Morning Dump
Are we there yet? It’s Pro Bowl Week!! LAME
SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Mayor Jerry Sanders said Monday he opposes U-T San Diego’s proposal for a new Chargers stadium and expanded convention center.
And we have our first glimpse at how U-T San Diego (the former San Diego Union-Tribune, renamed by its new developer/right-wing activist owner Doug Manchester) plans on covering the $1.5 billion Chargers stadium/convention center/kitchen sink plan proposed by its own publisher in Sunday’s paper. Today, reporter Matthew T. Hall takes a look at the viability of the waterfront stadium plan, albeit under the somewhat self-aggrandizing headline “Waterfront stadium plan revives debate.” Among the highlights:
First there’s Eli Manning, who was drafted by the Chargers but traded after he threatened to not sign with the team (which had gone 1-15 in the previous season). Another great game by him in the Super Bowl and Philip Rivers won’t just be the only QB from the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft (not named J.P. Losman) without a Super Bowl ring, he’ll be the only one (not named J.P. Losman) without two rings. Oh, and the Giants are attending their 3rd Super Bowl of the new millennium.
San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson and running back Ryan Mathews have been named to the AFC Pro Bowl team. Jackson replaces New England’s Wes Welker and Mathews is subbing for Baltimore’s Ray Rice.
As it’s been seen again and again in the NFL, an elite quarterback can take you long ways. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have excelled for years with sub-par defenses, and lackluster running games. Can Philip Rivers take that kind of responsibility and be that kind of leader for the Bolts? The Chargers already boast a better defense than the Patriots and the Colts, having been ranked #1 overall in yards allowed in 2010, and ranking in at 16th in 2011.