Notebook: Bolts consider adding kickoff specialist
By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | ∞
SAN DIEGO -- The Chargers worked out four kickers Thursday and continue to ponder whether to add a kickoff specialist for Sunday's game at Oakland because of Nate Kaeding's injury to his plant leg.
Billy Cundiff, Josh Huston, Nick Novak and Dave Rayner were all brought in for workouts. General manager A.J. Smith said coach Norv Turner will likely make a decision today.
"We all looked at the workouts and Coach will make the decision one way or the other on whether he wants to do it or not do it," Smith said.
Cundiff, 27, was born in Valley Center, and spent four seasons with Dallas and one with New Orleans. Novak, 26, has two seasons of experience with Washington and Arizona. Rayner was released by Kansas City last month and also has been employed by Indianapolis (2005) and Green Bay (2006). Huston, a former Ohio State kicker, has never played in an NFL game.
Kaeding injured his left fibula during Monday's game with Denver. Turner is looking to add a kickoff specialist because he prefers that Mike Scifres focus solely on punting.
"I would expect Nate to be all right on the place-kicking and that's why we're being a little bit deliberate with this process," Turner said.
Shocking sight
Safety Clinton Hart remembers his first visit to Oakland in 2004. He was stunned by what he witnessed and heard.
One of the taunts Hart can't forget was a comment made to LaDainian Tomlinson.
"I saw a little kid painted up, face painted black and eyes wide open and he's saying, 'I hate you, L.T.!' " Hart said. "You don't hear that from kids so you know the parents teach him to hate the Chargers."
Et cetera
OLB Shawne Merriman (knee) and DT Jamal Williams (ankle, hip) were limited practice participants on Thursday. Coach Norv Turner would like to see Williams play part of Sunday's game. He missed last Monday's game against Denver. ... Oakland is allowing a league-worst 6.3 yards on first down -- the league average is 5.29.
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Bobby wrote on Dec 28, 2007 8:03 AM:How could anyone teach their kid to "hate"? Especially over a game,,,nuts.
Dick wrote on Dec 28, 2007 9:23 AM:The bolts are worthless. Nobody hates the bolts. Hart is lying. It is a complet waste of time to hate the bolts, they suck too bad.
ktchargers wrote on Dec 28, 2007 10:17 AM:they don't call black hole for nothing
as a parent if you know your team don't have future at least don't drag your kids down with you.
Go Chargers
MV wrote on Dec 28, 2007 6:01 PM:Dick, What the heck was that comment for? Ah, your name answered my question...
All in good fun wrote on Dec 28, 2007 8:31 PM:Hate is evil we don`t hate the Raider fans although there are a few rotten apples on both sides of the fence. Its just fun to have a rivalry which we also have with a few other teams now such as The Donkies The Patsies & The Tittans
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