Chargers announce team awards

Thursday, Jan 04, 2007
By Tom Shanahan, Chargers.com

2007 Team Awards Photo Gallery

Chargers linebacker Randall Godfrey was talking about the Bolts’ 14-2 record and AFC West title when he pointed out one reason for the team’s success is the balance of veterans and young players.

That balance of experience and youth was evident with the winners of the team awards that were announced Thursday after practice at Chargers Park. The awards are voted by the players.

“This is such a great team to play on,” Godfrey said. “We don’t have any egos in this locker room.”

The veterans honored included Godfrey, who is in in his 11th season, and nose tackle Jamal Williams, who is playing his ninth year.

The young guys were quarterback Philip Rivers, a first-year starter at quarterback; outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, second-year player; left tackle Marcus McNeill, a rookie; and left guard Kris Dielman, a second-year starter in his fourth NFL season.

And somewhere in between are sixth-year running back LaDainian Tomlinson and fourth-year special teams standout and wide receiver Kassim Osgood.

Tomlinson was voted the Chargers’ Most Valuable Player on the same day that he was named the NFL MVP. It was the second straight year Tomlinson won the team MVP and the fourth in the last five years.

“Our football team is very pleased by the recognition that has come to them this year and with LaDainian being named the NFL MVP,” Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “But to a man they also recognize our initial purpose is to win a championship. We won the AFC West, but that’s merely an intermediate point.”

Rivers received the Rodney Culver Memorial Award as the team’s Offensive Player of the Year.

“He’s captained the ship on the field,” Schottenheimer said. “His leadership and performance have been a significant part of our winning 14 games this season.”

Merriman, who is bound for his second straight Pro Bowl, received the David Griggs Award as the Defensive Player of the Year. It was his first team award.

“It’s a huge honor from my teammates,” Merriman said. “It goes a long way to showing how grateful I am to be playing for this team.”

Williams shared the Lineman of the Year Award with McNeill and Dielman.

“It’s a special honor to have the guys on your team acknowledge you,” Williams said. “I appreciate it.”

McNeill said he and Dielman were happy to share the award as the left side of the line as well as share it with Williams, who swept the award the previous two seasons.

“Jamal is one of the most dominating nose guards in the league,” McNeill said. “Kris and I take pride in what we do on the left side, so it’s a big thing for us.”

Osgood, who earlier was named to his first Pro Bowl, was named the Special Teams Player of the Year for the second straight season.

“I was watching tape today, and it’s remarkable how much faster he runs down field in the kicking game than anyone else on the field,” Schottenheimer said. “With those long strides, he’s three, four and five yards in front of everybody on the coverage team. He’s been that way since he’s been here.“

Godfrey received the Emil Karas Memorial Award as the team’s Most Inspirational Player for the second straight season.

“To get this award two years in a row tells you how much respect you get from your teammates,” Godfrey said. “I try and go out and lead by example and have fun. That’s what we’ve been doing this year -- having fun. This is a close group of guys.”

Alumni Player of the Week

Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips was another player honored Thursday as he received the Alumni Player of the Week that is presented every Thursday of the season after practice by Chargers alumni players. Phillips was honored for last week’s 27-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the regular-season finale.

Phillips, a third-year player in his first season as a starter, finished the year with career highs in tackles (63) and sacks (11.5). He also had 19 quarterback hits, eight passes defended, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Injury Update

Rivers was out of the protective boot he was wearing after suffering a sprained foot in the win Sunday over Arizona, although he didn’t participate in the team’s workout. Defensive lineman Luis Castillo (ankle), Derrick Robinson (foot) and Jacques Cesaire (knee) also sat out Thursday’s practice.

The team works out again Friday before taking the weekend off and beginning game preparations for the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Chargers won’t know their opponent or if they play Jan. 13 or 14 until after this weekend’s Wild Card games.

Interviews for Cameron

Three NFL teams have requested and been granted permission to interview Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron about their vacant head coaching jobs.

Officials from the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins will interview Cameron over the weekend in San Diego.