Will LT Come Back to Haunt the Chargers?

It's a sad day in San Diego sports.
In other words, just like every other day in San Diego sports.
The Chargers made it official Monday, releasing future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, marking the end of an era in San Diego.
Now the question becomes, where will LT go next?
Many have speculated New Orleans because of the obvious Drew Brees connection, but we're not so sure.
We're thinking LT might be inclined to stay in the AFC. New England perhaps?
Why? All things being equal, we can see LT choosing an AFC team, if for no other reason than to help bounce Albert John Smith, who answers to the colorful nickname "A.J.," and Norv Turner from the playoffs.
You just know it will work out that way.

Thugtown, USA: A Series Is Reborn

Just when you thought it was safe for a gal to have a Charger player as a boyfriend, Shawne Merriman is back in the news.
The star linebacker was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly choking and restraining his girlfriend, MTV "star" Tila Tequila.
Stay classy, Shawne Merriman.
Chargers general manager Albert John Smith -- who answers to the colorful nickname "A.J." -- no doubt was thrilled about having his Sunday breakfast interrupted by this. The team's public relations staff issued a statement, in which A.J. allegedly says: "It’s disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course."
By "monitor the situation," they mean, do nothing until they're forced to, if the legal process dictates.
Of course, if Merriman were not a star player, the response from the team wouldn't be quite the same. If he were the 53rd man on the roster, well ... he'd no longer be the 53rd man on the roster.
This latest "issue" of alleged thuggery is just the most recent in a long line of athletes gone bad stories involving Chargers and Padres players, as we've chronicled here in our just now resurrected Thugtown, USA series.
As you may recall, there was Jake Peavy's "situation" with airport security personnel in Mobile, Ala.
And then there was the heartwarming story of former Padre Marcus Giles getting handcuffed, detained and escorted from Qualcomm Stadium for allegedly getting into a fight at a Charger playoff game.
Oh, and we'll forever be grateful to Terrence Kiel for his contribution involving codeine-based cough syrup.
And it didn't take long for this Charger to get in trouble.
Jake Peavy made a return appearance in Thugtown, USA after an incident involving a brown foreign substance.
The playoffs are always a great time to get arrested, as Vincent Jackson demonstrated.
Now this latest "issue" involving Shawne Merriman leaves us with one question. Does this mean Merriman is now out of the running for NFL Man of the Year Award?

Helping A.J.'s Kids

Amid the hysteria over the Chula Vista Little Leaguers, everything else kind of got lost in the shuffle over the weekend.
But we did watch some of the Chargers exhibition game Saturday night, and for a few moments we thought maybe Labor Day weekend was off to an early start.
On Channel 8's telecast of the preseason thriller at Atlanta, viewers were subjected to numerous -- almost constant -- scrolling on the bottom of the screen, reminding fans that tickets are still available for the Bolts' home opener against Baltimore. The scroll included the Chargers' ticket order hotline, and it also directed viewers to the team's web site to buy tix.
It gave the whole telecast a distinct telethon flavor.
At any moment, we expected Tony Orlando to make an appearance.
But compared to three hours of exhibition football, that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Thugtown, USA: An Ongoing Series

Just when you thought the Chargers had become a focused, professional group of model citizens, Vincent Jackson stumbles his way into the day's headlines.

Jackson reportedly was arrested early Tuesday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Nice to see the team is keeping distractions to a minimum heading into Sunday's playoff game at Pittsburgh. And the week is still young. There's still plenty of time for more Thugtown, USA activity before the Bolts board their flight to Pennsylvania. Also, don't discount the possibility of night-before-the-game shenanigans from this Charger team after they arrive in the Steel City.

At times like this, we're reminded of an appropriate quote from NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth: "I just don't know if San Diego is emotionally mature enough."

Speaking of quotes, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith gets the honor for unintentional comedy quote of the week. After Jackson had zero receptions in Saturday's playoff win over the Colts, A.J. went out of his way to praise Jackson.

"I'm especially proud of Vincent Jackson's performance, and he didn't even catch a pass. ... He never pouted, never displayed frustration," said A.J. "He has become a true professional, an ultimate team player. You win championships with players like Vincent Jackson."

No, he didn't pout. He merely got hammered -- allegedly -- and proceeded to get behind the wheel of a car.

Excellent judgment, V.J.

And can you really win championships with guys like Vincent Jackson?

Perhaps A.J. was referring to this kind of championship.

Lunging for the Panic Button

With their season starting to slip away, the Chargers found their scapegoat Tuesday, firing defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and replacing him with Ron Rivera.

Of course, it was merely a half-assed lunge for the panic button rather than a full-fledged leap for the panic button. In other words, Norv Turner still has a job.

"We have underachieved on defense so far this season. It is unacceptable," said general manager Albert John Smith, who answers to the colorful nickname "A.J."

Rivera couldn't ask for an easier first game as defensive coordinator. The Bolts return from their bye week with a home game Nov. 9 against the pitiful Kansas City Chiefs, who may bring back Len Dawson as quarterback any day now.

If the Chargers allow more than 13 points against the putrid Chiefs offense, Rivera -- and Norv -- should be fired on the spot.