Bolt-Load of Links: 8/3 Chargers Links

• Nick Canepa: If Merriman’s serious about game, he belongs out at training camp | SignOnSanDiego.com
  "I just want to play football."
• Smith's ego getting in the way of Chargers' path to the Super Bowl - Jim Trotter | SI.com
  A.J. Smith's second-floor office at the Chargers' training facility has wall-to-wall glass windows, tropical plants and colored M&Ms in a large glass jar on his desk. There are practice tapes and a playback machine on the shelving along one wall, and a large magnetic white board hanging from another.
• Tough day for Dombrowski gets a little better | SignOnSanDiego.com
  It was just one practice, more than five weeks before the season opener. There are things being worked on that no one not actually on the field knows about. There is no game plan or shifts in protection. A whole bunch of things can be said to make sure the populace doesn’t panic about this little left tackle situation the Chargers have.
• Chargers hope stealth receiver will make an impact | SignOnSanDiego.com
  This is sort of the Chargers’ plan and hope for Jeremy Williams, a first-year, free-agent wideout from Tulane with a degree in graphic arts and a similarly creative sense when it comes to his position. They like the idea of having a young receiver who comes in as a relative unknown and remains well under the radar, but has the skills to challenge for a role on a pass-minded team.
• As names change for Chargers, will they remain contenders? | USATODAY.com
  With Shawne Merriman, Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill missing roll call due to contract haggles, the San Diego Chargers have the distinction of leading the NFL in holdouts as they get an early jump on contingency plans.
• Peter King recaps busy first week of training camps in MMQB | SI.com
  The cellphone rings, and it's A.J. Smith, the Chargers' general manager. He said he wasn't going to be talking about the holdouts -- wideout Vincent Jackson, tackle Marcus McNeill, linebacker Shawne Merriman -- after this week, so I wanted to get in under the wire.
• 3 Questions For: Malcom Floyd | 619Sports
  Chargers season is back and so is "3 Questions" on 619Sports.Net! We go short and sweet with the stars of your favorite NFL team throughout training camp, in both audio and video form. Today, we catch up with Chargers starting wide receiver Malcom Floyd inside the Chargers locker room.
• Things getting physical for athletic rookie Thomas | SignOnSanDiego.com
  Fifth-round draft pick Cam Thomas showed during the spring and summer that he is athletic and strong, enough to entice the Chargers that he might be able to play a significant number of snaps at nose tackle this season.
• With Rivers as guide, Bolts go about business minus other stars (w/ Video) | NFL.com
  Following Day 2 of training camp, Chargers players were all over the facility: Cold tubs, the weight room, in the shower. Quarterback Philip Rivers was in a lounge chair with a few other teammates in the middle of the locker room, glued to a wall-mounted television watching a Canadian Football League game.
• Brett Favre Retirement Watch: QB Reportedly Tells Vikings He's Not Coming Back | SBNation.com
  Brett Favre Retirement Watch: QB Needs Ankle Surgery To Play In 2010
• Mathews jumps aboard | SignOnSanDiego.com
  On his second carry of his first training camp practice, Ryan Mathews stopped abruptly, jumped slightly and ran to his right, around the edge and then downfield with a glide and quickness that seemed to take many of the nearly 4,000 people watching back in time.
• Chargers first-round pick Mathews signs deal, then hits field | NFL.com
  Ryan Mathews, the heir apparent to running back LaDainian Tomlinson, made it to training camp just in time to participate in the San Diego Chargers' first full-pads practice.
• Current Chargers Delicately And Politely Discuss How Glad They Are LaDanian Tomlinson Is Gone | SBNation.com
  San Diego Chargers camp is underway and its the first one that doesn't include RB LaDanian Tomlinson since 2001. The "other" LT left San Diego as its best running back in team history. He also left the franchise and his teammates with a bad taste in their mouth over his way of handling business, especially towards the end of his tenure.

Find out what LT had to say ... right after the jump.

• LaDainian Tomlinson not surprised by San Diego Chargers' recent remarks | ESPN New York
  LaDainian Tomlinson is a New York Jet, but he can't seem to escape his Chargers identity -- his former San Diego teammates won't let him. Responding to comments made about him by Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, Tomlinson told The New York Post that he has "moved on."
• LaDainian Tomlinson shrugs off Chargers' comments | ProFootballTalk.com
  Now that LaDainian Tomlinson has left the Chargers for the Jets, talk is starting to emerge in San Diego that Tomlinson was never the most popular man in the locker room, with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers describing Tomlinson's departure as "a little bit of a relief."
• San Diego Chargers training camp postcard - Jim Trotter | SI.com
  SI.com has dispatched writers to report on the 32 NFL training camps across the country. Here's what Jim Trotter had to say about the Chargers camp in San Diego.
• NFL Team Reports: AFC West | Yahoo! Sports
  The coaches will ease Mathews into the offense by using Darren Sproles on third down and FB Mike Tolbert at tailback at times. Still, the team is counting on Mathews to provide more explosive plays—the kind that were routine for a young LaDainian Tomlinson.
• Practice in Photos: August 1st | Chargers Blogs
  Ryan Mathews. Fans. Full pads. Plenty of catches by Malcom Floyd. Sunday was a busy day at Chargers Park, but there were plenty of good images. That’s why I’m bringing you an extended version of practice in photos.
• Practice in Photos: August 2nd | Chargers Blogs
• NFL training camp holdout tracker | FOX Sports
  Jackson, as expected, did not show up with the other veterans on the mandatory reporting date of July 30. Unless he changes his mind, Jackson won't show up until Week 10, when he would still be able to get his season of credited service.
• Indy making contingency plan for 2012 Super Bowl | NFL.com
  NFL officials and the Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee have a contingency plan if a work stoppage postpones the 2012 Super Bowl.
• Bob Sanders calls NFL.com "tabloid media" | ProFootballTalk.com
  Asked about a report from NFL.com's Michael Lombardi that Sanders "might never be able to play football again" because of the ruptured biceps tendon that cost him most of the 2009 season, Sanders went off.