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Putting Names to Numbers: Determining What Seattle Spent to Sign Charlie Whitehurst - Field Gulls
We can assign an abstract value to Seattle moving from the 40th overall pick or we can try and see exactly what players it might cost us. I would rather do the latter. Seattle is only truly set at two positions, linebacker and center, so we can be pretty sure it would have targeted the best available talent at 40. 40 is widely considered one of the most valuable picks in the draft, because it is very close in quality to latter first round picks, but cheaper. 61 is similarly cheap, but gives a team less flexibility when it comes to matching scheme and matching need.

Seahawks Trade For Charlie Whitehurst, Sign Extension
As Gregg Rosenthal notes, "Give Carroll and G.M. John Schneider credit for targeting their guy and having the confidence to go get him. They just better be right."

Chargers now have drafting power - Bill Williamson
I know some San Diego fans haven’t been thrilled with the team’s lack of activity this offseason. But this was a huge move. Getting this type of value for guy who doesn’t play is simply stunning.

Chargers, Scott agree on one-year deal
The Chargers have agreed with veteran defensive lineman Ian Scott on a one-year contract.

Chargers Trade Charlie Whitehurst And Move Up In The Draft
When you add this all up, it appears the Chargers are walking away with a kings ransom, while Seattle hopes Whitehurst can develop into their starter of the future.

Marty Schottenheimer: LT Can Still Do It
Now three years removed from an NFL sideline, Marty Schottenheimer still has his eyes on the game. 

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Seahawks betting big on Whitehurst - Mike Sando
Charlie Whitehurst had better become more than a backup after the Seahawks paid handsomely for the Chargers' third-string quarterback Wednesday. Seat

Ryan Leaf's prison time will partly depend on his former players - Gregg Rosenthal
The district attorney prosecuting Leaf in Randall County, Texas says there is a "50-50" chance Leaf will serve prison time, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.  The amount of time depends on how much money Leaf can pay in a fine, and the feelings of his alleged victims.

Under the Cap: Reviewing the Mega-Money Deals
Ten days into the uncapped year of 2010, we have seen that the spending frenzy that some anticipated with the removal of the salary cap has not materialized.

Another Chargers Loss: Jim Steeg Leaving
The Chargers’ vice-president/COO may not be the most familiar name to San Diego fans, but his behind-the-scenes impact has been unmistakable for the past five years.  Now, Steeg says he’s leaving the team to "pursue other opportunities".

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Fate of Bolts’ free agents up in the air - SignOnSanDiego.com
None of the players or their agents reached this week were ready to declare that they would skip offseason conditioning, coaching sessions, minicamp and/or training camp. But neither did anyone deny that holding out was a good business move.

Cardinals On The Verge Of Signing QB Charlie Whitehurst - Revenge Of The Birds
Personally, I'd rather not give up a 3rd round pick for an unproven quarterback. At the very most I'd like to see a 6th from this year and maybe something from 2011 or 2012. Shaun Hill was recently traded to the Lions for a 7th round pick in 2011, and Hill has a lot more experience over Whitehurst. Either way it appears we will be hearing very soon on whether or not Whitehurst will be wearing red and white next season.

Bill Parcells' Rules For Drafting ... And Life - SB Nation
Just in time for draft day, via ESPN, take a look at these handy rules for drafting a quarterback courtesy of Bill Parcells, who would know, I suppose:

Monday Morning Quarterback - SI.com
SI's Jim Trotter had good detail on what made up Tomlinson's mind for New York over Minnesota (the Jet scheme was the same, he knew offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer well from his days on the San Diego coaching staff, and Brett Favre's playing uncertainty made the Vikings a bit of an unknown). I believe there were one or two other factors as well.

Chargers 2010 Mock Draft 2.0
In our second Chargers mock draft of 2010, BOLTHYPE predicts the Chargers will address the losses of Antonio Cromartie, Ladainian Tomlinson, and Jamal Williams early as they try to replace the three Pro Bowlers.

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Browns trade Wimbley to Raiders | ProFootballTalk.com
There's no word yet on what the Raiders sent to the Browns in exchange for Wimbley.

Two years, $5.1 million for L.T. | ProFootballTalk.com
The New York Jets declined, we're told, the ability to match the two-year, $5 million contract that running back Thomas Jones signed with the Chiefs. They matched that number and added $100,000 in order to get LaDainian Tomlinson under contract.

Ten logical cap casualties for 2010 - ESPN
While NFL owners appear willing to lock out their players in 2011, they already have one advantage that none of the owners in other professional sports have: nonguaranteed contracts.

DT leads strongest positions - ESPN
Most NFL personnel people agree that the overall 2010 draft class is one of the deepest in recent years. The offensive skill positions are not particularly strong but this is a great year for teams to have multiple picks in any or all of the first three rounds. Here's Scouts Inc.'s breakdown of the best and worst position groups, as well as those with big talent disparities, and we also take a look at our updated ranking of the top 32 overall prospects on the board.

AFC West mailbag - ESPN
I know a lot of mock drafts have San Diego taking Mathews. He told me at the NFL combine last month that he had a good interview with the team. Still, it is a deep running back class and I think the Chargers will covet several players. If a nose tackle like Terrence Cody is available at No. 28, I could see San Diego filling that need first and then taking a running back later. In short, Mathews fits San Diego’s offense and he could be the choice, but he is one of several options.

Quinn sent to Broncos for Hillis, picks - ESPN
John Clayton breaks down the deal sending Brady Quinn to Denver for FB Peyton Hillis and two draft picks.

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Walkthrough: Click at Your Own Risk
Mike Tanier on privacy on the internet and other such things.

L.T. decision most likely will come down to Minnesota or New York - Mike Florio
Despite the possibility that free-agent running back LaDainian Tomlinson will take other visits next week, it's our clear understanding in the wake of his visit to Minnesota on Thursday that he most likely will choose either the Vikings or the Jets.

Mock Draft 3.0: Splitting differences (ESPN Insider)
McShay: San Diego's decision to release LaDainian Tomlinson leaves it without a franchise back. Mathews' size and bruising running style make him a good fit for the scheme and a nice complement to scatback Darren Sproles.

"Whitehurst in demand" by Bolts Bulletin
According to multiple reports, the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks are considering making an offer to Charlie Whitehurst, a restricted free agent who has made exactly zero passes in four seasons with the Chargers.

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Cromartie: From sizzle to fizzle - SignOnSanDiego.com
He was accosted at least twice by linebacker Shawne Merriman in the past year over a lack of effort, and several teammates have quietly wished him good riddance.

Blount blows off Pro Day | ProFootballTalk.com
Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, whose career was derailed by a 10-game suspension imposed after he punched a guy following the first game of the 2009 season, blew off his Pro Day workout, according to Gil Brandt of NFL.com.

Three And Out: March 11, 2010
The Chargers attended Cal's pro day yesterday, much as they would any other school workout. But while most are correctly assuming they have their eye on Jahvid Best, don't discount the possibility that they also have real interest in defensive end/tackle Tyson Alualu.

Too Many Bolts Bolting For Other Teams?
Jamal Williams is out (for now, at least), and Kassim Osgood has moved on officially. Meanwhile, does Darren Sproles' 1st-and-3rd tender mean the Chargers will keep the running back, or trade him come draft day? Chris and Chris discuss the uncapped year, and if the Chargers will be able to withstand the losses of so many talented players:

 Tomlinson Visiting Jets After Talking to Vikings - NYTimes.com
LaDainian Tomlinson, the former San Diego Chargers running back who is a free agent, will visit the Jets on Friday. 

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Key piece of Final Eight Plan is finalized - Mike Florio
For teams No. 5 through No. 8 (Chargers, Ravens, Cardinals, Cowboys), the Final Eight Plan carries with it an exception.  A big one.  One unrestricted free agent may be signed for a first-year salary above a certain number, and an unlimited amount may be signed at a first-year salary below a certain number, with limited growth in the future.

Raiders Give Kirk Morrison Original Round Tender - Aaron Schatz
You too can have Kirk Morrison for the low, low price of a third-round draft pick (plus, of course, money).

"Trading Cromartie difficult" by Bolts Bulletin
I really think that Cromartie and the Chargers have reached a point where they will part ways prior to the 2010 season. But it will be easier said than done.

2010 NFL Draft: Post-Combine Mock Draft - The Big Lead
28 San Diego Chargers – Jahvid Best, RB, California. Similar in size to LT. California kid.

Cromartie on Jets' radar? - Clark Judge
There was loose talk about the Raiders' Nnamdi Asomugha after he told reporters at the Pro Bowl that he would like to be teamed with Revis, but the Raiders aren't going to let him go. That's not the case with Cromartie and the Chargers, and a move to New York would make sense.

San Diego Chargers: Possible First Round Surprises | Bleacher Report
Anyone familiar with the San Diego Chargers and AJ Smith knows that certain truths hold to form consistently with the enigmatic general manager.

Ross D. Franklin - AP

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Bolts’ RB question: Veteran or rookie? - Kevin Acee
The Chargers are, for the first time since the start of the past decade, in the market for a running back.

Sproles a fit for Eagles? (ESPN Insider)
Sproles had a -14.3% DVOA last year on 93 carries, which was even worse than LaDainian Tomlinson's -10.1% figure. He was second in receiving DVOA amongst backs, though, and that's where his role is in an offense (LT was last.)

Scouts' Eye: Taylor-made for Chargers - Matt Williamson (ESPN Insider)
Anthony Dixon and especially Toby Gerhart would be very attractive, but even more so would be veteran free agent Chester Taylor. Taylor is extremely skilled in the passing game, should adapt very quickly to this high-powered offense and despite his age (he is 30 years old) has very little wear and tear on his proverbial tires. Taylor is a great fit.

Options available for 3-4 defenses - Steve Muench (ESPN Insider)
Arizona State's Dexter Davis, TCU's Jerry Hughes, Michigan's Brandon Graham and Utah's Koa Misi all played defensive end in college but are expected to move to 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. Base 3-4 teams looking for help at outside linebacker were interested to see how they ran in the 40-yard dash, and none of them disappointed.

A piece of the puzzle - Jen Rojas
Chargers executives, coaches, scouts and medical staff have been in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, which Director of College Scouting John Spanos calls "a piece of the puzzle" as the team prepares for April’s draft.

2010 speed scores: Rise of Ben Tate - ESPN Insider
On the other hand, Tate has a mid-round grade on him. Comparing him to backs taken between the third and fifth rounds and with similar speed scores yields a very interesting crop of players: Jamaal Charles (108.7), Kevan Barlow (108.7), Onterrio Smith (109.2), Antonio Pittman (110.5), Chris Brown (111.2), Jerious Norwood (112.1), Michael Turner (116.6), and Musa Smith (118.3). Turner, taken in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, had the closest figure to Tate; all of the players listed had pro careers, although Pittman was a bust and the talented Smith flunked his way out of the league with drug test failures.