Wow, what a week in the Chargers camp!
Andrew Pinnock was released due to his slow rehab of offseason surgery. Beating out Pinnock for the starting fullback position is undrafted rookie Mike Tolbert – who practiced with the first-team offense due to Pinnock starting training camp on the PUP list. Tolbert is expected to start the regular season over the other, drafted rookie, Jacob Hester. Hester should see some playing time in the season opener also, either as a fill-in for Tolbert, or possibly as an H-back for LT.
Roster Moves
According to chargers.com, The Chargers added two veterans Monday by signing tight end Kris Wilson and guard Kynan Forney. Wilson will be a key addition as the backup to TE Antonio Gates, while Forney will be the primary backup at both guard positions.
Merriman Goes Through Full Practice
Three-time Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman went through his first full practice Wednesday and was satisfied with his workout – and you guessed it, he’ll be in the lineup for the Bolt’s season opener against Carolina Sunday at the Murph… oops, I mean the Q.
Two weeks ago, it was announced that Merriman has a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and a tear in the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his knee.
In a related story, the Chargers voted for team captains on Wednesday. According to chargers.com, LT and Phillip Rivers were elected to represent the offense, while Merriman and Jamal Williams will serve as the defensive captains, and Kassim Osgood will represent the special teams. All five captains were elected for the second consecutive year.
Charger Girls!!
Unveiled to the public for the first time Thursday night, the Charger Girls swimsuit calendar, features beautiful photos of “The Hottest Dance Team in the NFL.”
http://www.chargers.com/charger_girls/2008-2009-squad/
Opening Day: Panthers vs. Chargers
Your two-time AFC West champion San Diego Chargers will open the season at home against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 7th at Qualcomm Stadium. Kickoff will be at 1:15pm Pacific time. This will be only the fourth time the Chargers and Panthers have met up, Carolina won the first two meetings, while the Bolts won the last matchup. Since Sunday’s game will be played at the Q, there will be great anticipation for the Bolts to pull out the W where the Chargers are 7-3 in their last 10 opening day games. In the last four years, the Chargers have won five straight and gone 7-1 against teams from the NFC.
Key Matchup
Marcus McNeill is expected to miss the game against Carolina, LJ Shelton will start at the Left Tackle position should McNeill not start. It has been rumored that the Panthers will move sack specialist to that side to take advantage of loss of McNeill. Shelton should be able to step in seamlessly, as the 6-6, 345lbs tackle is a 10-year veteran at the position.
Thats it for this week in Chargers camp…
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