Chargers camp features Cottrell family reunion

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Thursday, August 2, 2007 10:55 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- There are two Theodore John Cottrells in training camp with the Chargers. Only one is guaranteed to be around when the regular season begins.

Ted Cottrell is the Chargers' new defensive coordinator. His son, who goes by T.J., is a tight end vying for a roster spot.

"I know this team is going to be successful and I want to be a part of it somehow," T.J. Cottrell, one of five tight ends in camp, said Thursday. "I'd probably be happy if I was a ball boy."

In fact, T.J. has done the ball-boy routine in the past while his father was with the Buffalo Bills organization. But he has never played in an NFL game. He was cut by Minnesota in 2004, spent the 2005 campaign on the Vikings' injured reserve list and wasn't with any NFL organization last season.

T.J. actually beat his father to San Diego. He signed with the Chargers in early February, 13 days prior to his father's arrival as defensive coordinator.

"He was here," Ted Cottrell said with a laugh, "and later on, they signed his father. I'm proud of him, though. He's got an opportunity."

T.J. said he's comfortable having his father around and that the football relationship is all business.

"When we're in this facility, he's Coach Cottrell and I'm T.J. Cottrell," T.J. said. "I'm pretty much used to it. Every once in a while, I kind of peek on over, and I hear his voice yelling and I kind of laugh to myself. I know he's watching me also."

Familiar faces

Nothing brings a smile to LaDainian Tomlinson's face quicker than looking at his offensive line and counting out the same five starters that opened holes for him during his record-breaking 2006 campaign.

"This is the first time in my career that I have all my offensive line coming back," Tomlinson said. "I'm excited about that because those guys know me and I know them. It's a great feeling to have. I've never had that feeling before."

The Chargers came close to needing to find a new left guard before Kris Dielman re-signed with the team for $39 million over six years in early March. Dielman turned down a seven-year, $49 million offer from Seattle.

"Having a guy like Kris Dielman come back and come back for less money, that helps everybody, and it's kind of special," Tomlinson said.

Et cetera

SS Clinton Hart (hip flexor) and WR Vincent Jackson (leg soreness) missed Thursday's practice. Hart's absence allowed rookie Eric Weddle to receive a lot of first-team repetitions. "Eric has shown great range," coach Norv Turner said. "He has very good short-range quickness, and breaks on the ball. That was the thing that our scouts loved about him in college. He finds a way to get to the ball." ... DE Igor Olshansky (groin) did individual work and is closing in on full-practice participation, barring a setback. ... WR Onrea Jones has been added to the roster. Jones played college football at Hampton University and was recently released by the Houston Texans.

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.