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

Antonio Cromartie, San Diego Chargers / Image: Zuma Press

Here’s what Antonio had to say in the offending tweet (if you can decipher):

“Man we have 2 have the most nasty food of any team. Damn can we upgrade 4 str8 years the same ish maybe that’s y we can’t we the SB we need.”

The case with Antonio seems to have taken things too far. Now, apparently Chargers head coach Norv Turner specifically told his squad not to discuss any team matters on Twitter or any other online social media. So I guess, technically, the front office has a case. But, it’s ridiculous. The quality of the food in the cafeteria really shouldn’t be considered a “team matter.” Besides, the guy has to be able to express his opinions about the food in the facility. What the heck? And if using Twitter as a forum to do so is frowned upon, I think the team is taking their authority too far.

Buffalo Bills LB Kawika Mitchell put it best in his own four-part Twitter response to the situation:

“Players play this game. They’re tryin to get us to play for free. If we want to complain about some sh!t then let us b. We’re just like any other person workin. If u don’t like somethin I’m sure you’ll complain. Our voice is our rite. It’s bullsh!t that the league is scared of twitter. We have opinions. We sit back and listen to all the bullsh!t media, coaches and fans have to say, so if the chargers food sucks. It sucks. Please! B mad at real sh!t.”

I think the personal messages and interaction with fans from players like Antonio and Kawika; as well as Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and so many others; is the best thing to happen to the NFL—from a media perspective—in years. The lockdown on the players’ on-field exploits (or in-game tweeting) is one thing. To take away their freedom of speech off-the-field is quite another. The truest insider perspective can’t come from any member of the media. Sorry. It has to come from the players themselves. If the league will let them.

Sources: twitter.com/crimetime31, twitter.com/Ka_Mitchell55

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Antonio Cromartie Fined For Tweeting

On the heels of a 37-32 loss to the New Orleans Saints at London’s Wembley Stadium this past weekend (NFL International Series), the San Diego Chargers fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and promoted linebackers coach Ron Rivera to take his place effective immediately. Chargers head coach Norv Turner made the announcement at an afternoon presser today:

“There are a lot of things that went into the decision. There are areas that we just have to play better and we have to improve. Over the next 10 days those are the areas that we are going to address. Hopefully we can not only show improvement right away but continue to improve over the next eight games.”

I realize the loss of linebacker Shawne Merriman for the rest of the season was a tremendous blow to coach Cottrell’s troops, but there’s simply too much of a discrepancy between the offense and the defense to not make a drastic change. The Chargers are tied for second in points scored with 28/game but they give up a little more than 25 while ranking near the bottom of the league defensively in yards allowed. I mean, San Diego hasn’t exactly been an offensive juggernaut every week, but they’ve lost games they scored 24, 32 and 38 points in. Even without Shawne, the defense is talented and thus underachieving. If the Bolts have any chance of coming back from a 3-5 start, they’ll need to improve the defense and they’re hoping this is the first step.

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San Diego Chargers Fire Ted Cottrell

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

There’s no “i” in Campbell’s Chunky soup, but San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson will be going solo in the newest installment of the famed Chunky soup advertising campaign, which began production in Los Angeles this week.

LT is taking his gridiron greatness and “good guy” personality in front of the camera, as he stars in the Chunky soup ads for the second consecutive year. 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 (and just before Mother’s Day — what a slap in the face to moms everywhere — I’m kidding, of course). Campbell’s Chunky soup will feature LT in the 2008 advertising campaign, appropriately titled, “Working Day,” which focuses on a day in the life of an NFL star. Chargers’ head coach Norv Turner will also appear in one spot. Chunky soup’s brand manager (whose name is ironically Doug Brand) said:

“As we enter our 11th consecutive season with the NFL, we are excited to introduce a new and different approach for this year’s advertising campaign. We are delighted to have LaDainian Tomlinson back for a second season and believe he is the foundation for the outstanding evolution of this new campaign. LaDainian is a stand-out athlete who truly represents all of the qualities of the Chunky soup brand — big-hearted, hardworking and fun, making him a natural fit as our spokesperson and one who will effectively serve as our Tackling Hunger® Ambassador.”

The “Working Day” campaign marks the first time the ads will feature mostly computer-generated graphics and visual effects. Plus, LT will utilize green screen technology where he’ll simulate touchdown runs as he dodges opposing defenses. I’ll post the finished product as soon as I get my hands on it. As far as the soup is concerned, I like New England Clam Chowder, Chicken & Dumplings and Hearty Bean & Ham best. I also love the Tantalizin’ Turkey Chili with Beans. Mmm mmm, good.

For more information on Campbell’s Chunky soup and the Tackling Hunger program, please visit chunky.com.

Source: Business Wire, Photo: Newscom

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LaDainian Tomlinson Eats Chunky Soup (starring in their commercials is fun, too)

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

“My wife called me and said ‘hey I heard this.’ I said ‘okay, I haven’t heard anything.’ This morning I got up, I went on the internet, I did see it. She called me last night about 4:30 and I saw it this morning around 7 a.m. It’s a little frustrating because you can’t talk to anybody. In the same respect, I’m here, my focus is Indianapolis …”

I think it’s more likely the Cowboys are after Rivera for their D-coordinator, not the head coaching position. Singletary is a very interesting candidate. I’m a big fan of Mike Singletary. But Norv Turner is still the front-runner in my mind. He comes to the Cowboys with certain demands, including control of who his assistant coaches are. And he’s already said he would like Rivera as his defensive coordinator. You do the math.

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Cowboys Delay Head Coaching Decision