Chris Chambers released by Chargers / Image: Zuma Press

In a statement today, Chargers head coach Norv Turner said:

“There are a number of things that went into the decision. The reason we’re able to do this is the play of Malcom; the way Legedu Naanee is performing. Certainly there are a number of other things in terms of our football team that we need to address. Defensively and in the kicking game, we need to get some help.”

It wouldn’t make good business sense to keep Chris as a third receiver when he’s making $4.5 million this year. And any team that picks him off the waiver wire will be required to pick up the balance of his 2009 salary. If Chris clears waivers, he’ll be able to collect the remaining $2.4 million of his contract as termination pay. I don’t doubt a receiver-needy team will take a chance on Chris. And in the right system, at 31-years-old, I think he has a lot of football left. He might just need the proper motivation to turn his career around and become the player he’s capable of becoming—again.

Source: Chargers.com

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Chargers Release Chris Chambers

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NFL.com Fantasy Files: Chris Chambers

It had been 13 years since the San Diego Chargers won a playoff game. Lucky 13 as it turns out. After sleepwalking through the first half of their Wild Card game against the Tennessee Titans this afternoon, the Bolts scored 17 unanswered points to win 17-6. The playoff win was a long time coming for running back LaDainian Tomlinson, too. I can’t believe LT’s been in the league seven years already, but he ended his own postseason frustration as well despite being bottled up (21 carries for 42 yards) by a typically aggressive Titans defense:

“It didn’t come easy, but I tell you, I’m just happy to get that first one. It’s a relief, but at the same time, it’s not like we’re saying, ‘OK, we won a playoff game, so let’s get ready to lose,’ you know what I mean? I’m already thinking about next week and how tough of a game we’re going to have going to Indianapolis, facing the champs.”

Credit the Chargers for pulling themselves together and making plays when they had to because the Titans’ game plan was to erase LT. And they pretty much did just that. I would’ve done the same thing. If the San Diego Chargers are going to beat you, don’t let LT be the one to do it. That’s my thinking. The Titans challenged QB Phillip Rivers to beat them and with the help of his top two wideouts, Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers, he did just that. And this was no dink and dunk West Coast affair. Phillip had six completions over 20 yards and both Vincent (five catches for 114 yards) and Chris (six catches for 121 yards) had big-time games when they knew they had to step up for LT’s coverage and TE Antonio Gates who left the game in the first half with a foot injury.

This playoff win will go a long way for boosting Phillip Rivers’ confidence. And the Chargers know they don’t need to rely on LT for every win. That makes San Diego a dangerous team.

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Chargers Win First Playoff Game in 13 Years

With Bill Parcells cleaning house in Miami, it was only a matter of time before head coach Cam Cameron was given his walking papers. In a disasterous 1-15 debut, Coach Cameron was fired as leader of the Dolphins today.

I have mixed feelings on this. Understandably, Bill Parcells wants to put his stamp on the team he was hired to assemble. I don’t think anyone can argue that. He wants people he knows and people he’s comfortable with — people he shares the same organizational and structural philosophy with. Cam Cameron did not fit with that plan.

In defense of Coach Cameron, he was, in a sense, brought to Miami to steer a sinking ship. He had to deal with the quarterback controversy between Daunte Culpepper and Trent Green, neither of whom would be available for most of the season (Trent injured and Daunte cut). His star running back (Ronnie Brown) went down with a season-ending injury and his top wide receiver (Chris Chambers) was dealt to San Diego. Then it took him nearly the entire season to get his first victory. And that was the only one he managed. You gotta have some sympathy for the guy.

Nevertheless, 1-15 doesn’t cut it anywhere, much less the National Football League. And with new management in South Beach, this move was inevitable. Coach Cameron is a class act and I hope he finds a great new career, with the odds in his favor this time — perhaps even as the type of successful OC as he was in San Diego prior to taking the Miami job.

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Cam Cameron Fired as Head Coach in Miami, Overhaul of Dolphins Continues

The Miami Dolphins have traded WR Chris Chambers to the San Diego Chargers for a 2nd Round Draft pick in 2008. With the NFL’s trading deadline today, I just confirmed the deal in a phone call with the Dolphins Media Relations Department. Chris is a seven-year veteran who has a history with Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner. In 2002 and 2003, Chris’ second and third seasons in the NFL, Coach Turner was Miami’s offensive coordinator. Chris caught 52 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns in his first year with Coach T. In 2003, he had a breakout season while working with Coach Turner. That year he caught 64 passes for 963 yards and 11 touchdowns.

I believe Chris will contribute immediately due to his knowledge of the team’s offense. In addition to working with Coach Turner in the past, Chris has spent the last six months working in Cam Cameron’s offense, the same system that Coach T. runs and the same one that is still in place from Coach Cam’s tenure as the Bolts’ OC. Coach Turner had this statement about the addition of C2:

“Chris is an explosive, talented player and I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to work with him again. He’s a very consistent player and he has big-play ability. We think he can add to what we’re doing on offense. The bonus for us is that he’s familiar with the system. It should be a quick and easy adjustment for him. We expect him to come in and be productive right away.”

Check out the Fantasy impact of this and other NFL trade deadline deals at fellow b5er Kori Ellis’ The Fantasy Kickoff.

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Miami Dolphins Trade Chris Chambers