Gates Visits Foot Specialist
[picappgallerysingle id="7575639"]San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl TE Antonio Gates is in North Carolina visiting a foot specialist. Chargers head coach Norv Turner told the media that his visit to the doctor is not related to Gates’ past toe or ankle injury. This is something for fantasy players and Chargers fans should continue to monitor even though the team said the issue is not a big deal currently.
[picappgallerysingle id="2630802"]San Diego LB Jyles Tucker continues to impress at Chargers OTA’s. With Shawne Merriman staying away from camp, several linebackers are now getting more reps along with opportunities to highlight what they can do. Tucker told the media after practice he thinks he’s ready to become a starter in the NFL. “I believe that. That’s what I’m working toward. It’s an important year. I’m trying to show that I can play in this league on a consistent basis.”
[picappgallerysingle id="7653415"]Chargers FB Mike Tolbert appears ready to step up at fullback for the Chargers in 2010. Tolbert could be the useful weapon in the Chargers offense next season said San Diego’s running back coach Ollie Wilson. “But the ideal thing about him is when he has the ball in his hands or he’s running routes, he’s a plus for us that people don’t count on….As much as we label him a fullback, I think he’s going to do what we need him to do to be effective and give us another weapon that most people don’t talk about.”
Turner to Ellison- “Stay Away”
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner has told S Kevin Ellison to not attend any minicamps the Chargers are going to hold. Turner said he didn’t wish to speak about Ellisons arrest and didn’t want the problem to become a distraction for the team as a whole.
[picappgallerysingle id="7653402"]
Ellison was arrested when police officers found 100 Vicodin pills in Ellison’s car. Where Ellison obtained the pills remains a mystery, but team sources said he didn’t receive them from the Chargers organization. Ellison has sustained three knee injuries in his short career.
Charger arrested with pills
San Diego Chargers Kevin Ellison was released on 10,000.00 bond after being arrested for suspicion of possession of 100 Vicodin pills according to the Associated Press. Ellison was arrested in Redondo Beach and was originally pulled over for speeding, upon inspection of the vehicle, officers found the controlled substance. Ellison was speeding in a school zone, the school ironically was his former high school.
Ellison is entering his second season with the Chargers. The 6’1″ 220 pound safety recorded 52 tackles and 1 sack as a rookie. Though he was a starter in 2009, he was expected to have a challenge from 4th round selection S Darrell Stuckey in 2010.
Ellison’s brother Keith plays linebacker for the Buffalo Bills.
Merriman for a 2nd
San Diego Chargers LB Shawne Merriman could be had be had in exchange for a second round pick according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Merriman Tweeted yesterday that he wondered how long the trading trade was because he’d been on it for 2 years now.
No teams really seem to be beating the Chargers door down as of yet and it appears that Merriman will likely be a Charger again in 2010.
Chargers Jackson could face suspension
The San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson could face a suspension from the NFL league offices. He pleaded guilty to knowingly driving with a suspended driver’s license. The offense occurred just prior to the Chargers home playoff game January 17th against the Jets.
[picappgallerysingle id="7579985"]
Jackson will be faced with a monetary fine and 80 hours of community service. Jackson’s attorney, Cole Casey has said Vincent simply wants to move on. “Vince just wants to get ready to play football this season, and doesn’t want to have a lot of the legal stuff hanging over his head.”
That’s all well and good, but now the NFL might hand down a suspension for Vincent under it’s substance abuse policy. Jackson has had two DUI’s since 2006 and his arrest on the driving with a suspended license charge is a direct result of those DUI’s.
Ironic in all of this is the fact if Jackson had turned his radio down, he would never have been pulled over. California has a noise ordinance stating music coming from a car should not be heard more than 50 feet from the car, hence, Jackson was pulled over on his way to the game. If Jackson knew his license was suspended and he was on his way to a playoff game, why didn’t he have a teammate pick him up? Why was he driving at all? It was a stupid judgment call and now he will most likely miss games in 2010.
