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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

..:: News in the west ::..

Denver Broncos

Marshall travels to New York to appeal suspension (AP)
Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall was in New York on Tuesday to appeal his three-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had indicated he would reduce Marshall's suspension to two games if he kept in contact with a league-appointed counselor and stayed out of further legal trouble.

Broncos release Jacobs, place Powell on PUP list (AP)
The Denver Broncos released wide receiver Taylor Jacobs and placed rookie defensive tackle Carlton Powell on the reserve/physically unable to perform list Tuesday. Jacobs, in his sixth year out of Florida, signed with the Broncos on Nov. 6 and played six games in 2007, returning three kicks for 35 yards.

Webster named Broncos' starting middle linebacker (AP)
Niko Koutouvides proved to be the perfect motivator for Nate Webster. When the Denver Broncos signed Koutouvides to a three-year, $7.5 million contract in March, Webster knew he was in for some competition at middle linebacker. "Signing Niko just made me lock in and focus a little more coming into camp," Webster said.

Broncos release WR Parker (PA SportsTicker)
The Denver Broncos released wide receiver Samie Parker on Monday.

Denver Broncos cut Samie Parker (AP)
The Denver Broncos released wide receiver Samie Parker and defensive tackle Josh Mallard in their first round of cuts on Monday. Parker joined the team on April 15 after spending his first four seasons with Kansas City. He was one of three free agents brought in to bolster the receiving corps but he never displayed the deep-play ability the team was looking for.

Broncos Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
No matter how many games Brandon Marshall plays for the Denver Broncos this season, he appears poised to put up some big numbers. Marshall had a great training camp and productive preseason. He finished it with a big performance in Denver's third preseason game against Green Bay. He had two catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, and also drew a 31-yard pass interference call. This preseason, Marshall had 10 catches for 139 yards and two touchdowns in about five quarters of action. That will probably be it for Marshall until sometime in September. The Broncos don't play any of their regular starters in the preseason finale, and Marshall will probably sit as well. Then he starts a suspension for violating the NFL conduct policy.

Marshall shows the Broncos what they'll be missing (AP)
Brandon Marshall has spent the summer giving quarterback Jay Cutler and the rest of the Denver Broncos a glimpse of what they'll soon be sorely missing. The standout receiver who was suspended for the season's first two or three games for violating the league's personal conduct policy has made spectacular catches in each of the Broncos' three exhibition games.

Rodgers bounces back in Packers' win over Denver (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11tvv6jpk/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20080822007&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080823/thumb.89b13dc27c714e67a71727576c3610dc.packers_broncos_football_cojd116.jpg" width="98" height="130" alt="Green Bay Packers running back Kregg Lumpkin runs for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second half of a preseason football game in Denver, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. " align="left" border="0"></a>Aaron Rodgers went from pathetic one week to just about perfect the next. Brett Favre's replacement as Green Bay's quarterback bounced back from a bad game at San Francisco to complete 18 of 22 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' 27-24 win over Denver on Friday night. Rodgers led four scoring drives in his five possessions and was 16-for-19 for 178 yards against the Broncos'... 

Shanahan revamps Broncos in bid to regain playoffs (AP)
While the architects were designing the bowling alley and racquetball court at his sprawling 35,000-square foot home that started to take shape over the winter, Mike Shanahan went to work remodeling the Denver Broncos. Shanahan has lasted a quarter century in the NFL by constantly making changes to keep the game from passing him by, and this offseason was filled with more revisions than usual.

Pittman adjusts to new role in Denver (AP)
When Michael Pittman arrived in Denver, he told the coaches he'd do whatever was asked of him. Little did he know they'd take him at his word. After spending the last decade as an NFL tailback, Pittman has been moved to fullback for the Broncos. He's not thrilled with the move, but he knows this: he'd rather be a lead blocker than a sideline spectator or even a former player.

Broncos' Tom Nalen needs another knee surgery (AP)
Five-time Pro Bowl center Tom Nalen is headed back to the operating table. The only player left from the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl teams of the late 1990s, Nalen needs another operation on his left knee after surgery in June failed to put him back on the field without pain. The 37-year-old Nalen will undergo another arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Thursday, said coach Mike Shanahan, who...

Rookie stands out for all the right reasons (AP)
Receiver Eddie Royal's goals were twofold entering the Denver Broncos' training camp: Stand out, but not for being a rookie. He's 2-for-2. The 42nd overall pick in the NFL draft was projected to make his mark this season as a returner, not a receiver, but he's already surpassed veteran free agent newcomers Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert and Samie Parker to earn a starting spot opposite Brandon...

The biggest battle with the Broncos is at punter (AP)
Nowhere on the Denver Broncos does the competition appear closer than at punter. Brett Kern and Sam Paulescu are vying to replace Todd Sauerbrun, who was sent packing last December after he got into a confrontation with a taxi driver and police told coach Mike Shanahan that he was belligerent with them.

Correction: Cowboys-Broncos story (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11t4p05bf/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20080816007&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080817/thumb.388567070d924a67a1f8e2849c665a36.cowboys_broncos_football_codz111.jpg" width="130" height="99" alt="Dallas Cowboys running back Alonzo Coleman, left, is dragged down after a short gain by Denver Broncos linebacker Jordan Beck, center, and defensive tackle Alvin McKinley in the third quarter of the Broncos' 23-13 victory in an NFL exhibition football game in Denver on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. " align="left" border="0"></a>In an Aug. 17 story about the Dallas Cowboys-Denver Broncos preseason game, The Associated Press reported erroneously that cornerback Adam Jones was in coverage on Brandon Marshall's touchdown catch. The cornerback was Mike Jenkins. 

Broncos' running backs ranks are thinning (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=12e28jnjh/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-cowboys-broncos&prov=ap&type=lgns"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080815/thumb.b47f1b2b74bf4279b11567e0afe8f42d.cowboys_broncos_camp_football_codz110.jpg" width="130" height="102" alt="Denver Broncos running back Andre Hall talks with reporters after the Broncos took part in a light workout in Englewood, Colo., on Friday, Aug. 15, 2008. The Broncos and Dallas Cowboys will face each other in an NFL exhibition football game on Saturday in Denver. " align="left" border="0"></a>With the boom of thunder shaking the bubble roof overhead, Selvin Young took the handoff at the Denver Broncos' walkthrough in their indoor facility Friday and jogged around the right side when he tripped over his own feet. "I just heard the thud," coach Mike Shanahan said. "Looks like he's OK." It's been that kind of month for the Broncos' beleaguered backfield. 

Patriots add hard-hitting Lynch to secondary mix (Yahoo! Sports)
A second shot at John Lynch has put him in the New England Patriots ' secondary. Four years ago, the Patriots...

Wilson understands Cutler's challenge (AP)
Dallas Cowboys assistant Wade Wilson sought out Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to impart some advice after one of their teams' joint workouts this week. It wasn't about avoiding blitzes, reading defenses or mastering a play book. The Cowboys' quarterbacks coach and 19-year NFL veteran signal-caller wanted to speak to his fellow Type 1 diabetic about managing his disease along with the...

S Lynch talking to Patriots (PA SportsTicker)
DENVER (Ticker) - John Lynch may be a nearing an agreement to play for the reigning AFC champion New England Patriots.

Denver's Marshall draws comparisons to Owens (AP)
Brandon Marshall has never shied away from the moniker "Baby T.O.," and the real Terrell Owens doesn't mind the comparisons, either. Adam "Pacman" Jones apparently does. With the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos sharing the fields at Dove Valley this week, it was inevitable that the respective receivers with jaw-dropping moves and uncanny abilities to deke defenders would be compared to each...

Broncos sign DB Tyrone Poole (AP)
The Denver Broncos addressed their injury-riddled defensive secondary on Wednesday by signing 13th-year pro Tyrone Poole. To make room, the Broncos released fourth-year cornerback Christian Morton. Poole, who was cut by Houston last summer, has played for Oakland (2006), New England (2003-05), Denver (2002), Indianapolis (1998-2000) and Carolina (1995-97) since entering the NFL as a first-round...

Broncos sign DB Poole (PA SportsTicker)
The Denver Broncos on Wednesday re-signed veteran free agent defensive back Tyrone Poole, who previously played with the team in 2002.

After shedding pounds, Holland finally practices (AP)
Montrae Holland was winded, rusty and a step slow -- and he couldn't have been happier. He'd much rather be a pulling guard than pushing a sled. The Denver Broncos' incumbent right guard, who spent the first two weeks of camp pushing sleds on an adjacent field after reporting out of shape and overweight, practiced for the first time Monday after getting down to his playing weight of about 325...

Broncos a hurting bunch, and it's still early (AP)
Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan eased his grueling training camp routine this year in response to the NFL's reduced roster limits. It hasn't kept his players out of the training room. In the first seven snaps of Saturday night's 19-16 preseason loss at Houston, the Broncos lost starting linebacker Boss Bailey, their biggest free agent signing, with a sprained right ankle, and his backup, special...

Broncos LB Green leaves game on stretcher (PA SportsTicker)
Denver Broncos linebacker Louis Green was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck injury and concussion suffered in the first quarter of Saturday's preseason game against the Houston Texans.

Brown kicks 4 field goals as Texans beat Broncos (AP)
David Anderson is far down Houston's depth chart at receiver, but he made the most of his opportunity in the Texans' preseason opener on Saturday night. Anderson caught six passes for 67 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown from Sage Rosenfels, in the Texans' 19-16 win over the Denver Broncos. Kris Brown kicked four field goals, including the 25-yard winner on the game's final play.

Denver LB Green leaves game on stretcher (AP)
Denver Broncos linebacker Louis Green left the field on a stretcher with a neck injury and a concussion in the first quarter of Saturday's preseason game against Houston. The 6-foot-3, 237-pound Green collided with teammate D.J. Williams as the two converged to tackle Texans tight end Owen Daniels, who caught a short pass.

Torain could miss 3 months with elbow injury (AP)
Rookie running back Ryan Torain is expected to miss about three months after breaking a bone in his left elbow. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan announced Thursday that Torain would need surgery. Asked if the injury was a blow to the organization, he did not respond. Andre Hall, one of the Broncos' three remaining healthy running backs, said the loss of Torain "messes things up." "Ryan had the big body...

Broncos' Marshall has little to say on suspension (AP)
Brandon Marshall is content to let his actions -- and others -- do the talking for him. A day after the Denver Broncos' talented but troubled star was suspended for three games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's personal conduct code, Marshall sidestepped several questions about the matter, including whether he felt he needed counseling, which the league suggested.

Broncos RB Torain breaks elbow (PA SportsTicker)
Denver Broncos rookie running back Ryan Torain suffered a fractured left elbow during Wednesday morning's practice.

Marshall gets 3-game suspension; it could have been longer (Yahoo! Sports)
Had Denver Broncos star receiver Brandon Marshall been involved in so many off-field disturbances a year ago,...

News around the league

Welcome to your new home for news around the AFC West. Come here to get all the up-to-date news about the other teams in the AFC West. Keep up with all the news about the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, and the San Diego Chargers. This is all the latest news for those NFL AFC West Football Teams. I hope you enjoy this new service from Chiefstalk.com. Your Kansas City Chiefs fan home.

Oakland Raiders

Backups get chance to shine for Raiders (AP)
When Drew Carter went down with a season-ending knee injury that created an opportunity for one of the Oakland Raiders' unproven receivers to make the roster. The final exhibition game Friday night in Seattle is the last chance for those players to impress coach Lane Kiffin enough to stick with the team after the roster is reduced to 53 players on Saturday.

Raiders name Grove starting center (AP)
Jake Grove was picked to start at center for the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday, seven months after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee. Grove, who started all 16 games for the Raiders in 2006 before spending most of last year on injured reserve, beat out veteran John Wade and took all of the reps in practice with Oakland's starting offense, much like he did throughout training camp and...

Raiders waive 3, place 3 on IR and sign 2 (AP)
Oakland safety Jarrod Cooper was waived on Monday and intends to retire, one of a flurry of moves the Raiders made to deal with injuries and an upcoming deadline for roster cuts. Oakland also waived linebacker Grant Irons and defensive end Greg Spires, and placed receiver Drew Carter, fullback Oren O'Neal and cornerback John Bowie on injured reserve with season-ending injuries.

Technology should sharpen defenders' minds (Yahoo! Sports)
The new coach-to-player radio system should help defenders get more in-tune with the play-calling.

Raiders lose WR Carter for season, depth a concern (Yahoo! Sports)
The Oakland Raiders went from three-deep to knee-deep at wide receiver, and there isn't much time to find...

Raiders Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
A 24-0 defeat by the Oakland Raiders against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 of the preseason will soon be long forgotten. The after effects of the loss may last all season. Less than two minutes into the game, the Raiders lost fullback Oren O'Neal and wide receiver Drew Carter, both expected to play important roles within the Raiders offense. Both men had left knee injuries and had to be helped from the field. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin said both men would be out for the season. O'Neal went down as a blocker on the opening kickoff. Carter left on the fourth play from scrimmage after falling awkwardly following a 7-yard reception from JaMarcus Russell. "Not a very good day," Kiffin said.

Raiders WR Carter, FB O"Neal out for season (PA SportsTicker)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Drew Carter and fullback Oren O'Neal suffered season-ending knee injuries in the first quarter of Saturday's 24-0 preseason loss to Arizona, coach Lane Kiffin said during a conference call on Sunday.

Carter, O'Neal done for season in Oakland (AP)
Lane Kiffin had concerns about depth on the Oakland Raiders even before two key offensive players went down with season-ending knee injuries. Those worries have only been heightened now that receiver Drew Carter and fullback Oren O'Neal went down with injuries early in Saturday night's 24-0 loss to Arizona.

Cards overcome Leinart's 3 picks to beat Raiders (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11tg89dv2/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20080823013&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080824/thumb.46f155e2aa4c4973b399baa6a4bf6cbf.cardinals_raiders_football_caps114.jpg" width="94" height="129" alt="Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin walks off the field after the Raiders lost to the Arizona Cardinals 24-0 in their preseason football game in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008. " align="left" border="0"></a>The Oakland Raiders caught nearly as many passes from Matt Leinart as his Arizona Cardinals teammates did in a performance that didn't look like that of a former first-round pick. Leinart threw three interceptions in less than two quarters before Arizona's offense opened things up in the second half of a 24-0 victory over the Raiders on Saturday night. 

NFL honors Upshaw's memory with moment of silence (AP)
Hall of Fame player and longtime NFL union head Gene Upshaw will be remembered this weekend with a moment of silence at NFL exhibition games. Upshaw, who served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years, died Wednesday night of pancreatic cancer at his home near California's Lake Tahoe, just days after learning he had the disease.

Kiffin wants to unleash passing game against Cards (AP)
Lane Kiffin has a pretty good idea of what the Oakland Raiders can do running the football. After adding Darren McFadden to the fourth-ranked rushing offense from a year ago, the Raiders have shown through the first two preseason games that they could be even better on the ground this season. That's why the focus of the third exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night will be...

Quotes on death of Gene Upshaw (AP)
Quotes on the death of NFL Hall of Famer and NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw: "The Raider organization, the National Football League, and the world have lost a great man. Gene Upshaw's career successes as a professional football player and a union leader are unparalleled. He is as prominent a sportsman as the world has known.

All-Pro guard, Upshaw was craftier as union boss (AP)
Gene Upshaw was common sense writ extra large. Most men that big usually roll over people to get what they want. What made Upshaw an All-Pro guard in his playing days, and then the right man for the union job for the past quarter-century, is that he understood it was better sometimes to go around them.

Raiders remember Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw (AP)
Long before Gene Upshaw helped usher in the era of free agency and multimillion dollar contracts into the NFL as the head of the players union, he was a devastating blocker who helped the Oakland Raiders win two Super Bowl titles as a Hall of Fame guard. A day after he died of pancreatic cancer at age 63 at his home near California's Lake Tahoe, Upshaw was remembered by the Raiders for his...

NFLPA head Gene Upshaw dies of cancer at age 63 (AP)
Gene Upshaw was a punishing blocker who intimidated opponents on the field. Off it, his power was greater. A Hall of Fame guard for the Oakland Raiders, Upshaw died Wednesday at age 63 from pancreatic cancer, an illness he only learned about Sunday. His death cut short a 25-year, post-playing career as union boss in which he led NFL players to riches that would have been almost unimaginable when he...

Gene Upshaw at a Glance (AP)
Career highlights of NFL Hall of Famer and NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw, who died Wednesday. Playing career -- Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round out of Texas A&I in 1967. -- Played in 307 games (1967-81), all with Raiders. -- Had a streak of 207 consecutive games started. -- Selected to seven Pro Bowls as a guard.

Harris gets fresh start in Oakland (AP)
By the time Kwame Harris' tenure in San Francisco had come to an end his confidence had taken a huge hit. Harris went from being a first-round pick as an offensive tackle in 2003 to becoming the main target of fan criticism as he struggled with penalties and pass protection. He was eventually relegated to playing as a backup and on special teams last season with the 49ers.

Hall has ligament damage in hand (AP)
Oakland Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall has ligament damage in his right hand and may have to wear a protective cast for the rest of the preseason. "I talked to my doctor and he said I tore some ligaments or something," Hall said as he walked off the practice field Tuesday. "I don't know. We'll see how it goes." Hall was injured in training camp before the preseason started and initially was...

Russell, Miller click in Raiders' passing attack (Yahoo! Sports)
The Oakland Raiders unraveled an actual passing game. It came on a broken play, on which quarterback JaMarcus...

Titans beat Raiders with last-second field goal (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11tlu8n00/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20080815010&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080816/thumb.4510dfa16f8144a18091ea07b9d09ab8.raiders_titans_football_tnjr114.jpg" width="99" height="130" alt="Oakland Raiders kicker Aaron Elling (5) watches his kick go through the uprights with holder Jeff Otis (7) against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter during their NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 15, 2008, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee won 17-16. " align="left" border="0"></a>The Tennessee Titans know they can run the ball. What they want is some offensive balance and a passing threat with Vince Young. That remains a work in progress. John Vaughn, filling in for All-Pro Rob Bironas, kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired Friday night to lift the Titans to a 17-16 victory over the Oakland Raiders in an exhibition featuring the first quarterbacks taken in the 2006 and... 

Titans will test Oakland's rebuild run defense (Yahoo! Sports)
Take three returning linebackers, add strong safety Gibril Wilson, carry over Michael Huff to free safety,...

Higgins gains confidence in year two with Raiders (AP)
The fumbled punts, short returns and missed opportunities weighed on Johnnie Lee Higgins during his rookie year with the Oakland Raiders. A third-round pick out of UTEP a year ago who was expected to transform Oakland's return game, Higgins instead ended up losing his job midway through the season because he couldn't hold onto the ball or break off long returns.

Gonzalez gives Chiefs steady diet of lectures (Yahoo! Sports)
Where's the beef? All-Pro Tony Gonzalez proves that a neo-vegan can thrive in the rough and tumble NFL.

Raiders believe Walker is a changed man (Yahoo! Sports)
Two weeks ago, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker contemplated retiring from the NFL after only six...

Raiders have many questions as they break camp (AP)
The Oakland Raiders wrapped up training camp on Wednesday in search of healthy cornerbacks and kickers and answers to the questions about how improved the team will be this season. The Raiders packed up to leave their summer home in Napa after three weeks and will be back at their regular facility near Oakland once they return from Friday night's exhibition game in Tennessee.

Oakland's Hall playing with broken hand (Yahoo! Sports)
Oakland Raiders cornerback DeAngelo Hall said he has a broken bone in his right hand and would like to give it...

Oakland tight end not concerned about catches (AP)
If JaMarcus Russell was the crown jewel of the Oakland Raiders' 2007 draft then tight end Zach Miller was their diamond in the rough. The second-round pick out of Arizona State not only proved to be a steady downfield threat, setting a franchise record for rookie tight ends, but Miller also developed into Oakland's best blocking tight end.

Raiders sign S Archuleta (PA SportsTicker)
NAPA, California (Ticker) - The Oakland Raiders on Monday bolstered their defense by signing veteran safety Adam Archuleta.

NFL on Fox

Decision' 08: 10 ticking time bombs
In the NFL, no plan is completely foolproof. Adam Schein points out 10 things that could spoil the season for would-be contenders.

Will Goodell's fan policy have an impact?
Can Roger Goodell force NFL fans to behave too? Alex Marvez recently took to the stands at Dolphin Stadium to see for himself.

Holmgren still hard at work in Seattle swan song
It may be Mike Holmgren's last season in the Seattle, but our NFL Czar says he isn't acting like a lame-duck coach should.

Strahan staying retired for the right reasons
He already has money, a ring and a future. Without the fire to play again, Michael Strahan is smart to stay retired, Alex Marvez says.

Merriman to play despite 2 torn ligaments
It appears the Chargers will have their main defensive lightning bolt after all.

Harvey ends holdout, inks $24M deal with Jags
Rookie defensive end Derrick Harvey has ended a 33-day holdout by signing a five-year, $23.8 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harvey was the last first-round draft pick to sign on Wednesday. His holdout has frustrated coach Jack Del Rio and left the former Florida standout behind in drills heading into the regular season. Harvey missed all of training camp and the first three preseason games.

No soreness for Peyton after practice
Now Peyton Manning can start fine-tuning the mechanics, timing and rhythm. Just don't expect him to try it in Thursday night's preseason game against Cincinnati. Coach Tony Dungy increased the two-time league MVP's workload Wednesday, one day after he finally returned to practice and showed no lingering effects from the knee surgery that kept him out for the past six weeks. "We didn't have him in team work (Tuesday), but he did fine and hasn't experienced any problems," Dungy said.

Strahan turns down Giants, will stay retired
It turns out Super Bowl XLII was Michael Strahan's final game after all.

Tatupu will be ready to start in Seahawks' opener
Lofa Tatupu has a bone bruise in his right knee, but coach Mike Holmgren said the Pro Bowl linebacker will be fine for the season opener Sept. 7 at Buffalo. Tatupu, Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (tight back), No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye (knee) and starting right tackle Sean Locklear (knee) missed practice Wednesday. All except Frye will miss Friday's preseason finale against Oakland. Frye may be available but backup quarterback Seneca Wallace will start and No.

San Diego Charges

Merriman to play on despite damaged knee (AP)
The surgeon's knife can wait. Shawne Merriman is going to play football, two torn knee ligaments and all. A day after visiting a fourth doctor, the San Diego Chargers' star outside linebacker decided Wednesday to play this season rather than have his damaged left knee repaired now. "To be as simple as possible, I just want to play football," Merriman said.

Chargers LB Merriman to forego surgery, will play in 2008 (PA SportsTicker)
Shawne Merriman is not ready to turn out the lights on his 2008 season.

Chargers release 5; Merriman awaits word from doc (AP)
Five players were released by the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday, including quarterback Casey Bramlet, to get down to the required 75-player limit. Also cut were wide receiver Billy Pittman, tight end John Tereshinski, wide receiver Marco Thomas and punter-kicker Billy Vinnedge. Pittman, Tereshinski and Vinnedge joined the Chargers in May as undrafted free agents.

Seattle's Tatupu suffers bruised knee (Yahoo! Sports)
It was a typical Lofa Tatupu game: a team-high six tackles, including one for a loss. But then this Monday...

Volek's 2-point conversion pass gives Chargers win (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11tt9b01l/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20080825024&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080826/thumb.0a99b27e73e647168f56b8acbbc7263e.seahawks_chargers_football_cadp109.jpg" width="107" height="129" alt="San Diego Chargers' Malcolm Floyd holds the ball up after scoring a 2-point conversion during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 25, 2008 in San Diego. The conversion gave the Chargers a 18-17 win. Defending is Seattle Seahawks cornerback Omare Lowe. " align="left" border="0"></a>Darren Sproles is making a strong bid to back up NFL rushing champ LaDainian Tomlinson. Sproles ran for 102 yards and a touchdown in his most extensive preseason work, and the San Diego Chargers scored a late touchdown and 2-point conversion to beat the Seattle Seahawks 18-17 on Monday night. With Tomlinson a preseason no-show as he gets ready for the regular season, the most heated battle on the... 

Chargers sign pair to multi-year extensions (PA SportsTicker)
The San Diego Chargers signed linebacker Jyles Tucker to a five-year contract extension and safety Steve Gregory to a four-year extension Monday.

Former Cowboys lineman Cornish dies (AP)
Frank Cornish IV, an offensive lineman on two of the Dallas Cowboys' Super Bowl champion teams in the 1990s, died over the weekend at age 40. Cornish was pronounced dead Saturday morning at a Grapevine hospital, where he was taken from his home in nearby Southlake. His death was caused by heart disease, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office found.

Chargers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
It appears Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman's season is over before it got started. Or at the very least, it will be compromised because of two torn ligaments in his knee. Merriman, who has mores sacks (39.5) the past three seasons than any other player, is contemplating playing through the pain or taking care of his wobbly knee. "It could be career threatening if I (play)," Merriman said. It's a possibility." Merriman has crisscrossed the nation speaking with specialists as he contemplates how to deal with torn posterior and lateral cruciate ligaments. "I've been seeing some really great doctors over the past few days, and they've all said the same things about the injury," said Merriman, who last played in the Chargers' Aug.

Chargers' Hester lauded for toughness (AP)
Jacob Hester has proven to be exactly as advertised during Chargers training camp: Tough, durable and a true gamer. The third-round draft pick in April's draft will never pack the flash and dash of starting running back LaDainian Tomlinson but he certainly isn't shy about supplying lumber and thunder.

Chargers TE Gates practices for first time (PA SportsTicker)
The San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates returned to practice Tuesday after he was taken off the physically unable to perform list.

Chargers TE Gates returns to practice (AP)
Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was taken off the physically unable to perform list on Tuesday and participated in parts of practice after passing a physical. Gates had surgery nearly six months ago to repair a tear in the plantar plate of his left foot. He injured his left big toe during a playoff game against Tennessee last January.

Tomlinson: Chargers have had great camp (AP)
LaDainian Tomlinson is having his typical training camp, working hard during practice and sitting out preseason games. The San Diego Chargers' star running back didn't take a snap in Saturday's loss to the St. Louis Rams and isn't expected to play in the final two contests. Tomlinson, the two-time defending NFL rushing champion, has run only 14 times in exhibition games throughout his career.

Rams win 7-6 as Chargers rest most starters (AP)
<a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/nfl/SIG=11thitj29/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/nfl/recap?gid=20080816014&prov=ap"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080817/thumb.067dbca52ee34bddb0aa8c28702238c3.chargers_rams_football_mojr109.jpg" width="130" height="96" alt="St. Louis Rams' Brian Leonard (23) fights for yards after catching a pass for a 9-yard gain before being brought down by the San Diego Chargers cornerback DeJuan Tribble during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, in St. Louis. " align="left" border="0"></a>The St. Louis Rams' first-team offense has yet to score a preseason touchdown in three years under coach Scott Linehan. The San Diego Chargers kept them off the board again, although Linehan was more than satisfied, given how tough wins have been to come by. A third-quarter 3-yard run by Travis Minor with all backups on the field was the difference in a 7-6 victory Saturday night. 

Ravens sign Lorenzo Neal (Yahoo! Sports)
The Baltimroe Ravens have signed four-time Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal, adding much-needed versatility and...

Cowboys 17, Chargers 31 (AP)
If first impressions are any indication, the San Diego Chargers should be pleased with rookie Jacob Hester. The rookie running back scored on a pair of short runs to help the Chargers to a 31-17 preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. Hester, the club's third-round draft pick from LSU, is competing with Darren Sproles to replace Michael Turner as back up to two-time defending NFL...

Marshall gets 3-game suspension; it could have been longer (Yahoo! Sports)
Had Denver Broncos star receiver Brandon Marshall been involved in so many off-field disturbances a year ago,...

Capsule look at 6 Hall of Fame inductees (AP)
A capsule look at those to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday: Fred Dean Defensive End 6-3, 230 1975-1981 San Diego Chargers, 1981-1985 San Francisco 49ers. 11 seasons, 141 games. Selected by San Diego in the second round (33rd overall) in 1975 NFL draft. ... Played linebacker in college, moved to defensive line with the Chargers.

Cromartie's theatrics start on trampoline (Yahoo! Sports)
Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie's ability to pull off amazing feats begins with his unique offseason training.

Texas Gov. Perry selling San Antonio to Spanos, Chargers? (Yahoo! Sports)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, taking a break from politics, was watching another contact sport while vacationing this...

Charger-turned-Niner Fred Dean answers Hall's call (AP)
It was a trade that defined a career. Fred Dean already was a standout defensive end when the San Diego Chargers dealt him to the San Francisco 49ers during the 1981 season. Dean was depressed when the deal came down. That didn't last long because he was a hit from his first game with the 49ers. By the end of the season, he was a Super Bowl champion.