The Chargers kicked off plans to celebrate their 50th season Monday, inviting players from each decade to speak to the assembled media at Qualcomm Stadium, a place they're trying hard to vacate. They also had a secret guest make an entrance after Lance Alworth, Doug Wilkerson, Charlie Joiner, Darren Bennett and Philip Rivers did some talking.

And crack my egg if it wasn't the San Diego Chicken. He even spoke.

An interesting choice, The Chicken. In the early 1980s, when I covered the team on a day-to-day basis, late Chargers owner Gene Klein refused to allow fowl play on the field. The greatest mascot of them all wasn't the Chargers mascot so much as he was a fine-feathered spectator.

“You're right,” The Chicken, aka Ted Giannoulas, was telling me. “Gene Klein didn't want me on the sidelines.”

Still, it was The Chicken who provided the memorable moment following the infamous 1978 Holy Roller Game here vs. the Raiders, flopping on his back in the stands, as though he'd just been stun-gunned. A classic. Saw it just the other night on NFL Network.

“I was a quasi-asterisk of the Holy Roller Game,” The Chicken clucked. “I was the first to have a seizure after that play.”

Anyway, it was great to see The Chicken, who I suppose is waddling around in semi-retirement, and former and present Chargers. They were on hand to talk about the franchise and the fans' passion for the Bolts down through the years – even when they stunk, which they did more than they should have.

But there have been so many great moments, and the team plans to do it up right, along with the other former AFLians celebrating their 50th. In some cases, it's going to be the 1960s all over again.

“In our game here against Denver Monday night (Oct. 19) on ESPN, it will be one of our three NFL Legacy Games, and we'll be in our old powder blues and the Broncos will wear their browns, with the vertical-striped socks,” club COO Jim Steeg was saying. “The two other games are on the road, one the opener in Oakland – we still don't know what we're wearing then – and the other in Kansas City (Oct. 25, where they'll wear whites).

“On Nov. 29, we'll have our 50th Anniversary celebration, honoring the 50 greatest Chargers players, coaches, whatever, done by fan vote and a panel of experts. We'll also do the 50 greatest moments in our history, narrowed down to 20, and announce it here during our Washington game on Jan. 3. And NFL Films is putting together a 50-year DVD.”

The timing of this was superbly coincidental. The deadline for final payments from season-ticket holders is Tuesday.

“They're already committed to tickets, so the timing of this had nothing to do with that,” Steeg said. “We just thought this was a good time to do this. Season tickets have been going good, but they're still there to be bought. A lot of people think they're not available, but they're available.”

Available for fans to watch what could be the best Chargers team in those 50 years. If these guys aren't very, very good (health permitting), I won't be the only one surprised.

Their only championship season came in 1963, when Alworth, Paul Lowe, Keith Lincoln, Tobin Rote, Ron Mix, Earl Faison and Ernie Ladd led the Chargers to the AFL championship. In 1978, Alworth, traded to the Cowboys in 1970, became the first AFL player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“I went to Dallas and did win a Super Bowl,” Alworth said, “but I have to say the '63 Chargers were the best team I ever played on.”

Alworth and a few others expressed their views on the possibility of the franchise one day leaving town unless a new stadium can be built in the area. “Bambi” wants the squabbling and machinations to end.

“I think it's about time that we get all these guys in a room and say we're going to keep it here, and we're going to be the San Diego Chargers forever,” Alworth said.

Another Hall of Famer, Joiner, who retired in 1986 as then the most prolific pass-catcher in NFL history, was on hand basically to talk about Air Coryell, how Don Coryell belongs in the Hall, and those who know the game realize the offense the team runs now under disciple Norv Turner is a modified copy of the original.

“One thing about his system, it was fan friendly,” Joiner said. “Even the fans could call some of the plays. It was tailor-made for my talents. It brought a city together. Our system now is the same.”

Wilkerson, a tremendous guard, came here in 1971 from Houston. Joiner arrived from Cincinnati, but he also played with Wilkerson and the Oilers.

Cracked Joiner: “The Oilers got rid of some great players in those days.”

Alworth said that, after the 1963 championship game, a young fan asked him to sign his autograph twice.

When the great receiver wondered why, the kid replied: “Because it's two of yours for one of Tobin Rote's.”

Now there's one thing that's changed over 50 years.

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Chargers pull plug on talks with Chula Vista
By Matthew T. Hall, Union-Tribune Staff Writer, June 25, 2009

Chargers Team Report
Yahoo! Sports June 26, 2009

Was this the offseason that leads to the Chargers’ first Super Bowl title?

Hard to say before the calendar hits July, but the team is upbeat over a number issues after completing its OTAs.

The team is in much better shape—medically—than it was last offseason. Many key players who had their fingers crossed they would be ready for the 2008 season opener were out running for this offsesason’s work.

In particular, quarterback Philip Rivers wasn’t worried about his mended knee.

Center Nick Hardwick wasn’t rubbing a sore foot.

Tight end Antonio Gates wasn’t moving gingerly on a tender toe.

That gives the Chargers—as well a roster stocked with talent—optimism to win its first NFL title.

Offseason Standout:   Running back LaDainian Tomlinson would seem like an odd selection here.

But now 30 years old and coming off his second consecutive season which ended with an injury, many wondered if Tomlinson still had the get up and go.

Tomlinson, though, proved time and again in the practices that there are plenty of skills still at his beck and call.

Sure, there was little hitting—and that’s particular true for a franchise player like Tomlinson.

But it was also obvious that Tomlinson was running, cutting and faking out players with regularity. He has proved—so far—the serious groin injury which derailed him in last season’s playoffs is a thing of the past.

Lineup Watch:   The Chargers have to find a right guard and their choices seem to be between Kynan Forney and rookie Luis Vasquez.

Forney didn’t play last year, although he was with the Chargers most of the season.

Vasquez, a third-round pick, has to prove he can make the transition from blocking in a pass-happy, spread offense at Texas Tech, to one which likes to employ a power-running game to complement its awesome passing attack.

Forney has the edge at the time. But if Vasquez can show the learning curve isn’t steep, he could be a surprise starter here.

Rookie Impressions:   Larry English was the team’s top pick and he hasn’t done anything to show that the Chargers should regret this pick.

Not only could English contribute right away—that’s the word from coach Norv Turner—but he supplies the Chargers with insurance.

The insurance comes in that if Shawne Merriman doesn’t bounce back as expected from knee surgery, English will be at the ready.

And next year, if the Chargers let Merriman walk after his contract expires, English could offer a nice fallback position.

Two other youngsters worth watching—in addition to Vasquez—are defensive tackle Vaughn Martin and safety Rick Ellison.

Martin is a potential load in the middle, but he is relatively new to football and played college ball in Canada.

Ellison could push for significant playing time if he can stay healthy. The strong safety position is being looked at with a keen eye, and Ellison could take advantage of the opportunity for the team to upgrade at that spot.

Injury Watch:   Wide receiver Buster Davis is looking to get back into the mix after missing most of last season with a groin injury. A first-round pick in 2007, Davis has to prove he can be a contributor in what could be a do-or-die season for him as far as the Chargers are concerned.

The key player returning to the fold, of course, is Shawne Merriman. While he hasn’t be plopped into the practices just yet, all signs point to him being ready for training camp and then shooting for his fourth Pro Bowl season.

Contract Watch:   The Chargers have a lot on the plate here, as the contracts of quarterback Philip Rivers and left tackle Marcus McNeill—as well as Merriman—expire at the end of the 2009 season. Rivers and McNeill aren’t going anywhere and it’s believed preliminary discussions have already taken place

Merriman? The team has been reluctant to engage in any talks yet—they could use the franchise tag on him in 2010 or let him work if they are that impressed with rookie Larry English.

Notes, Quotes

- RB LaDainian Tomlinson blew out 30 candles on his birthday cake on June 23—and also earned another honor. ESPN selected Tomlinson to its all-decade team; no player can match Tomlinson’s 126 touchdowns since 2000. “As an athlete, you set out to be consistent over a period of time,” Tomlinson said. “When you’re consistent, your teammates and coaches know what they’re going to get from you each and every week.”

- CB Brandon Hughes, a fifth-round pick out of Oregon State, signed a four-year contract. “Brandon has played an awful lot of press coverage,” coach Norv Turner said. “He’s very natural in the slot. I think he’s going to have a presence on our football team as a young player. He’s picked up what we’re doing extremely well. He’s a very competitive player.”

- The Chargers have rekindled their interested in relocating to Oceanside in building a new stadium. Their other option, Chula Vista, is running into numerous obstacles. If moving to Oceanside in North San Diego County, the team would be much closer to the Los Angeles and Orange County markets.

- Oakland released rookie free agents G Sam Allen, CB Ramarcus Brown, WR Jeremy Childs and LB Anthony Felder.

Quote To Note:   “I think people were concerned about Kevin because he had some injuries but he is 100 percent healthy. He’s moving around awfully well.”—Coach Norv Turner on the offseason work of rookie Kevin Ellison a hard-hitting safety whose career at the University of Southern California was marred by injuries.

Strategy And Personnel

Could the Chargers be light in wide receivers?

It’s possible if Vincent Jackson is eventually convicted of a driving under the influence charge, which would be his second such incident. If NFL commissioner Roger Goodell takes a look at Jackson’s off-the-field troubles, might a suspension be forthcoming?

Also, Buster Davis has to prove he was worth a first-round pick in 2007. Davis has been a huge disappointment to date—injuries have come into play—but the Chargers are counting on him contributing.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: RB Darren Sproles: Tendered at $6.621M (signed tender April 28).

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED

- CB Brandon Hughes (5/148): 4 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

- OT Jeromey Clary: ERFA; $460,000/1 yr.

- WR Malcom Floyd: RFA; $1.545M/1 yr.

- OG Kynan Forney: Potential UFA; $4.8M/2 yrs, SB unknown.

- CB Cletis Gordon: RFA; $1.545M/1 yr.

- RB Darren Sproles: Franchise FA; $6.621M/1 yr.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

- LB Kevin Burnett: UFA Cowboys; $5.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB.

PLAYERS LOST

- RB Eldra Buckley: (released).

- OG Mike Goff: UFA Chargers; $3.5M/2 yrs, guarantees unknown.

- LB Marques Harris: UFA 49ers; 1 yr, terms unknown.

- C Jeremy Newberry: Not tendered as UFA/Falcons; terms unknown.

- DE Igor Olshansky: UFA Cowboys; $18M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.

- LB Anthony Waters: (released).