SAN DIEGO – The offensive line deserves credit on a team that has moved the ball farther than any other unit in the NFL through 11 games.
It deserves to be recognized for putting quarterback 
It deserves credit for turning
It would take a great game, but the Chargers could pass last season’s rushing total through Week 13 with 177 rushing yards against the Raiders and almost certainly will eclipse that mark by the time a three-game homestand concludes Dec. 16 against the 49ers.
But there’s one important blocker that isn’t in that category: fullback
Hester, a third-year player that entered the league as a star back out of LSU, has blossomed into a 5-foot-11, 235-pound blocking machine.
“He’s not the tallest, he’s not the biggest, so he has to use what he has to his advantage,” Tolbert said. “He can get low with it. He’s very strong to be a smaller fullback and just to be able to get under guys that are 6-3, 6-4 and 255, 260. Just to be able to use that leverage bodes well for him and us as a team.”
Hester’s transformation has been mental as well as physical. He’s consistently taken more pride in handling his blocking responsibilities than in the 41 times he’s touched the ball this season, although that’s a career high.
Hester particularly relishes blocking for his good buddy Tolbert after the two entered the league together as rookie fullbacks in 2007.
“At fullback you always have to take pride in getting guys yards, but for me it’s even more special because of the relationship me and Mike have,” Hester said. “I never want to put him in a situation to fail. I always open the biggest holes I can for him.”
Likewise, Tolbert has deflected all praise towards those blocking for him. He singled out
“(Hester) is a competitor,” Tolbert said. “He actually plays every play like it’s his last and it’s rare to see people play the game that way. It’s a tremendous feeling knowing who (No.) 22 is supposed to block is going to be blocked regardless of what play it is.”
In addition to blocking, Hester is fifth on the team with 21 receptions. He’s also one of 12 NFL players that are perfect on third-and-1, converting all three of his attempts. Sure-handed as well, Hester has fumbled three times in 548 touches in college and the NFL.
With the Colts defense playing deep to counter San Diego’s big-play propensity, Hester collected all four of his pass targets Sunday for 34 yards, a crucial aspect of the Chargers’ success with underneath throws.
“We’ve got a lot of weapons on the team and I’m sure ole 22 ain’t one of them they’re scouting,” Hester said.
TICKET UPDATE: About 1,200 Club seats remain unsold for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium.
The Chargers will wear their alternate “Power Blue” uniforms for the first time this season against the Raiders. San Diego also will wear the uniforms Dec. 16 against the 49ers.
