The left tackle's Wednesday release came with a June 1 designation...The base salary is removed from the books, meaning Gaither will cost only $2 million against the 2013 salary cap. In 2014, the remaining $4 million of Gaither's prorated bonus will count in dead money...Gaither would have cost $6 million in dead money in 2013 without the June 1 designation.

Norv Turner says he doesn't expect tackles Michael Harris (ankle) and Jeromey Clary (knee) or guard Tyronne Green (hamstring) to play Sunday

"One thing about playing quarterback in this league is that you definitely take all the heat, and I can tell you this, he’s the first person in here and he’s the last person to leave," Gates said. "There’s not another person on this team or in this league that I would rather play with besides Philip, because I can depend on him and I know I can count on him."

Why Gates is one of my favorite players.

It's the first round of the 2009 AFC playoffs and the Chargers have a 7-0 lead against the Jets. The Chargers have fourth and inches at their own 47-yard line with a little more than nine minutes left in the 2nd quarter.

What does Chargers coach Norv Turner decide to do? He decides to punt of course! And the Chargers, as you may remember, had one of the best offenses in the league that season, not to mention that Philip Rivers, or any other quarterback for that matter, can convert a 6-inch sneak 99 percent of the time.

From what you just read, you're fully aware this was a preposterous decision, but Phil Simms, who was announcing the game, pontificated for several minutes that Turner made the right call because the Chargers couldn't risk losing momentum. He wouldn't stop talking about the importance of momentum and how the Chargers would instantly lose it, whatever "it" may be, had they gone for the first down and not converted. No mention of the momentum that would have been created had the Chargers converted the fourth down, which they would have done easily.

The four oldest kids are starting to get into football, so that’s been a lot of fun. My son’s really into it. They are at a point now where they understand the game enough where they know what an interception or a touchdown is.
...

They are starting to understand not to root for the Broncos, Chiefs or Raiders. It’s also exciting that they’re really starting to enjoy coming to the games at home too.

" I assume it was done so the Offense could get the ball back and take a few knees. If "the game is essentially over" is a valid argument for the Chargers kicking off normally and not doing the "unsportsmanlike" onside kick, then the Chiefs shouldn’t be trying to score when the "game is essentially over", instead just take a few knees and not run plays like they have a chance to come back and win. When it’s in the closing minutes of the 4th quarter and a team is up by 3 or more scores and the game is "essentially over", it’s a silly argument against the winning team going for it on 4th down or passing to extend a drive or attempting a surprise onside kick to be criticized. Why does the losing team have more of a right to keep running plays and trying to score when the game is almost over? Shouldn't the "sportsmanlike" thing be to take knees and accept the defeat? It’s only logical. But then, logic is sometimes overlooked in Football…"

While running backs or outside linebackers continually engage their minds in game-planning and making split-second decisions on the field, I’m simply see-ball; kick-ball. No imagination. No intellectual exercise. Quarterbacks can be artists; shifting formations, changing plays, commanding 90-yard, no-huddle, game-winning drives.

Kickers must be machines. Like your dishwasher or lawnmower, I’m all about repeatability. When you push the start button, yank the pull-rope, or trot me onto the field, all that matters is achieving the intended result. Clean the grease off the fry pan, circulate the mower blade, score the three points. While my teammates use their brains to out-game their opponents, I’ve learned to turn my mind off so as not to out-think myself.

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Per NFL policy, Sunday's game between the Chargers and the Atlanta Falcons will not be shown live in Southern California.

The time of possession differential was jaw dropping, as the Chargers controlled the ball for a whopping 43:39, allowing the Titans all of 16:21 to work with.