San Diego Chargers Daily Links: January 23, 2012

Editorial: Think big — New vision needed for downtown waterfront - UT San Diego
After weeks of interviews and other reporting, U-T San Diego has come to believe in a new vision. It is a vision that would not just integrate a new stadium with an expanded convention center, but, in phases, would include a sports/entertainment district with a new sports arena, new public parkland, public beach and promenades — all in an area that today is unsightly industrial property inaccessible to the public.

Birk, Rivers, Tillman named Walter Payton Man of the Year finalists - Michael David Smith
Rivers just completed his fourth consecutive 4,000-yard passing season, and he and his wife founded The Rivers of Hope Foundation in 2010, which helps abandoned and orphaned children find loving homes. Rivers has pledged to donate all of his off-field earnings to the foundation.

AFC West mailbag - Bill Williamson
It has already been reported that Jammer will not move to safety next year. Jammer, who’ll turn 33 in June, saw his production slip some in 2011. I think he could be moved to safety down the road. But for now, expect the Chargers to pursue a starting safety (perhaps in the first round of the draft) to pair with Eric Weddle and then try to add another cornerback to the rotation.

New Chargers stadium plan lights up Twitter - Matthew T. Hall
A plan for San Diego to build a Chargers football stadium, a sports arena and an expanded convention center at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, presented in editorials on the front page of and inside U-T San Diego, lit up Twitter on Sunday.

Sez Me: A little help for Norv is good idea - Nick Canepa
Norv will continue to call his own plays, as he should. Why should they take away what he does best? But he needs help in game management, clock management, replay challenges, two-minute drill situations and third-down matters. Hopefully, Fairchild will look in the bag and help Norv choose the right club.

Follow the money: Chargers had few bargains - Kevin Acee
Three of the seven highest-paid Chargers in 2011 finished the season on injured reserve. In fact, one (defensive end Luis Castillo, who made $4.5 million) didn’t make it past the first game, and two others (guard Kris Dielman, who made $5.5 million, and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill, who made $5 million) played fewer than 600 snaps each.

Rivers finalist for NFL Man of Year - UT San Diego
Rivers and his wife Tiffany, parents of six children, launched The Rivers of Hope Foundation in 2010, with the focus of helping abandoned and orphaned children find loving homes and their own sense of self-worth. Their philosophy is "Adopt. Be The Hope." In less than two years, the foundation has raised more than $650,000.

Top Ten Cutest Photos of 2011 - Meg
People, this year’s Top Ten Cutest Photos list blows 2010 and 2009 AWAY—see for yourselfs. This morning, we checked the Xtreme Cute Overload Stat-o-Meter™ which tracks every post, checks the amount of screeching per image, and reports back. Then we know we got ya. Based on that metering system, and without further ado, here are the Top Ten Photos of 2011.

Sloppier Than Fiction - Randall Munroe
Roger Ebert once called you directionless and unwatchable.

Victor Cruz, the New York Giants, and Shades of the Run-and-Shoot Offense - Chris Brown
The run-and-shoot was supposed to be dead, at least in the NFL. The offense (at least one form of it) was conceived by Glenn "Tiger" Ellison back in the 1950s, while Darrel "Mouse" Davis developed its modern form throughout a four-decade coaching career that has touched nearly every level of football imaginable.