2007 TRAINING CAMP REPORTS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

POSTED 7:00 p.m. EDT, August 5, 2007  by Michael David Smith

OT Roman Oben is continuing to play even though he's been told that he has a foot injury that will affect the way he walks for the rest of his life.

An assistant coach who once worked with Norv Turner is skeptical of whether Turner can get the job done in San Diego, saying, "I don't know if he's got all it takes."

Says Turner of giving the team today off, "They've earned this break. They need a break."

Rookie WR Craig Davis is making a good impression.

QB Philip Rivers says of WR Eric Parker, who is out 10 weeks with a toe injury, "he's a guy that busts it all offseason, probably harder than an guy on our team, and lives to come out here and play on Sunday."

K Nate Kaeding went 10-for-10 during Saturday's practice and finished with a 58-yard field goal.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson has a new Nike commercial.

Linebackers coach Ron Rivera says he accepts that he's no longer running a defense, as he did last year as the coordinator in Chicago.

POSTED 11:59 a.m. EDT, August 3, 2007  by Michael David Smith

Rookie S Eric Weddle worked with the first team in Thursday's practice.

QB Charlie Whitehurst worked with the second-team offense, but he's still clearly the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Philip Rivers and backup Billy Volek.

The defense is spending a lot of time working on its nickel and dime packages.

Undrafted rookie Antwan Applewhite is working on the transition from defensive end at San Diego State to outside linebacker with the Chargers.

The coaching staff likes what it sees of LB Matt Wilhelm. 

Coach Norv Turner says he prefers to rest injured players, even if the injuries are minor: "If we can keep those nagging things from becoming something bigger than that, that will help us."

T.J. Cottrell, son of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell, is vying for a roster spot as a free agent tight end.

WR Onrea Jones was added to the roster after getting cut by the Texans.

POSTED 2:52 p.m. EDT, August 1, 2007  by Michael David Smith

QB Philip Rivers says rookie WR Craig Davis gets better with each practice. 

Davis and RB Darren Sproles are battling for the punt return job.

WR Kassim Osgood sees playing special teams as anger management to deal with his frustration at rarely getting to play on offense.

Coach Norv Turner says rookie CB Paul Oliver is making progress after getting a late start with the team as a supplemental draft pick.

Turner is spending significant time installing third-down packages.

OT Marcus McNeil's mother is an Air Force colonel who tells the coaching staff, "If he gets out of line, you call me."

OT Shane Olivea practiced for the first time after missing the first three days of training camp with a stomach illness.

POSTED 11:22 a.m. EDT, July 30, 2007  by Michael David Smith

RB LaDainian Tomlinson says he has no trouble staying motivated after last year's record-setting season.

TE Antonio Gates says, "We understand we have something special."

Rookie S Eric Weddle looked good in passing drills when matched up with Gates.

New coach Norv Turner thinks WR Vincent Jackson can make big plays when he catches the ball underneath and runs with it.

RT Shane Oliviea, DE Igor Olshansky and WR Eric Parker missed Sunday's practice with minor ailments.

G Mike Goff showed up to training camp without his signature long hair after donating it to a charity that makes wigs for children who lost their hair to chemotherapy.

A total of more than 6,000 fans attended the Chargers' first two public workouts.