Jammer still himself

SAN DIEGO – Vincent Jackson is less than two years removed from back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Jackson, one of the most gifted athletes in the NFL at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds of lean muscle, the receiver commands attention from defenses. In practice, though, Quentin Jammer commands attention from him.

“He’s a good, big-sized, strong corner who makes it tough getting off the line for receivers,” Jackson said. “It’s great working against him in practice because it makes us better.”

Entering his 10^th NFL season, Jammer seems ready to cover some of the league’s best receivers. Physcially, he’s added six pounds since his rookie season, but not much else has changed. Though Jammer himself has tossed around the notion that he may move to safety someday, the moment has yet to appear on the horizon, much less arrive.

Jammer logged eight passes defensed and two interceptions last season, totals that won’t get him lavished with recognition, but quarterbacks threw his way just 79 times. Every cornerback’s bound to get tested now and again, but those times are rare in Jammer’s case as opponents seem to be aware of his solid play game after game.

“If a guy is going to be tough and he’s in your hip pocket and you’re not catching the ball, it’s tough whether it’s intercepted or not,” Jackson said. “(Jammer) is breaking up passes. He’s tackling running backs like a linebacker. He’s a physical specimen out there. His presence gets felt.”

GOOD COMPETITON: Larry English and Travis LaBoy split repetitions with the first-team defense Monday, bringing the Chargers closer to their design.

Though Antwan Barnes (quad) remains out of practice, the goal is to possess several outside linebackers capable of sharing the load and harassing quarterbacks in waves.

English has pleased Head Coach Norv Turner since returning from a foot injury, and LaBoy, who played for the 49ers last season, has begun to earn trust.

“He’s very familiar with the defense. He’s a very sudden player. He’s a very physical player,” Turner said of LaBoy. “Larry’s come back. Larry looks great. When we’re at our best, we’re able to roll three or four guys in there and that’s what we want to do.”

PICKS IN MIND: Eric Weddle isn’t the only defensive back focused on creating more turnovers this year.

Antoine Cason led the Chargers with four interceptions last season, but remains interested in increasing that total if possible.

“You’ve got to get turnovers. It changes the course of the game. Momentum, everything,” Cason said. “Turnovers are a big key. That does separate different guys. The standard is interceptions. That’s how people see it.’

MADDENESS: The Chargers are the highest-rated AFC West team in Madden ’12, earning an 85 to edge the Chiefs (84).

The popular football video game also bestowed high ratings on Antonio Gates (99), Philip Rivers (96), Kris Dielman (94) and Shaun Phillips (91).

ROSTER MOVE: The Chargers waived linebacker James Holt on Tuesday.

Holt finished each of his first two seasons on Reserve-Injured and also missed practice time during training camp.