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Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Disney CEO Joins Carson Stadium Project

November 11th, 2015 at 8:53am CST by Luke Adams

The Chargers and Raiders have reached an agreement for Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger to become the chairman of their bid to build a stadium in Carson, California, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. The Carson stadium group has since confirmed the news, officially announcing it in a press release.

According to La Canfora, the move is a potential game-changer, given Iger’s “world-renowned reputation” in the entertainment business, and his expertise on the Los Angeles market. Iger will oversee all the major initiatives on the project, including stadium design, naming rights, and fan experience, in addition to guiding the construction and operation of the new building.

“We now have the kind of leadership and expertise that should calm any concerns about any NFL teams going into L.A. and getting off on the right foot and pursuing the right course,” said Carson Holdings executive Carmen Policy, per Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. “And certainly if you’re going to do two teams it really lends a layer of talent and experience, plus unbelievable know-how to the whole effort. … Who could we get better to guarantee fan experience than the man who runs the happiest place on earth?”

Of course, before the Carson project is able to move forward with Iger at the helm, it will have to get approval from the NFL. Prior to this development, the Carson stadium plan already had about 16-20 votes of support, by some owner’s estimates, says La Canfora. It would require the support of 24 of the league’s 32 owners in order to proceed.

Several high-profile team owners are believed to be leaning toward Stan Kroenke‘s Inglewood project, believing that the location may be stronger and expressing confidence in Kroenke’s “exhaustive real estate experience.” However, given Iger’s inclusion in the Carson plan, there’s a chance some of those owners re-evaluate their preference. It’s also worth noting, as Farmer points out, that Iger has a working relationship with many NFL owners, as well as commissioner Roger Goodell.

With meetings taking place this week on Los Angeles relocation, there are plenty of other items to round up related to the Rams, Chargers, Raiders, and L.A. Let’s dive in….

  • There’s significant tension between NFL owners over possible Los Angeles relocation, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). The owners of the Raiders and the Chargers believe that the league is pushing for a relocation of the Rams to Inglewood. Meanwhile, Cole says that the Raiders are keeping their possible new L.A. investor under wraps because that individual would be embarrassed if the Raiders are ultimately unsuccessful in their bid to move.
  • Kroenke’s proposed Inglewood stadium is facing scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration, which has released a preliminary report suggesting that the venue is “presumed to be a hazard to air navigation.” Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times has the details. I wouldn’t expect the FAA’s complaint to be a major deterrent if the NFL decides to move forward with the Inglewood project, but it’s another roadblock to overcome.
  • As Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today Sports outlines, despite the fact that Los Angeles is a major market, there’s some skepticism in certain circles that the city could support two NFL franchises after getting by without a single team for so long.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/10/15

November 10th, 2015 at 4:16pm CST by Zachary Links

Here are Tuesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL:

  • The Saints have signed linebacker James Anderson, as Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune tweets. The Saints have been thin at linebacker recently, with injuries to strongside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha (ankle), weakside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (hip/groin), and backup Ramon Humber, so Anderson will provide additional depth for New Orleans. To make room for Anderson, the Saints have cut fellow linebacker Mike Mohamed, as Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets.
  • The Vikings announced that they have signed linebacker Jason Trusnik while placing fellow linebacker Audie Cole on IR. Trusnik, a former Division-III standout, was cut by the Panthers before the final trim down to a 53-man roster. He first broke into the league as a UDFA with the Jets in 2007. The Ohio native has played in 109 career games with 24 starts, tallying 146 total tackles, 4 PDs, 4 FRs and 1 FF in his first eight NFL seasons. Cole wasn’t a factor on the Vikings’ defense, but he was playing more than half of the club’s special teams snaps before fracturing his ankle.
  • The Giants announced that they have added defensive tackle Montori Hughes to the active roster while placing defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins on IR. Hankins suffered a torn pectoral muscle over the weekend, ending his 2015 season prematurely. Hughes, who stands at 6’4″ and weighs 350 pounds, played in 16 games for the Colts between 2013 and 2014.
  • The Browns announced that they have activated defensive back Charles Gaines and running back Glenn Winston. Both players were previously sidelined with injuries.
  • The Buccaneers announced that they have signed safety Kimario McFadden, who played with them in the preseason. To make room for McFadden on the 53-man roster, the Buccaneers waived defensive end Lawrence Sidbury.
  • The Chargers announced that they have signed tight end Sean McGrath while waiving guard Craig Watts. McGrath briefly retired following his second season in 2013, a season in which he caught 26 balls for 302 yards and two touchdowns.
  • The Chiefs will promote safety Saalim Hakim from the practice squad, Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets.
  • The Bears will promote wide receiver Deonte Thompson to the 53-man roster from the taxi squad, Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune tweets.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/15

November 9th, 2015 at 6:37pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor signings, cuts, and other moves from around the NFL:

  • The Buccaneers activated Demar Dotson from IR-DTR, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. He’ll be taking the place of cornerback Tim Jennings, who has been waived, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
  • The Lions were awarded defensive end C.J. Wilson off waivers from Raiders, as Wilson tweets. He’ll have a place on the roster now that the Lions have placed Andre Fluellen on injured reserve, Wilson tweets.
  • The Eagles (on Twitter) announced that they have officially re-signed linebacker Emmanuel Acho.
  • The Browns waived linebacker Jayson DiManche and defensive back De’Ante Saunders, Wilson Post tweets. DiManche, 25, was signed by Cleveland off of the Chiefs’ taxi squad in October. For his career, DiManche has appeared in 29 total games, mostly with the Bengals.
  • In need of a third reserve offensive lineman for Monday night, the Chargers placed center Chris Watt (shoulder) on IR while promoting guard Craig Watts from the taxi squad, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets. Watt, a third-round pick in 2014, has yet to really produce at the NFL level thanks to various injuries.
  • The Chiefs cut wide receiver Frankie Hammond, Wilson tweets.

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers

November 6th, 2015 at 9:33pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

A look around the AFC West as Friday wraps up. . .

  • Despite entering last Sunday 6-0, there was skepticism regarding whether the Broncos were true Super Bowl contenders. But their defense erased it in suffocating a lethal Packers offense, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post. In their 29-10 rout, the Broncos made the NFC’s best quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, look far below average in holding him to a shockingly low 77 yards on 22 attempts. Thanks in part to its destruction of the Rodgers-led Packers, Denver’s defense is atop the league in sacks, points per game, yards per game and yards per play, and Chuck Pagano – the head coach of the Broncos’ next opponent, the Colts – is well aware of the unit’s dominance. “When you put the tape on, they are very reminiscent of the 2000 (Baltimore) Ravens,” Pagano said. “They have talent on all levels.”
  • Broncos cornerback Chris Harris, one of the driving forces behind their their success, doesn’t see much parity in the NFL. “There are probably five teams that can win a Super Bowl each year. And everybody else is just there, really,” he told Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today. In assessing the league’s four currently undefeated teams – including his own – Harris said, “If you’re 7-0, you’re mainly good because you’re great. But you’re also good because you’ve got some games where it’s just a huge mismatch, and that isn’t the goal.”
  • Chargers general manager Tom Telesco bought low last offseason when he signed cornerback Patrick Robinson to a one-year, $1.25MM contract, a move that now looks like one of the best value pickups of the 2015 free agent class. The sixth-year man has held opposing quarterbacks to a horrid 45.9 passer rating the 23 times they’ve thrown his way, per Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. That rating is easily the best among Chargers corners. Brandon Flowers, their most established CB, has been torched to the tune of a 136.5 rating on 45 attempts this season.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/4/15

November 4th, 2015 at 4:30pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Wednesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL, updated throughout the day:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: RB Mike Gillislee (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle)

    • New Orleans Saints

    New York Giants

    New York Jets

    • Signed: WR Shane Wynn (Twitter link via Brian Costello of the New York Post)
    • Cut: FB Julian Howsare

    San Diego Chargers

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    Minor NFL Transactions: 11/4/15

    November 4th, 2015 at 3:09pm CST by Luke Adams

    With the 2015 trade deadline now behind us, NFL teams will have one less tool at their disposal to try to upgrade their rosters. We can expect plenty more signings and cuts in the coming weeks though. Here are today’s minor transactions from across the league:

    • The Raiders have signed receiver and return man Marcus Thigpen, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Thigpen, who has already spent time with the Bills and Colts this season, will get a chance to take over return duties in Oakland.
    • The Browns have placed tight end Rob Housler on injured reserve, promoting defensive back De’Ante Saunders from the practice squad to replace him on the roster, per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (Twitter link). Housler caught just one pass for the club before seeing his season derailed by a hamstring issue.
    • After moving Clinton McDonald to their injured reserve list on Tuesday, the Buccaneers have added another defensive lineman, announcing in a press release that they’ve signed Lawrence Sidbury. Sidbury, who initially joined the Bucs last December, has never been an NFL starter, but appeared in 48 games for the Falcons in the first four years of his career.
    • The Chargers announced a slew of roster moves on Tuesday, and they capped that series of transactions today by promoting defensive lineman Damion Square to their 53-man roster, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Square is one of four new players on San Diego’s roster this week.
    • Having cut running back Joseph Randle on Tuesday, the Cowboys signed running back Trey Williams off Washington‘s practice squad to fill the hole in the backfield, according to Rapoport (via Twitter). Williams, who has yet to see a regular-season snap, figures to fight Rod Smith for the No. 3 role behind Darren McFadden and Christine Michael.
    • The Steelers have elevated cornerback Doran Grant from their practice squad to the active roster, waiving QB/WR Tyler Murphy in a corresponding move, the team announced today.

    Extra Points: McCourty, Pats, Murray, Cowboys

    November 3rd, 2015 at 8:48pm CST by Zachary Links

    The Patriots tried hard to get cornerback Jason McCourty from the Titans, but in the end they simply could not get a deal done, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. McCourty, selected in the sixth round of the 2009 draft by the Titans, is one of Tennessee’s more effective defenders, racking up 85 tackles to go along with three interceptions a year ago. After missing the first month or so of the season with a groin injury, McCourty has been active for the team’s last four games.

    Here’s more from around the NFL:

    • The Cowboys cut ties with Joseph Randle today, but COO Stephen Jones says that he still doesn’t regret letting DeMarco Murray walk in free agency, as Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News writes. The Cowboys face Murray for the second and final time this regular season on Sunday night.
    • Representatives from San Diego, St. Louis, and Oakland will make presentations to a joint meeting of the NFL’s Los Angeles committee and the Stadium and Finance Committees next week, according to Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego (on Twitter).
    • Tight end Ryan Griffin, who is on the Texans‘ IR-DTR list, says he’ll begin working out with the team on Monday, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 (on Twitter). The tight end adds that he feels good and believes that he’s ready to go.
    • Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com found it interesting that Titans GM Ruston Webster was not at the podium facing questions about the direction of the franchise as interim CEO/president Steve Underwood and interim coach Mike Mularkey spoke. Of course, after Ken Whisenhunt was shown the door, it’s fair to wonder what will happen to Webster. At the same time, the two execs spoke highly of him at the press conference.

    Workout Notes: Patriots, Texans, Chargers

    November 3rd, 2015 at 6:08pm CST by Zachary Links

    The latest workouts from around the NFL:

    Chargers Release Jacoby Jones

    November 3rd, 2015 at 5:00pm CST by Zachary Links

    The Chargers released wide receiver/return man Jacoby Jones, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Jones, 31, signed a two-year, $5.5MM deal with the Bolts back in March. Jones will still collect a healthy $2.5MM portion of his deal.

    Through the midway point of the season, Jones did not come close to delivering on his free agent deal. The veteran has returned five punts for a grand total of -4 yards. On Sunday, he opted against a fair catch at the 19-yard line and watched a punt roll to the three. That could have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, though Jones has been pretty abysmal overall.

    The Chargers have just one punt return yard through eight games, second-worst in NFL history and worst since 1972, as Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego notes. Wide receiver Javontee Herndon, recently promoted to the 53-man roster, seems like a candidate to take Jones’ place as punt returner.

    Minor NFL Transactions: 11/3/15

    November 3rd, 2015 at 4:41pm CST by Luke Adams

    Here are Tuesday’s minor signings, cuts, and other non-trade transactions from around the NFL:

    • The Raiders cut wide receiver/kick returner Walter Powell, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets.
    • The Saints signed wide receiver T.J. Graham while cutting fullback Austin Johnson and safety Akeem Davis, according to Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune (Twitter links).

    Earlier Updates:

    • The Chargers, once again dealing with a banged-up offensive line, are re-signing veteran center J.D. Walton, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Chris Watt, who had seen some time at center, was among San Diego’s offensive linemen who left Sunday’s game against the Ravens due to an injury.
    • With Keenan Allen headed to the injured reserve list, the Chargers will also be signing wide receiver Javontee Herndon, who had been on the club’s practice squad, per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). Herndon certainly won’t be counted on to emulate Allen’s production, but he’ll provide some depth for San Diego’s receiving corps.
    • The Texans are signing former Chiefs sixth-round pick Eric Kush to their 53-man roster, a source tells Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). The 26-year-old interior offensive lineman will join the Houston roster in the wake of a knee injury to C/G Greg Mancz, who has been placed on IR, Wilson observes (via Twitter).
    • Former Jaguars linebacker James-Michael Johnson is signing with the Lions, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While Johnson didn’t see much action for either the Jags or Bucs this season, he earned 18 starts for the Browns and Chiefs from 2012 to 2014.
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