On March 4, the New York Jets managed to get closer to playing in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011 posted by Colin Linneweber

The New York Jets acquired San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2011 draft Thursday evening. 

In order to make room for Cromartie, the Jets released disappointing cornerback Lito Sheppard. 

Cromartie, 25, who the Chargers selected with the 19th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft out of Florida State University, was an All-Pro selection in 2007. 

At his best, Cromartie is an elite shutdown corner who can easily blanket any receiver in the league with his blazing speed. 

Unfortunately for Jets fans, Cromartie is also a pathetic tackler who has more personal issues than Lindsay Lohan. 

Cromartie reportedly has fathered seven children in five different states and he has been named in a minimum of five paternity suits. 

The former Seminole standout signed a five-year contract worth $7.35 million with the Chargers after he was drafted. 

Therefore, Cromartie is entering the final season of his rookie contract and the Jets have been clear that they have zero desire to extend his deal before next season. 

Cromartie’s precarious contract situation should make him highly motivated to thrive for the Jets this coming autumn. 

Seriously, the guy is legally obligated to feed kids that reside all over our great nation. 

Coupled with 2009 First-Team All-Pro Darrelle Revis, the Jets should have the most formidable cornerback tandem in the NFL. 

If Revis and Cromartie are able to stifle their opponents passing game, Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan should have a ball devising even more aggressive blitz packages than he usually does. 

LT no longer a Charger posted by john howard

LaDainian Tomlinson was let go by the Chargers.   The 8th all time running back is no longer in San Diego.  He is a future hall of famer. But, does he have a future else where?

Let's take a look:

How about the Arizona Cardinals?  They took a shot at Emmitt Smith towards the end of his career.  Replace aging Warner with another aging vet? 

Cleveland could use a running back if they aren't completely decided on Harrison.

No one may need it more than the Detroit Lions. But I don't think he will take that job.

Another team that can win is the Houston Texas.

Kansas City???

Or how about the Seattle Seahawks---a possibility.

But the winner will be New England.  He would fit perfectly with the Patriots.

Sunny San Diego to chilly Boston-------but another ring???

San Diego Chargers Turn "Lights Out" on Merriman, Keep Offense in Tact posted by Bowe Fertig

The San Diego Chargers are never the aggressor, money-wise, when it comes to signing players during the offseason.

The last big-name free agent the Chargers signed was David Boston in 2003, and what a bust that was.

Unfortunately, the Chargers depend on their draft more than they should while watching other teams sign game-changing players.

You could maybe attribute late season runs that end earlier than expected to the complacent nature of the Chargers during the off-season.

Not this year and not this time.

If the Chargers want to become like their sports-city compadre, San Diego Padres, then they will do what they have been doing in past offseasons—doing just enough to be considered good, make the playoffs, and fall short.

The Super Bowl run begins this offseason for the Chargers and the resigning of Norv Turner tells me there will be a lot brewing in San Diego this offseason.

Shawne Merriman won’t be drinking from the San Diego brewing companies anymore as his lights-out dance became less apparent.

Merriman, who had a good, young, lights-out career with the Chargers, has given the organization no reason to re-sign after his past two seasons.

Merriman displayed a decrease in speed and the inability to get to the quarterback after last year's one-game season. He has never been good in coverage and with season-low numbers in tackles (36) and sacks (four) there is no need to give up the big money Merriman will be asking for.

With never more than 70 tackles in one season but being the only Charger with 10 or more sacks in his first three seasons, Merriman has some upside. When healthy he impacted games on many different levels and came up huge in big-time games.

Why The San Diego Chargers Signed Norv Turner To a Three-Year Extension posted by Bowe Fertig

The San Diego Chargers' CEO Dean Spanos and General Manager A.J. Smith have made the biggest desperation move in Super Charger history.

The three-year extension signed by Norv Turner only makes sense in one big way, and that’s money.

For an organization to re-sign a head coach who has consistently been outcoached in the playoffs to a three-year extension so quickly is absolutely dumbfounding.

My mind hurt when I found out Norv Turner was signed to a three-year extension within a day of losing to the less-talented Jets.

I was still trying to get over the heartbreaking Charger loss, and now this.

But after considering the Chargers' biggest obstacle to future success—the resigning of free agents Shawne Merriman, Darren Sproles, Vincent Jackson, Marcus McNeill, Jeromey Clary, Malcom Floyd, Mike Tolbert, and the decision to keep LaDainian Tomlinson, money seems to be the most logical reasoning behind the move.

San Diego is faced with a huge obstacle this offseason of forking over money to keep the Chargers' best players, and have made it easier on themselves by re-signing Norv Turner.

The Chargers past offseasons haven’t reflected the aggressiveness, money-wise, needed for what’s necessary this offseason, and keeping a head coach that everyone gets along with can make the decision easier for players to stay.

I know most fans want a coach who brings more intensity to the locker room, like Bill Cowher, but he doesn’t fit our offensive scheme, and San Diego will need to spend more money for an offensive coordinator.

Jets stun Chargers 17-14 in San Diego posted by Joe Anello

It was an ugliest of games for the team in the prettiest of cities. After winning 11 straight games to finish the regular season, the San Diego Chargers came out with a resounding thud at home against the Jets on Sunday. Penalties, missed field goals and turnovers formed a perfect storm of suck for the Chargers and kept the Jets in the game until the final quarter where they took and held onto the lead to advance to the AFC championship game with a 17-14 victory.

Following a scoreless first quarter, the Chargers jumped out to a 7-0 lead as Philip Rivers found rarely-used tight end Kris Wilson in the endzone. That was the lead taken into halftime, thanks to a stingy Jet defense and a lackluster but safe Jet offense. New York added a field goal in the third to close the gap, but you never felt like the Chargers offense could be stifled for four quarters. Seems like the Jets offense didn’t get the memo, as they were the ones who refused to be held down.

After a fantastic pick of Rivers by Revis, the Jets were forced to punt it right back, minimalizing Rivers' mistake. On his very next throw Rivers was intercepted again, returned by safety Jim Leonard 11 yards to the Charger 16.  A touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller capitalized on the turnover, giving New York their first lead of the game. On their next drive, rookie Shonn Greene broke through the San Diego defense for a 53-yard scamper to the endzone, putting the Jets up 17-7. A late rally by Norv Turner's offense was marred by poor clock management but did result in a touchdown to bring it back to 17-14.  A failed onside kick gave the road team the ball, which they ran on four straight plays including a gutsy fourth-and-one conversion by Thomas Jones to secure the win. All the Chargers could do was watch.

Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Sunday posted by Joe Anello

Even if yesterday's were drama-less (story of the playoffs so far), I couldn't miss a second. That won't change today as the most hyped game of the weekend starts Divisional round Sunday. New York's Cinderella story (is Rex Ryan the fairy godmother?) closes out the night with a west coast appearance. The Opening Drive of Divisional Sunday in the NFL starts now!

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
1:00PM ET FOX

I don't know if you knew, but Brett Favre is a Viking. Back for one last (?) Super Bowl run, Favre has done all Minnesota has asked him. Now its time for his team to show up. That means blocking for Adrian Peterson and the secondary showing up to play. Hopefully Brad Childress did some coaching this week,

Dallas has been under fire for failing in December and the post-season for several years. Now, they've broken both "jinxes" and found themselves one game away from the NFC title game. Wade Philips saved his job with a pounding of Philadelphia last weekend and will look to blow Favre up in the pocket. 

Analysis: Minnesota wishes they had Dallas' offense. The Cowboys have been committed to and successful with the run, and Romo has been efficient with 20-26 throws a game. Felix Jones needs another huge run to loosen up the Vikings' D so Miles Austin can strike deep against poor-playing corners. Favre will be under pressure from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff all afternoon, which will cause at least one interception, maybe two. Dallas' defense is playing dominant football while the Vikings have been inconsistent at best. Adrian Peterson has to be the game-breaker today and not the poster child for fumblitis.

Exercising the Demons posted by Amari Harris

The Cowboys have a huge match-up this week against the #2 seed Minnesota Vikings.  But, I don’t think that will keep any Cowboys fan from relishing in what has transpired over the last month.  Over these last 4 weeks the Cowboys have exercised all of their “demons” and now simply have to go into the Metrodome and take on the 12-4 Minnesota Vikings led by Brett Favre to advance to the NFC championsip.  Piece of cake, right?  Well before we stuff ourselves, let’s digest the last month of the season and see what the Cowboys were able to stomach (pun intended). 

Demon #1:  DECEMBER

It all started in New Orleans when the Cowboys took on the undefeated New Orleans Saints.  They were coming off back to back losses to the Chargers and Giants and the December monster continued to loom.  Most experts predicted that the Cowboys would not only lose Saturday night in New Orleans , but that they could possibly free fall out of the playoffs with more late-season losses.  The Cowboys went on to man handle the Saints for the majority of the game and DeMarcus Ware added a signature performance  to his growing legacy. 

After handing New Orleans its first  loss of the season, the Cowboys took on a semi-surging Washington Redskins team that wanted to show what they had to new GM Bruce Allen.  Result:  17-0 shut-out, courtesy of Wade Phillips and his suddenly vaunted defense.  The Cowboys had punched their ticket to the playoffs but I have to admit that there were

Joe's Opening Drive: Week 15 posted by Joe Anello

After another dramatic Colts win, the still-undefeated Saints try their luck against the Cowboys on Saturday night while the second seed in the AFC is on the line on Sunday. Let's start the Opening Drive of week 15 in the NFL!

(8-5) Dallas Cowboys at (13-0) New Orleans Saints 

Dallas' DeMarcus Ware is going to play less than a week after suffering a neck strain, but that may not be enough for the free-falling Cowboys. Going into New Orleans and escaping with a victory will require near-flawless play and a lot of luck. Even without tight end Jeremy Shockey, Drew Brees has an abundance of weapons at his disposal. If the Saints move to 14-0, it will could signal the end of Dallas' playoff hopes and the end of Wade Philips' tenure as head coach.

***UPDATE: Dallas freaking did it. I'll be sure to cover this stunner in the Final Drive.

(8-5) New England Patriots at (5-8) Buffalo Bills 

Don't look now, but the rest of the AFC East is catching up to the Patriots. If Bill Belichick's squad loses another road game (which they've done consistently this season) and Miami or the Jets win, the Pats will fall out of the division lead and risk a playoff berth entirely. In a up-and-down season in Buffalo, this could be a signature win to carry them over into next year.

(9-4) Cincinnati Bengals at (10-3) San Diego Chargers

In the most significant game of the weekend, San Diego and Cincinnati are essentially playing for the number two seed in the AFC and an additional home game in the playoffs. San Diego has been lighting teams up in December while the Bengals were just lambasted by Minnesota. After the tragic loss of Chris Henry, I can't believe the Bengals are going to have enough in the tank to head out west and win.

Big Test Coming for Big D posted by Nicholas Schwartz

The Dallas Cowboys have entered their December swoon, and yet I'm not worried.  The defense couldn't contain the pass.  The offense couldn't punch it in from the one yard line.  And off we go to New Orleans, a team that will pass all over you, that will stuff you at the line.

 But the Cowboys have a great opportunity.  If they can beat the Saints, they keep their playoff hopes alive and stay one game ahead of the Giants.  If they can beat the Saints, some of the doubts in December will go away.  They face their toughest test on Saturday.

 Tony Romo hasn't looked horrible this December: far from it.  He hasn't thrown perfectly on every pass, but he's completing the passes he needs to and avoiding turning the ball over.  Normally he is part of the problem in December.  This time, he could be the solution.  Against the Giants he threw for 392 yards, 3 touchdowns and set new records for attempts and completions.  Against the Chargers he was less stellar, but still threw for 249 yards and 2 touchdowns. Over the past three games his lowest QB rating was 111.7.

 This game is essentially a must win for the Cowboys.  They still stand a chance if they lose, but the Giants would have to lose at least one and the Cowboys would have to win their last two.  The Cowboys have to know that their season is slipping away, and must follow the examples set by the Redskins and the Falcons taking the Saints down to the wire.  They must come out strong and keep the Saints defense on their hills.  On defense, the pass rush must get to Brees and force him into errant passes.  The secondary has given up too many homeruns over the past few games and need to step up now.

Must Win Game? posted by Amari Harris

If the Dallas Cowboys do not defeat the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, then they will not make the playoffs.  At least that’s what ESPN’s Michael Smith implies as he analyzes the Cowboys December schedule.

It is a strong statement but I have to agree with Smith on this one.  Other than the fact that he is my favorite ESPN analyst, Smith puts forth undeniable logic.  If the Cowboys lose on Sunday then that December question will continue to loom and it will become more than a myth- it will become prophetic stigma.  It seems almost unfair that the NFL would stick the ‘Boys with such a daunting schedule in the last month knowing their struggles, but Roger Goodell can’t save them now.  After losing to the Giants, the Cowboys have put themselves in this mess and they’re going to have to fight their way out.  If they lose this game on Sunday, then they’re going to have to hit the panic button, the panic switch, and the panic remote control. 

This game is eerily similar to a December game last season in which the Ravens came to town and handed the Cowboys a demoralizing loss in their final game in Texas Stadium.  The Cowboys had just come off a victory over (who else?) the Giants, and were looking to build some momentum as the playoffs approached.  Despite outplaying the Ravens for the majority of the game, the Cowboys defense collapsed and allowed the Ravens to run the ball right down their throat for

Tomlinson to visit Vikings on Thursday (AP)

LaDainian Tomlinson is coming to Minnesota for a visit, and the Vikings believe he could be a good fit. Tomlinson is scheduled to meet with coach Brad Childress and other members of the organization on Thursday. The 2006 NFL MVP was released by the San Diego Chargers last month after the least-productive season of his prolific nine-year career. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Broncos sign DLs Jamal Williams, Green (AP)

The Denver Broncos continued beefing up their defensive line, signing unrestricted free agents Jamal Williams and Jarvis Green on Tuesday. Williams, a 12-year veteran, was the run-stuffing anchor of the San Diego Chargers' defensive line. He injured an arm in last season's opener and missed the rest of the year. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Jets to acquire Chargers CB Cromartie (AP)

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From Yahoo! Sports

Chargers keep Sproles, cut DT Williams (AP)

The San Diego Chargers made two surprise moves in the hours before free agency began, deciding to keep speedy little Darren Sproles and releasing veteran defensive tackle Jamal Williams. The Chargers placed the maximum first- and third-round tender on Sproles on Thursday, offering him a contract for $7,283,000 for next season. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Chargers won't tender deal to RB Sproles (AP)

First LaDainian Tomlinson, and now Darren Sproles. The San Diego Chargers have decided not to tender a contract to Sproles, allowing the speedy running back to test the free agent market, a person with knowledge of the situation said Friday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't made an official announcement. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports