Boise State duo returns to site of bowl bash

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Tuesday, August 21, 2007 10:43 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO -- Saturday's exhibition game against the Arizona Cardinals will mark the first time the Chargers have played in University of Phoenix Stadium, the oft-praised facility in its second year of business. But a couple of the team's rookies have played in the venue and give it high marks.

Receiver Legedu Naanee and cornerback Quinton Jones played in the Fiesta Bowl last New Year's Day as part of the Boise State team that pulled out an epic 43-42 overtime victory over Oklahoma.

"That stadium is state-of-the-art, so it's going to be nice to get in there and see the facility," Jones said. "I don't think there's a bad seat in the house from what I could tell from being down there on the field. It's a nice venue."

The domed stadium with the retractable roof and a natural grass field that is rolled into the facility for games is even more impressive than the Boise State playbook. And the architectural praise heaped on the building's features rivals the famous Statue of Liberty play Boise State used to score the winning points.

"It was definitely a good experience, just it being a new stadium and an NFL stadium and us being in college and not really playing in venues like that," Naanee said. "I'm not sure what kind of experience it will be (Saturday) until I actually get back and walk through there. Probably some memories will start running through my head."

Jones said the Boise State players did not receive a tour of the facility and had to keep their distance. He said stadium security kept a close eye on the players' whereabouts.

As grand as the celebration was after Boise State's victory, Jones is aiming for a bigger fiesta this Saturday.

"I think this game will be more memorable if I get in there and I make some big plays at this level," Jones said. "This is the NFL and the San Diego Chargers, and I'm getting an opportunity to get in there and show everybody what I've got."

Taboo topic

Remember that playoff loss to New England and all the costly mistakes the Chargers made? Apparently, new coach Norv Turner tap dances around the subject when referencing plays from that 24-21 defeat.

"I haven't dealt specifically with any play in the New England game," Turner said. "I've dealt with all the situations that occur in every game, and some of them occurred in the New England game and how we're going to handle these situations when they present themselves again.

"When I present situations that may have happened in that game or what happened in the Baltimore game, everybody knows what I'm talking about. But that's the way I've chose to deal with it."

Catching everything

Greg Camarillo has never caught a pass in a regular-season game and is in a battle to make the team. But Turner has noticed that he seems to make a lot of impressive catches in practice.

"It doesn't seem like that; he does it," Turner said. "He's really having a good camp. He's not only done a good job catching the ball, but he's done a good job on special teams."

With roster spots all but assured to Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Craig Davis, Legedu Naanee, injured Eric Parker and special teams ace Kassim Osgood, it will be tough for Camarillo to crack the final 53-player roster.

Et cetera

ILB Tim Dobbins has played well in place of injured Matt Wilhelm (calf) and could push Wilhelm for the starting gig. "It's been good for Tim to play, and I think he's impressed us as a guy who can play," coach Norv Turner said of the second-year player. "I see Matt as being the starter there. We'll just see where he is when he comes back." ... DE Igor Olshansky continues to be bothered by a groin injury.

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