San Diego Chargers Daily Links: May 14, 2012

How bad was Chargers' D on third down? - Bill Williamson
The Chargers were last in the NFL on third-down defense last season. If you can’t get your defense off the field, it’s difficult to win. The most pressing task for new defensive coordinator John Pagano is fixing the problem and Smith’s moves on defense this offseason were made with third-down success in mind.

Chargers rookie looks to bulk up - Michael Gehlken
"They're telling me to bulk up a little bit," said Green, who caught 51 passes for 606 yards and eight touchdowns last year at Louisiana-Lafayette. "Get around the mid 240s to high 240s."

Ross tells story of Seau's 'bounty' - Michael Gehlken
"We'd get into the pregame warmup, and Stan Humphries is throwing nothing but long balls, and I'm saying, 'Stan, what the hell is going on? Quit throwing those long balls! What the hell is this?' He said, 'I gotta tell you coach. Junior told me that if I could hit that guy in the stands, he'd give me a thousand dollars.'"

Ingram debuts at Chargers rookie minicamp - Michael Gehlken
At 6-foot-1, he's the same height as former Chargers nine-year veteran Stephen Cooper. He looks about as stocky, too. But it may take some getting used to, watching the new 54 move this fast.

2011's Best Performances: Guards - Khaled Elsayed
While injuries that ended his career rightly overshadowed his performance in 2011, Dielman was on his way to another fine season. His Week 5 performance against Denver highlighted this. Sure, he gave up a hit and a pressure on 37 pass blocks, but his run blocking was stellar in helping Ryan Mathews to 125 yards on the ground. The left guard was only beaten to give up a tackle once in the run game, but with 10 positive grades, Dielman was dominant. He moved big linemen like Brodrick Bunkley and Marcus Thomas, and did a great job pulling and getting to the second level with D.J. Williams being a particular victim.

Best NFL Throwback Uniforms - Adam Rank
There have been different variations with the powder blue. Some of the Lance Alworth era had gold pants. But nothing is better than the white pants here. And to belabor this point again, the fans have overwhelmingly said they want those powder blue uniforms back as evidenced by the number of fans who wear those jerseys at Qualcomm Stadium. Do the right thing, Chargers.

Number 55 Retired - Chargers.com (video)
Chargers Chairman of the Board and Team President Dean Spanos retires the #55 during Junior Seau's Celebration of Life memorial at Qualcomm Stadium.

Fantasy Football 2012 Rankings: Running Back Part I - Mike Gallagher
Norv Turner has already said that Mathews is due for a "breakout year" and he has no competition behind him. The Chargers were fourth in the league in plays per game last year and should move the ball effectively in 2012. He also finished last season on a high note before pulling his calf muscle. He has the upside to the the top back.

Two Chargers united in college tradition - Michael Gehlken
Last year, leading up to his senior season, Taylor was voted to wear No. 18 for the Tigers, a jersey passed down by LSU players regarded for work ethic and character. He and Chargers fullback Jacob Hester are the first to have worn it and then become NFL teammates.

Tomlinson’s return applies some salve to healing wounds - Tim Sullivan
The evening was dedicated to the memory of Junior Seau, but the closure was more comprehensive. Two years, two months, two weeks and five days since the Chargers released him, LT again set foot on the field where he became famous and again evoked unambiguous cheers.

Ex-Bear Tommie Harris is building the future in his late wife’s honor - Sean Jensen
‘I don’t want to be viewed as a celebrity who lost his wife. I want to have respect for people who lose loved ones every day,’’ he says. ‘‘It makes you realize that you’re no different. Everybody is dealing with their own problems. I don’t want to make a sad story, or ‘Woe is me.’ I don’t want that."