waited for Tolbert to get open inside the 5-yard line, then lobbed the pass.

“The protection was great, so I had time to step up, step up, and then to get out of the pocket, he was hanging with me,” Rivers said. “He was looking at me like, ‘Are you going to run it or throw it?’ I would prefer to throw it.’

Rivers completed 33 of 48 passes for 335 yards and was intercepted twice.

Tolbert also scored on a 7-yard run in the third quarter and had a 1-yard TD catch in the first quarter.

“We were hyped even when were down 17-7,” said Tolbert, who had stars shaved into his hair to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11. “Nobody had their head down and said, ‘Here we go again.’ “

Minnesota led 17-7 at halftime, but gained only 26 yards on 17 plays in the second half. Their new quarterback, Donovan McNabb, struggled against San Diego’s defense and was only 7 of 15 for 39 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

“It’s embarrassing to have the numbers that we had, whatever we had,” McNabb said. “I can do that in one series and we’ll get them corrected.”

Adrian Peterson, who set the NFL single-game record with 296 yards against San Diego as a rookie in 2007, was held to 98 yards on 16 carries one day after signing a contract extension potentially worth $100 million.

“We really had some opportunities and felt we ran the ball pretty well in the first half,” Peterson said. “We didn’t get anything going in the second half. We have to get our passing game going better.”

Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes said he heard that Peterson said during the week that he was going to rush for 200 yards and the Vikings would win.

“We really felt disrespected,” Spikes said. “

San Diego’s rally included Tolbert bulling in from the 7 early in the third quarter and Scifres kicking his first NFL field goal, a 40-yarder with 10:05 left that tied the game at 17. Scifres also had three PATs.

The game had a crazy first few minutes.

Harvin returned the opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, showing that the Chargers hadn’t fully erased their special teams nightmare of 2010, which cost them a playoff berth. Kaeding hurt his left knee on the play and missed the rest of the game.

On the Vikings’ first play from scrimmage, Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips(notes) deflected McNabb’s pass and intercepted it at the 6-yard line. Three plays later, Rivers found Tolbert wide open for a 1-yard scoring pass to tie it.

Ryan Longwell kicked a 33-yard field goal for the Vikings in the second quarter, and then Peterson finally got going with a 46-yard run. Chargers safety Eric Weddle, who signed a $40 million contract in the summer, had an arm around Peterson’s right foot at about the 40, but the running back broke free and raced to the 3. McNabb then threw a TD pass to Michael Jenkins for a 17-7 lead.

Rivers overthrew a wide-open Vincent Jackson on what would have been a sure touchdown pass late in the second quarter that would have made it 17-14. Rivers stood with his hands on his head after the play.

Notes: Before the game, both teams and the crowd marked the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 by observing a moment of silence, then listening to a live version of “Taps” beamed live from Arlington National Cemetery. A giant American flag, unfurled and held by sailors and Marines, covered the field as Colbie Caillat sang the national anthem. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates wore red-white-and-blue cleats and gloves. Chargers DE Luis Castillo hurt a knee in the second half and didn’t return.

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Chargers’ Tolbert taken from field on stretcher

Published: December 26th, 2010 | Tags: Mike Tolbert, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Week 16 injuries 2010

UPDATE: NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reported Tolbert has passed all of his initial medical tests and was scheduled to travel home with the Chargers. Tolbert could sit out Week 17 as a precaution, but seems to have avoided serious injury.

A scary scene played out on Sunday in Cincinnati, where Chargers RB Mike Tolbert was taken off the field on a stretcher following a collision with two Bengals defenders.

Tolbert went down midway through the first quarter when he was hit by Reggie Nelson after a short run. Nelson appeared to hit Tolbert on the left side of the helmet. Tolbert did lower his head slightly, and appeared to be injured on the impact from Nelson, and not the ground. It left Tolbert face-down on the field, and motionless.

Players from both teams surrounded Tolbert as medical personnel immobilized him and strapped him to a body board before loading him on a stretcher. Because teams take every precaution available, there’s no indication to the severity of Tolbert’s condition to be taken from the scene on the field.

It was certainly encouraging to see Tolbert give a thumbs-up as he left the field, which drew a cheer from the crowd.

Tolbert was presumably taken to the locker room, and we’ll pass along any updates.

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Bengals QB Palmer rolling vs. the Chargers

Published: December 26th, 2010 | Tags: Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals, Jermaine Gresham, Jerome Simpson, Terrell Owens

Well maybe it was his receivers fault. No Chad Ochocinco and no Terrell Owens has been no problem for QB Carson Palmer as the embattled signal caller has already tossed a pair of touchdowns vs. the Chargers.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a blowout for the Chargers?

Palmer has been perfect so far, throwing touchdowns to TE Jermaine Gresham and WR Jerome Simpson — household names you probably know better from their reality show. Oh wait, that’s right, Gresham and Simpson don’t have a reality show. They are too busy scoring touchdowns.

Palmer might not be making a huge impression on fantasy enthusiasts — he is only starting in 11 percent of leagues — but he could be showing off his skills to his next employer. Right Arizona Cardinals?

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Vincent Jackson: Chargers still an option for future

Published: December 14th, 2010 | Tags: Vincent Jackson, Fran Charles, NFL Total Access, San Diego Chargers

Chargers WR Vincent Jackson joined Fran Charles to discuss getting back on the field this season, the play of QB Philip Rivers and whether he thinks he could be back in San Diego next season.

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Week 13 power rankings: Chargers fall fast

1.) Saints — Find ways to win games. I continue to defer to the champs.

2.) Patriots — Keep beating the best teams in the NFL.

3.) Falcons — Starting to string together road wins, and the schedule sets up nicely for them.

4.) Steelers — Biggest win of season by coming back on Baltimore. Driver’s seat in AFC North now.

5.) Packers — I smell a playoff run.

6.) Ravens — Very, very difficult to sweep the Steelers.

7.) Jets — Very, very difficult to sweep the Patriots.

8.) Bears — I don’t see a long playoff run, but dang if they’re not the top seed in the NFC right now.

9.) Eagles — Really like them coming off a lot of rest following win on Thursday night.

10.) Giants — Run game + a pass rush = December success.

11.) Chiefs — Everything sets up well for them to be hosting a playoff game.

12.) Jaguars — I’m a believer.

13.) Chargers — I didn’t see that coming. Gonna have quite a task to get in playoffs now.

14.) Colts — Peyton Manning is looking like Brett Favre the last few weeks.

15.) Bucs — Gotta love the effort, but have been unable to beat the big boys.

16.) Browns – Like I said last week – they’re gonna give every team a fight down the stretch.

17.) Rams — Best QB in NFC West and now winning on the road.

18.) Raiders — Try to figure these guys out … I dare you.

19.) Cowboys — Jason Garrett making a case to keep this job.

20.) Seahawks — Absolutely had to win that game. Losing Mike Williams hurts, if even for a week.

21.) Vikings – For the life of me cannot understand the blind loyalty to Favre.

22.) Bills — Ryan Fitzpatrick better hope that was a one-game blip if he wants to be the guy in 2011.

23.) Dolphins — I thought Brandon Marshall would get back on the field and Chad Henne would show some consistency. I was wrong.

24.) 49ers – Had a lot of guys banged up in the cold of Lambeau Field.

25.) Redskins — Have a feeling they won’t be closing strong. NFC East won’t be as kind second time around. Love the Albert Haynesworth drama.

26.) Texans — This could have been their year, with the Colts fading fast.

27.) Titans — Gonna be a long December … and a very eventful January.

28.) Broncos — Better defensive effort than I expected, but it didn’t save Josh McDaniels.

29.) Lions — Continue to like their chances in 2011. Playing teams very tough without their top QB.

30.) Bengals — Showed a spirit and fight Sunday that’s been sorely missing.

31.) Cardinals — Don’t see them winning another game.

32.) Panthers — Go ahead and give them that first overall pick.

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Chargers race past Denver 35-14 to move to .500

It may have started slow for the Chargers at home on Monday night, but once they got into rhythm, the team found their legs and let Philip Rivers’ arm do the talking.

In the end, the Pro Bowl QB threw for four touchdowns, as the Chargers beat up their division rivals 35-14 to stay in contention in the AFC West.

Rivers went 15-of-24 for 233 yards and one interception while Mike Tolbert added 25 carries for 111 yards and a score for the Chargers (5-5), who moved back to .500 with a three-game winning streak.

“We have a bunch of resilient, tough guys on this team that never flinch, never blink,” said Rivers. “This is a pretty good win we put together today. In all three phases of the game, we played great tonight.”

The win puts the Chargers into second in the division with the Raiders, one game back of the Chiefs for first.

“That was the most complete game we’ve had this season,” said head coach Norv Turner. “But we don’t have any time to rest. We have a short week and we have to get ready to start on Wednesday and travel on Friday. We have to keep the momentum we have going here.”

Patrick Crayton had three catches for 105 yards and a score, but left the game after his touchdown with an injured left wrist. Darren Sproles added five catches for 60 yards with a touchdown.

Kyle Orton was 24-for-38 with 217 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Broncos (3-7), who started fast with a six play drive for a score, but never got back that momentum as they continued to flounder at the bottom of the division.

Knowshon Moreno had 13 carries for 58 yards and a score while Brandon Lloyd finished with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in the loss, as Denver fell to 1-4 on the road this season.

“We don’t have any crystal ball and can’t predict what anybody else is going to do,” said Denver head coach Josh McDaniels. “There is still a lot of football left to play and we can control what we do.”

The Chargers have another big showdown on Sunday night, as they take the Colts on the road in a game they need to have to keep pace in the West.

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