Edwards a winner in return to Q

By: JAY PARIS and MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writers | Sunday, September 30, 2007 9:32 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Donnie Edwards came home and he didn't want to leave. Minutes after the Chiefs upset the Chargers 30-16 at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday afternoon, he lingered at midfield exchanging well-wishes with everyone from the Chargers' team photographer to star running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

"I told him he don't look good in those Kansas City colors,'' Tomlinson said.

Minutes later in a jubilant Chiefs locker room, receivers coach Charlie Joiner, a former Chargers great, extended a hand toward Edwards.

"I know this one means a lot to you,'' Joiner said.

Edwards paced the Chargers in tackles for each of the five seasons he was in San Diego. But he was let go over the offseason, as the Chargers went with youth over productivity.

"We obviously miss him,'' Tomlinson said. "But that's the business. One day you are here and the next day you are gone.''

But not forgotten. When exiting, chants of "Donnie, Donnie" were heard from Chiefs and Chargers fans.

"That was really nice,'' he said.

Same goes for collecting eight tackles, two behind the line of scrimmage.

Edwards chuckled when that was mentioned, after so much was written about his tackles being well down field.

"Yeah, right,'' Edwards said. "I just got a good read and shot the gap.''

There appears to be a hole in the Chargers' defense since Edwards was shown the door. Last year through four games it allowed 36 points. This year, it's 103.

Breaking out

Tomlinson had 132 yards on 20 carries for his first 100-yard outing of the season. It was his 40th career 100-yard rushing performance and marked the fifth time he has topped the century mark against Kansas City.

Tomlinson also scored his 102nd career rushing touchdown. He's two behind fifth-place John Riggins on the all-time rushing TD list. He also moved into 23rd on the all-time rushing list with 9,438 yards. He passed Earl Campbell (9,407).

Lots of activity

Kicker Nate Kaeding didn't make his first field goal of the season until 20 seconds remained in the third game of the season against Green Bay. He was pretty busy one Sunday later.

Kaeding kicked three first-half field goals, connecting on boots of 24, 51 and 38 yards. The 51-yarder was his fifth of 50 or more yards in his four-year career.

Record catch

Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez caught his 62nd career touchdown pass in the third quarter to tie the NFL record for TD receptions by a tight end set by former Denver standout Shannon Sharpe.

Gonzalez tied the record with a 22-yard catch in which he beat linebacker Stephen Cooper and cornerback Quentin Jammer.

Gonzalez caught five passes for 71 yards.

Lights back on

One of the biggest roars of the game occurred when linebacker Shawne Merriman sacked Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard and broke into his patented "Lights Out" sack dance. It was Merriman's first home sack this season.

Various media outlets reported Merriman wouldn't be doing the dance this season, but nobody truly believed that. In the week leading up to the Chargers' road game against New England two weeks ago, Merriman indicated the dance had not been retired.

Home streak over

The Chargers' nine-game home regular-season winning streak ended. The Chargers went 8-0 at home last season before losing to New England in the playoffs.

SIDELINES

MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer

WHO'S HOT DWAYNE BOWE Chiefs rookie had 164 yards and is exactly the impact rookie receiver the Chargers needed. But he was scooped up by Kansas City seven picks before the Chargers spot in the draft arrived.

WHO'S NOT NORV TURNER His career mark of being 24 games below .500 was supposed to improve with this team. He's now 26 games under just four games into the season.

INJURY REPORT OLB Marques Harris, concussion

FS Marlon McCree, hand

T Marcus McNeill, knee

ILB Brandon Siler, hamstring