"White Hot" San Diego Chargers trading cards for season opener

As I'm sure you're well aware, the San Diego Chargers open the season at home --- in less than a week --- in a game announced as "White Hot Monday Night" up against the Houston Texans. The copy from Chargers.com reads:

As a show of strength and solidarity, the Chargers players are urging fans to unite in white as they did a year ago in the season opener and wear white to make it a WHITE HOT MONDAY NIGHT on Monday Night Football, Sept. 9 against the Houston Texans at Qualcomm Stadium.  The team will be wearing white pants and white jerseys together to open the season for the second year in a row.

Frankly, I'm hoping to see the grass bleached with only stripes of green designating yardage, leaving the Chargers fully camouflaged against the field. Doubtful, I know.

The first thing I thought of this year, having read the announcement, was, naturally:

"Into the White" - Pixies

Though I don't seem to have cards with Chargers in full "white hot" regalia, a few cards I've pulled for the occasion, follow:

Philip Rivers - 2007 Upper Deck Trilogy #PRS-PR 11/33

This card precedes the new school glove era by a couple years. I'm ready to see #17 re-invest in his confidence to run through check-downs and see the play develop...quickly.

Antonio Gates - 2007 Donruss National Treasures #33 3/10

I like this jersey patch card with a bit of the Reebok logo visible from the sleeve (the logo also visible below, on Floyd's card).

If you are squealing in terror at the idea of anyone chopping up game-worn jersey, this Gates card probably isn't for you.

Malcom Floyd - 2012 Panini Playbook #22 67/99

This is a great shot of Floyd and the 2012 Panini's set themselves apart with great photography of many of the PC's, set off from the background.

Seyi Ajirotutu - 2010 Donruss Elite #131 3/98

"Tutu" is back. Though I'm not a fan of this card at all --- the design is a little too metallic in a 3/2 beer graphic "design" kind-of-way --- I am glad he's filling a spot back on the roster.

Ladarius Green - 2013 Panini Playbook #134 16/49

I've enjoyed whatching Green this preseason and I'm excited to see how he develops with what time he may get this year. Panini's Playbook cards this year have gone back to the more painterly look, much more popular in the recent past.

Below are a couple of cards from Panini's Playoff Contenders. These two cards, branded as "Rookie Ticket," are of DT Corey Liuget and LB Melvin Ingram. I'm excited for Liuget's contribution Monday night and definitely hope to see Ingram later this year.

D.J. Fluker - 2013 Upper Deck #101

I'm a fan of D.J. Fluker and look forward to watching Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead running through the craters he makes on the line. Easily my personal favorite pick-up of the draft this year. This is an awesome college uniform rookie card and I imagine to see similar images all year from Fluker steamrolling over the defensive line on running downs. I believe this is Georgia Bulldogs OLB, Jarvis Jones, looking off to the sideline, clearly ready to come off the field after getting totally Fluked.

Lastly, though I can't include Alworth cards each post, here's another good-looking "Bambi" card:

Lance Alworth, "Bambi" - 2008 Playoff National Treasures #55 1/26

Though this one isn't "game-used," it is a great custom patch from the Playoff National Treasures "Signature Patch" series. If you look closely at the bottom of the card, Alworth is visible in his "white hot" jersey as those are, above.

Happy collecting and go "white hot" Bolts!