Bolt Load of Links: 2/22 Chargers Links

Did everyone have a good holiday weekend? I did. I went for a run, attended a friend's wedding, and overall enjoyed all three days to my weekend.

While I was busy gallivanting around San Diego, the NFL and the Players Union were in Washington, D.C., hard at work hammering out their issues in front of a neutral third party. It seems they're actually making some progress, but of course, no deal has been made yet.

The NFL and the Union aren't the only groups willing to meet. It seems Chargers President Dean Spanos and San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders have agreed to get together some time soon and discuss a new stadium. That sounds like good news, but Jeff will be along a little bit later to fill us in on what it means to us fans.

Some other stuff has happened around the league, so I'll let you all find that out by visiting the links below.

• Union nixes meeting with agents as labor talks cap fifth day | NFL.com
  The NFL and NFLPA met for another eight hours at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on Tuesday, getting through the fifth of seven days scheduled with mediator George S. Cohen.

• Lack of news from mediated NFL negotiations is good thing - Peter King - SI.com
  The ability to talk frankly, without fear of repercussion, vital to getting deal done. Likelihood of rookie wage scale could lead to teams taking more chances in draft. More mailbag questions on NFL concussion issue and Bryant McKinnie's bar tab.

• Adding Playoff Games Instead Of 18-Game Season - Arrowhead Pride
  A few weeks ago we passed along one idea for an 18-game schedule that involved each player playing in a maximum of 16 games meaning you had to pick a pair of games each year players would miss. It was a little off-the-wall but I liked the idea of thinking outside the box.

• Sanders, Spanos to meet on Chargers stadium - SignOnSanDiego.com
  San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Chargers president Dean Spanos rarely meet to discuss the team's desire for a new stadium. They're busy. The wish is well known, and it's something their staffs talk about frequently. But a private meeting is in the works for the next two weeks, according to Chargers special counsel Mark Fabiani.

• Chargers built to contend | National Football Post
  Something is missing, though, even though Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Chargers as a 12-1 shot to win the Super Bowl. They rank behind the Green Bay Packers and the New England Patriots, who are 7-1 co-favorites, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 11-1.

• For now, Chargers WR Jackson won't get long-term deal - NFL - Sporting News
  San Diego Chargers GM A.J. Smith says he doesn't have any immediate plan to negotiate a long-term deal with wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who was given the franchise tag on Feb. 15.

• Butler Moving Around - Chargers.com
  The inside linebacker is running on a treadmill six months after an Achilles injury robbed him of his rookie season.

• 2011 NFL Draft's top 50 prospects heading into Scouting Combine - NFL - SI.com
  No quarterback ranks among the top 10 players available. The defensive linemen will be stars of the show come April. DL Christian Ballard, QB Colin Kaepernick among rising prospects.

• NFL News Updates - CBSSports.com RapidReports
  Dan McLellan is grading all the players individually from the entire 2010 season.

• Around the AFC West - AFC West Blog - ESPN
  There are talks planned about a new stadium for the Chargers in San Diego.

Find out who on the Broncos just received a contract extension, why the Vikings may have an effect on the AFC West, and more, after the jump.

• Four Downs: AFC West | FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS
  After winning four straight division titles and five of the last six AFC West championships, San Diego general manager A.J. Smith -- who has generally displayed more acumen with player personnel than for interpersonal issues -- took the team that he build to be a champion and drove it into a ditch.

• Vikings' decision could help AFC West - AFC West Blog - ESPN
  The Minnesota Vikings' decision to place the franchise tag on linebacker Chad Greenway could have an effect on the AFC West.

• Denver Broncos Sign CB Champ Bailey To New Four-Year Contract - Mile High Report
  The Denver Broncos announced the signing of Champ Bailey to a 4-year contract. The Deal is reportedly worth $43 million with $15 million guaranteed.