Chargers Gab

LaDainian Tomlinson Behind the Scenes Chunky Ad Shoot 2008

Matt Loede — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:36:23 +0000

San Diego Chargers’ running back and former NFL MVP, LaDainian Tomlinson, filmed the newest installment of the famed Chunky soup advertising campaign in Los Angeles.

This is Tomlinson’s second season starring in the Chunky soup ads.

Appropriately called “Working Day,” the ads focus on the similarities between a day in the life of an NFL player and every hardworking person.

LT tackles the same trials and tribulations that many people face during the work day, from the need to please his boss – Coach Norv Turner, also featured in one of the ads – to the need to Fill Up on the Good Stuff™ to feel good after a tough day.

This season marks Chunky soup’s 11th as an NFL sponsor and the first time in the brand’s history that the advertising campaign will be solely focused on one marquee player, without his mom by his side.

Launching during the NFL’s opening weekend, September 4th, the campaign will also introduce the new Campbell’s Chunky soup trademark message, Fill Up on the Good Stuff™, which delivers the message that Chunky soups provides a good source of lean meat protein.

The creative for the “Working Day” campaign is being handled by Young & Rubicam, New York and was filmed by famed director, Kinka Usher, with House of Usher.

Chargers TE Gates Happy About Progress on Toe

Matt Loede — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:19:23 +0000

Chargers TE Antonio Gates seems happy about the progress he’s made with his toe injury that he suffered last season, and had surgery on. “It’s crazy how far I’ve come in this short period of time,” said Gates. “It’s just determining when I’m going to be ready,” Gates said. “I know I’m going to be ready. It’s just when.” Word is that Gates will be back sometime between training camp and the start of the regular season. He’s a big part of the offense, and with Phillip Rivers trying to make it back after surgery as well, having Gates as a safety valve could be a huge part of the passing game early in the season.

Chargers Earn an Average Grade on the Weekend Draft

Matt Loede — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:39:02 +0000

Jason Cole of Yahoo has given the Chargers a “C” for the weekend draft selections. Here is his breakdown of their weekend.

Picks: CB Antoine Cason, FB Jacob Hester, RB Marcus Thomas, CB DeJuan Tribble and OT Corey Clark
Positives: Cason
Negatives: Hester
Bottom line: C. This is a much more clever draft than this grade indicates. Instead of grabbing a lot of players who won’t make the roster, the Chargers wisely took only five players. This is a dynamic that many teams don’t understand when they’re building a roster. Sometimes, having a lot of picks is a waste of time. Cason fills the job of departed CB Drayton Florence. Hester is a bit of a reach, but he is a quality player and a better running back than most people think. He fits well as a replacement for Michael Turner and will be great on special teams.

Chargers Select CB Antoine Cason With The 27th Pick

Matt Loede — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:16:03 +0000

L.T. Talks About Possibly Playing in Preseason

Matt Loede — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:51:44 +0000

It’s been a given the past few seasons that running back LaDainain Tomlinson will not see the ball at all in the preseason. That may change come 2008. Tomlinson said to the San Diego Union-Tribune “It may be good for me to play in one preseason game.” It’s been the Chargers take that they don’t want their best player to risk getting hurt in the preseason, but it also may be a deal where they want him to get at last a little game action before opening day.

L.T. said that RB’s coach Ollie Wilson spoke to him about playing a bit in the preseason, and that skipping it may cost him getting off to a fast start. Last season L.T. put up fewer than three yards a carry in their first games. “Who knows? Maybe I might get a chance to run a little bit in the preseason,” Tomlinson said.

His knee is close to being healed, and that may be another factor in getting him out there early, to test the knee and see if the team should be concerned about the start of the season. Training camp will go a long way in showing if Tomlinson is ready to go or not, as well as maybe the thought of seeing the field come the preseason.

NFL Suspends Chargers’ Cooper

Matt Loede — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:46:10 +0000

The NFL suspended Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper for the first four games of the regular season without pay Tuesday for violating the league’s policy on steroids and related substances. Cooper will begin his suspension on August 30th and will be eligible to return on September 29th. He will, however, be able to play in all preseason games. Cooper said in a statement that he has accepted the ban for his use of a stimulant that was recently added to the NFL’s list of prohibited substances and that the stimulant was not used before any game or with the intent to enhance performance. The 28-year-old recorded 16 tackles, one sack and one interception while playing in all 16 games with the Bolts last season. Cooper hasn’t missed a single game over his five-year career with San Diego, and has racked up 258 tackles, seven sacks and three picks over 80 contests.

Hart and Chargers Come to Terms on a New Deal

Matt Loede — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:34:27 +0000

The Chargers, who have been as quiet as a mouse this past free agent period, have finally made a move, signing veteran safety Clinton Hart to a long term deal. Hart came to the Chargers via waivers from the Eagles back in 2004. “I’m excited to be here and have another chance to help this team make a run” Hart told the North County Times. “The way I look at it, I’ve got five years to help them get a Super Bowl. I’ll do my best and do whatever I can to help this team get to that point.”

Hart is 30, and started every game last season for the Chargers in their secondary. Last year he had five picks, 85 tackles and one sack. The 16 starts is the most he’s started since he was an Eagle back in his rookie season of 2003 and started nine games. Terms of the deal with Hart were not disclosed, other than the deal runs though the 2012 season.

Chargers to Play the Cowboys and Hawks at Home in the Preseason

Matt Loede — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:07:45 +0000

The two-time defending AFC West Champion Chargers will open the 2008 preseason at home on Saturday, Aug. 9 against the defending NFC East Champion Dallas Cowboys. Week Two of the preseason has the Chargers headed to St. Louis to take on the Rams. Monday Night Football comes to San Diego for the third week of the preseason as the Chargers take on the four-time defending NFC West Champion Seattle Seahawks at Qualcomm Stadium. The game is set for Monday, Aug. 25 on ESPN. The final tuneup for the regular season is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29 in San Francisco when the Chargers take on the 49ers. Kickoff times will be announced at a later date.

Chargers On the Clock

Matt Loede — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:32:24 +0000

Chargers Dump Three Vets - Neal, McCree & Olivea

Matt Loede — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:36:05 +0000

The Chargers have dumped three players just hours before the start of free agency, including fullback Lorenzo Neal, safety Marlon McCree and right tackle Shane Olivea. GM A.J. Smith told the media that all three players requested their release so they can look to sign elsewhere, and the Chargers granted them their wish. Olivea, who has three years left on his deal, lost his starting job to Jeromy Clary midway through the season. McCree’s release will free up the safety spot for Eric Weddle. Neal was reportedly on the trading block, so his release does not come as much of a surprise.