Possible to think the season is over at Week 6? Don’t ask the San Diego Chargers fan base.  An embarrassing loss last night to the division rivals, the Denver Broncos, took out all the air on the Chargers hopes of becoming the team to beat in the AFC West.

Antonio Gates catches his 50th Touchdown of his career.

The beginning of the night started oddly slow for a match up between division rivals looking to top out the number one spot. Back to back punts gave little to no showing of the two elite quarterbacks in the AFC West division. The real story was the special teams in the first quarter.  With muffed punts, fumbled kick off return, the Chargers were always in good field position, scoring twice off of special teams plays. Mike Scifres is undoubtedly an unsung hero on the team. With the momentum the special teams were giving the Chargers, the defense responded. Taking Peyton Manning out of his comfort zone, the Chargers’ defense kept producing three and outs.

Phillip Rivers finally found Gates for two touchdowns, Gates’ first touchdown receptions of the season and also Gates’  50^th and 51^sttouchdown catches. In between Gates’ spectacular catches, the defense was on the field to thwart the increasingly frustrated Manning, and Quentin Jammer gets his first pick-6 of his long career. No stopping the San Diego Chargers in the first half. 

Quentin Jammer picks off Peyton Manning, runs over him and into the endzone for his first pick-6 of his career.

And I believe that’s the last we heard of the Chargers for the rest of the game.

 The story then belongs to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. Manning comes out storming, he was made a fool of in

the first half: miscommunication with his receivers, a horrible attempt to tackle Jammer, and having absolutely no rhythm to get his offense going. But Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning, and he led the Broncos back from a 24 point deficit to winning by the double digits.

What a gut check for the Chargers. Back to back weeks, fast starts and can’t seem to finish a game. What do the coaches say to the players at halftime to make them stop playing? “Good game so far, why not take a breather?”

There is still a lot to be said about this game. Defense stopped making plays in the second half, Phillip Rivers was picked off in almost every pass he tried to throw for more than 15+ yards (that is four interceptions) , the entire team could not make one play.

The tale of two halves. So who’s fault does this lie on Charger fans?

Nick Hardwick (C) and the Denver defense fighting to gain control of the football.

Day 1. 90 players. 53 man roster, 8 on the practice squad. The magic number is 61. So the competition begins.

 Every year come the end of summer, the best part of the year begins. Players come to earn their spot on the Chargers’ roster. Undrafted free agents hoping to make a name for themselves, rookies learning the ropes, veteran returners and free agents trying to get back into the swing of things and prove themselves once again.

Chargers first full squad practice yesterday was definitely aggressive. With the Chargers bringing in the most veterans in the AFC West, rookies are fighting tooth and nail for a roster spot, which is bringing out the best in everyone.

“It’s always been a competitive camp and I think the guys enjoy going against one another, but I think this will be the most competitive camp we’ve had since I’ve been here. There are a lot of good football players 1-90 and there are a lot of guys competing. That’s what will help make us the best team” said Phillip Rivers after just finishing their first walk-thru practice.

The second most important factor in training camp is staying healthy. Charlie Whitehurst (QB) had his knee cave in after contact with another player and left practice early (Chargers are looking to bring in a third QB for camp). Jared Gaither suffered what is being described “full body cramp”. Whitehurst is said to be out 2-3 week, while Gaither will be back at practice tomorrow.

With just two weeks away until their first game, everyone is feeling the same sense of urgency (tired of the saying yet? Get use to it, I’m sure Norv will make it into a slogan!) Day 1 of a long season, hopefully.

Rookies reported to their first training camp last night, checking into the hotel and getting acquainted with one another. It was like back to school for them, playbooks in hand, some studying for an entire month before putting studying to theory. Today was their first practice in what hopes to be a promising season.

For the past couple of seasons head coach Norv Turner has had the same phrase going into training camp: “We have to have a sense of urgency.” It’s a make or break year for the Chargers and it is starting off on the right foot.The rookies look promising, all of them ready to prepare for the upcoming season.

With some rookies just getting caught up to speed on the playbook,  many question if this class of rookies will be up to par. After practice Norv Turner addressed the media, “I was impressed. It is hardest for the young guys because you want to get out of here and relax your body.  When you get back it jumps on you quickly. But, I thought they handled it well today.”

These next two days of practices are for the rookie’s benefit. Most of training camp the rookies will be watching and learning from the sidelines while the veterans get the practice. “A lot of guys took a lot of reps today, it was tough. But some of these guys might not get any reps when the veterans come back. These are the days you have got to take advantage of the little things, do everything the coaches ask of you, and be accountable.” Arthur Hobbs, rookie CB.

Four veterans were present today, quarterbacks Phillip Rivers and Charlie Whitehurst were throwing around to the rookie wide receivers. Also Jonas Mouton and Larry English, both veteran linebackers who missed most of last season, were asked to come out for an extra practice before the rest of the veterans return for a full squad practice on Thursday.

Day 1 is through and the Chargers are looking to get started quickly and have their rookies be ahead of the game once the veterans return later this week for the first full practice on Thursday.

Mini Camp is over. Now the waiting game begins.

What can we take away from mini camp? Potential, loads and loads of potential. There is no surprise that Phillip Rivers is looking smooth. Ryan Matthews coming out with bursts of speed up the middle. The wide receiving core has also been showing lots of promise. Eddie Royal as a new addition has received the most praise from head coach Norv Tuner. His work ethic and ability to understand his routes, along with his veteran experience has impressed Turner. But mostly importantly mini camp is getting the chemistry rolling.

New Chargers are taking these precious practices seriously. Many need to get acclimated to Chargers football, while others need to make an impression with the limited amount of reps they’re getting. This may just be a taste of training camp, but for us football junkies… we will take what we can get.

So what can we anticipate before training camp begins? Just about anything you can imagine. Phillip Rivers, MVP year? Ryan Matthews, break out season? Antonio Gates of old is new again? There’s just too much time between now and the first game against Oakland. So for now, we’ll go with its as good as expected. It is only June.

Many wondered what would happen when the great LaDainian Tomlinson retires. A Charger? A Jet? Would San Diego take him back? Could fans, teammates, coaches, and even L.T put the 2009-2010 season behind them and do the right thing?

On a night remembering another Charger great, Junior Seau, L.T’s most public apperance since leaving the Chargers and playing for the Jets, a roaring welcoming applause and the familiar chants of “L.T! L.T! L.T” on the field that introduced him to the NFL, the reaction ended all doubt for San Diego. San Diego’s most devoted fans welcomed him home with open hearts and wide eyes, hoping L.T returned the same feelings back.

“Once a Charger, always a Charger,” L.T spoke to a crowd of thousands and answered the big question if he wanted to retire a Charger. Simply, of course.

For the better part of a decade, #21 stormed into the end zone every Sunday, finished with a simple celebration, only to be surrounded by his incredible offensive line. LT may have not won a Super Bowl ring, but he’ll remember these times as, “Championship days.” Getting carried on the shoulders of his Charger teammates, those are memories many fans will never forget. LaDainian Tomlinson is a different breed of running backs. He is and will always be one of the greats.

L.T’s storied career transcends through more than his amazing stats. Many remember his 12,490 yards and his 153 touchdowns as a Charger. The magicial years of 2001-2010, L.T.’s stellar performance showed the world what an amazing athlete he is. Hard-working and dedicated are used to explain L.T’s amazing work-ethic. But his character is what has set him apart.

His work with the San Diego community, said to be inspired from Junior Seau, speaks volumes of his kindness and truly good-hearted person that he is. Having met L.T numerous times at the Blood Bank, Chargers Fan Zone, the annual Thanksgiving Turkey give aways, the love L.T recieves is definitely reciprocated. From his work with Palomar Pomerado Hospital to the football camps with the San Diego youth, L.T’s role in the community is what San Diego revered him for.

Pro Bowl, MVP, AP Man of the Year, Future First Ballot Hall of Famer, and ending his career where he started, where he has always belonged, a San Diego Charger.

“A Charger now and forever.”