San Diego Chargers Daily Links: February 7, 2012

Finhead's Mock Draft: Version 5 - Finhead83
18) San Diego Chargers - Courtney Upshaw, OLB: The Chargers could also use David DeCastro, but the prospect of Courtney Upshaw is just too much for them to pass up. The Chargers need a lot of help at OLB as Larry English just hasn't developed as San Diego has hoped.

Giants Show Importance Of Drafting Well To Win In NFL - Stampede Blue
Meanwhile, the Giants have been making a killing in the draft since roughly 2004, when they made their now famous trade with the San Diego Chargers for Eli Manning. That trade helped define two franchises. The Chargers have been a consistent playoff disappointment under the direction of Philip Rivers, the player they got in exchange for Eli. The other players they received in compensation for Manning (kicker Nate Kaeding and linebacker Shawne Merriman) didn't do much to help San Diego in the playoff wins department.

The Buttered Cat Paradox - Miss Cellania
Those who have tackled the problem as a thought experiment (meaning, no cats were harmed) have come to the conclusion that the buttered cat would stop falling at some point above the floor. Then, as the cat tries to orient its feet against the attraction of the butter to the floor, the cat would begin spinning -and never stop.

Who Will Be The Chargers Starting Left Tackle Next Season? - Ernie Padaon
It doesn’t sound like Marcus McNeill will be back with the Chargers next season. Check out this little excerpt from the Acee mailbag: McNeill wants to play. That will be up to the Chargers. I don’t think he’ll be back … I think Dielman and Hardwick will be back. – Kevin Acee

Chargers sign two to future contracts - Christopher Smith
The Chargers have signed defensive end/linebacker Ricky Elmore and safety DeAndre McDaniel to three-year Reserve/Future contracts.

Bolts to hire Barry, coaching staff complete - Christopher Smith
The conclusion of Super Bowl XLVI means all 32 teams now are pointed toward the 2012 season. The Chargers’ decision-makers, including team president Dean Spanos and General Manager A.J. Smith, will huddle this week to begin hammering down an analysis of the current roster and prepare a strategy with multiple contingencies for free agency.

Chargers stadium week in review: Book of Eli - Matthew T. Hall
Speaking of counting cash, Bloomberg's editors have something for those who wondered leading up to the Super Bowl whether a stadium is an economic boon. The answer: it isn't. The piece uses more words to make the argument and suggests there is another reason to build such venues. Love.