Morning Dump

Let’s get over this hump and then we are on our way into a new year and also a new era in Chargers Football. We should be just a few days from hearing some awesome news.

For years, Oakland has attempted to play spoiler at the end of their campaigns – up till 2010 – where they knew going into the final weekend that the post-season was not an option.

The Oakland Raiders need an awful lot of things to happen to make the 2012 NFL Playoffs. While they need teams like the Bengals, Titans and Broncos to lose their games in Week 17, they also have to beat the team that’s in front of them: the San Diego Chargers. There’s a couple different ways to look at this game, and it starts with the Chargers and their motivation.

SAN DIEGO — A trio of Chargers were selected to the Pro Bowl, the rosters for which were announced on Tuesday by the NFL.

Whatever housecleaning already may be underway in the executive offices upstairs at Chargers Park, there were signs that it definitely had begun downstairs in the locker room.

To be honest with you bro, I’m tired of talking about the Playoffs. Frustrating!”

That was the text message I received from former teammate and current San Diego Chargers linebacker Takeo Spikes when I texted him to ask about his unique NFL journey. Knowing how his professional career has unfolded, I could hardly blame him. In fact, his text message said it all.

Backup quarterback: Billy Volek’s only season in which he got significant playing time resulted in him passing for 249 yards per game.  This was ninth in the NFL among QB’s, but it happened in 2004 and he is 35 years old.

Linebacker: Takeo Spikes is third on the team with 58 tackles and leads San Diego in assisted tackles, but he is 35 years old and in his 14th NFL season.  The Chargers may not want or need to replace him, but drafting someone for the future or present should be considered.

The Minnesota Vikings claimed Todman off the Chargers’ practice squad on Tuesday, giving the New Bedford native and Dartmouth High School product a new NFL home. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 draft by San Diego, but didn’t see any regular-season action before being waived on October 22. The Chargers then re-signed him to their practice squad, where he remained until the Vikings signed him.