Chargers back to familiar territory

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Thursday, Oct 25, 2007
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

After a few days of dealing with the unexpected, the Chargers felt refreshed Wednesday afternoon after spending a couple of hours on familiar ground - the football field.

“It felt really good just to be back out there running around today,” fullback Lorenzo Neal said. “Once we got on the field, nothing really seemed different. We went back to work.”

The Chargers arrived at the Arizona Cardinals’ practice facility before 2 p.m. Wednesday. The Cardinals practiced Wednesday morning and then were dismissed to enjoy their bye weekend. Team staff had cleaned out each player’s locker to make room for the Chargers. Once the Bolts finished their practice, they proceeded to Arizona’s weight room to conduct their regularly-scheduled lifts.

“The Cardinals have been unbelievable,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “I can’t believe how good they were and how easy they made it for us.”

Turner and his staff did everything possible to minimize the distractions as the team worked from their home away from home. The Chargers stuck to their regular Wednesday schedule as they conducted their first practice since last Thursday.

“We set up our meeting rooms like we were back in San Diego,” Turner said. “We went out and we did our normal Wednesday practice. We did the things we needed to do to get ready for a football game. I thought we did a lot of good things today. There were some things you could tell we’d been off.”

“Once they step on that field, that field is very familiar,” Turner said. “This field has the same exact markings as the field we have in San Diego. The field we play on wherever it is, whenever it is has the same markings. We’re asking a lot of our guys, but they’re capable of giving it to us. They’re going to prepare and go out and play a good football game.”

As of Wednesday evening, the team was still unsure of when and where this weekend’s game against the Houston Texans would be played. Turner lauded the way his team focused and prepared in spite of the circumstances.

“We can’t do anything about any of the other things, where it’s going to be or when it’s going to be, but we can do something about our preparation for the game and that’s what we’re doing,” Turner said. “They’re mature and they understand this game is going to get played. They’re mature and they’re a competitive group of guys. I thought they did a good job today getting started on what they need to do.”

Several players expressed a sense of relief at the opportunity to get back to playing the game they love. Just as football took their minds away from the tragedy Wednesday, the players hope they can do the same for their hometown this weekend.

“That’s our objective, just to try to come together and really entertain the people of San Diego,” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “They look forward to seeing us play. They have passion about football and San Diego. I think for them to see us play and for us to play our hearts out for them, what they’re going through and what they’re all going through, I think it can bring us together.”

Injury update

Defensive tackle Jamal Williams (knee) and center Nick Hardwick (foot) missed all of Wednesday’s practice. Hardwick will not play this weekend, and Williams status is will be determined later in the week. Wide receiver Buster Davis (ankle) and cornerback Drayton Florence (knee) were limited.

Texans kicker Kris Brown, guard Kasey Studdard and defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina did not work Wednesday. Six others including starters Matt Schaub, Ahman Green, DeMeco Ryans and Andre Johnson were limited. Johnson, who led the NFL in receptions last season, has not played since injuring his knee in Week 2.

Philip Rivers, Shane Olivea, Shawne Merriman

Ross D. Franklin, AP

San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers, left, Shane Olivea (70) and Shawne Merriman, right, arrive for practice with teammates and coaches at the Arizona Cardinals training facility Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007, in Tempe, Ariz. The Chargers temporarily moved their practices to Arizona due to the fires in the San Diego area. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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