First play yields a first for Igor

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Sunday, December 30, 2007 11:10 PM PST ∞

OAKLAND ---- Chargers DE Igor Olshansky nabbed his first career interception on the first play from scrimmage, picking off JaMarcus Russell's first pass as an NFL starting quarterback.

Olshansky sensed a screen as he saw the play develop ---- an offensive lineman letting him rush by, the positioning of the quarterback, seeing Oakland RB Dominic Rhodes step up instead of blocking.

Those instincts had the four-year veteran in perfect position to intercept Russell's pass.

"It was just reaction," Olshansky said. "You're an athlete and you're out there to make plays. They don't expect you to catch that because you're a defensive lineman, but if it's right there, you should get a chance to catch it."

The interception was Olshansky's first official pick since he returned one 17 yards for a touchdown while playing in the California-Texas all-star game after his senior season at St. Ignatius High in San Francisco.

Olshansky also had a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown while in college at Oregon, but the interception was nullified by a penalty.

Gates short of targetsTE Antonio Gates caught six passes for 62 yards, falling 16 yards short of a 1,000-yard season. He also was unable to become the first tight end in NFL history to score 10 or more touchdowns in three different seasons.

The Chargers took a shot at getting Gates that 10th score by having Billy Volek throw a jump ball his way in the end zone with less than two minutes left, but Gates was double-covered by the Raiders' Fabian Washington and Michael Huff and the pass fell incomplete.

"We had established a victory, but at the same time it was a chance that I could make history," Gates said. "A lot of people play a long time and never get that chance. I just wanted to take advantage of it."

Prior to the incompletion, RT Jeromey Clary was called for a false start. Gates had headed upfield on a passing route, and that tipped off Oakland defenders that the Chargers truly planned on throwing the ball as opposed to running it and working down the clock.

In fact, Gates said he heard Raiders MLB Kirk Morrison screaming at his teammates.

"I told you they're trying to get him the ball," Morrison yelled. "They're trying to get him the record."

Gates missed out on the 1,000-yard season because of a replay challenge that reversed a 26-yard catch in the second quarter. The official said Gates didn't maintain possession of the ball.

"I know for a fact that I had control of the ball," Gates said. "They are humans. One thing about the refs is they see what they see and they try to make the best decision possible."

Kicking Kaeding
K Nate Kaeding was perfect on six kicks ---- three extra points and three field goals ---- despite playing with an injured left fibula. The field goals were from 36, 32 and 24 yards.

Dave Rayner, signed on Friday, handled kickoff duties. Rayner had to push Oakland returner Chris Carr out of bounds on the opening kickoff after Carr's 43-yard return.

It was on the opening kickoff last Monday against Denver that Kaeding injured his plant leg while making a tackle.

Up the charts
OLB Shawne Merriman recorded a sack to raise his season total to 12 1/2 and his career total to 39 1/2. Merriman moved into eighth place in franchise history, passing Louie Kelcher (39).

Williams sits
DT Jamal Williams was one of the team's inactives, sitting out for the second consecutive game. Williams is bothered by ankle and hip injuries.

Brandon McKinney started in Williams' place for the second straight contest.

OLB Marques Harris also was inactive. Harris underwent hand surgery on Wednesday.

Injury report
The Chargers reported no new injuries following the contest. OLB Shaun Phillips injured a hand, but said it wasn't serious.

"I just jammed my wrist," Phillips said. "It's cool. Nothing major. That's part of football."

KEY STAT: 4
Igor Olshansky intercepted a pass and the Chargers recovered three fumbles, getting four turnovers to raise their league-leading takeaway count to 48.

TURNING POINT
Jyles Tucker sacked JaMarcus Russell to force a fumble that Tucker recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Chargers a 14-point lead midway through the third quarter.

QUOTABLE
"The level of establishing a postseason presence is here in this locker room. Obviously, we've had tremendous regular seasons since I've been here, but we haven't really got off on the right foot in the postseason. I think we're ready to establish our postseason presence and ultimately reach our goal, which is the Super Bowl."

---- TE Antonio Gates asserting that it's time for the Chargers to turn regular-season success into playoff success.

NEXT GAME
Tennessee at Chargers, 1:30 p.m. Sunday

WHO'S HOT
LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON

He finished the season with 1,474 rushing yards to become the 12th player to win back-to-back rushing titles and the first since Edgerrin James (1999-2000).

WHO'S NOT
LANE KIFFIN

Pulled a Tom Craft by passing on a field goal with just over three minutes to play, needing two scores to win. The ensuing fourth-down run was stuffed, and the Chargers were out of danger.

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