Congratulations to Heath and Bud

Padres closer Heath Bell and manager Bud Black were honored by the Sporting News. Heath was named the NL reliever of the year and Bud was named the NL Manager of the Year.

Heath Bell was also recognized last week as the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year. He converted 47 of 50 save opportunities. His save total was the second highest single season total for a Padres reliever, trailing only the great Trevor Hoffman.

Bud Black, in his fourth season as manager, guided the Padres to 90 victories. The team was in contention for a postseason appearance until the final day of the regular season.

Chargers injury update

Sure is a good news to hear that Antonio Gates' injury isn't as bad as it looked like, after seeing him on the sideline during the second half of last week's game against the Rams. The team is hopeful that he could play Sunday against the Patriots. Gates said Sunday that he had an ankle issue, but Norv said on Monday that he was dealing with a toe injury.

While it certainly was a good news about Gates, the Chargers may have go in to this Sunday's game without their No.1 receiver Malcolm Floyd and kicker Nate Kaeding. Floyd is suffering from a hamstring issue and Kaeding with a groin issue.

Junior Seau drove off a cliff hours after getting arrested

Source: AP

Just hours after being arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, former Chargers great Junior Seau drove his car off a 30-foot cliff in Carlsbad and sustained injuries in the wreck.

Seau was arrested Monday morning after an alleged incident with his 25-year old live-in girlfriend. Police say Junior assaulted her during a verbal altercation late Sunday night.

Junior left the house before police arrived, but was arrested later when he returned. Seau was briefly booked in a detention center on charges of felony spousal assault and was released after posting bail.

Six hours later, his car drove off a road near Carlsbad and landed at the bottom of a hill a few feet from the Ocean. Junior was taken to a local hospital. Reports say he emerged from the car with only minor cuts and bruises.

Another Embarrassing Loss

Source: AP

For a team that was expected to start the season 6-0, is now 2-4. Form losses on the road, when they had the best road record on the road last season going 7-1.

It’s both embarrassing and disturbing. Especially when it is the softest part of the schedule. It doesn't get any easier from now on with the Patriots coming up and Titans after.

Sure the season is still early, there are still plenty of games left and the other teams in the division isn't runnining away from anyone, but the point of fact is that it's almost half-time. And the Bolts have been spanked by some bad teams.

Until Sunday, most of the Chargers’ problems had been confined to crummy special teams play. Though their turnover differential has been troubling, the Bolts ranked No. 1 in offense and No. 2 in defense in the NFL.

Last Sunday's loss doesn't fall entirely on the Special teams play, not this time. Sure Nate Kaeding missed a crucial field goal, but the game was loss by the whole team collectively. Quarterback Philip Rivers, the player most capable of carrying this team beyond mediocrity, was sacked a career-high seven times while operating behind an offensive line supposedly bolstered by the return of Marcus McNeill.

But even as Rivers’ blocking got better, his receivers got fewer. Tight end Antonio Gates left the game with a sprained ankle. Wideout Malcom Floyd took his leave with a tender hamstring. This essentially reduced Rivers’ downfield targets to the productive Patrick Crayton and Buster Davis, who had multiple drops.

And for the defensive side, Chargers cornerback Antoine Cason was getting picked on by Sam Bradford, the Rams’ rookie quarterback. Here followed a moment that may go a long way toward defining these Chargers: 2:24 to play, third down and six yards to go, and Steven Jackson plowing ahead nine yards behind left guard when anyone on the premises could have predicted the play.

Sure this team has shown resiliency in the past. They capable of catching their rhythm and go, but they are running out of time, it is almost half-time. Let's get the team in the locker room and make adjustment Norv....

"Lights Out", Maybe Out of San Diego

Source: Associated Press

Once the most dominating defensive player in the NFL, Merriman gradually became a burden to the Chargers. He hasn’t been able to stay healthy and he wasn't very productive in the little time he's played. For all of his scandals and squabbles — the contractual theatrics, the offseason absences, the hollywood lifestyle, the positive drug test and the negative dalliance with Tila Tequila — Merriman’s unforgivable sin was losing a step in the football field.

Create enough havoc on the opposing Quarterback, and a football team will gladly handle a few headaches. But lose a little burst and every false step starts to seem critical. In making the procedural move Wednesday that will ultimately result in Merriman’s release, the Chargers essentially declared that “Lights Out” is no longer worth the headaches.

They are saying that they prefer to swallow at least $2 million of Merriman’s 2010 salary rather than dedicate a roster spot to a player of dubious productivity. If another team claims Merriman on waivers, the Chargers would stand to receive some salary relief, but the driving force here is desperation. The Chargers are 2-3, have been hemorrhaging linebackers, and can ill afford to keep players around as sideline spectators.

The Chargers still thought Merriman is sufficiently serviceable to warrant a $3.269 million tender offer for the 2010 season. But it has not gone well for him. He is not healthy to play for the San Diego Chargers for two to three weeks, maybe less than that.

To some, Merriman is forever tainted by the four-game suspension he served in 2006 following a positive drug test. That he nonetheless led the NFL with 17 sacks that season, while playing in only 12 games, would suggest there was more to the man than anabolic steroids. Some would date Merriman’s decline to his failed drug test have yet to adequately account for his success later that season or his 12½ sacks in 2007.

More likely, Merriman reached his career crossroads on Dec. 9, 2007 in Tennessee against the Titans, on cheap shot by Tennessee’s Kevin Mawae and David Stewart. Both player's were fined,but they succeeded in shredding ligaments in Merriman’s left knee.

"Lights Out" has not been the same players since. Shawne Merriman used to be an extraordinary player, was the toughest defensive end/outside linebacker in football. His size, speed and explosiveness me him one of the most feared player in the league.

Good luck out there Lights Out, thanks for the great memories. You made it fun to watch Chargers football, when healthy.