Bolt-Load of Links: 8/6 Chargers Links

• Officials visit Chargers Park | SignOnSanDiego.com
  Three members of NFL officiating crews have spent the past two days at Chargers Park working practice and presenting NFL rules changes and points of emphasis to the team. It is an annual happening at every training camp.
• Remembering "Big Hands" | Chargers.com
  Gary "Big Hands" Johnson, a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame, passed away Wednesday in Shreveport, La., five days after he suffered a stroke.
• Video: Kevin Acee's Training Camp Report: August 6th | SignOnSanDiego.com
  Kevin Acee delivers an injury report and also talks about the backup offensive lineman and the upcoming Qualcomm practice.
• Thursday's training camp glance | North County Times
  40 days until regular-season opener at Kansas City on Sept. 13.
• Highsmith practices | Chargers.com
  The former Cardinals linebacker practiced soon after arriving in San Diego, but felt comfortable thanks to four other former LSU Tigers.
• Banks doing best to hold off competition | NFL On The Fringe
  Banks opened training camp as the No. 5 receiver but he is being pushed hard by undrafted rookie Jeremy Williams (Tulane). Production and work wise, Banks seemed to have the early edge.
• Extra runs | Chargers.com
  The speedy Sproles delights fans with his bursts and explosion during practice, but they aren’t just for show. The extra effort helps him prepare for the regular season.
• Practice in Photos: August 5th | Chargers Blogs
  Most all of the Chargers rookies took the field at Qualcomm Stadium for the first time Wednesday night. Practice continued Thursday with a 45-minute special teams session in the morning and a two-hour, full pads practice in the evening.

Plenty more after the break!

• Gates' numbers even better | SignOnSanDiego.com
  Antonio Gate's five-year, $36.175 contract extension included $20.4 million virtually guaranteed, which was widely reported the day Gates signed on July 28.
• Chainsaw: In the Sports World! (8/6)
  Brett Favre allegedly sent a text photo of his junk to a lady we’ll call Ms. Not-his-wife. Further proof it came from Favre: the text photo was intercepted and run back all the way to the media.
• Bolts' Hughes views injury as chance to grow | SignOnSanDiego.com
  The first time Brandon Hughes went in the weight room after going on injured reserve last summer, the workout was so difficult he jokes now he didn’t know if he’d ever set foot in there again.
• Meet the Bolts: Ryan Mathews (Video) | SignOnSanDiego.com
  Annie kicks off her new "Meet the Bolts" series by getting to know Ryan Mathews.
• Chargers have it made in the shade | SignOnSanDiego.com
  Earth City, Mo. Metairie, La. Berea, Ohio. Bourbonnais, Ill. Flowery Branch, Ga. Three places in Florida and two in Texas. In August. All are places where, if you absolutely have to step outside in the light of day in the middle of summer … well, you still don’t.
• Former San Diego Charger Antonio Cromartie is shining at New York Jets camp | ESPN
  Of the Jets' many big-name newcomers, DB Antonio Cromartie is really turning heads, Adam Schefter writes.
• Denver's injury parade continues - AFC West Blog - ESPN
  The Denver Broncos’ rash of training camp injuries continued Friday.
• Jarrad Page's Agent Calls Chiefs 'Vindictive', Blames Todd Haley For IR Stint | Arrowhead Pride
  Jarrad Page's camp wants to make it very, very clear: He wants out of Kansas City.
• More From Agent: Chiefs Coach Tried To 'Intimidate' Jarrad Page Into Playing Through Injury | Arrowhead Pride
  His agent (and brother), John Page, appeared on Nick Wright's show on 610 Sports Friday afternoon to give a little more background to their side of the story.
• Under the Cap: Rookie Contracts | Football Outsiders
  Rookie contracts are a hot topic these days, with most first-round picks already in the fold. It's one thing to hear that Sam Bradford is getting $50 million guaranteed on a contract worth up to $78 million, but you rarely hear about the contract dynamics that go into finalizing such a deal. Here are some of the key issues addressed in signing a first-round pick.
• NFL Considering Microchip-Implanted Footballs | Switched
  Reuters Canada reports that the NFL has spoken with a German manufacturer about placing microchips inside footballs in order to prevent blown calls by officials.