Jacques Cesaire News

After the Chargers totally blew that game against the Baltimore Ravens this season, I wrote the following: Every year, I write articles about how big a moron Norv Turner is, and then have to retract my statements at the end of the year.

Cowbell. Every so often, you might notice one clanging in the stands, but those aren't the ones that players talk about hearing.

Philip Rivers came to the place he was never meant to be and did what he is becoming known for.

Chargers defenders Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips pressure Giants quarterback Eli Manning, forcing a first-quarter fumble.

I was watching the Dolphins play the Patriots on Sunday and the final play of the game really caught my attention.

Eli Manning evades the grasp of San Diego Chargers defensive end Jacques Cesaire in the first quarter.

Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 3:30 a.m. Where there used to be the domineering presence of one behemoth - that one usually being plenty enough - the middle of the Chargers' three-man line is now three men.

File this under "the glass is half-empty." Facing an Oakland Raiders team that could not get any semblance of pass defense against San Diego's aerial attack, the Chargers chose to run 30 times in 55 plays.

" The Chargers may have found their balance at nose tackle with a rotation of Travis Johnson, Ian Scott and Ogemdi Nwagbuo.

These are not the words of a team coming off an embarrassing loss on national television, a group that for the third straight season has yet to find its collective step in the early going.

If the Broncos didn't have the Chargers' attention before, they do now. Something about a first-place team being 5-0 will do that to a squad.

The Chargers returned to practice on Monday, still with many of the regulars off the field.

" Players are on notice. Whether Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera explicitly said so or not, there is a feeling within the defense that jobs are up for grabs.

" During the Chargers' offseason workouts, Jacques Cesaire would watch Ogemdi Nwagbuo prepare to leave the locker room for an afternoon shift at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. This was after a morning of practice, lifting and running with the rest of the players.

" The Miami Dolphins tried to surprise the Chargers with a deep pass on their first play from scrimmage Sunday.

"It calls a lie to the "dumb jock" stereotype and shows they are engaged in the world beyond the locker room.

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson OAKLAND - There are some big names on both sides of the ball that are inactive for Monday night's game between the Chargers and the Raiders.

Andre Coleman lived the unsung existence of an NFL practice-squad player for two seasons, sweating through workouts without getting into a game.

" Depleted by injuries to two starters on their offensive line, the Chargers yesterday signed Dennis Norman, who has played guard, center and even tackle over 64 career games.

September 14, 2009, 10:26 a.m. Defensive end Andre Coleman will be signed from the practice squad today and will be active in tonight's season opener at Oakland.