Ogemdi Nwagbuo and Nick Novak are San Diego Chargers Once Again

by John Gennaro on Sep 13, 2011 12:18 PM PDT in San Diego Chargers News

Injuries to Luis Castillo (out for most of the season, if not placed on IR) and Nate Kaeding (out for the year) during the San Diego Chargers Week 1 victory over the Minnesota Vikings left a couple of large holes on the roster that have now been filled with familiar faces.

Ogemdi Nwagbuo, who Norv Turner admitted last week was one of the tougher cuts he's had to make as a Head Coach, turned down a tryout with old Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers to sign back with the Chargers and become the fourth Defensive End behind Corey Liuget, Vaughn Martin (starter!) and Jacques Cesaire.

The Chargers practice today included tryouts for a new kicker, and among the competitors was Nick Novak (who was with the Bolts in training camp last year), Dave Rayner and Jeff Reed. Novak obviously had some fans among the coach staff, and did enough to win the job for the rest of the season (hopefully).

Welcome back, guys. Let's get ready for the Patriots.

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I'm excited for Vaughn

I think starting will help develop him by the end of the season.
Castillo, per Acee, could return between TNF against Oakland, and MNF against Jacksonville.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Sep 13, 2011 12:32 PM PDT reply actions

if kaeding went to IR.. & castillo is still on roster...who got cut

by Reeve.Oliver on Sep 13, 2011 12:33 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

That’s what I am wondering.

by BFDC on Sep 13, 2011 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm thinkin' Gach, Gamble, or Coop.

by Orz on Sep 13, 2011 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions

CJ Wallace

by CABurrito on Sep 13, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Remember Novak having a big leg, excellent on Kickoffs but...

A 63.6% accuracy rate is disconcerting, its clear why he didn’t have a job already.

I Like having OG back, I’m guessing more roster are coming, to expand the DLine, have to matchup with the Raiders power running game.

by TJBOLT on Sep 13, 2011 12:33 PM PDT reply actions

My biggest problem with the Novak signing

is that he has proven over his career to not be very good at kicking field goals, and when you are a kicker that is a fairly big negative in my mind.

by JeromeB on Sep 13, 2011 12:35 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe it's worth it if we never have a kickoff returned for a TD the rest of the season?

by Orz on Sep 13, 2011 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions

That was why last week I suggested keeping Schmitt

on the roster over Gachkar or Gamble. He would have had more value then either. I guess maybe Novak does that as well but I will not feell good when he is getting ready to kick a 43 yarder with our (the chargers) play off hopes on the line.

by JeromeB on Sep 13, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

A good kickoff man is certainly less valuable

If you can’t make any field goals…

by Alex Bourque on Sep 13, 2011 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah.

Not making the field goals is going to reduce the number of kickoffs he makes.

A Zoo Often Visted

by 'Eaters on Sep 14, 2011 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Novak is the right choice - Eye of the Tiger

Why don’t you look at everything he has done since 2008. It is easy to look at the 19 for 30 number and just make some blanket comment about the percentage. He was 17-21 in the UFL (UFL MVP), 2-3 in chargers preseason last year and 2-2 this preseason with the jets. He nearly beat out Nick Folk according to several articles during the course of the training camp and the coaches there raved about him. (http://articles.nydailynews.com/2011-08-26/sports/29947169_1_nick-folk-mike-westhoff-nick-novak). As did the Charger coaches when he was in camp last season pushing Nate Kaeding for his job. He’s made plenty of kickers since 2008 better with his professionalism and skill by pushing them for their jobs. And he’s made plenty of huge kicks in the NFL and in College. Nick is a great kicker and you should be happy to have him on your team. He continues to knock out the other best contenders time after time in these tryouts – as he did with Rayner, Reed and Brown. He will prove his detractors wrong and is the long term answer for the Chargers.

by kwinslow80 on Sep 13, 2011 12:45 PM PDT reply actions

Are you his agent?

But seriously, I hope you’re right because the Kaeding loss is potentially disastrous.

"The biggest thing..." - Norv Turner

by Cake or Death on Sep 13, 2011 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he's actually Nick Novak.

6/10/2010 - Tra Thomas signs with the Chargers
8/21/2010 - Tra Thomas retires.

That was fast.

by SD FTW on Sep 13, 2011 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions

This would be so awesome

by BFDC on Sep 13, 2011 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Did Novak grow up watching the Chargers?

‘Cause that’s one old-school handle. Older than handles, even.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 13, 2011 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Novak's dad?

by BFDC on Sep 13, 2011 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

It wouldn't be the first time

that a professional athlete’s father posted on a SBN blog.

by SDzeke on Sep 13, 2011 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions

hahahahhaha

Oh JJG how we miss thee

"I suggest more bike" ~KSK

"The Red Sox and Yankees are playing as I type but I don't know who's winning because I don't watch Arena League baseball." - the genius TTG

Destroying your facts with opinions

by justdave on Sep 14, 2011 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Good point

If you were a player trolling on your team’s forum, would you really go “Hall of Fame Tight End?” Why not go “obscure guy who used to play my position?” Something like mwoods16. Or even jcarney3.

by Andy (allfield) on Sep 13, 2011 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions

wrichey5

Yakety Sax: Making divisional matchups hilarious since 1963.
Gaslamp Ball: SMELLS LIKE PROSPECTS IN HERE

by StrangeBroP25 on Sep 13, 2011 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions

According to Wikipedia,

his Godmother is also Kellen Winslow Jr’s Godmother. Interesting connection there, perhaps….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Novak#Early_years

"Skipper, we're losing the crowd. Put it our new novelty act."
"Darn it! I already put in the circus clown!"
"Yeah, but he bunted. Clowns are only funny when they swing away!"

by KlausChadman on Sep 13, 2011 6:44 PM PDT up reply actions

If he's 75%, with better kickoffs I'll take it

Who knows maybe he will actually be a good kicker in the playoffs, if/when the chargers are in the playoffs, then it might be a blessing in disguise, I’m hopeful to see how it plays out.

by TJBOLT on Sep 13, 2011 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope you are right

but if he continued to knock out the best contenders time after time in tryouts then he wouldn’t be sitting at home by the phone waiting for a call to tryout. I would love it if he came in and was solid the entire year, I really do hope that he does well.
Every kicker that gets a tryout in the NFL has made some big kicks at some point in their career and is very talented.

by JeromeB on Sep 13, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Not this

and is the long term answer for the Chargers

I’m just fine with Novak in the short term; but the long-term “answer”? Over the most accurate kicker in NFL history? Not happening.

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Sep 13, 2011 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions

We will see what he is, Billy Cundiff was the best kicker in 2010

I can’t remember how many times he was cut before, for some guys the light goes later on, I’m hopeful.

I’m hoping for 70/75% percent and better kickoffs as my expectations.

by TJBOLT on Sep 13, 2011 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I just wish

he didn’t sound like a 80’s detective that got cancelled after one season. White guy, open shirt, moustache, vaults into his convertible. Bawled out by his bald chief. Saves a kid then nails the grateful mother.

Next week on Nick Novak – A Dangerous Game.

It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Sep 13, 2011 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions

i disagree

i think this makes him 100x MORE awesome.

"I suggest more bike" ~KSK

"The Red Sox and Yankees are playing as I type but I don't know who's winning because I don't watch Arena League baseball." - the genius TTG

Destroying your facts with opinions

by justdave on Sep 14, 2011 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions

I think you're on to something

Set it in New Orleans. They could use a boost.

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Sep 14, 2011 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions

CJ Wallace cut

to make room, no shocker there

by cameronm on Sep 13, 2011 1:09 PM PDT reply actions

BYE BYE CJ WALLACE

We hardly knew ye.

sdutChargers It appears Luis Castillo being given time to heal. Safety CJ Wallace is released to make room on roster.

by BORTZ on Sep 13, 2011 1:11 PM PDT reply actions

Alas

poor Wallace, I knew him well. A safety of infinite jest, a most excellent tackler…

The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'

by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 13, 2011 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

seriously?

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Sep 13, 2011 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

not so much

The play of chance and probability within which the creative spirit is free to roam. -von Clausewitz 'On Football'

by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 13, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I do wish I was better with sarcasm detection.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Sep 13, 2011 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

So do we.

It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Sep 13, 2011 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

He hath

broken up passes a thousand times, and how abhorr’d in my imagination it is! My gorge rises at it.

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Sep 13, 2011 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions

What light from yonder window breaks?

’Tis AJ Smith upon the balcony, dressed in finest Tommy Bahama.

"The biggest thing..." - Norv Turner

by Cake or Death on Sep 13, 2011 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs

excellent reference

"I suggest more bike" ~KSK

"The Red Sox and Yankees are playing as I type but I don't know who's winning because I don't watch Arena League baseball." - the genius TTG

Destroying your facts with opinions

by justdave on Sep 14, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions

I welcome the beginning of the Vaughn Martin era

It’s your time!

by Nohm on Sep 13, 2011 2:13 PM PDT reply actions

How Can Castillo Return at all?

I’m no medical expert, but how can someone expect to play football the same year as they have a fractured bone in their leg…a weight bearing bone.

Castillo probably weights more than a pixie filled with helium; so the amount pounding that bone would be subjected to in a game would be substantial.

How can we expect him to perform at all with this injury?

by Mike Sullivan on Sep 13, 2011 3:27 PM PDT reply actions

Well

I would expect the team to take the opinion of at least one doctor into account when making the decision not to IR him. I would expect that doctor to know the nature of the injury and make an informed recommendation. So, I guess we expect him to come back in time based on the recommendation of somebody who ought to know, as opposed to the rest of us.

"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"

by aesimpleton on Sep 13, 2011 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Players would actually rather break a bone

then deal with severe ligament damage. Bones heal quickly, his return will depend mostly on how his muscles respond to the time with all that inactivity. I would guess he is practicing by week 10, and perhaps the team can bring him along slowly if the standing along for it

Winning

by Foilhat on Sep 13, 2011 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Broken bones

with some exceptions pretty much under correct treatment heal to their original strength.

Ligaments and tendons once torn, stretched etc are rarely the same again. Loss of mobility and flexibility is usually the outcome. Plus, the injury occurs again more easily each time. Foilhat is right – a bone break can mean a season out, often less; severe ligament damage can be career ending.

Plus, regarding his weight, Castillo would have bones consistent with his size, more robust individuals develop accordingly.

That’s not to say that a bone break cannot reoccur, and some people often rebreak the same bone. But that’s usually due to the same conditions occurring that caused the break in the first place, not a weaker bone.

It's NEVER a shrimp on the barbie. It's not even a shrimp.

by The Land Of Real Beer on Sep 13, 2011 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions

He suffered almost the same injury

in October 2007. Came back in late December and played well in the playoffs.

A pirate I was meant to be!
"You say you're nasty pirates,
scheming, thieving, bad bushwackers?
From what I've seen I tell you
You're not pirates, you're just slackers!"

by Zach (maestro876) on Sep 13, 2011 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Same injury against the Vikings no less.

The only other time he’s played them.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 14, 2011 5:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Pats Center Out!

The Patriot starting Center is out for the next 8-10 weeks!

This should be welcome news to Garay, Thomas, Martin and company.

by Mike Sullivan on Sep 13, 2011 3:44 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, sorry..

I can’t be happy or excited about someone else’s injury

by Jobumoplata on Sep 13, 2011 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Same here. With a few exceptions.

Yakety Sax: Making divisional matchups hilarious since 1963.
Gaslamp Ball: SMELLS LIKE PROSPECTS IN HERE

by StrangeBroP25 on Sep 13, 2011 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ditto, plus you never know.

Backups sometimes surprise you. They’re NFL players too, you know.

An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Sep 14, 2011 5:31 AM PDT up reply actions

His replacement

stepped in and played really well. This won’t be an advantage for SD. The Patriot’s crappy pass defense, however… That’s a different story. 400 passing yards to Chad Henne? Really?

Are Marlon McCree and Antonio Cromartie the same person? Just askin'.

by QLFixBoy on Sep 14, 2011 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Novak

well since there’s a lot of complaints about Norv’s play calling, you guys should be excited, Norv will have to call better plays, so he can score touchdowns instead of field goals :).

by john1 on Sep 13, 2011 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs